How has gold become dim, the good refined metal become tarnished? The holy stones have been poured out at the head of all streets.

The precious sons of Tsiyon, valued in gold, how have they been counted as clay pots, the work of a potter's hands?

Even jackals have bared their teats, they give milk to their young; the daughter of my people has become cruel, like ostriches in the desert.

The tongue of a nursing infant cleaves to its palate in thirst; young children ask for bread, there is no one to give it to them.

Those eating delicacies have become desolate in the streets; those nourished in scarlet embrace refuse heaps.

The iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant, and no hands were upon it.

Her consecrated ones were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were redder than coral, their form was like sapphire.

Their appearance has become darker than blackness; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry like wood.

Those killed by the sword were better than those killed by hunger, for these waste away, pierced from the produce of the field.

The hands of compassionate women have cooked their children; they became food for them in the shattering of the daughter of my people.

יהוה has consumed his fury; he has poured out the heat of his anger, and has kindled a fire in Tsiyon, and it has consumed its foundations.

The kings of the earth and all inhabitants of the world did not believe that an adversary and enemy would come through the gates of Yerushalayim.

Because of the sins of its prophets, the iniquities of its priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in its midst.

They stumble blindly in the streets, they are defiled with blood; they cannot touch their garments.

'Turn away! Unclean!' they cried to them. 'Turn away, turn away, do not touch!' So they fled and wandered; they said among the nations, 'They will no longer dwell here.'

The face of יהוה has scattered them; he will no longer look upon them; the faces of priests were not honored, nor were elders shown favor.

Our eyes still fail, looking for our help; in our waiting we waited for a nation that does not save.

Our steps were hunted, preventing us from walking in our squares; our end has drawn near, our days are fulfilled, for our end has come.

Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they hunted us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of יהוה, was captured in their traps, of whom we said, 'Under his shadow we will live among the nations.'

Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; the cup will also pass to you; you will become drunk and expose yourself.

Your iniquity is finished, daughter of Tsiyon; he will no longer exile you; he will punish your iniquity, daughter of Edom; he will uncover your sins.