9. Those people who were killed by the sword had it betterthan those killed by hunger.They starved in pain and diedbecause there was no food from the field.
10. With their own hands kind womencooked their own children.The children became food for their parents.This happened when my people were destroyed.
11. The Lord turned loose all of his anger.He poured out his strong anger.He set fire to Jerusalem.It burned down to the foundations.
12. Kings of the earth and people of the worldcould not believe it.They could not believe that enemiescould come through the gates of Jerusalem.
13. But it happened because her prophets had sinned.And her priests had done evil.They killed in the citythe people who did what was right.
14. They wandered in the streetslike blind men.They became dirty with blood.So no one could touch their clothes.
15. “Go away! You are unclean,” people shouted at them.“Get away! Get away! Do not touch us!”So they left and wandered around.The other nations said, “Don’t stay here.”
16. The Lord himself scattered them.He did not look after them anymore.He did not respect the priests.He showed no mercy to the elders.