Lamentations 4

1 How the gold has become dim. How the most pure gold has changed. The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.NHEB — Lamentations 4:1

2 The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How they are regarded as clay jars, the work of the hands of the potter.NHEB — Lamentations 4:2

3 Even the jackals offer the breast, they nurse their young ones, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.NHEB — Lamentations 4:3

4 The nursing infant's tongue sticks to the roof of his mouth for thirst. The young children ask for bread, but no one gives to them.NHEB — Lamentations 4:4

5 Those who ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those who were brought up in purple embrace ash heaps.NHEB — Lamentations 4:5

6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant, and no hands were laid on her.NHEB — Lamentations 4:6

7 Her consecrated ones were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance was like lapis lazuli.NHEB — Lamentations 4:7

8 They appear darker than soot; they are not known in the streets. Their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered and has become as dry as a stick.NHEB — Lamentations 4:8

9 Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger; those who waste away, pierced through, for lack of the fruits of the field.NHEB — Lamentations 4:9

10 The hands of the compassionate women have cooked their own children; they were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.NHEB — Lamentations 4:10

11 The LORD has accomplished his wrath, he has poured out his fierce anger; he has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured its foundations.NHEB — Lamentations 4:11

12 The kings of the earth did not believe, neither all the inhabitants of the world, that the adversary or the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem.NHEB — Lamentations 4:12

13 It is because of the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.NHEB — Lamentations 4:13

14 They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with blood, so that men can't touch their garments.NHEB — Lamentations 4:14

15 "Go away." they cried to them, "Unclean. Away, away. Do not touch." When they fled away and wandered, men said among the nations, "They shall not live here anymore."NHEB — Lamentations 4:15

16 The LORD himself has scattered them; he will no more regard them. They did not respect the priests, they did not favor the elders.NHEB — Lamentations 4:16

17 Our eyes still fail, looking in vain for our help. In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.NHEB — Lamentations 4:17

18 They hunt our steps, so that we can't go in our streets. Our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end has come.NHEB — Lamentations 4:18

19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky. They chased us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.NHEB — Lamentations 4:19

20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits; of whom we said, "Under his shadow we can live among the nations."NHEB — Lamentations 4:20

21 Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, that dwell in the land of Uz. The cup shall pass through to you also; you will get drunk, and shall make yourself naked.NHEB — Lamentations 4:21

22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, daughter of Zion; he will no more carry you away into captivity. He will visit your iniquity, daughter of Edom; he will uncover your sins.NHEB — Lamentations 4:22