Chapter 83

 

 

1 I lifted up my hands in righteousness, and blessed the holy and Great One. I spoke with the breath of my mouth, and with a tongue of flesh, which God has formed for all the sons of mortal men, that with it they may speak; giving them breath, a mouth, and a tongue to converse with. 2Blessed are you, O Lord, the King, great and powerful in your greatness, Lord of all the creatures of heaven, King of kings, God of the whole world, whose reign, whose kingdom, and whose majesty endure for ever and ever. 3From generation to generation your dominion shall be. All the heavens are your throne for ever, and all the earth your footstool for ever and for ever.163 4For you have made them, and you reign over them all. No act whatsoever exceeds your power. With you wisdom is unchangeable; nor from your throne and from your presence is it ever averted. You know all things, see and hear them; nor is anything concealed from you; for you perceive all things. 5The angels of your heavens have transgressed; and on mortal flesh shall your wrath remain,164 until the day of the great judgment. 6Now then, O God, Lord and mighty King, I entreat you, and beseech you to grant my prayer, that a posterity may be left to me on earth, and that the whole human race may not perish; 7That the earth may not be left destitute, and destruction take place for ever. 8O my Lord, let the race perish from off the earth which has offended you, but a righteous and upright race establish for a posterity165 for ever. Hide not your face, O Lord, from the prayer of your servant.