1Remember, Lord, what has happened to us,

pay attention, and see our disgrace:

2Our heritage is turned over to strangers,

our homes, to foreigners.a

3We have become orphans, without fathers;

our mothers are like widows.

4We pay money to drink our own water,

our own wood comes at a price.

5With a yoke on our necks, we are driven;

we are worn out, but allowed no rest.

6We extended a hand to Egypt and Assyria,

to satisfy our need of bread.*

7Our ancestors, who sinned, are no more;

but now we bear their guilt.

8Servants* rule over us,

with no one to tear us from their hands.

9We risk our lives just to get bread,

exposed to the desert heat;b

10Our skin heats up like an oven,

from the searing blasts of famine.c

11Women are raped in Zion,

young women in the cities of Judah;d

12Princes have been hanged by them,

elders shown no respect.e

13Young men carry millstones,

boys stagger under loads of wood;

14The elders have abandoned the gate,*

the young men their music.

15The joy of our hearts has ceased,

dancing has turned into mourning;f

16The crown has fallen from our head:

woe to us that we sinned!

17Because of this our hearts grow sick,

at this our eyes grow dim:

18Because of Mount Zion, lying desolate,

and the jackals roaming there!

19But you, Lord, are enthroned forever;

your throne stands from age to age.g

20* Why have you utterly forgotten us,

forsaken us for so long?h

21Bring us back to you, Lord, that we may return:

renew our days as of old.i

22For now you have indeed rejected us

and utterly turned your wrath against us.j