17 “You shall say to them this word:

‘Let my eyes run down with tears night and day,

and let them not cease,

for the virgin daughter of my people is smitten with a great wound,

with a very grievous blow.

18 If I go out into the field,

behold, those slain by the sword!

And if I enter the city,

behold, the diseases of famine!

For both prophet and priest ply their trade through the land,

and have no knowledge.’ ”

19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah?

Does thy soul loathe Zion?

Why hast thou smitten us

so that there is no healing for us?

We looked for peace, but no good came;

for a time of healing, but behold, terror.

20 We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,

and the iniquity of our fathers,

for we have sinned against thee.

21 Do not spurn us, for thy name’s sake;

do not dishonor thy glorious throne;

remember and do not break thy covenant with us.

22 Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?

Or can the heavens give showers?

Art thou not he, O Lord our God?

We set our hope on thee,

for thou doest all these things.