Her princes were purer than snow,
    whiter than milk;
their bodies were more ruddy than coral,
    the beauty of their form[a] was like sapphire.[b]

(A)Now their face is blacker than soot;
    they are not recognized in the streets;
their skin has shriveled on their bones;
    it has become as dry as wood.

Happier were the victims of the sword
    than the victims of hunger,
who wasted away, pierced
    by lack of the fruits of the field.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 4:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  2. Lamentations 4:7 Hebrew lapis lazuli

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Economy Bible, Softcover, Case of 40
ESV Economy Bible, Softcover, Case of 40
Retail: $199.60
Our Price: $106.49
Save: $93.11 (47%)
ESV Thinline Bible, Genuine Leather, Black
ESV Thinline Bible, Genuine Leather, Black
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $37.99
Save: $22.00 (37%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Study Bible--Bonded leather, black
ESV Study Bible--Bonded leather, black
Retail: $94.99
Our Price: $58.99
Save: $36.00 (38%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible--bonded leather, black
ESV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible--bonded leather, black
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $37.49
Save: $37.50 (50%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Study Bible, Burgundy Genuine Leather with Thumb Index
ESV Study Bible, Burgundy Genuine Leather with Thumb Index
Retail: $124.99
Our Price: $69.99
Save: $55.00 (44%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars