“And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.”
Jerusalem's futile adornment: 'What are you doing, you devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why highlight your eyes with makeup? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers despise you; they want your life.' This verse addresses Jerusalem directly, suggesting that even as the invasion approaches, the city adorns herself as though for seduction (scarlet garments, gold jewels, eye makeup). The phrase 'you adorn yourself in vain' indicates that these adornments are futile—they cannot protect her from what comes. The reference to 'lovers' (perhaps foreign allies or false gods) 'despise you...want your life' suggests that those Jerusalem trusted will betray and destroy her. Theologically, this verse uses the metaphor of a woman prepared for seduction but facing instead her lovers' violence, an image of vulnerability and betrayal that reflects the city's political and spiritual condition.
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