The Holy Bible

Part 27 out of 29

by all men, as a forsaker of the laws and execrable, as an enemy of his
country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt:

5:9. And he that had driven many out of their country perished in a
strange land, going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have
refuge there:

5:10. But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth
both unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being
partaker of the sepulchre of his fathers.

5:11. Now when these things were done, the king suspected that the Jews
would forsake the alliance: whereupon departing out of Egypt with a
furious mind, he took the city by force of arms,

5:12. And commanded the soldiers to kill, and not to spare any that
came in their way, and to go up into the houses to slay.

5:13. Thus there was a slaughter of young and old, destruction of women
and children, and killing of virgins and infants.

5:14. And there were slain in the space of three whole days fourscore
thousand, forty thousand were made prisoners, and as many sold.

5:15. But this was not enough, he presumed also to enter into the
temple, the most holy in all the world Menelaus, that traitor to the
laws, and to his country, being his guide.

5:16. And taking in his wicked hands the holy vessels, which were given
by other kings and cities, for the ornament and the glory of the place,
he unworthily handled and profaned them.

5:17. Thus Antiochus going astray in mind, did not consider that God
was angry for a while, because of the sins of the inhabitants of the
city: and therefore this contempt had happened to the place:

5:18. Otherwise had they not been involved in many sins, as Heliodorus,
who was sent by king Seleucus to rob the treasury, so this man also, as
soon as he had come, had been forthwith scourged, and put back from his
presumption.

5:19. But God did not choose the people for the place's sake, but the
place for the people's sake.

5:20. And, therefore, the place also itself was made partaker of the
evils of the people: but afterwards shall communicate in the good
things thereof, and as it was forsaken in the wrath of Almighty God,
shall be exalted again with great glory, when the great Lord shall be
reconciled.

5:21. So when Antiochus had taken away out of the temple a thousand and
eight hundred talents, he went back in all haste to Antioch, thinking
through pride that he might now make the land navigable, and the sea
passable on foot: such was the haughtiness of his mind.

5:22. He left also governors to afflict the people: at Jerusalem,
Philip, a Phrygian by birth, but in manners more barbarous than he that
set him there:

5:23. And in Gazarim, Andronicus and Menelaus, who bore a more heavy
hand upon the citizens than the rest.

5:24. And whereas he was set against the Jews, he sent that hateful
prince, Apollonius, with an army of two and twenty thousand men,
commanding him to kill all that were of perfect age, and to sell the
women and the younger sort.

5:25. Who, when he was come to Jerusalem, pretending peace, rested till
the holy day of the sabbath: and then the Jews keeping holiday, he
commanded his men to take arms.

5:26. And he slew all that were come forth to flee: and running through
the city with armed men, he destroyed a very great multitude.

5:27. But Judas Machabeus, who was the tenth, had withdrawn himself
into a desert place, and there lived amongst wild beasts in the
mountains with his company: and they continued feeding on herbs, that
they might not be partakers of the pollution.

Was the tenth. . .That is, he had nine others in his company.

2 Machabees Chapter 6

Antiochus commands the law to be abolished, sets up an idol in the
temple, and persecutes the faithful. The martyrdom of Eleazar.

6:1. But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to
compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God:

6:2. And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the
temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Garazim of Jupiter Hospitalis,
according as they were that inhabited the place.

That in Gazarim. . .Viz., the temple of the Samaritans. And as they were
originally strangers, the name of Hospitalis (which signifies of or
belonging to strangers) was applicable to the idol set up in their
temple.

6:3. And very bad was this invasion of evils, and grievous to all.

6:4. For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the
Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves
of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were
not lawful.

6:5. The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were
forbidden by the laws.

6:6. And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the
fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a
Jew.

6:7. But they were led by bitter constraint on the king's birthday to
the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were
compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus.

6:8. And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the
Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should
act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice:

6:9. And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the
Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen.

6:10. For two women were accused to have circumcised their children:
whom, when they had openly led about through the city, with the infants
hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls.

6:11. And others that had met together in caves that were near, and
were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip,
were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves
with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day.

Philip. . .The governor of Jerusalem.

6:12. Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not
shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that
happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of
our nation.

6:13. For it is a token of great goodness, when sinners are not
suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently
punished.

6:14. For, not as with other nations, (whom the Lord patiently
expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them
in the fulness of their sins:)

6:15. Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to
their height, and then take vengeance on us.

6:16. And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though
he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.

6:17. But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers.
And now we must come to the narration.

6:18. Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years,
and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat
swine's flesh.

6:19. But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful
life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.

6:20. And considering in what manner he was to come to it, patiently
bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of
life.

6:21. But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old
friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh
might be brought which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make
as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the
sacrifice:

Wicked pity. . .Their pity was wicked, inasmuch as it suggested that
wicked proposal of saving his life by dissimulation.

6:22. That by so doing he might be delivered from death; and for the
sake of their old friendship with the man, they did him this courtesy.

6:23. But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient
years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and
conversation from a child; and he answered without delay, according to
the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would
rather be sent into the other world.

6:24. For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby
many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore
and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:

6:25. And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a
corruptible life, should be deceived, and hereby I should bring a stain
and a curse upon my old age.

6:26. For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the
punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty
neither alive nor dead.

6:27. Wherefore, by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew
myself worthy of my old age:

6:28. And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a
ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for the most
venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith
carried to execution.

6:29. And they that led him, and had been a little before more mild,
were changed to wrath for the words he had spoken, which they thought
were uttered out of arrogancy.

6:30. But when be was now ready to die with the stripes, he groaned:
and said: O Lord, who hast the holy knowledge, thou knowest manifestly
that whereas I might be delivered from death, I suffer grievous pains
in body: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I
fear thee.

6:31. Thus did this man die, leaving not only to young men, but also to
the whole nation, the memory of his death, for an example of virtue and
fortitude.

2 Machabees Chapter 7

The glorious martyrdom of the seven brethren and their mother.

7:1. It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their
mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's
flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and
scourges.

7:2. But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou
ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the
laws of God, received from our fathers.

7:3. Then the king being angry, commanded fryingpans and brazen
caldrons to be made hot: which forthwith being heated,

7:4. He commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had spoken first:
and the skin of his head being drawn off, to chop off also the
extremities of his hands and feet, the rest of his brethren and his
mother looking on.

7:6. And when he was now maimed in all parts, he commanded him, being
yet alive, to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the fryingpan:
and while he was suffering therein long torments, the rest, together
with the mother, exhorted one another to die manfully,

7:6. Saying: The Lord God will look upon the truth, and will take
pleasure in us, as Moses declared in the profession of the canticle;
And in his servants he will take pleasure.

7:7. So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the
next to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin
of his head with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, before he
were punished throughout the whole body in every limb.

7:8. But he answered in his own language, and said: I will not do it.
Wherefore he also, in the next place, received the torments of the first:

7:9. And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O
most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King
of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the
resurrection of eternal life.

7:10. After him the third was made a mocking-stock, and when he was
required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched
out his hands:

7:11. And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the
laws of God I now despise them, because I hope to receive them again
from him.

7:12. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the
young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.

7:13. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like
manner.

7:14. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better,
being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up
again by him; for, as to thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto
life.

7:15. And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he,
looking upon the king,

7:16. Said: Whereas thou hast power among men though thou art
corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt but think not that our nation is
forsaken by God.

7:17. But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power,
in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed.

7:18. After him they brought the sixth, and he being ready to die,
spoke thus: Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things
for ourselves, having sinned against our God, and things worthy of
admiration are done to us:

7:19. But do not think that thou shalt escape unpunished, for that thou
hast attempted to fight against God.

7:20. Now the mother was to be admired above measure, and worthy to be
remembered by good men, who beheld her seven sons slain in the space of
one day, and bore it with a good courage, for the hope that she had in
God:

7:21. And she bravely exhorted every one of them in her own language,
being filled with wisdom; and joining a man's heart to a woman's
thought,

7:22. She said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb; for
I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the
limbs of every one of you.

7:23. But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man,
and that found out the origin of all, he will restore to you again, in
his mercy, both breath and life, as now you despise yourselves for the
sake of his laws.

7:24. Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and withal despising
the voice of the upbraider, when the youngest was yet alive, did not
only exhort him by words, but also assured him with an oath, that he
would make him a rich and a happy man, and, if he would turn from the
laws of his fathers, would take him for a friend, and furnish him with
things necessary.

7:25. But when the young man was not moved with these things, the king
called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to
save his life.

7:26. And when he had exhorted her with many words she promised that
she would counsel her son.

7:27. So bending herself towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she
said in her own language: My son have pity upon me, that bore thee nine
months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee,
and brought thee up unto this age.

7:28. I beseech thee, my son, look upon heaven and earth, and all that
is in them, and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind
also:

7:29. So thou shalt not fear this tormentor, but being made a worthy
partner with thy brethren, receive death, that in that mercy I may
receive thee again with thy brethren.

7:30. While she was yet speaking these words, the young man said: For
whom do you stay? I will not obey the commandment of the king, but the
commandment of the law which was given us by Moses.

7:31. But thou that hast been the author of all mischief against the
Hebrews, shalt not escape the hand of God.

7:32. For we suffer thus for our sins.

7:33. And though the Lord, our God, is angry with us a little while,
for our chastisement and correction, yet he will be reconciled again to
his servants.

7:34. But thou, O wicked, and of all men most flagitious, be not lifted
up without cause with vain hopes, whilst thou art raging against his
servants.

7:35. For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of the Almighty God,
who beholdeth all things.

7:36. For my brethren having now undergone a short pain, are under the
covenant of eternal life: but thou, by the judgment of God, shalt
receive just punishment for thy pride.

7:37. But I, like my brethren, offer up my life and my body for the
laws of our fathers: calling upon God to be speedily merciful to our
nation, and that thou by torments and stripes mayst confess that he
alone is God.

7:38. But in me, and in my brethren, the wrath of the Almighty, which
hath justly been brought upon all our nation, shall cease.

7:39. Then the king being incensed with anger, raged against him more
cruelly than all the rest, taking it grievously that he was mocked.

7:40. So this man also died undefiled, wholly trusting in the Lord.

7:41. And last of all, after the sons, the mother also was consumed.

7:42. But now there is enough said of the sacrifices and of the
excessive cruelties.

2 Machabees Chapter 8

Judas Machabeus gathering an army gains divers victories.

8:1. But Judas Machabeus, and they that were with him, went privately
into the towns: and calling together their kinsmen and friends, and
taking unto them such as continued in the Jews' religion, they
assembled six thousand men.

8:2. And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon his people
that was trodden down by all and would have pity on the temple, that
was defiled by the wicked:

8:3. That he would have pity also upon the city that was destroyed,
that was ready to be made even with the ground, and would hear the
voice of the blood that cried to him:

8:4. That he would remember also the most unjust deaths of innocent
children, and the blasphemies offered to his name, and would shew his
indignation on this occasion.

8:5. Now when Machabeus had gathered a multitude, he could not be
withstood by the heathens: for the wrath of the Lord was turned into
mercy.

8:6. So coming unawares upon the towns and cities, he set them on fire,
and taking possession of the most commodious places, he made no small
slaughter of the enemies:

8:7. And especially in the nights he went upon these expeditions, and
the fame of his valour was spread abroad every where.

8:8. Then Philip seeing that the man gained ground by little and
little, and that things for the most part succeeded prosperously with
him, wrote to Ptolemee, the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, to send
aid to the king's affairs.

Philip seeing, etc. . .The governor of Jerusalem found himself unable to
contend with Judas, especially after the victories he had obtained over
Apollonius and Seron. 1 Mac. 3.

8:9. And he with all speed sent Nicanor, the son of Patroclus, one of
his special friends, giving him no fewer than twenty thousand armed men
of different nations, to root out the whole race of the Jews, joining
also with him Gorgias, a good soldier, and of great experience in
matters of war.

Twenty thousand. . .The whole number of the forces sent at that time
into Judea, was 40,000 footmen, and 7000 horsemen, 1 Mac. 3.30. But
only 20,000 are here taken notice of, because there were no more with
Nicanor at the time of the battle.

8:10. And Nicanor purposed to raise for the king the tribute of two
thousand talents, that was to be given to the Romans, by making so much
money of the captive Jews:

8:11. Wherefore he sent immediately to the cities upon the sea coast,
to invite men together to buy up the Jewish slaves, promising that they
should have ninety slaves for one talent, not reflecting on the
vengeance which was to follow him from the Almighty.

8:12. Now when Judas found that Nicanor was coming, he imparted to the
Jews that were with him, that the enemy was at hand.

8:13. And some of them being afraid, and distrusting the justice of
God, fled away.

8:14. Others sold all that they had left, and withal besought the Lord,
that he would deliver them from the wicked Nicanor, who had sold them
before he came near them:

8:15. And if not for their sakes, yet for the covenant that he had made
with their fathers, and for the sake of his holy and glorious name that
was invoked upon them.

8:16. But Machabeus calling together seven thousand that were with him,
exhorted them not to be reconciled to the enemies, nor to fear the
multitude of the enemies who came wrongfully against them, but to fight
manfully:

Seven thousand. . .In the Greek it is six thousand. But then three
thousand of them had no arms. 1 Mac. 4.6.

8:17. Setting before their eyes the injury they had unjustly done the
holy place, and also the injury they had done to the city, which had
been shamefully abused, besides their destroying the ordinances of the
fathers.

8:18. For, said he, they trust in their weapons, and in their boldness:
but we trust in the Almighty Lord, who at a beck can utterly destroy
both them that come against us, and the whole world.

8:19. Moreover, he put them in mind also of the helps their fathers had
received from God: and how, under Sennacherib, a hundred and
eighty-five thousand had been destroyed.

8:20. And of the battle that they had fought against the Galatians, in
Babylonia; how they, being in all but six thousand, when it came to the
point, and the Macedonians, their companions, were at a stand, slew a
hundred and twenty thousand, because of the help they had from heaven,
and for this they received many favours.

Galatians. . .That is, the Gauls, who having ravaged Italy and Greece,
poured themselves in upon Asia, in immense multitudes, where also they
founded the kingdom of Galatia or Gallo Graecia.

8:21. With these words they were greatly encouraged and disposed even
to die for the laws and their country.

8:22. So he appointed his brethren captains over each division of his
army; Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving to each one fifteen
hundred men.

8:23. And after the holy book had been read to them by Esdras, and he
had given them for a watchword, The help of God: himself leading the
first band, he joined battle with Nicanor:

8:24. And the Almighty being their helper, they slew above nine
thousand men: and having wounded and disabled the greater part of
Nicanor's army, they obliged them to fly.

Above nine thousand. . .Viz., including the three thousand slain in the
pursuit.

8:25. And they took the money of them that came to buy them, and they
pursued them on every side.

8:26. But they came back for want of time: for it was the day before
the sabbath: and therefore they did not continue the pursuit.

8:27. But when they had gathered together their arms and their spoils,
they kept the sabbath: blessing the Lord who had delivered them that
day, distilling the beginning of mercy upon them.

8:28. Then after the sabbath they divided the spoils to the feeble and
the orphans, and the widows, and the rest they took for themselves and
their servants.

8:29. When this was done, and they had all made a common supplication,
they besought the merciful Lord, to be reconciled to his servants unto
the end.

8:30. Moreover, they slew above twenty thousand of them that were with
Timotheus and Bacchides, who fought against them, and they made
themselves masters of the high strong holds: and they divided amongst
them many spoils, giving equal portions to the feeble, the fatherless,
and the widows; yea, and the aged also

8:31. And when they had carefully gathered together their arms, they
laid them all up in convenient places, and the residue of their spoils
they carried to Jerusalem:

8:32. They slew also Philarches, who was with Timotheus, a wicked man,
who had many ways afflicted the Jews.

8:33. And when they kept the feast of the victory at Jerusalem, they
burnt Callisthenes, that had set fire to the holy gates, who had taken
refuge in a certain house, rendering to him a worthy reward for his
impieties:

8:34. But as for that most wicked man, Nicanor, who had brought a
thousand merchants to the sale of the Jews,

8:35. Being, through the help of the Lord, brought down by them, of
whom he had made no account, laying aside his garment of glory, fleeing
through the midland country, he came alone to Antioch, being rendered
very unhappy by the destruction of his army.

Laying aside his garment of glory. . .That is, his splendid apparel,
which he wore through ostentation; he now throws it off, lest he should
be known on his flight.

8:36. And he that had promised to levy the tribute for the Romans, by
the means of the captives of Jerusalem, now professed that the Jews had
God for their protector, and therefore they could not be hurt, because
they followed the laws appointed by him.

2 Machabees Chapter 9

The wretched end, and fruitless repentance of king Antiochus.

9:1. At that time Antiochus returned with dishonour out of Persia.

9:2. For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and attempted
to rob the temple, and to oppress the city, but the multitude running
together to arms, put them to flight: and so it fell out that Antiochus
being put to flight, returned with disgrace.

Persepolis. . .Otherwise called Elymais.

9:3. Now when he was come about Ecbatana, he received the news of what
had happened to Nicanor and Timotheus.

9:4. And swelling with anger, he thought to revenge upon the Jews the
injury done by them that had put him to flight. And therefore he
commanded his chariot to be driven, without stopping in his journey,
the judgment of heaven urging him forward, because he had spoken so
proudly, that he would come to Jerusalem, and make it a common burying
place of the Jews.

9:5. But the Lord, the God of Israel, that seeth all things, struck him
with an incurable and an invisible plague. For as soon as he had ended
these words, a dreadful pain in his bowels came upon him, and bitter
torments of the inner parts.

9:6. And indeed very justly, seeing he had tormented the bowels of
others with many and new torments, albeit he by no means ceased from
his malice.

9:7. Moreover, being filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage
against the Jews, and commanding the matter to be hastened, it happened
as he was going with violence, that he fell from the chariot, so that
his limbs were much pained by a grievous bruising of the body.

9:8. Thus he that seemed to himself to command even the waves of the
sea, being proud above the condition of man, and to weigh the heights
of the mountains in a balance, now being cast down to the ground, was
carried in a litter, bearing witness to the manifest power of God in
himself:

9:9. So that worms swarmed out of the body of this man, and whilst he
lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell off, and the filthiness of his
smell was noisome to the army.

9:10. And the man that thought a little before he could reach to the
stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry, for the intolerable
stench.

9:11. And by this means, being brought from his great pride, he began
to come to the knowledge of himself, being admonished by the scourge of
God, his pains increasing every moment.

9:12. And when he himself could not now abide his own stench, he spoke
thus: It is just to be subject to God, and that a mortal man should not
equal himself to God.

9:13. Then this wicked man prayed to the Lord, of whom he was not like
to obtain mercy.

Of whom he was not like to obtain mercy. . .Because his repentance was
not for the offence committed against God: but barely on account of his
present sufferings.

9:14. And the city, to which he was going in haste to lay it even with
the ground, and to make it a common burying place, he now desireth to
make free:

9:15. And the Jews, whom he said he would not account worthy to be so
much as buried, but would give them up to be devoured by the birds and
wild beasts, and would utterly destroy them with their children, he now
promiseth to make equal with the Athenians.

9:16. The holy temple also, which before he had spoiled, he promised to
adorn with goodly gifts, and to multiply the holy vessels, and to allow
out of his revenues the charges pertaining to the sacrifices.

9:17. Yea also, that he would become a Jew himself, and would go
through every place of the earth, and declare the power of God.

9:18. But his pains not ceasing, (for the just judgment of God was come
upon him) despairing of life, he wrote to the Jews, in the manner of a
supplication, a letter in these words:

9:19. To his very good subjects the Jews, Antiochus, king and ruler,
wisheth much health, and welfare, and happiness.

9:20. If you and your children are well, and if all matters go with you
to your mind, we give very great thanks.

9:21. As for me, being infirm, but yet kindly remembering you,
returning out of the places of Persia, and being taken with a grievous
disease, I thought it necessary to take care for the common good:

9:22. Not distrusting my life, but having great hope to escape the
sickness.

9:23. But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army
into the higher countries, appointed who should reign after him:

9:24. To the end that if any thing contrary to expectation should fall
out, or any bad tidings should be brought, they that were in the
countries, knowing to whom the whole government was left, might not be
troubled.

9:25. Moreover, considering that neighbouring princes, and borderers,
wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have
appointed my son, Antiochus, king, whom I often recommended to many of
you, when I went into the higher provinces: and I have written to him
what I have joined here below.

9:26. I pray you, therefore, and request of you, that, remembering
favours both public and private, you will every man of you continue to
be faithful to me and to my son.

9:27. For I trust that he will behave with moderation and humanity, and
following my intentions, will be gracious unto you.

9:28. Thus the murderer and blasphemer being grievously struck, as
himself had treated others, died a miserable death in a strange
country, among the mountains.

9:29. But Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body:
and out of fear of the son of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolemee
Philometor.

2 Machabees Chapter 10

The purification of the temple and city. Other exploits of Judas. His
victory over Timotheus.

10:1. But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of
the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.

10:2. But he threw down the altars which the heathens had set up in the
streets, as also the temples of the idols.

10:3. And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and
taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two
years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the loaves of proposition.

10:4. And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord,
lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such
evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised
by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and
blasphemous men.

10:5. Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the
strangers on the very same day it was cleansed again; to wit, on the
five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu.

10:6. And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast
of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the
feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens
like wild beasts.

10:7. Therefore they now carried boughs and green branches and palms,
for him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.

10:8. And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the
nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.

10:9. And this was the end of Antiochus, that was called the
Illustrious.

10:10. But now we will repeat the acts of Eupator, the son of that
wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in
the wars.

10:11. For when he was come to the crown, he appointed over the affairs
of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria.

10:12. For Ptolemee, that was called Macer, was determined to be
strictly just to the Jews and especially by reason of the wrong that
had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them.

10:13. But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being
oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus, which Philometor
had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had
revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison.

10:14. But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the
strangers, often fought against the Jews.

10:15. And the Jews that occupied the most commodious holds, received
those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.

The Jews, etc. . .He speaks of them that had fallen from their religion,
and were enemies of their country, who joining with the Idumeans or
Edomites, kept possession of the strong holds, and from thence annoyed
their countrymen.

10:16. Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by
prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds
of the Idumeans:

10:17. And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them
that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty
thousand.

10:18. And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all
manner of provision to sustain a siege,

10:19. Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were
with them, in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those
expeditions which urged more.

10:20. Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were
persuaded for the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and
taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape.

10:21. But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the
rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their
brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape.

10:22. So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two
towers.

10:23. And having good success in arms, and all things he took in hand,
he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds.

10:24. But Timotheus, who before had been overcome by the Jews, having
called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen
out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.

10:26. But Machabeus, and they that were with him, when he drew near,
prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads, and girding
their loins with haircloth,

10:26. And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be
merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary
to their adversaries, as the law saith.

10:27. And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further
from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they
rested.

10:28. But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the
one part having, with their valour, the Lord for a surety of victory,
and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in
battle.

10:29. But when they were in the heat of the engagement, there appeared
to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely, with golden
bridles, conducting the Jews:

10:30. Two of them took Machabeus between them, and covered him on
every side with their arms, and kept him safe; but cast darts and
fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both
confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble.

10:31. And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six
hundred horsemen.

10:32. But Timotheus fled into Gazara, a strong hold where Chereas was
governor.

10:33. Then Machabeus, and they that were with him cheerfully laid
siege to the fortress four days.

10:34. But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the
place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.

10:35. But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that
were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds, because of the blasphemy,
approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce
courage, got up upon it:

10:36. Moreover, others also getting up after them, went to set fire to
the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.

10:37. And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the
fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place:
they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.

Timotheus. . .This man, who was killed at the taking of Gazara, is
different from that Timotheus who is mentioned in the fifth chapter of
the first book of Machabees, and of whom there is mention in the
following chapter.

10:38. And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and
thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the
victory.

2 Machabees Chapter 11

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

11:1. A short time after this Lysias, the king's lieutenant, and
cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly
displeased with what had happened,

11:2. Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen,
and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a
habitation of the Gentiles:

11:3. And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the
Gentiles and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

11:4. Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and
trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of
his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.

11:5. So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in
a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid
siege to that fortress.

11:6. But when Machabeus, and they that were with him, understood that
the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the
Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to
save Israel.

11:7. Then Machabeus himself first taking his arms, exhorted the rest
to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour
their brethren.

11:8. And when they were going forth together with a willing mind,
there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white
clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

11:9. Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great
courage: being ready to break through not only men, but also the
fiercest beasts, and walls of iron.

11:10. So they went on courageously, having a helper from heaven, and
the Lord, who shewed mercy to them.

11:11. And rushing violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of
them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred horsemen:

11:12. And put all the rest to flight; and many of them being wounded,
escaped naked: Yea, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and
escaped.

11:13. And as he was a man of understanding, considering with himself
the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be
overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he
sent to them:

11:14. And promised that he would agree to all things that are just,
and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

11:15. Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for
the common good in all things; and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to
Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

11:16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this
effect: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

11:17. John, and Abesalom, who were sent from you, delivering your
writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were
signified by them.

11:18. Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king,
I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter
permitted.

11:19. If, therefore, you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs,
hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

11:20. But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word
both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

11:21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four
and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

In the year 148. . .Viz., according to the computation followed by the
Greeks; which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the
writer of the first book of Machabees. However, by this date, as well
as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias,
mentioned in this chapter, is different from that which is recorded,
1 Mac. 6.

11:22. But the king's letter contained these words King Antiochus to
Lysias, his brother, greeting.

11:23. Our father being translated amongst the gods we are desirous
that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply
themselves diligently to their own concerns.

11:24. And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father
to turn to the rites of the Greeks but that they would keep to their
own manner of living and therefore that they request us to allow them
to live after their own laws.

11:25. Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at
rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored
to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their
ancestors.

11:26. Thou shalt do well, therefore, to send to them, and grant them
peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and
look to their own affairs.

11:27. But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King
Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews,
greeting.

11:28. If you are well, you are as we desire: we ourselves also are
well.

11:29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to
your countrymen, that are with us.

11:30. We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go,
until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

11:31. That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own
laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested
for things which have been done by ignorance.

11:32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

11:33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the
fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

11:34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus
Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people
of the Jews, greeting.

11:35. Whatsoever Lysias, the king's cousin, hath granted to you, we
also have granted.

11:36. But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the
king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some
one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we
are going to Antioch.

11:37. And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what
mind you are.

11:38. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the
fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

2 Machabees Chapter 12

The Jews are still molested by their neighbours. Judas gains divers
victories over them. He orders sacrifice and prayers for the dead.

12:1. When these covenants were made, Lysias went to the king, and the
Jews gave themselves to husbandry.

12:2. But they that were behind, viz. Timotheus, and Apollonius, the
son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them
Nicanor, the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live in
peace, and to be quiet.

12:3. The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness:
they desired the Jews, who dwelt among them, to go with their wives and
children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though they had no
enmity to them.

12:4. Which when they had consented to, according to the common decree
of the city, suspecting nothing, because of the peace: when they were
gone forth into the deep, they drowned no fewer than two hundred of
them.

12:5. But as soon as Judas heard of this cruelty done to his
countrymen, he commanded the men that were with him: and after having
called upon God, the just judge,

12:6. He came against those murderers of his brethren, and set the
haven on fire in the night, burnt the boats, and slew with the sword
them that escaped from the fire.

12:7. And when he had done these things in this manner, he departed as
if he would return again, and root out all the Joppites.

12:8. But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do
in like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them,

12:9. He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on
fire, with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at
Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs off.

12:10. And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were
marching towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen, and five hundred
horsemen of the Arabians, set upon them.

12:11. And after a hard fight, in which, by the help of God, they got
the victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas
for peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist him in other
things.

12:12. And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many
things, promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they
departed to their tents.

12:13. He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with
bridges and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations,
the name of which is Casphin.

12:14. But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the
walls, and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent
manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering
such words as were not to be spoken.

12:15. But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who
without any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho, in
the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls.

Rams. . .That is, engines for battering walls, etc., which were used in
sieges in those times.

12:16. And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an
unspeakable slaughter, so that a pool adjoining, of two furlongs broad,
seemed to run with the blood of the slain.

12:17. From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and
came to Characa, to the Jews that are called Tubianites.

12:18. But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for
before he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very
strong garrison in a certain hold:

12:19. But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus,
slew them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten
thousand men.

12:20. And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men,
and divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with
him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, and two thousand five
hundred horsemen.

12:21. Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent
the women and children, and the other baggage, before him into a
fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable, and hard to come at,
by reason of the straitness of the places.

12:22. But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were
struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and
they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often
thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of
their own swords.

12:23. But Judas pursued them close, punishing the profane, of whom he
slew thirty thousand men.

12:24. And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of
Dositheus and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let
him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren of many
of the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived.

12:25. And when he had given his faith that he would restore them
according to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the
saving of their brethren.

12:26. Then Judas went away to Carnion, where he slew five and twenty
thousand persons.

12:27. And after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed
his army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of
divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls, made a
vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war,
and a provision of darts.

12:28. But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power
breaketh the strength of the enemies, they took the city: and slew five
and twenty thousand of them that were within.

12:29. From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six
hundred furlongs from Jerusalem.

Scythopolis. . .Formerly called Bethsan.

12:30. But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that
they were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their
adversity they had treated them with humanity:

12:31. They gave them thanks, exhorting them to be still friendly to
their nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks
being at hand.

12:32. And after Pentecost they marched against Gorgias, the governor
of Idumea.

12:33. And he came out with three thousand footmen and four hundred
horsemen.

12:34. And when they had joined battle, it happened that a few of the
Jews were slain.

12:35. But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant man,
took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain
horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and cut off his shoulder: and
so Gorgias escaped to Maresa.

12:36. But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were
weary, Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the
battle:

12:37. Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a
loud voice, he put Gorgias's soldiers to flight.

12:38. So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city
Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves
according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the same place.

12:39. And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away
the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their
kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.

12:40. And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the
donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews:
so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.

Of the donaries, etc. . .That is, of the votive offerings, which had
been hung up in the temples of the idols, which they had taken away
when they burnt the port of Jamnia, ver. 9., contrary to the
prohibition of the law, Deut. 7.25.

12:41. Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had
discovered the things that were hidden.

12:42. And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that
the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most
valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin,
forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of
the sins of those that were slain.

12:43. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of
silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the
dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.

12:44. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise
again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)

12:45. And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with
godliness, had great grace laid up for them.

With godliness. . .Judas hoped that these men who died fighting for the
cause of God and religion, might find mercy: either because they might
be excused from mortal sin by ignorance; or might have repented of
their sin, at least at their death.

12:46. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the
dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the
dead. . .Here is an evident and undeniable proof of the practice of
praying for the dead under the old law, which was then strictly observed
by the Jews, and consequently could not be introduced at that time by
Judas, their chief and high priest, if it had not been always their
custom.

2 Machabees Chapter 13

Antiochus and Lysias again invade Judea. Menelaus is put to death. The
king's great army is worsted twice. The peace is renewed.

13:1. In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that
Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,

13:2. And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs
of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five
thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots.

A hundred and ten thousand, etc. . .The difference between the numbers
here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for;
if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time
more numerous than at another; either by sending away large
detachments, or being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving
fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or
occurrences.

13:3. Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great
deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country,
but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.

13:4. But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against
the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the
evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be
apprehended and put to death in the same place.

13:5. Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a
heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.

13:6. From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown
down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.

13:7. And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of
the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.

13:8. And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many
sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy:
he was condemned to die in ashes.

13:9. But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself
worse to the Jews than his father was.

13:10. Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call
upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he
would help them:

13:11. Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their
country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the
people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again
in subjection to blasphemous nations.

13:12. So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of
the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for
three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.

13:13. But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should
bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go
out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.

13:14. So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having
exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death
for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he
placed his army about Modin.

13:15. And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of
God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter
by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of
the elephants, with them that had been upon him,

13:16. And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great
fear and tumult, they went off with good success.

13:17. Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and
help of the Lord.

13:18. But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews,
attempted to take the strong places by policy:

13:19. And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong
hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.

13:20. Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within

13:21. But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to
the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison.

13:22. Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his
right hand: took theirs: and went away.

13:23. He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood
that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at
Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and entreating the Jews,
and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable,
and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left
gifts.

13:24. He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from
Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians.

13:25. But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were
much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear
they should break the covenant.

13:26. Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the
reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus
matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.

2 Machabees Chapter 14

Demetrius challenges the kingdom. Alcimus applies to him to be made
high priest: Nicanor is sent into Judea: his dealings with Judas: his
threats. The history of Razias.

14:1. But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with
him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a
great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for
his purpose,

14:2. And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus,
and his general, Lysias.

14:3. Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully
defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that
there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,

Now Alcimus, who had been chief priest. . .This Alcimus was of the stock
of Aaron, but for his apostasy here mentioned was incapable of the high
priesthood, but king Antiochus Eupator appointed him in place of the
high priest, (see above, 1 Mac. chap. 7., ver. 9,) as Menelaus had been
before him, set up by Antiochus (above chap. 4.), yet neither of them
were truly high priests; for the true high priesthood was amongst the
Machabees, who were also of the stock of Aaron, and had strictly held
their religion, and were ordained according to the rites commanded in
the law of Moses.--Ibid. Mingling. . .with the heathens; that is, in
their idolatrous worship.

14:4. Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty,
presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these,
some boughs that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he
held his peace.

14:5. But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being
called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon,
and what were their counsels,

14:6. He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called
Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise
seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.

14:7. For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the
high priesthood) am now come hither:

14:8. Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but
in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for
all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of these men.

14:9. Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take
care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according
to thy humanity which is known to all men.

14:10. For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state
should be quiet.

14:11. Now when this man had spoken to this effect the rest also of the
king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against
him.

14:12. And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants,
governor into Judea:

14:13. Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all
them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the
great temple.

14:14. Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to
Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to
be the welfare of their affairs.

14:15. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the
nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads,
and made supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for
ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.

14:16. Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed
from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet
them.

14:17. Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor:
but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.

14:18. Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's
companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for
their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.

14:19. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before
to present and receive the right hands.

14:20. And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the
captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind
to consent to covenants.

14:21. So they appointed a day upon which they might come together by
themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.

14:22. But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places,
lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they
made an agreeable conference.

14:23. And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away
the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.

14:24. And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well
affected to the man.

14:25. And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he
married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.

14:26. But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the
covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to
the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a
traitor to the kingdom, his successor.

14:27. Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's
wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly
displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him
nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.

14:28. When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it
grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon,
having received no injury from the man.

14:29. But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an
opportunity to comply with the orders

14:30. But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him,
and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough
manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he
gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.

14:31. But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the
great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the
accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

14:32. And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man
was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,

14:33. And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I
will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down
the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.

14:34. And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests
stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever
the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:

14:35. Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased
that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.

14:36. Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house
for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.

14:37. Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to
Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who
for his kindness was called the father of the Jews.

14:38. This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping
himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body
and life, that he might persevere therein.

14:39. So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the
Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.

14:40. For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.

14:41. Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break
open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he
struck himself with his sword:

He struck himself, etc. . .St. Augustine, (Epist. 61, ad Dulcitium, et
lib. 2, cap. 23, ad Epist. 2, Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias,
says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to
be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or
at least not proper in this time of grace.

14:42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the
wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.

14:43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and
the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and
manfully threw himself down to the crowd:

14:44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the
midst of the neck.

He came upon the midst of the neck. . .Venit per mediam cervicem. In the
Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no
building.

14:45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he
arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was
grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:

14:46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without
blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the
throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to
him again: and so he departed this life.

2 Machabees Chapter 15

Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The
conclusion.

15:1. But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of
Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath
day.

15:2. And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do
not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is
sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:

15:3. That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven,
that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.

15:4. And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in
heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.

15:5. Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to
take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not
to accomplish his design.

15:6. So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to
set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.

15:7. But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help
them.

15:8. And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations,
but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now
to hope for victory from the Almighty.

15:9. And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal
putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made
them more cheerful:

15:10. Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the
falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.

15:11. So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and
spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a
dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.

15:12. Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high
priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his
manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in
virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:

15:13. After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age,
and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:

15:14. Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and
of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people,
and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God.

15:15. Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to
Judas a sword of gold, saying:

15:16. Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt
overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.

15:17. Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very
good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of
the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully:
that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the
temple were in danger.

15:18. For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and
for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal
fear was for the holiness of the temple.

15:19. And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for
them that were to be engaged in battle.

15:20. And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the
enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the
horsemen ranged in convenient places,

15:21. Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the
divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts,
stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh
wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to
the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.

15:22. And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who
didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias, king of Juda, and didst
kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:

15:23. Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for
the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm,

15:24. That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy
holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.

15:25. But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with
trumpets and songs.

15:26. But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them,
calling upon God by prayers:

15:27. So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their
hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly
cheered with the presence of God.

15:28. And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy,
they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.

15:29. Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the
Almighty Lord in their own language.

15:30. And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die
for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand, with
the shoulder, should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.

15:31. And when he was come thither, having called together his
countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that
were in the castle,

15:32. And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which
he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the
Almighty God,

15:33. He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor should
be cut out, and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious
man to be hanged up over against the temple.

15:34. Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that
hath kept his own place undefiled.

15:35. And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it
might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.

15:36. And they all ordained by a common decree, by no means to let
this day pass without solemnity:

15:37. But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called
in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias' day.

15:38. So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from
that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here
make an end of my narration.

15:39. Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is
what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.

If not so perfectly, etc. . .This is not said with regard to the truth
of the narration; but with regard to the style and manner of writing:
which in the sacred penmen is not always the most accurate. See St.
Paul, 2 Cor. 11.6.

15:40. For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but
pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the
speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers.
But here it shall be ended.

APPENDICES

These texts come from the 1610 Doway printing of the second tome of the
Old Testament (see the 'History' section at the top of the e-text). The
primary sources provide a glimpse both into the history of the Douay-
Rheims version and the English language itself. The reader will quickly
notice that the letter 'j' does not appear in the texts, rather 'i'
functions either as a vowel or a consonant. Likewise 'u' is not a
distinct letter; it is employed typographically in the lower-case in
place of 'v' where not starting a word. The letters 'u' and 'v' both
function either as vowels or consonants. The word 'vniuersity'
demonstrates this rule. The letter 'w' is often employed, but in some
cases the earlier form of a double-v (vv) appears instead.

The transcriber has done his best to render the text accurately. Note
the relaxed spelling standards of the time; many variants appear. While
the errata section from the 1610 edition observed: "We haue also found
some other faultes of lesse importance; and feare there be more. But we
trust the reader may easely correct them, as they occurre." only obvious
errors have been amended. Where the transcriber has doubt between
whether an irregular spelling is either an error and a variant, the
printed text stands. 7-bit ASCII cannot fully represent the
typographical standards of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and
many special characters have been replaced with modern equivalents.
Where verse numbers stand in the margins of the printed texts, they have
been transferred to the body; the verse numbers in the 'Prayer of
Manasses' have been supplied from other versions. Reference notes have
been transferred from the margins, and their abbreviations modernized.

ADDITIONAL BOOKS

The prayer of Manasses, vvith the third & fourth Bookes of Esdras, extant
in most Latin and vulgare Bibles, are here placed after al the Canonical
bookes, of the old Testament: because they are not receiued into the
Canon of Diuine Scriptures by the Catholique Church.

THE PRAYER OF MANASSES KING OF IVDA, WHEN HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN BABYLON.

LORD omnipotent God of our fathers, Abraham, & Isaac, and Iacob, and of
their iust sede, (2 Par 33:12) [2] which didst make heauen and earth:
with al the ornamentes of them, [3] which hast bound the sea with the
word of thy precept, which hast shut vp the depth, and sealed it with
thy terrible and laudable name: [4] whom al thinges dread, & tremble at
the countinance of thy powre, [5] because the magnificence of thy glorie
is importable, & the wrath of thy threatning vpon sinners is
intollerable: [6] but the mercie of thy promise is infinite and
vnsearchable: [7] because thou art our Lord, most high, benigne, long
suffering, and very merciful, and penitent vpon the wickednes of men.
Thou Lord according to the multitude of thy goodnes hast promised
penance, and remission to them that haue sinned to thee, and by the
multitude of thy mercies thou hast decreed penance to sinners, vnto
saluation. [8] Thou therfore Lord God of the iust, hast not appointed
penance to the iust, Abraham, & Isaac and Iacob, them that haue not
sinned to thee, but hast appointed penance for me a sinner: [9] because
I haue sinned aboue the number of the sand of the sea. Myne iniquities
Lord be multiplied, mine iniquities be multiplied, and I am not worthie
to behold, & looke vpon the height of heauen, for the multitude of mine
iniquities. [10] I am made crooked with manie a band of yron, that I can
not lift vp my head, and I haue not respiration: because I haue stirred
vp thy wrath, and haue done euil before thee: I haue not done thy wil,
and thy commandmentes I haue not kept: I haue set vp abominations, and
multiplied offenses. [11] And now I bowe the knee of my hart, beseeching
goodnes of thee. [12] I haue sinned Lord, I haue sinned, & I acknowlege
myne iniquities. [13] Wherefore I beseech disiring thee, forgeue me
Lord, forgeue me: and destroy me not together with myne iniquities,
neither reserue thou for euer, being angrie, euils for me, neither damme
me into the lowest places of the earth: because thou art Lord, God, I
say, of the penitent: [14] in me thou shalt shew al thy goodnes because
thou shalt saue me vnworthie according to thy great mercie, [15] and I
wil prayse thee alwayes al the dayes of my life: because al the power of
the heauens prayseth thee, and to thee is glorie for euer and euer.
Amen.

THE THIRD BOOKE OF ESDRAS.

For helpe of the readers, especially such as haue not leysure to read al,
vve haue gathered the contentes of the chapters; but made no Annotations:
because the text it self is but as a Commentarie to the Canonical bookes;
and therfore we haue only added the concordance of other Scriptures in
the margin.

CHAP. I.

Iosias king of Iuda maketh a great Pasch, 7. geuing manie hostes to such
as wanted for sacrifice: 14. the Priestes and Leuites performing their
functions therin: 22. in the eightenth yeare of his reigne, 25. He is
slayne in battel by the king of AEgypt, 32. and much lamented by the
Iewes. 34. His sonne Ieconias succedeth. 37. After him Ioacim, 40. who
is deposed by the king of Babylon. 43. Ioachim reigneth three monethes,
and is caried into Babylon. 46. Sedecias reigneth eleuen yeares
wickedly. 52. and he with his people is caried captiue into Babylon, the
citie and temple are destroyed. 57. so remayned til the Monarchie of the
Persians.

AND Iosias made a Pasch in Ierusalem to our Lord & immolated the Phase
the fourtenth moone of the moneth: (4 Kings 23:21 / 2 Par 35:1)
2 appointing the Priestes by courses of dayes clothed with stoles in the
temple of our Lord. 3 And he spake to the Leuites the sacred seruantes
of Isreal, that they should sanctifie them selues to our Lord in the
placing of the holie arke of our Lord in the house, which king Salomon
sonne of Dauid built. 4 It shal not be for you to take it vpon your
shoulders. And now serue your Lord, and take the care of that nation
Israel, in part according to your villages and tribes, 5 according to the
writing of Dauid king of Israel, and according to the magnificence of
Salomon his sonne, al in the temple, and according to your fathers
portion of principalitie, among them that stand in the sight of your
brethren the children of Isreal. 6 Immolate the Pasch, and prepare the
sacrifices for your bretheren, and doe according to the precept of our
Lord which was geuen to Moyses. (Ex 12 / Lev 23 / Num 28) 7 And Iosias
gaue vnto the people that was found of sheepe, lambes, and kiddes, and
goates thirtie thousand, calues there thousand. 8 These thinges were
geuen to the people of the kinges goodes according to promisse: and to
the priestes for the Phase, sheepe in number two thousand, and calues an
hundred. 9 And Iechonias, and Semeias, and Nathanael bretheren, and
Hasabias, and Oziel, and Coraba for the Phase sheepe fiue thousand,
calues fiue hundred. 10 And when these thinges were done in good order,
the Priestes an the Leuites stood hauing azymes by tribes. 11 And
according to the portions of their fathers principalitie, in the sight of
the people they did offer, to our Lord according to those thinges, which
were written in the booke of Moyses: 12 and rosted the Phase with fire
as it ought: and the hostes they boyled in cauldrons, and in pottes with
beneuolence: 13 and they brought to al that were of the people: and
afterward they prepared for them selues and the priestes. 14 For the
Priestes offered the fatte, vntil the houre was ended: and the Leuites
prepared for them selues, and their brethren, the children of Aaron.
15 And the sacred singing men, the children of Asaph were by order
according to the precept of Dauid and Asaph, and Zacharias, and Ieddimus,
which was from the king. 16 And the porters at euerie gate, so that none
transgressed his owne: for their brethren prepared for them. 17 And the
thinges were consummate that perteyned to the sacrifice of our Lord.
18 In that day they celebrated the Phase, and offered hostes vpon the
sacrifice of our Lord, according to the precept of king Iosias. 19 And
the children of Israel, that were found at that time, celebrated the
Phase: and the festiual day of Azymes for seuen dayes: 20 and there was
not celebrated such a Phase in Isreal, from the times of Samuel the
prophet: 21 and al the kinges of Israel did not celebrate such a Phase
as Iosias did, and the Priestes, and the Leuites, and the Iewes, and al
Israel, that were found in their abode at Ierusalem. 22 In the eightenth
yeare, Iosias reigning was the Phase celebrated. 23 And the workes of
Iosias were directed in the sight of his Lord in a hart ful of feare:
24 and the thinges concerning him are writen in the ancient times,
touching them that sinned, and were irreligous against our Lord aboue al
nations, and that sought not the wordes of our Lord vpon Israel. 25 And
after al this fact of Iosias, came vp Pharao the king of AEgypt comming
in Charcamis from the way vpon Euphrates, and Iosias went forth to meete
him. (4 Kings 23:29 / 2 Par 35:20) 26 And the king of AEgypt sent to
Iosias saying: What is there betwen me & thee king of Iuda? 27 I was
not sent of the Lord to fight against thee: for my battel is vpon
Euphrates, goe downe in hast. 28 And Iosias did not returne vpon his
chariote: but endeuoured to ouerthrow him, not attending the word of the
prophet from the mouth of our Lord: 29 but he made battel against him in
the field of Mageddo. And princes went downe to king Iosias. 30 And the
king said to his seruantes: Remoue me from the battel, for I am weakned
excedingly. And forthwith his seruantes remoued him out of the battel.
31 And he went vp into his second chariote: & comming to Ierusalem,
dyed, and was buried in his fathers sepulchre. 32 And in al Iurie they
mourned for Iosias, & the rulers with their wiues lamented him vntil this
day. And this was geuen out to be done alwayes vnto al the stocke of
Israel. 33 But these thinges were writen before in the booke of the
histories of the kinges of Iuda: and al the actes of the doing of
Iosias, and his glorie and his vnderstanding in the law of our Lord: and
the thinges that were done by him, and that are not writen in the booke
of the kinges of Israel and Iuda. 34 And they that were of the nation,
taking Iechonias the sonne of Iosias, made him king for Iosias his
father, when he was three and twentie yeares old. (4 Kings 23:30 /
2 Par 36:1) 35 And he reigned ouer Israel three monethes. And the king
of AEgypt remoued him, that he should not reigne in Ierusalem: 36 and he
put a taxe vpon the nation of siluer an hundred talentes, and of gold one
talent. 37 And the king of AEgypt made Ioacim his brother king of Iuda
and Ierusalem: 38 and he bound the magistrates of Ioacim, and Zaracel
his brother, and taking them brought them backe into AEgypt. 39 Ioacim
was fiue and twentie yeares old when he began to reigne in the land of
Iuda and Ierusalem: and he did euil in the sight of our Lord. 40 And
after this man came vp Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and binding
him with a bande of brasse, brought him into Babylon. 41 And
Nabuchodonosor tooke the sacred vessels of our Lord, and carried away,
and consecrated them in his temple in Babylon. 42 For his vncleanes, and
lacke of religion is written in the booke of the times of the kinges.
43 And Ioachin his sonne reigned for him. And when he was made king, he
was eightene yeares old. 44 And reigned three monethes and ten dayes in
Ierusalem, and did euil in the sight of our Lord: 45 and after a yeare
Nabuchodonosor sending, transported him into Babylon together with the
sacred vessels of our Lord. (4 Kings 24:13) 46 And he made Sedecias
king of Iuda and Ierusalem, when he was one and twentie yeares old:
(4 Kings 24:17) and he reigned eleuen yeares. 47 And he did euil in the
sight of our Lord, and was not afraid of the wordes which were spoken by
Ieremie the prophet from the mouth of our Lord: (Jer 37:2) 48 and being
sworne of king Nabuchodonosor, forsworne he did reuolt: and his necke
being hardened, & his hart, he transgressed the ordinances of our Lord
the God of Israel. 49 And the princes of the people of our Lord did
manie thinges wickedly, and they did impiously aboue al the vncleannes of
the nations: and they polluted the temple of our Lord that was holie of
Ierusalem. 50 And the God of their fathers sent by his messenger to
reclame them, for that he would spare them, and his tabernacle. 51 But
they scorned at his messengers: and in the day that our Lord spake to
them, they were mocking his prophetes. 52 Who was moued euen vnto wrath
vpon his nation for their impietie, and commanded the kinges of the
Chaldees to come vp. 53 These slewe their yong men with the sword, round
about their holie temple, and spared not yong man, and old man, and
virgin, and youth: 54 but al were deliuered into their handes: & taking
al the sacred vessels of our Lord, and the kinges treasures, they caried
them into Babylon, 55 and burnt the house of our Lord, and threwe downe
the walles of Ierusalem: and the towres therof they burnt with fire,
56 and consumed al their honorable thinges, and brought them to naught,
and those that were left of the sword, they led into Babylon. 57 And
they were his seruants vntil the Persians reigned in the fulfilling of
the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie: (Jer 25:12 / Jer 29:10 /
Dan 9:2) 58 as long as the land quietly kept her sabbathes, al the time
of her desolation she sabbathized in the application of seuentie yeares.

CHAP. II.

Cyrus king of Persia permitteth the Iewes to returne into their countrie:
10. and deliuereth to them the holie vessels, which Nabuchodonosor had
taken from the temple. 16. Certaine aduersaries writing to king
Artaxerxes, hinder those that would repayre the ruines of Ierusalem.

CYRVS king of the Persians reigning for the accomplishment of the word of
our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie, (2 Par 36:22 / 1 Esd 1:1 / 1 Esd 6:3 /
Jer 25:12 / Jer 29:10 / Dan 9:2) 2 our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus
king of the Persians, and he proclaymed in al his kingdomes, and that by
writing, 3 saying: Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Persians: The Lord of
Israel, the high Lord, hath made me king ouer the whole earth. 4 and
hath signified to me to build him a house in Ierusalem, which is in
Iurie. 5 If there be any of your kinred, his Lord goe vp with him into
Ierusalem. 6 Whosoeuer therefore dwel about the places, let them helpe
them that are in the same place, in gold and siluer, 7 in giftes, with
horses, and beastes, and with other thinges which by vowes are added into
the temple of our Lord, which is in Ierusalem. 8 And the princes of the
tribes, of the villages and of Iurie, of the tribe of Beniamin, & the
Priestes, and the Leuites standing vp, whom our Lord moued to goe vp, and
to build the house of our Lord which is in Ierusalem, and they that were
round about them, 9 did helpe them with al their gold and siluer, and
beastes, and manie whose minde was stirred vp, with many vowes. 10 And
Cyrus the king brought forth the sacred vessel of our Lord, which
Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon transported out of Ierusalem, and
consecrated them to his Idol. 11 And Cyrus the king of Persians bringing
them forth, deliuered them to Mithridatus, who was ouer his treasures.
12 And by him they were deliuered to Salmanasar president of Iurie.
13 And of these this was the number: Cuppes for libamentes of siluer two
thousand foure hundred, basens of siluer thirtie: phials of gold
thirtie, also of siluer two thousand foure hundred: and other vessels a
thousand. 14 and al the vessels of gold and siluer, were fiue thousand
eight hundred sixtie. 15 And they were numbered to Salmanasar together
with them, that came out of the captiuite of Babylon into Ierusalem.
16 But in the times of Artaxerxes king of the Persians, there wrote to
him of them that dwelt in Iurie and Ierusalem, Balsamus, and Mithridatus,
and Sabellius, and Rathimus, Balthemus, Sabellius scribe, and the rest
dweling in Samaria, and other places the epistle folowing to king
Artaxerxes. (1 Esd 4:7) 17 SIR, thy seruantes Rathimus ouer
occurrentes, and Sabellius the scribe, and the other iudges of thy court
in Caelesyria, and Phenice. 18 And now be it knowen to our Lord the
king, that Iewes came vp from you to vs, coming into Ierusalem a
rebellious, & very naughty citie, do build the fornaces thereof, and set
vp the walles, and rayse the temple. 19 And if this citie, and the
walles shal be finished, they wil not onlie not abyde to pay tributes,
but also wil resist the kinges. 20 And because that is in doing about
the temple, we thought it should doe wel not to neglect this same thing:
21 but to make it knowen to our Lord the king, that if it shal seme good,
o king it may be sought in the bookes of thy fathers, 22 and thou shalt
find in the recordes, thinges writen of these, and thou shalt know that
this citie hath bene rebellious, and trubling kinges, and cities, 23 and
the Iewes rebelles, & making battels in it from time out of mind, for the
which cause this citie was made desolate. 24 Now therfore we doe thee to
vnderstand, Lord king, that if this citie shal be built, and the walles
therof shal be erected, there wil be no comming downe for thee into
Caelesyria, & Phenice. 25 Then wrote the king to Rathimus, the writer of

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