Lamentations 4:11-22

New International Version

¹¹ The Lord has given full vent to his wrath;^(A)
    he has poured out^(B) his fierce anger.^(C)
He kindled a fire^(D) in Zion
    that consumed her foundations.^(E)

¹² The kings of the earth did not believe,
    nor did any of the peoples of the world,
that enemies and foes could enter
    the gates of Jerusalem.^(F)

¹³ But it happened because of the sins of her prophets
    and the iniquities of her priests,^(G)
who shed within her
    the blood^(H) of the righteous.

¹⁴ Now they grope through the streets
    as if they were blind.^(I)
They are so defiled with blood^(J)
    that no one dares to touch their garments.

¹⁵ “Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them.
    “Away! Away! Don’t touch us!”
When they flee and wander^(K) about,
    people among the nations say,
    “They can stay here no longer.”^(L)

¹⁶ The Lord himself has scattered them;
    he no longer watches over them.^(M)
The priests are shown no honor,
    the elders^(N) no favor.^(O)

¹⁷ Moreover, our eyes failed,
    looking in vain^(P) for help;^(Q)
from our towers we watched
    for a nation^(R) that could not save us.

¹⁸ People stalked us at every step,
    so we could not walk in our streets.
Our end was near, our days were numbered,
    for our end had come.^(S)

¹⁹ Our pursuers were swifter
    than eagles^(T) in the sky;
they chased us^(U) over the mountains
    and lay in wait for us in the desert.^(V)

²⁰ The Lord’s anointed,^(W) our very life breath,
    was caught in their traps.^(X)
We thought that under his shadow^(Y)
    we would live among the nations.

²¹ Rejoice and be glad, Daughter Edom,
    you who live in the land of Uz.^(Z)
But to you also the cup^(AA) will be passed;
    you will be drunk and stripped naked.^(AB)

²² Your punishment will end, Daughter Zion;^(AC)
    he will not prolong your exile.
But he will punish your sin, Daughter Edom,
    and expose your wickedness.^(AD)