Jeremiah 4:29-31

Contemporary English Version

²⁹ Enemy cavalry and archers
    shout their battle cry.
People run for their lives
and try to find safety
    among trees and rocks.
Every town is empty.

³⁰ Jerusalem, your land
    has been wiped out.
But you act like a prostitute
and try to win back your lovers,
    who now hate you.
You can put on a red dress,
gold jewelry, and eye shadow,
    but it's no use—
your lovers are out to kill you!

³¹ I heard groaning and crying.
Was it a woman giving birth
    to her first child?
No, it was Jerusalem,
gasping for breath
    and begging for help.
“I'm dying!” she said.
    “They have murdered me.”