Ascription of Praise

1O Lord Almighty,

God of our ancestors,

of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob

and of their righteous offspring;

2you who made heaven and earth

with all their order;

3who shackled the sea by your word of command,

who confined the deep

and sealed it with your terrible and glorious name;

4at whom all things shudder,

and tremble before your power,

5for your glorious splendour cannot be borne,

and the wrath of your threat to sinners is unendurable;

6yet immeasurable and unsearchable

is your promised mercy,

7for you are the Lord Most High,

of great compassion, long-suffering, and very merciful,

and you relent at human suffering.

O Lord, according to your great goodness

you have promised repentance and forgiveness

to those who have sinned against you,

and in the multitude of your mercies

you have appointed repentance for sinners,

so that they may be saved.1.7 Other ancient authorities lack O Lord, according…be saved

8Therefore you, O Lord, God of the righteous,

have not appointed repentance for the righteous,

for Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, who did not sin against you,

but you have appointed repentance for me, who am a sinner.

Confession of Sins

9For the sins I have committed are more in number than the sand of the sea;

my transgressions are multiplied, O Lord, they are multiplied!

I am not worthy to look up and see the height of heaven

because of the multitude of my iniquities.

10I am weighted down with many an iron fetter,

so that I am rejected1.10 Other ancient authorities read so that I cannot lift up my head because of my sins,

and I have no relief;

for I have provoked your wrath

and have done what is evil in your sight,

setting up abominations and multiplying offences.

Supplication for Pardon

11And now I bend the knee of my heart,

imploring you for your kindness.

12I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,

and I acknowledge my transgressions.

13I earnestly implore you,

forgive me, O Lord, forgive me!

Do not destroy me with my transgressions!

Do not be angry with me for ever or store up evil for me;

do not condemn me to the depths of the earth.

For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent,

14and in me you will manifest your goodness;

for, unworthy as I am, you will save me according to your great mercy,

15and I will praise you continually all the days of my life.

For all the host of heaven sings your praise,

and yours is the glory for ever. Amen.