Baruch Laments Jerusalem

1 And it came to pass after seven days, that the word of God came to me, and said to me: 2 ‘Tell Jeremiah to go and support the captivity of the people to Babylon, 3 But remain here amid the desolation of Zion, and I will show you after these days what will befall at the end of days.’ 4 And I said to Jeremiah as the Lord commanded me. And he, indeed, departed with the people, but I, Baruch, returned and sat before the gates of the temple, and I lamented with the following lamentation over Zion and said: 5 ‘Blessed is he who was not born, Or he, who having been born, has died. 6 But as for us who live, sorrow to us, Because we see the afflictions of Zion, And what has happened to Jerusalem. 7 I will call the Sirens from the sea, And you Lilin, come from the desert, And you Shedim and dragons from the forests: Awake and gird up your loins for mourning, And take up with me the dirges, And make lamentation with me. 8 You husbandmen, sow not again; And, O earth, why do you give your harvest fruits? Keep within you the sweets of your sustenance. 9 And you, vine, why do you still give your wine; For an offering will not again be made from it in Zion. Nor will the first-fruits again be offered. 10 And you, O heavens, withhold your dew, And do not open the treasuries of rain: 11 And you, O sun, withhold the light of your rays. And you, O moon, extinguish the multitude of your light; For why should light rise again Where the light of Zion is darkened? 12 And you, you bridegrooms, enter not in, And let not the brides adorn themselves with garlands 13 And, you women, do not pray that you may bear. For the barren shall above all rejoice, And those who have no sons shall be glad, And those who have sons shall have anguish.⁠a 14 For why should they bear in pain, Only to bury in grief? 15 Or why, again, should mankind have sons? Or why should the seed of their kind again be named, Where this mother is desolate, And her sons are led into captivity? 16 From this time forward speak not of beauty, And do not talk of gracefulness. 17 Moreover, you priests, take the keys of the sanctuary And throw them into the height of heaven,⁠b And give them to the Lord and say: ‘Guard Your house Yourself. For look, we are found false stewards.’ 18 And you, you virgins; who weave fine linen And silk with gold of Ophir, Take with haste all these things And cast them into the fire, That it may carry them to Him who made them, And the flame send them to Him who created them, Lest the enemy get possession of them.’