Lamentations 4 :: New International Version (NIV)

Lam 4:1

Lam 4:1How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! The sacred gems are scattered at every street corner.

Lam 4:2

Lam 4:2How the precious children of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter’s hands!

Lam 4:3

Lam 4:3Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.

Lam 4:4

Lam 4:4Because of thirst the infant’s tongue sticks to the roof of its mouth; the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them.

Lam 4:5

Lam 4:5Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps.

Lam 4:6

Lam 4:6The punishment of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment without a hand turned to help her.

Lam 4:7

Lam 4:7Their princes were brighter than snow and whiter than milk, their bodies more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like lapis lazuli.

Lam 4:8

Lam 4:8But now they are blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.

Lam 4:9

Lam 4:9Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine; racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food from the field.

Lam 4:10

Lam 4:10With their own hands compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food when my people were destroyed.

Lam 4:11

Lam 4:11The LORD has given full vent to his wrath; he has poured out his fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion that consumed her foundations.

Lam 4:12

Lam 4:12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem.

Lam 4:13

Lam 4:13But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

Lam 4:14

Lam 4:14Now they grope through the streets as if they were blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments.

Lam 4:15

Lam 4:15“Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them. “Away! Away! Don’t touch us!” When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, “They can stay here no longer.”

Lam 4:16

Lam 4:16The LORD himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

Lam 4:17

Lam 4:17Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us.

Lam 4:18

Lam 4:18People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.

Lam 4:19

Lam 4:19Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.

Lam 4:20

Lam 4:20The LORD’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations.

Lam 4:21

Lam 4:21Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom, you who live in the land of Uz. But to you also the cup will be passed; you will be drunk and stripped naked.

Lam 4:22

Lam 4:22Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion; he will not prolong your exile. But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom, and expose your wickedness.

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