Apocrypha. CHAP. XV. Apocrypha. 43 Beside this, that he should be obeyed of | 14 And when he had compassed the city every man, and that all the writings in the round about, and joined ships close to the town country should be made in his name, and that on the sea-side, he vexed the city by land and he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold: by sea, neither suffered he any to go out or in. 44 Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold: 45 And whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished. 46 Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon, and do as hath been said. 47 Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all. 48 So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place; 49 Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them. MORE CHAP. XV. OREOVER Antiochus, son of Demetrius the king, sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon the priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people; 2 The contents whereof were these: King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation, and to the people of the Jews, greeting: 3 Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate, and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of war; 4 My meaning also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate : 5 Now therefore I confirm unto thee all the oblations which the kings before me granted thee, and whatsoever gifts beside they granted. 6 I give thee leave also to coin money for thy country with thine own stamp. 15 In the mean season came Numenius and his company from Rome, having letters to the kings and countries; wherein were written these things: 16 Lucius, consul of the Romans, unto king Ptolemee, greeting: 17 The Jews' ambassadors, our friends and confederates, came unto us to renew the old friendship and league, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews: 18 And they brought a shield of gold of a thousand pound. 19 We thought it good therefore to write unto the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries, nor yet aid their enemies against thein. 20 It seemed also good to us to receive the shield of them. 21 If therefore there be any pestilent fellows, that have fled from their country unto you, deliver them unto Simon the high priest, that he may punish them according to their own law. 22 The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces, 23 And to all the countries, and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodus, and Phaselis, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene. 24 And the copy hereof they wrote to Simon the high priest. 25 So Antiochus the king camped against Dora the second day, assaulting it continually, and making engines, by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could neither go out nor in. 26 At that time Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much armour. 27 Nevertheless he would not receive them, 7 And as concerning Jerusalem and the but brake all the covenants which he had made sanctuary, let them be free; and all the armour with him afore, and became strange unto him. that thou hast made, and fortresses that thou 28 Furthermore he sent unto him Athenohast built, and keepest in thine hands, let them remain unto thee. 8 And if any thing be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven thee from this time forth for evermore. 9 Furthermore, when we have obtained our kingdom, we will honour thee, and thy nation, and thy temple, with great honour, so that your honour shall be known throughout the world. 10 In the hundred threescore and fourteenth year went Antiochus into the land of his fathers: at which time all the forces came together unto him, so that few were left with Tryphon. If Wherefore, being pursued by king Antiochus, he fled unto Dora, which lieth by the sea-side : bius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say, Ye withhold Joppe and Gazara, with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my realm. 29 The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places within my kingdom. 30 Now therefore deliver the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judea : 31 Or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: if not, we will come and fight against you. 32 So Athenobius the king's friend came to 12 For he saw that troubles came upon him Jerusalem; and when he saw the glory of Siall at once, and that his forces had forsaken mon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was asto him. 13 Then camped Antiochus against Dora, nished, and told him the king's message. having with him an hundred and twenty thou- 33 Then answered Simon, and said unto sand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen. him, We have neither taken other men's land, Apocrypha. II. MACCABEES. Apocrypha. nor holden that which appertaineth to others, horsemen in the midst of the footmen: for the but the inheritance of our fathers, which our enemies' horsemen were very many. enemies had wrongfully in possession a certain time. 34 Wherefore we, having opportunity, hold the inheritance of our fathers. 35 And whereas thou demandest Joppe and Gazara, albeit they did great harm unto the people in our country, yet will we give an hundred talents for them. Hereunto Athenobius answered him not a word; 8 Then sounded they with the holy trumpets: whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight, so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold. 9 At that time was Judas, John's brother, wounded; but John still followed after them, until he came to Cedron, which Cendebeus had built. 10 So they fled even unto the towers in the 36 But returned in a rage to the king, and fields of Azotus; wherefore he burned it with made report unto him of these speeches, and fire: so that there were slain of them about of the glory of Simon, and of all that he had two thousand men. Afterward he returned into seen: whereupon the king was exceeding the land of Judea in peace. wroth. 37 In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias. 38 Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea-coast, and gave him an host of footmen and horsemen, 39 And commanded him to remove his host toward Judea: also he commanded him to build up Cedron, and to fortify the gates, and to war against the people; but as for the king himself, he pursued Tryphon. 40 So Cendebeus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke the people, and to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and slay them. 41 And when he had built up Cedron, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judea, as the king had commanded him. CHAP. XVI. 11 Moreover, in the plain of Jericho was Ptolemeus the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance of silver and gold: 12 For he was the high priest's son-in-law. 13 Wherefore his heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon consulted deceitfully against Simon and his sons to destroy them. 14 Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat: 15 Where the son of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet: howbeit he had hid men there. 16 So when Simon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and HEN came up John from Gazara, and took their weapons, and came upon Simon into had done. two sons, and certain of his servants. 2 Wherefore Simon called his two eldest 17 In which doing he committed a great sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I, treachery, and recompensed evil for good. and my brethren, and my father's house, have 18 Then Ptolemee wrote these things, and ever from our youth unto this day fought sent to the king, that he should send him an host against the enemies of Israel; and things have to aid him, and he would deliver him the counprospered so well in our hands, that we have try and cities. delivered Israel oftentimes. 3 But now I am old, and ye, by God's mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go and fight for our nation, and the help from heaven be with you. 4 So he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against Cendebeus, and rested that night at Modin. 19 He sent others also to Gazara to kill John and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards. 20 And others he sent to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple. 21 Now one had run afore to Gazara, and told John that his father and brethren were slain, and, quoth he, Ptolemee hath sent to slay thee also. 5 And when as they rose in the morning, 22 Hereof when he heard, he was sore asand went into the plain, behold, a mighty great tonished: so he laid hands on them that were host both of footmen and horsemen came come to destroy him, and slew them; for he against them howbeit there was a water- knew that they sought to make him away. brook betwixt them. 23 As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings, 6 So he and his people pitched over against them and when he saw that the people were afraid to go over the water-brook, he went first over himself, and then the men seeing him, 24 Behold, these are written in the chronipassed through after him. cles of his priesthood, from the time he was 7 That done, he divided his men, and set the made high priest after his father. ¶ The Second Book of the MACCABEES. CHAP. I. Jout Egypt, health and peace: be Jeru THE brethren, the Jews that bu at, Jwish his coronant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, 2 God be gracious unto you, and remember unto the brethren, the Jews that are through- and Jacob, his faithful servants; Apocrypha. CHAP. II. 3 And give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind; 4 And open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace, 5 And hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble. 6 And now we be here praying for you. 7 What time as Demetrius reigned, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews wrote unto you in the extremity of trouble that came upon us in those years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and kingdom, 8 And burned the porch, and shed innocent blood then we prayed unto the Lord, and were heard; we offered also sacrifices and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves. 9 And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Casleu. 10 In the hundred fourscore and eighth year, the people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health unto Aristobulus, king Ptolemeus' master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that were in Egypt: 11 Insomuch as God hath delivered us from great perils, we thank him highly, as having been in battle against a king. 12 For he cast them out that fought within the holy city. 13 For when the leader was come into Persia, and the army with him that seemed invincible, they were slain in the temple of Nanea by the deceit of Nanea's priests. 14 For Antiochus, as though he would marry her, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receive money in name of a dowry. 15 Which when the priests of Nanea had set forth, and he was entered with a small company into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple as soon as Antiochus was come in: 16 And opening a privy door of the roof, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and struck down the captain, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads, and cast them to those that were without. Apocrypha. 22 When this was done, and the time came that the sun shone, which afore was hid in the cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that every man marvelled. 23 And the priests made a prayer whilst the sacrifice was consuming, I say, both the priests, and all the rest, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering thereunto, as Neemias did. 24 And the prayer was after this manner; O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King, 25 The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting, thou that deliverest Israel from all trouble, and didst choose the fathers, and sanctify them: 26 Receive the sacrifice for thy whole people Israel, and preserve thine own portion, and sanctify it. 27 Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God. 28 Punish them that oppress us, and with pride do us wrong. 29 Plant thy people again in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken. 30 And the priests sung psalms of thanksgiving. 31 Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Neemias commanded the water that was left to be poured on the great stones. 32 When this was done, there was kindled a flame: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar. 33 So when this matter was known, it was told the king of Persia, that in the place, where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared water, and that Neemias had purified the sacrifices therewith. 34 Then the king, enclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter. 35 And the king took many gifts, and be stowed thereof on those whom he would gratify. 36 And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, A cleansing: but many men call it Nephi. CHAP. II. 17 Blessed be our God in all things, who IT is also found in the records, that Jeremy hath delivered up the ungodly. 18 Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar. the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified: 2 And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments. 3 And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts. 19 For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the 4 It was also contained in the same writing, fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow that the prophet, being warned of God, complace of a pit without water, where they kept it manded the tabernacle and the ark to go with sure, so that the place was unknown to all men. him, as he went forth into the mountain, where 20 Now after many years, when it pleased Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. God, Neemias, being sent from the king of Per- 5 And when Jeremy came thither, he found sia, did send of the posterity of those priests, an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, that had hid it, to the fire: but when they told and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so us they found no fire, but thick water; stopped the door. 21 Then commanded he them to draw it up, and to bring it; and when the sacrifices were laid on, Neemias commanded the priests to sprinkle the wood and the things laid thereupon with the water. 6 And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. 7 Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his peo Apocrypha. II. MACCABEES. Apocrypha. ple again together, and receive them unto of every particular, and labouring to follow the mercy. rules of an abridgment. 8 Then shall the Lord shew them these 29 For as the master-builder of a new house things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, must care for the whole building; but he that and the cloud also, as it was shewed unto Mo- undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must ses, and as when Solomon desired that the seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: place might be honourably sanctified. even so I think it is with us. 9 It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. 10 And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices; even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offerings. 11 And Moses said, Because the sin-offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed. 12 So Solomon kept those eight days. 30 To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story: 31 But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment. 32 Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself. CHAP. III. 13 The same things also were reported in NOW when the holy city was inhabited with the writings and commentaries of Neemias: all peace, and the laws were kept very and how he, founding a library, gathered toge-well, because of the godliness of Onias the high ther the acts of the kings, and the prophets, priest, and his hatred of wickedness, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. 14 In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us. 15 Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you. 16 Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days. 2 It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts; 3 Insomuch that Seleucus king of Asia, of his own revenues, bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices. 4 But one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city. 5 And when he could not overcome Onias, 17 We hope also, that the God, that deliver- he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, ed all his people, and gave them all an heritage, who then was governor of Celosyria and Pheand the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the nice, sanctuary, 6 And told him that the treasury in Jeru 18 As he promised in the law, will shortly salem was full of infinite sums of money, so that have mercy upon us, and gather us together out the multitude of their riches, which did not perof every land under heaven into the holy place:tain to the account of the sacrifices, was innufor he hath delivered us out of great troubles, merable, and that it was possible to bring all and hath purified the place. into the king's hand. 19 Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar, 20 And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son, 7 Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the aforesaid money. 8 So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the 21 And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, king's purpose. and chased barbarous multitudes, 9 And when he was come to Jerusalem, and 22 And recovered again the temple renowned had been courteously received of the high all the world over, and freed the city, and up- priest of the city, he told him what intelligence held the laws which were going down, the was given of the money, and declared whereLord being gracious unto them with all favour: fore he came, and asked if these things were so 23 All these things, I say, being declared by indeed. Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume. 24 For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter, 10 Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children: 11 And that some of it belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: 25 We have been careful, that they that will the sum whereof in all was four hundred talents read might have delight, and that they that are of silver, and two hundred of gold: desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit. 12 And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done unto them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, 26 Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, honoured over all the world. but a matter of sweat and watching; 13 But Heliodorus, because of the king's 27 Even as it is no ease unto him that pre-commandment given him, said, That in any pareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of wise it must be brought into the king's tresothers: yet for the pleasuring of many we will sury. undertake gladly this great pains; 14 So at the day which he appointed he en28 Leaving to the author the exact handling tered in to order this matter: wherefore there Apocrypha. Apocrypha. 33 Now as the high priest was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life: CHAP. IV. was no small agony throughout the whole city. 15 But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to be kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept. 16 Then whoso had looked the high priest in the face, it would have wounded his heart: for his countenance and the changing of his colour declared the inward agony of his mind. 17 For the man was so compassed with fear and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that looked upon him, what sorrow he had now in his heart. 18 Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt. 19 And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets; and the virgins that were kept in, ran, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows. 20 And all holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication. 21 Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the high priest, being in such an agony. 22 Then they called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them. 23 Nevertheless, Heliodorus executed that which was decreed. 24 Now as he was there present himself with his guard about the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid." 34 And seeing that thou hast been scourged from heaven, declare unto all men the mighty power of God. And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more. 35 So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows unto him that had saved his life, and saluted Onias, returned with his host to the king. 36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes. 37 And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said, 38 If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life for in that place, no doubt, there is an especial power of God. 39 For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it. 40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort. CHAP. IV. THIS THIS Simon now, of whom we spake afore, having been a bewrayer of the money, and of his country, slandered Onias, as if he had terrified Heliodorus, and been the worker of these evils. 2 Thus was he bold to call him a traitor, that had deserved well of the city, and tendered his own nation, and was so zealous of the laws. 25 For there appeared unto them an horse 3 But when their hatred went so far, that with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned by one of Simon's faction murders were comwith a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, mitted, and smote at Heliodorus with his fore-feet, 4 Onias seeing the danger of this contention, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse and that Apollonius, as being the governor of had complete harness of gold. Celosyria and Phenice, did rage, and increase 26 Moreover, two other young men appeared Simon's malice, before him, notable in strength, excellent in 5 He went to the king, not to be an accuser beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by of his countrymen, but seeking the good of him on either side, and scourged him continual- all, both public and private: ly, and gave him many sore stripes. 27 And Heliodorus fell suddenly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter. 6 For he saw that it was impossible that the state should continue quiet, and Simon leave his folly, unless the king did look thereunto. 7 But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias laboured underhand to be high priest. 23 Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the said treasury, they carried out, being unable to help 8 Promising unto the king by intercession himself with his weapons: and manifestly they three hundred and threescore talents of silver, acknowledged the power of God: and of another revenue eighty talents: 29 For he by the hand of God was cast down, 9 Beside this, he promised to assign an hunand lay speechless without all hope of life. dred and fifty more, if he might have license 30 But they praised the Lord, that had mi- to set him up a place for exercise, and for the raculously honoured his own place for the training up of youth in the fashions of the temple, which a little afore was full of fear and heathen, and to write them of Jerusalem by trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was the name of Antiochians. filled with joy and gladness. 10 Which when the king had granted, and 31 Then straightway certain of Heliodorus' he had gotten into his hand the rule, he forthfriends prayed Onias, that he would call upon with brought his own nation to the Greekish the Most High, to grant him his life, who lay fashion. ready to give up the ghost. 11 And the royal privileges granted of spe 32 So the high priest, suspecting lest the cial favour to the Jews by the means of John king should misconceive that some treachery the father of Eupolemus, who went ambassador had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, of- to Rome for amity and aid, he took away; and fered a sacrifice for the health of the man. putting down the governments which were ac |