← Back
←Previous: lamentations 3
Chapter 4
Next: lamentations 5→

Verse 1

How has the gold become dim! How is the finest gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the top of every street.

How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

Verse 2

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they regarded as clay pots, the work of the hands of the potter!

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Verse 3

Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones; the daughter of my people has become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

Verse 4

The tongue of the nursing child clings to the roof of his mouth for thirst; the young children ask for bread, and no one breaks it for them.

The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.

Verse 5

Those who ate delicacies are desolate in the streets; those who were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

Verse 6

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Verse 7

Her Nazirites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk; they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their appearance was like sapphire.

Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:

Verse 8

Their appearance is blacker than coal; they are not recognized in the streets; their skin clings to their bones; it has withered, it has become like a stick.

Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.

Verse 9

Those slain by the sword are better than those who die by hunger; for these waste away, stricken for want of the fruits of the field.

They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field.

Verse 10

The hands of the compassionate women have cooked their own children; they were their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people.

Verse 11

The LORD has accomplished his fury; he has poured out his fierce anger, and has kindled a fire in Zion, and it has devoured her foundations.

The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

Verse 12

The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem.

The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.

Verse 13

For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, who have shed the blood of the just in her midst,

For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

Verse 14

They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have defiled themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.

They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.

Verse 15

They cried to them, 'Depart! Unclean! Depart, depart, do not touch!' When they fled and wandered, they said among the nations, 'They shall no longer dwell there.'

They cried unto them, Depart ye; it is unclean; depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, They shall no more sojourn there.

Verse 16

The anger of the LORD has scattered them; he will no longer regard them; they showed no respect to the priests, nor favored the elders.

The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.

Verse 17

As for us, our eyes failed as we watched for a nation that could not save us.

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

Verse 18

They hunted our steps, so that we could not walk in our streets; our end drew near, our days were fulfilled, for our end came.

They hunt our steps, that we cannot go in our streets: our end is near, our days are fulfilled; for our end is come.

Verse 19

Our persecutors were swifter than the eagles of the sky; they pursued us on the mountains, they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.

Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven: they pursued us upon the mountains, they laid wait for us in the wilderness.

Verse 20

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was captured in their pits, of whom we said, 'Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.'

The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.

Verse 21

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, who dwell in the land of Uz; the cup shall also pass to you, you shall become drunk and make yourself naked.

Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.

Verse 22

The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no longer carry you away into captivity; he will visit your iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will uncover your sins.

The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

←Previous: lamentations 3
Chapter 4
Next: lamentations 5→