1How lonely sits the city that was once full of people! She has become like a widow, though she was once great among nations! The one who was a princess among the provinces has now been forced to pay tribute!
2She weeps bitterly at night, and tears stream down her cheeks. Among all her former allies, there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies.
3Judah has gone into captivity because of suffering and severe oppression. She lives among other nations and finds no rest. All her persecutors caught up with her in tight places.
4The roads to Zion are sad because no one comes to the special gatherings. All her gates are deserted, her priests sigh. Her young women suffer, and she herself is filled with bitterness.
5Her enemies are now in power, and her foes are prospering. This is because Yahweh has afflicted her due to her many sins. Her young children have been taken captive by the enemy.
6All the splendor has left the daughter of Zion. Her leaders are like deer that cannot find pasture; they have fled without strength before their pursuer.
7During her time of suffering and misery, Jerusalem remembers all the pleasant things from earlier days. When her people fell into the hands of the enemy, and no one helped her, her enemies saw her and mocked her destruction.
8Jerusalem has sinned terribly; therefore, she has become like something unclean. All who once honored her now despise her because they have seen her shame. Indeed, she sighs and turns away in disgust.
9Her impurity was in her clothing; she didn't consider her future. Therefore, she has fallen astonishingly; she has no one to comfort her. “Look, Yahweh, at my suffering; for the enemy has become arrogant.”
10The enemy has taken everything she treasured. For she has seen foreign nations enter her sanctuary, even though you commanded that they should not enter your assembly.
11All her people sigh and search for food. They have traded their precious things for food to stay alive. They say, “Look, Yahweh, and see how miserable I have become.”
12“Does this mean nothing to all of you who pass by? Look around and see if there is any sorrow like mine, which Yahweh brought upon me on the day of his fierce anger.
13“From above, he sent fire into my bones, and it has taken over. He set a trap for my feet and turned me back. He has left me shattered and weak all day long.
14“The punishment for my sins is tied tightly by his hand; they are intertwined. It has come up around my neck. He has made my strength fail. The Lord has handed me over to enemies I cannot stand against.
15“The Lord has dismissed all my mighty men within me. He has called a special assembly against me to crush my young men. The Lord has trampled the virgin daughter of Judah like grapes in a winepress.
16“Because of these things, I weep. My eyes pour out tears because the one who should comfort and refresh my soul is far from me. My children are devastated because the enemy has won.”
17Zion reaches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. Yahweh has commanded that Jacob's neighbors become his enemies. Jerusalem is an outcast among them.
18“Yahweh is fair, for I rebelled against his command. Please listen, all you peoples, and see my sorrow. My young women and young men have been taken captive.”
19“I called out to my allies, but they betrayed me. My priests and elders died in the city while they were looking for food to survive.”
20“See, Yahweh, how distressed I am. My heart is troubled. My insides are churning because I have sinned so terribly. Outside, the sword takes lives. Inside, it feels like death.”
21“They heard me sigh, and there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies heard of my trouble and are glad that you did this. You will bring the day you promised, and they will become like me.”
22“Let all their wickedness come before you. Do to them what you have done to me for all my sins. For my sighs are many, and my heart is weak.”