8. The Lord determined to destroythe wall of Daughter Zion.He stretched out a measuring line and did not restrain Himself from destroying.He made the ramparts and walls grieve;together they waste away.
9. Zion’s gates have fallen to the ground; He has destroyed and shattered the bars on her gates.Her king and her leaders live among the nations,instruction is no more,and even her prophets receiveno vision from the Lord.
10. The elders of Daughter Zionsit on the ground in silence.They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth.The young women of Jerusalemhave bowed their heads to the ground.
11. My eyes are worn out from weeping; I am churning within.My heart is poured out in grief because of the destruction of my dear people, because children and infants faintin the streets of the city.
12. They cry out to their mothers:Where is the grain and wine? as they faint like the woundedin the streets of the city,as their lives fade awayin the arms of their mothers.
13. What can I say on your behalf?What can I compare you to, Daughter Jerusalem?What can I liken you to,so that I may console you, Virgin Daughter Zion?For your ruin is as vast as the sea.Who can heal you?
14. Your prophets saw visions for youthat were empty and deceptive; they did not reveal your guiltand so restore your fortunes. They saw oracles for youthat were empty and misleading.
15. All who pass byscornfully clap their hands at you.They mock and shake their heads at Daughter Jerusalem:Is this the city that was calledthe perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?
16. All your enemiesopen their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day we have waited for!We have lived to see it.”
17. The Lord has done what He planned;He has accomplished His decree,which He ordained in days of old.He has demolished without compassion, letting the enemy gloat over youand exalting the horn of your adversaries.
18. The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord.Wall of Daughter Zion, let your tears run down like a riverday and night. Give yourself no reliefand your eyes no rest.
19. Arise, cry out in the nightfrom the first watch of the night.Pour out your heart like waterbefore the Lord’s presence. Lift up your hands to Himfor the lives of your childrenwho are fainting from hungeron the corner of every street.
20. Lord, look and considerwho You have done this to.Should women eat their own children, the infants they have nurtured? Should priests and prophetsbe killed in the Lord’s sanctuary?
21. Both young and oldare lying on the ground in the streets.My young men and womenhave fallen by the sword.You have killed them in the day of Your anger,slaughtering without compassion.
22. You summoned my attackers on every side, as if for an appointed festival day;on the day of the Lord’s angerno one escaped or survived.My enemy has destroyedthose I nurtured and reared.