A Request for Mercy

• take note, and see our disgrace!
  • 2  our houses, to foreigners.
  • 3  our mothers are like widows.
  • 4 [fn] our wood comes to us at a price.
  • 5  we are weary, there is no rest for us.
  • 6 and Assyria to be satisfied with food.
  • 7  we bear their iniquity.
  • 8  there is no one to deliver us from their hand.
  • 9 [fn] because of the sword of the desert.
  • 10  because of the scorching famine.
  • 11  young women[fn] in the cities of Judah.
  • 12  they do not show respect before elders.
  • 13  and boys stumble under the wood.
  • 14  young men no longer play stringed instruments.
  • 15  our circle-dancing has changed to a mourning ceremony.
  • 16  woe to us, for we have sinned!
  • 17  because of these, our eyes have become dim.
  • 18 [fn]
  • 19  on your throne for generation to generation.
  • 20  Why have you forsaken us[fn]
  • 21  renew our days as of old.
  • 22  unless you are angry with us beyond measure.