13. “He sent fire from abovethat went down into my bones.He stretched out a net for my feetand turned me back.He made me so sad and lonelythat I am weak all day.
14. “He has noticed my sins;they are tied together by his hands;they hang around my neck.He has turned my strength into weakness.The Lord has handed me overto those who are stronger than I.
15. “The Lord has rejectedall my mighty men inside my walls.He brought an army against meto destroy my young men.As if in a winepress, the Lord has crushedthe capital city of Judah.
16. “I cry about these things;my eyes overflow with tears.There is no one near to comfort me,no one who can give me strength again.My children are left sad and lonely,because the enemy has won.”
17. Jerusalem reaches out her hands,but there is no one to comfort her.The Lord commanded the people of Jacobto be surrounded by their enemies.Jerusalem is now uncleanlike those around her.
18. Jerusalem says, “The Lord is right,but I refused to obey him.Listen, all you people,and look at my pain.My young women and menhave gone into captivity.
19. “I called out to my friends,but they turned against me.My priests and my eldershave died in the citywhile looking for foodto stay alive.
20. “Look at me, Lord. I am upsetand greatly troubled.My heart is troubled,because I have been so stubborn.Out in the streets, the sword kills;inside the houses, death destroys.
21. “People have heard my groaning,and there is no one to comfort me.All my enemies have heard of my trouble,and they are happy you have done this to me.Now bring that day you have announcedso that my enemies will be like me.
22. “Look at all their evil.Do to them what you have done to mebecause of all my sins.I groan over and over again,and I am afraid.”