5. Who will pity you, Jerusalem?Who will shed tears over you?Who will stop and ask how you’re doing?
6. You have deserted me,declares the Lord.You have turned your back on me.So I will turn my hand against youand destroy you.I’m tired of holding back.
7. I will winnow them with a winnowing forkat the gates of their country.I will bereave and destroy my peoplebecause they haven’t changed their ways.
8. Their widows will outnumberthe sand on the shore.I will bring a destroyer in broad daylightagainst the mothers of young men.Suddenly I will bring distressand terror upon them.
9. The mother of sevenwill grow weak and gasp for air;her sun will set while it is yet day;she will be ashamed and disgraced.I will deliver the survivors to the sword,to the power of their enemies,declares the Lord.
10. I wish I had never been born! I have become a source of conflict and dissension in my own country. Even though I haven’t lent or borrowed, still everyone curses me.
11. The Lord said:Haven’t I taken care of you?Haven’t I helped you with your enemiesin time of trouble and distress?
12. Can a person shatter iron,iron from the north, or bronze?
13. Your wealth and belongingsI will deliver as plunder,without a fee,because of all your sinsthroughout your territory.