Chapter 4

How is the gold become dim!⁹³ [how] is the most fine gold changed!⁴ the stones of the sanctuary are poured out¹⁰¹ in the top of every street.

The precious sons of Zion, comparable³⁰ to fine gold, how are they esteemed⁸ as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!⁶

Even the sea monsters draw out¹ the breast, they give suck⁵² to their young ones: the daughter of my people [is become] cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

The tongue of the sucking child⁶ cleaveth¹ to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask¹ bread, [and] no man breaketh⁶ [it] unto them.

They that did feed⁶ delicately are desolate⁸ in the streets: they that were brought up⁷ in scarlet embrace¹⁴ dunghills.

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater⁴ than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown⁷ as in a moment, and no hands stayed¹ on her.

Her Nazarites were purer¹ than snow, they were whiter¹ than milk, they were more ruddy¹ in body than rubies, their polishing [was] of sapphire:

Their visage is blacker¹ than a coal; they are not known⁸ in the streets: their skin cleaveth¹ to their bones; it is withered,¹ it is become like a stick.

[They that be] slain with the sword are better than [they that be] slain with hunger: for these pine away,⁴ stricken through³⁰ for [want of] the fruits of the field.

The hands of the pitiful women have sodden¹⁴ their own children: they were their meat¹⁵ in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

The LORD hath accomplished¹⁴ his fury; he hath poured out¹ his fierce anger, and hath kindled⁵⁵ a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured⁴ the foundations thereof.

The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants⁶ of the world, would not have believed⁵² that the adversary and the enemy⁶ should have entered⁴ into the gates of Jerusalem.

For the sins of her prophets, [and] the iniquities of her priests, that have shed⁶ the blood of the just in the midst of her,

They have wandered¹ [as] blind [men] in the streets, they have polluted⁸ themselves with blood, so that men could⁴ not touch⁴ their garments.

They cried¹ unto them, Depart³ ye; [it is] unclean; depart,³ depart,³ touch⁴ not: when they fled away¹ and wandered,¹ they said¹ among the heathen, They shall no more⁵⁵ sojourn² [there].

The anger of the LORD hath divided¹⁴ them; he will no more⁵⁵ regard⁵³ them: they respected¹ not the persons of the priests, they favoured¹ not the elders.

As for us, our eyes as yet failed⁴ for our vain help: in our watching we have watched¹⁴ for a nation [that] could not save⁵⁵ [us].

They hunt¹ our steps, that we cannot go² in our streets: our end is near,¹ our days are fulfilled;¹ for our end is come.¹

Our persecutors⁶ are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued¹ us upon the mountains, they laid wait¹ for us in the wilderness.

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken⁸ in their pits, of whom we said,¹ Under his shadow we shall live⁴ among the heathen.

Rejoice³ and be glad,³ O daughter of Edom, that dwellest⁶ in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass⁴ through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken,⁴ and shalt make thyself naked.¹⁰¹

The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished,¹ O daughter of Zion; he will no more⁵⁵ carry thee away into captivity:⁵³ he will visit¹ thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover¹⁴ thy sins.