Page:Apocryphal Gospels and Other Documents Relating to the History of Christ.djvu/71

As the volume is not much known among Christians, I copy here the translation of Mr. Ascher: "My God, and the God of my ancestors! O deign that my prayers may come before Thee, and hide not Thyself from my supplications; efface all my sins which I have sinned against Thee all my life long unto this day, for I have acted foolishly; I am ashamed and confused; my evil inclinations enticed me to rebellion. O may my trouble and affliction be my atonement, and blot out the deeds of my backsliding; for against Thee only have I sinned. Alas! I have trespassed, I have been treacherous, I have stolen, I have spoken slander, I have committed iniquity, and acted wickedly, I have sinned designedly, and I have committed violence, I have framed falsehood, I have given evil counsel, I have uttered lies; I have blasphemed and revolted, I have been rebellious, I have acted perversely; I have been stiffnecked, I have acted wickedly and corrupted myself; I have done abominably, I have gone astray, and caused others to err; I have also turned aside from Thy excellent precepts and institutions, and which hath not profited me: but Thou art just concerning all that is come upon us, for Thou hast dealt most truly, and I have done most wickedly." (p. 119.)