Allher peoplegroanseekingbread;They have giventheir preciousthingsfor foodTo restoretheir livesthemselves. "See,O LORD,and look,For I amdespised."
On the ninth[day] of the fourthmonththe faminewas so severein the citythat there was nofoodfor the peopleof the land.
"My lordthe king,thesemenhave actedwickedlyin allthat they have doneto Jeremiahthe prophetwhomthey have castinto the cistern;and he will dierightwherehe is becauseof the famine,for thereis nomorebreadin the city."
They sayto their mothers,"Whereis grainand wine?"As they faintlike a woundedmanIn the streetsof the city,As their lifeis pouredout On their mothers'bosom.
See,O LORD,and look!With whomhave You dealtthus?Should womeneattheir offspring,The littleoneswhowere bornhealthy?Should priestand prophetbe slainIn the sanctuaryof the Lord?
Her uncleannesswas in her skirts;She did not considerher future.Therefore she has fallenastonishingly;She hasnocomforter."See,O LORD,my affliction,For the enemyhas magnifiedhimself!"
"I will make them eatthe fleshof their sonsand the fleshof their daughters,and they will eatoneanother'sfleshin the siegeand in the distresswith whichtheir enemiesand those who seektheir lifewill distressthem."'
"Behold,I am insignificant;whatcan I replyto You? I laymy handon my mouth.
There was a greatfaminein Samaria;and behold,they besiegedit, untila donkey'sheadwas soldfor eighty[shekels] of silver,and a fourthof a kabof dove'sdungfor five[shekels] of silver.
Therefore,thussaysthe LORD,"Ifyou return,then I will restoreyou-- BeforeMe you will stand;And ifyou extractthe preciousfrom the worthless,You will becomeMy spokesman.They for their partmay turnto you, But as for you, you must not turnto them.
Jerusalemsinnedgreatly,Thereforeshe has becomean uncleanthing.Allwho honoredher despiseher Becausethey have seenher nakedness;Evenshe herselfgroansand turnsaway.
We havebecomea reproachto our neighbors,A scoffingand derisionto those aroundus.
My eyesfailbecause of tears,My spiritis greatlytroubled;My heartis pouredout on the earthBecauseof the destructionof the daughterof my people,When littleonesand infantsfaintIn the streetsof the city.
Remember,O LORD,whathas befallenus; Look,and seeour reproach!
