VerseAI

NIV

Lamentations 4

  1. 1<pb/><t><f>[10]</f>How the gold has lost its luster,</t> <t>the fine gold become dull!</t> <t>The sacred gems are scattered</t> <t>at every street corner. <pb/></t>
  2. 2<t>How the precious children of Zion,</t> <t>once worth their weight in gold,</t> <t>are now considered as pots of clay,</t> <t>the work of a potter’s hands! <pb/></t>
  3. 3<t>Even jackals offer their breasts</t> <t>to nurse their young,</t> <t>but my people have become heartless</t> <t>like ostriches in the desert. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>Because of thirst the infant’s tongue</t> <t>sticks to the roof of its mouth;</t> <t>the children beg for bread,</t> <t>but no one gives it to them. <pb/></t>
  5. 5<t>Those who once ate delicacies</t> <t>are destitute in the streets.</t> <t>Those brought up in royal purple</t> <t>now lie on ash heaps. <pb/></t>
  6. 6<t>The punishment of my people</t> <t>is greater than that of Sodom,</t> <t>which was overthrown in a moment</t> <t>without a hand turned to help her. <pb/></t>
  7. 7<t>Their princes were brighter than snow</t> <t>and whiter than milk,</t> <t>their bodies more ruddy than rubies,</t> <t>their appearance like lapis lazuli. <pb/></t>
  8. 8<t>But now they are blacker than soot;</t> <t>they are not recognized in the streets.</t> <t>Their skin has shriveled on their bones;</t> <t>it has become as dry as a stick. <pb/></t>
  9. 9<t>Those killed by the sword are better off</t> <t>than those who die of famine;</t> <t>racked with hunger, they waste away</t> <t>for lack of food from the field. <pb/></t>
  10. 10<t>With their own hands compassionate women</t> <t>have cooked their own children,</t> <t>who became their food</t> <t>when my people were destroyed. <pb/></t>
  11. 11<t>The LORD has given full vent to his wrath;</t> <t>he has poured out his fierce anger.</t> <t>He kindled a fire in Zion</t> <t>that consumed her foundations. <pb/></t>
  12. 12<t>The kings of the earth did not believe,</t> <t>nor did any of the peoples of the world,</t> <t>that enemies and foes could enter</t> <t>the gates of Jerusalem. <pb/></t>
  13. 13<t>But it happened because of the sins of her prophets</t> <t>and the iniquities of her priests,</t> <t>who shed within her</t> <t>the blood of the righteous. <pb/></t>
  14. 14<t>Now they grope through the streets</t> <t>as if they were blind.</t> <t>They are so defiled with blood</t> <t>that no one dares to touch their garments. <pb/></t>
  15. 15<t>“Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them.</t> <t>“Away! Away! Don’t touch us!”</t> <t>When they flee and wander about,</t> <t>people among the nations say,</t> <t>“They can stay here no longer.” <pb/></t>
  16. 16<t>The LORD himself has scattered them;</t> <t>he no longer watches over them.</t> <t>The priests are shown no honor,</t> <t>the elders no favor. <pb/></t>
  17. 17<t>Moreover, our eyes failed,</t> <t>looking in vain for help;</t> <t>from our towers we watched</t> <t>for a nation that could not save us. <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>People stalked us at every step,</t> <t>so we could not walk in our streets.</t> <t>Our end was near, our days were numbered,</t> <t>for our end had come. <pb/></t>
  19. 19<t>Our pursuers were swifter</t> <t>than eagles in the sky;</t> <t>they chased us over the mountains</t> <t>and lay in wait for us in the desert. <pb/></t>
  20. 20<t>The LORD’s anointed, our very life breath,</t> <t>was caught in their traps.</t> <t>We thought that under his shadow</t> <t>we would live among the nations. <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom,</t> <t>you who live in the land of Uz.</t> <t>But to you also the cup will be passed;</t> <t>you will be drunk and stripped naked. <pb/></t>
  22. 22<t>Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion;</t> <t>he will not prolong your exile.</t> <t>But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom,</t> <t>and expose your wickedness.</t>