THE
PRAYER OF MANASSES
KING OF JUDAH,
WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON
Chapter 1
O LORD Almighty, that are in heaven, you God of our fathers, of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who have made heaven and earth, with all the *Or, order Or, array Gen. ii. 1 (Sept.). ornament thereof; 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; whom all things fear, yes, tremble before your power; for the majesty of your glory can’t be borne, and the anger of your threatening toward sinners is importable: your merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for you are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, and repent Gr. of the evils of men. of bringing evils upon men. The Alex. MS. omits You... 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: 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 can’t 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 your wrath, and done that which is evil before you: ††The Alex. MS. omits I did... commandments.I did not your will, neither kept I your commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied ‡‡Or, stumbling blocksdetestable 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, O God. 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.