6
My people have been punished more than Sodom was. Sodom was destroyed suddenly, and no hands reached out to help her.
7
Our princes were purer than snow, and whiter than milk. Their bodies were redder than rubies; they looked like sapphires.
8
But now they are blacker than coal, and no one recognizes them in the streets. Their skin hangs on their bones; it is as dry as wood.
9
Those who were killed in the war were better off than those killed by hunger. They starve in pain and die, because there is no food from the field.
10
With their own hands kind women cook their own children. They became food when my people were destroyed.
11
The Lord turned loose all of his anger; he poured out his strong anger. He set fire to Jerusalem, burning it down to the foundations.
12
Kings of the earth and people of the world could not believe that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem.
13
It happened because her prophets sinned and her priests did evil. They killed in the city those who did what was right.
14
They wandered in the streets as if they were blind. They were dirty with blood, so no one would touch their clothes.
15
"Go away! You are unclean," people shouted at them. "Get away! Get away! Don't touch us!" So they ran away and wandered. Even the other nations said, "Don't stay here."
16
The Lord himself scattered them and did not look after them anymore. No one respects the priests or honors the older leaders.