1 Awaked by Sinai's awful sound,
My soul in guilt and thrall I found,
Exposed to endless woe;
Eternal truth did loud proclaim
The sinner must be born again,
Or else to ruin go.

2 Amazed I stood, but could not tell
Which way to shun the gates of hell;
For death and hell drew near.
I strove, indeed, but strove in vain--
The sinner must be born again,
Still sounded in my ear.

3 The saints I heard, with rapture tell,
How Jesus conquered death and hell,
And broke the fowler's snare;
Yet when I found this truth remain--
The sinner must be born again--
I sunk in deep despair.

4 But while I thus in anguish lay,
Jesus of Naz'reth passed that way--
I felt his pity move;
The sinner, by his justice slain,
Now, by his grace, is born again,
And sings redeeming love.