"I calledto my lovers,[but] they deceivedme; My priestsand my eldersperishedin the cityWhilethey soughtfoodto restoretheir strengththemselves.
"But whereare your godsWhichyou madefor yourself? Let them arise,ifthey can saveyou In the timeof your trouble;For [according to] the numberof your citiesAre your gods,O Judah.
Allyour lovershave forgottenyou, They do not seekyou; For I have woundedyou with the woundof an enemy,With the punishmentof a cruelone,Becauseyour iniquityis great[And] your sinsare numerous.
And you, O desolateone, whatwill you do?Althoughyou dressin scarlet,Althoughyou decorate[yourself with] ornamentsof gold,Althoughyou enlargeyour eyeswith paint,In vainyou makeyourself beautiful.[Your] loversdespiseyou; They seekyour life.
Howlonelysitsthe cityThat was fullof people!She has becomelike a widowWhowas [once] greatamong the nations!She who was a princessamong the provincesHas becomea forcedlaborer!
Allher peoplegroanseekingbread;They have giventheir preciousthingsfor foodTo restoretheir livesthemselves. "See,O LORD,and look,For I amdespised."
She weepsbitterlyin the nightAnd her tearsare on her cheeks;She hasnoneto comforther Amongallher lovers.Allher friendshave dealttreacherouslywith her; They have becomeher enemies.
See,O LORD,and look!With whomhave You dealtthus?Should womeneattheir offspring,The littleoneswhowere bornhealthy?Should priestand prophetbe slainIn the sanctuaryof the Lord?
Yetour eyesfailed,[Looking] for helpwas useless;In our watchingwe have watchedFor a nationthat could not save.
Princeswere hungby their hands;Elderswere not respected.