4 The nursing infant’s tongueclings to the roof of his mouth from thirst. Little children beg for bread,but no one gives them any.
5 Those who used to eat delicaciesare destitute in the streets;those who were reared in purple garments huddle in garbage heaps.
6 The punishment of my dear peopleis greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instantwithout a hand laid on it.
7 Her dignitaries were brighter than snow,whiter than milk;their bodies were more ruddy than coral,their appearance like sapphire.
8 Now they appear darker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets.Their skin has shriveled on their bones;it has become dry like wood.
9 Those slain by the sword are better offthan those slain by hunger,who waste away, pierced with painbecause the fields lack produce.
10 The hands of compassionate womenhave cooked their own children; they became their foodduring the destruction of my dear people.