Lamentations

Prayer for Restoration

5 •Yahweh, remember what has happened to us.Look, and see our disgrace! 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,our houses to foreigners.3 We have become orphans, fatherless;our mothers are widows.4 We must pay for the water we drink;our wood comes at a price.5 We are closely pursued;we are tired, and no one offers us rest.6 We made a treaty with A Egyptand with Assyria, to get enough food. 7† Our fathers sinned; they no longer exist,but we bear their punishment.8 Slaves rule over us; no one rescues us from their hands.9 We secure our food at the risk of our livesbecause of the sword in the wilderness.10 Our skin is as hot B as an oven from the ravages of hunger.11 Women are raped in •Zion,girls in the cities of Judah.12 Princes are hung up by their hands;elders are shown no respect. 13† Young men labor at millstones; boys stumble under loads of wood.14 The elders have left the city •gate,the young men, their music. 15 Joy has left 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 heart is sick;because of these, our eyes grow dim: 18 because of Mount Zion, which lies desolateand has jackals prowling in it. 19 You, Lord, are enthroned forever;Your throne endures from generation to generation. 20 Why have You forgotten us forever, abandoned us for our entire lives?21 Lord, restore us to Yourself, so we may return; renew our days as in former times,22 unless You have completely rejected usand are intensely angry with us.