New King James Version

Jeremiah 9:15-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

15. therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.

16. I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them.”

17. Thus says the Lord of hosts:“Consider and call for the mourning women,That they may come;And send for skillful wailing women,That they may come.

18. Let them make hasteAnd take up a wailing for us,That our eyes may run with tears,And our eyelids gush with water.

19. For a voice of wailing is heard from Zion:‘How we are plundered!We are greatly ashamed,Because we have forsaken the land,Because we have been cast out of our dwellings.’ ”

20. Yet hear the word of the Lord, O women,And let your ear receive the word of His mouth;Teach your daughters wailing,And everyone her neighbor a lamentation.