1 The kindred, the Yehudim (Jews) who are in Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and those who are in the country of Yehudah (Judea), send greetings and good peace to the kindred, the Yehudim who are throughout Mitsrayim (Egypt). 2 May God do good to you, and remember his covenant with Avraham, Yitshak (Isaac), and Ya’akov (Jacob), his faithful servants, 3 and give you all a heart to worship him and do his will with a strong heart and a willing soul. 4 May God open your heart to his law and his statutes, and make peace, 5 and listen to your requests, and be reconciled with you, and not forsake you in an evil time. 6 Now we’re praying for you here.

7 In Demetrios’ reign, in the one hundred and sixty-ninth year, we the Yehudim have already written to you in the suffering and in the distress that’s come on us in these years, from the time that Yason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom, 8 and set the gate on fire, and shed innocent blood. We prayed to the master, and were heard. We offered sacrifices and meal offerings. We lit the lamps. We set out the show bread.[fn] 9 Now see that you keep the days of the feast of tabernacles in the month Kislev in the one hundred and eighty-eighth year.

10 The people of Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and those who are in Yehudah (Judea), with the senate and Yehudah, to Aristobulos, King Ptolemaios’s (Ptolemy) teacher, who’s also of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Yehudim who are in Mitsrayim (Egypt), we send greetings and health.

11 Having been saved by God out of great perils, as men arrayed against a king, we thank him greatly. 12 Because he threw out into Paras (Persia) those who fought against us in the holy city. 13 Because when the prince had come there, with an army that seemed irresistible, they were cut to pieces in Nanaia’s temple by the treachery of Nanaia’s priests. 14 Because Antiokos (Antiochus), on the pretence that he’d marry her, came into the place, he and his friends who were with him, that they might take a large part of the treasures as a dowry. 15 And when the priests of Nanaia’s temple had set the treasures out, and he’d come there with a small company within the wall of the sacred precinct, they locked the temple when Antiokos had come in. 16 Opening the secret door of the panelled ceiling, they threw stones and struck down the prince. They cut him and his company in pieces, and cut off their heads, and threw them to the people who were outside. 17 Blessed be our god in all things, who handed over those who’d committed impiety.

18 Since we’re now about to celebrate the purification of the temple in the month Kislev, on the twenty-fifth day, we thought it necessary to notify you, so that you may also keep a feast of tabernacles, and remember the fire which was given when Nehemyah (Nehemiah) offered sacrifices, after he’d built both the temple and the altar.

19 Because indeed when our fathers were about to be led into the land of Paras, the godly priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar, and hid it secretly in the hollow of a well that was without water, where they made sure that the place was unknown to anyone. 20 Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemyah, having received a charge from the king of Paras, sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests who hid it. When they declared to us that they’d found no fire, but thick liquid, 21 he commanded them to draw some of it out and bring it to him. When the sacrifices had been offered, Nehemyah commanded the priests to sprinkle with that liquid both the wood and the things laid on it. 22 When that was done and some time had passed, and the sun shone out, which before was hidden with clouds, a great blaze was kindled, so that all men marvelled. 23 The priests made a prayer while the sacrifice was being consumed—both the priests and all the others. Yonatan (Jonathan) led and the rest responded, as Nehemyah did.

24 The prayer was like this: “O master, master God, the Creator of all things, who are awesome, strong, righteous, and merciful, who alone are King and gracious, 25 who alone supply every need, who alone are righteous, almighty, and eternal, you who save Yisrael (Israel) out of all evil, who chose the ancestors and sanctified them, 26 accept the sacrifice for all your people Yisrael, and preserve your own portion, and consecrate it. 27 Gather together our scattered people, set at liberty those who are in bondage among the heathen, look on those who are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that you’re our god. 28 Punish those who oppress us and in arrogance shamefully entreat us. 29 Plant your people in your holy place, even as Mosheh (Moses) said.”

30 Then the priests sang the hymns. 31 As soon as the sacrifice was consumed, then Nehemyah (Nehemiah) commanded that the rest of the liquid be poured on large stones. 32 When this was done, a flame was kindled; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out. 33 When the matter became known, and it was told the king of the Persians that, in the place where the priests who were led away had hid the fire, the liquid appeared which Nehemyah and those who were with him purified the sacrifice, 34 then the king enclosed the place and made it sacred after he’d investigated the matter. 35 When the king would show favour to any, he’d exchange many presents and give them some of this liquid. 36 Nehemyah and those who were with him called this thing “Nephthar”, which is by interpretation, “Cleansing”; but most men call it Nephthai.

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) 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.

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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.

3 When the holy city was inhabited with unbroken peace and the laws were kept very well because of the godliness of Honyo (Onias) the high priest and his hatred of wickedness, 2 it happened that even the kings themselves honoured the place and glorified the temple with the noblest presents, 3 so that even King Seleukos (Seleucus) of Asia bore all the costs belonging to the services of the sacrifices out of his own revenues. 4 But a man named Shim’on (Simon) of the tribe of Benyamin, having been made guardian of the temple, disagreed with the high priest about the ruling of the market in the city. 5 When he couldn’t overcome Honyo, he went to Apolonios of Tarsos,[fn] who at that time was governor of Coele-Syria and Foinikai. 6 He brought him word how that the treasury in Yerushalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the multitude of the funds was innumerable, and that they didn’t pertain to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible that these should fall under the king’s power. 7 When Apolonios met the king, he informed him of the money about which he’d been told. So the king appointed Heliodoros, who was his chancellor, and sent him with a command to accomplish the removal of the reported money. 8 So Heliodoros set out on his journey at once, ostensibly to visit the cities of Coele-Syria and Foinikai, but in fact to execute the king’s purpose.

9 When he’d come to Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and had been courteously received by the high priest of the city, he told him about the information which had been given, and declared why he’d come; and he enquired if in truth these things were so. 10 The high priest explained to him that there were in the treasury deposits of widows and orphans, 11 and moreover some money belonging to Hurkanos the son of Toviyah (Tobias), a man in very high place, not as that impious Shim’on falsely alleged; and that in all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold, 12 and that it was altogether impossible that wrong should be done to those who’d put trust in the holiness of the place, and in the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world. 13 But Heliodoros, because of the king’s command given him, said that in any case this money must be confiscated for the king’s treasury.

14 So having appointed a day, he entered in to direct the enquiry about these matters; and there was no small distress throughout the whole city. 15 The priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly clothes, and called towards heaven on him who gave the law about deposits, that he should preserve these treasures safe for those who’d deposited them. 16 Anyone who saw the appearance of the high priest was wounded in mind; for his face and the change of his colour betrayed the distress of his soul. 17 Because a terror and a shuddering of the body had come over the man, by which the pain that was in his heart was plainly shown to those who looked at him. 18 Those who were in the houses rushed out in crowds to make a universal supplication, because the place was about to come into dishonour. 19 The women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets. The virgins who were kept indoors ran together, some to the gates, others to the walls, and some looked out through the windows. 20 All, stretching out their hands towards heaven, made their solemn supplication. 21 Then it was pitiful to see the multitude prostrating themselves all mixed together, and the anxiety of the high priest in his great distress.

22 While therefore they called on the Almighty master to keep the things entrusted to them safe and secure[fn] for those who’d entrusted them, 23 Heliodoros went on to execute that which had been decreed. 24 But when he was already present there with his guards near the treasury, the Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused a great manifestation, so that all who’d presumed to come with him, stricken with dismay at God’s power, fainted in terror. 25 Because they saw a horse with a frightening rider, adorned with beautiful trappings, and he rushed fiercely and struck at Heliodoros with his forefeet. It seemed like he who sat on the horse had complete armour of gold. 26 Two others also appeared to him, young men notable in their strength, and beautiful in their glory, and splendid in their clothing, who stood by him on either side, and scourged him unceasingly, inflicting on him many sore stripes. 27 When he’d fallen suddenly to the ground, and great darkness had come over him, his guards picked him up and put him on a stretcher, 28 and carried him—this man who’d just now entered with a great retinue and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, himself now brought to utter helplessness, manifestly made to recognise the sovereignty of God. 29 So, while he, through the working of God, speechless and bereft of all hope and deliverance, lay prostrate, 30 they blessed the master who acted marvellously for his own place. The temple, which a little before was full of terror and alarm, was filled with joy and gladness after the Almighty master appeared.

31 But quickly some of Heliodoros’s familiar friends implored Honyo (Onias) to call on the Most High to grant life to him who lay quite at the last gasp. 32 The high priest, secretly afraid that the king might think that some treachery towards Heliodoros had been perpetrated by the Yehudim (Jews), brought a sacrifice for the recovery of the man. 33 But as the high priest was making the atoning sacrifice, the same young men appeared again to Heliodoros, arrayed in the same clothes. They stood and said, “Give Honyo the high priest great thanks, for his sake the master has granted you life. 34 See that you, since you’ve been scourged from heaven, proclaim to all men the sovereign majesty of God.” When they’d spoken these words, they vanished out of sight. 35 So Heliodoros, having offered a sacrifice to the master and vowed great[fn] vows to him who’d saved his life, and having bidden Honyo farewell, returned with his army to the king. 36 He testified to all men the works of the greatest God, which he’d seen with his eyes.

37 When the king asked Heliodoros what sort of man was fit to be sent yet once again to Yerushalem (Jerusalem), he said, 38 “If you have any enemy or conspirator against the state, send him there, and you’ll receive him back well scourged, if he even escapes with his life; because truly there’s some power of God in that place. 39 Because he who has his dwelling in heaven himself has his eyes on that place and helps it. Those who come to hurt it, he strikes and destroys.”

40 This was the history of Heliodoros and the keeping of the treasury.

4 The previously mentioned Shim’on (Simon), who’d given information about the money against his country, slandered Honyo (Onias), saying that it was he who’d incited Heliodoros and had been the real cause of these evils. 2 He dared to call him a conspirator against the state who was actually the benefactor of the city, the guardian of his fellow countrymen, and a zealot for the laws. 3 When his hatred grew so great that even murders were perpetrated through one of Shim’on’s approved agents, 4 Honyo, seeing the danger of the contention, and that Apolonios[fn] the son of Menestheus, the governor of Coele-Syria and Foinikai, was increasing Shim’on’s malice, 5 appealed to the king, not to be an accuser of his fellow-citizens, but looking to the good of all the[fn] people, both public and private; 6 for he saw that without the king’s involvement it was impossible for the state to obtain peace any more, and that Shim’on wouldn’t cease from his madness.

7 When Seleukos (Seleucus) was deceased, and Antiokos (Antiochus), who was called Epifanes (Epiphanes), succeeded to the kingdom, Yason the brother of Honyo supplanted his brother in the high priesthood, 8 having promised to the king at an audience three hundred and sixty talents of silver, and out of another fund eighty talents. 9 In addition to this, he undertook to assign one hundred and fifty more, if it might be allowed him through[fn] the king’s authority to set him up a gymnasium and a body of youths to be trained in it, and to register the inhabitants of Yerushalem (Jerusalem) as citizens of Antiokeia. 10 When the king had assented, and Yason had taken possession of the office, he immediately shifted those of his own race to the Greek way of life. 11 Setting aside the royal ordinances of special favour to the Yehudim (Jews), granted by the means of Yohan (John) the father of Eupolemos, who went on the mission to the Romaios to establish friendship and alliance, and seeking to overthrow the lawful ways of living, he brought in new customs forbidden by the law. 12 Because he eagerly established a gymnasium under the citadel itself, and caused the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat. 13 Thus there was an extreme of hellenisation, and an advance of a foreign religion, because of the exceeding profaneness of Yason, who was an ungodly man and not a high priest; 14 so that the priests had no more any zeal for the services of the altar; but despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hastened to enjoy that which was unlawfully provided in the wrestling arena, after the summons to the discus-throwing. 15 They despised the honours of their fathers, and valued the prestige of the Hellains (Greeks) best of all. 16 Because this reason, severe calamity overtook them. The men whose ways of living they earnestly followed, and to whom they desired to be made like in all things, these became their enemies and punished them. 17 Because it isn’t a light thing to show irreverence to God’s laws, but later events will make this clear.

18 Now when certain games that came every fifth year were kept at Tsor (Tyre), and the king was present, 19 the vile Yason sent sacred envoys,[fn] as being Antiochians of Yerushalem, bearing three hundred drachmas of silver to the sacrifice of Herakles, which even those carrying it didn’t think was right to use for any sacrifice, because it wasn’t fit, but to spend it for another purpose. 20 Although the intended purpose of the sender this money was for the sacrifice of Herakles, yet on account of present[fn] circumstances it went to the construction of trireme warships.

21 Now when Apolonios the son of Menestheus was sent into Mitsrayim (Egypt) for the enthronement[fn] of Filometor as king, Antiokos (Antiochus), learning that Filometor had shown himself hostile towards the government, took precautions for the security of his realm. Therefore, going to Yafo (Joppa), he travelled on to Yerushalem (Jerusalem). 22 Being magnificently received by Yason and the city, he was brought in with torches and shouting. Then he led his army down into Foinikai.

23 Now after a space of three years, Yason sent Menelaos, the previously mentioned Shim’on’s (Simon) brother, to carry the money to the king, and to make reports about some necessary matters. 24 But he being commended to the king, and having been glorified by the display of his authority, secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Yason by three hundred talents of silver. 25 After receiving the royal mandates, he returned bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood, but having the passion of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage animal. 26 So Yason, who’d supplanted his own brother, was supplanted by another and driven as a fugitive into the country of the Amonim, 27 Menelaos had possession of the office; but of the money that’d been promised to the king nothing was regularly paid, even though Sostratos the governor of the citadel demanded it—28 for his job was the gathering of the revenues—so they were both called by the king to his presence. 29 Menelaos left his own brother Lusimakos for his[fn] deputy in the high priesthood; and Sostratos left Krates, who was over the Cyprians.

30 Now while this was the state of things, it happened that the people of Tarsos and Malos revolted because they were to be given as a present to Antiokis, the king’s concubine. 31 The king therefore quickly came to settle matters, leaving for his deputy[fn] Andronikos, a man of high rank. 32 Then Menelaos, supposing that he had gotten a favourable opportunity, presented to Andronikos certain vessels of gold belonging to the temple, which he’d stolen. He’d already sold others into Tsor (Tyre) and the neighbouring cities. 33 When Honyo (Onias) had sure knowledge of this, he sharply reproved him, having withdrawn himself into a sanctuary at Dafne, that lies by Antiokeia. 34 Therefore Menelaos, taking Andronikos aside, asked him to kill Honyo. Coming to Honyo, and being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, Andronikos gave him his right hand with oaths and, though he was suspicious, persuaded him to come out of the sanctuary. Then, with no regard for justice, he immediately put him to death. 35 Because this reason not only Yehudim (Jews), but many also of the other nations, had indignation and displeasure at the unjust murder of the man. 36 And when the king had come back from the places in Kilikia, the Yehudim who were in the city appealed to him against Andronikos (the Hellains (Greeks) also joining with them in hatred of the wickedness), urging that Honyo had been wrongfully slain. 37 Antiokos (Antiochus) therefore was heartily sorry, and was moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and well ordered life of him who was dead. 38 Being inflamed with anger, he immediately stripped off Andronikos’s purple robe, and tore off his under clothes, and when he’d led him round through the whole city to that very place where he’d committed the outrage against Honyo, there he put the murderer out of the way, the master rendering to him the punishment he’d deserved.