Lamentations 5

A Cry for Restoration

1 LORD, remember what happened to us. Look at us and see the shame we are living with.

2 Our land got handed over to outsiders. Our houses went to strangers.

3 We are orphans without a father. Our mothers are widows.

4 We must pay just to drink our own water. We buy back the wood that used to be ours.

5 They stay on our necks, chasing us nonstop. We are worn out and cannot catch a break.

6 We reached out to Egypt and Assyria just to get enough bread to survive.

7 Our fathers sinned and are gone, but we are the ones carrying their mess.

Life Under Humiliation

8 Slaves rule over us now, and nobody can save us from their hands.

9 We risk our lives just to get food, facing the sword in the wilderness.

10 Our skin is burning hot like an oven because of hunger.

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

12 Princes got hung up by their hands. Elders were not shown any respect.

13 Young men grind grain like slaves. Boys stumble under loads of wood.

Joy Turned to Mourning

14 The elders are gone from the city gate. The young people stopped playing music.

15 Joy fell out of our hearts. Our dancing turned into mourning.

16 The crown slipped off our head. Woe to us, because we sinned.

17 That is why our hearts are sick. That is why our eyes are dim.

18 Because Mount Zion is deserted, foxes run through it.

Final Plea to the Lord

19 But You, LORD, sit on the throne forever. Your rule goes on through every generation.

20 Why do You forget us forever and leave us for so long,

21 Bring us back to You, LORD, and we will come back. Renew our days like they used to be,

22 Unless You have completely rejected us and stay furious with us forever.