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Cantata BWV 54
Widerstehe doch der Sünde
English Translation in Parallel Format
Cantata BWV 54 - Stand firm against sin

Event: Dominica Oculi [3rd Sunday in Lent]
Readings: Epistle: Ephesians 5: 1-9; Gospel: Luke 11: 14-28
Text: Georg Christian Lehms

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

       

1

Recitativo A

1

Aria [Alto]

 

Violino I/II, Viola I/II, Continu

   
 

Widerstehe doch der Sünde,
Sonst ergreifet dich ihr Gift.
Laß dich nicht den Satan blenden;
Denn die Gottes Ehre schänden,
Trifft ein Fluch, der tödlich ist.

 

Stand firm against sin,
otherwise its poison seizes hold of you.
Do not let Satan blind you
for to desecrate the honour of God
meets with a curse, which leads to death.

       

2

Recitativo A

2

Recitative [Alto]

 

Continuo

   
 

Die Art verruchter Sünden
Ist zwar von außen wunderschön;
Allein man muss
Hernach mit Kummer und Verdruss
Viel Ungemach empfinden.
Von außen ist sie Gold;
Doch, will man weiter gehn,
So zeigt sich nur ein leerer Schatten
Und übertünchtes Grab.
Sie ist den Sodomsäpfeln gleich,
Und die sich mit derselben gatten,
Gelangen nicht in Gottes Reich.
Sie ist als wie ein scharfes Schwert,
Das uns durch Leib und Seele fährt.

 

The nature of loathsome sins
is indeed from outside very beautiful;
but you must
afterwards with sorrow and frustration
experience much hardship.
From outside it is gold
but if you want to look more closely
it is shown to be only an empty shadow
and whitewashed tomb.
It is like the apples of Sodom
and those who join with it
do not reach God's kingdom.
It is like a sharp sword
that goes through our body and soul.

       

3

Aria A

3

Aria [Alto]

 

Violino I/II all' unisono, Viola I/II all' unisono, Continuo

   
 

Wer Sünde tut, der ist vom Teufel,
Denn dieser hat sie aufgebracht.
Doch wenn man ihren schnöden Banden
Mit rechter Andacht widerstanden,
Hat sie sich gleich davongemacht.

 

Who commits sins is of the devil,
for it is he who has produced them.
but if against its despicable mobs
with true devotion you stand firm,
sin has at once fled away.

       

This Translation in Interlinear Format

English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2002)

Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2002)

Cantata BWV 54: Widerstehe doch der Sünde for Oculi [3rd Sunday in Lent] or 7th Sunday after Trinity (1715 ?)
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Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

BWV 54 Text: German-1 | German-2 | German-6 | German-7 | NBA Text
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Texts & Translations: Main Page | Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Other Vocal BWV 225-249 | Chorales BWV 250-438 | Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507 | AMN BWV 508-524 | Other Vocal 1081-1164 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Emblemata | Sources | Poets & Composers
Discussions: Texts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4




 

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Last update: Monday, January 09, 2023 14:25