Lamentations 4:1-9 How is the gold become dim! how is the most pure gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the top of every street.

ERV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the top of every street. ² The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter! ³ Even the jackals draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness. ⁴ The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. ⁵ They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dung-hills. ⁶ For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were laid upon her. ⁷ Her nobles were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was as of sapphire: ⁸ Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick. ⁹ They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger; for these pine away, stricken through, for want of the fruits of the field.