1. And it so came to pass, that when my son was entered into his wedding chamber, he fell down, and died.
2. Then we all overthrew the lights, and all my neighbors rose up to comfort me: and I remained quiet to the second day at night.
3. And it came to pass, when they had all left off to comfort me, to the end I might be quiet, then rose I up by night, and fled, and came hither into this field, as you see.
4. And I do now purpose not to return into the city, but here to stay, and neither to eat nor drink, but continually to mourn and to fast until I die.
5. Then left I the meditations wherein I was, and answered her in anger, and said,
6. You foolish woman above all other, see you not our mourning, and what has happened to us?
7. how that Sion the mother of us all is full of sorrow, and much humbled.
8. It is right now to mourn very sore, seeing we all mourn, and to be sorrowful, seeing we are all in sorrow, but you sorrowest for one son.
9. For ask the earth, and she shall tell you, that it is she which ought to mourn for so many that grow upon her.
10. For out of her all had their beginnings, and others shall come; and, behold, they walk almost all into destruction, and the multitude of them is utterly rooted out.
11. Who then should make more mourning, she, that has lost so great a multitude, or you, which are grieved but for one?
12. but if you say to me, My lamentation is not like the earth’s, for I have lost the fruit of my womb, which I brought forth with pains, and bare with sorrows:
13. but it is with the earth after the manner of the earth; the multitude present in it is gone, as it came:
14. then say I to you, Like as you have brought forth with sorrow; even so the earth also has given her fruit, namely, man, ever since the beginning to him that made her.
15. Now therefore keep your sorrow to yourself, and bear with a good courage the adversities which have befallen you.