Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

‘The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.’

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good;
According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me,

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.