Common English Bible

Lamentations 4:14-22 Common English Bible (CEB)

14. People wandered blindly in the streets, polluted with blood.No one would even touch their clothing.

15. "Go away! Unclean!" was shouted at them, "Go away! Away! Don’t touch!"So they fled and wandered around. The nations said, "They can’t stay here anymore."

16. It was the Lord’s presence that scattered them; he no longer notices them.They didn’t honor the priests’ presence; they didn’t favor the elders.

17. Our eyes continually failed, looking for some help, but for nothing.From our watchtower we watched for a nation that doesn’t save.

18. Our steps were tracked; we could no longer walk in our streets.Our end had drawn near; our days were done—our end had definitely come.

19. Our hunters were faster than airborne eagles.They chased us up the mountains; they ambushed us in the wilderness.

20. The Lord’s chosen one, the very breath in our lungs, was caught in their traps—the one we used to talk about, saying, Under his protection we will live among the nations."

21. Rejoice and be happy, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz.But this cup will pass over to you too. You will get drunk on it. You will be stripped naked.

22. Your punishment is over, Daughter Zion; God won’t expose you anymore.But he will attend to your punishment, Daughter Edom; he will expose your sins.