Chapter 4
1 How the gold has become dim ! The most pure gold has changed ! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street .
2 The precious sons of Zion , comparable to fine gold , how they are esteemed as earthen pitchers , the work of the hands of the potter !
3 Even the jackals offer their breast . They nurse their young ones . But the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness .
4 The tongue of the nursing child clings to the roof of his mouth for thirst . The young children ask for bread , and no one breaks it for them .
5 Those who ate delicacies are desolate in the streets . Those who were brought up in purple embrace dunghills.
6 For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom , which was overthrown as in a moment . No hands were laid on her .
7 Her nobles were purer than snow . They were whiter than milk . They were more ruddy in body than rubies . Their polishing was like sapphire .
8 Their appearance is blacker than a coal . They are not known in the streets . Their skin clings to their bones . It is withered . It has become like wood .
9 Those who are killed with the sword are better than those who are killed with hunger ; for these pine away , stricken through , for lack of the fruits of the field .
10 The hands of the pitiful women have boiled their own children . They were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people .
11 The LORD has accomplished his wrath . He has poured out his fierce anger . He has kindled a fire in Zion , which has devoured its foundations .
12 The kings of the earth didn’t believe, neither did all the inhabitants of the world , that the adversary and the enemy would enter into the gates of Jerusalem .
13 It is because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests , that have shed the blood of the just in the middle of her .
14 They wander as blind men in the streets . They are polluted with blood , So that men can ’t touch their garments .
15 " Go away !" they cried to them . " Unclean ! Go away ! Go away ! Don’t touch ! When they fled away and wandered , men said amongst the nations , " They can ’t live here any more ."
16 The LORD ’s anger has scattered them . He will not pay attention to them any more . They didn’t respect the persons of the priests . They didn’t favour the elders .
17 Our eyes still fail , looking in vain for our help . In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save .
18 They hunt our steps , so that we can’t go in our streets . Our end is near . Our days are fulfilled , for our end has come .
19 Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the sky . They chased us on the mountains . They set an ambush for us in the wilderness .
20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD , was taken in their pits ; of whom we said, under his shadow we will live amongst the nations .
21 Rejoice and be glad , daughter of Edom, who dwells in the land of Uz . The cup will pass through to you also . You will be drunken , and will make yourself naked .
22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished , daughter of Zion . He will no more carry you away into captivity . He will visit your iniquity , daughter of Edom. He will uncover your sins .