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The word of the
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Judah mourns
and her gates languish;
they lie in gloom on the ground,
and the cry of Jerusalem goes up.
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Her nobles send their servants for water;
they come to the cisterns,
they find no water,
they return with their vessels empty.
They are ashamed and dismayed
and cover their heads,
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because the ground is cracked.
Because there has been no rain on the land
the farmers are dismayed;
they cover their heads.
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Even the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawn
because there is no grass.
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The wild asses stand on the bare heights, 1
they pant for air like jackals;
their eyes fail
because there is no herbage.
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Although our iniquities testify against us,
act, O
our apostasies indeed are many,
and we have sinned against you.
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O hope of Israel,
its savior in time of trouble,
why should you be like a stranger in the land,
like a traveler turning aside for the night?
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Why should you be like someone confused,
like a mighty warrior who cannot give help?
Yet you, O
and we are called by your name;
do not forsake us!
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Thus says the
Truly they have loved to wander,
they have not restrained their feet;
therefore the
now he will remember their iniquity
and punish their sins.
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The
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Then I said: "Ah, Lord
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You shall say to them this word:
Let my eyes run down with tears night and day,
and let them not cease,
for the virgin daughter--my people--is struck down with a crushing blow,
with a very grievous wound.
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If I go out into the field,
look--those killed by the sword!
And if I enter the city,
look--those sick with 2 famine!
For both prophet and priest ply their trade throughout the land,
and have no knowledge.
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Have you completely rejected Judah?
Does your heart loathe Zion?
Why have you struck us down
so that there is no healing for us?
We look for peace, but find no good;
for a time of healing, but there is terror instead.
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We acknowledge our wickedness, O
the iniquity of our ancestors,
for we have sinned against you.
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Do not spurn us, for your name's sake;
do not dishonor your glorious throne;
remember and do not break your covenant with us.
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Can any idols of the nations bring rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Is it not you, O
We set our hope on you,
for it is you who do all this.