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

1

Aria [Alto]

Violino I/II, Viola I/II, Continuo

Widerstehe doch der Sünde,
Stand firm against sin,
Sonst ergreifet dich ihr Gift.
otherwise its poison seizes hold of you.
Laß dich nicht den Satan blenden;
Do not let Satan blind you
Denn die Gottes Ehre schänden,
for to desecrate the honour of God
Trifft ein Fluch, der tödlich ist.
meets with a curse, which leads to death.

2

Recitative [Alto]

Continuo

Die Art verruchter Sünden
The nature of loathsome sins
Ist zwar von außen wunderschön;
is indeed from outside very beautiful;
Allein man muß
but you must
Hernach mit Kummer und Verdruß
afterwards with sorrow and frustration
Viel Ungemach empfinden.
experience much hardship.
Von außen ist sie Gold;
From outside it is gold
Doch, will man weiter gehn,
but if you want to look more closely
So zeigt sich nur ein leerer Schatten
it is shown to be only an empty shadow
Und übertünchtes Grab.
and whitewashed tomb.
Sie ist den Sodomsäpfeln gleich,
It is like the apples of Sodom
Und die sich mit derselben gatten,
and those who join with it
Gelangen nicht in Gottes Reich.
do not reach God's kingdom.
Sie ist als wie ein scharfes Schwert,
It is like a sharp sword
Das uns durch Leib und Seele fährt.
that goes through our body and soul.

3

Aria [Alto]

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

Wer Sünde tut, der ist vom Teufel,
Who commits sins is of the devil,
Denn dieser hat sie aufgebracht.
for it is he who has produced them.
Doch wenn man ihren schnöden Banden
but if against its despicable mobs
Mit rechter Andacht widerstanden,
with true devotion you stand firm,
Hat sie sich gleich davongemacht.
sin has at once fled away.

--

English Translation by Francis Browne (April 2002)
Contributed by Francis Browne (April 2002)

Cantata BWV 54: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
German Text | German-2 | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-1 | French-3 | French-4 | Hebrew-1 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian | Italian-2 | Russian-1 | Spanish-2

English Translations in Interlinear Format (English-3): Sorted by BWV Number | Sorted by Title | Sorted by Event | Note on English Translations

Texts & Translations: 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 1081-1089 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Sources | Poets & Composers | Discussions: Texts | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Introduction | Cantatas | Other Vocal | Non-Vocal | Performers | General Topics | Articles | Books | Movies
Biographies | Texts & Translations | Scores | References | Commentary | Music | Concerts | Bach Tour | Memorabilia
Chorale Texts | Chorale Melodies | Lutheran Church Year | Readings | Poets & Composers | Transcriptions
Search Website | Search Works/Movements | Terms & Abbreviations | Copyright Notice | How to contribute | Links