10. The elders of Jerusalemsit on the ground and are silent.They pour dust on their headsand put on rough cloth to show how sad they are.The young women of Jerusalembow their heads to the ground in sorrow.
11. My eyes are weak from crying.I am troubled.I feel as if I have been poured out on the groundbecause my people have been destroyed.Children and babies are faintingin the streets of the city.
12. They say to their mothers,“Where is some bread and wine?”They faint like wounded soldiersin the streets of the city.They die in their mothers’ arms.
13. What can I say about you, Jerusalem?What can I compare you to?What can I say you are like?How can I comfort you, Jerusalem?Your ruin is as big as the sea.No one can heal you.
14. Your prophets saw visions about you.But they were false and worth nothing.They did not expose your sins.They did not keep you from being captured.The messages they preached to you were false.They fooled you.
15. All who pass by on the roadclap their hands at you.They make fun and shake their headsat Jerusalem.They ask, “Is this the city that people calledthe most beautiful city,the happiest city on earth?”
16. All your enemies open their mouthsto say things against you.They make fun and grind their teeth in anger.They say, “We have swallowed her up.This is the day we were waiting for.We have finally seen it happen.”