Lamentations 5:4-22 ▼

4 We have drunk our water for money, || Our wood comes for a price.

5 For our neck we have been pursued, || We have labored—there has been no rest for us.

6 [To] Egypt we have given a hand, || [To] Asshur, to be satisfied with bread.

7 Our fathers have sinned—they are not, || We have borne their iniquities.

8 Servants have ruled over us, || There is no deliverer from their hand.

9 With our lives we bring in our bread, || Because of the sword of the wilderness.

10 Our skin as an oven has been burning, || Because of the raging of the famine.

11 Wives in Zion they have humbled, || Virgins—in cities of Judah.

12 Princes have been hanged by their hand, || Elderly faces have not been honored.

13 They have taken young men to grind, || And youths have stumbled with wood.

14 Elderly have ceased from the gate, || Young men from their song.

15 The joy of our heart has ceased, || Our dancing has been turned to mourning.

16 The crown has fallen [from] our head, || Woe [is] now to us, for we have sinned.

17 Our heart has been sick for this, || Our eyes have been dim for these.

18 For the Mount of Zion—that is desolate, || Foxes have gone up on it.

19 You, O YHWH, remain for all time, || Your throne to generation and generation.

20 Why do You forget us forever? You forsake us for [the] length of [our] days!

21 Turn us back, O YHWH, to You, || And we turn back, renew our days as of old.

22 For have You utterly rejected us? You have been angry against us—exceedingly?