⁹ Better are those ^(A)pierced through with the sword
Than those pierced through with hunger;
For their life ^(B)flows away, being stricken
For lack of the produce of ^[a]the field.

¹⁰ The hands of compassionate women
^(C)Boiled their own children;
They became ^(D)food for them
Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people.

¹¹ Yahweh has ^(E)spent His wrath;
He has poured out His burning anger;
And He has ^(F)kindled a fire in Zion
Which has devoured its foundations.