English / ERV
Lamentations 5
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1Remember, LORD, what happened to us. Look and see our shame.
- 2Our land has been turned over to strangers. Our houses have been given to foreigners.
- 3We have become orphans. We have no father. Our mothers have become like widows.
- 4We have to buy the water that we drink. We have to pay for the wood that we use.
- 5We are forced to wear a yoke on our necks. We get tired, and we have no rest.
- 6We made an agreement with Egypt. We also made an agreement with Assyria to get enough bread.
- 7Our ancestors sinned against you, and now they are dead. And we are suffering because of their sins.
- 8Slaves have become our rulers. No one can save us from them.
- 9We risk our lives to get food. There are men in the desert with swords.
- 10Our skin is hot like an oven. We have a high fever because of our hunger.
- 11The enemy raped the women of Zion. They raped the women in the cities of Judah.
- 12The enemy hanged our princes. They didn’t honor our elders.
- 13The enemy made our young men grind grain at the mill. Our young men stumbled under loads of wood.
- 14The elders no longer sit at the gates of the city. The young men no longer make music.
- 15We have no more joy in our hearts. Our dancing has changed to crying for the dead.
- 16The crown has fallen from our head. Things have gone bad for us because we sinned.
- 17For this reason, our hearts have become sick, and our eyes cannot see clearly.
- 18Mount Zion is a wasteland. Foxes run around on Mount Zion.
- 19But you rule forever, LORD. Your kingly chair lasts forever and ever.
- 20You seem to have forgotten us forever. You seem to have left us alone for such a long time.
- 21Bring us back to you, LORD. We will gladly come back to you. Make our lives as they were before.
- 22You were very angry with us. Have you completely rejected us?