Lamentations 1:17-22

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁷ Zion stretches out her hands,
    but there is no one to comfort her;
the Lord has commanded against Jacob
    that his neighbors should become his foes;
Jerusalem has become
    a filthy thing among them.^(A)

¹⁸ The Lord is in the right,
    for I have rebelled against his word;
but hear, all you peoples,
    and behold my suffering;
my young women and young men
    have gone into captivity.^(B)

¹⁹ I called to my lovers,
    but they deceived me;
my priests and elders
    perished in the city
while seeking food
    to revive their lives.^(C)

²⁰ Look, O Lord, at how distressed I am;
    my stomach churns;
my heart is wrung within me
    because I have been very rebellious.
In the street the sword bereaves;
    in the house it is like death.^(D)

²¹ They heard how I was groaning,
    with no one to comfort me.
All my enemies heard of my trouble;
    they are glad that you have done it.
Bring on the day that you have announced,
    and let them be as I am.^(E)

²² Let all their evildoing come before you,
    and deal with them
as you have dealt with me
    because of all my transgressions;
for my groans are many,
    and my heart is faint.^(F)