9 Better for those pierced by the swordthan for those pierced by hunger,Better for those who bleed from woundsthan for those who lack food.
10 The hands of compassionate womenhave boiled their own children!They became their foodwhen the daughter of my people was shattered.
11 The Lord has exhausted his anger,poured out his blazing wrath;He has kindled a fire in Zionthat has consumed her foundations.
12 The kings of the earth did not believe,nor any of the world’s inhabitants,That foe or enemy could enterthe gates of Jerusalem.
13 Except for the sins of her prophetsand the crimes of her priests,Who poured out in her midstthe blood of the just.
14 They staggered blindly in the streets,defiled with blood,So that people could not toucheven their garments:
15 “Go away! Unclean!” they cried to them,“Away, away, do not touch!”If they went away and wandered,it would be said among the nations,“They can no longer live here!