Lamentations 2:13–19

¹³How can I understand your plight, dear Jerusalem?

What can I say to give you comfort, dear Zion?

Who can put you together again? This bust-up is past understanding.

¹⁴Your prophets courted you with sweet talk.

They didn’t face you with your sin so that you could repent.

Their sermons were all wishful thinking, deceptive illusions.

¹⁵Astonished, passersby can’t believe what they see.

They rub their eyes, they shake their heads over Jerusalem.

Is this the city voted “Most Beautiful” and “Best Place to Live”?

¹⁶But now your enemies gape, slack-jawed.

Then they rub their hands in glee: “We’ve got them!

We’ve been waiting for this! Here it is!”

¹⁷God did carry out, item by item, exactly what he said he’d do.

He always said he’d do this. Now he’s done it—torn the place down.

He’s let your enemies walk all over you, declared them world champions!

¹⁸Give out heart-cries to the Master, dear repentant Zion.

Let the tears roll like a river, day and night,

and keep at it—no time-outs. Keep those tears flowing!

¹⁹As each night watch begins, get up and cry out in prayer.

Pour your heart out face-to-face with the Master.

Lift high your hands. Beg for the lives of your children

who are starving to death out on the streets.