Read the Bible

¹ Remember, Lord, what happened to us.
    Look and see our disgrace.
² Our land has been turned over to strangers;
    our houses have been given to foreigners.
³ We are like orphans with no father;
    our mothers are like widows.
⁴ We have to buy the water we drink;
    we must pay for the firewood.
⁵ Those who chase after us want to catch us by the neck.
    We are tired and find no rest.
⁶ We made an agreement with Egypt
    and with Assyria to get enough food.
⁷ Our ancestors sinned against you, but they are gone;
    now we suffer because of their sins.
⁸ Slaves have become our rulers,
    and no one can save us from them.
⁹ We risk our lives to get our food;
    we face death in the desert.
¹⁰ Our skin is hot like an oven;
    we burn with starvation.
¹¹ The enemy abused the women of Jerusalem
    and the girls in the cities of Judah.
¹² Princes were hung by the hands;
    they did not respect our elders.
¹³ The young men ground grain at the mill,
    and boys stumbled under loads of wood.
¹⁴ The elders no longer sit at the city gates;
    the young men no longer sing.
¹⁵ We have no more joy in our hearts;
    our dancing has turned to sadness.
¹⁶ The crown has fallen from our head.
    How terrible it is because we sinned.
¹⁷ Because of this we are afraid,
    and now our eyes are dim.
¹⁸ Mount Zion is empty,
    and wild dogs wander around it.

¹⁹ But you rule forever, Lord.
    You will be King from now on.
²⁰ Why have you forgotten us for so long?
    Have you left us forever?
²¹ Bring us back to you, Lord, and we will return.
    Make our days as they were before,
²² or have you completely rejected us?
    Are you so angry with us?