Lamentations 4:7-12

New International Version

⁷ Their princes were brighter than snow
    and whiter than milk,
their bodies more ruddy than rubies,
    their appearance like lapis lazuli.

⁸ But now they are blacker^(A) than soot;
    they are not recognized in the streets.
Their skin has shriveled on their bones;^(B)
    it has become as dry as a stick.

⁹ Those killed by the sword are better off
    than those who die of famine;^(C)
racked with hunger, they waste away
    for lack of food from the field.^(D)

¹⁰ With their own hands compassionate women
    have cooked their own children,^(E)
who became their food
    when my people were destroyed.

¹¹ The Lord has given full vent to his wrath;^(F)
    he has poured out^(G) his fierce anger.^(H)
He kindled a fire^(I) in Zion
    that consumed her foundations.^(J)

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.^(K)