1 The Lord was angry!So he disgraced Zionthough it was Israel's prideand his own place of rest.In his anger he threw Zion downfrom heaven to earth.
2 The Lord had no mercy!He destroyed the homesof Jacob's descendants.In his anger he tore downevery walled city in Judah;he toppled the nationtogether with its leaders,leaving them in shame.
3 The Lord was so furiously angrythat he wiped outthe whole army of Israelby not supporting themwhen the enemy attacked.He was like a raging firethat swallowed upthe descendants of Jacob.
4 He attacked like an enemywith a bow and arrows,killing our loved ones.He has burnt to the groundthe homes on Mount Zion.
5 The Lord was like an enemy!He left Israel in ruinswith its palacesand fortresses destroyed,and with everyone in Judahmoaning and weeping.
6 He shattered his templelike a hut in a garden;he completely wiped outhis meeting place,and did away with festivalsand Sabbathsin the city of Zion.In his fierce anger he rejectedour king and priests.
7 The Lord abandoned his altarand his temple;he let Zion's enemiescapture her fortresses.Noisy shouts were heardfrom the temple,as if it were a timeof celebration.
8 The Lord had decidedto tear down the walls of Zionstone by stone.So he started destroyingand did not stopuntil walls and fortressesmourned and trembled.
9 Zion's gates have fallenface down on the ground;the bars that locked the gatesare smashed to pieces.Her king and royal familyare prisonersin foreign lands.Her priests don't teach,and her prophets don't havea message from the Lord.
10 Zion's leaders are silent.They just sit on the ground,tossing dust on their headsand wearing sackcloth.Her young women can do nothingbut stare at the ground.
11 My eyes are red from crying,my stomach is in knots,and I feel sick all over.My people are being wiped out,and children lie helplessin the streets of the city.
12 A child begs its motherfor food and drink,then blacks outlike a wounded soldierlying in the street.The child slowly diesin its mother's arms.
13 Zion, how can I comfort you?How great is your pain?Lovely city of Jerusalem,how can I heal your wounds,gaping as wide as the sea?
14 Your prophets deceived youwith false visionsand lying messages—they should have warned youto leave your sinsand be saved from disaster.
15 Those who pass byshake their heads and sneeras they make fun and shout,“What a lovely city you were,the happiest on earth,but look at you now!”
16 Zion, your enemies curse youand snarl like wild animals,while shouting,“This is the daywe've waited for!At last, we've got you!”
17 The Lord has done everythingthat he had plannedand threatened long ago.He destroyed you without mercyand let your enemies boast abouttheir powerful forces.
18 Zion, deep in your heartyou cried out to the Lord.Now let your tears overflowyour walls day and night.Don't ever lose hopeor let your tears stop.
19 Get up and pray for helpall through the night.Pour out your feelingsto the Lord,as you would pour waterout of a jug.Beg him to save your people,who are starving to deathat every street crossing.
20 Think about it, Lord!Have you ever been this cruelto anyone before?Is it right for mothersto eat their children,or for priests and prophetsto be killed in your temple?
21 My people, both young and old,lie dead in the streets.Because you were angry,my young men and womenwere brutally slaughtered.
22 When you were angry, Lord,you invited my enemieslike guests for a party.No one survived that day;enemies killed my children,my own little ones.