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.