Howdoth the citysitsolitary, that was fullof people! how is she becomeas a widow! she that was greatamong the nations, and princessamong the provinces, how is she becometributary! She weepeth sorein the night, and her tears are onher cheeks: among allher loversshe hath noneto comfort her : allher friendshave dealt treacherouslywith her, they are becomeher enemies. Judahis gone into captivitybecause of affliction, and because of greatservitude: shedwellethamong the heathen, she findethnorest: allher persecutorsovertookher betweenthe straits. The waysof Ziondo mourn, because nonecometo the solemn feasts: allher gatesare desolate: her priestssigh, her virginsare afflicted, and she is in bitterness. Her adversariesarethe chief, her enemiesprosper; forthe LORDhath afflictedher forthe multitudeof her transgressions: her childrenare goneinto captivitybeforethe enemy. And fromthe daughterof Zionallher beautyis departed: her princesare becomelike harts that findnopasture, and they are gonewithoutstrengthbeforethe pursuer. Jerusalemrememberedin the daysof her afflictionand of her miseriesallher pleasant thingsthatshe hadin the daysof old, when her peoplefellinto the handof the enemy, and nonedid helpher: the adversariessawher, and did mockather sabbaths. Jerusalemhath grievously sinned; thereforeshe isremoved: allthat honoredher despiseher, becausethey have seenher nakedness: yea, shesigheth, and turnethbackward. Her filthiness is in her skirts; she rememberethnother last end; therefore she came downwonderfully: she had nocomforter. O LORD, beholdmy affliction: forthe enemyhath magnified himself . The adversaryhath spread outhis handuponallher pleasant things: forshe hath seen that the heathenenteredinto her sanctuary, whomthou didst command that they should notenterinto thy congregation. Allher peoplesigh, they seekbread; they have giventheir pleasant thingsfor meatto relievethe soul: see, O LORD, and consider; forI am becomevile. Is it nothingtoyou, allye that pass by? behold, and seeifthere beany sorrowlike unto my sorrow, whichis doneunto me, wherewiththe LORDhath afflicted me in the dayof his fierceanger. From abovehath he sentfireinto my bones, and it prevaileth againstthem: he hath spreada netfor my feet, he hath turnedme back: he hath mademe desolate and faintallthe day. The yokeof my transgressionsis boundby his hand: they are wreathed, and come upuponmy neck: he hath made my strengthto fall, the Lordhath deliveredme into their hands, from whom I am not ableto rise up. The Lordhath trodden under footallmy mighty men in the midstof me: he hath calledan assemblyagainstme to crushmy young men: the Lordhath troddenthe virgin, the daughterof Judah, as in a winepress. Forthese things Iweep; mine eye, mine eyerunneth downwith water, becausethe comforterthat should relievemy soulis farfromme: my childrenaredesolate, becausethe enemyprevailed. Zionspreadeth forthher hands, and there is noneto comforther: the LORDhath commandedconcerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round abouthim: Jerusalemisas a menstruous womanamongthem. The LORDis righteous; forI have rebelledagainst his commandment: hear, I pray you, allpeople, and beholdmy sorrow: my virginsand my young menare goneinto captivity. I calledfor my lovers, but theydeceivedme: my priestsand mine eldersgave up the ghostin the city, whilethey soughttheir meatto relievetheir souls. Behold, O LORD; forI am in distress: my bowelsare troubled; mine heartis turnedwithinme; forI have grievously rebelled: abroadthe swordbereaveth, at home there is as death. They have heardthatIsigh: there is noneto comfortme: allmine enemieshave heardof my trouble; they are gladthatthouhast done it : thou wilt bringthe day that thou hast called, and they shall belike unto me. Let alltheir wickednesscomebeforethee; and dounto them, asthou hast doneunto me forallmy transgressions: formy sighs are many, and my heart is faint.