The people’s complaint

¹LORD , consider what has become of us; take notice of our disgrace. Look at it!

²Our property has been turned over to strangers;

³We have become orphans, having no father;

⁴We drink our own water—but for a price;

⁵Our hunters have been at our necks;[#5.5 Heb uncertain]

⁶We held out a hand to Egypt

⁸Slaves rule over us;

⁹We get our bread at the risk of our lives

¹⁰Our skin is as hot as an oven

¹¹Women have been raped in Zion,

¹²Officials have been hung up by their hands;

¹³Young men have carried grinding stones;

¹⁴Elders have left the city gate;

¹⁵Joy has left our heart;

¹⁶The crown has fallen off our head.

¹⁷Because of all this our heart is sick;

¹⁸Mount Zion, now deserted—

¹⁹But you, LORD , will rule forever;

²⁰Why do you forget us continually;

²¹Return us, LORD , to yourself. Please let us return![#5.21 Or and we will return or so that we can return]

²²unless you have completely rejected us,