18There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne,
         Nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared.

19These two things have befallen you;
         Who will mourn for you?
         The devastation and destruction, famine and sword;
         How shall I comfort you?

20Your sons have fainted,
         They lie helpless at the head of every street,
         Like an antelope in a net,
         Full of the wrath of the LORD,
         The rebuke of your God.

21Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted,
         Who are drunk, but not with wine:

22Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God
         Who contends for His people,
         “Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,
         The chalice of My anger;
         You will never drink it again.

23“I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,
         Who have said to you, ‘Lie down that we may walk over you.’
         You have even made your back like the ground
         And like the street for those who walk over it.”

NASB ©1995