5Lamentations 5

A Prayer for Mercy

1Remember, O Lord, what has happened to us. Look at us, and see our disgrace.Select Lamentations 5:1

2Our property is in the hands of strangers; foreigners are living in our homes.Select Lamentations 5:2

3Our fathers have been killed by the enemy, and now our mothers are widows.Select Lamentations 5:3

4We must pay for the water we drink; we must buy the wood we need for fuel.Select Lamentations 5:4

5Driven hard like donkeys or camels, we are tired, but are allowed no rest.Select Lamentations 5:5

6To get food enough to stay alive, we went begging to Egypt and Assyria.Select Lamentations 5:6

7Our ancestors sinned, but now they are gone, and we are suffering for their sins.Select Lamentations 5:7

8Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.Select Lamentations 5:8

9Murderers roam through the countryside; we risk our lives when we look for food.Select Lamentations 5:9

10Hunger has made us burn with fever until our skin is as hot as an oven.Select Lamentations 5:10

11Our wives have been raped on Mount Zion itself; in every Judean village our daughters have been forced to submit.Select Lamentations 5:11

12Our leaders have been taken and hanged; our elders are shown no respect.Select Lamentations 5:12

13Our young men are forced to grind grain like slaves; boys go staggering under heavy loads of wood.Select Lamentations 5:13

14The old people no longer sit at the city gate, and the young people no longer make music.Select Lamentations 5:14

15Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our dances.Select Lamentations 5:15

16Nothing is left of all we were proud of. We sinned, and now we are doomed.Select Lamentations 5:16

17We are sick at our very hearts and can hardly see through our tears,Select Lamentations 5:17

18because Mount Zion lies lonely and deserted, and wild jackals prowl through its ruins.Select Lamentations 5:18

19But you, O Lord, are king forever and will rule to the end of time.Select Lamentations 5:19

20Why have you abandoned us so long? Will you ever remember us again?Select Lamentations 5:20

21Bring us back to you, Lord! Bring us back! Restore our ancient glory.Select Lamentations 5:21

22Or have you rejected us forever? Is there no limit to your anger?Select Lamentations 5:22