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/2Macc/ - 2 Maccabees
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1 Esdras >>
The Second Book of the Maccabees
The Second Book of the Maccabees
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After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,
2
Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.
3
Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,
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Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.
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Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto:
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Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.
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Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors’ honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:
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First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforersaid.
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Wherefore, O king, seeing knowest all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all.
10
For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11
This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king’s friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.
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And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,
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Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.
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Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities ot the Jews to be their welfare.
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Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.
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So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of Dessau.
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Now Simon, Judas’ brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.
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Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword.
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Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.
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So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,
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And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,
22
Ludas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.
23
Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him.
24
And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he love the man from his heart
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He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.
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But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king’s successor.
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Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.
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When this came to Nicanor’s hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.
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But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.
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Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.
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But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas’ policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
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And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,
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He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If ye will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.
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After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven, and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;
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Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us:
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Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.
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Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.
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For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.
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So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him:
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For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.
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Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword;
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Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:
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But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.
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But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.
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Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,
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When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.
15
But Nicanor, hearing that Judas and his company were in the strong places about Samaria, resolved without any danger to set upon them on the sabbath day.
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Nevertheless the Jews that were compelled to go with him said, O destroy not so cruelly and barbarously, but give honour to that day, which he, that seeth all things, hath honoured with holiness above all other days.
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Then the most ungracious wretch demanded, if there were a Mighty one in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.
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And when they said, There is in heaven a living Lord, and mighty, who commanded the seventh day to be kept:
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Then said the other, And I also am mighty upon earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king’s business. Yet he obtained not to have his wicked will done.
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So Nicanor in exceeding pride and haughtiness determined to set up a publick monument of his victory over Judas and them that were with him.
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But Maccabeus had ever sure confidence that the Lord would help him:
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Wherefore he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect the victory and aid, which should come unto them from the Almighty.
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And so comforting them out of the law and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles that they won afore, he made them more cheerful.
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And when he had stirred up their minds, he gave them their charge, shewing them therewithall the falsehood of the heathen, and the breach of oaths.
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Thus he armed every one of them, not so much with defence of shields and spears, as with comfortable and good words: and beside that, he told them a dream worthy to be believed, as if it had been so indeed, which did not a little rejoice them.
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And this was his vision: That Onias, who had been high priest, a virtuous and a good man, reverend in conversation, gentle in condition, well spoken also, and exercised from a child in all points of virtue, holding up his hands prayed for the whole body of the Jews.
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This done, in like manner there appeared a man with gray hairs, and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and excellent majesty.
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Then Onias answered, saying, This is a lover of the brethren, who prayeth much for the people, and for the holy city, to wit, Jeremias the prophet of God.
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Whereupon Jeremias holding forth his right hand gave to Judas a sword of gold, and in giving it spake thus,
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Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with the which thou shalt wound the adversaries.
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Thus being well comforted by the words of Judas, which were very good, and able to stir them up to valour, and to encourage the hearts of the young men, they determined not to pitch camp, but courageously to set upon them, and manfully to try the matter by conflict, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger.
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For the care that they took for their wives, and their children, their brethren, and folks, was in least account with them: but the greatest and principal fear was for the holy temple.
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Also they that were in the city took not the least care, being troubled for the conflict abroad.
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And now, when as all looked what should be the trial, and the enemies were already come near, and the army was set in array, and the beasts conveniently placed, and the horsemen set in wings,
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Maccabeus seeing the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretched out his hands toward heaven, and called upon the Lord that worketh wonders, knowing that victory cometh not by arms, but even as it seemeth good to him, he giveth it to such as are worthy:
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Therefore in his prayer he said after this manner; O Lord, thou didst send thine angel in the time of Ezekias king of Judea, and didst slay in the host of Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand:
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Wherefore now also, O Lord of heaven, send a good angel before us for a fear and dread unto them;
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And through the might of thine arm let those be stricken with terror, that come against thy holy people to blaspheme. And he ended thus.
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Then Nicanor and they that were with him came forward with trumpets and songs.
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But Judas and his company encountered the enemies with invocation and prayer.
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So that fighting with their hands, and praying unto God with their hearts, they slew no less than thirty and five thousand men: for through the appearance of God they were greatly cheered.
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Now when the battle was done, returning again with joy, they knew that Nicanor lay dead in his harness.
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Then they made a great shout and a noise, praising the Almighty in their own language.
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And Judas, who was ever the chief defender of the citizens both in body and mind, and who continued his love toward his countrymen all his life, commanded to strike off Nicanor’s head, and his hand with his shoulder, and bring them to Jerusalem.
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So when he was there, and called them of his nation together, and set the priests before the altar, he sent for them that were of the tower,
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And shewed them vile Nicanor’s head, and the hand of that blasphemer, which with proud brags he had stretched out against the holy temple of the Almighty.
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And when he had cut out the tongue of that ungodly Nicanor, he commanded that they should give it by pieces unto the fowls, and hang up the reward of his madness before the temple.
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So every man praised toward the heaven the glorious Lord, saying, Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.
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He hanged also Nicanor’s head upon the tower, an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of the Lord.
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And they ordained all with a common decree in no case to let that day pass without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus’ day.
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Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here will I make an end.
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And if I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired: but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.
39
For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone; and as wine mingled with water is pleasant, and delighteth the taste: even so speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here shall be an end.
The First Book of Esdras
1
And Josias held the feast of the passover in Jerusalem unto his Lord, and offered the passover the fourteenth day of the first month;
2
Having set the priests according to their daily courses, being arrayed in long garments, in the temple of the Lord.
3
And he spake unto the Levites, the holy ministers of Israel, that they should hallow themselves unto the Lord, to set the holy ark of the Lord in the house that king Solomon the son of David had built:
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And said, Ye shall no more bear the ark upon your shoulders: now therefore serve the Lord your God, and minister unto his people Israel, and prepare you after your families and kindreds,
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According as David the king of Israel prescribed, and according to the magnificence of Solomon his son: and standing in the temple according to the several dignity of the families of you the Levites, who minister in the presence of your brethren the children of Israel,
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Offer the passover in order, and make ready the sacrifices for your brethren, and keep the passover according to the commandment of the Lord, which was given unto Moses.
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And unto the people that was found there Josias gave thirty thousand lambs and kids, and three thousand calves: these things were given of the king’s allowance, according as he promised, to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites.
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And Helkias, Zacharias, and Syelus, the governors of the temple, gave to the priests for the passover two thousand and six hundred sheep, and three hundred calves.
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And Jeconias, and Samaias, and Nathanael his brother, and Assabias, and Ochiel, and Joram, captains over thousands, gave to the Levites for the passover five thousand sheep, and seven hundred calves.
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And when these things were done, the priests and Levites, having the unleavened bread, stood in very comely order according to the kindreds,
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And according to the several dignities of the fathers, before the people, to offer to the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses: and thus did they in the morning.
12
And they roasted the passover with fire, as appertaineth: as for the sacrifices, they sod them in brass pots and pans with a good savour,
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And set them before all the people: and afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.
14
For the priests offered the fat until night: and the Levites prepared for themselves, and the priests their brethren, the sons of Aaron.
15
The holy singers also, the sons of Asaph, were in their order, according to the appointment of David, to wit, Asaph, Zacharias, and Jeduthun, who was of the king’s retinue.
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Moreover the porters were at every gate; it was not lawful for any to go from his ordinary service: for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
17
Thus were the things that belonged to the sacrifices of the Lord accomplished in that day, that they might hold the passover,
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And offer sacrifices upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josias.
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So the children of Israel which were present held the passover at that time, and the feast of sweet bread seven days.
20
And such a passover was not kept in Israel since the time of the prophet Samuel.
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Yea, all the kings of Israel held not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and the Jews, held with all Israel that were found dwelling at Jerusalem.
22
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josias was this passover kept.
23
And the works or Josias were upright before his Lord with an heart full of godliness.
24
As for the things that came to pass in his time, they were written in former times, concerning those that sinned, and did wickedly against the Lord above all people and kingdoms, and how they grieved him exceedingly, so that the words of the Lord rose up against Israel.
25
Now after all these acts of Josias it came to pass, that Pharaoh the king of Egypt came to raise war at Carchamis upon Euphrates: and Josias went out against him.
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But the king of Egypt sent to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, O king of Judea?
27
I am not sent out from the Lord God against thee; for my war is upon Euphrates: and now the Lord is with me, yea, the Lord is with me hasting me forward: depart from me, and be not against the Lord.
28
Howbeit Josias did not turn back his chariot from him, but undertook to fight with him, not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy spoken by the mouth of the Lord:
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But joined battle with him in the plain of Magiddo, and the princes came against king Josias.
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Then said the king unto his servants, Carry me away out of the battle; for I am very weak. And immediately his servants took him away out of the battle.
31
Then gat he up upon his second chariot; and being brought back to Jerusalem died, and was buried in his father’s sepulchre.
32
And in all Jewry they mourned for Josias, yea, Jeremy the prophet lamented for Josias, and the chief men with the women made lamentation for him unto this day: and this was given out for an ordinance to be done continually in all the nation of Israel.
33
These things are written in the book of the stories of the kings of Judah, and every one of the acts that Josias did, and his glory, and his understanding in the law of the Lord, and the things that he had done before, and the things now recited, are reported in the book of the kings of Israel and Judea.
34
And the people took Joachaz the son of Josias, and made him king instead of Josias his father, when he was twenty and three years old.
35
And he reigned in Judea and in Jerusalem three months: and then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem.
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And he set a tax upon the land of an hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold.
37
The king of Egypt also made king Joacim his brother king of Judea and Jerusalem.
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And he bound Joacim and the nobles: but Zaraces his brother he apprehended, and brought him out of Egypt.
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Five and twenty years old was Joacim when he was made king in the land of Judea and Jerusalem; and he did evil before the Lord.
40
Wherefore against him Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came up, and bound him with a chain of brass, and carried him into Babylon.
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Nabuchodonosor also took of the holy vessels of the Lord, and carried them away, and set them in his own temple at Babylon.
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But those things that are recorded of him, and of his uncleaness and impiety, are written in the chronicles of the kings.
43
And Joacim his son reigned in his stead: he was made king being eighteen years old;
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And reigned but three months and ten days in Jerusalem; and did evil before the Lord.
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So after a year Nabuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought into Babylon with the holy vessels of the Lord;
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And made Zedechias king of Judea and Jerusalem, when he was one and twenty years old; and he reigned eleven years:
47
And he did evil also in the sight of the Lord, and cared not for the words that were spoken unto him by the prophet Jeremy from the mouth of the Lord.
48
And after that king Nabuchodonosor had made him to swear by the name of the Lord, he forswore himself, and rebelled; and hardening his neck, his heart, he transgressed the laws of the Lord God of Israel.
49
The governors also of the people and of the priests did many things against the laws, and passed all the pollutions of all nations, and defiled the temple of the Lord, which was sanctified in Jerusalem.
50
Nevertheless the God of their fathers sent by his messenger to call them back, because he spared them and his tabernacle also.
51
But they had his messengers in derision; and, look, when the Lord spake unto them, they made a sport of his prophets:
52
So far forth, that he, being wroth with his people for their great ungodliness, commanded the kings of the Chaldees to come up against them;
53
Who slew their young men with the sword, yea, even within the compass of their holy temple, and spared neither young man nor maid, old man nor child, among them; for he delivered all into their hands.
54
And they took all the holy vessels of the Lord, both great and small, with the vessels of the ark of God, and the king’s treasures, and carried them away into Babylon.
55
As for the house of the Lord, they burnt it, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem, and set fire upon her towers:
56
And as for her glorious things, they never ceased till they had consumed and brought them all to nought: and the people that were not slain with the sword he carried unto Babylon:
57
Who became servants to him and his children, till the Persians reigned, to fulfil the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremy:
58
Until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths, the whole time of her desolation shall she rest, until the full term of seventy years.
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