1
Ee Bwana, kumbuka yaliyotupata; Utazame na kuiona aibu yetu.
Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace!
2
Urithi wetu umegeuka kuwa mali ya wageni; Na nyumba zetu kuwa mali ya makafiri.
Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
3
Tumekuwa yatima waliofiwa na baba; Mama zetu wamekuwa kama wajane.
We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows.
4
Tumekunywa maji yetu kwa fedha; Kuni zetu twauziwa.
We must buy the water we drink; our wood comes at a price.
5
Watufuatiao wa juu ya shingo zetu; Tumechoka tusipate raha yo yote.
We are closely pursued; we are weary and find no rest.
6
Tumewapa hao Wamisri mkono; Na Waashuri nao, ili tushibe chakula.
We submitted to Egypt and Assyria to get enough bread.
7
Baba zetu walitenda dhambi hata hawako; Na sisi tumeyachukua maovu yao.
Our fathers sinned and are no more, but we bear their punishment.
8
Watumwa wanatutawala; Hakuna mtu wa kutuokoa na mikono yao.
Slaves rule over us; there is no one to deliver us from their hands.
9
Twapata chakula kwa kujihatarisha nafsi zetu; Kwa sababu ya upanga wa nyikani.
We get our bread at the risk of our lives because of the sword in the wilderness.
10
Ngozi yetu ni nyeusi kama tanuu; Kwa sababu ya hari ya njaa ituteketezayo.
Our skin is as hot as an oven with fever from our hunger.
11
Huwatia jeuri wanawake katika Sayuni; Na mabikira katika miji ya Yuda.
Women have been ravished in Zion, virgins in the cities of Judah.
12
Wakuu hutungikwa kwa mikono yao; Nyuso za wazee hazipewi heshima.
Princes have been hung up by their hands; elders receive no respect.
13
Vijana huyachukua mawe ya kusagia; Na watoto hujikwaa chini ya kuni.
Young men toil at millstones; boys stagger under loads of wood.
14
Wazee wameacha kwenda langoni; Na vijana kwenda ngomani.
The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music.
15
Furaha ya mioyo yetu imekoma; Machezo yetu yamegeuka maombolezo.
Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
16
Taji ya kichwa chetu imeanguka; Ole wetu! Kwa kuwa tumetenda dhambi.
The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!
17
Kwa sababu hiyo mioyo yetu imezimia; Kwa ajili ya hayo macho yetu hayaoni vema.
Because of this, our hearts are faint; because of these, our eyes grow dim—
18
Kwa ajili ya mlima Sayuni ulio ukiwa, Mbweha hutembea juu yake.
because of Mount Zion, which lies desolate, patrolled by foxes.
19
Wewe, Bwana, unadumu milele; Kiti chako cha enzi ni tangu kizazi hata kizazi.
You, O LORD, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation.
20
Mbona watusahau sikuzote; Na kutuacha muda huu mwingi?
Why have You forgotten us forever? Why have You forsaken us for so long?
21
Ee Bwana, utugeuze kwako, nasi tutageuka; Zifanye mpya siku zetu kama siku za kale.
Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,
22
Isipokuwa wewe umetukataa kabisa; Nawe una hasira nyingi sana juu yetu. </p>
unless You have utterly rejected us and remain angry with us beyond measure.