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THE
PRAYER OF MANASSES
KING OF JUDAH,
WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON
The Prayer of Manasses is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Churches. It is included in an appendix to the Latin Vulgate Bible.

1
1 O LORD Almighty, that are in heaven, you God of our fathers, of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; 2 who have made heaven and earth, with all the * Or, order Or, array Genesis 2:1 (Sept.). ornament thereof; 3 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; 4 whom all things fear, yes, tremble before your power; 5 for the majesty of your glory can’t be borne, and the anger of your threatening toward sinners is importable: 6 your merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; 7 for you are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, patient and abundant in mercy, and repent † Gr. of the evils of men. of bringing evils upon men. 8 ‡ The Alex. MS. omits You... saved.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: 9 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 my iniquities. 10 I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I can’t lift up my 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 didn’t do your will, neither did I keep your commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied ‡ Or, stumbling blocksdetestable 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, § Another reading is, O God. 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 you forever all the days of my life: for all the army of heaven sings your praise, and yours is the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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*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.

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