\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,
order
Or,
array
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.
of the evils of men.} of bringing evils upon men.
\VS{8}\FTNT{‡}{{\FR 1:8 }
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:
\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
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
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
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,
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,
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 }