1 How is the gold{H2091} become dim{H6004}{(H8714)}! how is the most{H2896} fine gold{H3800} changed{H8132}{(H8799)}! the stones{H68} of the sanctuary{H6944} are poured out{H8210}{(H8691)} in the top{H7218} of every street{H2351}.

2 The precious{H3368} sons{H1121} of Zion{H6726}, comparable{H5537}{(H8794)} to fine gold{H6337}, how are they esteemed{H2803}{(H8738)} as earthen{H2789} pitchers{H5035}, the work{H4639} of the hands{H3027} of the potter{H3335}{(H8802)}!

3 Even the sea monsters{H8577} draw out{H2502}{(H8804)} the breast{H7699}, they give suck{H3243}{(H8689)} to their young ones{H1482}: the daughter{H1323} of my people{H5971} is become cruel{H393}, like the ostriches{H3283} in the wilderness{H4057}.

4 The tongue{H3956} of the sucking child{H3243}{(H8802)} cleaveth{H1692}{(H8804)} to the roof of his mouth{H2441} for thirst{H6772}: the young children{H5768} ask{H7592}{(H8804)} bread{H3899}, and no man breaketh{H6566}{(H8802)} it unto them.

5 They that did feed{H398}{(H8802)} delicately{H4574} are desolate{H8074}{(H8738)} in the streets{H2351}: they that were brought up{H539}{(H8803)} in scarlet{H8438} embrace{H2263}{(H8765)} dunghills{H830}.

6 For the punishment of the iniquity{H5771} of the daughter{H1323} of my people{H5971} is greater{H1431}{(H8799)} than the punishment{H2403} of the sin of Sodom{H5467}, that was overthrown{H2015}{(H8803)} as in a moment{H7281}, and no hands{H3027} stayed{H2342}{(H8804)} on her.

7 Her Nazarites{H5139} were purer{H2141}{(H8804)} than snow{H7950}, they were whiter{H6705}{(H8804)} than milk{H2461}, they were more ruddy{H119}{(H8804)} in body{H6106} than rubies{H6443}, their polishing{H1508} was of sapphire{H5601}:

8 Their visage{H8389} is blacker{H2821}{(H8804)} than a coal{H7815}; they are not known{H5234}{(H8738)} in the streets{H2351}: their skin{H5785} cleaveth{H6821}{(H8804)} to their bones{H6106}; it is withered{H3001}{(H8804)}, it is become like a stick{H6086}.

9 They that be slain{H2491} with the sword{H2719} are better{H2896} than they that be slain{H2491} with hunger{H7458}: for these{H1992} pine away{H2100}{(H8799)}, stricken{H1856}{(H8794)} through for want of the fruits{H8570} of the field{H7704}.

10 The hands{H3027} of the pitiful{H7362} women{H802} have sodden{H1310}{(H8765)} their own children{H3206}: they were their meat{H1262}{(H8763)} in the destruction{H7667} of the daughter{H1323} of my people{H5971}.

11 The LORD{H3068} hath accomplished{H3615}{(H8765)} his fury{H2534}; he hath poured out{H8210}{(H8804)} his fierce{H2740} anger{H639}, and hath kindled{H3341}{(H8686)} a fire{H784} in Zion{H6726}, and it hath devoured{H398}{(H8799)} the foundations{H3247} thereof.

12 The kings{H4428} of the earth{H776}, and all the inhabitants{H3427}{(H8802)} of the world{H8398}, would not have believed{H539}{(H8689)} that the adversary{H6862} and the enemy{H341}{(H8802)} should have entered{H935}{(H8799)} into the gates{H8179} of Jerusalem{H3389}.

13 For the sins{H2403} of her prophets{H5030}, and the iniquities{H5771} of her priests{H3548}, that have shed{H8210}{(H8802)} the blood{H1818} of the just{H6662} in the midst{H7130} of her,

14 They have wandered{H5128}{(H8804)} as blind{H5787} men in the streets{H2351}, they have polluted{H1351}{(H8738)} themselves with blood{H1818}, so that men could{H3201}{(H8799)} not{H3808} touch{H5060}{(H8799)} their garments{H3830}.

15 They cried{H7121}{(H8804)} unto them, Depart{H5493}{(H8798)} ye; it is unclean{H2931}; depart{H5493}{(H8798)}, depart{H5493}{(H8798)}, touch{H5060}{(H8799)} not: when they fled away{H5132}{(H8804)} and wandered{H5128}{(H8804)}, they said{H559}{(H8804)} among the heathen{H1471}, They shall no more{H3254}{(H8686)} sojourn{H1481}{(H8800)} there.

16 The anger{H6440} of the LORD{H3068} hath divided{H2505}{(H8765)} them; he will no more{H3254}{(H8686)} regard{H5027}{(H8687)} them: they respected{H5375}{(H8804)} not the persons{H6440} of the priests{H3548}, they favoured{H2603}{(H8804)} not the elders{H2205}.

17 As for us, our eyes{H5869} as yet failed{H3615}{(H8799)} for our vain{H1892} help{H5833}: in our watching{H6836} we have watched{H6822}{(H8765)} for a nation{H1471} that could not save{H3467}{(H8686)} us.

18 They hunt{H6679}{(H8804)} our steps{H6806}, that we cannot go{H3212}{(H8800)} in our streets{H7339}: our end{H7093} is near{H7126}{(H8804)}, our days{H3117} are fulfilled{H4390}{(H8804)}; for our end{H7093} is come{H935}{(H8804)}.

19 Our persecutors{H7291}{(H8802)} are swifter{H7031} than the eagles{H5404} of the heaven{H8064}: they pursued{H1814}{(H8804)} us upon the mountains{H2022}, they laid wait{H693}{(H8804)} for us in the wilderness{H4057}.

20 The breath{H7307} of our nostrils{H639}, the anointed{H4899} of the LORD{H3068}, was taken{H3920}{(H8738)} in their pits{H7825}, of whom we said{H559}{(H8804)}, Under his shadow{H6738} we shall live{H2421}{(H8799)} among the heathen{H1471}.

21 Rejoice{H7797}{(H8798)} and be glad{H8055}{(H8798)}, O daughter{H1323} of Edom{H123}, that dwellest{H3427}{(H8802)} in the land{H776} of Uz{H5780}; the cup{H3563} also shall pass{H5674}{(H8799)} through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken{H7937}{(H8799)}, and shalt make thyself naked{H6168}{(H8691)}.

22 The punishment of thine iniquity{H5771} is accomplished{H8552}{(H8804)}, O daughter{H1323} of Zion{H6726}; he will no more{H3254}{(H8686)} carry thee away into captivity{H1540}{(H8687)}: he will visit{H6485}{(H8804)} thine iniquity{H5771}, O daughter{H1323} of Edom{H123}; he will discover{H1540}{(H8765)} thy sins{H2403}.