Baruch Remains in Jerusalem

1 And after seven days, the word of God came to me, and said to me: 2 “Tell Jeremiah to go and support the people being taken captive to Babylon, 3 But remain here among the desolation of Zion, and I will show you after these days what will happen at the end of days.”

4 And I said to Jeremiah as the Lord commanded me. 5 And he left with the people, but I, Baruch, returned and sat before the gates of the temple, and I cried out this lament over Zion and said:

Baruch’s Lament

6 “Blessed is the one who was never born, or who was born and has died. 7 But as for us who live, how terrible for us, because we see the afflictions of Zion, and what has happened to Jerusalem. 8 I will call the Sirens from the sea, And you Lilin, come from the desert, And you Shedim and dragons from the forests: Wake up and prepare to mourn, and take up with me the dirges, and make lamentation with me.

9 “You farmers, do not sow again. And earth, why do you produce your harvest? Keep within you the sweetness of your nourishment. 10 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. 11 And you, heavens, withhold your dew, and do not open the treasuries of rain. 12 And you, sun, withhold the light of your rays. And you, moon, extinguish the abundance of your light. For why should light rise again where the light of Zion is darkened?

13 “And you, bridegrooms, do not enter, and do not let the brides adorn themselves with garlands And you women, do not pray to have children.⁠a 14 For the barren will above all rejoice, And those who have no sons will be glad, And those who have sons will have anguish. 15 For why should they give birth in pain, only to bury in grief? 16 Or why, again, should humanity have sons? Or why should their descendants again be named, when this mother is desolate, and her sons are led into captivity? 17 From this time forward do not speak of beauty, and do not talk of gracefulness.

18 “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 unfaithful stewards.’ 19 And you, virgins who weave fine linen and silk with gold of Ophir, quickly take all these things and throw them into the fire, so that it may carry them to Him who made them, and the flame send them to Him who created them, so that the enemy cannot take possession of them.”