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?
Mätu ta Yauni rota
1 Äye OPI, miyi ta tase ko'debe
ämädri ono ro.
Mindrevo ämädri,
ago mindre driupi amaro.
2 Drimbi amaro 'dete dri atrai roya;
'diatra ka ori teni 'bai amaro yasi.
3 Ma'dote kyemvoi ro täpii ako,
yauono endrei amaro te ävuzii ro.
4 Beṛo ämäri gyi se màbe umvuna ogyene ogye,
ago beṛo tiza se màlebe ämäri ogyene ogye.
5 Oro ama te mbara cini si,
ama te rritiro,
caoko ozo loli kote ämäri.
6 Mugu drilämite le Ezipeto ndi Asaria be ya,
ŋgaonya amba ta ämäri adriza.
7 Zutui amaro yeyi takozi te,
oko yauono ànya te i'do,
mà teni rueza ta
takozi ànyaro rota.
8 Lidri se ca iyeäṛi ro
kwoi kayite ni ama miri,
ago 'diaza ni kote ama opane
ni mbara ànyaro yasi.
9 Manjate adri amaro lomvo
ŋgaonya uṛivoya;
tana 'ditufu'bai nde rote vo cini yasi.
10 Täbiri 'ba dri amaro te u'bone,
madale lomvo kyini amaro emete
zwiṛi oso doka ronye.
11 Otopa 'ditoko amaro te mbarasi
'Bereŋwa Zaiona dri;
Otopa ndiriŋwa amaro te mbarasi
'baŋwai cini Yuda ro yasi.
12 Äru dri'bai amaro te
ago otoyite ice drisi;
Oye taoro kote agoàmbago ri.
13 A'ba agoànji te inya uyine mbarasi;
ago ŋgagà àgoŋwa kate aba pälipäliro
ni läŋgyi tiza ro ri.
14 'Diodeodero ri kote dereŋwa 'bakici ro kala,
ago agoànji ŋgo loŋgo kote.
15 Riyä kyete ni ori amaro yasi;
ago läri oto amaro tozarute liyi ro.
16 Driuŋgyi cini amaro te i'do,
ago yauono ama te kandrakozi ya,
tana maye takozi te.
17 Ya amaro te adravo ro,
mäni kote vo ondrene kadoro ni miendre ri,
18 tana 'Bereŋwa Zaiona ro te awi tandro ro,
kobai kate ni la'be tandro na yasi.
19 Oko mi, Äye OPI,
mi ni 'bädri'ba äduako yi,
ago nyimirina vo ni le tu äduro si.
20 Tana e'di nyije ta amaro gwo
tiṛi nonye niya?
Tana e'di nye'be ama gwo
iṛe mada mada niya?
21 Äye OPI, nyologo ama kovole mire!
Mego robe vo amaro ya!
Mi'ba tu amaro ka'do oso se kyeno kai ronye.
22 Kode inye'do mile ama
kote cu alona ya?
Inye'do mi teṛo kyilaro
kozipara ama be ya?