5 Even the mother deer in the fieldleaves her fawn.She does this because there is no grass.
6 Wild donkeys stand on the bare hills.They sniff the wind like wild dogs.But their eyes are dull becausethere is no food.”
7 We know that we suffer because of our sins.Lord, do something to help us for the good of your name.We have left you many times.We have sinned against you.
8 God, you are the Hope of Israel.You have saved Israel in times of trouble.But now you are like a stranger in the land.You are like a traveler who only stays one night.
9 You seem like a man who has been attacked by surprise.You seem like a warrior who is not able to save anyone.But you are among us, Lord.And we are called by your name.So don’t leave us without help!
10 This is what the Lord says about the people of Judah:“They really love to wander from me.They don’t stop themselves from leaving me.So now I, the Lord, will not accept them.I will now remember the evil they do.I will punish them for their sins.”
11 Then the Lord said this to me: “Don’t pray for good things to happen to the people of Judah.