[1] How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The
stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street. [2] The
precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, How are they esteemed as
earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! [3] Even the
jackals draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: The
daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the
wilderness. [4] The tongue of the sucking child cleaves to the roof of his
mouth for thirst: The young children ask bread, and no man breaks it
to them. [5] Those who did feed delicately are desolate in the streets:
Those who were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills. [6] For the
iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of
Sodom, That was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were laid on her.
[7] Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; They were
more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire.
[8] Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the
streets: Their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered, it is become
like a stick. [9] Those who are killed with the sword are better than
those who are killed with hunger; For these pine away, stricken
through, for want of the fruits of the field. [10] The hands of the
pitiful women have boiled their own children; They were their food in the
destruction of the daughter of my people. [11] Yahweh has accomplished his
wrath, he has poured out his fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in
Zion, which has devoured the foundations of it. [12] The kings of the earth
didn`t believe, neither all the inhabitants of the world, That the
adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem. [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. [14]
They wander as blind men in the streets, they are polluted with
blood, So that men can`t touch their garments. [15] Depart you, they cried
to them, Unclean! depart, depart, don`t touch! When they fled away
and wandered, men said among the nations, They shall no more sojourn
[here]. [16] The anger of Yahweh has scattered them; he will no more regard
them: They didn`t respect the persons of the priests, they didn`t
favor the elders. [17] Our eyes do yet fail [in looking] for our vain
help: In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.
[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 is come. [19] Our pursuers were
swifter than the eagles of the sky: They chased us on the mountains, they
laid wait for us in the wilderness. [20] The breath of our nostrils,
the anointed of Yahweh, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said,
Under his shadow we shall live among the nations. [21] Rejoice and be glad,
daughter of Edom, that dwell in the land of Uz: The cup shall pass
through to you also; you shall be drunken, and shall make yourself
naked. [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.
