1Lord, please remember what's happened to us. Look at us and see how we've been humiliated!

2The land we used to own has been handed over to strangers, our houses have been given to foreigners.

3We have lost our fathers, and our mothers are widows.

4The water we drink we have to pay for; our firewood comes at a price.

5Like animals we're driven along with harnesses around our necks; ²⁵we're worn out but don't find any rest.

6We allied ourselves with Egypt and Assyria so we could have plenty of food.

7Our forefathers sinned and they're gone, but we're being punished for their sins.

8Servants of our conqueror ²⁶rule over us; no one can save us from their power.

9We take our lives in our hands when we look for food, because of the armed raiders in the desert.

10Our skin is hot like an oven because of the fever caused by hunger.

11They raped women in Zion, virgins in the towns of Judah.

12Princes have been hung up by their hands; they show elders no respect.

13Young men are forced to work at hand-mills; boys stagger under bundles of wood.

14The elders have abandoned their places at the city gate; ²⁷the young men have given up playing their music.

15There's no more happiness for us; our dancing has turned into mourning.

16The crown ²⁸has fallen from our head. What a disaster has come upon us because we have sinned!

17Because of all this, we're sick at heart; because of all these things, we can hardly look; ²⁹

18Because of Mount Zion, which has been abandoned, and where only foxes ³⁰roam.

19But you, Lord, live forever! You rule for all generations!

20So why have you forgotten us for such a long time? Why have you abandoned us for so many years?

21Bring us back to you, Lord, so we can be with you again. Please remake our lives like they used to be.

22Or have you have completely rejected us? Are you still really furious with us?