Jer 4:31 | NET2full | STEP | In fact , I hear a cry like that of a woman in labor , a cry of anguish like that of a woman giving birth to her first baby . It is the cry of Daughter Zion gasping for breath , reaching out for help , saying, “I am done in ! My life is ebbing away before these murderers !”

‏ Jeremiah 4:31

31 In fact, ^{▼▼tn The particle כִּי (ki) is more likely asseverative here than causal.} I hear a cry like that of a woman in labor,
a cry of anguish like that of a woman giving birth to her first baby.
It is the cry of Daughter Zion ^{▼▼sn Jerusalem is personified as a helpless young woman giving birth.} gasping for breath,
reaching out for help, ^{▼▼tn Heb “spreading out her hands.” The idea of asking or pleading for help is implicit in the figure.} saying, “I am done in! ^{▼▼tn Heb “Woe, now to me!” See the translator’s note on 4:13 for the usage of “Woe to…”}
My life is ebbing away before these murderers!”