^{17 Ref} This is what the Lord of armies has said: Take thought and send for the weeping women, so that they may come; and send for the wise women, so that they may come:

^{18 Ref} Let them quickly make cries of sorrow for us, so that drops may be flowing from our eyes till they are streaming with water.

^{19 Ref} For a sound of weeping goes up from Zion, a cry, How has destruction come on us? we are overcome with shame because we have gone away from our land; he has sent us out from our house.

^{20 Ref} But even now, give ear to the word of the Lord, O you women; let your ears be open to the word of his mouth, training your daughters to give cries of sorrow, everyone teaching her neighbour a song of grief.

^{21 Ref} For death has come up into our windows, forcing its way into our great houses; cutting off the children in the streets and the young men in the wide places.