² How the precious children of Zion,^(A)
    once worth their weight in gold,
are now considered as pots of clay,
    the work of a potter’s hands!

³ Even jackals offer their breasts
    to nurse their young,
but my people have become heartless
    like ostriches in the desert.^(B)

⁴ Because of thirst^(C) the infant’s tongue
    sticks to the roof of its mouth;^(D)
the children beg for bread,
    but no one gives it to them.^(E)