17. The Lord has done what he planned;he has kept his wordthat he commanded long ago.He has destroyed without mercy,and he has let your enemies laugh at you.He has strengthened your enemies.
18. The people cry out to the Lord.Wall of Jerusalem,let your tears flowlike a river day and night.Do not stopor let your eyes rest.
19. Get up, cry out in the night,even as the night begins.Pour out your heart like waterin prayer to the Lord.Lift up your hands in prayer to himfor the life of your childrenwho are fainting with hungeron every street corner.
20. Jerusalem says: “Look, Lord, and seeto whom you have done this.Women eat their own babies,the children they have cared for.Priests and prophets are killedin the Temple of the Lord.
21. “People young and oldlie outside on the ground.My young women and young menhave been killed by the sword.You killed them on the day of your anger;you killed them without mercy.
22. “You invited terrors to come against me on every side,as if you were inviting them to a feast.No one escaped or remained aliveon the day of the Lord’s anger.My enemy has killedthose I cared for and brought up.”