Lamentations 5
1Remember, Yahweh, what has happened to us; 1 look and see our disgrace. 1
2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers; 1 our houses to foreigners. 1
3We have become orphans, the fatherless, 1 and our mothers are like widows. 1
4We must pay silver for the water we drink, 1 and we must pay silver to get our own wood. 1
5Those who are coming after us are close behind us; 1 we are weary and we can find no rest. 1
6We have given ourselves to Egypt and to Assyria 1 to get enough food. 1
7Our fathers sinned, and they are no more, 1 and we bear their iniquities. 1
8Slaves rule over us, 1 and there is no one to deliver us from their hand. 1
9We get our bread only by risking our lives, 1 because of the sword in the wilderness. 1
10Our skin has grown as hot as an oven 1 because of the burning heat of hunger. 1
11Women are raped in Zion, 1 and virgins in the cities of Judah. 1
12Princes are hung up by their own hands, 1 and no honor is shown to the elders. 1
13Young men are forced to grind grain with a millstone, 1 and boys stagger under heavy loads of wood. 1
14The elders have left the city gate, 1 and the young men have left their music. 1
15The joy of our heart has ceased 1 and our dancing has turned into mourning. 1
16The crown has fallen from our head; 1 woe to us, for we have sinned! 1
17For this our heart has become sick, 1 for these things our eyes grow dim 1
18for Mount Zion lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it. 1
19But you, Yahweh, reign forever, 1 and you will sit upon your throne from generation to generation. 1
20Why do you forget us forever? 1 Why do you forsake us for so many days? 1
21Restore us to yourself, Yahweh, and we will be restored. 1 Renew our days as they were long ago— 1
22unless you have utterly rejected us 1 and you are angry with us beyond measure. 1