⁹ Do I bring to the moment of birth^(A)
    and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
    when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

⁹ Why do you now cry aloud—
    have you no king^[a](A)?
Has your ruler^[b] perished,
    that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?^(B)

¹⁰ Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,
    like a woman in labor,
for now you must leave the city
    to camp in the open field.
You will go to Babylon;^(A)
    there you will be rescued.
There the Lord will redeem^(B) you
    out of the hand of your enemies.