Open English Translation 2 MAC Chapter 2

2 It’s also found in the records that the prophet Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) commanded those who were carried away to take some of the fire, as has been mentioned, 2 and how that the prophet charged those who were carried away, having given them the law, that they shouldn’t forget the statutes of the master or be led astray in their minds when they saw images of gold and silver, and their adornment. 3 With other such words exhorted he them, that the law shouldn’t depart from their hearts.

4 It was in the writing that the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should follow with him,[fn] when he went out to the mountain where Mosheh (Moses) had gone up and saw God’s inheritance. 5 Yirmiyah came and found a cave, he brought the tabernacle, the ark, and the altar of incense into it; then he sealed the entrance. 6 Some of those who followed with him came there that they might mark the way, and couldn’t find it. 7 But when Yirmiyah learnt about that, he rebuked them, saying, “The place will be unknown until God gathers the people together again and shows mercy. 8 Then the master will disclose these things, and the master’s glory will be seen with the cloud, as it was also shown to Mosheh, also as Shelomoh (Solomon) implored that the place might be consecrated greatly, 9 and it was also declared that he, having wisdom, offered a sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. 10 As Mosheh prayed to the master and fire came down out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice, even so Shelomoh also prayed, and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offerings. 11 Mosheh[fn] said, ‘Because the sin offering hadn’t been eaten, it was consumed in the same way.’ 12 Likewise Shelomoh kept the eight days.”

13 The same things were reported both in the public archives and in Nehemyah’s (Nehemiah’s) records, and also how he, founding a library, gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts. 14 In the same way Yehudah (Judas) also gathered together for us all those books that’d been scattered because of the war, and they’re still with us. 15 If therefore you have need of them, send some people to bring them to you.

16 Seeing then that we’re about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. You’ll therefore do well if you celebrate the days. 17 Now God, who saved all his people, and restored the heritage to all, with the kingdom, the priesthood, and the consecration, 18 even as he promised through the law—in God have we hope, that he’ll soon have mercy on us, and gather us together out of everywhere under heaven into his holy place; for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place.

———————

19 Now the things about Yehudah (Judas) Makabi (Maccabaeus) and his brothers, the purification of the greatest temple, the dedication of the altar, 20 and further the wars against Antiokos (Antiochus) Epifanes (Epiphanes) and Eupator his son, 21 and the manifestations that came from heaven to those who fought with one another in brave actions for the religion of the Yehudim (Jews); so that, being but a few, they seized the whole country, chased the barbarous multitudes, 22 recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, freed the city, and restored the laws which were about to be overthrown, seeing the master became gracious to them with all kindness. 23 These things which have been declared by Yason of Kurainai (Cyrene) in five books, we’ll attempt to abridge in one book. 24 Because having in view the confused mass of the numbers, and the[fn] difficulty which awaits those who’d enter into the narratives of the history, because of the abundance of the matter, 25 we were careful that those who choose to read may be attracted, and that those who wish us well may find it easy to recall, and that all readers may benefit. 26 Although to us, who’ve taken on ourselves the painful labour of the abridgement, the task isn’t easy, but a matter of sweat and sleeplessness, 27 even as it’s no light thing to him who prepares a banquet, and seeks the benefit of others. Nevertheless, for the sake of the gratitude of the many we’ll gladly endure the painful labour, 28 leaving to the historian the exact handling of every particular, and again having no strength to fill in the outlines of our abridgement. 29 Because as the master-builder of a new house must care for the whole structure, and again he who undertakes to decorate and paint it must seek out the things fit for its adorning; even so I think it’s also with us. 30 To occupy the ground, and to indulge in long discussions, and to be curious in particulars, is fitting for the first author of the history; 31 but to strive after brevity of expression, and to avoid a laboured fullness in the treatment, is to be granted to him who’d bring a writing into a new form. 32 Here then let’s begin the narration, only adding this much to that which has already been said; for it’s a foolish thing to make a long prologue to the history, and to abridge the history itself.