Weeping and Mourning

8 Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal[fn] and mourn like an ostrich.[fn]

9 For her wound is incurable; it has reached even Judah; it has approached the gate of my people, as far as Jerusalem itself.

10 Do not tell it in Gath;[fn] do not weep at all. Roll in the dust in Beth-leaphrah.[fn]

11 Depart in shameful nakedness, O dwellers of Shaphir.[fn] The dwellers of Zaanan[fn] will not come out. Beth-ezel[fn] is in mourning; its support is taken from you.

12 For the dwellers of Maroth[fn] pined for good, but calamity came down from the LORD, even to the gate of Jerusalem.

13 Harness your chariot horses, O dweller of Lachish.[fn] You were the beginning of sin to the Daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel were found in you.

14 Therefore, send farewell gifts[fn] to Moresheth-gath;[fn] the houses of Achzib[fn] [will] prove deceptive to the kings of Israel.

15 I will again bring a conqueror against you, O dweller of Mareshah.[fn] The glory of Israel will come to Adullam.

16 Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.