Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; {forts...: or, clifts and watchtowers}

For her wound {is} incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, {even} to Jerusalem. {her...: or, she is grievously sick of her wounds}

And I will make Jerusalem heaps, {and} a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. {desolate: Heb. desolation}

Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

How doth the city sit solitary, {that was} full of people! {how} is she become as a widow! she {that was} great among the nations, {and} princess among the provinces, {how} is she become tributary!

Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes {are} among the Gentiles: the law {is} no {more}; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.

The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she {is} in bitterness.

For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. {inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress} {waited...: or, was grieved}

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks; {forts...: or, clifts and watchtowers}

Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, {art} dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none {shall be} alone in his appointed times. {none...: or, he shall not be alone} {appointed...: or, assemblies}

The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they {are} a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,

And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I {am} the LORD.