Lamentations 5

1 Lord, please remember what's happened to us. Look at us and see how we've been humiliated!

Remember, LORD, what has come on us. Look, and see our disgrace.

2 The land we used to own has been handed over to strangers, our houses have been given to foreigners.

Our inheritance is turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.

3 We have lost our fathers, and our mothers are widows.

We are orphans and fatherless. Our mothers are like widows.

4 The water we drink we have to pay for; our firewood comes at a price.

We have to pay for a drink of water; our wood is sold to us.

5 Like animals we're driven along with harnesses around our necks; we're worn out but don't find any rest.

Our pursuers are on our necks; we are weary, and have no rest.

6 We allied ourselves with Egypt and Assyria so we could have plenty of food.

We have submitted to the Egyptians and to the Assyrians, to get enough bread.

7 Our forefathers sinned and they're gone, but we're being punished for their sins.

Our fathers sinned, and are no more; but we have borne their iniquities.

8 Servants of our conqueror rule over us; no one can save us from their power.

Servants rule over us: There is none to deliver us out of their hand.

9 We take our lives in our hands when we look for food, because of the armed raiders in the desert.

We get our bread at the peril of our lives, because of the sword in the wilderness.

10 Our skin is hot like an oven because of the fever caused by hunger.

Our skin is hot like an oven, because of the burning heat of famine.

11 They raped women in Zion, virgins in the towns of Judah.

They raped the women in Zion, the virgins in the cities of Judah.

12 Princes have been hung up by their hands; they show elders no respect.

Princes were hung by their hands; elders were shown no respect.

13 Young men are forced to work at hand-mills; boys stagger under bundles of wood.

The young men grind at the mill; the boys stagger under loads of wood.

14 The elders have abandoned their places at the city gate; the young men have given up playing their music.

The elders have gone from the gate, the young men from their music.

15 There's no more happiness for us; our dancing has turned into mourning.

The joy of our heart has ceased; our dancing is turned into mourning.

16 The crown has fallen from our head. What a disaster has come upon us because we have sinned!

The crown is fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned.

17 Because of all this, we're sick at heart; because of all these things, we can hardly look;

For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes grow dim.

18 Because of Mount Zion, which has been abandoned, and where only foxes roam.

For the mountain of Zion, which is desolate; the foxes walk on it.

19 But you, Lord, live forever! You rule for all generations!

But you, LORD, abide forever; your throne is from generation to generation.

20 So why have you forgotten us for such a long time? Why have you abandoned us for so many years?

Why do you keep on forgetting us? Why do you forsake us so long?

21 Bring us back to you, Lord, so we can be with you again. Please remake our lives like they used to be.

Restore us to you, LORD, and we shall be restored; renew our days as in former times,

22 Or have you have completely rejected us? Are you still really furious with us?

unless you have completely rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.