Lamentations 5
Prayer for Restoration
1Lord, remember what has happened to us. Look, and see our disgrace!23Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.4
5We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are widows.6
7We must pay for the water we drink; our wood comes at a price.8
9We are closely pursued; we are tired, and no one offers us rest.10
11We made a treaty with Egypt and with Assyria, to get enough food.12
13Our ancestors sinned; they no longer exist, but we bear their punishment.14
15Slaves rule over us; no one rescues us from them.16
17We secure our food at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.18
19Our skin is as hot as an oven from the ravages of hunger.20
21Women have been raped in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.22
23Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect.24
25Young men labor at millstones; boys stumble under loads of wood.26
27The elders have left the city gate, the young men, their music.28
29Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.30
31The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned.32
33Because of this, our heart is sick; because of these, our eyes grow dim:34
35because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate and has jackals prowling in it.36
37You, Lord, are enthroned forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.38
39Why do you continually forget us, abandon us for our entire lives?40
41Lord, bring us back to yourself, so we may return; renew our days as in former times,42
43unless you have completely rejected us and are intensely angry with us.44