Emendemus in melius quae ignoranter peccavimus;
ne subito praeoccupati die mortis,
quaeramus spatium poenitentiae, et invenire non possimus.
Attende, Domine, et miserere; quia peccavimus tibi.
Variant 1
Peccavimus cum patribus nostris, iniuste egimus, iniquitatem fecimus.
Variant 2
Memento, homo, quia pulvis es et in pulverem reverteris.
Variant 3
Adjuva nos, Deus salutaris noster, et propter honorem nominis tui libera nos.
English translation
Let us amend for the better in those things in which we have sinned through ignorance;
lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death,
we seek space for repentance, and be not able to find it.
Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy: for we have sinned against thee.
Variant 1
We have sinned like our fathers, we have acted unjustly and done wrong.
Variant 2
Remember, O man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.
Variant 3
Help us, O God of our salvation, and for the honour of thy name deliver us.