Cp. Dan. 4. 27. i Ps. 39. 9. 13. * See Lev. 26. 44. Isai. 41. 8. See Gen. 15. 5. n See Deut. 28. 62. Cp. Hos. 3. 4. See Ps. 74. 9. all that thou hast brought upon us, and everything that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgement. 9And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, and most hateful forsakers of God, and to han unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world. 10 And now we cannot open our mouth; See Ps. 44. shame and reproach have befallen thy servants, and them that worship thee. 11 Deliver us not up utterly, for thy name's sake, neither disannul thou thy covenant: 12 and cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for the sake of Abra12 Chr. 20.7. ham that is beloved of thee, and for the sake of Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one; 13 to whom thou didst promise, m that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is upon the sea shore. 14 For we, O Lord, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins. 150 Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to offer before thee, and to find mercy. 16p Nevertheless in a contrite heart and a humble spirit let us be accepted; 17 alike as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs; so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and grant that we may See Ps. 25. wholly go after thee, for they shall not be ashamed that put their trust in thee. 18 And now we follow thee with all our heart, we fear thee, and seek thy face. Ps. 119. 124. 19 Put us not to shame: but deal with us after thy kindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercy. 20 Deliver us also according to thy marvellous See Ps. 115. works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord: and let all them that do thy servants hurt be confounded; 21 and let them be ashamed of all their power and might, and let their strength be broken; 22u and let them know that thou art the Lord, the only God, and glorious over the whole world. PCp. Ps. 51. 16, 17. Cp. Mic. 6. 7,8. 3. 1. " Ps. 59. 13 a Cp. Isai. 6.1. praised, and glorified, and blessed God 35 O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 360 ye heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 370 ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 38 e O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 399 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 400h ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 41h0 ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 420 every i shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 433 O all ye winds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 4430 ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.4 4750 ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 48k O ye light and Cp. Isai. darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. "O ye cold and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 50 610 O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 51 0 ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 520 let the earth bless the Lord: let it praise and exalt him above all for ever. 53 m O ye mountains and See Ps. hills, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 54 m O all ye things that grow on the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 5670 sea and rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 55 O ye fountains, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 57nO ye whales, and all that " Cp. Gen. move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever. 28 Then the three, as out of one mouth, 580 O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the 23 And the king's servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the furnace hot with naphtha, pitch, tow, and small wood; 24 so that the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits. 25 And it spread, and burned those Chaldeans whom it found about the furnace. 26 But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace together with Azarias and his fellows, and he smote the flame of the fire out of the furnace; 27 and made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist y whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither whurt nor troubled them. 2 Another reading is, exalted. 3 Another reading is, the host. 1 Some MSS. omit power and. 45.7. Cp. Ps. 147. 16. 148. 9. 1. 21 • Ps. 148. 10. P Ps. 148. 11, 12. 7 Ps. 135. 19. "Ps. 134. 1. See Ps. 113. 1. 8 Cp. Heb. 12.23. Cp. ver. 16. "Dan. 1. 6, 7. 1 Macc. 2. 59. 8. Lord: praise and exalt him above all for holy and thumble of heart, bless ye the ever. 5900 all ye beasts and cattle, Lord: praise and exalt him above all bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him for ever. 66 Ou Ananias, Azarias, and above all for ever. "60 PO ye children of Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and men, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt exalt him above all for ever: for he him above all for ever. 61120 let Israel hath rescued us from hell, and saved "See Ps. 116. bless the Lord: praise and exalt him us from the hand of death: he hath deliabove all for ever. 6290 ye priests 2of vered us out of the midst of the furnace the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and and burning flame, even out of the midst exalt him above all for ever. 63rO ye of the fire hath he delivered us. 67 wo servants 2 of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: praise and exalt him above all for ever. for his mercy endureth for ever. 680 all 64 80 ye spirits and souls of the right-ye that worship the Lord, bless the God eous, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt of gods, praise him, and give him thanks: him above all for ever. 650 ye that are for his mercy endureth for ever. w Cp. 1 Macc. 4. See Ps. 136. 1. * Ps. 136. 2. "C'p. Luke 8.3. b ver. 31. c Luke 1. 6. e ver. 7, 15. ƒ Cp. ver. 41, 50. See Judith 6. 16. 9 Cp. Jer. 29. 23. THE HISTORY OF SUSANNA, Set apart from the beginning of DANIEL, because it is not in the Hebrew, as neither the Narration of Bel and the Dragon. I THERE dwelt a man in Babylon, and his name was Joakim: and he took a wife, whose name was a Susanna, the daughter of Helkias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord. 3 Her parents also were righteous, and d Deut. 6. 7. taught their daughter daccording to the law of Moses. 4 Now Joakim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others. 5 And the same year there were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who were accounted to govern the people. 6 These kept much at JoaCp. Ex. 22. kim's house: and half that had any suits in law came unto them. 7 Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband's garden to walk. 8 And the two elders beheld her going in every day, and walking; and they were inflamed with love for her. 9And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgements. 10 And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief. For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her. 12 Yet they watched jealously from day to day to see her. 13 And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time. 14 So when 9 (mg.). i ver. 56. 1 Some MSS. read O Israel, bless ye. they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: and then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone. 15 And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in as aforetime with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was í ver. 4, 7. hot. 16 And there was nobody there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her. 17 Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me. 18 And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at the side doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: and they saw not the elders, because they were hid. 19 Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying, 20 Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and Cp. Job 24. we are in love with thee; therefore con& Ps. 64. 5. sent unto us, and lie with us. 21 If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee. za Then Susanna sighed, and said, 'I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, mit is death unto me: and if I do it not, I cannot escape your hands. 23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not " Cp. Gen. 39. 9. Cp. ver. 6. P ver. 2. ? Cp. Gen. 24. 65. "See Lev. 24. 14. do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord. 24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her. 25 Then ran the one, and opened the garden doors. 26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the side door, to see what had befallen her. 27 But when the elders had told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna. 28 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the people assembled to her husband Joakim, the two elders came full of their wicked intent against Susanna to put her to death; 29 and said before the people, Send for Susanna, Pthe daughter of Helkias, Joakim's wife. So they sent; 30 and she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred. 31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and Pbeauteous to behold. 32 And these wicked men commanded her ato be unveiled, (for she was veiled) that they might be filled with her beauty. 33 Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept. 34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head. 35 And she Cp. ver. 60. weeping looked up toward heaven: sfor her heart trusted in the Lord. 36 And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away. 37 Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her. 38 And we, being in a corner of the garden, saw this wickedness, and ran unto them. 39 And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the doors, and leaped out. 40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify. 41 Then the assembly believed them, as those that were elders of the people and judges: so "Cp. ver. 22. they condemned her to death. 42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, that knowest all things before they be: 43 thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me. 44 And the Lord heard her voice. 45 Therefore when she was led away u to be put to death, God wraised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniel: 46 and he cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman. 47 Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What t Cp. ver. 5. "Ps. 44. 21. 29. Dan. 2. 28, See Ps. 139. 1-4. 10 Cp. 2 Chr. 36. 22 * Matt. 27. น с 32. 23. ❝ Cp. Prov. 18. 5. Ex. 23. 7. mean these words that thou hast spoken? 48 So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a Cp. ver. 57. daughter of Israel? 49 Return again to the place of judgement: for these have borne false witness against her. 50 Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder. 51 Then said Daniel unto them, Put them asunder one far from another, and I will examine them. 52 So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now are thy sins Cp. Num. come home to thee which thou hast committed aforetime, 53a in pronouncing unjust judgement, and condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and Cited from righteous shalt thou not slay. 54 Now then, if thou sawest her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree. 55 And Daniel said, Right well hast thou lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God and shall cut thee in two. 56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou d seed of Canaan, and not of Judah, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart. 57 Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Judah would not abide your wickedness. 58 Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under a holm tree. 59 Then said Daniel unto him, Right well hast thou also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword 9 to cut thee See ver. 55. in two, that he may destroy you. 60 With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and blessed God, who saveth them that hope in him. 61 And they Cp. ver. 35. arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness out of their own mouth: 62 and according to Deut. 19. the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death, and the innocent blood was saved the same day. 63 Therefore Helkias and ver. 2, 29. his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her. 64 And from that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people. c ver. 59. Cp. Matt. 24. 51 & Luke 12. 46. Cp. Ezek. 16.3. ver. 9. fCp. ver. 48. 19. Cp. Prov. 19. 5. BEL AND & 10. 1. b See Isai. 46. 1. Cp. Dan. 6. 10. 4. eSee Ps. 42.2 & Rest of f ver. 19. 19. h Cp. ver. 3. "Dan. 6. 23 his fathers, and a Cyrus the Persian re- AND king Astyages was gathered to | in the night came the priests with their 17. 6. 13. 23 And in that same place there was a great 1 dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped. 24 And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say mthat this is Cp. ver. 7. of brass? lo, he liveth, and eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him. 25 Then said Daniel, "I will worship the "See Deut. Lord my God: for he is a living God. 26 But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave. 27 Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon's mouth, so the dragon did eat and burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship. 28 When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath Cp. ver. 22. pulled down Bel, and slain the dragon, and put the priests to the sword. 29 So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house. 30 Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, the king delivered Daniel unto them: 31pwho cast him into the Cp. Dan. lions' den: where he was six days. 32 And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every 1 Or, serpent 6. 16. ? Cp. Hab. * Cp. Ezek. 8.3. day two carcases, and two sheep: which 33 Now there was in Jewry 9 the pro- * Cp. 1 Kin. 17. 10. 6. 19. saying, O Daniel, Daniel, stake the din- 6. 26. 6. 24. THE PRAYER OF MANASSES WHEN HE WAS HOLDEN CAPTIVE IN BABYLON. a Matt. 6. 9. Luke 11, 2 (mg.). b See Ex. 3. 6. c Cp. Ecclus. 10. 19. d See Job 38. 8-11. Eph. 3. 8. Isai. 59. 12. Cp. Ezra 9. 6 & Ps. 40. 12. 33. 11. O LORD Almighty, a that art in heaven, | sands of the sea. My transgressions bthou God of our fathers, of Abraham, are multiplied, 50 Lord: my transgresand Isaac, and Jacob, and of their sions are multiplied, and I am not righteous seed; who hast made heaven worthy to behold and see the height of and earth, with all the 2 ornament there- heaven for the multitude of mine iniof; dwho hast bound the sea by the quities. I am bowed down with many Cp. 2 Chr. word of thy commandment; who hast iron bands, that I cannot lift up mine shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy head by reason of my sins, neither terrible and glorious name; whom all have I any respite: for I have provoked things fear, yea, tremble before thy thy wrath, and done that which is evil power; for the majesty of thy glory before thee: "I did not thy will, neither cannot be borne, and the anger of thy kept I thy commandments: mI have Cp. 2 Kin. threatening toward sinners is import- set up abominations, and have multiplied able: thy merciful promise is unmeasur-8 detestable things. Now therefore I Rom. 11.33. able and unsearchable; for thou art the bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching Lord Most High, of great compassion, thee of grace. I have sinned, O Lord, longsuffering and abundant in mercy, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine" Ps. 51. 3. and repentest of bringing evils upon iniquities: but, I humbly beseech thee, men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and great goodness hast promised repent- destroy me not with mine iniquities. ance and forgiveness to them that have Be not angry with me for ever, by resinned against thee: and of thine infinite serving evil for me; neither condemn mercies hast appointed repentance unto me into the lower parts of the earth. Isai. 44. 23. sinners, 9 that they may be saved. Thou For thou, O Lord, art the God of them therefore, O Lord, that art the God of that repent; and in me thou wilt shew the just, hast not appointed repentance all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, to the just, to Abraham, and Isaac, and that am unworthy, according to thy great Jacob, which have not sinned against mercy. And I will praise thee for ever all thee; but thou hast appointed repent- the days of my life: Pfor all the host of ance unto me that am a sinner: for I heaven doth sing thy praise, and a thine have sinned above the number of the is the glory for ever and ever. Amen. |