4. We have to pay to drink our own water.We have to pay to chop our own wood.
5. ⌊Our enemies⌋ are breathing down our necks.We are worn out ⌊and⌋ not permitted to rest.
6. We had to beg Egypt and Assyria for food.
7. Our ancestors sinned.Now they are gone,⌊but⌋ we have to take the punishment for their wickedness.
8. Slaves rule us.There is no one to rescue us from them.
9. To get our food, we have to risk our livesin the heat of the desert.
10. Our skin is as hot as an oven from the burning heat of starvation.
11. Women in Zion are raped, so are the girls in the cities of Judah.
12. ⌊Our⌋ leaders are hung by their hands.⌊Our⌋ older leaders are shown no respect.
13. ⌊Our⌋ young men work at the mill,and ⌊our⌋ boys stagger under loads of wood.
14. ⌊Our⌋ older leaders have stopped meeting at the city gate,and ⌊our⌋ young men no longer play their music.
15. There is no joy left in our hearts.Our dancing has turned into mourning.
16. The crown has fallen from our head.Because we have sinned, it has been disastrous for us.