10. I have watched my sons and daughters taken captive,the action of the eternal one.
11. I nursed them joyfully,but I sent them awaywith tears and mourning.
12. Don’t any of you rejoice over me,a widow deserted by many.My children avoided God’s Law,so I was stripped barebecause of their sins.
13. They didn’t acknowledgeGod’s requirements,walk in the ways ofGod’s commandments,or follow the paths in whichhis righteousness trained them.
14. Neighbors of Zion, come!Remember the exilemy sons and daughters suffered,brought on them by the eternal one.
15. God brought a nationfrom far away against them,a nation that is shamelessand speaks a strange language,that showed no respect for the elderly or pity for the child.
16. It took away the widow’sdearly loved sonsand deprived the lonely womanof her daughters.
17. But how am I able to help you?
18. The one who broughtthe horrible things on youwill rescue youfrom your enemies’ grasp.
19. Go, children, go,for I have been left desolate.
20. I’ve stripped off the robe of peace and put on the rough cloth of mourners.I’ll spend my days crying outto the eternal one.
21. Children, be confident! Cry out to God!God will rescue you from your enemies’ authority and grip.
22. I have placed hope in the eternal onefor your salvation;the holy one has sent me joy,because your eternal saviorwill soon have mercy on you.
23. I sent you awaywith mourning and wailing,but God will restore you to mewith gladness and joy forever.
24. Just as Zion’s neighborshave now seen your exile,they’ll also soon seeGod’s deliverance of you;it will come to you with all the glory and splendor of the eternal one.
25. Children, bear up patientlyunder God’s anger,which has come on you.Your enemy has hunted you down,but you’ll soon see their destruction.Then you’ll step on their throats.
26. My delicate childrenhave traveled rough roads.They were taken as a flocksnatched away by enemies.
27. Children, be confident!Cry out to God,for the one who brought this on you will remember you.
28. Just as you plottedto stray away from God,return with ten times as much effortto seek him out.
29. The one who broughtthese horrible things on youwill bring you eternal joyalong with your deliverance.