16 “This is why I weep

and my eyes overflow with tears.z

No one is near to comforta me,

no one to restore my spirit.

My children are destitute

because the enemy has prevailed.”b

17 Zion stretches out her hands,c

but there is no one to comfort her.

The Lord has decreed for Jacob

that his neighbors become his foes;d

Jerusalem has become

an uncleane thingf among them.

18 “The Lord is righteous,g

yet I rebelledh against his command.

Listen, all you peoples;

look on my suffering.i

My young men and young women

have gone into exile.j

19 “I called to my alliesk

but they betrayed me.

My priests and my elders

perishedl in the city

while they searched for food

to keep themselves alive.

20 “See, Lord, how distressedm I am!

I am in tormentn within,

and in my heart I am disturbed,o

for I have been most rebellious.p

Outside, the sword bereaves;

inside, there is only death.q