^1. Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us; look, and see our disgrace.

^2. Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, our homes to foreigners.

^3. We have become orphans and fatherless, our mothers like widows.

^4. We must buy the water we drink; our wood can be had only at a price.

^5. Those who pursue us are at our heels; we are weary and find no rest.

^6. We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.

^7. Our fathers sinned and are no more, and we bear their punishment.

^8. Slaves rule over us, and there is none to free us from their hands.

^9. We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the desert.

^10. Our skin is hot as an oven, feverish from hunger.

^11. Women have been ravished in Zion, and virgins in the towns of Judah.

^12. Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders are shown no respect.

^13. Young men toil at the millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.

^14. The elders are gone from the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.

^15. Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.

^16. The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

^17. Because of this our hearts are faint, because of these things our eyes grow dim

^18. for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.

^19. You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.

^20. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?

^21. Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old

^22. unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. 

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Bible Main : Lamentations : 1 2 3 4 5