16. For these things I weep;my eyes flow with tears;for the comforter, who should relieve my soul,is far from me.My children are desolatefor the enemy has prevailed.
17. Zion spreads out her hands,but there is no one to comfort her;the Lord has commanded against Jacobthat his neighbors should be his adversaries;Jerusalem has become a filthy thing among them.
18. The Lord is in the right,for I have rebelled against His commandment.Hear now, all peoples,and see my sorrow;my virgins and my young menhave gone into captivity.
19. I called for my lovers,but they deceived me;my priests and my eldersperished in the city,while they sought foodto restore their strength.