8. Now their face is blacker than soot;they are not recognized in the streets;their skin has shriveled on their bones;it has become as dry as wood.
9. Happier were the victims of the swordthan the victims of hunger,who wasted away, piercedby lack of the fruits of the field.
10. The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their foodduring the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11. The Lord gave full vent to his wrath;he poured out his hot anger,and he kindled a fire in Zionthat consumed its foundations.
12. The kings of the earth did not believe,nor any of the inhabitants of the world,that foe or enemy could enterthe gates of Jerusalem.
13. This was for the sins of her prophetsand the iniquities of her priests,who shed in the midst of herthe blood of the righteous.
14. They wandered, blind, through the streets;they were so defiled with blood that no one was able to touchtheir garments.
15. “Away! Unclean!” people cried at them.“Away! Away! Do not touch!”So they became fugitives and wanderers;people said among the nations,“They shall stay with us no longer.”