Lamentations 2:15-19

All who pass your way applaud in mockery. They wag their heads with contempt, saying over beloved Jerusalem, “Is this really the city called The Perfection of Beauty, The Joy of All the Earth?” Your enemies are a choir of scoffers and scolders. They hatefully sneer and glare at you. They gleefully exclaim, “We have destroyed her. This is the day we’ve been waiting for, and now we have lived to see it!” YAHWEH has done everything he planned and has carried out his word. As he ordained long ago, he has destroyed without pity. He increased the power of your foes and caused your enemies to rejoice over you. Beloved Zion, let your walls wail and your heart cry out to YAHWEH. Let a waterfall of tears flow day and night. Give your eyes no rest; let tears keep streaming from your eyes. Arise, cry aloud through the night as each watch begins. Pour your heart out like water before the presence of YAHWEH. Raise your hands toward him; intercede for the lives of your children, who faint with hunger on every street corner.