Lamentations 2:10-19

10The elders of the daughter of Zion 1Sit on the ground and 23are silent. They have thrown 4dust on their heads; They have put on 5sackcloth. The 6virgins of Jerusalem Have bowed their heads to the ground.11My 7eyes fail because of tears, My 89spirit is greatly troubled; My 1011heart is poured out on the earth 12Because of the 13destruction of the daughter of my people, When 14little ones and infants languish In the streets of the city.12They say to their mothers, “15Where is grain and wine?” As they faint like a wounded person In the streets of the city, As their 16lives are poured out 17In their mothers’ arms.13How shall I admonish you? What 18shall I compare to you, Daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I liken to you as I comfort you, 19Virgin daughter of Zion? For your collapse is as vast as the sea; Who can 20heal you?14Your 21prophets have seen for you Worthless and deceptive visions; And they have not 22exposed your wrongdoing So as to restore you from captivity, But they have 23seen for you worthless and misleading pronouncements.15All who pass along the way 24Clap their hands in ridicule at you; They 2526hiss and shake their heads At the daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city of which they said, ‘27Perfect in beauty, 28A joy to all the earth’?”16All 29your enemies Have opened their mouths wide against you; They 30hiss and 31gnash their teeth. They say, “We have 32engulfed her! This certainly is the 33day which we awaited; We have reached it, we have seen it!”17The Lord has 34done what He determined; He has accomplished His word Which He commanded from days of old. He has torn down 35without sparing, And He has helped the enemy to 36rejoice over you; He has 37exalted the 38might of your adversaries.18Their 39heart cried out to the Lord: “You 40wall of the daughter of Zion, Let your 41tears stream down like a river day and night; Give yourself no relief, Let 42your eyes have no rest.19Arise, whimper in the 43night At the beginning of the night watches; 44Pour out your heart like water Before the presence of the Lord; Raise your hands to Him For the 45life of your little ones Who 46languish because of hunger At the head of every street.