ד Daleth

4 The nursing baby’s tongue

clings to the roof of his mouth from thirst.y

Infants beg for food,

but no one gives them any.

ה He

5 Those who used to eat delicacies

are destitute in the streets;

those who were reared in purple garmentsa

huddle in trash heaps.

ו Waw

6 The punishment of my dear people

is greater than that of Sodom,b

which was overthrown in an instant

without a hand laid on it.

ז Zayin

7 Her dignitaries were brighter than snow,

whiter than milk;

their bodiesA were more ruddy than coral,

their appearance like lapis lazuli.

ח Cheth

8 Now they appear darker than soot;c

they are not recognized in the streets.

Their skin has shriveled on their bones;

it has become dry like wood.

ט Teth

9 Those slain by the sword are better off

than those slain by hunger,

who waste away, pierced with pain

because the fields lack produce.