10. The elders of Zion sit on the ground. They sit on the ground and are quiet. They pour dust on their heads. They put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem bow their heads to the ground in sorrow.
11. My eyes are worn out with tears, and my insides are upset. My heart feels like it has been poured on the ground; I feel this way because of the destruction of my people. Children and babies are fainting in the public squares of the city.
12. They ask their mothers, “Where is the bread and wine?” as they pour out their life in their mother’s laps.
13. My dear Jerusalem, what can I say about you? What can I compare you to? What can I say you are like? How can I comfort you, city of Zion? You have been hurt much too badly for anyone to heal.
14. Your prophets saw visions for you, but their visions were only worthless lies. They didn’t speak against your sins. They didn’t try to make things better. They spoke messages for you, but they were false messages that fooled you.
15. Those who pass by on the road clap their hands and laugh at you. They make fun of Jerusalem, shaking their heads at the sight of her. They ask, “Is this the city that people called ‘The Most Beautiful City’ and ‘The Joy of all the Earth’?”
16. All your enemies laugh at you. They whistle and grind their teeth at you. They say, “We have swallowed them up! This is the day we were hoping for. We have finally seen this happen!”
17. The Lord did what he planned to do. He did what he said he would do. He did what he commanded a long time ago. He destroyed, and he had no pity. He made your enemies happy because of what happened to you. He made your enemies strong.
18. Cry out with all your heart to the Lord! Jerusalem, let tears roll down your walls. Let your tears flow like a stream day and night. Don’t stop crying or let your eyes dry.
19. Get up throughout the night and cry for help. Let your sorrow pour out before the Lord like water. Lift up your hands in prayer to him. Ask him to let your children live. They are starving to death on every street corner.
20. Look at us, Lord! Have you ever treated anyone else so badly? Is it right for women to eat their own babies, the children they have cared for? Should priests and prophets be killed in the Temple of the Lord?
21. Young men and old men lie on the ground in the streets of the city. My young women and young men have been killed by the sword. You killed them on the day of your anger. You killed them without mercy!