5:1 Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace.
5:2 Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes.
5:3 Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows.
5:4 We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need for fuel.
5:5 Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest.
5:6 To get food enough to stay alive, we went begging to Egypt and Assyria.
5:7 Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins.
5:8 Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.
5:9 Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lives when we look for food.
5:10 Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven.
5:11 Our wives have been raped on Mount Zion itself; in every Judean village our daughters have been forced to submit.
5:12 Our leaders have been taken and hanged; our elders are shown no respect.
5:13 Our young men are forced to grind grain like slaves; boys go staggering under heavy loads of wood.
5:14 The old people no longer sit at the city gate, and the young people no longer make music.
5:15 Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our dances.
5:16 Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed.
5:17 We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears,
5:18 because Mount Zion lies lonely and deserted, and wild jackals prowl through its ruins.
5:19 But you, O Lord, are king forever and will rule to the end of time.
5:20 Why have you abandoned us so long? Will you ever remember us again?
5:21 Bring us back to you, Lord! Bring us back! Restore our ancient glory.
5:22 Or have you rejected us forever? Is there no limit to your anger?
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