3. Even jackals offer their breaststo nurse their young,but my people have become heartlesslike ostriches in the desert.
4. Because of thirst the infant’s tonguesticks to the roof of its mouth;the children beg for bread,but no one gives it to them.
5. Those who once ate delicaciesare destitute in the streets.Those brought up in royal purplenow lie on ash heaps.
6. The punishment of my peopleis greater than that of Sodom,which was overthrown in a momentwithout a hand turned to help her.
7. Their princes were brighter than snowand whiter than milk,their bodies more ruddy than rubies,their appearance like lapis lazuli.
8. But now they are blacker than soot;they are not recognised in the streets.Their skin has shrivelled on their bones;it has become as dry as a stick.
9. Those killed by the sword are better offthan those who die of famine;racked with hunger, they waste awayfor lack of food from the field.
10. With their own hands compassionate womenhave cooked their own children,who became their foodwhen my people were destroyed.
11. The Lord has given full vent to his wrath;he has poured out his fierce anger.He kindled a fire in Zionthat consumed her foundations.
12. The kings of the earth did not believe,nor did any of the peoples of the world,that enemies and foes could enterthe gates of Jerusalem.
13. But it happened because of the sins of her prophetsand the iniquities of her priests,who shed within herthe blood of the righteous.
14. Now they grope through the streetsas if they were blind.They are so defiled with bloodthat no one dares to touch their garments.