1 R emember, O Lord, what has befallen us; Look, and see our reproach!

2 O ur inheritance has been turned over to strangers, Our houses to aliens.

3 W e have become orphans without a father, Our mothers are like widows.

4 W e have to pay for our drinking water, Our wood comes to us at a price.

5 O ur pursuers are at our necks; We are worn out, there is no rest for us.

6 W e have submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

7 O ur fathers sinned, and are no more; It is we who have borne their iniquities.

8 S laves rule over us; There is no one to deliver us from their hand.

9 W e get our bread at the risk of our lives Because of the sword in the wilderness.

10 O ur skin has become as hot as an oven, Because of the burning heat of famine.

11 T hey ravished the women in Zion, The virgins in the cities of Judah.

12 P rinces were hung by their hands; Elders were not respected.

13 Y oung men worked at the grinding mill, And youths stumbled under loads of wood.

14 E lders are gone from the gate, Young men from their music.

15 T he joy of our hearts has ceased; Our dancing has been turned into mourning.

16 T he crown has fallen from our head; Woe to us, for we have sinned!

17 B ecause of this our heart is faint, Because of these things our eyes are dim;

18 B ecause of Mount Zion which lies desolate, Foxes prowl in it.

19 Y ou, O Lord, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation.

20 W hy do You forget us forever? Why do You forsake us so long?

21 R estore us to You, O Lord, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,

22 U nless You have utterly rejected us And are exceedingly angry with us.