The candles are lit before the blessing is recited.
Baruch atah, Adonai
Eloheinu, Melech haolam,
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav,
v’tzivanu l’hadlik
ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the universe, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.