1-2. I wish my head were a well of waterand my eyes fountains of tearsSo I could weep day and nightfor casualties among my dear, dear people.At times I wish I had a wilderness hut,a backwoods cabin,Where I could get away from my peopleand never see them again.They’re a faithless, feckless bunch,a congregation of degenerates.
10-11. “I’m lamenting the loss of the mountain pastures.I’m chanting dirges for the old grazing grounds.They’ve become deserted wastelands too dangerous for travelers.No sounds of sheep bleating or cattle mooing.Birds and wild animals, all gone.Nothing stirring, no sounds of life.I’m going to make Jerusalem a pile of rubble,fit for nothing but stray cats and dogs.I’m going to reduce Judah’s towns to piles of ruinswhere no one lives!”