Vain are the hopes the sons of men

upon their works have built;

Their hearts by nature are unclean,

their actions full of guilt.

Silent let Jew and Gentile stand,

without one vaunting word,

And, humbled low, confess their guilt

before heav’n’s righteous Lord.

No hope can on the law be built

of justifying grace;

The law, that shows the sinner’s guilt,

condemns him to his face.

Jesus! how glorious is thy grace!

when in thy name we trust,

Our faith receives a righteousness

that makes the sinner just.