16. ‘This is why I weepand my eyes overflow with tears.No one is near to comfort me,no one to restore my spirit.My children are destitutebecause the enemy has prevailed.’
17. Zion stretches out her hands,but there is no one to comfort her.The Lord has decreed for Jacobthat his neighbours become his foes;Jerusalem has becomean unclean thing among them.
18. ‘The Lord is righteous,yet I rebelled against his command.Listen, all you peoples;look on my suffering.My young men and young womenhave gone into exile.
19. ‘I called to my alliesbut they betrayed me.My priests and my eldersperished in the citywhile they searched for foodto keep themselves alive.
20. ‘See, Lord, how distressed I am!I am in torment within,and in my heart I am disturbed,for I have been most rebellious.Outside, the sword bereaves;inside, there is only death.