1.
How dim the gold has become, [how] changed is the fine gold jewelry! The holy stones are scattered at the head of every street.
2.
The precious children of Zion, praised with fine gold; how they are regarded as earthen pitchers, the work of a potter's hands!
3.
Even the sea-monsters offer the breast [and] suckle their young; the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
4.
The tongue of the suckling child cleaves to his palate through thirst; the young children beg [for] bread, [but] no one breaks it for them.
5.
Those who used to eat dainties are perishing in the streets; they that were reared on crimson clasp the dunghills.
6.
The iniquity of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands fell on her.
7.
Her Nazirites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, their appearance was ruddier than coral, [and] sapphire was their form.
8.
[But now] their appearance has become darker than charcoal, they are not recognized in the streets; their skin is shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.
9.
Better off were the victims of the sword than the victims of hunger, for they ooze, pierced by the fruits of the field.
10.
The hands of compassionate women boiled their own children; they have become their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11.
The Lord has spent His fury, He has poured out His fierce anger, and He has kindled a fire in Zion, which has consumed her foundations.
12.
The kings of the earth did not believe, nor all the inhabitants of the world, that a foe or enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13.
[It was] for the sins of her prophets, the iniquities of her priests, who shed in her midst the blood of the righteous.
14.
The blind stagger through the streets, they are defiled with blood, and none can touch their garments.
15.
"Depart, unclean!" they called out to them, "Depart, depart, do not touch!" for they are foul, even slipping; they said, "They shall no more sojourn among the nations."
16.
The anger of the Lord divided them; He will regard them no longer; they respected not the presence of the priests; they favored not the elders.
17.
Our eyes still strained for our futile help; in our expectations we hoped for a nation that could not save [us].
18.
They dogged our steps [and prevented us] from walking in the streets; our end drew near, our days were fulfilled, for our end had come.
19.
Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens; they chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.
20.
The breath of our nostrils, the Lord's anointed, was captured in their pits, of whom we had said, "Under his protection we shall live among the nations."
21.
Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, who dwells in the land of Uz; upon you also shall the cup pass, you shall become drunk and vomit.
22.
[The punishment of] your iniquity is complete, O daughter of Zion; He will no longer send you into exile; [but] your iniquity, O daughter of Edom, He shall punish-He will reveal your sins.
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