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15 “Go away! Unclean!” they cried to them,
    “Away, away, do not touch!”
If they went away and wandered,
    it would be said among the nations,
    “They can no longer live here!

16 The presence of the Lord was their portion,
    but he no longer looks upon them.
The priests are shown no regard,
    the elders, no mercy.

17 Even now our eyes are worn out,
    searching in vain for help;
From our watchtower we have watched
    for a nation[a] unable to save.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:17 A nation: probably Egypt, which failed to give effective aid against Babylon.

15 “Go away! You are unclean!” people cry to them.
    “Away! Away! Don’t touch us!”
When they flee and wander(A) about,
    people among the nations say,
    “They can stay here no longer.”(B)

16 The Lord himself has scattered them;
    he no longer watches over them.(C)
The priests are shown no honor,
    the elders(D) no favor.(E)

17 Moreover, our eyes failed,
    looking in vain(F) for help;(G)
from our towers we watched
    for a nation(H) that could not save us.

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