THE
PRAYER OF MANASSES
KING OF JUDAH,
WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON
1
1 O LORD Almighty, that are in heaven, you God of our fathers, of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed;
2 who have made heaven and earth, with all the +Or,orderOr,arrayGenesis2:1 (Sept.). ornament thereof;
3 who have bound the sea by the word of your commandment; who have shut up the deep, and sealed it by your terrible and glorious name;
4 whom all things fear, yes, tremble before your power;
5 for the majesty of your glory can’t be borne, and the anger of your threatening toward sinners is importable:
6 your merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable;
7 for you are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, and repent +Gr.ofthe evils of men. of bringing evils upon men.
8 +The Alex. MS. omitsYou...saved.You, O Lord, according to your great goodness have promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against you: and of your infinite mercies have appointed repentance to sinners, that they may be saved. You therefore, O Lord, that are the God of the just, have not appointed repentance to the just, to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against you; but you have appointed repentance to me that am a sinner:
9 for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions are multiplied, +The Alex. MS. omitsOLord... multiplied. O Lord: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities.
10 I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I can’t lift up mine head +Some authorities omitbyreason of my sins.by reason of my sins, neither have I any respite: for I have provoked your wrath, and done that which is evil before you: +The Alex. MS. omitsIdid... commandments.I did not your will, neither kept I your commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied +Or,stumblingblocksdetestable things.
11 Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching you of grace.
12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities:
13 but, I humbly beseech you, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquities. Be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth. For you, +Another reading is,OGod. O Lord, are the God of them that repent;
14 and in me you will show all your goodness: for you will save me, that am unworthy, according to your great mercy.
15 And I will praise the for ever all the days of my life: for all the host of heaven does sing your praise, and your is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.