Howis the goldbecome dim! how is the mostfine goldchanged! the stonesof the sanctuaryare poured outin the topof everystreet. The precioussonsof Zion, comparableto fine gold, howare they esteemedas earthenpitchers, the workof the handsof the potter! Eventhe sea monstersdraw outthe breast, they give suckto their young ones: the daughterof my people is become cruel, like the ostrichesin the wilderness. The tongueof the sucking childcleavethtothe roof of his mouthfor thirst: the young childrenaskbread, and no manbreaketh it unto them. They that did feeddelicatelyare desolatein the streets: they that were brought upinscarletembracedunghills. For the punishment of the iniquityof the daughterof my peopleis greaterthan the punishment of the sinof Sodom, that was overthrownas ina moment, and nohandsstayedon her. Her Nazariteswere purerthan snow, they were whiterthan milk, they were more ruddyin bodythan rubies, their polishing was of sapphire: Their visageis blackerthan a coal; they are notknownin the streets: their skincleavethtotheir bones; it is withered, it is becomelike a stick. They that be slainwith the swordarebetterthan they that be slainwith hunger: for thesepine away, stricken throughfor want of the fruitsof the field. The handsof the pitifulwomenhave soddentheir own children: they weretheir meatin the destructionof the daughterof my people. The LORDhath accomplishedhis fury; he hath poured outhis fierceanger, and hath kindleda firein Zion, and it hath devouredthe foundationsthereof. The kingsof the earth, and allthe inhabitantsof the world, would nothave believedthatthe adversaryand the enemyshould have enteredinto the gatesof Jerusalem. For the sinsof her prophets, and the iniquitiesof her priests, that have shedthe bloodof the justin the midstof her, They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have pollutedthemselves with blood, so that men couldnottouchtheir garments. They criedunto them, Departye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touchnot: whenthey fled awayandwandered, they saidamong the heathen, They shall nomoresojourn there . The angerof the LORDhath dividedthem; he will nomoreregardthem: they respectednotthe personsof the priests, they favorednotthe elders. As for us, our eyesas yetfailedforour vainhelp: in our watchingwe have watchedfora nation that could notsave us . They huntour steps, that we cannot goin our streets: our endis near, our daysare fulfilled; forour endis come. Our persecutorsareswifterthan the eaglesof the heaven: they pursuedus uponthe mountains, they laid waitfor us in the wilderness. The breathof our nostrils, the anointedof the LORD, was takenin their pits, of whomwe said, Under his shadowwe shall liveamong the heathen. Rejoiceand be glad, O daughterof Edom, that dwellestin the landof Uz; the cupalsoshall pass throughuntothee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. The punishment of thine iniquityis accomplished, O daughterof Zion; he will nomorecarry thee away into captivity: he will visitthine iniquity, O daughterof Edom; he will discoverthy sins.