How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow. (NRSV 1:12)
Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. (KJV 1:12)
The Poet sees people passing by without noticing, and here he is, suffering more than anyone has ever suffered. What's worse: passersby not noticing or passersby who mock and humiliate you? We'd say Jerusalem sounds a bit like a melodramatic teenager—No one's life is worse than mine!
Quote #2
For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my courage; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed. Zion stretches out her hands, but there is no one to comfort her. (NRSV 1:16-17)
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her. (KJV 1:16-17)
Zion is feeling completely abandoned, which makes the suffering worse. No one wants to suffer alone; we all hope someone will be there to comfort us.
Quote #3
Behold my suffering; my young women and young men have gone into captivity. I called to my lovers but they deceived me; my priests and elders perished in the city while seeking food to revive their strength. See, O Lord, how distressed I am; my stomach churns, my heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious. In the street the sword bereaves; in the house it is like death. They heard how I was groaning, with no one to comfort me. All my enemies heard of my trouble; they are glad that you have done it. (NRSV 1:18-21)
Behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity. I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, while they sought their meat to relieve their souls. Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death. They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it. (KJV 1:18-21)
The sight of all this suffering is making the poet physically sick. Nothing's worse than to think you brought all this suffering on yourself. To think that your leaders and heroes are responsible for this just adds to the pain. The only people who like seeing this sight? The enemies of Jerusalem.