[1] Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace. [2] Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes. [3] Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows. [4] We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need for fuel. [5] Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest. [6] To get food enough to stay alive, we went begging to Egypt and Assyria. [7] Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins. [8] Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power. [9] Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lives when we look for food. [10] Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven. [11] Our wives have been raped on Mount Zion itself; in every Judean village our daughters have been forced to submit. [12] Our leaders have been taken and hanged; our elders are shown no respect. [13] Our young men are forced to grind grain like slaves; boys go staggering under heavy loads of wood. [14] The old people no longer sit at the city gate, and the young people no longer make music. [15] Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our dances. [16] Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed. [17] We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears, [18] because Mount Zion lies lonely and deserted, and wild jackals prowl through its ruins. [19] But you, O LORD, are king forever and will rule to the end of time. [20] Why have you abandoned us so long? Will you ever remember us again? [21] Bring us back to you, LORD! Bring us back! Restore our ancient glory. [22] Or have you rejected us forever? Is there no limit to your anger?
