3 Even jackals offer the breast;they nurse their young,but the daughter of my people has become cruel,like the ostriches in the wilderness.
4 The tongue of the nursing infant sticksto the roof of its mouth for thirst; the children beg for food,but no one gives to them.
5 Those who once feasted on delicaciesperish in the streets; those who were brought up in purpleembrace ash heaps.
6 For the chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greaterthan the punishment of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment,and no hands were wrung for her.
7 Her princes were purer than snow,whiter than milk;their bodies were more ruddy than coral,the beauty of their form was like sapphire.
8 Now their face is blacker than soot;they are not recognized in the streets;their skin has shriveled on their bones;it has become as dry as wood.
9 Happier were the victims of the swordthan the victims of hunger,who wasted away, piercedby lack of the fruits of the field.