| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2How the precious children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter's hands! |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Because of thirst the infant's tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Their princes were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like lapis lazuli. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11The LORD has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Now they grope through the streets as if they were blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15"Go away! You are unclean!" people cry to them. "Away! Away! Don't touch us!" When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, "They can stay here no longer." |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16The LORD himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20The LORD's anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom, and expose your wickedness. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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