14 Negligent prophets spoke only of trivial, unimportant matters. They did not address your corruption so as to restore you to your proper course. Their prophecies dwelt on superficial trivialities.
15 Onlookers wave dismissively at the very sight of you. They hiss and shake their heads at Fair Jerusalem: the city once celebrated for its consummate beauty, a joy to all the Earth.
16 Petulant enemies jeer at you, hissing and gnashing their teeth. They say:“ We have destroyed her! How we have waited for this day: now it has finally come about!”
17 Quashing His own inclination to mercy, the Lord has made good His threatened course. He has carried out the devastating sentence He prescribed in ages past. Now your prideful enemies, your bitter foes can rejoice over You.
18 Rest not your eyes! Grant yourself no respite! The walls of Fair Zion cry their hearts out; let your tears flow like a mighty stream, day and night.
19 Stand ready! Call out in the night, at the earliest of watches. Pour out your heart like water in the very presence of the Lord. Extend your hands to Him in prayerful intercession for the lives of starving infants, expiring at every street corner!
20 Take note, Lord! Behold the victims You have dealt with so heartlessly? Mothers consuming their own fruit: helpless newborn babies! Priest and prophet: slain, Lord, in Your own Temple!
21 Underfoot, young and old alike lie in the street. Our young daughters and our sons, felled by the sword. It is You who killed them on Your day of anger. You butchered them. You showed no mercy.
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