[1] Remember, Lord, what happened to us. Look and see our disgrace.
[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 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 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 person 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. 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 was changed into crying for the dead.
[16] The crown has fallen from our head. Things have gone bad for us because we sinned.
[17] Because of these things, our hearts have become sick, 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, Lord. 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 like they were before.
[22] You were very angry at us. Have you completely rejected us?