Lamentations 2:10-19

10The elders of the daughter of Zion 1Sit on the ground, they 2are silent. They have thrown 3dust on their heads; They have girded themselves with 4sackcloth. The 5virgins of Jerusalem Have bowed their heads to the ground.11My 6eyes fail because of tears, My 78spirit is greatly troubled; My 910heart is poured out on the earth 11Because of the 12destruction of the daughter of my people, When 13little ones and infants faint In the streets of the city.12They say to their mothers, “14Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded man In the streets of the city, As their 15life is poured out On their mothers’ bosom.13How shall I admonish you? To what 16shall I compare you, O daughter of Jerusalem? To what shall I liken you as I comfort you, O 17virgin daughter of Zion? For your 18ruin is as vast as the sea; Who can 19heal you?14Your 20prophets have seen for you False and foolish visions; And they have not 21exposed your iniquity So as to restore you from captivity, But they have 22seen for you false and misleading 23oracles.15All who pass along the way 24Clap their hands in derision at you; They 25hiss and shake their heads At the daughter of Jerusalem, “Is this the city of which they said, ‘26The perfection of beauty, 27A joy to all the earth’?”16All 28your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They hiss and 29gnash their teeth. They say, “We have 30swallowed her up! Surely this is the 31day for which we waited; We have reached it, we have seen it.”17The Lord has 32done what He purposed; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has thrown down 33without sparing, And He has caused the enemy to 34rejoice over you; He has 35exalted the 36might of your adversaries.18Their 37heart cried out to the Lord, “O 38wall of the daughter of Zion, Let your 39tears run down like a river day and night; Give yourself no relief, Let 40your eyes have no rest.19Arise, cry aloud in the 41night At the beginning of the night watches; 42Pour out your heart like water Before the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him For the 43life of your little ones Who are 44faint because of hunger At the head of every street.”