2 How the precious children of Zion,once worth their weight in gold,are now considered as pots of clay,the work of a potter’s hands!
3 Even jackals offer their breaststo nurse their young,but my people have become heartlesslike ostriches in the desert.
4 Because of thirst the infant’s tonguesticks to the roof of its mouth;the children beg for bread,but no one gives it to them.
5 Those who once ate delicaciesare destitute in the streets.Those brought up in royal purplenow lie on ash heaps.
6 The punishment of my peopleis greater than that of Sodom,which was overthrown in a momentwithout a hand turned to help her.
7 Their princes were brighter than snowand whiter than milk,their bodies more ruddy than rubies,their appearance like lapis lazuli.
8 But now they are blacker than soot;they are not recognised in the streets.Their skin has shrivelled on their bones;it has become as dry as a stick.