Our ancestors sinned; they are
        no more,
    and we bear their iniquities.
Slaves rule over us;
    there is no one to deliver us from their hand.
We get our bread at the peril of our lives,
    because of the sword in the wilderness.
Our skin is as black as an oven
    from the scorching heat
        of famine.
Women are raped in Zion,
    virgins in the towns of Judah.
Princes are strung up by
        their hands;
    no respect is shown to the elders.
Young men are compelled to grind,
    and boys stagger under loads
    of wood.
The old men have left the city
            gate,
        the young men their music.
    The joy of our hearts has ceased;
        our dancing has been turned
            to mourning.
The crown has fallen from
    our head;
woe to us for we have sinned!
Because of this our hearts are sick,
    because of these things our eyes
        have grown dim.
But you, O Lord, reign forever;
    your throne endures to all
        generations.
Why have your forgotten us
    completely?
Why have you forsaken us these
    many days?
Restore us to yourself, O Lord,
        that we may be restored;
    renew our days as of old--
unless you have utterly rejected
        us,
    and are angry with us beyond
        measure. (Lam. 5:7-22)