[1] O LORD, remember what has come upon us; Look, and see our reproach (national disgrace)! [2] Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, Our houses to foreigners. [3] We have become orphans without a father; Our mothers are like widows. [4] We have to pay for our drinking water; Our wood comes to us at a price. [5] Our pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us. [6] We have given the hand [as a pledge of fidelity and submission] to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread. [7] Our fathers sinned, and are no more; It is we who have carried their sin. [8] Servants rule over us; There is no one to rescue us out of their hand. [9] We get our bread at the risk of our lives Because of the sword [of the Arabs] in the wilderness [who may attack if we go out to harvest the crop]. [10] Our skin is as hot as [the heat of] an oven Because of the burning heat of [the fever of] famine. [11] They ravished the women in Zion, The virgins in the cities of Judah. [12] Princes were hung by their hands; Elders were not respected. [13] Young men worked at the grinding mill, And boys fell [staggering] under loads of wood. [14] Elders are gone from the gate; Young men from their music. [15] The joy of our hearts has ended; Our dancing has been turned into mourning. [16] The crown has fallen from our head [our honor is covered with dust]! Woe to us, for we have sinned! [17] Because of this our heart is faint, Because of these things our eyes are dim. [18] As for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, Foxes and the jackals prowl over it. [19] But You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to [all] generations. [20] Why do You forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so long? [21] Return us to You, O LORD, so that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, [22] Unless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us.
