Lamentations 5

1Remember, Yahweh, what has happened to us; look and see our disgrace!

2Our inheritance has been handed over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.

3We have become orphans, without a father; our mothers are like widows.

4We must pay for the water we drink; our wood comes to us only at a price.

5Our pursuers are at our necks; we are weary and are given no rest.

6We have held out our hand to Egypt, and to Assyria, to get enough bread.

7Our ancestors sinned and are no more, and we bear their iniquities.

8Slaves rule over us, and there is no one to rescue us from their hand.

9We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.

10Our skin is hot as an oven from the scorching heat of famine.

11Women have been raped in Zion, young women in the towns of Judah.

12Officials have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect.

13Young men carry millstones, and boys stagger under loads of wood.

14The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

15Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

16The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

17Because of this our hearts are faint; because of these things our eyes grow dim,

18because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.

19But you, Yahweh, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

20Why do you forget us forever? Why do you forsake us for so long?

21Bring us back to yourself, Yahweh, so that we may return; renew our days as in the past,

22unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.