Lamentations 2:13–19

¹³City of Jerusalem, what can I say about you?

What can I compare you to?

People of Zion, what are you like?

I want to comfort you.

Your wound is as deep as the ocean.

Who can heal you?

¹⁴The visions of your prophets were lies.

They weren’t worth anything.

They didn’t show you the sins you had committed.

So that’s why you were captured.

The messages they gave you were lies.

They led you down the wrong path.

¹⁵All those who pass by

clap their hands and make fun of you.

They laugh at you and shake their heads

at the city of Jerusalem.

They say, “Could that be the city

that was called perfect and beautiful?

Is that the city that brought joy to everyone on earth?”

¹⁶All of your enemies open their mouths

wide against you.

They laugh at you and grind their teeth.

They say, “We have swallowed Jerusalem’s people up.

This is the day we’ve waited for.

And we’ve lived to see it.”

¹⁷The Lord has done what he planned to do.

He has made what he said come true.

He gave the command long ago.

He has destroyed you without pity.

He has let your enemies laugh at you.

He has made them stronger than you are.

¹⁸People in the city of Zion,

cry out from your heart to the Lord.

Let your tears flow like a river

day and night.

Don’t stop at all.

Don’t give your eyes any rest.

¹⁹Get up. Cry out as the night begins.

Tell the Lord all of your troubles.

Lift up your hands to him.

Pray that the lives of your children will be spared.

At every street corner they faint

because they are so hungry.