16. ‘This is why I weepand my eyes overflow with tears.No one is near to comfort me,no one to restore my spirit.My children are destitutebecause the enemy has prevailed.’
17. Zion stretches out her hands,but there is no one to comfort her.The Lord has decreed for Jacobthat his neighbours become his foes;Jerusalem has becomean unclean thing among them.
18. ‘The Lord is righteous,yet I rebelled against his command.Listen, all you peoples;look on my suffering.My young men and young womenhave gone into exile.
19. ‘I called to my alliesbut they betrayed me.My priests and my eldersperished in the citywhile they searched for foodto keep themselves alive.
20. ‘See, Lord, how distressed I am!I am in torment within,and in my heart I am disturbed,for I have been most rebellious.Outside, the sword bereaves;inside, there is only death.
21. ‘People have heard my groaning,but there is no one to comfort me.All my enemies have heard of my distress;they rejoice at what you have done.May you bring the day you have announcedso that they may become like me.
22. ‘Let all their wickedness come before you;deal with themas you have dealt with mebecause of all my sins.My groans are manyand my heart is faint.’