| Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1How the gold has become tarnished, the fine gold become dull! The stones of the temple lie scattered at the head of every street. | 1How the gold has become tarnished, the fine gold become dull! The stones of the temple lie scattered at the corner of every street. |
| 2Zion’s precious children --once worth their weight in pure gold --how they are regarded as clay jars, the work of a potter’s hands! | 2Zion's precious people-- once worth their weight in pure gold-- how they are regarded as clay jars, the work of a potter's hands! |
| 3Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my dear people have become cruel like ostriches in the wilderness. | 3Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my dear people have become cruel like ostriches in the wilderness. |
| 4The nursing baby’s tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Infants beg for food, but no one gives them any. | 4The nursing infant's tongue clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. |
| 5Those who used to eat delicacies are destitute in the streets; those who were reared in purple garments huddle in trash heaps. | 5Those who used to eat delicacies are destitute in the streets; those who were reared in purple garments huddle in garbage heaps. |
| 6The punishment of my dear people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand laid on it. | 6The punishment of my dear people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand laid on it. |
| 7Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, their appearance like lapis lazuli. | 7Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, their appearance like sapphire. |
| 8Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood. | 8Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood. |
| 9Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce. | 9Those slain by the sword are better off than those slain by hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce. |
| 10The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they became their food during the destruction of my dear people. | 10The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they became their food during the destruction of my dear people. |
| 11The LORD has exhausted his wrath, poured out his burning anger; he has ignited a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations. | 11The LORD has exhausted His wrath, poured out His burning anger; He has ignited a fire in Zion, and it has consumed her foundations. |
| 12The kings of the earth and all the world’s inhabitants did not believe that an enemy or adversary could enter Jerusalem’s gates. | 12The kings of the earth and all the world's inhabitants did not believe that an enemy or adversary could enter Jerusalem's gates. |
| 13Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her. | 13Yet it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous within her. |
| 14Blind, they stumbled in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments. | 14Blind, they stumbled in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments." |
| 15“Stay away! Unclean! ” people shouted at them. “Away, away! Don’t touch us! ” So they wandered aimlessly. It was said among the nations, “They can stay here no longer.” | 15Stay away! Unclean!" people shouted at them." Away, away! Don't touch us!" So they wandered aimlessly. It was said among the nations," They can stay here no longer." |
| 16The LORD himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are not respected; the elders find no favor. | 16The LORD Himself has scattered them; He regards them no more. The priests are not respected; the elders find no favor. |
| 17All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help; we watched from our towers for a nation that would not save us. | 17All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for assistance; we watched from our towers for a nation that refused to help. |
| 18Our steps were closely followed so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end approached; our time ran out. Our end had come! | 18Our steps were closely followed so that we could not walk in our streets. Our end drew near; our time ran out. Our end had come! |
| 19Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. | 19Those who chased us were swifter than eagles in the sky; they relentlessly pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. |
| 20The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their traps. We had said about him, “We will live under his protection among the nations.” | 20The LORD's anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their traps. We had said about him," We will live under his protection among the nations." |
| 21So rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you resident of the land of Uz! Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself. | 21So rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you resident of the land of Uz! Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself. |
| 22Daughter Zion, your punishment is complete; he will not lengthen your exile. But he will punish your iniquity, Daughter Edom, and will expose your sins. | 22Daughter Zion, your punishment is complete; He will not lengthen your exile. But He will punish your iniquity, Daughter Edom, and will expose your sins. |
|
