How lonely she lies, the city that thronged with people! Like a widow she has become, this great one among nations! The princess among provinces has become a vassal.

All her people groaned as they searched for food. They traded their valuables in order to eat, to keep themselves alive. Look, LORD, and see how I have become dishonored.

He sent fire from on high, making it penetrate my bones. He stretched out a net at my feet, forcing me to turn back. He made me desolate; I'm fainting all day long.

The yoke of my sins was bound on, fastened together by his hand. They settled on my neck; he caused my strength to fail. The LORD placed me in the power of those I cannot resist.

He rejected all the valiant men the LORD, in my midst. He set a time to meet with me to crush my young warriors. The LORD has trampled, as in a winepress, the fair virgin that is Judah.

Look, LORD, how distressed I am; all my insides are churning. My heart is troubled within me, because I vigorously rebelled. Outside the sword brings loss of life, while at home death rules.

People heard how I groan, with no one to comfort me. All my adversaries have heard about my troubles; they rejoice that you have caused them. Bring on the day you have promised, so my adversaries will become like me.

How the Lord in his wrath shamed cherished Zion! He cast down from heaven to earth the glory of Israel, He did not remember his footstool in the time of his anger.

The Lord swallowed up without pity all of Jacob's habitations. In his wrath he tore down the strongholds of fair Judah. He cast to the ground in dishonor both her kingdom and its rulers.

In his fierce wrath he cut off all the strength of Israel. He withdrew his protection as the enemy approached. He burned Jacob like a blazing fire consumes everything around it.

He bent his bow against us as would an enemy, his right hand cocked as would an adversary. He has killed everyone in whom we took pride; in the tent of cherished Zion he poured out his anger like fire.

The Lord has become like an enemy he has devoured Israel. He has devoured all of her palaces, destroying her fortresses. He filled cherished Judah with mourning and lament.

He plowed under his Temple like a garden, spoiling his tent. The LORD abolished in Zion both festivals and Sabbaths. In his fierce wrath he despised both king and priest.

The Lord rejected his altar, disavowing his sanctuary. He gave up her palace walls to the control of the enemy. They shouted in the LORD's Temple, as though they were attending a day of celebration.

The LORD planned to destroy the walls of cherished Zion. He measured them with his line. He did not withhold his hand from destruction. He made both ramparts and defensive walls mourn; they languish together.

Jerusalem's gates collapsed to the ground; he destroyed and broke the bars of her gates. Both king and prince have gone into captivity. There is no instruction, and the prophets receive no vision from the LORD.

The LORD did what he planned. He carried out his threat. Just as he commanded long ago, he has torn down without pity; He let the enemy boast about you and has exalted the power of your enemies.

He has led me brought me into darkness, not into light.

He truly turned his hand against me, again and again, all day long.

He made my flesh and skin prematurely old; he broke my bones.

He laid siege against me, surrounding me with bitterness and suffering.

He has forced me to live in darkness, like those who are long dead.

He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he placed heavy chains on me.

Indeed, when I cry out, calling for help, he shuts out my prayer.

He impeded my way with blocks of stone, making my paths uneven.

He is like a bear that lies in wait for me, a lion in hiding.

He forced me off my path, tearing me to pieces and making me desolate.

He bent his bow, aiming at me with his arrow.

He caused his war arrows to pierce my vital organs.

He has filled me with bitterness, making me drink wormwood.

He broke my teeth on gravel, covering me with dust.

He is to sit apart and remain silent, because the LORD has laid it upon him.

He will endure being slapped in the face, bringing him public disgrace.

though he causes grief, his compassion abounds according to his gracious love.

For he does not deliberately hurt or grieve human beings.

when a person's rights are perverted in defiance of the Most High.

Do not both good and evil things proceed from the mouth of the Most High?

LORD, you observed how I have been wronged; now make your ruling in my case.

How tarnished the gold has become, the finest gold debased! Sacred stones have been scattered at every street corner.

Though the precious people of Zion were like fine gold, how they are valued like clay vessels, the handiwork of a potter!

The LORD has exhausted his wrath, pouring out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion, consuming its foundations.

The LORD himself separated them; he will do nothing more for them. They did not respect their own priests; they did not honor their elders.

The punishment for your sin is complete, you women of Zion, and God will no longer exile you. He will punish your iniquity, you women of Edom, and he will expose your sins.

We pay to drink our own water, and our own wood is sold to us at high price.