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Unless I have turned over a new leaf, I am ashamed to appear before a mere human with
whom I have often not been true to my word.
How could I stand before Thee, my God, without shame and self-reproach, when so
many times before Thy Throne, before the angels and saints, I have given promises and
have not fulfilled them.
How base I am!
How criminal!
To Thee, Oh Lord, is truth, and to me are shameful faces" (Book of Daniel).
Only your boundless goodness can endure me.
Thou dost not destroy the sinner; do not destroy the penitent.
Teach me how to bring to mind and count the sins of my past life, the sins of an empty-
headed youth, the sins of proud manhood, the sins of day and of night, sins against Thee,
my Lord and Savior.
How can I count them in the few minutes in which I stand in this Holy Place? I
remember, Lord, that thou didst heed the few words of the publican and the thief.
I know that thou mercifully greetest even a readiness to repent,
and I pray to Thee with all my soul, "My Lord, accept as my repentance the daily
confession of sins that the sacred book contains.
I have many more sins than it lists, and I have no way to make amends for them.
I offer now only a striving for thee and a desire for the good, but I have no strength to
reform.
Oh Lord and Lover and Mankind!
Thou dost not drive away the sinner who comes to Thee, beseeching Thee for
forgiveness.
Before he even comes to the door of Thy mercy, thou hast already opened it for him;
before he falls down before Thee, thou hast already stretched out Thy hand to him; before
he confesses his sins, thou hast granted him forgiveness.
Grant it to me who repents, grant it according to Thy great mercy; forgive all the bad
things that I have done, said, and thought.