How is the gold become dim
! how is the most
fine gold
changed
! the stones
of the sanctuary
are poured out
in the top
of every street
.
The precious sons
of Zion
, comparable
to fine gold
, how are they esteemed
as earthen
pitchers
, the work
of the hands
of the potter
!
Even the sea monsters draw out
the breast
, they give suck
to their young ones
: the daughter
of my people
is become cruel
, like the ostriches
in the wilderness
.
The tongue of the sucking child
cleaveth
to the roof of his mouth
for thirst
: the young children
ask
bread
, and no man breaketh
it unto them.
They that did feed delicately
are desolate
in the streets
: they that were brought up
in scarlet
embrace
dunghills
.
For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter
of my people
is greater
than the punishment
of the sin of Sodom
, that was overthrown
as in a moment
, and no hands
stayed
on her.
Her Nazarites were purer
than snow
, they were whiter
than milk
, they were more ruddy
in body
than rubies
, their polishing
was of sapphire
:
Their visage is blacker
than a coal
; they are not known
in the streets
: their skin
cleaveth
to their bones
; it is withered
, it is become like a stick
.
They that be slain with the sword
are better
than they that be slain
with hunger
: for these
pine away
, stricken
through for want of the fruits
of the field
.
The hands of the pitiful
women
have sodden
their own children
: they were their meat
in the destruction
of the daughter
of my people
.
The LORD hath accomplished
his fury
; he hath poured out
his fierce
anger
, and hath kindled
a fire
in Zion
, and it hath devoured
the foundations
thereof.
The kings of the earth
, and all the inhabitants
of the world
, would not have believed
that the adversary
and the enemy
should have entered
into the gates
of Jerusalem
.
For the sins of her prophets
, and the iniquities
of her priests
, that have shed
the blood
of the just
in the midst
of her,
They have wandered as blind
men in the streets
, they have polluted
themselves with blood
, so that men could
not
touch
their garments
.
They cried unto them, Depart
ye; it is unclean
; depart
, depart
, touch
not: when they fled away
and wandered
, they said
among the heathen
, They shall no more
sojourn
there .
The anger of the LORD
hath divided
them; he will no more
regard
them: they respected
not the persons
of the priests
, they favoured
not the elders
.
As for us, our eyes as yet failed
for our vain
help
: in our watching
we have watched
for a nation
that could not save
us .
They hunt our steps
, that we cannot go
in our streets
: our end
is near
, our days
are fulfilled
; for our end
is come
.
Our persecutors are swifter
than the eagles
of the heaven
: they pursued
us upon the mountains
, they laid wait
for us in the wilderness
.
The breath of our nostrils
, the anointed
of the LORD
, was taken
in their pits
, of whom we said
, Under his shadow
we shall live
among the heathen
.
Rejoice and be glad
, O daughter
of Edom
, that dwellest
in the land
of Uz
; the cup
also shall pass
through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken
, and shalt make thyself naked
.
The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished
, O daughter
of Zion
; he will no more
carry thee away into captivity
: he will visit
thine iniquity
, O daughter
of Edom
; he will discover
thy sins
.