12 The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world,would not have believedthat the adversary and the enemy could enterthe gates of Jerusalem.
13 This was for the sins of her prophetsand the iniquities of her priests,who poured out in her midst the blood of the righteous.
14 They wandered,blind, in the streets;they have defiled themselves with blood,so that no one could touch their garments.
15 They cried out to them, “Depart! Unclean!Depart, depart, do not touch us!”Therefore they fled and wandered;men among the nations said,“They shall live with us no longer.”
16 The presence of the Lord scattered them;He will regard them no more;they do not respect the priests,nor show favor to the elders.
17 Our eyes failed us,watching vainly for help;in our watchtowers we watchedfor a nation that could not save us.
18 They tracked our stepsso that we could not walk in our streets.Our end drew near; our days were numbered,for our end had come.