Lamentations 4:17-19

New Catholic Bible

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.
¹⁹ Our pursuers were swifter
    than eagles in the heavens.
They hounded us over the mountains
    and lay in ambush for us in the wilderness.