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And it came to pass after seven days: the Word of Elohim came upon me and said to me:
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Tell Yirmeyahu to go and uphold the captivity of the people as far as Bavel.
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But you, remain here amid the desolation of Tziyon. After these days I shall show you what is appointed to occur at the latter end of the days.
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I spoke to Yirmeyahu as Yahuah had commanded me.
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He went with the people; but I, Baruk, returned, came, and sat before the gates of the Temple. I raised this lament over Tziyon and said:
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Favored is the one who was not born, or the one who was born and died.
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But woe to us who live, who see the distress of Tziyon and what has befallen Yerushalayim.
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I shall call the sirens from the sea, and you liliths from the wilderness; come, shedim and jackals from the forests. Awaken and gird yourselves for mourning; take up laments with me and mourn with me.
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You farmers, sow no more. And you, earth, why do you give the fruit of your produce? Hold within yourself the sweetness of your nourishment.
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And you, vine, why do you continue to yield your wine, when it shall no longer be brought near in Tziyon, and the firstfruits shall no longer be presented?
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You heavens, withhold your dew, and do not open the storehouses of rain.
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You, sun, withhold the light of your rays; and you, moon, extinguish the abundance of your light. Why should light rise again where the light of Tziyon has grown dark?
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You bridegrooms, do not enter; let the virgins not adorn themselves with crowns; and you women, do not pray to bear children.
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Let the barren rejoice more greatly, and let those without children be glad; but let those who have children grieve.
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For why do they bear in pain and bury with groaning?
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Or why should children again be born to the sons of adam? Why should the seed of their nature again be named, where this mother is desolate and her sons are carried captive?
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From now on speak no more of beauty, and make no account of loveliness.
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But you Kohenim, take the keys of the Set-Apart House and cast them toward the height of the heavens. Give them to Yahuah and say: Guard Your House Yourself, for behold, we have been found false stewards.
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And you virgins who spin fine linen and silk with gold of Ophir, hasten, take everything, and cast it into the fire, that it may carry these things to Him who made them. Let the flame send them to Him who created them, so that the enemies may not rule over them.