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¹ HOW is the fine gold rejected! how is the lovely color faded! the stones of the sanctuary are thrown down at the head of every street.² The precious sons of Zion, who were better than precious stones, how are they esteemed as earthen pots, the work of the hands of the potter!³ The women uncover their breasts like jackals, they give suck to their young ones; the daughters of my people have become like wounds that cannot be healed and like ostriches in the wilderness.⁴ The tongue of the suckling child cleaves to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the children ask bread, but no one breaks the loaf and gives it to them.⁵ Those that fed on delicacies are destitute in the streets; those who were reared in scarlet sleep in dunghills.⁶ For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment and no hands were weary in destroying it.⁷ Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; their cheeks were more ruddy than rubies, and their form more beautiful than sapphires.⁸ But now their visage is blacker than charcoal; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin is shriveled on their bones; it has dried up and it has become like a stick.⁹ Those who were slain by the sword are better than those who are slain with hunger; for these pine away, like those who are wounded and thrown in the field.¹⁰ The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.¹¹ The LORD has accomplished his fury; he has poured out his fierce anger and has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has devoured the foundations thereof.¹² The kings of the earth did not believe, nor all the inhabitants of the world, that the enemy and the oppressor could come and enter into the gates of Jerusalem.

¹³ It happened for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous.¹⁴ Her princes wander in her streets, they wallow in blood, so that no one could touch their garments.¹⁵ Separate yourselves from them, call them unclean; depart, depart, do not touch them; for they have caused provocations and are troubled; among the Gentiles the people said, They shall no more sojourn there.¹⁶ Our eyes have become dull waiting for help; our watchmen have watched in vain for a nation that could not save.¹⁷ The presence of the LORD has divided them; he will no more regard them; they did not respect the persons of priests, they did not have compassion on the elders.¹⁸ They hunt for the little people and for those who walk in the streets; our end is near, our days are finished, for our time is come.¹⁹ Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the air; they chased us upon the mountains, they laid in wait for us in the wilderness.²⁰ Our very spirit, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.

²¹ Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom that dwells in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass to you; you shall become drunken you shall be harassed.²² Your iniquities have come to an end, O daughter of Zion; God will no more carry you away into captivity; but your iniquities will be punished, O daughter of Edom; your sins are well uncovered.