1 Jerusalem once was full of people,but now the city is empty.Jerusalem once was a great city among the nations,but now she is like a widow.She was like a queen of all the other cities,but now she is a slave.
2 She cries loudly at night,and tears are on her cheeks.There is no one to comfort her;all who loved her are gone.All her friends have turned against herand are now her enemies.
3 Judah has gone into captivitywhere she suffers and works hard.She lives among other nations,but she has found no rest.Those who chased her caught herwhen she was in trouble.
4 The roads to Jerusalem are sad,because no one comes for the feasts.No one passes through her gates.Her priests groan,her young women are suffering,and Jerusalem suffers terribly.
5 Her foes are now her masters.Her enemies enjoy the wealth they have taken.The Lord is punishing herfor her many sins.Her children have gone awayas captives of the enemy.
6 The beauty of Jerusalemhas gone away.Her rulers are like deerthat cannot find food.They are weakand run from the hunters.