Lamentations 4:17

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

Lamentations 4:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.
ESV
17 Our eyes failed, ever watching vainly for help; in our watching we watched for a nation which could not save.
NLT
17 We looked in vain for our allies to come and save us, but we were looking to nations that could not help us.
MSG
17 We watched and watched, wore our eyes out looking for help. And nothing. We mounted our lookouts and looked for the help that never showed up.
CSB
17 All the while our eyes were failing [as we looked] in vain for assistance; we watched from our towers for a nation that refused to help.

Lamentations 4:17 In-Context

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.”
16 The LORD himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.
17 Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us.
18 People 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.
19 Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 15:18; S Isaiah 20:5; Ezekiel 29:16
  • 2. S Lamentations 1:7
  • 3. Jeremiah 37:7
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