How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people. Jerusalem is a widow, weeping bitterly at night. Her friends have betrayed her, and all her gates are desolate. She acknowledges that the LORD is righteous and cries for comfort.
1 How doth the city sit solitary , that was full of people ! how is she become as a widow ! she that was great among the nations , and princess among the provinces , how is she become tributary !
2 She weepeth sore in the night , and her tears are on her cheeks : among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies .
3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction , and because of great servitude : she dwelleth among the heathen , she findeth no rest : all her persecutors overtook her between the straits .
4 The ways of Zion do mourn , because none come to the solemn feasts : all her gates are desolate : her priests sigh , her virgins are afflicted , and she is in bitterness .
5 Her adversaries are the chief , her enemies prosper ; for the LORD hath afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions : her children are gone into captivity before the enemy .
6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed : her princes are become like harts that find no pasture , and they are gone without strength before the pursuer .
7 Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old , when her people fell into the hand of the enemy , and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her sabbaths .
8 Jerusalem hath grievously sinned ; therefore she is removed : all that honoured her despise her, because they have seen her nakedness : yea, she sigheth , and turneth backward .
9 Her filthiness is in her skirts ; she remembereth not her last end ; therefore she came down wonderfully : she had no comforter . O LORD , behold my affliction : for the enemy hath magnified himself.
10 The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things : for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary , whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation .
11 All her people sigh , they seek bread ; they have given their pleasant things for meat to relieve the soul : see , O LORD , and consider ; for I am become vile .
12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? behold , and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow , which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger .
13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones , and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet , he hath turned me back : he hath made me desolate and faint all the day .
14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand : they are wreathed , and come up upon my neck : he hath made my strength to fall , the Lord hath delivered me into their hands , from whom I am not able to rise up .
15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men : the Lord hath trodden the virgin , the daughter of Judah , as in a winepress .
16 For these things I weep ; mine eye , mine eye runneth down with water , because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate , because the enemy prevailed .
17 Zion spreadeth forth her hands , and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob , that his adversaries should be round about him: Jerusalem is as a menstruous woman among them.
18 The LORD is righteous ; for I have rebelled against his commandment : hear , I pray you, all people , and behold my sorrow : my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity .
19 I called for my lovers , but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city , while they sought their meat to relieve their souls .
20 Behold , O LORD ; for I am in distress : my bowels are troubled ; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled : abroad the sword bereaveth , at home there is as death .
21 They have heard that I sigh : there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble ; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called , and they shall be like unto me.
22 Let all their wickedness come before thee; and do unto them, as thou hast done unto me for all my transgressions : for my sighs are many , and my heart is faint .