Edition notes: Transcribed from 1611 print. Original key (chiavi naturali) and note values. The upper three voices have in the second part "Confitemur in correptione quod flevimus". We have corrected it to "Confitemur in correptione quod egimus", as found in the Tenor.
Ante oculos tuos, Domine, culpas nostras ferimus; et plagas quas accepimus, conferimus.
[Si pensamus malum quod fecimus,] minus est quod patimur, majus est quod meremur.
[Gravius est quod commisimus, levius est quod toleramus.]
Peccati poenam sentimus, et peccandi pertinaciam non vitamus.
In flagellis tuis infirmitas nostras vertitur, et iniquitas non mutatur.
Mens aegra torquetur, et cervix non flectitur.
[Vita in dolore suspirat, et in opere non se emendat.]
Si expectas, non corrigimur; si vindicas, non duramus.
Confitemur in correctione quod flevimus;
obliviscimur post visitationem quod flevimus.
Si extenderis manum, facienda promittimus;
si suspenderis gladium, promissa non solvimus.
Si feres, clamamus ut parcas; si peperceris, iterum provocamus ut ferias.
[Habes, Domine, confitentes reos; novimus quod nisi dimittas,
recte nos perimus.]
Praesta, Pater omnipotens, sine merito quod rogamus,
qui fecisti ex nihilo qui te rogarent. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Amen.
English translation
Lord, before your eyes we bring our sins, and compare them with the wounds we have received.
[When we think of the evil we have done,] little is that which we suffer, great that which we deserve.
[Heaviest are our offences, lightest our burden.]
We are afflicted by the punishment of our sin, yet we avoid not the obstinate desire of sinning.
The weakness of our flesh is turned under your scourges, yet our iniquity does not change.
The sick soul is tormented, yet the neck is not bent.
[In pain our life sighs heavily; yet its deeds are in no way amended.]
If you wait for us, we are not corrected; if you take vengeance, we bear it not.
When we are corrected, we weep for our shortcomings;
after you have visited us, we forget that which we bewailed.
If you stretch forth Thy hand, we promise what we will do;
if you delay drawing your sword, we do not perform our promises.
If you strike us, we cry to Thee to spare us; if you spare us, we provoke you again to strike.
[Lord, hear the confession of your guilty people; for we know well that unless you should pardon us,
you are right to consume us.]
Almighty Father, grant us that which, though we pray, we do not deserve to obtain;
You who created mankind out of nothing, that they might pray to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.