Lamentations 4:1-22 NCV

[1] See how the gold has lost its shine, how the pure gold has dulled! The stones of the Temple are scattered at every street corner. [2] The precious people of Jerusalem were more valuable than gold, but now they are thought of as clay jars made by the hands of a potter. [3] Even wild dogs give their milk to feed their young, but my people are cruel like ostriches in the desert. [4] The babies are so thirsty their tongues stick to the roofs of their mouths. Children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. [5] Those who once ate fine foods are now starving in the streets. People who grew up wearing nice clothes now pick through trash piles. [6] My people have been punished more than Sodom was. Sodom was destroyed suddenly, and no hands reached out to help her. [7] Our princes were purer than snow, and whiter than milk. Their bodies were redder than rubies; they looked like sapphires. [8] But now they are blacker than coal, and no one recognizes them in the streets. Their skin hangs on their bones; it is as dry as wood. [9] Those who were killed in the war were better off than those killed by hunger. They starve in pain and die, because there is no food from the field. [10] With their own hands kind women cook their own children. They became food when my people were destroyed. [11] The LORD turned loose all of his anger; he poured out his strong anger. He set fire to Jerusalem, burning it down to the foundations. [12] Kings of the earth and people of the world could not believe that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. [13] It happened because her prophets sinned and her priests did evil. They killed in the city those who did what was right. [14] They wandered in the streets as if they were blind. They were dirty with blood, so no one would touch their clothes. [15] "Go away! You are unclean," people shouted at them. "Get away! Get away! Don't touch us!" So they ran away and wandered. Even the other nations said, "Don't stay here." [16] The LORD himself scattered them and did not look after them anymore. No one respects the priests or honors the elders. [17] Also, our eyes grew tired, looking for help that never came. We kept watch from our towers for a nation to save us. [18] Our enemies hunted us, so we could not even walk in the streets. Our end is near. Our time is up. Our end has come. [19] Those who chased us were faster than eagles in the sky. They ran us into the mountains and ambushed us in the desert. [20] The LORD's appointed king, who was our very breath, was caught in their traps. We had said about him, "We will be protected by him among the nations." [21] Be happy and glad, people of Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. The cup of God's anger will come to you; then you will get drunk and go naked. [22] Your punishment is complete, Jerusalem. He will not send you into captivity again. But the LORD will punish the sins of Edom; he will uncover your evil.