They groaned in famine; traded what the enemy left for food
They were groaning because of famine, and for the sake of a small bit of food that turns back a failing soul they were giving over the most honorable things. And how were they giving the aforementioned desirable things—carried off by the enemies—unto purchase of food? But “the enemy stretched out the hand upon all,” and having been filled by taking what he wanted, he left the rest; in exchange for which they bought the food.
Greek
Klagel. Jerem. 1, 11. Ἐστέναζον διὰ λιμὸν καὶ μικρᾶς ἕνεκα βρώσεως ψυχὴν ἐπιστρεφούσης ἐκλείπουσαν παρεῖχον τὰ τιμιώτατα. πῶς δὲ τὰ προρρηθέντα ἐπιθυμήματα παρὰ τῶν πολεμίων ἀπενεχθέντα παρεῖχον εἰς ὠνὴν τροφῆς; ἀλλ᾿ >ἐξέτεινε μὲν ὁ ἐχθρὸς ἐπὶ πάντα τὴν χεῖρα<, κορεσθεὶς δὲ τῷ λαβεῖν ἅπερ ἤθελε, τὰ λοιπὰ καταλέλοιπεν. ἀνθ’ ὧν ἐπρίαντο τὴν τροφήν.
About this text
Origen, Fragments on Lamentations. Original English Translation from the Greek (Klostermann).
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.