1 How deserted lies the city,once so full of people!How like a widow is she,who once was great among the nations!She who was queen among the provinceshas now become a slave.
2 Bitterly she weeps at night,tears are on her cheeks.Among all her loversthere is no one to comfort her.All her friends have betrayed her;they have become her enemies.
3 After affliction and harsh labour,Judah has gone into exile.She dwells among the nations;she finds no resting place.All who pursue her have overtaken herin the midst of her distress.
4 The roads to Zion mourn,for no one comes to her appointed festivals.All her gateways are desolate,her priests groan,her young women grieve,and she is in bitter anguish.
5 Her foes have become her masters;her enemies are at ease.The Lord has brought her griefbecause of her many sins.Her children have gone into exile,captive before the foe.
6 All the splendour has departedfrom Daughter Zion.Her princes are like deerthat find no pasture;in weakness they have fledbefore the pursuer.