13. Young men have carried grinding stones;boys have stumbled under loads of wood.
14. Elders have left the city gate;young people stop their music.
15. Joy has left our heart;our dancing has changed into lamentation.
16. The crown has fallen off our head.We are doomed because we have sinned.
17. Because of all this our heart is sick;because of these things our glance is dark.
18. Mount Zion, now deserted—only jackals walk on it now!
19. But you, Lord, will rule forever;your throne lasts from one generation to the next.
20. Why do you forget us continually;why do you abandon us for such a long time?
21. Return us, Lord, to yourself. Please let us return!Give us new days, like those long ago—
22. unless you have completely rejected us,or have become too angry with us.