4. The tongue of the infant cleavesto the roof of its mouth in thirst;Children beg for bread,but no one gives them a piece.
5. Those who feasted on delicaciesare abandoned in the streets;Those who reclined on crimsonnow embrace dung heaps.
6. The punishment of the daughter of my peoplesurpassed the penalty of Sodom,Which was overthrown in an instantwith no hand laid on it.
7. Her princes were brighter than snow,whiter than milk,Their bodies more ruddy than coral,their beauty like the sapphire.
8. Now their appearance is blacker than soot,they go unrecognized in the streets;Their skin has shrunk on their bones,and become dry as wood.
9. Better for those pierced by the swordthan for those pierced by hunger,Better for those who bleed from woundsthan for those who lack food.
10. The hands of compassionate womenhave boiled their own children!They became their foodwhen the daughter of my people was shattered.
11. The Lord has exhausted his anger,poured out his blazing wrath;He has kindled a fire in Zionthat has consumed her foundations.
12. The kings of the earth did not believe,nor any of the world’s inhabitants,That foe or enemy could enterthe gates of Jerusalem.
13. Except for the sins of her prophetsand the crimes of her priests,Who poured out in her midstthe blood of the just.