The roadsof Zionare in mourningBecausenoone comesto the appointedfeasts.Allher gatesare desolate;Her priestsare groaning,Her virginsare afflicted,And she herselfis bitter.
And her gateswill lamentand mourn,And desertedshe will siton the ground.
The soundof a report!Behold,it comes--A greatcommotionout of the landof the north--To makethe citiesof JudahA desolation,a hauntof jackals.
"JudahmournsAnd her gateslanguish;They siton the groundin mourning,And the cryof Jerusalemhas ascended.
"I will makeJerusalema heapof ruins, A hauntof jackals;And I will makethe citiesof Judaha desolation,withoutinhabitant."
"They have heardthat I groan;Thereis nooneto comfortme; Allmy enemieshave heardof my calamity;They are gladthat You have done[it]. Oh, that You would bringthe daywhich You have proclaimed,That they may becomelikeme.
Youngmenworkedat the grindingmill,And youthsstumbledunder [loads] of wood.
Eldersare gonefrom the gate,Youngmenfrom their music.
"I will punishher for the daysof the BaalsWhenshe used to offersacrificesto them And adornherself with her earringsand jewelry,And followher lovers,so that she forgotMe," declaresthe LORD.
I will letlooseamong you the beastsof the field,which will bereaveyou of your childrenand destroyyour cattleand reduceyour number so that your roadsliedeserted.
Therefore,on accountof you Zionwill be plowedas a field,Jerusalemwill becomea heapof ruins,And the mountainof the temple[will become] highplacesof a forest.
