¹⁶ All your enemies have opened wide their mouths against you; they scornfully hiss and gnash their teeth. They cry, We have swallowed her up! Certainly this is the day we have looked for; we have it, we see it!

¹⁷ The Lord has done what He planned; He has carried out and finished His word which He threatened and decreed ^[a]in the days of old. He has demolished without pity; He has made the enemy rejoice over you and has exalted the might of your foes.^(A)

¹⁸ The hearts [of the inhabitants of Jerusalem] cried to the Lord. [Then to the congregation, I, Jeremiah, cried, addressing the wall as its symbol] O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no rest, let not your eyes stop [shedding tears].