Lamentations

Remember, O LORD, what has been to us; look down and see our shame.

Our inheritance has turned to aliens, our houses to foreigners.

We are orphans and fatherless; our mothers [are] as widows.

We have drunk our water for silver; our wood comes for a price.

We [are] pursued on our necks; we grow weary; rest is not given to us.

We have given the hand [to] Egypt, to Assyria, to be satisfied with bread.

Our fathers have sinned [and are] not; we have borne their iniquities.

Servants rule over us; [there is] no rescuer out of their hand.

We bring in our bread with our souls, because of the sword of the wilderness.

Our skin [is] hot like an oven because of the fever heat of famine.

They raped the women in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.

Rulers were hanged by the hand; the faces of elders were not honored.

They took the young men [to] grind, and the youths stumbled at the wood.

The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their music.

The joy of our heart has ceased; our dance has turned into mourning.

The crown has fallen [from] our head. Woe now to us! For we have sinned.

Our heart is faint for this; our eyes are dim for these [things].

On the mountain of Zion [is] laid waste, the foxes walk on it.

You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne to generation and generation.

Why do You forget us forever [and] forsake us the length of days?

Return us to You, O LORD, and we will turn; renew our days as of old,

unless You have utterly rejected us; You are very angry against us.