1Remember, Yahweh, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace.
2Our inheritance has been given to foreigners, and our homes to strangers.
3We are orphans, without a father; our mothers are like widows.
4We have to pay money for our water to drink; we have to buy our own wood.
5Our persecutors are constantly after us; we are exhausted and have no rest.
6We have made agreements with Egypt and Assyria, just to get enough bread.
7Our fathers sinned and are no longer alive; we are suffering the consequences of their sins.
8Servants rule over us, and no one can rescue us from their power.
9We risk our lives to get our bread, because of the threat of the desert sword.
10Our skin is burned black like an oven, because of the scorching heat of famine.
11They raped the women in Zion and the virgins in the cities of Judah.
12Princes were hung by their hands; the elders were shown no respect.
13Young men were forced to grind grain; children stumbled under heavy loads of wood.
14The elders no longer sit at the city gate; the young men have stopped playing their music.
15The joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned into mourning.
16The crown has fallen from our head. How terrible for us, because we have sinned!
17Because of this, our hearts are sick; our eyes are dim because of these things:
18Because Mount Zion is deserted; jackals roam freely there.
19Yahweh, you remain forever; your rule continues from generation to generation.
20Why do you keep forgetting us? Why have you abandoned us for so long?
21Turn us back to you, Yahweh, and we will return. Make our lives new, like they were in the past.
22But you have completely rejected us; you are extremely angry with us.