17. “Speak this message to the people of Judah:‘Let my eyes be filled with tears.I will cry night and day, without stopping.I will cry for my people.They have received a terrible blow.They have been hurt very badly.
18. If I go into the country,I see people killed by swords.If I go into the city,I see much sickness because the people have no food.Both the priests and the prophetshave been taken to a foreign land.’”
19. Lord, have you completely rejected the nation of Judah?Do you hate Jerusalem?Why have you hurt us so badlythat we cannot be made well again?We hoped for peace,but nothing good has come.We looked for a time of healing,but only terror came.
20. Lord, we admit that we are very wicked.We admit that our ancestors did evil things.We have sinned against you.
21. For your sake, do not hate us.Do not take away the honor from your glorious throne.Remember your agreement with us.Do not break it.
22. Do foreign idols have the power to bring rain?Does the sky itself have the power to send down showers of rain?No, it is you, Lord our God.You are our only hope.You are the one who made all these things.