1
"But it happened that when my son went into his wedding chamber, he fell down and died.
2
We extinguished all our lamps, and all my fellow citizens rose to console me. I was quiet until the next day, until nightfall.
3
But when all ceased consoling me so that I would be quiet, I got up at night and fled, and I came into this field, as you see.
4
Now I plan not to return to the city but to stay here, and I will neither eat nor drink but lament and fast without ceasing, until I die."
5
I abandoned the thoughts that had preoccupied me and responded to her in anger:
6
"Most foolish of all women, don't you see our grief and what has befallen us?
7
Zion the mother of us all is afflicted in sadness and utterly dejected. Grieve mightily
8
now because we all grieve, and be sorrowful because we are all sorrowful. But you are mourning only for one son!
9
Ask the earth, and she will tell you that she is the one who should mourn, since so many have sprouted upon her.
10
From her, from the beginning, all have been born and others will come. Look, nearly all go to ruin, and their multitude is doomed to destruction.