37 The priests and Levites, and those who were of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and in the country, on the new moon of the seventh month, and the children of Israel in their settlements.
38 *The whole multitude gathered together with one accord into the broad place before the porch of the temple towards the east. 39 They said to Esdras the priest and reader, “Bring the law of Moses that was given by the Lord, the God of Israel.”
40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the law to the whole multitude both of men and women, and to all the priests, to hear the law on the new moon of the seventh month. 41 He read in the broad place before the porch of the temple from morning until midday, before both men and women; and all the multitude gave attention to the law. 42 Esdras the priest and reader of the law stood up upon the pulpit of wood which had been prepared. 43 Beside him stood Mattathias, Sammus, Ananias, Azarias, Urias, †Ezekias, and Baalsamus on the right hand, 44 and on his left hand, ‡Phaldeus, Misael, Melchias, §Lothasubus, Nabarias, and Zacharias. 45 Then Esdras took the book of the law before the multitude, and sat honourably in the first place before all. 46 When he opened the law, they all stood straight up. So Esdras blessed the Lord God Most High, the God of armies, the Almighty. 47 All the people answered, “Amen.” Lifting up their hands, they fell to the ground and worshipped the Lord. 48 Also Jesus, Annus, Sarabias, Iadinus, Jacubus, Sabateus, †Auteas, Maiannas, Calitas, Azarias, Jozabdus, Ananias, and Phalias, the Levites, taught the law of the Lord, ‡and read to the multitude the law of the Lord, explaining what was read.
49 Then Attharates said to Esdras the chief priest and reader, and to the Levites who taught the multitude, even to all, 50 “This day is holy to the Lord—now they all wept when they heard the law— 51 go then, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing; 52 for the day is holy to the Lord. Don’t be sorrowful, for the Lord will bring you to honour.” 53 So the Levites commanded all things to the people, saying, “This day is holy. Don’t be sorrowful.” 54 Then they went their way, every one to eat, drink, enjoy themselves, to give portions to those who had nothing, and to rejoice greatly, 55 because they §understood the words they were instructed with, and for which they had been assembled.
- 1:1: 2 Kings 23:21; 2 Chronicles 35:1
- 1:3: Numbers 3:9
† 1:8: Jehiel, 2 Chronicles 35:8.
‡ 1:24: Or, sensibly Judges 16:17.
- 1:25: 2 Chronicles 35:20
- 1:34: 2 Kings 23:30; 2 Chronicles 36:1
§ 1:34: Another reading is, Jeconias.
- 1:39: 2 Chronicles 36:4-5
- 2:1: 2 Chronicles 36:22,23; Ezra 1:1
† 2:12: Another reading is, Simanassar.
- 2:16: Ezra 4:7
‡ 2:16: Rehum,
§ 2:16: Shimshai.
- 5:7: Ezra 2:1
† 5:8: Seralah.
‡ 5:8: Or, Enenis.
§ 5:8: Mispar.
† 5:8: Reclaiah
‡ 5:9: Shephatiah.
§ 5:10: Arah.
† 5:11: Pahath-moab.
‡ 5:12: Zattu.
§ 5:12: Zaccai.
† 5:13: Asgad.
‡ 5:13: According to other readings, 3622, or 3222.
§ 5:14: Bigvai.
† 5:14: Adin.
‡ 5:15: Ater of Hezekiah.
§ 5:15: Another reading is, Azuru.
† 5:16: Another reading is, Annias.
‡ 5:16: Bezai.
§ 5:17: Bethlehem.
† 5:18: Azmaveth.
‡ 5:19: Kiriath-arim or Kiriath-jearim.
§ 5:20: Rumah.
† 5:20: Geba.
‡ 5:21: Michmas.
§ 5:21: Bethel.
† 5:21: Magbish
‡ 5:22: Lod, Hadid.
§ 5:22: Ono.
† 5:22: Jericho.
‡ 5:22: Another reading is, two
§ 5:23: Senaah.
† 5:24: Jedaiah.
‡ 5:24: Immer.
§ 5:25: Pashhur.
† 5:25: Harim.
‡ 5:28: Shallum.
§ 5:28: Ater.
† 5:28: Akkub.
‡ 5:28: Hatita.
§ 5:28: Shobai.
† 5:29: Ziha.
‡ 5:29: Hasupha.
§ 5:29: Keros.
† 5:29: Siaha.
‡ 5:29: Padon.
§ 5:29: Hagaba.
† 5:30: Akkub.
‡ 5:30: Hagab.
§ 5:30: Shamlai.
† 5:30: Hanan.
‡ 5:30: Giddel.
§ 5:30: Gahar
† 5:31: Reaiah.
‡ 5:31: Rezin.
§ 5:31: Nekoda.
† 5:31: Gazzam.
‡ 5:31: Uzza.
§ 5:31: Paseah.
† 5:31: Besai.
‡ 5:31: Asnah.
§ 5:31: Meunim.
† 5:31: Nephisim.
‡ 5:31: Bakbuk. According to other readings, Acum, or Acuph.
§ 5:31: Hakupha.
† 5:31: Harhur.
‡ 5:31: Bazluth.
§ 5:32: Mehida.
† 5:32: Harsha
‡ 5:32: Barkos.
§ 5:32: Sisera.
† 5:32: Temah
‡ 5:32: Neziah. Another reading is, Nasith.
§ 5:33: Hussophereth.
† 5:33: Peruda.
‡ 5:33: Jaalah.
§ 5:33: Darkon.
† 5:33: Giddel.
‡ 5:33: Shephatia.
§ 5:34: Hattil.
† 5:34: Pochereth-haz-zebaim, Ezra 2:57.
‡ 5:34: Another reading is, Misaias.
§ 5:36: Telmelah.
† 5:36: Telharsha.
‡ 5:36: Cherub. Addan.
§ 5:37: Delaiah. Another reading is, Asan.
† 5:37: Tobiah Another reading is, Baenan.
‡ 5:37: Nekoda.
§ 5:38: Habaiah, or Hobaiah.
† 5:38: Hakkoz.
‡ 5:38: Barzillai. Another reading is, Phaezeldaeus.
§ 5:40: Gr. the manifestation and truth.
† 5:45: A mina is about 570 grams or 1.25 pounds.
- 5:58: Ezra 3:8-9
- 5:63: Ezra 3:12-13
- 5:66: Ezra 4:1
‡ 5:69: Another reading is, Asbacaphath.
- 6:1: Ezra 4:24; 5:1
† 6:1: Iddo. Another reading is, Eddin
- 6:3: Ezra 5:3
‡ 6:3: Tattenai.
§ 6:3: Shetharbozenai
† 6:18: Another reading is, Sabunassarus.
- 6:23: Ezra 6:1
- 7:1: Ezra 6:13
- 8:1: Ezra 7:1
† 8:2: The Vatican MS. omits the son of Memeroth, the son of Zaraias, the son of Savias.
‡ 8:6: Some MSS. omit for his sake.
§ 8:20: a cor is about 230 litres, so 100 cors is about 23 kilolitres or 652 bushels
† 8:20: a firkin is about 41 litres or 11 gallons.
‡ 8:20: So some authorities. See Ezra 7:22. The common reading is, other things.
§ 8:29: Hattush.
† 8:29: Ezra 8:3, of the sons of Shecaniah; of the sons of Parosh.
‡ 8:31: Zerehiah.
§ 8:32: Ezra 8:5,of the sons of Shecaniah, the son of Jahaziel.
† 8:36: Ezra 8:10,of the sons of Shelomith, the son of Josiphiah.
‡ 8:47: Mahli.
§ 8:47: Sherebiah.
† 8:48: Hashabiah.
‡ 8:54: Sherebiah, Hashabiah.
§ 8:62: Meremoth.
† 8:62: Uriah.
‡ 8:63: Noadiah the son of Binnui.
- 8:91: Ezra 10:1
- 9:1: Ezra 10:6
† 9:14: Another reading is, Ezias.
‡ 9:19: Maaseiah.
§ 9:19: Jarib.
† 9:19: Gedaliah
‡ 9:21: Harim
§ 9:21: Maaseiah.
† 9:21: Jehiel.
‡ 9:21: Uzziah.
§ 9:22: Pashhur.
† 9:22: Jozabad.
‡ 9:22: Elasah.
§ 9:23: Kelaiah.
† 9:23: Kelita.
‡ 9:23: Pethahiah.
§ 9:24: Eliashib.
† 9:25: Telem.
‡ 9:26: Parosh.
§ 9:26: Ramiah
† 9:26: Izziah. Another reading is, Iezias
‡ 9:26: Mijamin.
§ 9:26: Malchijah.
† 9:27: Jehiel.
‡ 9:27: Abdi.
§ 9:28: Zattu.
† 9:28: Elioenai.
‡ 9:28: Eliashib.
§ 9:28: Mattaniah.
† 9:28: Zabad.
‡ 9:28: Aziza.
§ 9:29: Zabbai.
† 9:29: Athlai.
‡ 9:30: Bani.
§ 9:30: Meshullam.
† 9:30: Malluch.
‡ 9:30: Adaiah.
§ 9:30: Sheal.
† 9:33: Mattenai.
‡ 9:33: Mattattah.
§ 9:33: Zabad.
- 9:38: Nehemiah 8:1
† 9:43: Hilkiah.
‡ 9:44: Pedaiah.
§ 9:44: Hashuin.
† 9:48: Hodiah.
‡ 9:48: Some authorities omit and read…Lord.
§ 9:55: Or, were inspired by
Prayer of Manasses
The Prayer of Manasses
King of Judah, When He Was Held Captive in Babylon
The Prayer of Manasses is recognised 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 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 towards 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 of those 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.
† 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.
†
