[1] "Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Take a look at our disgrace! [2] "The land we inherited has been turned over to strangers. Our homes have been turned over to foreigners. [3] We are orphans without a father. Our mothers are like widows. [4] We have to pay to drink our own water. We have to pay to chop our own wood. [5] Our enemies are breathing down our necks. We are worn out and not permitted to rest. [6] We had to beg Egypt and Assyria for food. [7] Our ancestors sinned. Now they are gone, but we have to take the punishment for their wickedness. [8] Slaves rule us. There is no one to rescue us from them. [9] To get our food, we have to risk our lives in the heat of the desert. [10] Our skin is as hot as an oven from the burning heat of starvation. [11] Women in Zion are raped, so are the girls in the cities of Judah. [12] Our leaders are hung by their hands. Our older leaders are shown no respect. [13] Our young men work at the mill, and our boys stagger under loads of wood. [14] Our older leaders have stopped meeting at the city gate, and our young men no longer play their music. [15] There is no joy left in our hearts. Our dancing has turned into mourning. [16] The crown has fallen from our head. Because we have sinned, it has been disastrous for us. [17] This is why we feel sick. This is why our eyes see less and less. [18] Foxes roam around on Mount Zion, which lies in ruins. [19] "But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever, and your reign continues throughout every generation. [20] Why have you completely forgotten us? Why have you abandoned us for such a long time? [21] O LORD, bring us back to you, and we'll come back. Give us back the life we had long ago, [22] unless you have completely rejected us and are very angry with us."
