Lamentations 4:12-19

12The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem.

13But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous.

14Now they grope through the streets as if they were blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments.

15“Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them. “Away! Away! Don’t touch us!” When they flee and wander about, people among the nations say, “They can stay here no longer.”

16The LORD himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

17Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us.

18People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.

19Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.