After years of pain and hard labor, Judah has gone into exile.
    She camps out among the nations, never feels at home.
    Hunted by all, she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Zion’s roads weep, empty of pilgrims headed to the feasts.
    All her city gates are deserted, her priests in despair.
    Her virgins are sad. How bitter her fate.

Her enemies have become her masters. Her foes are living it up
    because God laid her low, punishing her repeated rebellions.
    Her children, prisoners of the enemy, trudge into exile.

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After affliction and harsh labor,
    Judah has gone into exile.(A)
She dwells among the nations;
    she finds no resting place.(B)
All who pursue her have overtaken her(C)
    in the midst of her distress.

The roads to Zion mourn,(D)
    for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
All her gateways are desolate,(E)
    her priests groan,
her young women grieve,
    and she is in bitter anguish.(F)

Her foes have become her masters;
    her enemies are at ease.
The Lord has brought her grief(G)
    because of her many sins.(H)
Her children have gone into exile,(I)
    captive before the foe.(J)

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