As soon as I sin, I'm in trouble with you, but when I do right, I get no credit. I am miserable and covered with shame.

My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me.

If I were you, I would turn to God and present my case to him.

But turn now and plead with Almighty God;

Don't condemn me, God. Tell me! What is the charge against me?

When you pray, he will answer you, and you will keep the vows you made.

Job, have you confessed your sins to God and promised not to sin again?

Have you asked God to show you your faults, and have you agreed to stop doing evil?

listen to their prayers. If any of your people Israel, out of heartfelt sorrow, stretch out their hands in prayer toward this Temple,

hear their prayer. Listen to them in your home in heaven, forgive them, and help them. You alone know the thoughts of the human heart. Deal with each person as he deserves,

God accepted Manasseh's prayer and answered it by letting him go back to Jerusalem and rule again. This convinced Manasseh that the LORD was God.

My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them back. I will guide them to streams of water, on a smooth road where they will not stumble. I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my oldest son."

And I prayed earnestly to the Lord God, pleading with him, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and sitting in ashes.

Listen to us, O God; look at us and see the trouble we are in and the suffering of the city that bears your name. We are praying to you because you are merciful, not because we have done right.

I am honest; I could reason with God; he would declare me innocent once and for all.

When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge.