was had in possession of our enemies wrongfully for a certain time. 34 But we, having opportunity, hold fast the inheritance of our fathers. 35 But as touching Joppa and d Gazara, which thou demandest, they did great harm among the people throughout our country, we will Cp. ver. 31. give ja hundred talents for them. 8. " ch. 16. 9. And he answered him not a word, 36 but returned in a rage to the king, and reported unto him these words, and the glory of Simon, and all that he had seen: and the king was exceeding wroth. 37 But Tryphon embarked on board a ship, and fled to Orthosia. * Cp. ver. 25. 'Cp. ver. 25. 38 And the king appointed m Cendech. 16. 1, 4, bæus chief captain of the sea coast, and gave him forces of foot and horse: 39 and he commanded him to encamp before Judæa, and he commanded him to build up "Kidron, and to fortify the gates, and that he should fight against the people but the king pursued k Tryphon. 40 And m Cendebæus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke the people, and to invade Judæa, and to take the people captive, and to slay them. 41 And he built n Kidron, and set horsemen there, and forces of foot, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judæa, according as the king commanded him. • See ch. 4. 15. P Cp. ch. 13. 53. 9 ch. 15. 38, 40. 26. & 14. 36. * Cp. ch. 13. 23. 16 And John went up from a Gazara, and told Simon his father what Cendebæus was doing. 2 And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto Cp. ch. 14. them, "I and my brethren and my father's house have fought the battles of Israel from our youth, even unto this 3 Cp. ch. 3. 6 day; sand things have prospered in our hands, that we should deliver Israel oftentimes. 3 But now I am old, and ye moreover, by his mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go forth and fight for our nation; but let the help which is from heaven be with you. 4 And he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war and horsemen, and they went a"See ch.2.1, gainst a Cendebæus, and slept at "Modin. 5And rising up in the morning, they went into the plain, and, behold, a great host came to meet them, of footmen and horsemen: and there was a brook betwixt them. 6 And he encamped over against them, he and his people: and he saw that the people were afraid to pass over the brook, and he passed over first, and the men saw him, and passed over after him. 7 And he divided the people, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: but the enemies' horsemen were exceeding many. 8 And they sounded with the trumpets; and a Cendebæus and his army were put to the rout, " See ch. 3. 54. 1 circa B.C. 136. wand there fell of them many wounded to death, but they that were left fled to the stronghold: 9 at that time was Judas John's brother wounded: but John pursued after them, till he came unto Kidron, which Cendebæus had built; 10 and they fled unto the towers that are in the fields of Azotus; and he burned it with fire; and there fell of them about two thousand men. And he returned into Judæa in peace. 5. 2 Kin. 25. Cp. ver. 19. Cp. ch. 1. 3. 13.28. II And Ptolemy the son of Abubus had been appointed captain for a the plain of Jericho, and he had much silver and gold; 12 for he was the high priest's son in law. 13 And his heart was lifted up, and he was minded to make himself master of the country, and he took counsel deceitfully against Simon and his sons, to make away with them. 14 Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; and he went down to d Jericho, himself and Mattathias ch. 9. 50. and Judas his sons, in 1the hundred and seventy and seventh year, in the eleventh month, the same is the month e Sebat: Zech. 1. 7. 15 and the son of Abubus received them deceitfully into the little stronghold that is called Dok, which he had built, and made them a great banquet, and hid men there. 16 And when Simon and his sons had drunk freely, Ptolemy and Cp. 2 Sam. his men rose up, and took their arms, and came in upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his Cp. ver. 14. two sons, and certain of his servants. 17 And he committed a great iniquity, and recompensed evil for good. 18 And Ptolemy wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him Cp. ch. 15. forces to aid him, and should deliver him their country and the cities. 19 And he sent others to i Gazara to make away with John: and unto the captains of thousands he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them ksilver Cp. ver. 11. and gold and gifts. 20 And others he sent to take possession of Jerusalem, and the mount of the temple. 21 And one ran before to Gazara, and told John that his father and brethren were perished, and he hath sent to slay thee also. 22 And when he heard, he was sore amazed; and he laid hands on the men that came to destroy him, and slew them; for he perceived that they were seeking to destroy him. 25, 38. THE SECOND BOOK OF THE MACCABEES. a See Lev. 26. 42. b Cp. Acts 16. 14. See ch. 5. 20. THE brethren, the Jews that are I in Jerusalem and they that are in the country of Judæa, send greeting to the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt, and wish them good peace: 2 and may God do good unto you, and a remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, his faithful servants; 3and give you all a heart to worship him and do his 1pleasure with a great heart and a willing soul; 4 and bopen your heart in his law and in his statutes, and make peace, 5 and hearken to your supplications, and be reconciled with you, and not forsake you in an evil time. 6 And now we here are dCp.1 Macc. praying for you. 7 In the reign of d Demetrius, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews have already written unto you in the tribulation and in the extremity that hath come upon us in these years, from the time that See ch. 4.7. Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom, 8 and set 9 the 2gate on fire, and shed innocent blood and we besought the Lord, and were heard; and we offered sacrifice and meal offering, and we lighted the C Macc. lamps, and we set forth the 3 shewbread. 9 And now see that ye keep the days of i the feast of tabernacles of the month j Chislev. 10 Written in the hundred iSee ch. 10. fourscore and eighth year. 10. 67 & 11. 19. ƒ Wisdom 9 ch. 3. 19 4. 38. 5-8. ¿See 1 Macc. 1. 54. k See 1 Macc. 12. 6. 16. m Lev. 4. 3 & 16. 32. 23 See 1 Macc. 1. 10. THEY that are in Jerusalem and they that are in Judæa and the senate and Judas, unto Aristobulus, 'king Ptolemy's 71 Macc. 15. teacher, who is also of the stock of the manointed priests, and unto the Jews that are in Egypt, send greeting and health. I Having been saved by God out of great perils, as men arrayed against a king, we thank him greatly. 12 For himself cast forth into Persia See i Macc. them that arrayed themselves against us in P the holy city. 139 For when the prince was come there, and the army With him that seemed irresistible, they were cut to pieces in the temple of Nanæa by the treachery of Nanæa's priests. 14 For n Antiochus, on the pretence that he would marry her, came "See ch.8.9. into the place, he and his "Friends that were with him, that they might take a 6. 1. P See ch.3.1. 4Cp. ch.9.2. Seel Macc. 6. 1-4. 1 Gr. wills. 2 Or, porch 3 Gr. loaves. great part of the treasures in name of a dowry. 15 And when the priests of Nanæa's temple had set the treasures forth, and he was come there with a small company within the wall of the precincts, they shut to the temple when Antiochus was come in: 16 and opening the secret door of the panelled cieling, they threw stones and 6 struck down the prince, and they hewed him and his company in pieces, and smote off their heads, and cast them to those that were without. 17 Blessed be our God in all things, who gave for a prey them that had committed impiety. $ ch. 2. 16 & 10. 5, 8. Cp. 1 Macc. 4. 59. t ver. 9. See Lev. 23. 39--43 & Neh. 8. 14 -18. "Neh. 2. 6. 18 Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that 8ye also may keep ta feast of tabernacles, and a memorial of the fire which was given when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had builded both the temple and the altar. 19 For indeed when our fathers were about to be led into the land of Persia, u the godly priests of that time "Cp. ch.2.1. took of the fire of the altar, and hid it privily in the hollow of a well that was without water, wherein they made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men. 20 Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia, sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it. When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water, 21 he commanded them to draw out thereof and bring to him: and when the sacrifices had been offered on the altar, Nehemiah commanded the priests wto sprinkle with the water both the wood and the things laid thereupon. 22 And when it was done, and some time had passed, and the sun shone out, which before was hid with clouds, there was kindled a great blaze, so that all men marvelled. 23 And the priests made a prayer while the sacrifice was consuming, both the priests and all others, Jonathan leading and the rest answering, as Nehemiah did. 24 And the prayer was after this manner: O Lord, Lord God, y the Creator of all 5 Gr. them. 4 Or, against the holy city 6 Gr. struck down as with a thunderbolt. 7 Or, his company 8 The Greek text here is corrupt. 9 Gr. the things of the sacrifices. Similarly in verses 31, 33, and ch. 2. 10. w Cp. 1 Kin. 18. 33-35. Neh. 12.11. ch. 7. 23 & 13. 14 (mg.). Ecclus. 24. 8. * Cp. Phil. 19. 17 (mg.) 18 19. things, who art terrible and strong and righteous and merciful, who alone art King and gracious, 25 who alone suppliest every need, who a alone art righteous and almighty and eternal, thou that savest Israel out of all evil, who madest the fathers thy chosen, and didst sanctify them: 26 accept the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and guard thine own porDeut. 32. 9. tion, and consecrate it. 27 Gather together our Dispersion, d set at liberty them that are in bondage among the dCp. Ps. 106. heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God. 28 Torment them that oppress us and in arrogancy shamefully entreat us. 29 Plant thy people in thy holy place, even 9 as Moses said. b ch. 14. 15. Ecclus. 17. 17. © See John 7. 35. 47. e See Song of Three 22. f ch. 2. 18 30.3-8. * Cp. ch. 1. 19. 30 And thereupon the priests sang the hymns. 31 And as soon as the sacrifice was consumed, then Nehemiah commanded to pour on great stones the water that was left. 32 And when this was done, a flame was kindled; 2 but when the light from the altar shone over against it, all was consumed. 33 And when the matter became known, and it was told the king of the Persians, that, in the place where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared the water, wherewith also Nehemiah and they that were with him purified the sacrifice, 34 then the king, inclosing the place, made it sacred, after he had proved the matter. 35 And when the king would shew favour to any, he would take from them many presents and give them some of this water. 36 And Nehemiah and they that were with him called this thing Nephthar, which is by interpretation, Cleansing; but most men call it Nephthai. It is also found in the records, that 2 Jeremiah the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, has hath been signified above: 2 and how that the prophet charged them that were carried away, having given them the law, that they should not forget the statutes of the Lord, neither be ruch 6. 4, 5. led astray in their minds, when they saw i Cp. Ba Deut. 32.49 & 34. 1. k ch. 15. 14. Cp. 2 Esd. 10. 22. 6 m Cp. ch. 1. 27. 34, 35. • See Ex. 13. 21. 8. 23-53. ark, and the altar of incense; and he 13 And the same things were related both in the public archives and in 9the records that concern Nehemiah; and how he, founding a library, gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the books of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts. "Cp. ch. 5. 14 And in like manner Judas also gathered together for us all those writings that had been scattered by reason of the war that befell, and they are still with us. 15 If therefore ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you. 16. Cp. ch.10.3 & 1 Macc. 4. 43, 48. See Deut. 30. 3-8. * Cp. Ezek. 39. 27, 28. & 8. 17. 16 Seeing then that we ware about to" ch. 1. 18. keep the purification, we write unto you; ye will therefore do well if ye keep the days. 17 Now God, who saved all his people, and restored the heritage to all, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the hallowing, 18y even as he promised through the law,-in God have we hope, that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of 10 all the earth into a the holy place: for he delivered us out of great evils, and a ch. 1. 29 images of gold and silver, and the adorn-purified the place. ment thereof. 3 And with other such words exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their heart. 4 And it was contained in the writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should follow with him, 4 when he went forth into the mountain jwhere Moses went up and beheld the heritage of God. 5 And Jeremiah came and found a chamber in the rock, and there he brought in the tabernacle, and the 1 Some authorities read that great stones should inclose the water that was left. Both the Greek text 8 Or, also ¿Cp.1 Macc. 2.2-5. 1. 10. d ch. 10. 10. 1 Macc. 6. 17. e ch. 3. 24 & 5. 4 & 10. 29 & 11. 8 & 12. 22. f ch. 10. 1. 9 ch. 3. 12. 23. 3 WHEN the holy city was in-ch. 1. 12 habited with all peace, and the laws & 9. 14 7. See Neh. 11. 1. & 15. 12, 14. 1 Macc. 12. 7, 8, 20. & 5. 18 & 14. 1. 1 Macc. 7. 1. ° Cp. ch. 9. 16 & Ezra 6. 9 & 1 Macc. 10. 39. P ch. 4. 1, 3, 4, 23. ? See ch. 4. 4. * See 1 Esd. 2. 17. & ver. 24, 28, 40. ch. 5. 18. See 1 Macc. 14. 49. 19 Now the things concerning b Judas Maccabæus and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and were kept very well, because of the the dedication of the altar, zo and further godliness of m Onias the high priest, and See 1 Macc. the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, his hatred of wickedness, it came to and d Eupator his son, 21 and ethe mani-pass that even the kings themselves did ch.4.1, 4,7 festations that came from heaven unto honour the place, and glorify the temple those that vied with one another in with the noblest presents; 3 insomuch manful deeds for the religion of the that even "Seleucus the king of Asia "ch. 4.7 Jews; so that, being but a few, they of his own revenues bare all the costs 2 rescued the whole country, and chased belonging to the services of the sacrifices. the barbarous multitudes, 22 and fre- 4 But one ? Simon of the tribe of Bencovered again the temple grenowned all jamin, having been made guardian of the world over, and freed the city, and the temple, fell out with the high priest restored the laws which were like to be about the 12 ruling of the market in the overthrown, seeing the Lord became city. 5 And when he could not over3 gracious unto them with all forbear- come m Onias, he gat him to a Apollonius ance: 23 these things, I say, which have the son of 18 Thrasæus, who at that time h1 Macc. 15. been declared by Jason of Cyrene in five was governor of Colesyria and Phobooks, we will assay to abridge in one nicia: 6 and he brought him word how work. 24 For having in view the con- that s the treasury in Jerusalem was full fused mass of the numbers, and the of untold sums of money, so that the 4 difficulty which awaiteth them that multitude of the funds was innumerable, would enter into the narratives of the and that they did not pertain to the history, by reason of the abundance of account of the sacrifices, but that it was the matter, 25 we were careful that they possible that these should fall under who choose to read may be attracted, the king's power. 7 And when a Apolloand that they who wish well to our cause nius met the king, he informed him of may find it easy to recall 5 what we have the money whereof he had been told; written, and that all readers may have and the king appointed Heliodorus, who profit. 26 And although to us, who have was his chancellor, and sent him with taken upon us the painful labour of the a commandment to accomplish the reabridgement, the task is not easy, but a moval of the aforesaid money. 8 So matter of sweat and watching 27 (even forthwith Heliodorus took his journey, as it is no light thing unto him that under a colour of visiting the cities of prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the "Colesyria and Phoenicia, but in fact benefit of others); yet for the sake of to execute the king's purpose. 9 And the gratitude of the many we will gladly when he was come to Jerusalem, and endure the painful labour, 28 leaving to had been courteously received by the the historian the exact handling of every high priest 14 of the city, he laid before particular, and again having no strength 15 them an account of the information to fill in the outlines of our abridge- which had been given him, and declared ment. 293 For as the masterbuilder of wherefore he was come; and he inquired a new house must care for the whole if in truth these things were so. 10 And 8 structure, and again he that undertaketh the high priest explained to him that to decorate and paint it must seek out there were in the treasury deposits of Cp. ch. 8. the things fit for the adorning thereof; widows and orphans, 11 and moreover even so I think it is also with us. 30 To some money belonging to Hyrcanus the occupy the ground, and to 10 indulge in son of Tobias, a man in very high place, long discussions, and to be curious in 16 and that the case was not as that imparticulars, becometh the first author pious P Simon falsely alleged; and that of the history: 31 but to strive after in all there were four hundred talents brevity of expression, and to avoid a of silver and two hundred of gold; laboured fulness in the treatment, is 12 and that it was altogether impossible to be granted to him that would bring that wrong should be done unto them a writing into a new form. 32k Here that had put trust in the holiness of the then let us begin the narration, only place, and in the majesty and inviolable adding thus much to that which hath sanctity of the temple, honoured over been already 11 said; for it is a foolish all the world. 13 But 17 Heliodorus, bething to make a long prologue to cause of the king's commandments given the history, and to abridge the history him, said that in any case this money itself. must be confiscated for the king's trea 6 Or, making no effort 7 Or, enlarge on 8 Gr. foundation. 9 Gr. decorate in encaustic. 15 Or, him 28, 30, ❝ ch. 2. 22 & 5. 15. "See Ex. 28. 2-5. 7. Cp. Ex. 22. these matters; and there was no small ness, manifestly made to recognise the distress throughout the whole city. sovereignty of God. 29 And so, while 15 And the priests, prostrating them- he, through the working of God, speechselves before the altar in their priestly less and bereft of all hope and delivergarments, and looking toward heaven, ance, lay prostrate, 30 they blessed the called upon him wthat gave the law Lord, that made marvellous his own concerning deposits, that he should pre- place; and the temple, which a little serve these treasures safe for those that afore was full of terror and alarm, was had deposited them. 16 And whosoever filled with joy and gladness after the saw the mien of the high priest was Almighty Lord appeared. wounded in mind; for his countenance and the change of his colour betrayed the distress of his soul. 17 For a terror and a shuddering of the body had come over the man, whereby the pain that was in his heart was plainly shewn to them that looked upon him. 18 And they that were in the houses rushed flocking out to make a universal supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt. 19 And the women, girt See 2 Sam. with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ward ran together, some to the gates, others to the walls, and some looked out through the windows. 20 And all, stretching forth their hands toward heaven, made their solemn supplication. 21 Then it would have pitied a man to see the multitude prostrating themselves all mingled together, and the expectation of the high priest in his sore distress. * ch. 10. 25. 3. 31. See ch. 1. 8 (& mg. for mg.). Cp. Ezra 9. 5. See Ex. 9. 29, 33. a Cp. ver. 10, 12. b See ver. 6. ch. 5. 17, 20 & 15. 22, 23, & 12. 15, 28 29, al. d See ch. 2. 21. 22 While therefore they called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things intrusted to them 2 safe and sure for a those that had intrusted them, 23 Heliodorus went on to execute that which had been decreed. 24 But when he was already present there with his guards over against the treasury, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused da great apparition, so that all that had presumed to come in with him, stricken with dismay at the power of God, fainted and were sore afraid. 25 For there was seen by them a horse with a terrible rider upon him, and Cp. ch. 5. 3. adorned with beautiful trappings, and he rushed fiercely and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had e complete armour of gold. 26 Two other also appeared unto him, young men notable in their strength, and beautiful in their glory, and splendid in their apparel, who stood by him on either side, and scourged him unceasingly, inflicting on him many sore stripes. Cp. Acts 9. 27 And when he had fallen suddenly unto the ground, and great darkness had come over him, his guards caught Cp. ch.9.8. him up and put him into a litter, 28 and carried him, him that had just now entered with a great train and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, himself now brought to utter helpless f Cp. ch. 5. 18. 4, 8. i Cp. ver. 24. 1 Or, porches * Cp. James 5. 16. m ver. 26. 31 But quickly certain of Heliodorus's familiar friends besought J Onias k to call See ver. 1. upon the Most High, and grant life to him who lay quite at the last gasp. 32 And the high priest, secretly 'fearing Cp. ch. 4.1. lest the king might come to think that some treachery toward Heliodorus had been perpetrated by the Jews, brought a sacrifice for the deliverance of the man. 33 But as the high priest was making the propitiation, m the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus, arrayed in the same garments; and they stood and said, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, for for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life; 34 and do thou, since thou hast been scourged from heaven, publish unto all men the sovereign majesty of God. And when they had spoken these words, they vanished out of sight. 35 So Heliodorus, having offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and vowed great vows unto him that had saved his life, and having graciously received Onias, returned with his host to the king. 36 And he testified to all men the works of the great God which he had beheld with his eyes. 37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, what manner of man was fit to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said, 38 If thou hast any enemy or "conspirator" ch. 4. 2. against the state, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him back well scourged, if he even escape with his life; because of a truth there is about the place a power of God. 39 For he that hath his Cp. Ps. 2. 4 dwelling in heaven himself hath his eyes upon that place, and helpeth it; and them that come to hurt it he smiteth and destroyeth. and had betrayed his country, slandered Onias, saying that it was he who had incited Heliodorus, and made himself the author of these evils. 2 And him that was the benefactor of the city, and the guardian of his fellow-Cp. ch. 3. countrymen, and a zealot for the laws, he dared to call a conspirator against | * ch. 3. 85. the state. 3 But when the growing enmity between them waxed so great, that even murders were perpetrated through one of 59 Simon's trusted followers, 4 Gr. greatest. 2 Gr. safe with all security. 3 Gr. manifestation. |