Lamentations 4

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 How the gold has tarnished, how the fine gold has changed! The sacred stones lie scattered at thecorner of every street.	1 How the gold has tarnished, how the fine gold has changed! The sacred stones lie scattered at thecorner of every street.
2 The children of Zion, as precious as finest gold -- to think that they should now be reckoned likecrockery made by a potter!	2 The children of Zion, as precious as finest gold -- to think that they should now be reckoned likecrockery made by a potter!
3 The very jackals give the breast, and suckle their young: but the daughter of my people is as cruel asthe ostriches of the desert.	3 The very jackals give the breast, and suckle their young: but the daughter of my people is as cruel asthe ostriches of the desert.
4 The tongue of the baby at the breast sticks to its palate for thirst; little children ask for bread, no onegives them any.	4 The tongue of the baby at the breast sticks to its palate for thirst; little children ask for bread, no onegives them any.
5 Those who used to eat only the best, now lie dying in the streets; those who were reared in the purpleclaw at the rubbish heaps,	5 Those who used to eat only the best, now lie dying in the streets; those who were reared in the purpleclaw at the rubbish heaps,
6 for the wickedness of the daughter of my people exceeded the sins of Sodom, which was overthrown ina moment without a hand being laid on it.	6 for the wickedness of the daughter of my people exceeded the sins of Sodom, which was overthrown ina moment without a hand being laid on it.
7 Once her young people were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; rosier than coral their bodies, theirhue like sapphire.	7 Once her young people were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; rosier than coral their bodies, theirhue like sapphire.
8 Now their faces are blacker than soot, they are not recognised in the streets, the skin has shrunk overtheir bones, as dry as a stick.	8 Now their faces are blacker than soot, they are not recognised in the streets, the skin has shrunk overtheir bones, as dry as a stick.
9 Happier those killed by the sword than those kil ed by famine: they waste away, sunken for lack of thefruits of the earth.	9 Happier those killed by the sword than those kil ed by famine: they waste away, sunken for lack of thefruits of the earth.
10 With their own hands, kindly women cooked their children; this was their food when the daughter ofmy people was ruined.	10 With their own hands, kindly women cooked their children; this was their food when the daughter ofmy people was ruined.
11 Yahweh indulged his fury, he vented his fierce anger, he lit a fire in Zion which devoured herfoundations.	11 Yahweh indulged his fury, he vented his fierce anger, he lit a fire in Zion which devoured herfoundations.
12 The kings of the earth never believed, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world, that foe or enemywould ever penetrate the gates of Jerusalem.	12 The kings of the earth never believed, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world, that foe or enemywould ever penetrate the gates of Jerusalem.
13 Owing to the sins of her prophets and the crimes of her priests, who had shed the blood of the upright,in the heart of the city,	13 Owing to the sins of her prophets and the crimes of her priests, who had shed the blood of the upright,in the heart of the city,
14 they wandered blindly through the streets, polluted with blood, so that no one dared to touch theirclothes.	14 they wandered blindly through the streets, polluted with blood, so that no one dared to touch theirclothes.
15 'Keep away! Unclean!' people shouted, 'Keep away! Keep away! Don't touch!' If they left and fled tothe nations, they were not al owed to stay there either.	15 'Keep away! Unclean!' people shouted, 'Keep away! Keep away! Don't touch!' If they left and fled tothe nations, they were not al owed to stay there either.
16 The face of Yahweh destroyed them, he wil look on them no more. There was no respect for thepriests, no deference for the elders.	16 The face of Yahweh destroyed them, he wil look on them no more. There was no respect for thepriests, no deference for the elders.
17 Continual y we were wearing out our eyes, watching for help -- in vain. From our towers we watchedfor a nation which could not save us anyway.	17 Continual y we were wearing out our eyes, watching for help -- in vain. From our towers we watchedfor a nation which could not save us anyway.
18 Men dogged our steps, to keep us out of our streets. Our end was near, our days were done, our endhad come.	18 Men dogged our steps, to keep us out of our streets. Our end was near, our days were done, our endhad come.
19 Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they hounded our steps through the mountains, theylay in ambush for us in the wilds.	19 Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they hounded our steps through the mountains, theylay in ambush for us in the wilds.
20 The breath of our nostrils, Yahweh's anointed, was caught in their traps, he of whom we said, 'In hisshadow we shall live among the nations.'	20 The breath of our nostrils, Yahweh's anointed, was caught in their traps, he of whom we said, 'In hisshadow we shall live among the nations.'
21 Rejoice, exult, daughter of Edom, you who reside in Uz! To you in turn the cup wil pass; you wil getdrunk and strip yourself naked!	21 Rejoice, exult, daughter of Edom, you who reside in Uz! To you in turn the cup wil pass; you wil getdrunk and strip yourself naked!
22 Your wickedness is atoned for, daughter of Zion, he will never banish you again. But your wickedness,daughter of Edom, wil he punish, your sins he will lay bare!	22 Your wickedness is atoned for, daughter of Zion, he will never banish you again. But your wickedness,daughter of Edom, wil he punish, your sins he will lay bare!