⁴ He made them subject to all the kingdoms around us, to be an object of scorn and a desolation among all the surrounding peoples, where the Lord has scattered them.^(A)

⁸ See, we are today in our exile where you have scattered us, to be reproached and cursed and punished for all the iniquities of our ancestors, who forsook the Lord our God.”^(A)

³¹ and have not shown to anyone how your way may be comprehended.^[a] Are the deeds of Babylon better than those of Zion? ³² Or has another nation known you besides Israel? Or what tribes have so believed the covenants as these tribes of Jacob? ³³ Yet their reward has not appeared, and their labor has borne no fruit. For I have traveled widely among the nations and have seen that they abound in wealth, though they are unmindful of your commandments. ³⁴ Now therefore weigh in a balance our iniquities and those of the inhabitants of the world, and it will be found which way the arrow of the scale tips.^{(A) 35} When have the inhabitants of the earth not sinned in your sight? Or what nation has kept your commandments so well? ³⁶ You may indeed find individuals who have kept your commandments, but nations you will not find.”^(B)