7
Her Nazirites were brighter than snow And whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, Like sapphire in their appearance.
8
Now their appearance is blacker than soot; They go unrecognized in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones, It has become as dry as wood.
9
Those slain by the sword are better off Than those who die of hunger; For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruits of the field.
10
The hands of the compassionate women Have cooked their own children; They became food for them In the destruction of the daughter of my people.
11
The Lord has fulfilled His fury, He has poured out His fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion, And it has devoured its foundations.
12
The kings of the earth, And all inhabitants of the world, Would not have believed That the adversary and the enemy Could enter the gates of Jerusalem--
13
Because of the sins of her prophets And the iniquities of her priests, Who shed in her midst The blood of the just.
14
They wandered blind in the streets; They have defiled themselves with blood, So that no one would touch their garments.
15
They cried out to them, "Go away, unclean! Go away, go away, Do not touch us!" When they fled and wandered, Those among the nations said, "They shall no longer dwell here."
16
The face of the Lord scattered them; He no longer regards them. The people do not respect the priests Nor show favor to the elders.
17
Still our eyes failed us, Watching vainly for our help; In our watching we watched For a nation that could not save us.