GodsWord - Lamentations - 5

5:1  "Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Take a look at our disgrace!

5:2  "The land we inherited has been turned over to strangers. Our homes have been turned over to foreigners.

5:3  We are orphans without a father. Our mothers are like widows.

5:4  We have to pay to drink our own water. We have to pay to chop our own wood.

5:5  Our enemies are breathing down our necks. We are worn out and not permitted to rest.

5:6  We had to beg Egypt and Assyria for food.

5:7  Our ancestors sinned. Now they are gone, but we have to take the punishment for their wickedness.

5:8  Slaves rule us. There is no one to rescue us from them.

5:9  To get our food, we have to risk our lives in the heat of the desert.

5:10  Our skin is as hot as an oven from the burning heat of starvation.

5:11  Women in Zion are raped, so are the girls in the cities of Judah.

5:12  Our leaders are hung by their hands. Our older leaders are shown no respect.

5:13  Our young men work at the mill, and our boys stagger under loads of wood.

5:14  Our older leaders have stopped meeting at the city gate, and our young men no longer play their music.

5:15  There is no joy left in our hearts. Our dancing has turned into mourning.

5:16  The crown has fallen from our head. Because we have sinned, it has been disastrous for us.

5:17  This is why we feel sick. This is why our eyes see less and less.

5:18  Foxes roam around on Mount Zion, which lies in ruins.

5:19  "But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever, and your reign continues throughout every generation.

5:20  Why have you completely forgotten us? Why have you abandoned us for such a long time?

5:21  O LORD, bring us back to you, and we'll come back. Give us back the life we had long ago,

5:22  unless you have completely rejected us and are very angry with us."