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?
14. Your prophets deceived youwith false visionsand lying messages—they should have warned youto leave your sinsand be saved from disaster.
15. Those who pass byshake their heads and sneeras they make fun and shout,“What a lovely city you were,the happiest on earth,but look at you now!”
16. Zion, your enemies curse youand snarl like wild animals,while shouting,“This is the daywe've waited for!At last, we've got you!”
17. The Lord has done everythingthat he had plannedand threatened long ago.He destroyed you without mercyand let your enemies boast abouttheir powerful forces.
18. Zion, deep in your heartyou cried out to the Lord.Now let your tears overflowyour walls day and night.Don't ever lose hopeor let your tears stop.
19. Get up and pray for helpall through the night.Pour out your feelingsto the Lord,as you would pour waterout of a jug.Beg him to save your people,who are starving to deathat every street crossing.
20. Think about it, Lord!Have you ever been this cruelto anyone before?Is it right for mothersto eat their children,or for priests and prophetsto be killed in your temple?
21. My people, both young and old,lie dead in the streets.Because you were angry,my young men and womenwere brutally slaughtered.