THE
PRAYER OF MANASSES
KING OF JUDAH,
WHEN HE WAS HOLDEN CAPTIVE IN BABYLON.
1
O LORD Almighty, that art in heaven, thou God of our fathers, of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who hast made heaven and earth, with all the *Or, order Or, array Gen. ii. 1 (Sept.). ornament thereof; who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious name; whom all things fear, yea, tremble before thy power; for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and the anger of thy threatening toward sinners is importable: thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for thou art the Lord Most High, of great compassion, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, and repentest Gr. of the evils of men. of bringing evils upon men. The Alex. MS. omits Thou... saved.Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions are multiplied, §The Alex. MS. omits O Lord... 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 cannot lift up mine head **Some authorities omit by reason of my sins.by reason of my sins, neither have I any respite: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done that which is evil before thee: ††The Alex. MS. omits I did... commandments.I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied ‡‡Or, stumbling-blocksdetestable things. 11 Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. 12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities: 13 but, I humbly beseech thee, 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 thou, §§Another reading is, O God. O Lord, art the God of them that repent; 14 and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. 15 And I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the host of heaven doth sing thy praise, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

*1:2 Or, order Or, array Gen. ii. 1 (Sept.).

1:7 Gr. of the evils of men.

1:8 The Alex. MS. omits Thou... saved.

§1:9 The Alex. MS. omits O Lord... multiplied.

**1:10 Some authorities omit by reason of my sins.

††1:10 The Alex. MS. omits I did... commandments.

‡‡1:10 Or, stumbling-blocks

§§1:13 Another reading is, O God.