Lamentations 5:4-22 ▼

4 We pay money to drink our own water, our own wood comes at a price.

5 With a yoke on our necks, we are driven; we are worn out, but allowed no rest.

6 We extended a hand to Egypt and Assyria, to satisfy our need of bread.

7 Our ancestors, who sinned, are no more; but now we bear their guilt.

8 Servants rule over us, with no one to tear us from their hands.

9 We risk our lives just to get bread, exposed to the desert heat;

10 Our skin heats up like an oven, from the searing blasts of famine.

11 Women are raped in Zion, young women in the cities of Judah;

12 Princes have been hanged by them, elders shown no respect.

13 Young men carry millstones, boys stagger under loads of wood;

14 The elders have abandoned the gate, the young men their music.

15 The joy of our hearts has ceased, dancing has turned into mourning;

16 The crown has fallen from our head: woe to us that we sinned!

17 Because of this our hearts grow sick, at this our eyes grow dim:

18 Because of Mount Zion, lying desolate, and the jackals roaming there!

19 But you, LORD, are enthroned forever; your throne stands from age to age.

20 Why have you utterly forgotten us, forsaken us for so long?

21 Bring us back to you, LORD, that we may return: renew our days as of old.

22 For now you have indeed rejected us and utterly turned your wrath against us.