Let us awake from sleep, and with sighs call out to the Lord. Day and night let us labor, attending to our correction while our life still lasts, until the time comes when there will be no more place for repentance. Let us stand vigilant at the Bridegroom’s door, that we might enter with the Bridegroom into His bridal chamber and inherit eternal life.

Come, let us all sing praises to God at night and imitate the hosts of angels who ceaselessly praise Him. And our Savior, when He arises and comes, accompanied by the angels, and sees our wakefulness and our vigilance, will call us His good servants and will seat us at His banquet.

With the righteous, who have pleased God day and night, let us labor in good things, beg our Lord for mercy; and, singing with David, let us say: at midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous judgments. Spare me, have mercy on me, and vouchsafe me the inheritance of Thy kingdom.

I will not cease to praise Thee, O our Lord. Ceaselessly will I sing of Thy glory, that Thy truth might not condemn me. I know the extent of my guilt. I know that if Thou dost punish me according to my sins, then mine inheritance will be Gehenna. Then all hope will be lost. My prayer will be silenced. Have mercy on me, therefore, and forgive me my debts.

I slipped and fell into sin. Extend to me Thy right hand and I will arise, like the harlot in Simon’s house, like the thief on the Cross. Have mercy on me, Thou Who art kindhearted to sinners.