Her princes were purer than snow,
    whiter than milk;
their bodies were more ruddy than coral,
    the beauty of their form[a] was like sapphire.[b]

(A)Now their face is blacker than soot;
    they are not recognized in the streets;
their skin has shriveled on their bones;
    it has become as dry as wood.

Happier were the victims of the sword
    than the victims of hunger,
who wasted away, pierced
    by lack of the fruits of the field.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 4:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  2. Lamentations 4:7 Hebrew lapis lazuli

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Preaching Bible--soft leather-look over board, deep brown
ESV Preaching Bible--soft leather-look over board, deep brown
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $24.99
Save: $35.00 (58%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Plum
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $20.99
Save: $24.00 (53%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $5.99
Save: $4.00 (40%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, Hardcover, Gray
ESV Student Study Bible, Hardcover, Gray
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $18.99
Save: $16.00 (46%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars