²⁸ Therefore the earth will mourn^(A)
    and the heavens above grow dark,^(B)
because I have spoken and will not relent,^(C)
    I have decided and will not turn back.^(D)”

²⁹ At the sound of horsemen and archers^(E)
    every town takes to flight.^(F)
Some go into the thickets;
    some climb up among the rocks.^(G)
All the towns are deserted;^(H)
    no one lives in them.

³⁰ What are you doing,^(I) you devastated one?
    Why dress yourself in scarlet
    and put on jewels^(J) of gold?
Why highlight your eyes with makeup?^(K)
    You adorn yourself in vain.
Your lovers^(L) despise you;
    they want to kill you.^(M)

³¹ I hear a cry as of a woman in labor,^(N)
    a groan as of one bearing her first child—
the cry of Daughter Zion^(O) gasping for breath,^(P)
    stretching out her hands^(Q) and saying,
“Alas! I am fainting;
    my life is given over to murderers.”^(R)

²⁸ Therefore the earth will mourn^(A)
    and the heavens above grow dark,^(B)
because I have spoken and will not relent,^(C)
    I have decided and will not turn back.^(D)”

²⁹ At the sound of horsemen and archers^(E)
    every town takes to flight.^(F)
Some go into the thickets;
    some climb up among the rocks.^(G)
All the towns are deserted;^(H)
    no one lives in them.

³⁰ What are you doing,^(I) you devastated one?
    Why dress yourself in scarlet
    and put on jewels^(J) of gold?
Why highlight your eyes with makeup?^(K)
    You adorn yourself in vain.
Your lovers^(L) despise you;
    they want to kill you.^(M)