5 In the field the mother deerabandons her newborn fawnbecause there is no grass.
6 The wild donkeys stand on the hilltopsand pant for breath like jackals;their eyesight fails thembecause they have no food.
7 My people cry out to me,‘Even though our sins accuse us,help us, Lord, as you have promised.We have turned away from you many times;we have sinned against you.
8 You are Israel's only hope;you are the one who saves us from disaster.Why are you like a stranger in our land,like a traveller who stays for only one night?
9 Why are you like someone taken by surprise,like a soldier powerless to help?Surely, Lord, you are with us!We are your people;do not abandon us.’ ”
10 The Lord says about these people, “They love to run away from me, and they will not control themselves. So I am not pleased with them. I will remember the wrongs they have done and punish them because of their sins.”
11 The Lord said to me, “Do not ask me to help these people.