Lamentations 5

New International Reader's Version

5 Lord, think about what has happened to us.
    Look at the shame our enemies have brought on us.
² The land you gave us has been turned over to outsiders.
    Our homes have been given to strangers.
³ Our fathers have been killed.
    Our mothers don’t have husbands.
⁴ We have to buy the water we drink.
    We have to pay for the wood we use.
⁵ Those who chase us are right behind us.
    We’re tired and can’t get any rest.
⁶ We put ourselves under the control of Egypt and Assyria
    just to get enough bread.
⁷ Our people of long ago sinned.
    And they are now dead.
    We are being punished because of their sins.
⁸ Slaves rule over us.
    No one can set us free
    from their power.
⁹ We put our lives in danger just to get some bread to eat.
    Robbers in the desert might kill us with their swords.
¹⁰ Our skin is as hot as an oven.
    We are so hungry we’re burning up with fever.
¹¹ Our women have been treated badly in Zion.
    Our virgins have been treated badly in the towns of Judah.
¹² Our princes have been hung up by their hands.
    No one shows our elders any respect.
¹³ Our young men are forced to grind grain at the mill.
    Our boys almost fall down
    as they carry heavy loads of wood.
¹⁴ Our elders don’t go to the city gate anymore.
    Our young men have stopped playing their music.
¹⁵ There isn’t any joy in our hearts.
    Our dancing has turned into mourning.
¹⁶ All of our honor is gone.
    How terrible it is for us because we have sinned!
¹⁷ So our hearts are weak.
    Our eyes can’t see very clearly.
¹⁸ Mount Zion has been deserted.
    Wild dogs are prowling all around on it.

¹⁹ Lord, you rule forever.
    Your throne will last for all time to come.
²⁰ Why do you always forget us?
    Why have you deserted us for so long?
²¹ Lord, please bring us back to you.
    Then we can return.
    Make our lives like new again.
²² Or have you completely turned away from us?
    Are you really that angry with us?