The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Babylon 01
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 O LORD Almighty in heaven, God of our
fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of
their righteous offspring,
2 you who have made heaven and earth,
with all their order,
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 unbearable.
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 relent at human suffering.
8 †You, O Lord, according to your great
goodness have promised repentance and
forgiveness to those who have sinned
against you. Of your infinite mercies,
you have appointed repentance to sinners,
that they may be saved. You therefore, O
Lord, who are the God of the just, have
not appointed repentance to the just, to
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which have
not sinned against you, but you have
appointed repentance to me, a sinner.
9 For I have sinned more than 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, so that I can’t lift up my head by
reason of my sins,§ neither have I any
relief; for I have provoked your wrath, and
done that which is evil before you:† I didn’t
do your will, neither did I keep your
commandments. I have set up abominations,
and have multiplied detestable things.
11 Now therefore I bow the knee of my
heart, asking you for grace.
12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,
and I acknowledge my iniquities;
13 but, I humbly ask you, forgive me, O
Lord, forgive me, and please don’t destroy
me with my iniquities. Don’t be angry with
me forever, by reserving evil for me. Don’t
condemn me into the lower parts of the
earth. For you, O Lord, are the God ofthose
who repent.
14 In me you will show all your goodness,
for you will save me, even though I am
unworthy, according to your great mercy.
15 Then 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.