Lamentations

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

Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, our homes to foreigners.

We have become orphans and fatherless, our mothers like widows.

We must buy the water we drink; our wood can be had only at a price.

Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are weary and find no rest.

We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

Our fathers sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.

Slaves rule over us, and there is none to free us from their hands.

We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the desert.

Our skin is hot as an oven, feverish from hunger.

Women have been ravished in Zion, and virgins in the towns of Judah.

Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect.

Young men toil at the millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.

The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

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

Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim

for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.

You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?

Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old

unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.