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12 They cry out to their mothers,
    “Where is bread and wine?”
As they faint away like the wounded
    in the streets of the city,
As their life is poured out
    in their mothers’ arms.

13 To what can I compare you[a]—to what can I liken you—
    O daughter Jerusalem?
What example can I give in order to comfort you,
    virgin daughter Zion?
For your breach is vast as the sea;
    who could heal you?(A)

14 Your prophets provided you visions
    of whitewashed illusion;
They did not lay bare your guilt,
    in order to restore your fortunes;
They saw for you only oracles
    of empty deceit.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:13 To what can I compare you…?: the author calls attention to the poetic task: to find language that speaks adequately of the atrocities and incomparable suffering experienced by Zion, and thus to attempt to offer comfort.

12 They say to their mothers,
    “Where is bread and wine?”(A)
as they faint like the wounded
    in the streets of the city,
as their lives ebb away(B)
    in their mothers’ arms.(C)

13 What can I say for you?(D)
    With what can I compare you,
    Daughter(E) Jerusalem?
To what can I liken you,
    that I may comfort you,
    Virgin Daughter Zion?(F)
Your wound is as deep as the sea.(G)
    Who can heal you?

14 The visions of your prophets
    were false(H) and worthless;
they did not expose your sin
    to ward off your captivity.(I)
The prophecies they gave you
    were false and misleading.(J)

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