5 Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets. Those brought up in royal purple now lie on ash heaps.

Other Translations of Lamentations 4:5

King James Version

5 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

English Standard Version

5 Those who once feasted on delicacies perish in the streets; those who were brought up in purple embrace ash heaps.

The Message

5 People used to the finest cuisine forage for food in the streets. People used to the latest in fashions pick through the trash for something to wear.

New King James Version

5 Those who ate delicacies Are desolate in the streets; Those who were brought up in scarlet Embrace ash heaps.

New Living Translation

5 The people who once ate the richest foods now beg in the streets for anything they can get. Those who once wore the finest clothes now search the garbage dumps for food.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Lamentations 4:5

Commentary on Lamentations 4:1-12

(Read Lamentations 4:1-12)

What a change is here! Sin tarnishes the beauty of the most exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; but that gold, tried in the fire, which Christ bestows, never will be taken from us; its outward appearance may be dimmed, but its real value can never be changed. The horrors of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem are again described. Beholding the sad consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the church now. But, Lord, though we have gone from thee in rebellion, yet turn to us, and turn our hearts to thee, that we may fear thy name. Come to us, bless us with awakening, converting, renewing, confirming grace.