1How the gold has lost its luster! How the finest gold has become dull! The sacred gemstones of the sanctuary lie scattered out at of every street corner. 2The precious children of Zion, comparable to fine gold; how are they now esteemed as clay jars, the work of the potter! 3Even jackals nurse their young ones; but my people have become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. 4The tongues of infants cling to the roofs of their mouths from thirst; the young children beg for bread, and no one gives it to them. 5They that once ate delicacies are desolate in the streets; they who were brought up in royal purple now lie in dunghills; 6For the punishment of the iniquity of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown in a moment, with no hands turned to help her.

7Her nobles were purer than snow; they were whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy in body than rubies; their appearance was of sapphire; 8But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets: their skin clings to their bones; it is withered, it has become as dry as a stick. 9They who are slain by the sword are better off than they who die of hunger; for these that languish for lack of the food. 10With their own hands, the tender-hearted women have boiled their own children for food in this destruction of my people.

11The LORD has given full vent to His fury; He has poured out His fierce anger, and has kindled a fire in Zion that has destroyed its foundations. 12The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, did not believe that an enemy could have entered through the gates of Jerusalem. 13But it happened because of the sins of her prophets, and of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in her midst. 14They have groped like blind men in the streets; they are so polluted with blood that men would not touch their garments. 15People yelled at them, “Get away! Depart! You are defiled! Away! Away! Do not touch us!” When they fled away and wandered among the nations, people said, “You can’t stay here!” 16The anger of the LORD has scattered them; He no longer watches over them; the people no longer respect the priests, nor honor the elders. 17Our eyes failed, as we looked in vain for help; from our towers we have watched for a nation that could not save us. 18They stalk our every step, so that we cannot go into our streets. Our end is near, our days are numbered; for our end has come. 19Our pursuers are swifter than the eagles of the skies; they chased us over the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness. 20Our king, the anointed of the LORD, our king, of whom we said, “Under his shadow we shall live among the nations”, was caught in their trap.

21Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwells in the land of Uz. But this cup shall also pass through to you; you shall be drunk, and shall be stripped naked. 22The punishment for your iniquity shall end, O daughter of Zion; He will not prolong your captivity; but He will punish your iniquity, O daughter of Edom; He will expose your sins.