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.
14. They staggered blindly in the streets,defiled with blood,So that people could not toucheven their garments:
15. “Go away! Unclean!” they cried to them,“Away, away, do not touch!”If they went away and wandered,it would be said among the nations,“They can no longer live here!
16. The presence of the Lord was their portion,but he no longer looks upon them.The priests are shown no regard,the elders, no mercy.
17. Even now our eyes are worn out,searching in vain for help;From our watchtower we have watchedfor a nation unable to save.
18. They dogged our every step,we could not walk in our squares;Our end drew near, our time was up;yes, our end had come.
19. Our pursuers were swifterthan eagles in the sky,In the mountains they were hot on our trail,they ambushed us in the wilderness.