1 Remember, O Jehovah, what has come upon us; look down and behold our reproach.
2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers; our houses to foreigners.
3 We are orphans and fatherless; our mothers are as widows.
4 We have drunk our water for money; our wood comes at a price.
5 We are pursued on our necks; we labor and have no rest.
6 We have given the hand to Egypt, to Assyria, to be satisfied with bread.
7 Our fathers have sinned and are no more; but we have borne their iniquities.
8 Servants rule over us; there is no one to deliver out of their hand.
9 We bring in our bread at the risk of our lives, because of the sword of the wilderness.
10 Our skin is hot like an oven because of the burning heat of famine.
11 They raped the women in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.
12 Rulers were hung up by the hand; the presence of elders was not honored.
13 They took the young men to grind, and the youths stumbled under loads of wood.
14 The elders have ceased gathering at the gate, the young men from their music.
15 The joy of our heart has ceased; our dance has turned into mourning.
16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe unto us, for we have sinned.
17 Our heart is faint because of this; our eyes are dim because of these things.
18 The mountain of Zion is laid waste; the foxes walk upon it.
19 You, O Jehovah, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.
20 Why do You forget us forever and forsake us for such a long time?
21 Turn us back to You, O Jehovah, and we will repent; renew our days as of old,
22 unless You have utterly rejected us. You have been very angry against us.