Lamentations 5
1REMEMBER, O Lord, what hath befallen us: look down and behold our reproach.
2Our inheritance is transferred to strangers; our houses, to foreigners.
3We are become orphans. Our father is no more. Our mothers are like widows.
4Our water we have drunk for money. Our wood came by barter on our shoulders.
5We have been persecuted. We have laboured and have had no rest.
6Egypt laid a hand [on us]; Assyria, till they were satisfied.
7Our fathers sinned; they are no more. We have borne their transgressions.
8Slaves have got dominion over us; there is none to deliver us out of their hand.
9At the peril of our lives we must gather in our corn, because of the sword of the desert.
10Our skin is black as an oven. They are shrivelled up by storms of famine.
11Our wives are humbled in Sion; our virgins in the cities of Juda.
12Our chiefs were hanged up by their hands; our elders were held in no esteem.
13Our warriors took up a lamentation; and our youths fainted under a club.
14Our elders have ceased to attend at the gates, and our chosen men have ceased from their songs.
15The joy of our heart is at an end; our dance is turned into mourning.
16Our crown is fallen from our head; alas for us! for we have sinned.
17Because of this, grief is come upon us—our heart is full of sorrow: because of this, our eyes are dim.
18On mount Sion, because it is desolate, foxes have walked about.
19But Thou, O Lord, wilt inhabit it forever: Thy throne is for all generations.
20Why wilt Thou utterly forget us? Wilt Thou leave us for length of days?
21Turn us to Thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned and renew our days as heretofore.
22Because Thou wast cast off, Thou hast cast us off; Thou hast been provoked against us to a high degree.