1 How she sits alone, the city once crowded with people!She who was great among the nationshas become like a widow. The princess among the provinceshas been put to forced labor.
2 She weeps aloud during the night, with tears on her cheeks.There is no one to offer her comfort,not one from all her lovers. All her friends have betrayed her;they have become her enemies.
3 Judah has gone into exilefollowing affliction and harsh slavery;she lives among the nationsbut finds no place to rest. All her pursuers have overtaken herin narrow places.
4 The roads to Zion mourn,for no one comes to the appointed festivals. All her gates are deserted;her priests groan,her young women grieve,and she herself is bitter.
5 Her adversaries have become her masters; her enemies are at ease, for the Lord has made her sufferbecause of her many transgressions.Her children have gone awayas captives before the adversary.
6 All her splendor has vanishedfrom Daughter Zion. Her leaders are like stagsthat find no pasture;they walk away exhaustedbefore the hunter.