Lamentations 5:7-18

New International Version

⁷ Our ancestors^(A) sinned and are no more,
    and we bear their punishment.^(B)
8 Slaves^(C) rule over us,
    and there is no one to free us from their hands.^(D)
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.^(E)
11 Women have been violated^(F) in Zion,
    and virgins in the towns of Judah.
¹² Princes have been hung up by their hands;
    elders^(G) are shown no respect.^(H)
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.^(I)
15 Joy is gone from our hearts;
    our dancing has turned to mourning.^(J)
16 The crown^(K) has fallen from our head.^(L)
    Woe to us, for we have sinned!^(M)
17 Because of this our hearts^(N) are faint,^(O)
    because of these things our eyes^(P) grow dim^(Q)
18 for Mount Zion,^(R) which lies desolate,^(S)
    with jackals prowling over it.