Better to have been killed in battle
    than killed by starvation.
Better to have died of battle wounds
    than to slowly starve to death.

10 Nice and kindly women
    boiled their own children for supper.
This was the only food in town
    when my dear people were broken.

11 God let all his anger loose, held nothing back.
    He poured out his raging wrath.
He set a fire in Zion
    that burned it to the ground.

Read full chapter

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

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

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

Read full chapter