7. The Lord abandoned his altarand his temple;he let Zion's enemiescapture her fortresses.Noisy shouts were heardfrom the temple,as if it were a timeof celebration.
8. The Lord had decidedto tear down the walls of Zionstone by stone.So he started destroyingand did not stopuntil walls and fortressesmourned and trembled.
9. Zion's gates have fallenface down on the ground;the bars that locked the gatesare smashed to pieces.Her king and royal familyare prisonersin foreign lands.Her priests don't teach,and her prophets don't havea message from the Lord.
10. Zion's leaders are silent.They just sit on the ground,tossing dust on their headsand wearing sackcloth.Her young women can do nothingbut stare at the ground.
11. My eyes are red from crying,my stomach is in knots,and I feel sick all over.My people are being wiped out,and children lie helplessin the streets of the city.
12. A child begs its motherfor food and drink,then blacks outlike a wounded soldierlying in the street.The child slowly diesin its mother's arms.
13. Zion, how can I comfort you?How great is your pain?Lovely city of Jerusalem,how can I heal your wounds,gaping as wide as the sea?