6. The beauty of Jerusalemhas gone away.Her rulers are like deerthat cannot find food.They are weakand run from the hunters.
7. Jerusalem is suffering and homeless.She remembers all the good thingsfrom the past.But her people were defeated by the enemy,and there was no one to help her.When her enemies saw her,they laughed to see her ruined.
8. Jerusalem sinned terribly,so she has become unclean.Those who honored her now hate her,because they have seen her nakedness.She groansand turns away.
9. She made herself dirty by her sinsand did not think about what would happen to her.Her defeat was surprising,and no one could comfort her.She says, “Lord, see how I suffer,because the enemy has won.”
10. The enemy reached out and tookall her precious things.She even saw foreignersenter her Temple.The Lord had commanded foreignersnever to enter the meeting place of his people.
11. All of Jerusalem’s people groan,looking for bread.They are trading their precious things for foodso they can stay alive.The city says, “Look, Lord, and see.I am hated.”
12. Jerusalem says, “You who pass by on the road don’t seem to care.Come, look at me and see:Is there any pain like mine?Is there any pain like that he has caused me?The Lord has punished meon the day of his great anger.
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.