\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Prayer of Manasses}

{\MTC THE

\par }{\MT PRAYER OF MANASSES

\par }{\MTB KING OF JUDAH,

\par }{\MTC WHEN HE WAS HOLDEN CAPTIVE IN BABYLON.



\par }\OneChap {\PP \VerseOne{1}O LORD Almighty, that art in heaven, thou God of our fathers, of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed;

\VS{2}who hast made heaven and earth, with all the
\FTNT{*}{{\FR 1:2 }Or,
{\FQA{order
}}{\FT{Or,
}}{\FQA{array
}}{\FT{Gen. ii. 1 (Sept.).}}} ornament thereof;

\VS{3}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;

\VS{4}whom all things fear, yea, tremble before thy power;

\VS{5}for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and the anger of thy threatening toward sinners is importable:

\VS{6}thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable;

\VS{7}for thou art the Lord Most High, of great compassion, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, and repentest
\FTNT{†}{{\FR 1:7 }Gr.
{\FQA{of the evils of men.}}} of bringing evils upon men.

\VS{8}\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 1:8 }The Alex. MS. omits
{\FQA{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:

\VS{9}for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions are multiplied,
\FTNT{§}{{\FR 1:9 }The Alex. MS. omits
{\FQA{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.

\VS{10}I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot lift up mine head
\FTNT{**}{{\FR 1:10 }Some authorities omit
{\FQA{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:
\FTNT{††}{{\FR 1:10 }The Alex. MS. omits
{\FQA{I did... commandments.}}}I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied
\FTNT{‡‡}{{\FR 1:10 }Or,
{\FQA{stumbling-blocks}}}detestable things.

\VS{11}Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace.

\VS{12}I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities:

\VS{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,
\FTNT{§§}{{\FR 1:13 }Another reading is,
{\FQA{O God.}}} O Lord, art the God of them that repent;

\VS{14}and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy.

\VS{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.


\par }