10. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have thrown dust on their headsand put on sackcloth;the young women of Jerusalemhave bowed their heads to the ground.
11. My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns; my bile is poured out to the ground because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, because infants and babies faintin the streets of the city.
12. They cry to their mothers, “Where is bread and wine?” as they faint like a wounded manin the streets of the city,as their life is poured outon their mothers’ bosom.
13. What can I say for you, to what compare you,O daughter of Jerusalem? What can I liken to you, that I may comfort you,O virgin daughter of Zion? For your ruin is vast as the sea;who can heal you?
14. Your prophets have seen for youfalse and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquityto restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oraclesthat are false and misleading.
15. All who pass along the wayclap their hands at you; they hiss and wag their headsat the daughter of Jerusalem:“Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?”
16. All your enemiesrail against you;they hiss, they gnash their teeth,they cry: “We have swallowed her!Ah, this is the day we longed for;now we have it; we see it!”
17. The Lord has done what he purposed;he has carried out his word,which he commanded long ago; he has thrown down without pity; he has made the enemy rejoice over youand exalted the might of your foes.
18. Their heart cried to the Lord.O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears stream down like a torrent day and night! Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite!
19. “Arise, cry out in the night,at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like waterbefore the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to himfor the lives of your children, who faint for hungerat the head of every street.”
20. Look, O Lord, and see! With whom have you dealt thus? Should women eat the fruit of their womb,the children of their tender care?Should priest and prophet be killedin the sanctuary of the Lord?