King James Version

1 How has she sat alone, the city, which was full of people? She has become as a widow, the ruler among the nations; she has become a tribute among the provinces. 2 She weeps bitterly in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; she has no comforter from all her lovers; all her friends have betrayed her; they have become her enemies. 3 Judah has gone away from affliction and from much service; she sits among the nations, she found no rest; all her pursuers overtook her between the straits. 4 The ways of Zion mourn, without the coming of the appointed times; all her gates are desolate; her priests sigh; her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness. 5 Her enemies were numerous, for the LORD brought her down for the abundance of her transgressions; her children went into captivity before the oppressor. 6 And from the daughter of Zion has gone forth all her splendor; her leaders were like deer; they found no pasture, and they walked without strength before the pursuer. 7 Remember, O Jerusalem, the days of your affliction and your wanderings, all your precious things that were from days of old, when your people fell by the hand of the oppressor, and there was no one to help her; the oppressors laughed at her downfall. 8 Jerusalem has greatly sinned; therefore, she has become like one in her period; all her honored ones have despised her, for they have seen her nakedness; indeed, she herself has groaned and turned back. 9 Her impurity has not remembered her end; she has descended in wonders; there is no one to comfort her. See, O Lord, my affliction, for the enemy has magnified. 10 Your hand has stretched out over all your delights, for the nations have come into your sanctuary, which you commanded should not enter your congregation. 11 All the people are groaning, seeking bread; they have given their beloved food to restore the soul. Behold, O Lord, and look, for I have been a glutton. 12 "Is there any pain like my pain that has been inflicted on me, which the LORD caused on the day of His fierce anger?" 13 From on high, he sent fire into my bones, and it descended; a net was spread for my feet, he turned me back; he made me desolate all the day long. 14 I was crushed under my transgressions; my strength has failed; my Lord has delivered me into hands I cannot rise up. 15 Silence, all my mighty lords, for in my midst a time has been called to break the youth; the lord has walked to the virgin daughter of Judah. 16 On these things I weep; my eyes flow with water because the comforter who restores my soul is far from me; my children are desolate because the enemy has prevailed. 17 Zion has spread out her hands; there is no comforter for her; the Lord has commanded concerning Jacob that those around him be his adversaries; Jerusalem has become like a menstruating woman among them. 18 The Lord is righteous; I have rebelled against His mouth. Hear, O nations, and see my suffering, my virgins and my young men have gone into captivity. 19 I called to my lovers; they deceived me, my priests and my elders in the city. They sought food for themselves and they restored their souls. 20 Look, O Lord, for I am in distress; my stomach is churning; my heart is turned within me, for I have been very rebellious; outside, the sword bereaves; inside, it is like death. 21 They heard that I am in anguish; there is no comfort for me. All my enemies heard my misfortune; they rejoiced because you have done it. You brought the day you proclaimed, and they will be like me. 22 All my evil shall come before you, and I shall suffer like I have caused others to suffer for all my transgressions, for my sorrows are many and my heart is faint.