Event: Cantata for the 17^th Sunday after Trinity
Readings: Epistle: Ephesians 4: 1-6; Gospel: Luke 14: 1-11
Text: Luke 14: 11 & 18: 14 (Mvt. 1); Johann Friedrich Helbig (Mvts. 2-4); Anon (Mvt. 5)
Chorale Text: Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz

Biblical quotations in green font, chorales in purple

1

Chorus [S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Wer sich selbst erhöhet,
Who exalts himself
der soll erniedriget werden,
Will be humbled,
und wer sich selbst erniedriget,
And who humbles himself
der soll erhöhet werden.
Will be exalted. (Luke 14:11)

2

Aria [Soprano]

Organo obligato, Continuo

Wer ein wahrer Christ will heißen,
Whoever wants to be called a true Christian
Muss der Demut sich befleißen;
Must be concerned with humility;
Demut stammt aus Jesu Reich.
Humility comes from Jesus's kingdom.
Hoffart ist dem Teufel gleich;
Haughtiness is like the devil;
Gott pflegt alle die zu hassen,
God is accustomed to hate all those
So den Stolz nicht fahrenlassen.
Who do not abandon arrogance.

3

Recitative [Bass]

Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo

Der Mensch ist Kot, Staub[or Stank], Asch und Erde;
Man is filth, dust,[or stench] ash and earth;
Ist's möglich, dass vom Übermut,
Is it possible that from overweening pride
Als einer Teufelsbrut,
As one of the Devil's brood
Er noch bezaubert werde?
He is still deluded?
Ach Jesus, Gottes Sohn,
Ah Jesus , son of God
Der Schöpfer aller Dinge,
Creator of everything
Ward unsretwegen niedrig und geringe,
For our sake became humble and insignificant,
Er duldte Schmach und Hohn;
He endured disgrace and mockery;
Und du, du armer Wurm, suchst dich zu brüsten?
And you poor worm, do you try to boast about yourself?
Gehört sich das vor einen Christen?
Is this how a Christian should behave?
Geh, schäme dich, du stolze Kreatur,
Go and be ashamed of yourself, you arrogant creature,
Tu Buß und folge Christi Spur;
Feel repentance and follow in Christ's footsteps
Wirf dich vor Gott im Geiste gläubig nieder!
Throw yourself down before God in faith!
Zu seiner Zeit erhöht er dich auch wieder.
In his own time he will raise you up again.

4

Aria [Bass]

Oboe, Violino, Continuo

Jesu, beuge doch mein Herze
Jesus, bend therefore my heart
Unter deine starke Hand,
Beneath your strong hand,
Dass ich nicht mein Heil verscherze
So that I do not forfeit my salvation
Wie der erste Höllenbrand.
As the first fire of hell
Laß mich deine Demut suchen
Let me seek your humility
Und den Hochmut ganz verfluchen;
And curse arrogance completely;
Gib mir einen niedern Sinn,
Give me a humble mind
Dass ich dir gefällig bin!
So that I may be pleasing to you!

5

Chorale [S, A, T, B]

Oboe I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Violino II coll'Alto, Viola col Tenore, Continuo

Der zeitlichen Ehrn will ich gern entbehrn,
Worldly honour I shall do without completely,
Du wollst mir nur das Ewge gewährn,
If You will only grant me what is eternal
Das du erworben hast
That you have won
Durch deinen herben, bittern Tod.
Through your harsh bitter death
Das bitt ich dich, mein Herr und Gott.
I ask you for this, my Lord and my God.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (December 2007)
Contributed by Francis Browne (December 2007)

Cantata BWV 47: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
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Chorale Text: Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz

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