Lamentations 4:16-18

New Catholic Bible

¹⁶ The Lord himself scattered them;
    he no longer watches over them.
He showed no favor to the priests
    or kindness to the elders.
¹⁷ Continually we strained our eyes,
    looking in vain for help.
From our towers we watched endlessly
    for a nation that could not save us.
¹⁸ Men dogged our steps
    so that we were unable to walk in our streets.
Our end drew near; our days were numbered;
    our time had come.