A Prayer for Mercy
The People of Jerusalem Pray:
1 Our Lord, don't forget
how we have suffered
and been disgraced.
2 Foreigners and strangers
have taken our land
and our homes.
3 We are like children
whose mothers are widows.
4 The water we drink
and the wood we burn
cost far too much.
5 We are terribly mistreated;
we are worn out
and can find no rest.
6 We had to surrender
to Egypt and Assyria
because we were hungry.
7 Our ancestors sinned,
but they are dead,
and we are left to pay
for their sins.
8 Slaves are now our rulers,
and there is no one
to set us free.
9 We are in danger
from brutal desert tribes;
we must risk our lives
just to bring in our crops.
10 Our skin is scorched
from fever and hunger.
11 On Zion and everywhere in Judah
our wives and daughters
are being raped.
12 Our rulers are strung up
by their arms,
and our nation's advisors
are treated shamefully.
13 Young men are forced
to do the work of slaves;
boys must carry
heavy loads of wood.
14 Our leaders are not allowed
to decide cases in court,
and young people
no longer play music.
15 Our hearts are sad;
instead of dancing,
we mourn.
16 Zion's glory has disappeared!
And we are doomed
because of our sins.
17 We feel sick all over
and can't even see straight;
18 our city is in ruins,
overrun by wild dogs.
19 You will rule forever, Lord!
You are King for all time.
20 Why have you forgotten us
for so long?
21 Bring us back to you!
Give us a fresh start.
22 Or do you despise us so much
that you don't want us?
Ongumbiro yotjari
1 Muhona, zemburuka imbi
mbya tjitwa ku eṱe. Tara ku eṱe,
nu u mune okuyambururwa kwetu.
2 Ehi rotjirumatwa tjetu ri ri
momake wovozonganda;
ovandu vambangu va tura mozondjuwo zetu.
3 Oweṱe ozosewa, ootate va ṱa i ovanavita,
nambano oomama ovahepundu.
4 Eṱe matu sokusuta omeva ngu tu nwa;
matu sokuranda ozonguṋe nḓu tu
hepa okuyakisa na zo omuriro.
5 Tu hingwa atu nomitenge kozosengo,
nu twa urwa, nungwari katu pewa orusuvo.
6 Okukamuna ovikurya vyokutja tu kare
nomuinyo twa ya kOengipte na Asirie.
7 Ootate mukururume va turire ondjo,
nambano owo kave tji po,
neṱe tu hihamisirwa omauvi wawo.
8 Eṱe tu honaparerwa i ovakarere,
nu kape na ngu tu yama kouvara wawo.
9 Ovazepe ve ryanga okutuurunga ehi;
ominyo vyetu vi ri moumba,
tji matu paha ovikurya.
10 Ondjara ye tu nyosa otja otjipyu tjotjindjumba,
nga omikova vyetu tji vya pi,
tji vya pupyara otja ezuko.
11 Ovakazendu vetu va tjererwa
kondundu ya Sion oini,
novakazona vetu wina motjirongo atjihe tja Juda.
12 Ovaingona vetu va twarewa
nave katurikwa komiti;
ovakururume vetu kaave raisirwa ondengero.
13 Ovarumendu vetu omitanda ave ṋiṋikiziwa
okukweya ovikokotwa otja ovakarere;
ovazandu ave pungarisiwa i
omitwaro omizeu vyozonguṋe.
14 Ovakururume kave tji haama
pomuvero wotjihuro rukwao,
nomitanda kavi tji nyanda ovihumba.
15 Katu tji nenyando rukwao mominyo vyetu;
omutambo ombwa rira omuhiva wetu.
16 Kape notjiṋa tji tja sewa po ku
imbi avihe mbi twe ritongamisira.
Eṱe twa tjita ourunde, nambano matu ṱu.
17 Mena rotjiṋa hi eṱe opu twa
verera omitima vyetu tjinene,
nu katu sora okumuna mena romahoze wetu.
18 Ondundu ya Sion tjinga ai ri
aiyerike nu aya sewa tjo,
nozombandje amaze ryanga mu yo.
19 Nungwari ove Muhona,
oove Ombara nga aruhe,
nu mo honapara okuza
komuhoko nga komuhoko.
20 Okutjavi tji we tu esa orure nai?
Moo ketuzemburuka rukwao are?
21 Tu kotora kove, Muhona!
Tu kotora! Yarura ko ena retu
enene ndi twa ri na ro rukuru.
22 Poo we tu imbirahi nga aruhe?
Kaku tji nomaandero komazenge woye are?
