by Septuagint
[22] The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces, [23] And to all the countries and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodus, and Aradus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene. [24] And the copy hereof they wrote to Simon the high priest.
[25] So Antiochus the king camped against Dora the second day, assaulting it continually, and making engines, by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could neither go out nor in.
[26] At that time Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much armour. [27] Nevertheless he would not receive them, but brake all the covenants which he had made with him afore, and became strange unto him.
[28] Furthermore he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say, Ye withhold Joppa and Gazera; with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my realm. [29] The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places within my kingdom. [30] Now therefore deliver the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places, whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judea: [31] Or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: if not, we will come and fight against you
[32] So Athenobius the king’s friend came to Jerusalem: and when he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was astonished, and told him the king’s message.
[33] Then answered Simon, and said unto him, We have neither taken other men’s land, nor holden that which appertaineth to others, but the inheritance of our fathers, which our enemies had wrongfully in possession a certain time. [34] Wherefore we, having opportunity, hold the inheritance of our fathers. [35] And whereas thou demandest Joppa and Gazera, albeit they did great harm unto the people in our country, yet will we give thee an hundred talents for them.
Hereunto Athenobius answered him not a word; [36] But returned in a rage to the king, and made report unto him of these speeches, and of the glory of Simon, and of all that he had seen: whereupon the king was exceeding wroth. [37] In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias.
[38] Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an host of footmen and horsemen, [39] And commanded him to remove his host toward Judea; also he commanded him to build up Cedron, and to fortify the gates, and to war against the people; but as for the king himself, he pursued Tryphon.
[40] So Cendebeus came to Jamnia and began to provoke the people and to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and slay them. [41] And when he had built up Cedron, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judea, as the king had commanded him.
Chapter 16
[1] Then came up John from Gazera, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done.
[2] Wherefore Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have ever from my youth unto this day fought against the enemies of Israel; and things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered Israel oftentimes. [3] But now I am old, and ye, by God’s mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go and fight for our nation, and the help from heaven be with you.
[4] So he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against Cendebeus, and rested that night at Modin.
[5] And when as they rose in the morning, and went into the plain, behold, a mighty great host both of footmen and horsemen came against them: howbeit there was a water brook betwixt them. [6] So he and his people pitched over against them: and when he saw that the people were afraid to go over the water brook, he went first over himself, and then the men seeing him passed through after him. [7] That done, he divided his men, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: for the enemies’ horsemen were very many.
[8] Then sounded they with the holy trumpets: whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight, so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold.
[9] At that time was Judas John’s brother wounded; but John still followed after them, until he came to Cedron, which Cendebeus had built. [10] So they fled even unto the towers in the fields of Azotus; wherefore he burned it with fire: so that there were slain of them about two thousand men. Afterward he returned into the land of Judea in peace.
[11] Moreover in the plain of Jericho was Ptolemeus the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance of silver and gold: [12] For he was the high priest’s son in law. [13] Wherefore his heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon consulted deceitfully against Simon and his sons to destroy them.
[14] Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat: [15] Where the son of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold, called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet: howbeit he had hid men there.
[16] So when Simon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and came upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants. [17] In which doing he committed a great treachery, and recompensed evil for good.
[18] Then Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities.
[19] He sent others also to Gazera to kill John: and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards. [20] And others he sent to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple.
[21] Now one had run afore to Gazera and told John that his father and brethren were slain, and, quoth he, Ptolemee hath sent to slay thee also. [22] Hereof when he heard, he was sore astonished: so he laid hands on them that were come to destroy him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away.
[23] As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings, [24] Behold, these are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from the time he was made high priest after his father.
II Maccabees
Chapter 1
[1] The brethren, the Jews that be at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt health and peace:
[2] God be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants; [3] And give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind; [4] And open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace, [5] And hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble. [6] And now we be here praying for you.
[7] What time as Demetrius reigned, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews wrote unto you in the extremity of trouble that came upon us in those years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and kingdom, [8] And burned the porch, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed unto the Lord, and were heard; we offered also sacrifices and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves. [9] And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Casleu.
[10] In the hundred fourscore and eighth year, the people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health unto Aristobulus, king Ptolemeus’ master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that were in Egypt:
[11] Insomuch as God hath delivered us from grea
t perils, we thank him highly, as having been in battle against a king. [12] For he cast them out that fought within the holy city.
[13] For when the leader was come into Persia, and the army with him that seemed invincible, they were slain in the temple of Nanea by the deceit of Nanea’s priests. [14] For Antiochus, as though he would marry her, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receive money in name of a dowry. [15] Which when the priests of Nanea had set forth, and he was entered with a small company into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple as soon as Antiochus was come in: [16] And opening a privy door of the roof, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and struck down the captain, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads and cast them to those that were without.
[17] Blessed be our God in all things, who hath delivered up the ungodly.
[18] Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar. [19] For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.
[20] Now after many years, when it pleased God, Neemias, being sent from the king of Persia, did send of the posterity of those priests that had hid it to the fire: but when they told us they found no fire, but thick water; [21] Then commanded he them to draw it up, and to bring it; and when the sacrifices were laid on, Neemias commanded the priests to sprinkle the wood and the things laid thereupon with the water. [22] When this was done, and the time came that the sun shone, which afore was hid in the cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that every man marvelled.
[23] And the priests made a prayer whilst the sacrifice was consuming, I say, both the priests, and all the rest, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering thereunto, as Neemias did.
[24] And the prayer was after this manner; O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King, [25] The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting, thou that deliverest Israel from all trouble, and didst choose the fathers, and sanctify them: [26] Receive the sacrifice for thy whole people Israel, and preserve thine own portion, and sanctify it. [27] Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.
[28] Punish them that oppress us, and with pride do us wrong. [29] Plant thy people again in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken. [30] And the priests sung psalms of thanksgiving.
[31] Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Neemias commanded the water that was left to be poured on the great stones. [32] When this was done, there was kindled a flame: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar.
[33] So when this matter was known, it was told the king of Persia, that in the place, where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared water, and that Neemias had purified the sacrifices therewith. [34] Then the king, inclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter.
[35] And the king took many gifts, and bestowed thereof on those whom he would gratify. [36] And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, a cleansing: but many men call it Nephi.
Chapter 2
[1] It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified: [2] And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments. [3] And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.
[4] It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. [5] And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.
[6] And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. [7] Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy. [8] Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.
[9] It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. [10] And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings. [11] And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed. [12] So Solomon kept those eight days.
[13] The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. [14] In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us, [15] Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.
[16] Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days. [17] We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary, [18] As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.
[19] Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar, [20] And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son, [21] And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes, [22] And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour: [23] All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.
[24] For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter, [25] We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.
[26] Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching; [27] Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains; [28] Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement. [29] For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us. [30] To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story: [31] But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.
[32] Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much
to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.
Chapter 3
[1] Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness, [2] It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts; [3] Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.
[4] But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city. [5] And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice, [6] And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king’s hand.
[7] Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money. [8] So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king’s purpose.
[9] And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received of the high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given of the money, and declared wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.