"He sent fire from above, a fire that burned inside me. He set a trap for me and brought me to the ground. Then he abandoned me and left me in constant pain.

"Condemn them for all their wickedness; Punish them as you punished me for my sins. I groan in misery, and I am sick at heart."

"I will make those of you who are in exile so terrified that the sound of a leaf blowing in the wind will make you run. You will run as if you were being pursued in battle, and you will fall when there is no enemy near you.

Why do you keep on rebelling? Do you want to be punished even more? Israel, your head is already covered with wounds, and your heart and mind are sick.

My sorrow cannot be healed; I am sick at heart.

"But what do I see?" asks the LORD. "They are turning back in terror. Their soldiers are beaten back; overcome with fear, they run as fast as they can and do not look back.

When they ask you why you are groaning, tell them it is because of the news that is coming. When it comes, their hearts will be filled with fear, their hands will hang limp, their courage will fail, and their knees will tremble. The time has come; it is here." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

It makes my people lose courage and stumble. I am threatening their city with a sword that flashes like lightning and is ready to kill.

So I have already begun your ruin and destruction because of your sins.

My eyes are worn out with weeping; my soul is in anguish. I am exhausted with grief at the destruction of my people. Children and babies are fainting in the streets of the city.

You will find no peace anywhere, no place to call your own; the LORD will overwhelm you with anxiety, hopelessness, and despair.

My grief has almost made me blind; my arms and legs are as thin as shadows.

I can hardly see; my eyes are so swollen from the weeping caused by my enemies.

Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in trouble; my eyes are tired from so much crying; I am completely worn out.

I am worn out from calling for help, and my throat is aching. I have strained my eyes, looking for your help.

My voice was thin and weak, And I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew tired from looking to heaven. LORD, rescue me from all this trouble.