¹⁰ The elders of Daughter Zion
    sit on the ground in silence;^(A)
they have sprinkled dust^(B) on their heads^(C)
    and put on sackcloth.^(D)
The young women of Jerusalem
    have bowed their heads to the ground.^(E)

¹¹ My eyes fail from weeping,^(F)
    I am in torment within^(G);
my heart^(H) is poured out^(I) on the ground
    because my people are destroyed,^(J)
because children and infants faint^(K)
    in the streets of the city.

¹² They say to their mothers,
    “Where is bread and wine?”^(L)
as they faint like the wounded
    in the streets of the city,
as their lives ebb away^(M)
    in their mothers’ arms.^(N)

¹³ What can I say for you?^(O)
    With what can I compare you,
    Daughter^(P) Jerusalem?
To what can I liken you,
    that I may comfort you,
    Virgin Daughter Zion?^(Q)
Your wound is as deep as the sea.^(R)
    Who can heal you?

¹⁸ The hearts of the people
    cry out to the Lord.^(A)
You walls of Daughter Zion,^(B)
    let your tears^(C) flow like a river
    day and night;^(D)
give yourself no relief,
    your eyes no rest.^(E)

¹⁹ Arise, cry out in the night,
    as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart^(F) like water
    in the presence of the Lord.^(G)
Lift up your hands^(H) to him
    for the lives of your children,
who faint^(I) from hunger
    at every street corner.