1. Jerusalem, once so crowded,lies deserted and lonely.This city that was knownall over the worldis now like a widow.This queen of the nationshas been made a slave.
2. Each night, bitter tearsflood her cheeks.None of her former loversare there to offer comfort;her friends have betrayed herand are now her enemies.
3. The people of Judah are slaves,suffering in a foreign land,with no rest from sorrow.Their enemies captured themand were terribly cruel.
4. The roads to Zion mournbecause no one travels thereto celebrate the festivals.The city gates are deserted;priests are weeping.Young women are raped;Zion is in sorrow!
5. Enemies now rule the cityand live as they please.The Lord has punished Jerusalembecause of her awful sins;he has let her peoplebe dragged away.
6. Zion's glory has disappeared.Her leaders are like deerthat cannot find pasture;they are hunted downtill their strength is gone.
7. Her people recall the good lifethat once was theirs;now they sufferand are scattered.No one was there to protect themfrom their enemies who sneeredwhen their city was taken.
8. Jerusalem's horrible sinshave made the city a joke.Those who once admired hernow hate her instead—she has been disgraced;she groans and turns away.
9. Her sins had made her filthy,but she wasn't worriedabout what could happen.And when Jerusalem fell,it was so tragic.No one gave her comfortwhen she cried out,“Help! I'm in trouble, Lord!The enemy has won.”
10. Zion's treasures were stolen.Jerusalem saw foreignersenter her place of worship,though the Lordhad forbidden themto belong to his people.
11. Everyone in the city groanswhile searching for food;they trade their valuablesfor barely enough scrapsto stay alive.Jerusalem shouts to the Lord,“Please look and seehow miserable I am!”
12. No passer-by even cares.Why doesn't someone noticemy terrible sufferings?You were fiercely angry, Lord,and you punished meworst of all.