Prayer of Manasseh 1

¹Lord Almighty, God of our ancestors,[#2 Chr 33.11–13, 18–19]

God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

God of their righteous descendants,

²you created the universe

and all the splendour that fills it.

³The sea obeys your command

and never overflows its bounds.

The power of your wonderful, glorious name

keeps the ocean depths in their place.

⁴When you show your power,

all creation trembles.

⁵Your glorious splendour is overwhelming,

and your anger is more than sinners can endure.

⁶But the mercy you promise is also greater

than we can understand or measure.

⁷For you are the Lord Most High;

you are patient and show mercy and compassion.

You make our punishment easier to bear

when we suffer for our sins.

O Lord, in your great goodness and mercy

you promise forgiveness and salvation

to those who repent of their sin against you.

⁸You, Lord, are the God of righteous people.

Repentance was not necessary

for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

for they did not sin against you.

But for sinners like me

you have made repentance possible.

⁹I have committed more sins[#2 Kgs 21.1–18]

than there are grains of sand along the seashore.

They are so many, Lord, they are so many.

I have done so much that is wrong

that I am not worthy to turn my face towards heaven.

¹⁰I am crushed beneath the weight of my sin;[#v.10 … ; Greek unclear]

I am bowed down by its heavy iron chain.

I can find no relief,

for I have made you angry.

I have set up idols everywhere;

I have done what you hate.

¹¹But now I bow in deep humility,

praying for your mercy.

¹²I have sinned, Lord, I have sinned;

I confess the wicked things I have done.

¹³I beg you, Lord, I earnestly pray:

forgive me, forgive me.

Do not destroy me because of my sins;

do not be angry with me for ever

or store up punishment for me.

Do not condemn me to the world of the dead,

for you, O Lord, forgive those who repent.

¹⁴Show me all your mercy and kindness and save me,

even though I do not deserve it.

¹⁵Then I will go on praising you as long as I live.

All the heavenly powers sing your praises,

and your glory endures for ever. Amen.