5. Christi Glieder, ach bedenket

German text	English translation
Christi Glieder, ach bedenket,	Christ’s members, ah, consider,
Was der Heiland euch geschenket	what the Savior has bestowed on you
Durch der Taufe reines Bad!	through the pure bath of baptism!
Bei der Blut—und Wasserquelle	Through the spring of blood and water
Werden eure Kleider helle,	your garments will become bright,
Die befleckt von Missetat.	which are stained from sin.
Christus gab zum neuen Kleide	Christ gave as new garments
Roten purpur, weiße Seide,	crimson robes, white silk,
Diese sind der Christen Staat.	these are the trappings of the Christian.
	translation © Pamela Dellal, courtesy Emmanuel Music Inc.

About the text

Author: Unknown
Based on “a libretto from Salomo Franck’s cycle Evangelisches Andachts-Opffer” (Dürr 2005, 88)
Scripture readings for the day: Philippians 4:4–4:7; John 1:19–1:28

Full score: Neue Bach-Ausgabe I/1, p. 112
Background: Alfred Dürr, Cantatas of J. S. Bach (Oxford University Press, 2005), p. 86
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