8. Jerusalem has sinned grievously;therefore, she has become an object of scorn. All who honored her now despise her,for they have seen her nakedness.She herself groans and turns away.
9. Her uncleanness stains her skirts. She never considered her end.Her downfall was astonishing; there was no one to comfort her.Lord, look on my affliction,for the enemy triumphs!
10. The adversary has seizedall her precious belongings.She has even seen the nationsenter her sanctuary —those You had forbiddento enter Your assembly.
11. All her people groanwhile they search for bread. They have traded their precious belongings for foodin order to stay alive. Lord, look and seehow I have become despised.
12. Is this nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see!Is there any pain like mine,which was dealt out to me,which the Lord made me sufferon the day of His burning anger?
13. He sent fire from heaven into my bones;He made it descend. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back.He made me desolate,sick all day long.
14. My transgressions have been formed into a yoke, fastened together by His hand;they have been placed on my neck,and the Lord has broken my strength.He has handed me overto those I cannot withstand.
15. The Lord has rejected all the mighty men within me.He has summoned an army against meto crush my young warriors.The Lord has trampled Virgin Daughter Judah like grapes in a winepress.
16. I weep because of these things;my eyes flow with tears. For there is no one nearby to comfort me, no one to keep me alive.My children are desolatebecause the enemy has prevailed.
17. Zion stretches out her hands;there is no one to comfort her.The Lord has issued a decree against Jacobthat his neighbors should be his adversaries.Jerusalem has becomesomething impure among them.
18. The Lord is just,for I have rebelled against His command. Listen, all you people;look at my pain.My young men and womenhave gone into captivity.
19. I called to my lovers, but they betrayed me.My priests and eldersperished in the citywhile searching for foodto keep themselves alive.
20. Lord, see how I am in distress.I am churning within; my heart is broken, for I have been very rebellious.Outside, the sword takes the children;inside, there is death.