4 The roads to Zion mourn,

for no one comes to her appointed festivals.

All her gateways are desolate,

her priests groan,

her young women grieve,

and she is in bitter anguish.

5 Her foes have become her masters;

her enemies are at ease.

The Lord has brought her grief

because of her many sins.

Her children have gone into exile,

captive before the foe.

4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts:

All her gates are desolate: her priests sigh,

Her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.

5 Her adversaries are the chief, her enemies prosper;

For the Lord hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions:

Her children are gone into captivity before the enemy.

4 The roads to Jerusalem are in mourning,

for crowds no longer come to celebrate the festivals.

The city gates are silent,

her priests groan,

her young women are crying—

how bitter is her fate!

5 Her oppressors have become her masters,

and her enemies prosper,

for the Lord has punished Jerusalem

for her many sins.

Her children have been captured

and taken away to distant lands.

4 The roads to Zion mourn

Because no one comes to the set feasts.

All her gates are desolate;

Her priests sigh,

Her virgins are afflicted,

And she is in bitterness.

5 Her adversaries have become the master,

Her enemies prosper;

For the Lord has afflicted her

Because of the multitude of her transgressions.

Her children have gone into captivity before the enemy.

4 The roads to Jerusalem are sad,

because no one comes for the feasts.

No one passes through her gates.

Her priests groan,

her young women are suffering,

and Jerusalem suffers terribly.

5 Her foes are now her masters.

Her enemies enjoy the wealth they have taken.

The Lord is punishing her

for her many sins.

Her children have gone away

as captives of the enemy.

4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly;

All her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh:

Her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.

5 Her adversaries are become the head, her enemies prosper;

For Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions:

Her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.

4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn assembly: all her gates are desolate; her priests sigh, her virgins are in grief; and as for her, she is in bitterness. 5 Her adversaries have become the head, her enemies prosper; for Jehovah hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions: her children are gone into captivity before the adversary.

4 “The roads to Zion are deserted.

No one comes to the annual festivals. 

No one passes through any of its gates.

Its priests are groaning. 

Its young women are made to suffer. 

Zion is bitter. 

5 Its opponents are now in control. 

Its enemies have no worries. 

The Lord made Zion suffer for its many rebellious acts. 

Its children go ahead of their opponents into captivity. 

4 The roads to Zion mourn,

for no one comes to the appointed festivals.

All her gates are deserted;

her priests groan,

her young women grieve,

and she herself is bitter.

5 Her adversaries have become her masters;

her enemies are at ease,

for the Lord has made her suffer

because of her many transgressions.

Her children have gone away

as captives before the adversary.

4 The roads to Zion mourn,

for no one comes to the festivals;

all her gates are desolate,

her priests groan;

her young girls grieve,

and her lot is bitter.

5 Her foes have become the masters,

her enemies prosper,

because the Lord has made her suffer

for the multitude of her transgressions;

her children have gone away,

captives before the foe.

4 The roads of Zion are mourning

because no one comes to the festival.

All her gates are desolate,

her priests groan;

her young women are worried,

and she herself suffers bitterly.

5 Her foes have become her master,

her enemies are at ease;

Yahweh has made her suffer

because of the greatness of her transgressions.

Her children have gone away,

captive before the foe.

4 The roads to Zion are empty.

No one travels to its appointed feasts.

All of the public places near its gates are deserted.

Its priests groan.

Its young women are sad.

And Zion itself sobs bitterly.

5 Its enemies have become its masters.

They have an easy life.

The Lord has brought suffering to Jerusalem

because its people have committed so many sins.

Its children have been taken away as prisoners.

Their enemies have forced them to leave their homes.

4 The roads of Zion are in mourning

Because no one comes to the appointed feasts.

All her gates are desolate;

Her priests are groaning,

Her virgins are afflicted,

And she herself is bitter.

5 Her adversaries have become her masters,

Her enemies prosper;

For the Lord has caused her grief

Because of the multitude of her transgressions;

Her little ones have gone away

As captives before the adversary.