'Lives' in the Bible

“I [Jerusalem] called to my lovers (political allies), but they deceived me.My priests and my elders perished in the cityWhile they looked for food to restore their strength.

They cry to their mothers,“Where is grain and wine?”As they faint like a wounded manIn the streets of the city,As their life [slips away and] is poured outIn their mothers’ arms.

“Arise, cry aloud in the night,At the beginning of the night watches;Pour out your heart like waterBefore the presence of the Lord;Lift up your hands to HimFor the life of your little onesWho are faint from hungerAt the head of every street.”

We get our bread at the risk of our livesBecause of the sword [of the Arabs] in the wilderness [who may attack if we go out to harvest the crop].