Lamentations 4:1-11

1How is the gold become dim! the most pure gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary poured out at the top of all the streets!

2The sons of Zion, so precious, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

3Even the jackals offer the breast, they give suck to their young; the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

4The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the young children ask bread, no man breaketh it unto them.

5They that fed delicately are desolate in the streets; they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dung-hills.

6And the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the reward of the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were violently laid upon her.

7Her Nazarites were purer than snow, whiter than milk; they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their figure was as sapphire.

8Their visage is darker than blackness, they are not known in the streets; their skin cleaveth to their bones, it is withered, it is become like a stick.

9The slain with the sword are happier than the slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

10The hands of pitiful women have boiled their own children: they were their meat in the ruin of the daughter of my people.

11Jehovah hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, which hath consumed the foundations thereof.