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O Yahweh, Remember Us!

Remember, O Yahweh, what has happened to us;
Look, and see our (A)reproach!
Our inheritance has been turned over to (B)strangers,
Our (C)houses to foreigners.
We have become orphans (D)without a father;
Our mothers are like widows.
We drink our (E)water by means of silver;
Our wood comes to us at a price.
[a]Our pursuers are at our necks;
We are worn out; there is (F)no rest for us.
We have given over our [b]hands to (G)Egypt and Assyria [c]to get enough bread.
Our (H)fathers sinned; they are no more;
It is we who have borne their iniquities.
(I)Slaves rule over us;
There is (J)no one to tear us away from their hand.
We get our bread [d]at the (K)risk of our lives
[e]Because of the sword in the wilderness.
10 Our skin has become as (L)hot as an oven
Because of [f]the burning heat of famine.
11 They violated the (M)women in Zion,
The virgins in the cities of Judah.
12 Princes were hung by their hands;
[g](N)Elders were not respected.
13 Young men (O)lifted up the stone at the grinding mill,
And youths (P)stumbled down under loads of wood.
14 Elders have ceased from being at the gate,
Young men from their (Q)music.
15 The joy of our hearts has (R)ceased;
Our dancing has been turned into mourning.
16 The (S)crown has fallen from our head;
(T)Woe to us, for we have sinned!
17 Because of this our (U)heart is faint;
Because of these things our (V)eyes are dim;
18 Because of (W)Mount Zion which lies desolate,
(X)Foxes walk about in it.

19 (Y)You, O Yahweh, sit enthroned forever;
Your (Z)throne is from generation to generation.
20 Why do You (AA)forget us forever?
Why do You forsake us [h]so long?
21 (AB)Cause us to return to You, O Yahweh, that we may be returned;
Renew (AC)our days as of old,
22 Even if (AD)You have utterly rejected us
And are exceedingly (AE)angry with us.

Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 5:5 Lit We have been pursued upon
  2. Lamentations 5:6 Lit hand
  3. Lamentations 5:6 Lit to be satisfied with
  4. Lamentations 5:9 Lit with our soul
  5. Lamentations 5:9 Or In the face of
  6. Lamentations 5:10 Or the ravages of hunger
  7. Lamentations 5:12 Lit The faces of elders
  8. Lamentations 5:20 Lit to length of days

Remember, Lord, what has happened to us;
    look, and see our disgrace.(A)
Our inheritance(B) has been turned over to strangers,(C)
    our homes(D) to foreigners.(E)
We have become fatherless,
    our mothers are widows.(F)
We must buy the water we drink;(G)
    our wood can be had only at a price.(H)
Those who pursue us are at our heels;
    we are weary(I) and find no rest.(J)
We submitted to Egypt and Assyria(K)
    to get enough bread.
Our ancestors(L) sinned and are no more,
    and we bear their punishment.(M)
Slaves(N) rule over us,
    and there is no one to free us from their hands.(O)
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.(P)
11 Women have been violated(Q) in Zion,
    and virgins in the towns of Judah.
12 Princes have been hung up by their hands;
    elders(R) are shown no respect.(S)
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.(T)
15 Joy is gone from our hearts;
    our dancing has turned to mourning.(U)
16 The crown(V) has fallen from our head.(W)
    Woe to us, for we have sinned!(X)
17 Because of this our hearts(Y) are faint,(Z)
    because of these things our eyes(AA) grow dim(AB)
18 for Mount Zion,(AC) which lies desolate,(AD)
    with jackals prowling over it.

19 You, Lord, reign forever;(AE)
    your throne endures(AF) from generation to generation.
20 Why do you always forget us?(AG)
    Why do you forsake(AH) us so long?
21 Restore(AI) us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;
    renew our days as of old
22 unless you have utterly rejected us(AJ)
    and are angry with us beyond measure.(AK)