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?
1 Akutu Omwene, dimbulukwa eshi twa ningwa; tala, Ove u mone okudinwa kwetu. 2 Oshitukulwa shetu shefyuululo osha ninga shovanailongo, omaumbo etu a nangalwa kwaava va dja koilongo. 3 Ofye twa fiwa po eefiye, tuhe na tate; oomeme ove li ngaashi ovafiyekadi. 4 Omeva etu okunwa ofye hatu a futu, oikuni yetu ohatu i pelwa ondado. 5 Ovahepeki vetu ove li kofingo yetu, fye twa loloka, ndele ihatu pewa etulumuko. 6 Omake etu otwe a twala kuEgipiti nokuAsiria, tu kute omungome. 7 Ootate ova nyona; kave po vali. Ofye ohatu humbata owii wavo. 8 Ovapika have tu pangele; kape nomunhu te tu nakula momake avo. 9 Ohatu likongele omungome wetu tu li poshiponga shefyo nokuhenuka eongamukonda mombuwa. 10 Oshipa shetu osha hanya sha fediko, sha laulikwa kehanyo londjala. 11 Ovo va fifa ohoni ovalikadi vomuSion, noukadona vomomikunda daJuda. 12 Omake avo a ponda ovapangeli, ndele ovakulunhu inava fimanekwa. 13 Ovamati ohava humbata omamanya oshini; ovana ovamati tava tonwa komitengi doikuni. 14 Ovakulunhu kave po vali poshivelo, novamati vehe na vali ouxumbafeta vavo. 15 Enyaku lomitima detu kali po, okudana oudano wetu kwa shituka oluhodi. 16 Omutumbo wa wa komutwe wetu. Woo fye, eshi twa nyona! 17 Molwaashi omutima wetu tau vele. Molwaashi omesho etu a laula! 18 Omolwomhunda yaSion ya tokekwa, haku endwaendwa ashike kouvandje.
19 Oove Omwene, ho kala fiyo alushe. Olukalwapangelo loye tali kala fiyo okoludalo noludalo. 20 Omolwashike Ove wa hala oku tu dimbwa po efimbo alishe, noku tu efa oule womafiku male? 21 Tu alulila kwoove, Omwene, opo fye ohatu ka alukila ko; shitukifa omafiku etu a kale ngaashi shito. 22 Ile ove we tu ekelashi tuu filu? Ehandu loye ole tu nenepalela tuu ngaha?
