Lamentations 5

1 Remember, Lord, what has happened to us; look and see our disgrace.

2 Our inheritance has been handed over to foreigners, and our houses to strangers.

3 We have become fatherless; we have no father, and our mothers are like widows.

4 Since our days began, our wood has come to us only in exchange.

5 We are pursued at our very necks. We labor and find no rest.

6 Egypt gave a hand, and Assyria, to get their fill.

7 Our fathers sinned and are gone, but we carry their lawless deeds.

8 Slaves rule over us, and no one ransoms us from their hand.

9 We bring in our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.

10 Our skin is blackened like an oven, convulsed by the storms of famine.

11 They violated the women in Zion and the young women in the cities of Judah.

12 Rulers were hung up by their hands, and elders received no honor.

13 The chosen men lifted their voices in weeping, and the young men collapsed beneath loads of wood.

14 The elders have left the city gate, and the chosen men have stopped their music.

15 The joy of our heart has ended; our dancing has turned to mourning.

16 The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, because we have sinned!

17 Because of this our heart is filled with grief; because of this our eyes have grown dim.

18 Foxes roam over Mount Zion because it lies desolate.

19 But you, Lord, will dwell forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

20 Why would you forget us completely and abandon us for so long?

21 Turn us to you, Lord, and we will turn back; renew our days as they were before.

22 For you have indeed rejected us and have been very angry with us.