[1] Remember, Lord, what happened to us. Look and see our disgrace. [2] Our land has been turned over to strangers. Our houses have been given to foreigners. [3] We have become orphans with no father. Our mothers have become like widows. [4] We have to buy the water we drink. We must pay for the wood for our fires. [5] They work us hard as if we were animals with a yoke on our necks. We get tired and have no rest. [6] We made an agreement with Egypt and with Assyria to get enough food. [7] Our ancestors sinned against you. But they are gone. Now we must suffer because of their sins. [8] Slaves have become our rulers. There is no one who can save us from them. [9] We risk our lives to get our food because there are men with swords in the desert. [10] Our skin is hot like an oven. We burn with fever because of the terrible hunger. [11] The enemy raped the women of Jerusalem and the girls in the cities of Judah. [12] The enemy hung our princes by the hands. They do not honor our elders. [13] The young men grind grain at the mill. Boys stumble while carrying loads of wood. [14] The elders no longer sit at the city gates. The young men no longer make music. [15] We have no more joy in our hearts. Our dancing has turned into sadness. [16] The glory has gone from Jerusalem. How terrible it is for us because we have sinned. [17] Because of this we are afraid. Because of these things our eyes are dim. [18] Mount Zion is empty. Now wild dogs wander around it. [19] But you rule forever, Lord. You will be King from now on. [20] Why have you forgotten us for so long? Why have you left us for so long? [21] Bring us back to you, Lord. We will return. Make our days as they were before. [22] Or have you completely rejected us? Will your anger never end?
