English Standard Version

Lamentations 1:13-21 English Standard Version (ESV)

13. “From on high he sent fire;into my bones he made it descend; he spread a net for my feet;he turned me back; he has left me stunned,faint all the day long.

14. “My transgressions were bound into a yoke;by his hand they were fastened together;they were set upon my neck;he caused my strength to fail;the Lord gave me into the handsof those whom I cannot withstand.

15. “The Lord rejectedall my mighty men in my midst;he summoned an assembly against meto crush my young men; the Lord has trodden as in a winepressthe virgin daughter of Judah.

16. “For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for a comforter is far from me,one to revive my spirit;my children are desolate,for the enemy has prevailed.”

17. Zion stretches out her hands,but there is none to comfort her;the Lord has commanded against Jacobthat his neighbors should be his foes;Jerusalem has becomea filthy thing among them.

18. “The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word;but hear, all you peoples,and see my suffering; my young women and my young menhave gone into captivity.

19. “I called to my lovers,but they deceived me;my priests and eldersperished in the city,while they sought foodto revive their strength.

20. “Look, O Lord, for I am in distress; my stomach churns;my heart is wrung within me,because I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword bereaves;in the house it is like death.

21. “They heard my groaning,yet there is no one to comfort me.All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it.You have brought the day you announced; now let them be as I am.