Imitation 3 5219 verses
1O Lord, I am not worthy of Thy consolation, nor of any spiritual visitation; and therefore Thou dealest justly with me, when Thou leavest me poor and desolate.
2For if I were able to pour forth tears like the sea, still should I not be worthy of Thy consolation.
3Therefore am I nothing worthy save to be scourged and punished, because I have grievously and many a time offended Thee, and in many things have greatly sinned.
4Therefore, true account being taken, I am not worthy even of the least of Thy consolations.
5But Thou, gracious and merciful God, who willest not that Thy works should perish, to show forth the riches of Thy mercy upon the vessels of mercy, vouchsafest even beyond all his own deserving, to comfort Thy servant above the measure of mankind.
6For Thy consolations are not like unto the discoursings of men.
7What have I done, O Lord, that Thou shouldst bestow any heavenly comfort upon me?
8I remember not that I have done any good, but have been ever prone to sin and slow to amendment.
9It is true and I cannot deny it.
10If I should say otherwise, Thou wouldst rise up against me, and there would be none to defend me.
11What have I deserved for my sins but hell and everlasting fire?
12In very truth I confess that I am worthy of all scorn and contempt, nor is it fit that I should be remembered among Thy faithful servants.
13And although I be unwilling to hear this, nevertheless I will for the Truth’s sake, accuse myself of my sins, that the more readily I may prevail to be accounted worthy of Thy mercy.
14What shall I say, guilty that I am and filled with confusion?
15I have no mouth to utter, unless it be this word alone, “I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned; have mercy upon me, forgive me.” “Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little before I go whence I shall not return even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death.” What dost Thou so much require of a guilty and miserable sinner, as that he be contrite, and humble himself for his sins?
16In true contrition and humiliation of heart is begotten the hope of pardon, the troubled conscience is reconciled, lost grace is recovered, a man is preserved from the wrath to come, and God and the penitent soul hasten to meet each other with a holy kiss.
17The humble contrition of sinners is an acceptable sacrifice unto Thee, O Lord, sending forth a smell sweeter far in Thy sight than the incense.
18This also is that pleasant ointment which Thou wouldst have poured upon Thy sacred feet, “for a broken and contrite heart Thou hast never despised.” There is the place of refuge from the wrathful countenance of the enemy.
19There is amended and washed away whatsoever evil hath elsewhere been contracted.
