1 Remember, O LORD {YHWH, Covenant Witness}, all that has come upon us; pay attention and see our disgrace {kherpatenu: shameful reproach}.
2 Our inheritance {nachalatenu: allotted portion} has been given over to strangers, and our houses to foreigners {nokhrim: outsiders}.
3 We have become orphans {yetomim: parentless children}, with no father {av: family protector}; our mothers are like widows.
4 We drink our water {meimenu: communal resource} only by paying silver; our wood comes to us for a set price {bimchir: fixed cost}.
5 Upon our necks we are relentlessly pursued {nirdafnu: relentlessly chased}; we are weary, and rest has not been granted {hunakh: granted relief} to us.
6 We extended our hand toward Egypt and to Assyria {Ashshur: foreign oppressor}, seeking to be satisfied with bread {lechem: daily sustenance}.
7 Our fathers sinned {khateu: betrayed covenant} and are no more, yet we bear their iniquities {avonoteihem: moral failings}.
8 Servants have ruled {mashlu: exercised dominion} over us, and no one delivers us from their hand {yad: grasp or power}.
9 With our life {nefesh: life force} at risk, we bring our bread because of the sword {cherev: instrument of violence} in the wilderness.
10 Our skin {orenu: outer covering} is hot like an oven because of the burning blasts {zalafot: fierce heat-wave} of famine.
11 Women in Zion were violated {inu: forceful affliction} and maidens in the cities of Judah were violated {b’arei yehudah: provincial districts}.
12 Princes {sarim: ruling aristocrats} were hanged by their hand; the faces of elders were not honored {nehdaru: shown deference}.
13 Young men were taken for the grinding {techon: millwork burden}, and youths stumbled under the wood {etz: heavy timber}.
14 The elders have ceased from the gate {sha'ar: civic assembly point}, and the young men from their music {neginah: song, melody}.
15 The joy {mesos: exuberant gladness} of our heart has ended; our dance {mekholeinu: rhythmic dancing} has been turned into mourning.
16 Our crown {ateret: symbol of authority} has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned {chatanu: committed offense}.
17 Because of this our heart is faint {daveh: overwhelmed with sorrow}; because of these things our eyes have grown dim {khashkhu: losing clarity}.
18 Mount Zion, which lies in desolation {shamem: utterly laid waste}, has become the haunt of foxes {shualim: desert prowlers}.
19 You, O LORD {YHWH, Everlasting King}, remain forever; Your throne stands from generation {dor: ongoing lineage} to generation.
20 Why do You {YHWH, Covenant Keeper} forget us forever and forsake us for so many days {yamim: extended periods}?
21 Cause us to return, O LORD {YHWH, Restorer}, back to You, and we will return; renew our days as in former times {kekedem: former times}.
22 Unless You {YHWH, Just Judge} have utterly rejected {meʾastanu: cast off} us and have been angry against us to the utmost.