[1] O Lord, remember all that has befallen us; see what sorrows we must bear! [2] Our homes, our nation, now are filled with foreigners. [3] We are orphans-our fathers dead, our mothers widowed. [4] We must even pay for water to drink; our fuel is sold to us at the highest of prices. [5] We bow our necks beneath the victors' feet; unending work is now our lot. [6] We beg for bread from Egypt, and Assyria too. [7] Our fathers sinned but died before the hand of judgment fell. We have borne the blow that they deserved! [8] Our former servants have become our masters; there is no one left to save us. [9] We went into the wilderness to hunt for food, risking death from enemies. [10] Our skin was black from famine. [11] They rape the women of Jerusalem and the girls in Judah's cities. [12] Our princes are hanged by their thumbs. Even aged men are treated with contempt. [13] They take away the young men to grind their grain, and the little children stagger beneath their heavy loads. [14] The old men sit no longer in the city gates; the young no longer dance and sing. [15] The joy of our hearts has ended; our dance has turned to death. [16] Our glory is gone. The crown is fallen from our head. Woe upon us for our sins. [17] Our hearts are faint and weary; our eyes grow dim. [18] Jerusalem and the Temple of the Lord are desolate, deserted by all but wild animals lurking in the ruins. [19] O Lord, forever you remain the same! Your throne continues from generation to generation. [20] Why do you forget us forever? Why do you forsake us for so long? [21] Turn us around and bring us back to you again! That is our only hope! Give us back the joys we used to have! [22] Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?
