compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the
evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast
promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned
against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed
repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Thou therefore,
O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed
repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,
which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed
repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the
number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are
multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not
worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude
of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I
cannot life up mine head, neither have any release: for I have
provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy
will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up
abominations, and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow
the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned,
O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities:
wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive
me, and destroy me not with mine iniquites. Be not angry with me
for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the
lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of
them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for
thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great
mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my
life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and
thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Book of Bel and the Dragon [in Daniel]
[The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon]

The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon,
Cut off from the end of Daniel.

Bel 1:1
And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of
Persia received his kingdom.

Bel 1:2
And Daniel conversed with the king, and was honoured above
all his friends.

Bel 1:3
Now the Babylons had an idol, called Bel, and there were
spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour,
and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.

Bel 1:4
And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but
Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why
dost not thou worship Bel?

Bel 1:5
Who answered and