The Prayer of Manasseh
[The Prayer of Manasses King of Judah]




PrMan 1
O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who hast made heaven and
earth, with all the ornament thereof; 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; whom all men fear,
and tremble before thy power; for the majesty of thy glory
cannot be borne, and thine angry threatening toward sinners is
importable: but thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and
unsearchable; for thou art the most high Lord, of great
compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the
evils of men. 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, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed
repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the
number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are
multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not
worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude
of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I
cannot life up mine head, neither have any release: for I have
provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy
will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up
abominations, and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow
the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned,
O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities:
wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive
me, and destroy me not with mine iniquites. Be not angry with me
for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the
lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of
them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for
thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great
mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my
life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and
thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.