THE
PRAYER OF MANASSES
KING OF JUDAH,
WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON
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 * 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 of bringing evils upon men. You, O Lord, according to your great goodness have promised repentance and forgiveness to those who 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, § O Lord: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of my iniquities. 10 I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I can’t lift up my head **by reason of my sins, neither have I any respite: for I have provoked your wrath, and done that which is evil before you: ††I did not your will, neither kept I your commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied ‡‡detestable things. 11 Now therefore I bow the knee of my heart, beseeching you of grace. 12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my iniquities: 13 but, I humbly beseech you, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with my iniquities. Be not angry with me forever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me into the lower parts of the earth. For you, §§ O Lord, are the God of those who 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 forever all the days of my life: for all the army of heaven does sing your praise, and your is the glory forever and ever. Amen.
* 1:2 Or, order Or, array Genesis 2:1 (Sept.). 1:7 Gr. of the evils of men. 1:8 The Alex. MS. omits You... 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.