Jeremiah 4:31

Jeremiah 4:31 in 6 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

31I hear a cry as of a woman in labor,

a groan as of one bearing her first child—

the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath,

stretching out her hands and saying,

“Alas! I am fainting;

my life is given over to murderers.”

31For I heard a voice cry as of a woman in labor,

The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child.

The voice of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath,

Stretching out her 4:31 Lit palmshands, saying,

“Ah, woe to me, for 4:31 Lit my soul faintsI faint before murderers.”

31For I heard a cry as of a woman in labor,

The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child,

The cry of the daughter of Zion gasping for breath,

Stretching out her hands, saying,

“Ah, woe is me, for I faint before murderers.”

31For I heard a cry like a woman in labor,

The anguish as of one giving birth to her first child,

The cry of the Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem), who gasps for breath,

Who stretches out her hands, saying,

“Woe is me [my judgment comes]! I faint [in fear] before the murderers.”

31For I hear a cry like a woman in labor,

a cry of anguish like one bearing her first child —

the cry of the Daughter of Zion gasping for breath,

stretching out her hands to say,

“Woe is me,

for my soul faints before the murderers!”

31I hear a cry like the cry of a woman having a baby.

I hear a groan like someone having her first child.

It’s the cry of the people of Zion struggling to breathe.

They reach out their hands and say,

“Help us! We’re fainting!

Murderers are about to kill us!”