16. For these things I weep—My eyes! My eyes!They stream with tears!How far from me is anyone to comfort,anyone to restore my life.My children are desolate;the enemy has prevailed.”
17. Zion stretches out her hands,with no one to comfort her;The Lord has ordered against Jacobhis foes all around;Jerusalem has become in their midsta thing unclean.
18. “The Lord is in the right;I had defied his command.Listen, all you peoples,and see my pain:My young women and young menhave gone into captivity.
19. I cried out to my lovers,but they failed me.My priests and my eldersperished in the city;How desperately they searched for food,to save their lives!
20. Look, O Lord, at the anguish I suffer!My stomach churns,And my heart recoils within me:How bitter I am!Outside the sword bereaves—indoors, there is death.
21. Hear how I am groaning;there is no one to comfort me.All my enemies hear of my misery and rejoiceover what you have done.Bring on the day you proclaimed,and let them become like me!