16. “For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for a comforter is far from me,one to revive my spirit;my children are desolate,for the enemy has prevailed.”
17. Zion stretches out her hands,but there is none to comfort her;the Lord has commanded against Jacobthat his neighbors should be his foes;Jerusalem has becomea filthy thing among them.
18. “The Lord is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word;but hear, all you peoples,and see my suffering; my young women and my young menhave gone into captivity.
19. “I called to my lovers,but they deceived me;my priests and eldersperished in the city,while they sought foodto revive their strength.
20. “Look, O Lord, for I am in distress; my stomach churns;my heart is wrung within me,because I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword bereaves;in the house it is like death.
21. “They heard my groaning,yet there is no one to comfort me.All my enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it.You have brought the day you announced; now let them be as I am.
22. “Let all their evildoing come before you,and deal with themas you have dealt with mebecause of all my transgressions;for my groans are many,and my heart is faint.”