Lamentations 4

1. How the gold has lost its luster! 1 How the fine gold has changed! 1 How the stones of the sanctuary 1 lie scattered at every streetcorner!

2. The precious sons of Tziyon, 2 as precious as fine gold — 2 to think they are now worth no more 2 than clay jars made by a potter!

3. Even jackals bare their breasts 3 in order to nurse their young, 3 but the daughters of my people have become as cruel 3 as ostriches in the desert.

4. The tongue of the baby at the breast 4 sticks to the roof of its mouth from thirst; 4 young children are begging for bread, 4 but no one is giving them any.

5. People who once ate only the best 5 lie dying in the streets; 5 those who were raised wearing purple 5 are clawing at piles of garbage.

6. For the offense of the daughter of my people 6 is greater than the sin of S’dom, 6 which was overthrown in an instant, 6 without a hand to help her.

7. Her princes were purer than snow; 7 they were whiter than milk, 7 their bodies more ruddy than pink pearls, 7 as beautiful as sapphires.

8. Now their faces are blacker than coal; 8 in the streets they go unrecognized. 8 Their skin has shriveled over their bones 8 and become as dry as a stick.

9. Those slain by the sword are better off 9 than those who are dying from hunger; 9 since these waste away as if pierced through, 9 for lack of food from the fields.

10. With their own hands compassionate women 10 have cooked their own children; 10 their children became their food 10 when the daughter of my people was destroyed.

11. Adonai has finished with his fury, 11 he has poured out his blazing wrath; 11 he kindled a fire in Tziyon 11 that consumed its very foundations.

12. The kings of the earth could not believe, 12 neither could anyone living in the world, 12 that enemy or foe would ever enter 12 the gates of Yerushalayim.

13. It happened because of the sins of her prophets 13 and the offenses of her cohanim, 13 who, within her walls, 13 shed the blood of the righteous.

14. They wander in the streets like the blind; 14 they are so polluted with blood 14 that nobody is able 14 even to touch their clothing.

15. “Keep away! Unclean!” people shout at them, 15 “Keep away! Away! Don’t touch us!” 15 They flee, to wander here and there; 15 but no nation allows them to stay.

16. Adonai himself scattered them; 16 he will no longer look after them; 16 they had no respect for cohanim 16 and showed no kindness to the leaders.

17. As for us, our eyes are worn out 17 from looking in vain for help; 17 we kept on watching and watching 17 for a nation that couldn’t save us.

18. They keep dogging our steps, 18 so that we can’t go out in our streets. 18 Our end is near, our time is up; 18 yes, our end has come.

19. Those who pursued us were swifter 19 than eagles in the sky. 19 They chased us over the mountains 19 and waylaid us in the desert.

20. Adonai’s anointed, our life-breath, 20 was caught in their pits; 20 though of him we had said, “Under his protection, 20 we can live among the nations.”

21. Rejoice, be glad, daughter of Edom, 21 who lives in the land of ‘Utz. 21 To you too the cup will pass; 21 you will get drunk and strip yourself naked!

22. Your offenses, daughter of Tziyon, are atoned for; 22 he will keep you in exile no longer. 22 Your offenses, daughter of Edom, he will punish; 22 he will expose your sins.