1Remember, Yahweh, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.
2Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
3We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows.
4Our own water we drink for silver; our wood comes at a price.
5Upon our necks we are pursued; we are weary, and no rest is granted us.
6To Egypt we gave a hand, to Assyria, to be satisfied with bread.
7Our fathers sinned—they are no more; we ourselves have borne their iniquities.
8Slaves rule over us; there is no one to tear us from their hand.
9At the risk of our lives we bring in our bread, because of the sword of the wilderness.
10Our skin grows hot like an oven, because of the ravages of famine.
11They violated women in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.
12Princes were hung up by their hand; the faces of elders were not honored.
13Young men carried the millstone, and boys stumbled under the wood.
14The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music.
15The joy of our heart has ceased; our dancing has turned to mourning.
16The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us now, for we have sinned!
17Because of this our heart has grown sick; because of these things our eyes have grown dim.
18Over Mount Zion, which lies desolate, jackals prowl.
19You, Yahweh, are enthroned forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.
20Why do you forget us forever, forsake us for the length of days?
21Turn us back to yourself, Yahweh, and we will return; renew our days as of old.
22Unless you have utterly rejected us, been furious with us beyond measure.
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