Author: Georges Michel Mangold (1822-1894) Composer: Martin Luther (1485-1546)
1. Two ways, O man, are there for thee; There are two destinations. Upon the path to heav’n we bear The cross and tribulations. The other path with joy abounds, And yet no inward peace is found; It leads thee to destruction.
2. Eternity is drawing near; O, seek your soul’s salvation! Upon the narrow path of life There’s mercy and protection. Eternal is the great reward, If on the pathway of the Lord You fear not the afflictions.
3. If on the path you do remain Where sin the mortals cherish, And God’s rich mercy you disdain, Your hopes will surely perish. Woe unto you, if here you stay, With unbelieving heart obey The pow’r of sin and darkness.
4. O, why not turn, and heed the call, And come in true submission! His pardon’s free to one and all; In Him you’ll find remission. For you have lived, whoe’er you be, In worldly thought and vanity, Which lead into perdition.
5. In God’s good word you’ll surely find The way to life immortal. Through Jesus’ death the pathway leads To heaven’s open portal. Upon the cross His life He gave, And triumphed over death and grave; He bore your soul’s transgressions.
6. If thou wouldst own the gift of grace And heaven’s joy inherit, Then walk by faith before His face, Led by the Lord’s own Spirit. Thou must with Christ be crucified, And all thy sins and all thy pride Upon His cross must perish.
7. In true repentance, die to sin, In Jesus’ name believing! Baptized into His death with Him, Full pardon be receiving! Who dies with Christ will with Him rise, A new life’s way before him lies, The road of life with Jesus.
8. His way at first may seem too hard, Too steep, and full of sorrow; Yet peace e’en now is its reward, And bliss in God’s tomorrow. Who through the narrow gate doth press, An inner peace will he possess And very joy in living.
9. The broader way at first may seem As through a pleasant pasture, But in its path great dangers teem; It ends in dark disaster. In righteous anger God will cast Into great agony at last The unrepentant sinner.
10. Therefore, O soul, consider well What there shall be your portion, And choose while yet you live on earth The way of full salvation! If in the Lord your hopes do rest, Then with this treasure you are blest. Woe to the unbelievers!