1 As when brushwood is set ablaze,or fire makes the water boil!Then your name would be made known to your enemiesand the nations would tremble before you,
2 While you worked awesome deeds we could not hope for,
3 such as had not been heard of from of old.No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen,any God but youworking such deeds for those who wait for him.
4 Would that you might meet us doing right,that we might be mindful of you in our ways!Indeed, you are angry; we have sinned,we have acted wickedly.
5 We have all become like something unclean,all our just deeds are like polluted rags;We have all withered like leaves,and our crimes carry us away like the wind.
6 There are none who call upon your name,none who rouse themselves to take hold of you;For you have hidden your face from usand have delivered us up to our crimes.
7 Yet, Lord, you are our father;we are the clay and you our potter:we are all the work of your hand.
8 Do not be so very angry, Lord,do not remember our crimes forever;look upon us, who are all your people!
9 Your holy cities have become a wilderness;Zion has become wilderness, Jerusalem desolation!
10 Our holy and glorious housein which our ancestors praised youHas been burned with fire;all that was dear to us is laid waste.
11 Can you hold back, Lord, after all this?Can you remain silent, and afflict us so severely?