[1] Remember, LORD, what happened to us. Look and see our shame. [2] Our land has been turned over to strangers. Our houses have been given to foreigners. [3] We have become orphans. We have no father. Our mothers have become like widows. [4] We have to buy the water that we drink. We have to pay for the wood that we use. [5] We are forced to wear a yoke on our necks. We get tired, and we have no rest. [6] We made an agreement with Egypt. We also made an agreement with Assyria to get enough bread. [7] Our ancestors sinned against you, and now they are dead. And we are suffering because of their sins. [8] Slaves have become our rulers. No one can save us from them. [9] We risk our lives to get food. There are men in the desert with swords. [10] Our skin is hot like an oven. We have a high fever because of our hunger. [11] The enemy raped the women of Zion. They raped the women in the cities of Judah. [12] The enemy hanged our princes. They didn't honor our elders. [13] The enemy made our young men grind grain at the mill. Our young men stumbled under loads of wood. [14] The elders no longer sit at the gates of the city. The young men no longer make music. [15] We have no more joy in our hearts. Our dancing has changed to crying for the dead. [16] The crown has fallen from our head. Things have gone bad for us because we sinned. [17] For this reason, our hearts have become sick, and our eyes cannot see clearly. [18] Mount Zion is a wasteland. Foxes run around on Mount Zion. [19] But you rule forever, LORD. Your kingly chair lasts forever and ever. [20] You seem to have forgotten us forever. You seem to have left us alone for such a long time. [21] Bring us back to you, LORD. We will gladly come back to you. Make our lives as they were before. [22] You were very angry with us. Have you completely rejected us?
