1 2 3 4 5
5 <1> Remember, Lord, what happened to us.
Look and see our shame.
<2> Our land has been turned over to strangers.
Our houses have been given to foreigners.
<3> We have become orphans.
We have no father.
Our mothers have become like widows.
<4> We have to buy the water that we drink.
We have to pay for the wood that we use.
<5> We are forced to wear a yoke[30] on our necks.
We get tired, and we have no rest.
<6> We made an agreement with Egypt.
We also made an agreement with Assyria[31] to get enough bread.
<7> Our ancestors sinned against you.
Now they are dead.
Now we are suffering because of their sins.
<8> Slaves have become our rulers.
No one can save us from them.
<9> We risk our lives to get food.
There are men in the desert with swords.
<10> Our skin is hot like an oven.
We have a high fever because of our hunger.
<11> The enemy raped the women of Zion.[32]
They raped the women in the cities of Judah.
<12> The enemy hanged our princes.
They didn't honor our elders.
<13> The enemy made our young men
grind grain at the mill.
Our young men stumbled
under loads of wood.
<14> The elders no longer sit at the gates of the city.
The young men no longer make music.
<15> We have no more joy in our hearts.
Our dancing has changed to crying for the dead.
<16> The crown has fallen from our head.
Things have gone bad for us because we sinned.
<17> For this reason our hearts have become sick,
and our eyes cannot see clearly.
<18> Mount Zion is a wasteland.
Foxes run around on Mount Zion.
<19> But you rule forever, Lord.
Your kingly chair lasts forever and ever.
<20> You seem to have forgotten us forever.
You seem to have left us alone for such a long time.
<21> Bring us back to you, Lord.
We will gladly come back to you.
Make our lives as they were before.
<22> You were very angry with us.
Have you completely rejected us?
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.