Lamentations 5:1-16

New International Version

5 Remember, Lord, what has happened to us;
    look, and see our disgrace.^(A)
2 Our inheritance^(B) has been turned over to strangers,^(C)
    our homes^(D) to foreigners.^(E)
3 We have become fatherless,
    our mothers are widows.^(F)
4 We must buy the water we drink;^(G)
    our wood can be had only at a price.^(H)
5 Those who pursue us are at our heels;
    we are weary^(I) and find no rest.^(J)
6 We submitted to Egypt and Assyria^(K)
    to get enough bread.
⁷ Our ancestors^(L) sinned and are no more,
    and we bear their punishment.^(M)
8 Slaves^(N) rule over us,
    and there is no one to free us from their hands.^(O)
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.^(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)