1HOW is the fine gold rejected! how is the lovely color faded! the stones of the sanctuary are thrown down at the head of every street.

2The precious sons of Zion, who were better than precious stones, how are they esteemed as earthen pots, the work of the hands of the potter!

3The women uncover their breasts like jackals, they give suck to their young ones; the daughters of my people have become like wounds that cannot be healed and like ostriches in the wilderness.

4The tongue of the suckling child cleaves to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the children ask bread, but no one breaks the loaf and gives it to them.

5Those that fed on delicacies are destitute in the streets; those who were reared in scarlet sleep in dunghills.

6For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment and no hands were weary in destroying it.

7Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; their cheeks were more ruddy than rubies, and their form more beautiful than sapphires.

8But now their visage is blacker than charcoal; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin is shriveled on their bones; it has dried up and it has become like a stick.

9Those who were slain by the sword are better than those who are slain with hunger; for these pine away, like those who are wounded and thrown in the field.

10The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children; they were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

11The LORD has accomplished his fury; he has poured out his fierce anger and has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has devoured the foundations thereof.

12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor all the inhabitants of the world, that the enemy and the oppressor could come and enter into the gates of Jerusalem.

13It happened for the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed in the midst of her the blood of the righteous.

14Her princes wander in her streets, they wallow in blood, so that no one could touch their garments.

15Separate yourselves from them, call them unclean; depart, depart, do not touch them; for they have caused provocations and are troubled; among the Gentiles the people said, They shall no more sojourn there.

16Our eyes have become dull waiting for help; our watchmen have watched in vain for a nation that could not save.

17The presence of the LORD has divided them; he will no more regard them; they did not respect the persons of priests, they did not have compassion on the elders.

18They hunt for the little people and for those who walk in the streets; our end is near, our days are finished, for our time is come.

19Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the air; they chased us upon the mountains, they laid in wait for us in the wilderness.

20Our very spirit, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we had said, Under his shadow we shall live among the Gentiles.

21Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom that dwells in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass to you; you shall become drunken you shall be harassed.

22Your iniquities have come to an end, O daughter of Zion; God will no more carry you away into captivity; but your iniquities will be punished, O daughter of Edom; your sins are well uncovered.