# Daughter of my people

Jeremiah shows Yahweh's love for his people by speaking to them as a daughter. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Jeremiah 4:11](../04/11.md). Alternate translation: "My people, you who are like a daughter to me" or "My dear people" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# put on sackcloth and roll in ashes

People do these things to show that they are extremely sad. Alternate translation: "Show how sad you are by wearing sackcloth and rolling in ashes" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

# mourn with painful sobs as for an only son

Jeremiah compares the people's great sadness to the sadness that a mother feels if her only son dies. Alternate translation: "mourn with painful sobs as you would if your only son died" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# for the destroyer will suddenly come upon us

"because the enemy army will suddenly come to attack us"