Lamentations 5

Remember, O Yahweh, what has happened to us;

Look, and see our reproach!

Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,

Our houses to foreigners.

We have become orphans without a father;

Our mothers are like widows.

We drink our water by means of silver;

Our wood comes to us at a price.

Our pursuers are at our necks;

We are worn out; there is no rest for us.

We have given over our hands to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

Our fathers sinned; they are no more;

It is we who have borne their iniquities.

Slaves rule over us;

There is no one to tear us away from their hand.

We get our bread at the risk of our lives

Because of the sword in the wilderness.

Our skin has become as hot as an oven

Because of the burning heat of famine.

They violated the women in Zion,

The virgins in the cities of Judah.

Princes were hung by their hands;

Elders were not respected.

Young men lifted up the stone at the grinding mill,

And youths stumbled down under loads of wood.

Elders have ceased from being at the gate,

Young men from their music.

The joy of our hearts has ceased;

Our dancing has been turned into mourning.

The crown has fallen from our head;

Woe to us, for we have sinned!

Because of this our heart is faint;

Because of these things our eyes are dim;

Because of Mount Zion which lies desolate,

Foxes walk about in it.

You, O Yahweh, sit enthroned forever;

Your throne is from generation to generation.

Why do You forget us forever?

Why do You forsake us so long?

Cause us to return to You, O Yahweh, that we may be returned;

Renew our days as of old,

Even if You have utterly rejected us

And are exceedingly angry with us.