1How the gold has lost its shine! The purest gold has changed! The stones of the temple are thrown out and scattered at the top of every street.
2The precious people of Zion, who were once as valuable as fine gold, are now treated like clay jars, like something a potter made with his hands.
3Even wild dogs offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the people of my nation have become cruel, like ostriches in the desert.
4Thirsty babies' tongues stick to the roofs of their mouths. Young children beg for bread, but no one gives them any.
5Those who once ate rich foods are now starving in the streets. Those who were raised in luxury now lie on garbage heaps.
6The sin of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was destroyed in an instant, without anyone laying a hand on it.
7Their leaders were purer than snow, whiter than milk. Their bodies were redder than rubies, and their appearance was like sapphire.
8Now their faces are darker than coal; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin clings to their bones; it is shriveled and dry like a stick.
9Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, because these waste away, struck down, lacking food from the fields.
10The hands of compassionate women have boiled their own children; they became their food when my people were destroyed.
11Yahweh has poured out his full anger; he has unleashed his fierce wrath. He has started a fire in Zion that has consumed its foundations.
12The kings of the earth and all the people in the world could not believe that an enemy would enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13This happened because of the sins of her prophets and the wrongdoing of her priests, who shed the blood of innocent people right in the city.
14They wander in the streets like blind men. They are stained with blood, so that no one can touch their clothes.
15People cried to them, "Go away! Unclean! Go away! Go away! Don't touch us!" When they fled and wandered, people among the nations said, "They can't live here anymore."
16Yahweh's anger has scattered them; he will no longer look out for them. They did not respect the priests or favor the elders.
17Our eyes still fail, looking in vain for help. As we watched, we watched for a nation that could not save us.
18Our enemies hunt our steps so that we cannot walk in our own streets. Our end is near; our days are over, for our end has come.
19Our pursuers were faster than eagles in the sky. They chased us on the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness.
20Our leader, the one Yahweh anointed, was caught in their traps. We had said about him, "Under his protection, we will live among the nations."
21Rejoice and be glad, people of Edom, who live in the land of Uz. The cup of suffering will come to you also; you will drink until you are drunk and expose yourselves.
22Daughter of Zion, your punishment for your sin is complete; Yahweh will not send you away into captivity again. Daughter of Edom, he will punish your sin; he will reveal your wrongdoing.