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?
Mahwilongoni
1 Kumbulani imwi Yahwe tjakatishingikalila,
lingani, mubone kulengudzika kwedu!
2 Thaka yedu yatjibe ye bataya,
mizi yedu yatjibe ye bazhi.
3 Tatjibe siyang'wa dzisina botate,
bomme bedu batjibe tjilikadzi.
4 Tolipa vula yatinong'wa nge mari,
hwuni todziwana ngotenga.
5 Batatamili bedu bapa zwitshitshino zwedu,
tanyala atitowana kunyaluluka.
6 Takazwipa ku Egipiti ne Asiriya,
kuti tiwane zojiwa tigute.
7 Bobatategulu bedu bakatjinya ngono abatjipo,
ngono tolobgwa shamu ye matjinyo abo.
8 Balanda banotibusa,
akuna ungatisunungula mu simba labo.
9 Towana tjatingaja ngolonga matjilo edu mu mbhatsha,
ngekwe thumo mu tjilambanyika.
10 Makanda edu anopisa se vutho,
tina luzhazhamo nge zhala.
11 Bakadzi bakadzugwa mu Ziyoni,
baanadi mu mizi ye Juda.
12 Makulukota akasungiligwa,
sholotjena adzitotetiwa.
13 Bazhuzha banokombeledziwa kushinga ku gwiyo
balisana banodengadenga nge mitolo ye hwuni.
14 Sholotjena adzitjagala ku mikoba ye nzi nkulu,
bazhuzha abatjalidza zwilidzo zwabo.
15 Kushatha kwe mimoyo yedu kwakama,
zana kwedu kwatjishanduka tjililo.
16 Tjiala tjakawa mu misholo yedu.
Yee mme wee! Tapalala ngobe takatjinya!
17 Ngekwa ikoku mimoyo yedu yakatimbama,
ngekwe zwithu izwezwi mesho edu aatjabona ngolila,
18 ngoti Dombo le Ziyoni latjibe dongo,
phungubgwe dzozanila mulili.
19 Koga imwi Yahwe mobusa nge kusingapele,
tjigalo tjenyu tje bushe tjodwa mu tjizekugwana kunoti ku tjizekugwana.
20 Ini mugala mutikangang'wa kene?
Ini mungatifupatila tjibaka tjingapa kene?
21 Mutibgwilize kakale kumuli imwi Yahwe,
kuti ndizo tibgwilile,
bgwilizani mazhuba edu ange a ntolo!
22 Kene makatilashila tjatjose?
Ne kugwadzamoyo kwenyu nge kusina tjilizanyo kene?