# verses

text:
Let thy converse be with men of understanding; <pb/>And let all thy discourse be in the law of the Most High.<pb/>


text:
Let just men be the companions of thy board; <pb/>And let thy glorying be in the fear of the Lord.<pb/><pb/>


text:
For the hand of the artificers a work shall be commended: <pb/>And he that ruleth the people <i>shall be counted </i> wise for his speech.<pb/>


text:
A man full of tongue is dangerous in his city; <pb/>And he that is headlong in his speech shall be hated.<pb/>


text:
A wise judge will instruct his people; <pb/>And the government of a man of understanding shall be well ordered.<pb/>


text:
As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers; <pb/>And as is the ruler of the city, <i>such are </i> all they that dwell therein.<pb/>


text:
An uninstructed king will destroy his people; <pb/>And a city will be established through the understanding of the powerful.<pb/>


text:
In the hand of the Lord is the authority of the earth; <pb/>And in due time he will raise up over it one that is profitable.<pb/>


text:
In the hand of the Lord is the prosperity of a man; <pb/>And upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Pride is hateful before the Lord and <i>before </i> men; <pb/>And in the judgement of both will unrighteousness err.<pb/>


text:
Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation, <pb/>Because of iniquities, and deeds of violence, and greed of money.<pb/>


text:
<n>The text here is uncertain. </n> Why is earth and ashes proud? <n>Two lines of this verse are here omitted by the best authorities. </n> <pb/>Because in <i>his </i> life he hath cast away his bowels.<pb/>


text:
<i>It is </i> a long disease; the physician mocketh: <pb/>And <i>he is </i> a king to-day, and to-morrow he shall die.<pb/>


text:
<i>It is </i> the beginning of pride when a man departeth from the Lord; <pb/>And his heart is departed from him that made him.<pb/>


text:
For the beginning of pride is sin; <pb/>And he that keepeth it will pour forth abomination. <pb/>For this cause the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, <pb/>And overthrew them utterly.<pb/>


text:
The Lord overthrew the lands of nations, <pb/>And destroyed them unto the foundations of the earth.<pb/>


text:
He took some of them away, and destroyed them, <pb/>And made their memorial to cease from the earth.<pb/>


text:
<n>The MSS. here greatly differ. The rendering represents the most probable text. </n> What manner of seed hath honour? the seed of man. <pb/>What manner of seed hath honour? they that fear the Lord. <pb/>What manner of seed hath no honour? the seed of man. <pb/>What manner of seed hath no honour? they that transgress the commandments.<pb/>


text:
In the midst of brethren he that ruleth them hath honour; <pb/>And in the eyes of the Lord they that fear him.


text:
It is not right to dishonour a poor man that hath understanding; <pb/>And it is not fitting to glorify a man that is a sinner.<pb/>


text:
The great man, and the judge, and the mighty man, shall be glorified; <pb/>And there is not one of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Free men shall minister unto a wise servant; <pb/>And a man that hath knowledge will not murmur <i>thereat. </i><pb/><pb/>


text:
<n>The Greek text of this verse is uncertain. </n> Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, <pb/>Than he that glorifieth himself, and lacketh bread.<pb/>


text:
My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, <pb/>And give it honour according to the worthiness thereof.<pb/>


text:
Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? <pb/>And who will glorify him that dishonoureth his own life?<pb/><pb/>


text:
But he that is glorified in poverty, how much more in riches? <pb/>And he that is inglorious in riches, how much more in poverty?<pb/>


text:
The wisdom of the lowly shall lift up his head, <pb/>And make him to sit in the midst of great men.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Glory not in the putting on of raiment, <pb/>And exalt not thyself in the day of honour; <pb/>For the works of the Lord are wonderful, <pb/>And his works are hidden among men.<pb/>


text:
Many <n>Gr. <i>tyrants </i></n> kings have sat down upon the ground; <pb/>And one that was never thought of hath worn a diadem.<pb/>


text:
Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; <pb/>And men of renown have been delivered into other men’s hands.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; <pb/>And where sinners judge, sit not thou with them.<pb/><pb/>


text:
My son, be not busy about many matters: <pb/>For if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be unpunished; <pb/>And if thou pursue, thou shalt not overtake; <pb/>And thou shalt not escape by fleeing.<pb/>


text:
There is one that toileth, and laboureth, and maketh haste, <pb/>And is so much the more behind.<pb/>


text:
There is one that is sluggish, and hath need of help, <pb/>Lacking in strength, and that aboundeth in poverty; <pb/>And the eyes of the Lord looked upon him for good, <pb/>And he set him up from his low estate,<pb/>


text:
The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, <pb/>And his good pleasure shall prosper for ever.<pb/>


text:
There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, <pb/>And this is the portion of his reward:<pb/>


text:
When he saith, I have found rest, <pb/>And now will I eat of my goods; <pb/>Yet he knoweth not what time shall pass, <pb/>And he shall leave them to others, and die.<pb/>


text:
Marvel not at the works of a sinner; <pb/>But trust the Lord, and abide in thy labour: <pb/>For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord swiftly on the sudden to make a poor man rich.<pb/>


text:
The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly; <pb/>And in an hour that cometh swiftly he maketh his blessing to flourish.<pb/>


text:
In the day of good things there is a forgetfulness of evil things; <pb/>And in the day of evil things a man will not remember things that are good.<pb/>


text:
For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord <pb/>To reward a man in the day of death according to his ways.<pb/>


text:
The affliction of an hour causeth forgetfulness of delight; <pb/>And in the last end of a man is the revelation of his deeds.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of a proud man; <pb/>And as one that is a spy, he looketh upon <i>thy </i> falling.<pb/>


text:
For he lieth in wait to turn things that are good into evil; <pb/>And in things that are praiseworthy he will lay blame.<pb/>


text:
From a spark of fire a heap of many coals is kindled; <pb/>And a sinful man lieth in wait for blood.<pb/>


text:
Take heed of an evil-doer, for he contriveth wicked things; <pb/>Lest haply he bring upon thee blame for ever.<pb/>


text:
Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will distract thee with brawls, <pb/>And estrange thee from thine own.<pb/>


text:
Do good to a godly man, and thou shalt find a recompense; <pb/>And if not from him, yet from the Most High.<pb/>


text:
There shall no good come to him that continueth to do evil, <pb/>Nor to him that giveth no alms.<pb/>


text:
Do good to one that is lowly, <pb/>And give not to an ungodly man: <pb/>Keep back his bread, and give it not to him, <pb/>Lest he overmaster thee thereby: <pb/>For thou shalt receive twice as much evil <pb/>For all the good thou shalt have done unto him.<pb/>


text:
For the Most High also hateth sinners, <pb/>And will repay vengeance unto the ungodly. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
A man’s friend will not be <n>Or, <i>punished </i></n> fully tried in prosperity; <pb/>And his enemy will not be hidden in adversity.<pb/>


text:
In a man’s prosperity his enemies are grieved; <pb/>And in his adversity even his friend will be separated <i>from him. </i><pb/>


text:
Though he humble himself, and go crouching, <pb/>Yet take good heed, and beware of him, <pb/>And thou shalt be unto him as one that hath wiped a mirror, <pb/>And thou shalt know that <n>Or, <i>it hath not utterly rusted him </i></n> he hath not utterly rusted it.<pb/>


text:
Set him not by thee, <pb/>Lest he overthrow thee and stand in thy place; <pb/>Let him not sit on thy right hand, <pb/>Lest he seek to take thy seat, <pb/>And at the last thou acknowledge my words, <pb/>And be pricked with my sayings.<pb/>


text:
Even so <i>who will pity </i> him that goeth to a sinner, <pb/>And is mingled with him in his sins?<pb/>


text:
And the enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, <pb/>And in his heart take counsel how to overthrow thee into a pit: <pb/>The enemy will weep with his eyes, <pb/>And if he find opportunity, he will not be satiated with blood.<pb/>


text:
If adversity meet thee, thou shalt find him there before thee; <pb/>And as though he would help thee, he will trip up thy heel.<pb/>


text:
He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled; <pb/>And he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall become like unto him.<pb/>


text:
Take not up a burden above thy strength; <pb/>And have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself. <pb/>What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? <pb/>This shall smite, and that shall be dashed in pieces.<pb/>


text:
The rich man doeth a wrong, and he threateneth withal: <pb/>The poor is wronged, and he shall intreat withal.<pb/>


text:
If thou be profitable, he will make merchandise of thee; <pb/>And if thou be in want, he will forsake thee.<pb/>


text:
If thou have substance, he will live with thee; <pb/>And he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry.<pb/>


text:
Hath he had need of thee? then he will deceive thee, <pb/>And smile upon thee, and give thee hope: <pb/>He will speak thee fair, and say, What needest thou?<pb/>


text:
And he will shame thee by his meats, <pb/>Until he have made thee bare twice or thrice, <pb/>And at the last he will laugh thee to scorn: <pb/>Afterward will he see thee, and will forsake thee, <pb/>And shake his head at thee.<pb/>


text:
Press not upon him, lest thou be thrust back; <pb/>And stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.<pb/>


text:
Affect not to speak with him as an equal, <pb/>And believe not his many words: <pb/>For with much talk will he try thee, <pb/>And in a smiling manner will search thee out.<pb/>


text:
He that keepeth not to himself words spoken is unmerciful; <pb/>And he will not spare to hurt and to bind.<pb/>


text:
Keep <i>them </i> to thyself, and take earnest heed, <pb/>For thou walkest <n>Gr. <i>along with. </i></n> in peril of thy falling.


text:
What fellowship shall the wolf have with the lamb? <pb/>So <i>is </i> the sinner unto the godly.<pb/>


text:
What peace is there between the hyena and the dog? <pb/>And what peace between the rich man and the poor?<pb/>


text:
Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; <pb/>So a poor man is an abomination to the rich.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A rich man when he is shaken is held up of his friends; <pb/>But one of low degree being down is thrust away also by his friends.<pb/>


text:
When a rich man is fallen, there are many helpers; <pb/>He speaketh <n>Or, <i>secrets, and </i></n> things not to be spoken, and men justify him: <pb/>A man of low degree falleth, and men rebuke him withal; <pb/>He uttereth wisdom, and no place is allowed him.<pb/>


text:
A rich man speaketh, and all keep silence; <pb/>And what he saith they extol to the clouds: <pb/>A poor man speaketh, and they say, Who is this? <pb/>And if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The heart of a man changeth his countenance, <pb/>Whether it be for good or for evil. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; <pb/>And the finding out of parables is a weariness of thinking.<pb/>


text:
Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, <pb/>And is not pricked with sorrow for sins.<pb/>


text:
He that gathereth <i>by taking </i> from his own soul gathereth for others; <pb/>And others shall revel in his goods.<pb/>


text:
He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? <pb/>And he shall not rejoice in his possessions.<pb/>


text:
There is none more evil than he that envieth himself; <pb/>And this is a recompense of his wickedness.<pb/>


text:
Even if he doeth good, he doeth it in forgetfulness; <pb/>And at the last he sheweth forth his wickedness.<pb/>


text:
Evil is he that envieth with his eye, <pb/>Turning away the face, and despising the souls <i>of men. </i><pb/>


text:
A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; <pb/>And wicked injustice drieth up his soul.<pb/>


text:
My son, according as thou hast, do well unto thyself, <pb/>And bring offerings unto the Lord worthily.<pb/>


text:
Remember that death will not tarry, <pb/>And that the covenant of <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave is not shewed unto thee.<pb/>


text:
Do well unto thy friend before thou die; <pb/>And according to thy ability stretch out <i>thy hand </i> and give to him.<pb/>


text:
Defraud not <i>thyself </i> of a good day; <pb/>And let not the portion of a good desire pass thee by.<pb/>


text:
Give, and take, and beguile thy soul; <pb/>For there is no seeking of luxury in <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave.<pb/>


text:
All flesh waxeth old as a garment; <pb/>For the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.<pb/>


text:
As of the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, <pb/>Some it sheddeth, and some it maketh to grow; <pb/>So also of the generations of flesh and blood, <pb/>One cometh to an end, and another is born.<pb/>


text:
Blessed is the man that shall <n>Most authorities read <i>come to an end. </i></n> meditate in wisdom, <pb/>And that shall discourse by his understanding.<pb/>


text:
He shall pitch his tent nigh at hand to her, <pb/>And shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.<pb/>


text:
He that feareth the Lord will do this; <pb/>And he that hath possession of the law shall obtain her.<pb/>


text:
He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; <pb/>And shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.<pb/>


text:
And she shall exalt him above his neighbours; <pb/>And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.<pb/>


text:
Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away; <pb/>For thou shalt not do the things that he hateth.<pb/>


text:
If thou wilt, thou shalt keep the commandments; <pb/>And to perform faithfulness is of <i>thine own </i> good pleasure.<pb/>


text:
He hath set fire and water before thee: <pb/>Thou shalt stretch forth thy hand unto whichsoever thou wilt.<pb/>


text:
And his eyes are upon them that fear him; <pb/>And he will take knowledge of every work of man.<pb/>


text:
He hath not commanded any man to be ungodly; <pb/>And he hath not given any man licence to sin.<pb/>


text:
Trust not thou in their life, <pb/>Neither rely on their condition: <pb/>For one is better than a thousand; <pb/>And to die childless than to have ungodly children.<pb/>


text:
For from one that hath understanding shall a city be peopled; <pb/>But a race of wicked men shall be made desolate.<pb/>


text:
Many such things have I seen with mine eyes; <pb/>And mine ear hath heard mightier things than these.<pb/><pb/>


text:
In the congregation of sinners shall a fire be kindled; <pb/>And in a disobedient nation wrath is kindled.<pb/>


text:
And in like manner the six hundred thousand footmen, <pb/>Who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.<pb/>


text:
Even if there be one stiffnecked person, <pb/>It is marvel if he shall be unpunished: <pb/>For mercy and wrath are with him; <pb/>He is mighty to forgive, and he poureth out wrath.<pb/>


text:
As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: <pb/>He judgeth a man according to his works.<pb/>


text:
The sinner shall not escape with <i>his </i> plunder; <pb/>And the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.<pb/>


text:
Say not thou, I shall be hidden from the Lord; <pb/>And who shall remember me from on high? <pb/>I shall not be known among so many people; <pb/>For what is my soul in a boundless creation?<pb/>


text:
Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, <pb/>The deep, and the earth, shall be moved when he shall visit.<pb/>


text:
The mountains and the foundations of the earth together <pb/>Are shaken with trembling, when he looketh upon them.<pb/>


text:
And <i>there is </i> a tempest which no man shall see; <pb/>Yea, the more part of his works are <n>Gr. <i>among hidden things. </i></n> hid.<pb/>


text:
Who shall declare the works of <i>his </i> righteousness? <pb/>Or who shall endure them? <pb/>For his covenant is afar off. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
He that is wanting in <n>Gr. <i>heart. </i></n> understanding thinketh upon these things; <pb/>And an unwise and erring man thinketh follies.<pb/>


text:
In the judgement of the Lord are his works from the beginning; <pb/>And from the making of them he disposed the parts thereof.<pb/>


text:
He garnished his works for ever, <pb/>And the beginnings of them unto their generations: <pb/>They neither hunger, nor are weary, <pb/>And they cease not from their works.<pb/>


text:
<n>The Greek text of this line is uncertain. </n> <n>Gr. <i>The soul of every living thing. </i></n> All manner of living things covered the face thereof; <pb/>And into it is their return.<pb/>


text:
He gave them days by number, and a set time, <pb/>And gave them authority over the things that are thereon.<pb/>


text:
He put the fear of <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> man upon all flesh, <pb/>And <i>gave him </i> to have dominion over beasts and fowls.


text:
And they shall praise the name of <i>his </i> holiness, <pb/><n>This line is added by the best authorities. </n> That they may declare the majesty of his works.<pb/>


text:
Their eyes saw the majesty of <i>his </i> glory; <pb/>And their ear heard the glory of <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>their. </i></n> his voice.<pb/>


text:
And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; <pb/>And he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbour.<pb/><pb/>


text:
<n>The preceding part of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n> For every nation he appointed a ruler; <pb/>And Israel is the Lord’s portion.


text:
With him the alms of a man is as a signet; <pb/>And he will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them, <pb/>And render their recompense upon their head.<pb/>


text:
Howbeit unto them that repent he granteth a return; <pb/>And he comforteth them that are losing patience.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Return unto the Lord, and forsake sins: <pb/>Make thy prayer before <i>his </i> face, and lessen the offence.<pb/>


text:
Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity; <n>A line is here omitted by the best authorities. </n> <pb/>And greatly hate the abominable thing.<pb/>


text:
Who shall give praise to the Most High in <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave, <pb/>Instead of them which live and return thanks?<pb/>


text:
Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: <pb/>He that is in life and health shall praise the Lord.<pb/>


text:
What is brighter than the sun? yet this faileth: <pb/>And an evil man will think on flesh and blood.<pb/>


text:
To none hath he given power to declare his works: <pb/>And who shall trace out his mighty deeds?<pb/>


text:
As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them, <pb/>Neither is it possible to track them out.<pb/>


text:
When a man hath finished, then he is but at the beginning; <pb/>And when he ceaseth, then shall he be in perplexity.<pb/>


text:
As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand; <pb/>So are a few years in the day of eternity.<pb/>


text:
The mercy of a man is upon his neighbour; <pb/>But the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh; <pb/>Reproving, and chastening, and teaching, <pb/>And bringing again, as a shepherd doth his flock.<pb/>


text:
He hath mercy on them that accept chastening, <pb/>And that diligently seek after his judgements.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Before judgement examine thyself; <pb/>And in the hour of visitation thou shalt find forgiveness.<pb/>


text:
Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time; <pb/>And wait not until death to be justified.<pb/>


text:
Think upon the wrath <i>that shall be </i> in the days of the end, <pb/>And the time of vengeance, when he turneth away his face.<pb/>


text:
In the days of fulness remember the time of hunger, <pb/><i>And </i> poverty and want in the days of wealth.<pb/>


text:
A wise man will fear in everything; <pb/>And in days of sinning he will beware of offence. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom; <pb/>And he will give thanks unto him that found her.<pb/>


text:
They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, <pb/>And poured forth apt proverbs.<pb/><pb/>


text:
If thou give fully to thy soul the delight of her desire, <pb/>She will make thee <n>Or, <i>a rejoicing to </i></n> the laughingstock of thine enemies.<pb/>


text:
Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, <pb/>When thou hast nothing in thy purse. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
A workman that is a drunkard shall not become rich: <pb/>He that despiseth small things shall fall by little and little.<pb/>


text:
Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: <pb/>And he that cleaveth to harlots will be the more reckless.<pb/>


text:
He that is hasty to trust is light-minded; <pb/>And he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.<pb/>


text:
He that maketh merry in his heart shall be condemned: <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
<n>The preceding part of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n> And he that hateth talk hath the less wickedness.<pb/>


text:
Whether it be of friend or foe, tell it not; <pb/>And unless it is a sin to thee, reveal it not.<pb/>


text:
As an arrow that sticketh in the <n>Gr. <i>thigh of flesh. </i></n> flesh of the thigh, <pb/>So is a word in a fool’s belly.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Reprove a friend; it may be he did it not: <pb/>And if he did something, that he may do it no more.<pb/>


text:
Reprove thy neighbour; it may be he said it not: <pb/>And if he hath said it, that he may not say it again.<pb/>


text:
There is one that slippeth, and not from the heart: <pb/>And who is he that hath not sinned with his tongue?<pb/>


text:
And the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom; <pb/>And the prudence of sinners is not counsel.<pb/>


text:
There is a wickedness, and the same is abomination; <pb/>And there is a fool wanting in wisdom.<pb/>


text:
Better is one that hath small understanding, and feareth, <pb/>Than one that hath much prudence, and transgresseth the law.<pb/>


text:
There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; <pb/>And there is one that perverteth favour <n>Gr. <i>to bring to light. </i></n> to gain a judgement. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
There is one that doeth wickedly, that hangeth down his head with mourning; <pb/>But inwardly he is full of deceit,<pb/>


text:
Bowing down his face, and making as if he were deaf of one ear: <pb/>Where he is not known, he will be beforehand with thee.<pb/>


text:
And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, <pb/>If he find opportunity, he will do mischief.<pb/>


text:
A man shall be known by his look, <pb/>And one that hath understanding shall be known by his face, when thou meetest him.<pb/>


text:
A man’s attire, and <n>Gr. <i>laughter of the teeth. </i></n> grinning laughter, <pb/>And gait, shew what he is.<pb/>


text:
There is a reproof that is not comely; <pb/>And there is a man that keepeth silence, and he is wise.<pb/>


text:
How good is it to reprove, rather than to be wroth; <pb/>And he that maketh confession shall be kept back from hurt.


text:
As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; <pb/>So is he that executeth judgements with violence.<pb/>


text:
There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise; <pb/>And there is one that is hated for his much talk.<pb/>


text:
There is one that keepeth silence, for he hath no answer to make; <pb/>And there is that keepeth silence, as knowing his time.<pb/>


text:
A wise man will be silent till his time come; <pb/>But the braggart and fool will overpass his time.<pb/>


text:
He that useth many words shall be abhorred; <pb/>And he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.<pb/><pb/>


text:
There is a prosperity that a man findeth in misfortunes; <pb/>And there is a gain that turneth to loss.<pb/>


text:
There is a gift that shall not profit thee; <pb/>And there is a gift whose recompense is double.<pb/>


text:
There is an abasement because of glory; <pb/>And there is that hath lifted up his head from a low estate.<pb/>


text:
He that is wise in words shall make himself beloved; <pb/>But the pleasantries of fools shall be wasted.<pb/>


text:
The gift of a fool shall not profit thee; <n>A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities. </n> <pb/>For his eyes are many instead of one.<pb/>


text:
He will give little, and upbraid much; <pb/>And he will open his mouth like a crier: <pb/>To-day he will lend, and to-morrow he will ask it again: <pb/>Such an one is a hateful man.<pb/>


text:
The fool will say, I have no friend, <pb/>And I have no thanks for my good deeds; <pb/>They that eat my bread are of evil tongue.<pb/>


text:
How oft, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn! <n>The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/><pb/>


text:
A slip on a pavement is better than <i>a slip </i> with the tongue; <pb/>So the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.<pb/>


text:
A man without grace is <i>as </i> a tale out of season: <pb/>It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.<pb/>


text:
A <n>Gr. <i>parable. </i></n> wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; <pb/>For he will not speak it in its season.<pb/><pb/>


text:
There is that is hindered from sinning through want; <pb/>And when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.<pb/>


text:
There is that destroyeth his soul through bashfulness; <pb/>And by a foolish countenance he will destroy it.<pb/>


text:
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend; <pb/>And he maketh him his enemy for nothing.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A thief is better than a man that is continually lying: <pb/>But they both shall inherit destruction.<pb/>


text:
He that is wise in words shall advance himself; <pb/>And one that is prudent will please great men.<pb/>


text:
He that tilleth his land shall raise his heap high; <pb/>And he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.<pb/>


text:
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, <pb/>And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.<pb/>


text:
My son, hast thou sinned? add no more thereto; <pb/>And make supplication for thy former <i>sins. </i><pb/>


text:
Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent; <pb/>For if thou draw nigh it will bite thee: <pb/>The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, <pb/>Slaying the souls of men.<pb/>


text:
Terror and violence will lay waste riches; <pb/>So the house of a haughty man shall be laid waste.<pb/>


text:
Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> God, <pb/>And his judgement cometh speedily.<pb/>


text:
One that hateth reproof is in the path of the sinner; <pb/>And he that feareth the Lord will turn again in his heart.<pb/>


text:
He that is mighty in tongue is known afar off: <pb/>But the man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that buildeth his house with other men’s money <pb/>Is like one that gathereth himself stones against winter.<pb/>


text:
The congregation of wicked men is <i>as </i> tow wrapped together; <pb/>And the end of them is a flame of fire.<pb/>


text:
The way of sinners is made smooth with stones; <pb/>And at the last end thereof is the pit of Hades.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that keepeth the law becometh master of the intent thereof; <pb/>And the end of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.<pb/>


text:
He that is not clever will not be instructed; <pb/>And there is a cleverness which maketh bitterness to abound.<pb/>


text:
The knowledge of a wise man shall be made to abound as a flood; <pb/>And his counsel as a fountain of life.<pb/>


text:
If a man of knowledge hear a wise word, <pb/>He will commend it, and add unto it: <pb/>The dissolute man heareth it, and it displeaseth him, <pb/>And he putteth it away behind his back.<pb/>


text:
The discourse of a fool is like a burden in the way; <pb/>But grace shall be found on the lips of the wise.<pb/>


text:
The mouth of the prudent man shall be sought for in the congregation; <pb/>And they will ponder his words in their heart.<pb/><pb/>


text:
As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool; <pb/>And the knowledge of an unwise man is <i>as </i> <n>Gr. <i>unexamined words. </i></n> talk without sense.<pb/>


text:
Instruction is <i>as </i> fetters on the feet of an unwise man, <pb/>And as manacles on the right hand.<pb/>


text:
Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, <pb/>And as a bracelet upon his right arm.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The foot of a fool is soon in <i>another man’s </i> house; <pb/>But a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.<pb/>


text:
A foolish man peepeth in from the door of <i>another man’s </i> house; <pb/>But a man that is instructed will stand without.<pb/>


text:
It is a want of instruction in a man to listen at the door; <pb/>But the prudent man will be grieved with the disgrace.<pb/>


text:
<n>The text seems to be uncertain. </n> The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things; <pb/>But the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A slothful man is compared to a stone that is defiled; <pb/>And every one will hiss him out in his disgrace.<pb/>


text:
A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: <pb/>Every man that taketh it up will shake out his hand.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A father hath shame in having begotten an uninstructed <i>son; </i> <pb/>And a <i>foolish </i> daughter is born to his loss.<pb/>


text:
A prudent daughter shall inherit a husband of her own; <pb/>And she that bringeth shame is the grief of him that begat her.<pb/>


text:
She that is bold bringeth shame upon father and husband; <pb/>And she shall be despised of them both.<pb/>


text:
Unseasonable discourse is <i>as </i> music in mourning; <pb/>But stripes and correction are wisdom at every season.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that teacheth a fool is <i>as </i> one that glueth a potsherd together; <pb/><i>Even as </i> one that waketh a sleeper out of a deep sleep.<pb/>


text:
He that discourseth to a fool is <i>as </i> one discoursing to a man that slumbereth; <pb/>And at the end he will say, What is it?


text:
Weep for the dead, for light hath failed <i>him; </i> <pb/>And weep for a fool, for understanding hath failed <i>him: </i> <pb/>Weep more sweetly for the dead, because he hath found rest; <pb/>But the life of the fool is worse than death.<pb/>


text:
Seven days are <i>the days of </i> mourning for the dead; <pb/>But for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Talk not much with a foolish man, <pb/>And go not to one that hath no understanding: <pb/>Beware of him, lest thou have trouble; <pb/>And <i>so </i> thou shalt not be <n>Or, <i>defiled: in his onslaught turn </i></n> defiled in his onslaught: <pb/>Turn aside from him, and thou shalt find rest; <pb/>And <i>so </i> thou shalt not be wearied in his madness.<pb/>


text:
Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, <pb/>Than a man without understanding.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Timber girt and bound into a building shall not be loosed with shaking: <pb/>So a heart established in due season on well advised counsel shall not be afraid.<pb/>


text:
A heart settled upon a thoughtful understanding <pb/>Is as an ornament of plaister on a polished wall.<pb/>


text:
Pales set on a high place will not stand against the wind: <pb/>So a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool will not stand against any fear.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall; <pb/>And he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew feeling.<pb/>


text:
Whoso casteth a stone at birds frayeth them away; <pb/>And he that upbraideth a friend will dissolve friendship.<pb/>


text:
If thou hast opened thy mouth against a friend, fear not; <pb/>For there may be a reconciling; <pb/>Except it be for upbraiding, and arrogance, and disclosing of a secret, and a treacherous blow: <pb/>For these things every friend will flee.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Gain trust with thy neighbour in his poverty, <pb/>That in his prosperity thou mayest have gladness: <pb/>Abide stedfast unto him in the time of his affliction, <pb/>That thou mayest be heir with him in his inheritance. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
And if any evil happen unto me because of him, <pb/>Every one that heareth it will beware of him.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Who shall set a watch over my mouth, <pb/>And a seal of shrewdness upon my lips, <pb/>That I fall not from it, and that my tongue destroy me not?<pb/>


text:
O Lord, Father and Master of my life, <pb/>Abandon me not to their counsel: <pb/>Suffer me not to fall by them.<pb/>


text:
Who will set scourges over my thought, <pb/>And a discipline of wisdom over mine heart? <pb/>That they spare me not for mine ignorances, <pb/>And <i>my heart </i> pass not by their sins:<pb/>


text:
That mine ignorances be not multiplied, <pb/>And my sins abound not; <pb/>And I shall fall before mine adversaries, <pb/>And mine enemy rejoice over me. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
O Lord, Father and God of my life, <pb/>Give me not a <n>Gr. <i>lifting up of eyes. </i></n> proud look, <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
And turn away concupiscense from me. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
Let not <n>Gr. <i>appetite of the belly. </i></n> greediness and chambering overtake me; <pb/>And give me not over to a shameless mind.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Hear ye, my children, the discipline of the mouth; <pb/>And he that keepeth it shall not be taken.<pb/>


text:
The sinner shall be <n>Most authorities read <i>left. </i></n> overtaken in his lips; <pb/>And the reviler and the proud man shall stumble therein.<pb/>


text:
For as a servant that is continually scourged shall not lack a bruise, <pb/>So he also that sweareth and nameth <i>God </i> continually shall not be cleansed from sin.<pb/>


text:
A man of many oaths shall be filled with iniquity; <pb/>And the scourge shall not depart from his house: <pb/>If he shall offend, his sin shall be upon him; <pb/>And if he disregard it, he hath sinned doubly; <pb/>And if he hath sworn in vain, he shall not be justified; <pb/>For his house shall be filled with calamities.<pb/>


text:
There is a manner of speech that is clothed about with death: <pb/>Let it not be found in the heritage of Jacob; <pb/>For all these things shall be far from the godly, <pb/>And they shall not wallow in sins.<pb/>


text:
Remember thy father and thy mother, <pb/>For thou sittest in the midst of great men; <pb/>That thou be not forgetful before them, <pb/>And become a fool by thy custom; <pb/>So shalt thou wish that thou hadst not been born, <pb/>And curse the day of thy nativity.<pb/>


text:
A man that is accustomed to words of reproach <pb/>Will not be corrected all the days of his life.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Two sorts <i>of men </i> multiply sins, <pb/>And the third will bring wrath: <pb/>A hot mind, as a burning fire, will not be quenched till it be consumed: <pb/>A fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease till he hath <n>Or, <i>made a fire blaze up </i></n> burned out the fire.<pb/>


text:
A man that goeth astray from his own bed, <pb/>Saying in his heart, Who seeth me? <pb/>Darkness is round about me, and the walls hide me, <pb/>And no man seeth me; of whom am I afraid? <pb/>The Most High will not remember my sins;<pb/>


text:
- And the eyes of men are his terror, <pb/>And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, <pb/>Beholding all the ways of men, <pb/>And looking into secret places.<pb/>


text:
All things were known unto him or ever they were created; <pb/>And in like manner also after they were perfected.<pb/>


text:
This man shall be punished in the streets of the city; <pb/>And where he suspected not he shall be taken.<pb/>


text:
For first, she was disobedient in the law of the Most High; <pb/>And secondly, she trespassed against her own husband; <pb/>And thirdly, she played the adulteress in whoredom, <pb/>And brought in children by a stranger.<pb/>


text:
She shall be brought out into the congregation; <pb/>And upon her children shall there be visitation.<pb/>


text:
And they that are left behind shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, <pb/>And nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments of the Lord.


text:
Wisdom shall praise <n>Gr. <i>her own soul. </i></n> herself, <pb/>And shall glory in the midst of her people.<pb/>


text:
In the congregation of the Most High shall she open her mouth, <pb/>And glory in the presence of his power.<pb/>


text:
In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, <pb/>And in every people and nation, I got a possession.<pb/>


text:
Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment; <pb/>And he that created me made my tabernacle to rest, <pb/>And said, Let thy tabernacle be in Jacob, <pb/>And thine inheritance in Israel.<pb/>


text:
And I took root in a people that was glorified, <pb/>Even in the portion of the Lord’s own inheritance.<pb/>


text:
I was exalted like a palm tree on the sea shore, <pb/>And as rose plants in Jericho, <pb/>And as a fair olive tree in the plain; <pb/>And I was exalted as a plane tree.<pb/>


text:
As cinnamon and aspalathus, I have given a scent of perfumes; <pb/>And as choice myrrh, I spread abroad a pleasant odour; <pb/>As <n>See Exodus xxx. 34. </n> galbanum, and onyx, and stacte, <pb/>And as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.<pb/>


text:
As the terebinth I stretched out my branches; <pb/>And my branches are branches of glory and grace.<pb/>


text:
He that obeyeth me shall not be ashamed; <pb/>And they that work in me shall not do amiss.<pb/><pb/>


text:
All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God, <pb/><i>Even </i> the law which Moses commanded us for a heritage unto the assemblies of Jacob.


text:
It is he that maketh wisdom abundant, as Pishon, <pb/>And as Tigris in the days of new <i>fruits; </i><pb/>


text:
The first man knew her not perfectly; <pb/>And in like manner the last hath not traced her out.<pb/>


text:
And I came out as a <n>Gr. <i>canal. </i></n> stream from a river, <pb/>And as a conduit into a garden.<pb/>


text:
I said, I will water my garden, <pb/>And will water abundantly my garden bed; <pb/>And, lo, my stream became a river, <pb/>And my river became a sea.<pb/>


text:
I will yet bring instruction to light as the morning, <pb/>And will make <n>Gr. <i>them. </i></n> these things to shine forth afar off.<pb/>


text:
Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, <pb/>But for all them that diligently seek her.<pb/>


text:
In three things I was beautified, <pb/>And stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: <pb/>The concord of brethren, and friendship of neighbours, <pb/>And a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement.<pb/>


text:
But three sorts <i>of men </i> my soul hateth, <pb/>And I am greatly offended at their life: <pb/>A poor man that is haughty, and a rich man that is a liar, <pb/><i>And </i> an old man that is an adulterer lacking understanding.<pb/><pb/>


text:
In <i>thy </i> youth thou hast not gathered, <pb/>And how shouldest thou find in thine old age?<pb/>


text:
How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, <pb/>And thought and counsel to men that are in honour!<pb/>


text:
There be nine things that I have thought of, and in mine heart counted happy; <pb/>And the tenth I will utter with my tongue: <pb/>A man that hath joy of his children; <pb/>A man that liveth and looketh upon the fall of his enemies:<pb/>


text:
Happy is he that dwelleth with a wife of understanding; <pb/>And he that hath not slipped with his tongue; <pb/>And he that hath not served a man that is unworthy of him:<pb/>


text:
Happy is he that hath found prudence; <pb/>And he that discourseth in the ears of them that listen.<pb/>


text:
How great is he that hath found wisdom! <pb/>Yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.<pb/>


text:
<i>Give me </i> any plague but the plague of the heart; <pb/>And any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman;<pb/>


text:
Any calamity, but a calamity from them that hate me; <pb/>And any vengeance, but the vengeance of enemies.<pb/>


text:
There is no head above the head of a serpent; <pb/>And there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The wickedness of a woman changeth her look, <pb/>And darkeneth her countenance as a bear doth.<pb/>


text:
Her husband shall sit at meat among his neighbours, <pb/>And when he heareth it he sigheth bitterly.<pb/>


text:
All malice is but little to the malice of a woman: <pb/>Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> the going up a sandy way <i>is </i> to the feet of the aged, <pb/>So is a wife full of words to a quiet man.<pb/>


text:
A wicked woman is abasement of heart, <pb/>And sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart: <pb/>A woman that will not make her husband happy <pb/>Is <i>as </i> hands that hang down, and palsied knees.<pb/>


text:
If she go not <n>Gr. <i>according to thy hand. </i></n> as thou wouldest have her, <pb/>Cut her off from thy flesh. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
A good wife is a good portion: <pb/>She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Whether a man be rich or poor, <pb/>A good heart <i>maketh </i> at all times a cheerful countenance.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Of three things my heart was afraid; <pb/>And concerning the fourth <n>Gr. <i>countenance. </i></n> kind I made supplication: <pb/>The slander of a city, and the assembly of a multitude, and a false accusation: <pb/>All these are more grievous than death.<pb/>


text:
A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of <i>another </i> woman, <pb/>And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.<pb/>


text:
A wicked woman is <i>as </i> a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: <pb/>He that taketh hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.<pb/>


text:
The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; <pb/>And it shall be known by her eyelids.<pb/>


text:
Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, <pb/>Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.<pb/>


text:
She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, <pb/>And drink of every water that is near: <pb/>At every post will she sit down, <pb/>And open her quiver against <i>any </i> arrow.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; <pb/>And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.<pb/>


text:
A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; <pb/>And there is no <n>Gr. <i>weight. </i></n> price worthy of a continent soul.<pb/>


text:
As the sun when it ariseth in the highest places of the Lord, <pb/>So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of <n>Gr. <i>his. </i></n> a man’s house.<pb/>


text:
As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, <pb/>So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.<pb/>


text:
As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, <pb/>So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.


text:
For two things my heart is grieved; <pb/>And for the third anger cometh upon me: <pb/>A man of war that suffereth for poverty; <pb/>And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: <pb/>One that turneth back from righteousness to sin; <pb/>The Lord shall prepare him for the sword.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; <pb/>And a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.<pb/>


text:
Many have sinned for a thing indifferent; <pb/>And he that seeketh to multiply <i>gain </i> will turn his eye away.<pb/>


text:
A nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones; <pb/>And sin will <n>Gr. <i>rub. </i></n> thrust itself in between buying and selling.<pb/>


text:
Unless <i>a man </i> hold on diligently in the fear of the Lord, <pb/>His house shall soon be overthrown.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The fruit of a tree declareth the husbandry thereof; <pb/>So is the utterance of the thought of the heart of a man.<pb/>


text:
If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, <pb/>And put her on, as a long robe of glory.<pb/>


text:
Among men void of understanding observe the opportunity; <pb/>But stay continually among the thoughtful.<pb/>


text:
The talk of a man of many oaths will make the hair stand upright; <pb/>And their strife maketh one stop his ears.<pb/>


text:
The strife of the proud is a shedding of blood; <pb/>And their reviling of each other is a grievous thing to hear.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Love a friend, and keep faith with him: <pb/>But if thou reveal his secrets, <pb/>Thou shalt not pursue after him;<pb/>


text:
For as a man hath destroyed his enemy, <pb/>So hast thou destroyed the friendship of thy neighbour.<pb/>


text:
And as a bird which thou hast loosed out of thy hand, <pb/>So hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou wilt not catch him again:<pb/>


text:
For a wound may be bound up, and after reviling there may be a reconcilement; <pb/>But he that revealeth secrets hath lost hope.<pb/><pb/>


text:
When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, <pb/>And will admire thy words; <pb/>But afterward he will writhe his mouth, <pb/>And set a trap <i>for thee </i> in thy words.<pb/>


text:
One that casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; <pb/>And a deceitful stroke will open wounds.<pb/>


text:
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; <pb/>And he that setteth a snare shall be taken therein.<pb/>


text:
He that doeth evil things, they shall roll upon him, <pb/>And he shall not know whence they have come to him.<pb/>


text:
Mockery and reproach are from the haughty; <pb/>And vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for him.<pb/>


text:
They that rejoice at the fall of the godly shall be taken in a snare; <pb/>And anguish shall consume them before they die.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that taketh vengeance shall find vengeance from the Lord; <pb/>And he will surely make firm his sins.<pb/>


text:
Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done <i>thee; </i> <pb/>And then thy sins shall be pardoned when thou prayest.<pb/>


text:
Remember thy last end, and cease from enmity: <pb/><i>Remember </i> corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.<pb/>


text:
Remember the commandments, and be not wroth with thy neighbour; <pb/>And <i>remember </i> the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins: <pb/>For a passionate man will kindle strife;<pb/>


text:
And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends, <pb/>And will make debate among them that be at peace.<pb/>


text:
<n>The order of the lines in this verse is uncertain. </n> As is the fuel of the fire, so will it burn; <pb/>And as the stoutness of the strife is, <i>so </i> will it burn: <pb/>As is the strength of the man, <i>so </i> will be his wrath; <pb/>And as is his wealth, <i>so </i> will he exalt his anger.<pb/>


text:
If thou blow a spark, it shall burn; <pb/>And if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: <pb/>And both these shall come out of thy mouth.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A third person’s tongue hath shaken many, <pb/>And dispersed them from nation to nation; <pb/>And it hath pulled down strong cities, <pb/>And overthrown the houses of great men.<pb/>


text:
The stroke of a whip maketh a mark in the flesh; <pb/>But the stroke of a tongue will break bones.<pb/>


text:
Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: <pb/>Yet not so many as they that have fallen because of the tongue.<pb/>


text:
Happy is he that is sheltered from it, <pb/>That hath not passed through the wrath thereof; <pb/>That hath not drawn its yoke, <pb/>And hath not been bound with its bands.<pb/>


text:
They that forsake the Lord shall fall into it; <pb/>And it shall burn among them, and shall not be quenched: <pb/>It shall be sent forth upon them as a lion; <pb/>And as a leopard it shall destroy them.<pb/>


text:
He that sheweth mercy will lend unto his neighbour; <pb/>And he that strengtheneth him with his hand keepeth the commandments.<pb/>


text:
Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need; <pb/>And pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.<pb/>


text:
Confirm thy word, and keep faith with him; <pb/>And at all seasons thou shalt find what thou needest.<pb/>


text:
Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall, <pb/>And have given trouble to those that helped them.<pb/>


text:
Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hands; <pb/>And for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly: <pb/>And when payment is due, he will prolong the time, <pb/>And return words of heaviness, and complain of <n>Gr. <i>the season. </i></n> the times.<pb/>


text:
If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half; <pb/>And he will count it as a windfall: <pb/>If not, he hath deprived him of his money, <pb/>And he hath gotten him for an enemy without cause: <pb/>He will pay him with cursings and railings; <pb/>And for honour he will pay him disgrace.<pb/>


text:
<n>Some ancient authorities read <i>Many therefore. </i></n> Many on account of <i>men’s </i> ill-dealing have turned away; <pb/>They have feared to be defrauded for nought.<pb/>


text:
Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; <pb/>And let him not wait for <i>thine </i> alms.<pb/>


text:
Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake; <pb/>And according to his need send him not empty away.<pb/>


text:
Lose <i>thy </i> money for a brother and a friend; <pb/>And let it not rust under the stone to be lost.<pb/>


text:
Bestow thy treasure according to the commandments of the Most High; <pb/>And it shall profit thee more than gold.<pb/>


text:
It shall fight for thee against thine enemy <pb/>Better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Suretiship hath undone many that were prospering, <pb/>And shaken them as a wave of the sea: <pb/>Mighty men hath it driven from their homes; <pb/>And they wandered among strange nations.<pb/>


text:
A sinner that falleth into suretiship, <pb/>And undertaketh contracts for work, shall fall into lawsuits.<pb/>


text:
Help thy neighbour according to thy power, <pb/>And take heed to thyself that thou fall not <i>to the same. </i><pb/><pb/>


text:
Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs, <pb/>Than sumptuous fare in another man’s house.<pb/>


text:
With little or with much, be well satisfied. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
It is a miserable life to go from house to house: <pb/>And where thou art a sojourner, thou shalt not <i>dare to </i> open thy mouth.<pb/>


text:
Thou shalt entertain, and give to drink, and have no thanks: <pb/>And besides this thou shalt hear bitter words.<pb/>


text:
Come hither, thou sojourner, furnish a table, <pb/>And if thou hast aught in thy hand, feed me with it.<pb/>


text:
Go forth, thou sojourner, from the face of honour; <pb/>My brother is come to be my guest; I have need of my house.<pb/>


text:
These things are grievous to a man of understanding; <pb/>The upbraiding of house-room, and the reproaching of the money-lender.<pb/>


text:
He that loveth his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, <pb/>That he may have joy of him in the end.<pb/>


text:
He that chastiseth his son shall have profit of him, <pb/>And shall glory of him among his acquaintance.<pb/>


text:
He that teacheth his son shall provoke his enemy to jealousy; <pb/>And before friends he shall rejoice of him.<pb/>


text:
His father dieth, and is as though he had not died; <pb/>For he hath left one behind him like himself.<pb/>


text:
He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, <pb/>And one to requite kindness to his friends.<pb/>


text:
He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; <pb/>And his heart will be troubled at every cry.<pb/>


text:
Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him; <pb/>And thou shalt gnash thy teeth in the end.<pb/>


text:
Give him no liberty in his youth, <pb/><n>These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS. </n> And wink not at his follies.<pb/>


text:
<n>These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS. </n> Bow down his neck in his youth, <pb/>And beat him on the sides while he is a child, <pb/>Lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee; <pb/><n>These three lines are absent from the oldest MSS. </n> And there shall be sorrow to thy soul.<pb/>


text:
Chastise thy son, and take pains with him, <pb/>Lest his shameless behaviour be an offence unto thee.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Better is a poor man, being sound and strong of constitution, <pb/>Than a rich man that is plagued in his body.<pb/>


text:
Health and a good constitution are better than all gold; <pb/>And a strong body than wealth without measure.<pb/>


text:
There is no riches better than health of body; <pb/>And there is no gladness above the joy of the heart.<pb/>


text:
Death is better than a bitter life, <pb/><n>The oldest MSS. omit <i>And eternal rest. </i></n> And <n>Gr. <i>age-long rest. </i></n> eternal rest than a continual sickness.<pb/>


text:
Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed <pb/>Are <i>as </i> messes of meat laid upon a grave.<pb/>


text:
What doth an offering profit an idol? <pb/>For neither shall it eat nor smell: <pb/>So is he that is afflicted of the Lord,<pb/>


text:
Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart: <pb/>And remove sorrow far from thee; <pb/>For sorrow hath destroyed many, <pb/>And there is no profit therein.<pb/>


text:
Wakefulness that cometh of riches consumeth the flesh, <pb/>And the anxiety thereof putteth away sleep.<pb/>


text:
Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber; <pb/>And <n>This appears to be the meaning; but the Greek text here is probably corrupt. </n> in a sore disease sleep will be broken.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A rich man toileth in gathering money together; <pb/>And when he resteth, he is filled with his good things.<pb/>


text:
He that loveth gold shall not be justified; <pb/>And he that followeth destruction shall himself have his fill <i>of it. </i><pb/>


text:
Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold; <pb/>And their perdition <n>Or, <i>cometh to pass in their faces </i></n> meeteth them face to face.<pb/>


text:
It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it; <pb/>And every fool shall be taken therewith.<pb/>


text:
Who is he? and we will call him blessed: <pb/>For wonderful things hath he done among his people.<pb/>


text:
Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? <pb/>Then let him glory. <pb/>Who hath had the power to transgress, and hath not transgressed? <pb/>And to do evil, and hath not done it?<pb/>


text:
Sittest thou at a great table? <n>Gr. <i>open not thy throat upon it.</i></n> be not greedy upon it, <pb/>And say not, Many are the things upon it.<pb/>


text:
Remember that an evil eye is a wicked thing: <pb/>What hath been created more evil than an eye? <pb/>Therefore it sheddeth tears from every face.<pb/>


text:
Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, <pb/>And thrust not thyself with it into the dish.<pb/>


text:
Eat, as <i>becometh </i> a man, those things which are set before thee; <pb/>And eat not greedily, lest thou be hated.<pb/>


text:
How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little, <pb/>And he doth not breathe hard upon his bed.<pb/>


text:
Healthy sleep cometh of moderate eating; <pb/>He riseth early, and his wits are with him: <pb/>The pain of wakefulness, and colic, <pb/>And griping, are with an insatiable man.<pb/>


text:
And if thou hast been forced to eat, <pb/>Rise up in the midst thereof, and thou shalt have rest.<pb/>


text:
Hear me, my son, and despise me not, <pb/>And at the last thou shalt find my words <i>true: </i> <pb/>In all thy works be quick, <pb/>And no disease shall come unto thee.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Him that is liberal of his meat the lips shall bless; <pb/>And the testimony of his excellence shall be believed.<pb/>


text:
Him that is a niggard of his meat the city shall murmur at; <pb/>And the testimony of his niggardness shall be sure.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The furnace proveth the temper <i>of steel </i> by dipping; <pb/>So doth wine <i>prove </i> hearts in the quarreling of the proud.<pb/>


text:
Wine is as good as life to men, <pb/>If thou drink it in its measure: <pb/>What life is there to a man that is without wine? <pb/>And it hath been created to make men glad.<pb/>


text:
Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool unto his hurt; <pb/>It diminisheth strength, and addeth wounds.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Rebuke not thy neighbour at a banquet of wine, <pb/>Neither set him at nought in his mirth: <pb/>Speak not unto him a word of reproach, <pb/>And press not upon him by asking back <i>a debt. </i><pb/>


text:
Have they made thee ruler <i>of a feast? </i> <pb/>Be not lifted up, <pb/>Be thou among them as one of them; <pb/>Take thought for them, and so sit down.<pb/>


text:
And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, <pb/>That thou mayest be gladdened on their account, <pb/>And receive a crown for thy well ordering.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, <i>but </i> with sound knowledge; <pb/>And hinder not music.<pb/>


text:
Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music, <pb/>And display not thy wisdom out of season.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold, <pb/><i>So </i> is a concert of music in a banquet of wine.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> a signet of emerald in a work of gold, <pb/><i>So </i> is a strain of music with pleasant wine.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Sum up thy speech, many things in few words; <pb/>Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.<pb/>


text:
<i>If thou be </i> among great men, behave not as their equal; <pb/>And when another is speaking, make not much babbling.<pb/>


text:
And for these things bless him that made thee, <pb/>And giveth thee to drink freely of his good things.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that feareth the Lord will receive <i>his </i> discipline; <pb/>And they that seek <i>him </i> early shall find favour.<pb/>


text:
He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: <pb/>But the hypocrite shall stumble thereat.<pb/>


text:
A man of counsel will not neglect a thought; <pb/>A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear, <pb/>Even after he hath done a thing by himself without counsel.<pb/>


text:
He that believeth the law giveth heed to the commandment; <pb/>And he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss.<pb/>


text:
There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; <pb/>But in temptation once and again will he deliver him.<pb/>


text:
A wise man will not hate the law; <pb/>But he that is a hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.<pb/>


text:
A man of understanding will put his trust in the law; <pb/>And the law is faithful unto him, as when one asketh at the oracle.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Prepare <i>thy </i> speech, and so shalt thou be heard; <pb/>Bind up instruction, and make thine answer.<pb/>


text:
A stallion horse is as a mocking friend; <pb/>He neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Why doth one day excel another, <pb/>When all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?<pb/>


text:
In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them, <pb/>And made their ways various:<pb/>


text:
Some of them he blessed and exalted, <pb/>And some of them he hallowed and brought nigh to himself: <pb/>Some of them he cursed and brought low, <pb/>And overthrew them from their place.<pb/>


text:
As the clay of the potter in his hand, <pb/>All his ways are according to his good pleasure; <pb/>So men are in the hand of him that made them, <pb/>To render unto them according to his judgement.<pb/>


text:
Good is set over against evil, <pb/>And life over against death: <pb/>So is <n>A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities. </n> the sinner over against the godly.<pb/>


text:
And I waked up last, <pb/>As one that gleaneth after the grape-gatherers: <pb/>By the blessing of the Lord I got before them, <pb/>And filled my winepress as one that gathereth grapes.<pb/>


text:
Hear me, ye great men of the people, <pb/>And hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.<pb/><pb/>


text:
To son and wife, to brother and friend, <pb/>Give not power over thee while thou livest; <pb/>And give not thy goods to another, <pb/>Lest thou repent and make supplication for them <i>again. </i><pb/>


text:
For better it is that thy children should supplicate thee, <pb/>Than that thou shouldest look to the hand of thy sons.<pb/>


text:
In the day that thou endest the days of thy life, <pb/>And in the time of death, distribute thine inheritance.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Set thy servant to work, and thou shalt find rest: <pb/>Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.<pb/>


text:
If thou hast a servant, treat him as thyself; <pb/><n>The Greek text of this line is probably corrupt. </n> For as thine own soul wilt thou have need of him: <pb/>If thou treat him ill, and he depart and run away, <pb/>Which way wilt thou go to seek him?<pb/>


text:
As one that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind, <pb/>So is he that setteth his mind on dreams.<pb/>


text:
The vision of dreams is <i>as </i> this thing against that, <pb/>The likeness of a face over against a face.<pb/>


text:
Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed? <pb/>And of that which is false what shall be true?<pb/>


text:
Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: <pb/>And the heart fancieth, as a woman’s in travail.<pb/>


text:
If they be not sent from the Most High in <i>thy </i> visitation, <pb/>Give not thy heart unto them.


text:
Without lying shall the law be accomplished; <pb/>And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A well-instructed man knoweth many things; <pb/>And he that hath much experience will declare understanding.<pb/>


text:
He that hath no experience knoweth few things: <pb/>But he that hath wandered shall increase <i>his </i> skill.<pb/>


text:
The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; <pb/>For their hope is upon him that saveth them.<pb/>


text:
Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward; <pb/>For he is his hope.<pb/>


text:
Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: <pb/>To whom doth he give heed? and who is his stay?<pb/>


text:
The eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, <pb/>A mighty protection and strong stay, <pb/>A cover from the hot blast, and a cover from the noonday, <pb/>A guard from stumbling, and a succour from falling.<pb/>


text:
He raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes: <pb/>He giveth healing, life, and blessing.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery; <pb/>And the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing.<pb/>


text:
The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; <pb/>Neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes <pb/>Is he that bringeth a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.<pb/>


text:
The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: <pb/>He that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.<pb/>


text:
<i>As </i> one that slayeth his neighbour is he that taketh away his living; <pb/>And <i>as </i> a shedder of blood is he that depriveth a hireling of his hire.<pb/>


text:
He that washeth himself after <i>touching </i> a dead body, and toucheth it again, <pb/>What profit hath he in his washing?<pb/>


text:
Even so a man fasting for his sins, <pb/>And going again, and doing the same; <pb/>Who will listen to his prayer? <pb/>And what profit hath he in his humiliation?<pb/>


text:
He that keepeth the law multiplieth offerings; <pb/>He that taketh heed to the commandments sacrificeth a peace offering.<pb/>


text:
He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour; <pb/>And he that giveth alms sacrificeth a thank offering.<pb/>


text:
To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; <pb/>And to depart from unrighteousness is a propitiation.<pb/>


text:
The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat; <pb/>And the sweet savour thereof <i>is </i> before the Most High.<pb/>


text:
The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable; <pb/>And the memorial thereof shall not be forgotten.<pb/>


text:
Give unto the Most High according as he hath given; <pb/>And as thy hand hath found, <i>give </i> with a good eye.<pb/>


text:
Think not to corrupt with gifts; for he will not receive them: <pb/>And set not thy mind on an unrighteous sacrifice; <pb/>For the Lord is judge, <pb/>And with him is no respect of persons.<pb/>


text:
He will not accept any person against a poor man; <pb/>And he will listen to the prayer of him that is wronged.<pb/>


text:
He will in no wise despise the supplication of the fatherless; <pb/>Nor the widow, <n>Gr. <i>if </i></n> when she poureth out her tale.<pb/>


text:
Do not the tears of the widow run down her cheek? <pb/>And is not her cry against him that hath caused them to fall?<pb/>


text:
He that serveth <i>God </i> according to his good pleasure shall be accepted, <pb/>And his supplication shall reach unto the clouds.<pb/>


text:
The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds; <pb/>And till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; <pb/>And he will not depart, till the Most High shall visit; <pb/>And he shall judge <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>for the righteous. </i></n> righteously, and execute judgement.<pb/>


text:
And the Lord will not be slack, neither will he be longsuffering toward them, <pb/>Till he have crushed the loins of the unmerciful; <pb/>And he shall repay vengeance to the heathen; <pb/>Till he have taken away the multitude of the haughty, <pb/>And broken in pieces the sceptres of the unrighteous;<pb/>


text:
Till he have rendered to <i>every </i> man according to his doings, <pb/>And <i>to </i> the works of men according to their devices; <pb/>Till he have judged the cause of his people; <pb/>And he shall make them to rejoice in his mercy.<pb/>


text:
Mercy is seasonable in the time of his afflicting <i>them, </i> <pb/>As clouds of rain in the time of drought.<pb/>


text:
And send thy fear upon all the nations: <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
And let them know thee, as we also have known thee, <pb/>That there is no God but only thou, O God.<pb/>


text:
Shew new signs, and work divers wonders; <pb/>Glorify thy hand and thy right arm. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
Let him that escapeth be devoured by the rage of fire; <pb/>And may they that harm thy people find destruction.<pb/>


text:
Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, <pb/>And <n>The ancient authorities read <i>I took them for mine inheritance: </i> but the Greek text is here very confused. </n> take them for thine inheritance, as from the beginning.<pb/>


text:
O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name, <pb/>And upon Israel, whom thou didst liken unto a firstborn.<pb/>


text:
Give testimony unto those that were thy creatures in the beginning, <pb/>And raise up the prophecies that have been in thy name.<pb/>


text:
Hearken, O Lord, to the prayer of thy suppliants, <pb/>According to the blessing of Aaron concerning thy people; <pb/>And all they that are on the earth shall know <pb/>That thou art the Lord, the <n>Gr. <i>God of the ages. </i></n> eternal God.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The <n>Gr. <i>throat. </i></n> mouth tasteth meats taken in hunting: <pb/>So doth an understanding heart false speeches.<pb/>


text:
He that getteth a wife entereth upon a possession: <pb/>A help meet for him, and a pillar of rest.<pb/>


text:
Where no hedge is, the possession will be laid waste: <pb/>And he that hath no wife will mourn as he wandereth up and down.<pb/>


text:
For who will trust a nimble robber, that skippeth from city to city? <pb/>Even so <i>who shall trust </i> a man that hath no nest, and lodgeth wheresoever he findeth himself at nightfall?<pb/>


text:
Every friend will say, I also am his friend: <pb/>But there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.<pb/>


text:
Is there not a grief in it even unto death, <pb/>When a companion and friend is turned to enmity?<pb/>


text:
O wicked imagination, whence camest thou rolling in <pb/>To cover the dry land with deceitfulness?<pb/>


text:
There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the gladness of a friend, <pb/>But in time of affliction will be against him.<pb/>


text:
There is a companion, which for the belly’s sake laboureth with his friend, <pb/>In the face of battle will take up the buckler.<pb/>


text:
Let thy soul beware of a counsellor, <pb/>And know thou before what is his interest <pb/>(For he will take counsel for himself); <pb/>Lest he cast the lot upon thee,<pb/>


text:
And say unto thee, Thy way is good: <pb/>And he will stand over against thee, to see what shall befall thee.<pb/>


text:
Take not counsel with one that looketh askance at thee; <pb/>And hide thy counsel from such as are jealous of thee.<pb/>


text:
<i>Take not counsel </i> with a woman about her rival; <pb/>Neither with a coward about war; <pb/>Nor with a merchant about exchange; <pb/>Nor with a buyer about selling; <pb/>Nor with an envious man about thankfulness; <pb/>Nor with an unmerciful man about kindliness; <pb/>Nor with a sluggard about any kind of work; <pb/>Nor with a hireling in thy house about finishing <i>his work; </i> <pb/>Nor with an idle servant about much business: <pb/>Give not heed to these in any matter of counsel.<pb/>


text:
But rather be continually with a godly man, <pb/>Whom thou shalt have known to be a keeper of the commandments, <pb/>Who in his soul is as thine own soul, <pb/>And who will grieve with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.<pb/>


text:
And make the counsel of thy heart to stand; <pb/>For there is none more faithful unto thee than it.<pb/>


text:
For a man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings, <pb/>More than seven watchmen that sit on high on a watch-tower.<pb/>


text:
four manner of things do rise up, <pb/>Good and evil, life and death; <pb/>And that which ruleth over them continually is the tongue.<pb/>


text:
There is one that is shrewd <i>and </i> the instructor of many, <pb/>And yet is unprofitable to his own soul.<pb/>


text:
There is <i>one </i> that is subtil in words, and is hated; <pb/>He shall be destitute of all food:<pb/>


text:
There is one that is wise to his own soul; <pb/>And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.<pb/>


text:
A wise man will instruct his own people; <pb/>And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.<pb/>


text:
The wise man shall inherit confidence among his people, <pb/>And his name shall live for ever.<pb/><pb/>


text:
My son, prove thy soul in thy life, <pb/>And see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.<pb/>


text:
For all things are not profitable for all men, <pb/>Neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.<pb/>


text:
For in multitude of meats there shall be disease, <pb/>And surfeiting shall come nigh unto colic.<pb/>


text:
Honour a physician according to thy need <i>of him </i> with the honours due unto him: <pb/>For verily the Lord hath created him.<pb/>


text:
The skill of the physician shall lift up his head; <pb/>And in the sight of great men he shall be admired.<pb/>


text:
The Lord created medicines out of the earth; <pb/>And a prudent man will have no disgust at them.<pb/>


text:
And he gave men skill, <pb/>That <n>Or, <i>he </i></n> they might be glorified in his marvellous works.<pb/>


text:
With these will the apothecary make a confection; <pb/>And his works shall not be brought to an end; <pb/>And from him is peace upon the face of the earth.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Put away wrong doing, and order thine hands aright, <pb/>And cleanse thy heart from all manner of sin.<pb/>


text:
Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; <pb/>And make fat thine offering, as one that is not.<pb/>


text:
Then give place to the physician, for verily the Lord hath created him; <pb/>And let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.<pb/>


text:
For they also shall beseech the Lord, <pb/>That he may prosper them in <i>giving </i> relief and in healing for the maintenance of life.<pb/>


text:
My son, let thy tears fall over the dead, <pb/>And as one that suffereth grievously begin lamentation; <pb/>And wind up his body according to his due, <pb/>And neglect not his burial.<pb/>


text:
Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing, <pb/>And let thy mourning be according to his desert, <pb/>For one day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of: <pb/>And so be comforted for thy sorrow.<pb/>


text:
In calamity sorrow also remaineth: <pb/>And the poor man’s life is <n>Gr. <i>against the heart. </i></n> grievous to the heart.<pb/>


text:
Forget it not, for there is no returning again: <pb/>Him thou shalt not profit, and thou wilt hurt thyself.<pb/>


text:
Remember the sentence upon him; for so also shall thine be; <pb/>Yesterday for me, and today for thee.<pb/>


text:
When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; <pb/>And be comforted for him, when his spirit departeth from him.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The wisdom of the scribe cometh by opportunity of leisure; <pb/>And <n>Gr. <i>he that is lessened in his business. </i></n> he that hath little business shall become wise.<pb/>


text:
How shall he become wise that holdeth the plough, <pb/>That glorieth in the shaft of the goad, <pb/>That driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, <pb/>And whose discourse is of the stock of bulls?<pb/>


text:
He will set his heart upon turning his furrows; <pb/>And his wakefulness is to give his heifers their fodder.<pb/>


text:
So is every artificer and workmaster, <pb/>That passeth his time by night as by day; <pb/>They that cut gravings of signets, <pb/>And his diligence is to make great variety; <pb/>He will set his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture, <pb/>And will be wakeful to finish his work.<pb/>


text:
So is the smith sitting by the anvil, <pb/>And considering the unwrought iron: <pb/>The vapour of the fire will waste his flesh; <pb/>And in the heat of the furnace will he wrestle <i>with his work: </i> <pb/>The noise of the hammer will <n>Gr. <i>renew. </i></n> be ever in his ear, <pb/>And his eyes are upon the pattern of the vessel; <pb/>He will set his heart upon perfecting his works, <pb/>And he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly.<pb/>


text:
So is the potter sitting at his work, <pb/>And turning the wheel about with his feet, <pb/>Who is alway anxiously set at his work, <pb/>And all his handywork is by number;<pb/>


text:
He will fashion the clay with his arm, <pb/>And will bend its strength in front of his feet; <pb/>He will apply his heart to finish the glazing; <pb/>And he will be wakeful to make clean the furnace.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Without these shall not a city be inhabited, <pb/>And men shall not sojourn nor walk up and down <i>therein. </i><pb/>


text:
<n>This line is absent from the oldest MSS. </n> They shall not be sought for in the council of the people, <pb/>And in the assembly they shall not mount on high; <pb/>They shall not sit on the seat of the judge, <pb/>And they shall not understand the covenant of judgement: <pb/>Neither shall they declare instruction and judgement; <pb/>And where parables are they shall not be found.<pb/>


text:
But they will maintain the fabric of the <n>Gr. <i>age. </i></n> world; <pb/>And in the handywork of their craft is their prayer.<pb/>


text:
<n>Gr. <i>Except him that. </i></n> Not so he that hath applied his soul, <pb/>And meditateth in the law of the Most High; <pb/>He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, <pb/>And will be occupied in prophecies.<pb/>


text:
He will keep the discourse of the men of renown, <pb/>And will enter in amidst the subtilties of parables.<pb/>


text:
He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs, <pb/>And be conversant in the dark sayings of parables.<pb/>


text:
He will serve among great men, <pb/>And appear before him that ruleth: <pb/>He will travel through the land of strange nations; <pb/>For he hath tried good things and evil among men.<pb/>


text:
He will apply his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, <pb/>And will make supplication before the Most High, <pb/>And will open his mouth in prayer, <pb/>And will make supplication for his sins.<pb/><pb/>


text:
If the great Lord will, <pb/>He shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: <pb/>He shall pour forth the words of his wisdom, <pb/>And in prayer give thanks unto the Lord.<pb/>


text:
He shall shew forth the instruction which he hath been taught, <pb/>And shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Many shall commend his understanding; <pb/>And so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out: <pb/>His memorial shall not depart, <pb/>And his name shall live from generation to generation.<pb/>


text:
If he continue, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: <pb/>And if he <n>Gr. <i>cease. </i></n> die, he addeth thereto.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Yet more will I utter, which I have thought upon; <pb/>And I am filled as the moon at the full.<pb/>


text:
And give ye a sweet savour as frankencense, <pb/>And put forth flowers as a lily, <pb/>Spread abroad a sweet smell, and sing a song of praise; <pb/>Bless ye the Lord for all his works.<pb/>


text:
Magnify his name, <pb/>And give utterance to his praise <pb/>With the songs of your lips, and with harps; <pb/>And thus shall ye say when ye utter <i>his praise: </i><pb/><pb/>


text:
All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, <pb/>And every command shall be <i>accomplished </i> in his season.<pb/>


text:
None can say, What is this? wherefore is that? <pb/>For in his season they shall all be sought out. <pb/>At his word the waters stood as a heap, <pb/>And the receptacles of waters at the word of his mouth.<pb/>


text:
At his command is all his good pleasure <i>done; </i> <pb/>And there is none that shall hinder his salvation.<pb/>


text:
None can say, What is this? wherefore is that? <pb/>For all things are created for their uses.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The chief of all things necessary for the life of man <pb/>Are water, and fire, and iron, and salt, <pb/>And flour of wheat, and honey, and milk, <pb/>The blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.<pb/>


text:
All these things are for good to the godly; <pb/>So to the sinners they shall be turned into evil.<pb/><pb/>


text:
There be winds that are created for vengeance, <pb/>And in their fury lay on their scourges heavily; <pb/>In the time of consummation they pour out their strength, <pb/>And shall appease the wrath of him that made them.<pb/>


text:
Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and adders, <pb/>And a sword punishing the ungodly unto destruction.<pb/>


text:
They shall rejoice in his commandment, <pb/>And shall be made ready upon earth, when need is; <pb/>And in their seasons they shall not transgress <i>his </i> word.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, <pb/>And I thought <i>this, </i> and left it in writing;<pb/>


text:
And none can say, This is worse than that: <pb/>For they shall all be well approved in their season.<pb/>


text:
Great travail is created for every man, <pb/>And a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, <pb/>From the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, <pb/>Until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.<pb/>


text:
The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, <pb/><n>The Greek text of this line is probably corrupt. </n> <i>Trouble </i> their thoughts, and <i>cause </i> fear of heart;<pb/>


text:
From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, <pb/>Even unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;<pb/>


text:
From him that weareth purple and a crown, <pb/>Even unto him that is clothed with a hempen frock.<pb/>


text:
<i>There is </i> wrath, and jealousy, and trouble, and disquiet, <pb/>And fear of death, and anger, and strife; <pb/>And in the time of rest upon his bed <pb/>His night sleep doth change his knowledge.<pb/>


text:
A little or nothing is his resting, <pb/>And afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, <pb/>He is troubled in the vision of his heart, <pb/>As one that hath escaped from the front of battle.<pb/>


text:
In the very time of his deliverance he awaketh, <pb/>And marvelleth that the fear is nought.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Death, and bloodshed, and strife, and sword, <pb/>Calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;<pb/>


text:
All things that are of the earth turn to the earth again: <pb/>And <i>all things that are </i> of the waters return into the sea.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, <pb/>And like a great thunder in rain shall go off in noise.<pb/>


text:
In opening his hands <i>a man </i> shall be made glad: <pb/>So shall transgressors utterly fail.<pb/>


text:
The children of the ungodly shall not put forth many branches; <pb/>And <i>are as </i> unclean roots upon a sheer rock.<pb/>


text:
The sedge <i>that groweth </i> upon every water and bank of a river <pb/>Shall be plucked up before all grass.<pb/>


text:
Bounty is as a garden <n>Gr. <i>in. </i></n> of blessings, <pb/>And almsgiving endureth for ever.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The life of one that laboureth, and is contented, shall be made sweet; <pb/>And he that findeth a treasure is above both.<pb/>


text:
Children and the building of a city establish a <i>man’s </i> name; <pb/>And a blameless wife is counted above both.<pb/>


text:
Brethren and succour are for a time of affliction; <pb/>And almsgiving is a deliverer above both.<pb/>


text:
Riches and strength will lift up the heart; <pb/>And the fear of the Lord is above both: <pb/>There is nothing wanting in the fear of the Lord, <pb/>And there is no need to seek help therein.<pb/>


text:
The fear of the Lord is as a garden of blessing, <pb/>And covereth <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> a man above all glory.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A man that looketh unto the table of another, <pb/>His life is not to be counted for a life; <pb/>He will pollute his soul with another man’s meats: <pb/>But a man wise and well-instructed will beware thereof.<pb/>


text:
In the mouth of the shameless begging will be sweet; <pb/>And in his belly a fire shall be kindled.<pb/>


text:
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that is at peace in his possessions, <pb/>Unto the man that hath nothing to distract him, and hath prosperity in all things, <pb/>And that still hath strength to receive meat!<pb/>


text:
O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto a man that is needy, and that faileth in strength, <pb/>That is in extreme old age, and is distracted about all things, <pb/>And is perverse, and hath lost patience!<pb/>


text:
Fear not the sentence of death; <pb/>Remember them that have been before thee, and that come after: <pb/>This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh.<pb/>


text:
And why dost thou refuse, when it is the good pleasure of the Most High? <pb/>Whether it be ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years, <pb/>There is no inquisition of life in <n>Gr. <i>hades </i></n> the grave.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The children of sinners are abominable children, <pb/>And they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly.<pb/>


text:
The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, <pb/>And with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.<pb/>


text:
Children will complain of an ungodly father, <pb/>Because they shall be reproached for his sake.<pb/>


text:
Woe unto you, ungodly men, <pb/>Which have forsaken the law of the Most High God! <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
All things that are of the earth shall go back to the earth: <pb/>So the ungodly shall go from a curse unto perdition.<pb/>


text:
The mourning of men is about their bodies: <pb/>But the name of sinners being evil shall be blotted out.<pb/>


text:
Have regard to thy name; <pb/>For it continueth with thee longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.<pb/>


text:
My children, keep instruction in peace: <pb/>But wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, <pb/>What profit is in them both?<pb/>


text:
Wherefore shew reverence to my word: <pb/>For it is not good to retain every kind of shame; <pb/>And not all things are approved by all in good faith.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: <pb/>And of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;<pb/>


text:
Of an offence before a judge and ruler; <pb/>Of iniquity before the congregation and the people; <pb/>Of unjust dealing before a partner and friend;<pb/>


text:
And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, <pb/>And in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; <pb/>And of leaning with thine elbow at meat; <pb/>And of scurrility in the matter of giving and taking;<pb/>


text:
And of silence before them that salute thee; <pb/>And of looking upon a woman that is a harlot;<pb/>


text:
And of turning away <n>Or, <i>the face of a kinsman </i></n> thy face from a kinsman; <pb/>Of taking away a portion or a gift; <pb/>And of gazing upon a woman that hath a husband;<pb/>


text:
Of being over busy with his maid; and come not near her bed; <pb/>Of upbraiding speeches before friends; <pb/>And after thou hast given, upbraid not;<pb/>


text:
Of the law of the Most High, and his covenant; <pb/>And of judgement to do justice to the ungodly;<pb/>


text:
Of reckoning with a partner and with travellers; <pb/>And of a gift from the heritage of friends;<pb/>


text:
Of indifferent selling of merchants; <pb/>And of much correction of children; <pb/>And of making the side of an evil servant to bleed.<pb/>


text:
<n>Or, <i>A seal </i></n> Sure keeping is good, where an evil wife is; <pb/>And where many hands are, shut thou close.<pb/>


text:
Whatsoever thou handest over, let it be by number and weight; <pb/>And in giving and receiving let all be in writing.<pb/>


text:
<i>Be not ashamed </i> to instruct the unwise and foolish, <pb/>And one of extreme old age that contendeth with those that are young; <pb/>And so shalt thou be well instructed indeed, <pb/>And approved in the sight of every man living.<pb/><pb/>


text:
A daughter is a secret cause of wakefulness to a father; <pb/>And the care for her putteth away sleep; <pb/>In her youth, lest she pass the flower of her age; <pb/>And when she is married, lest she should be hated:<pb/>


text:
In her virginity, lest she should be defiled <pb/>And be with child in her father’s house; <pb/>And when she hath a husband, lest she should transgress; <pb/>And when she is married, lest she should be barren.<pb/>


text:
Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, <pb/>Lest she make thee <n>Or, <i>a rejoicing </i></n> a laughingstock to thine enemies, <pb/>A byword in the city and <n>Gr. <i>called forth. </i></n> notorious among the people, <pb/>And shame thee before the multitude.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Better is the wickedness of a man than a pleasant-dealing woman, <pb/>And a woman which putteth thee to shameful reproach.<pb/><pb/>


text:
I will make mention now of the works of the Lord, <pb/>And will declare the things that I have seen: <pb/>In the words of the Lord are his works.<pb/>


text:
The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things; <pb/>And the work of the Lord is full of his glory.<pb/>


text:
The Lord hath not given power to the saints to declare all his marvellous works; <pb/>Which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, <pb/>That whatsoever is might be established in his glory.<pb/>


text:
He searcheth out the deep, and the heart, <pb/>And he hath understanding of their cunning devices: <pb/>For the Most High knoweth all knowledge, <pb/>And he looketh into the <n>Gr. <i>sign. </i></n> signs of the world,<pb/>


text:
Declaring the things that are past, and the things that shall be, <pb/>And revealing the traces of hidden things.<pb/>


text:
The mighty works of his wisdom he hath ordered, <pb/>Who is from everlasting to everlasting: <pb/>Nothing hath been added unto them, nor diminished from them; <pb/>And he had no need of any counsellor.<pb/>


text:
All these things live and remain for ever in all manner of uses, <pb/>And they are all obedient.<pb/>


text:
One thing establisheth the good things of another: <pb/>And who shall be filled with beholding his glory?<pb/>


text:
The pride of the height is the firmament <n>Gr. <i>of clearness. </i></n> in its clearness, <pb/>The appearance of heaven, in the spectacle of its glory.<pb/>


text:
The sun when he appeareth, bringing tidings as he goeth forth, <pb/>Is a marvellous instrument, the work of the Most High:<pb/>


text:
A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, <pb/><i>But </i> the sun three times more, burning up the mountains: <pb/>Breathing out fiery vapours, <pb/>And sending forth bright beams, he dimmeth the eyes.<pb/>


text:
The moon also is in all things for her season, <pb/>For a declaration of times, and a sign of the world.<pb/>


text:
From the moon is the sign of the feast day; <pb/>A light that waneth when she is come to the full.<pb/>


text:
The month is called after her name, <pb/>Increasing wonderfully in her changing; <pb/>An instrument of the hosts on high, <pb/>Shining forth in the firmament of heaven;<pb/>


text:
The beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, <pb/>An ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
At the word of the Holy One they will stand in <n>Gr. <i>judgement. </i></n> due order, <pb/>And they will not faint in their watches.<pb/>


text:
Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; <pb/>Exceeding beautiful in the brightness thereof.<pb/>


text:
It compasseth the heaven round about with a circle of glory; <pb/>The hands of the Most High have stretched it.<pb/><pb/>


text:
By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, <pb/>And sendeth swiftly the lightnings of his judgement.<pb/>


text:
And at his appearing the mountains will be shaken, <pb/>And at his will the south wind will blow.<pb/>


text:
The voice of his thunder maketh the earth to travail; <pb/>So doth the northern storm and the whirlwind: <pb/>As birds flying down he sprinkleth the snow; <pb/>And as the lighting of the locust is the falling down thereof:<pb/>


text:
The eye will marvel at the beauty of its whiteness, <pb/>And the heart will be astonished at the raining of it.<pb/>


text:
The hoar frost also he poureth on the earth as salt; <pb/>And when it is congealed, it is <i>as </i> points of thorns.<pb/><pb/>


text:
The cold north wind shall blow, <pb/>And the ice shall be congealed on the water: <pb/>It shall lodge upon every gathering together of water, <pb/>And the water shall put on as it were a breastplate.<pb/>


text:
It shall devour the mountains, and burn up the wilderness, <pb/>And consume the green herb as fire.<pb/>


text:
A mist coming speedily is the healing of all things; <pb/>A dew coming after heat shall bring cheerfulness.<pb/>


text:
By his counsel he hath stilled the deep, <pb/>And <n>The most ancient authorities read <i>Jesus planted it. </i></n> planted islands therein.<pb/>


text:
They that sail on the sea tell of the danger thereof; <pb/>And when we hear it with our ears, we marvel.<pb/>


text:
Therein be also those strange and wondrous works, <pb/>Variety of all that hath life, the <n>Gr. <i>creation. </i> Several ancient authorities read <i>possession of cattle. </i></n> race of sea-monsters.<pb/>


text:
How shall we have strength to glorify him? <pb/>For he is himself the great one above all his works.<pb/>


text:
When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye can; <pb/>For even yet will he exceed: <pb/>And when ye exalt him, put forth your full strength: <pb/>Be not weary; for ye will never attain.<pb/>


text:
The Lord <n>Gr. <i>created. </i></n> manifested <i>in them </i> great glory, <pb/><i>Even </i> his mighty power from the beginning.<pb/>


text:
Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, <pb/>And were men renowned for their power, <pb/><n>Most authorities read <i>They shall take counsel. </i></n> Giving counsel by their understanding, <pb/>Such as have brought tidings in prophecies:<pb/>


text:
Leaders of the people by their counsels, <pb/>And by their understanding <n>The Greek text is here corrupt. </n> <i>men of </i> learning for the people; <pb/>Wise <i>were </i> their words in their instruction:<pb/>


text:
And some there be, which have no memorial; <pb/>Who are perished as though they had not been, <pb/>And are become as though they had not been born; <pb/>And their children after them.<pb/>


text:
With their seed shall remain continually a good inheritance; <pb/>Their children <i>are </i> <n>Or, <i>In their testaments </i></n> within the covenants.<pb/>


text:
Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, <pb/><i>Being </i> an example of repentance to all generations.<pb/>


text:
Noah was found perfect <i>and </i> righteous; <pb/>In the season of wrath he was taken in exchange <i>for the world; </i> <pb/>Therefore was there left a remnant unto the earth, <pb/>When the flood came.<pb/>


text:
Everlasting covenants were made with him, <pb/>That all flesh should no more be blotted out by a flood.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations; <pb/>And there was none found like him in glory;<pb/>


text:
Who kept the law of the Most High, <pb/>And was taken into covenant with him: <pb/>In his flesh he established the covenant; <pb/>And when he was proved, he was found faithful.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Therefore he assured him by an oath, <pb/>That the nations should be blessed in his seed; <pb/>That he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, <pb/>And exalt his seed as the stars, <pb/>And cause them to inherit from sea to sea, <pb/>And from the River unto the utmost part of the earth.<pb/>


text:
In Isaac also did he establish likewise, for Abraham his father’s sake, <pb/>The blessing of all men, and the covenant:<pb/>


text:
And he brought out of him a man of mercy, <pb/>Which found favour in the sight of all flesh; <pb/>A man beloved of God and men, even Moses, <pb/>Whose memorial is blessed.<pb/>


text:
He made him like to the glory of the saints, <pb/>And magnified him in the fears of his enemies.<pb/>


text:
By his words he caused the wonders to cease; <pb/>He glorified him in the sight of kings; <pb/>He gave him commandment for his people, <pb/>And shewed him part of his glory.<pb/>


text:
He made him to hear his voice, <pb/>And led him into the thick darkness, <pb/>And gave him commandments face to face, <pb/>Even the law of life and knowledge, <pb/>That he might teach Jacob the covenant, <pb/>And Israel his judgments.<pb/><pb/>


text:
He established for him an everlasting covenant, <pb/>And gave him the priesthood of the people; <pb/>He <n>Gr. <i>blessed. </i></n> beautified him with comely ornaments, <pb/>And girded him about with a robe of glory.<pb/>


text:
He clothed him with the perfection of exultation; <pb/>And strengthened him with apparel of <n>Gr. <i>strength. </i></n> honour, <pb/>The linen breeches, the long robe, and the ephod.<pb/>


text:
And he compassed him with pomegranates of gold, <pb/><i>And </i> with many bells round about, <pb/>To send forth a sound as he went, <pb/>To make a sound that might be heard in the temple, <pb/>For a memorial to the children of his people;<pb/>


text:
With a holy garment, with gold and blue and purple, the work of the embroiderer, <pb/>With an oracle of judgement, <i>even </i> with the Urim and Thummim;<pb/>


text:
With twisted scarlet, the work of the craftsman; <pb/>With precious stones graven like a signet, in a setting of gold, the work of the jeweller, <pb/>For a memorial engraved in writing, after the number of the tribes of Israel;<pb/>


text:
With a crown of gold upon the mitre, <n>Gr. <i>an engraving of a signet of holiness. </i></n> having graven on it, as on a signet, HOLINESS, <pb/>An ornament of honour, a work of might, <pb/>The desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.<pb/>


text:
Before him there never have been any such; <pb/>No stranger put them on, but his sons only, and his offspring perpertually.<pb/>


text:
Moses <n>Gr. <i>filled his hands. </i></n> consecrated him, <pb/>And anointed him with holy oil: <pb/>It was unto him for an everlasting covenant, <pb/>And to his seed, all the days of heaven, <pb/>To minister unto him, and to execute also the priest’s office, <pb/>And bless his people in his name.<pb/>


text:
He chose him out of all living <pb/>To offer sacrifice to the Lord, <pb/>Incense, and a sweet savour, for a memorial, <pb/>To make reconciliation for thy people.<pb/>


text:
He gave unto him in his commandments, <pb/><i>Yea, </i> authority in the covenants of judgements, <pb/>To teach Jacob the testimonies, <pb/>And to enlighten Israel in his law.<pb/>


text:
Strangers gathered themselves together against him, <pb/>And envied him in the wilderness, <pb/><i>Even </i> Dathan and Abiram with their company, <pb/>And the congregation of Korah, with wrath and anger.<pb/>


text:
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him; <pb/>And in the wrath of his anger they were destroyed: <pb/>He did wonders upon them, <pb/>To consume them with flaming fire.<pb/>


text:
And he added glory to Aaron, <pb/>And gave him a heritage: <pb/>He divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase; <pb/><i>And </i> first did he prepare bread in abundance:<pb/>


text:
Howbeit in the land of the people he shall have no inheritance, <pb/>And he hath no portion among the people: <pb/>For he himself is thy portion <i>and </i> inheritance.<pb/><pb/>


text:
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, <pb/>In that he was zealous in the fear of the Lord, <pb/>And stood fast in the good forwardness of his soul when the people turned away, <pb/>And he made reconciliation for Israel.<pb/>


text:
Therefore was there a covenant of peace established for him, <pb/><i>That he should be </i> leader of the <n>Or, <i>sanctuary </i></n> saints and of his people; <pb/>That he and his seed <pb/>Should have the dignity of the priesthood for ever.<pb/>


text:
Also <i>he made </i> a covenant with David the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah; <pb/>The inheritance of the king is his alone from son to son; <pb/>So the inheritance of Aaron is also unto his seed.<pb/>


text:
<i>God </i> give you wisdom in your heart <pb/>To judge his people in righteousness, <pb/>That their good things be not abolished, <pb/>And <i>that </i> their glory <i>endure </i> for all their generations.<pb/>


text:
Joshua the son of <n>Gr. <i>Nave. </i></n> Nun was valiant in war, <pb/>And was the successor of Moses in prophecies: <pb/>Who according to his name was made great <pb/>For the saving of <n>Gr. <i>his. </i></n> God’s elect, <pb/>To take vengeance of the enemies that rose up against them, <pb/>That he might give Israel their inheritance.<pb/>


text:
How was he glorified in the lifting up his hands, <pb/>And in stretching out his sword against the cities!<pb/>


text:
He called upon the Most High <i>and </i> Mighty One, <pb/>When his foes pressed him round about; <pb/>And the great Lord heard him.<pb/>


text:
With hailstones of mighty power <pb/>He caused war to break violently upon the nation, <pb/>And <n>See Joshua x. 11 </n> in the going down he destroyed them that resisted; <pb/>That the nations might know his <n>Gr. <i>panoply. </i></n> armour, <pb/>How that he fought in the sight of the Lord; <pb/>For he followed after the Mighty One.<pb/>


text:
Also in the time of Moses he did a work of mercy, <pb/>He and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, <pb/>In that they withstood the adversary, <pb/>Hindered the people from sin, <pb/>And stilled the murmuring of wickedness.<pb/>


text:
And of six hundred thousand people on foot, they two alone were preserved <pb/>To bring them into the heritage, <pb/>Even into a land flowing with milk and honey.<pb/>


text:
Also the Lord gave strength unto Caleb, <pb/>And it remained with him unto his old age; <pb/>So that he entered upon the height of the land, <pb/>And his seed obtained it for a heritage:<pb/>


text:
Also the judges, every one by his name, <pb/>All whose hearts went not a whoring, <pb/>And who turned not away from the Lord, <pb/>May their memorial be blessed.<pb/>


text:
May their bones flourish again out of their place, <pb/>And may the name of them that have been honoured be renewed upon their children.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, beloved of his Lord, <pb/>Established a kingdom, and anointed princes over his people.<pb/>


text:
By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet, <pb/>And by his words he was known to be faithful in vision.<pb/>


text:
Also when his enemies pressed him round about <pb/>He called upon the Lord, the Mighty One, <pb/>With the offering of the sucking lamb.<pb/>


text:
And he utterly destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians, <pb/>And all the princes of the Philistines.<pb/>


text:
Also before the time of his <n>Gr. <i>age-long sleep. </i></n> long sleep <pb/>He made protestations in the sight of the lord and <i>his </i> anointed, <pb/>I have not taken any man’s goods, so much as a shoe: <pb/>And no man did accuse him.<pb/>


text:
And after he fell asleep he prophesied, <pb/>And shewed the king his end, <pb/>And lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy, <pb/>To blot out the wickedness of the people.<pb/>


text:
As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, <pb/>So was David <i>separated </i> from the children of Israel.<pb/>


text:
In his youth did he not slay a giant, <pb/>And take away reproach from the people, <pb/>When he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, <pb/>And beat down the boasting of Goliath?<pb/>


text:
For he called upon the Most High Lord; <pb/>And he gave him strength in his right hand, <pb/>To slay a man mighty in war, <pb/>To exalt the horn of his people.<pb/>


text:
So they glorified him for <i>his </i> ten thousands, <pb/>And praised him for the blessings of the Lord, <pb/>In that there was given him a diadem of glory.<pb/>


text:
For he destroyed the enemies on every side, <pb/>And brought to nought the Philistines his adversaries, <pb/>Brake their horn in pieces unto this day.<pb/>


text:
In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory; <pb/>With his whole heart he sang praise, <pb/>And loved him that made him.<pb/>


text:
Also he set singers before the altar, <pb/>And to make sweet melody by their music. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


text:
He gave comeliness to the feasts, <pb/>And set in order the seasons to perfection, <pb/>While they praised his holy name, <pb/>And the sanctuary sounded from early morning.<pb/>


text:
The Lord took away his sins, <pb/>And exalted his horn for ever; <pb/>And gave him a covenant of kings, <pb/>And a throne of glory in Israel.<pb/>


text:
Solomon reigned in days of peace; <pb/>And to him God gave rest round about, <pb/>That he might set up a house for his name, <pb/>And prepare a sanctuary for ever.<pb/>


text:
Thy soul covered the earth, <pb/>And thou filledst it with <n>Gr. <i>parables of riddles. </i></n> dark parables.<pb/>


text:
For thy songs and proverbs and parables, <pb/>And for thine interpretations, the countries marvelled at thee.<pb/>


text:
By the name of the Lord God, <pb/>Which is called the God of Israel, <pb/>Thou didst gather gold as tin, <pb/>And didst multiply silver as lead.<pb/>


text:
Thou didst blemish thine honour, <pb/>And profane thy seed, <pb/>To bring wrath upon thy children; <pb/>And I was grieved for thy folly:<pb/>


text:
But the Lord will never forsake his mercy; <pb/>And he will not destroy any of his works, <pb/>Nor blot out the posterity of his elect; <pb/>And the seed of him that loved him he will not take away; <pb/>And he gave a remnant unto Jacob, <pb/>And unto David a root out of him.<pb/><pb/>


text:
And <i>so </i> rested Solomon with his fathers; <pb/>And of his seed he left behind him Rehoboam, <pb/><i>Even </i> the foolishness of the people, and one that lacked understanding, <pb/>Who made the people to revolt by his counsel. <pb/>Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, <pb/>Who made Israel to sin, <pb/>And gave unto Ephraim a way of sin.<pb/>


text:
How wast thou glorified, O Elijah, in thy wondrous deeds! <pb/>And who shall glory like unto thee?<pb/>


text:
Who did raise up a dead man from death, <pb/>And from <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High:<pb/>


text:
Who was recorded for reproofs in their seasons, <pb/>To pacify anger, before it brake forth into wrath; <pb/>To turn the heart of the father unto the son, <pb/>And to restore the tribes of Jacob.<pb/>


text:
Blessed are they that saw thee, <pb/>And they that have been beautified with love; <pb/>For we also shall surely live.<pb/><pb/>


text:
Elijah <i>it was, </i> who was wrapped in a tempest: <pb/>And Elisha was filled with his spirit; <pb/>And in <i>all </i> his days he was not moved by <i>the fear of </i> any ruler, <pb/>And no one brought him into subjection.<pb/>


text:
<n>Or, <i>No man’s word overcame him </i></n> Nothing was too high for him; <pb/>And when he was laid on sleep his body prophesied.<pb/>


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For all this the people repented not, <pb/>And they departed not from their sins, <pb/>Till they were carried away as a spoil from their land, <pb/>And were scattered through all the earth; <pb/>And the people was left very few in number, <pb/>And a ruler <i>was left </i> in the house of David.<pb/>


text:
Hezekiah fortified his city, <pb/>And brought in <n>Some ancient authorities, apparently by a confusion, read <i>Gog. </i></n> water into the midst of them: <pb/>He digged the sheer rock with iron, <pb/>And builded up wells for waters.<pb/>


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In his days Sennacherib came up, <pb/>And sent Rabshakeh, and departed; <pb/>And he lifted up his hand against Sion, <pb/>And boasted great things in his arrogancy.<pb/>


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Then were their hearts and their hands shaken, <pb/>And they were in pain, as women in travail;<pb/>


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And they called upon the Lord which is merciful, <pb/>Spreading forth their hands unto him: <pb/>And the Holy One heard them speedily out of Heaven, <pb/>And delivered them by the hand of Isaiah.<pb/>


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For Hezekiah did that which was pleasing to the Lord, <pb/>And was strong in the ways of David his father, <pb/>Which Isaiah the prophet commanded, <pb/>Who was great and faithful in his vision.<pb/>


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He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the last; <pb/>And he comforted them that mourned in Sion.<pb/>


text:
He shewed the things that should be to the end of time, <pb/>And the hidden things or ever they came.<pb/>


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The memorial of Josiah is like the composition of incense <pb/>Prepared by the work of the apothecary: <pb/>It shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, <pb/>And as music at a banquet of wine.<pb/>


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He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, <pb/>And took away the abominations of iniquity.<pb/>


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He set his heart right toward the Lord; <pb/>In the days of wicked men he made godliness to prevail.<pb/><pb/>


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Except David and Hezekiah and Josiah, <pb/>All committed trespass: <pb/>For they forsook the law of the Most High; <pb/>The kings of Judah failed.<pb/>


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For they gave their <n>Gr. <i>horn. </i></n> power unto others, <pb/>And their glory to a strange nation.<pb/>


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They set on fire the chosen city of the sanctuary, <pb/>And made her streets desolate, <i>as it was written </i> by the hand of Jeremiah.<pb/>


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For they entreated him evil; <pb/>And yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet, <pb/>To root out, and to afflict, and to destroy; <pb/><i>And </i> in like manner to build and to plant.<pb/>


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<i>It was </i> Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory, <pb/>Which <i>God </i> shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubim.<pb/>


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For verily he remembered the enemies in <n>Gr. <i>rain. </i></n> storm, <pb/>And to do good to them that directed their ways aright.<pb/>


text:
Also of the twelve prophets <n>The remainder of this line is omitted by the best authorities. </n> <pb/>May the bones flourish again out of their place. <pb/>And he comforted Jacob, <pb/>And delivered them by confidence of hope.<pb/><pb/>


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So was Jesus the son of Josedek: <pb/>Who in their days builded the house, <pb/>And exalted a <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>temple. </i></n> people holy to the Lord, <pb/>Prepared for everlasting glory.<pb/>


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Also of Nehemiah the memorial is great; <pb/>Who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, <pb/>And set up the gates and bars, <pb/>And raised up our homes again.<pb/><pb/>


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Neither was there a man born like unto Joseph, <pb/>A governor of his brethren, a stay of the people: <pb/>Yea, his bones were visited.<pb/>


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Shem and Seth were glorified among men; <pb/>And above every living thing in the creation is Adam.<pb/>


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<i>It was </i> Simon, the son of Onias, the <n>Or, <i>high </i></n> great priest, <pb/>Who in his life repaired the house, <pb/>And in his days strengthened the temple:<pb/>


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And by him was built from the foundation the height of the double <i>wall, </i> <pb/>The lofty underworks of the inclosure of the temple:<pb/>


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In his days the cistern of waters was <n>The text here seems to be corrupt. </n> diminished, <pb/>The brazen vessel in compass as the sea.<pb/>


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<i>It was </i> he that took thought for his people that they should not fall, <pb/>And fortified the city <n>Gr. <i>to beseige: </i> that is, <i>as to besieging it. </i></n> against besieging:<pb/>


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How glorious was he when the people gathered round him <pb/>At his coming forth out of the <n>Gr. <i>house of the veil. </i></n> sanctuary!<pb/>


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As the sun shining forth upon the temple of the Most High, <pb/>And as the rainbow giving light in clouds of glory:<pb/>


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As the flower of roses in the days of new <i>fruits, </i> <pb/>As lilies at the waterspring, <pb/>As the shoot of the frankencense tree in the time of summer:<pb/>


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As fire and incense in the censer, <pb/>As a vessel all of beaten gold <pb/>Adorned with all manner of precious stones:<pb/>


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When he took up the robe of glory, <pb/>And put on the perfection of exultation, <pb/>In the ascent of the holy altar, <pb/>He made glorious the precinct of the sanctuary.<pb/>


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And when he received the portions out of the priests’ hands, <pb/>Himself also standing by the hearth of the altar, <pb/>His brethren as a garland round about him, <pb/>He was as a young cedar in Libanus; <pb/>And as stems of palm trees compassed they him round about,<pb/>


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And all the sons of Aaron in their glory, <pb/>And the Lord’s offering in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel.<pb/>


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And finishing the service at the altars, <pb/>That he might adorn the offering of the Most High, the Almighty,<pb/>


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He stretched out his hand to the <n>Gr. <i>cup of libation. </i></n> cup, <pb/>And poured out the cup of the grape; <pb/>He poured out at the foot of the altar <pb/>A sweet-smelling savour unto the Most High, the King of all.<pb/>


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Then shouted the sons of Aaron, <pb/>They sounded the trumpets of beaten work, <pb/>They made a great noise to be heard, <pb/>For a remembrance before the Most High.<pb/>


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Then all the people together hasted, <pb/>And fell down upon the earth on their faces <pb/>To worship their Lord, the Almighty, God Most High.<pb/>


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The singers also praised him with their voices; <pb/>In the whole house was there made sweet melody.<pb/>


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And the people besought the Lord Most High, <pb/>In prayer before him that is merciful. <pb/>Till the <n>Gr. <i>adornment. </i></n> worship of the Lord should be ended; <pb/>And so they accomplished his service.<pb/>


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Then he went down, and lifted up his hands <pb/>Over the whole congregation of the children of Israel, <pb/>To give blessing unto the Lord with his lips, <pb/>And to glory in his name.<pb/>


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And he bowed himself down in worship the second time, <pb/>To declare the blessing from the Most High.<pb/><pb/>


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And now bless ye the God of all, <pb/>Which everywhere doeth great things, <pb/>Which exalteth our days from the womb, <pb/>And dealeth with us according to his mercy.<pb/>


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May he grant us joyfulness of heart, <pb/>And that peace may be in our days in Israel for the days of eternity:<pb/>


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They that sit upon the mountain of <n>According to some ancient versions, <i>Seir. </i></n> Samaria, <i>and </i> the Philistines, <pb/>And that foolish people that dwelleth in Sichem.<pb/><pb/>


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I have <n>Gr. <i>graven. </i></n> written in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge, <pb/>I Jesus, the son of Sirach Eleazar, of Jerusalem, <pb/>Who out of his heart poured forth wisdom.<pb/>


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Blessed is he that shall be exercised in these things; <pb/>And he that layeth them up in his heart shall become wise.<pb/>


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For if he do them, he shall be strong to all things: <pb/>For the light of the Lord is his <n>Gr. <i>footstep. </i></n> guide. <n>The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. </n><pb/>


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I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, O King, <pb/>And will praise thee, O God my Saviour: <pb/>I do give thanks unto thy name:<pb/>


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For thou wast my protector and helper, <pb/>And didst deliver my body out of destruction, <pb/>And out of the snare of a slanderous tongue, <pb/>From lips that forge lies, <pb/>And wast my helper before them that stood by;<pb/>


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And didst deliver me, according to the abundance of thy mercy, and <i>greatness </i> of thy name, <pb/>From the gnashings <i>of teeth </i> ready to devour, <pb/>Out of the hand of such as sought my life, <pb/>Out of the manifold afflictions which I had;<pb/>


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From the choking of a fire on every side, <pb/>And out of the midst of fire which I kindled not;<pb/>


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Out of the depth of the belly of <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave, <pb/>And from an unclean tongue, <pb/>And from lying words,<pb/>


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The slander of an unrighteous tongue unto the king. <pb/>My soul drew near even unto death, <pb/>And my life was near to <n>Gr. <i>Hades </i></n> the grave beneath.<pb/>


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They compassed me on every side, <pb/>And there was none to help <i>me. </i> <pb/><i>I was </i> looking for the succour of men, <pb/>And it was not.<pb/>


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And I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, <pb/>And thy working which hath been from everlasting, <pb/>How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, <pb/>And savest them out of the hand of the enemies.<pb/>


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I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, <pb/>That he would not forsake me in the days of affliction, <pb/>In the time when there was no help against the proud.<pb/>


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I will praise thy name continually, <pb/>And will sing praise with thanksgiving; <pb/>And my supplication was heard:<pb/>


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For thou savedst me from destruction, <pb/>And deliveredst me from the evil time: <pb/>Therefore will I give thanks and praise unto thee, <pb/>And bless the name of the Lord.<pb/><pb/>


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From <i>her </i> flower as from the ripening grape my heart delighted in her: <pb/>My foot trod in uprightness, <pb/>From my youth I tracked her out.<pb/>


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For I purposed to practice her, <pb/>And I was zealous for that which is good; <pb/>And I shall never be put to shame.<pb/>


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My soul hath wrestled in her, <pb/>And in my doing I was exact: <pb/>I spread forth my hands to the heaven above, <pb/>And bewailed my ignorances of her.<pb/>


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I set my soul aright unto her, <pb/>And in pureness I found her. <pb/>I gat me a heart <i>joined </i> with her from the beginning: <pb/>Therefore shall I not be forsaken.<pb/>


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Put your neck under the yoke, <pb/>And let your soul receive instruction: <pb/>She is hard at hand to find.<pb/>


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Behold with your eyes, <pb/>How that I laboured but a little, <pb/>And found for myself much rest.<pb/>


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AND these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maaseas, the son of Sedekias, the son of Asadias, the son of Helkias, wrote in Babylon,


text:
in the fifth year, <i>and </i> in the seventh day of the month, what time as the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.


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And Baruch did read the words of this book in the hearing of Jechonias the son of Joakim king of Judah, and in the hearing of all the people that came to <i>hear </i> the book,


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and in the hearing of the mighty men, and of the kings’ sons, and in the hearing of the elders, and in the hearing of all the people, from the least unto the greatest, even of all them that dwelt at Babylon by the river Sud.


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And they wept, and fasted, <n>Another reading is, <i>and vowed vows. </i></n> and prayed before the Lord;


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and they sent <i>it </i> to Jerusalem unto Joakim the <i>high </i> priest, the son of Helkias, the son of Salom, and to the priests, and to all the people which were found with him at Jerusalem,


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at the same time when he took the vessels of the house of the Lord, that had been carried out of the temple, to return <i>them </i> into the land of Judah, the tenth day of <i>the month </i> Sivan, <i>namely, </i> silver vessels, which Sedekias the son of Josias king of Judah had made,


text:
after that Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had carried away Jechonias, and the princes, and the captives, and the mighty men, and the people of the land, from Jerusalem, and brought them unto Babylon.


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And they said, Behold, we have sent you money; buy you therefore with the money burnt offerings, and sin offerings, and incense, and prepare an oblation, and offer upon the altar of the Lord our God;


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and pray for the life of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and for the life of Baltasar his son, that their days may be <n>See Deut. xi. 21. </n> as the days of heaven above the earth:


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and the Lord will give us strength, and lighten our eyes, and we shall live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and under the shadow of Baltasar his son, and we shall serve them many days, and find favour in their sight.


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Pray for us also unto the Lord our God, for we have sinned against the Lord our God; and unto this day the wrath of the Lord and his indignation is not turned from us.


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And ye shall read this book which we have sent unto you, to make confession in the house of the Lord, upon the day of the feast and on the days of the solemn assembly.<pb/>


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And ye shall say, To the Lord our God <i>belongeth </i> righteousness, but unto us confusion of face, as at this day, unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,


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and disobeyed him, and have not hearkened unto the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in the commandments of the Lord that he hath set before us:


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since the day that the Lord brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, unto this present day, we have been disobedient unto the Lord our God, and we have dealt unadvisedly in not hearkening unto his voice.


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Wherefore the plagues clave unto us, and the curse, which the Lord commanded Moses his servant <i>to pronounce </i> in the day that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land that floweth with milk and honey, as at this day.


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Nevertheless we hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord our God, according unto all the words of the prophets, whom he sent unto us:


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but we walked every man in the imagination of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do that which is evil in the sight of the Lord our God.<pb/>


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Therefore the Lord hath made good his word, which he pronounced against us, and against our judges that judged Israel, and against our kings, and against our princes, and against the men of Israel and Judah,


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to bring upon us great plagues, such as never happened under the whole heaven, <n>Another reading is, <i>even as he hath done. </i></n> as it came to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that are written in the law of Moses;


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Moreover he hath given them to be in subjection to all the kingdoms that are round about us, to be a reproach and a desolation among all the people round about, where the Lord hath scattered them.


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Thus were they cast down, and not exalted, because we sinned against the Lord our God, in not hearkening unto his voice.


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To the Lord our God <i>belongeth </i> righteousness: but unto us and to our fathers confusion of face, as at this day.


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Yet have we not intreated the favour of the Lord, in turning every one from the thoughts of his wicked heart.


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Therefore hath the Lord kept watch over the plagues, and the Lord hath brought <i>them </i> upon us; for the Lord is righteous in all his works which he hath commanded us.


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Yet we have not hearkened unto his voice, to walk in the commandments of the Lord that he hath set before us.<pb/>


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And now, O Lord, thou God of Israel, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with signs, and with wonders, and with great power, and with a high arm, and hast gotten thyself a name, as at this day:


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O Lord our God, we have sinned, we have done ungodly, we have dealt unrighteously in all thine ordinances.


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Let thy wrath turn from us: for we are but a few left among the heathen, where thou hast scattered us.


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Hear our prayer, O Lord, and our petition, and deliver us for thine own sake, and give us favour in the sight of them which have led us away captive:


text:
that all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, because Israel and his posterity is called by thy name.


text:
open thine eyes, and behold: for the dead that are in <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave, whose breath is taken from their bodies, will give unto the Lord neither glory nor righteousness:


text:
but the soul that is greatly vexed, which goeth stooping and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul, will give thee glory and righteousness, O Lord.


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For we do not present our supplication before thee, O Lord our God, for the righteousness of our fathers, and of our kings.


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For thou hast sent thy wrath and thine indignation upon us, as thou hast spoken by thy servants the prophets, <i>saying, </i>


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Thus saith the Lord, Bow your shoulders to serve the king of Babylon, and remain in the land that I gave unto your fathers.


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I will cause to cease out of the cities of Judah, and from without Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: and the whole land shall be desolate without inhabitant.


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But we would not hearken unto thy voice, to serve the king of Babylon: therefore hast thou made good thy words that thou spakest by thy servants the prophets, <i>namely, </i> that the bones of our kings, and the bones of our fathers, should be taken out of their places.


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And, lo, they are cast out to the heat by day, and to the frost by night, and they died in great miseries by famine, by sword, and by <n>See Jer. xxxii. 36. </n> pestilence.


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And the house which is called by thy name hast thou laid <i>waste, </i> as at this day, for the wickedness of the house of Israel and the house of Judah.


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Yet, O Lord our God, thou hast dealt with us after all thy kindness, and according to all that great mercy of thine,


text:
as thou spakest by thy servant Moses in the day when thou didst command him to write thy law before the children of Israel, saying,


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If ye will not hear my voice, surely this very great multitude shall be turned into a small <i>number </i> among the nations, where I will scatter them.


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For I know that they will not hear me, because it is a stiffnecked people: but in the land of their captivity they shall lay it to heart,


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and shall return from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, which sinned before the Lord.


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And I will bring them again into the land which I sware unto their fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and they shall be lords of it: and I will increase them, and they shall not be diminished.


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And I will make an everlasting covenant with them to be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will no more remove my people of Israel out of the land that I have given them.<pb/>


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Hear, O Lord, and have mercy; for thou art a merciful God: yea, have mercy upon us, because we have sinned before thee.


text:
O Lord Almighty, thou God of Israel, hear now the prayer of <n>Probably a mistake for <i>the men of Israel. </i></n> the dead Israelites, and of the children of them which were sinners before thee, that hearkened not unto the voice of thee their God: for the which cause these plagues clave unto us.


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Remember not the iniquities of our fathers: but remember thy power and thy name <i>now </i> at this time.


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For for this cause thou hast put thy fear in our hearts, <n>Another reading is, <i>and </i> made us <i>to call. </i></n> to the intent that we should call upon thy name: and we will praise thee in our captivity, for we have <n>Another reading is, <i>put away from our heart all &c. </i></n> called to mind all the iniquity of our fathers, that sinned before thee.


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Behold, we are yet this day in our captivity, where thou hast scattered us, for a reproach and a curse, and to be subject to penalty, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, which departed from the Lord our God.<pb/>


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How happeneth it, O Israel, that thou art in thine enemies’ land, that thou art waxen old in a strange country, that thou art defiled with the dead,


text:
Learn where is <n>Or, <i>prudence </i></n> wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding; that thou mayest know also where is length of days, and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.


text:
they that had their pastime with the fowls of the air, and they that hoarded up silver and gold, wherein men trust; and of whose getting there is no end?


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For they that <n>Or, <i>diligently sought after: </i> Prov. xi. 27 (Sept.). </n> wrought in silver, and were so careful, and whose works are past finding out,


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they are vanished and gone down to <n>Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> the grave, and others are come up in their steads.


text:
Younger men have seen the light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge have they not known,


text:
neither understood they the paths thereof: neither have their children laid hold of it: they are far off from <n>Another reading is, <i>the way thereof. </i></n> their way.


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The sons also of Agar that seek understanding, which are in the land, the merchants of Merran and Teman, and the authors of fables, and the searchers out of understanding; none of these have known the way of wisdom, or remembered her paths.


text:
so they perished, because they had no <n>Or, <i>prudence </i></n> wisdom, they perished through their own foolishness.


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But he that knoweth all things knoweth her, he found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore hath filled it with fourfooted beasts:


text:
and the stars shined in their watches, and were glad: when he called them, they said, Here we be; they shined with gladness unto him that made them.


text:
He hath found out all the way of knowledge, and hath given it unto Jacob his servant, and to Israel that is beloved of him.


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This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth for ever: all they that hold it fast <i>are appointed </i> to life; but such as leave it shall die.


text:
Turn thee, O Jacob, and take hold of it: walk towards her shining in the presence of the light thereof.


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Ye were sold to the nations, <i>but </i> not for destruction: because ye moved God to wrath, ye were delivered unto your adversaries.


text:
For she saw the wrath that is come upon you from God, and said, Hearken, ye <i>women </i> that dwell about Sion: for God hath brought upon me great mourning;


text:
for I have seen the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting hath brought upon them.


text:
Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and forsaken of many: for the sins of my children am I left desolate; because they turned aside from the law of God,


text:
and had no regard to his statutes, neither walked they in the ways of God’s commandments, nor trod in the paths of discipline in his righteousness.


text:
Let them that dwell about Sion come, and remember ye the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting hath brought upon them.


text:
For he hath brought a nation upon them from far, a shameless nation, and of a strange language, <n>Another reading is, <i>for they. </i></n> who neither reverenced old man, nor pitied child.


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And they have carried away the dear beloved sons of the widow, and left her that was alone desolate of her daughters.


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I have put off the garment of peace, and put upon me the sackcloth of my petition: I will cry unto the Everlasting as long as I live.


text:
Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto God, and he shall deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies.


text:
For I have trusted in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy is come unto me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you <n>Or, <i>from your everlasting Saviour </i></n> from the Everlasting your Saviour.


text:
For I sent you out with mourning and weeping: but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for ever.


text:
For like as now they that dwell about Sion have seen your captivity: so shall they see shortly your salvation from <n>Another reading is, <i>your. </i></n> our God, which shall come upon you with great glory, and brightness of the Everlasting.


text:
My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God: for thine enemy hath persecuted thee; but shortly thou shalt see his destruction, and shalt tread upon their necks.


text:
Be of good cheer, O my children, and cry unto God: for ye shall be remembered of him that hath brought <i>these things </i> upon you.


text:
For he that brought these plagues upon you shall bring you everlasting joy again with your salvation.


text:
For as she rejoiced at thy fall, and was glad of thy ruin: so shall she be grieved for her own desolation.


text:
And I will take away her exultation in her great multitude, and her boasting shall be turned into mourning.


text:
For fire shall come upon her from the Everlasting, long to endure; and she shall be inhabited of <n>Gr. <i>demons. </i></n> devils for a great time.<pb/>


text:
Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.<pb/>


text:
Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of thy mourning and affliction, and put on the comeliness of the glory that <i>cometh </i> from God for ever.


text:
Cast about thee the robe of the righteousness which <i>cometh </i> from God; set a diadem on thine head of the glory of the Everlasting.


text:
For thy name shall be called of God for ever The peace of righteousness, and The glory of godliness.


text:
Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand upon the height, and look about thee toward the east, and behold thy children gathered from the going down of the sun unto the rising thereof at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God hath remembered them.


text:
For they went from thee on foot, being led away of their enemies: but God bringeth them in unto thee borne on high with glory, <n>Another reading is, as <i>children of the kingdom. </i></n> as <i>on </i> a royal throne.


text:
For God hath appointed that every high mountain, and the everlasting hills, should be made low, and the valleys filled up, to make plain the ground, that Israel may go safely in the glory of God.


text:
Moreover the woods and every sweet-smelling tree have overshadowed Israel by the commandment of God.


text:
For God shall lead Israel with joy in the light of his glory with the mercy and righteousness that cometh from him.<pb/>


text:
A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.<pb/>


text:
Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives unto Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.


text:
So when ye come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations: and after that I will bring you out peaceably from thence.


text:
But now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.


text:
Beware therefore that ye in no wise become like unto the strangers, neither let fear take hold upon you because of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.


text:
For mine angel is with you, <n>Or, <i>and he careth </i></n> and I myself do care for your <n>Or, <i>lives </i></n> souls.


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For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.


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And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods:


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and sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves;


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and will even give thereof to the common harlots: and they deck them as men with garments, <i>even </i> the gods of silver, and gods of gold, and of wood.


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Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with purple raiment.


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And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth against him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country.


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He hath also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe: but cannot deliver himself from war and robbers.


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For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temples their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.


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And as the courts are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death; <i>even so </i> the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest they be carried off by robbers.


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They are as one of the beams of the temple; and men say their hearts are eaten out, when things creeping out of the earth devour both them and their raiment: they feel it not


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Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it.


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Having no feet, they are borne upon shoulders, whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.


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They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if they be set awry, can they make themselves straight: but the offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men.


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And the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and spend; and in like manner their wives also lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and to the impotent will they give nothing thereof.


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The menstruous woman and the woman in childbed touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are no gods, fear them not.


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And in their temples the priests <n>Or, <i>bear the litter </i></n> sit on seats, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.


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Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.


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In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will never exact it.


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They are like the stones that be <i>hewn </i> out of the mountain, <i>these gods </i> of wood, and that are overlaid with gold and with silver: they that minister unto them shall be confounded.


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How should a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?


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Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand.


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The women also with cords about them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.


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They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.


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And they themselves that fashioned them can never continue long; how then should the things that are fashioned by them?


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For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.


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How then cannot men understand that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?


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For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:


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and it shall be manifest to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.


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Neither can they judge their own cause, nor <n>Another reading is, <i>deliver him that is wronged. </i></n> redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.


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For even when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but they themselves shall be burnt asunder like beams.


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Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how should a man then allow or think that they be gods?


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Neither are those gods of wood, and overlaid with silver or with gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.


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Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong will take from them, and go away withal: neither shall they be able to help themselves.


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Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.


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Likewise also the lightning when it glittereth is fair to see; and after the same manner the wind also bloweth in every country.


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And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are to be likened unto them neither in shew nor power.


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Wherefore a man should neither think nor say that they are gods, seeing they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.


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neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.


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For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers that keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver.


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Likewise also their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast forth into the dark.


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And ye shall know them to be no gods by the <n>Gr. <i>purple and brightness. </i></n> bright purple that rotteth upon them: And they themselves afterward shall be consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.


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Blessed art thou, O Lord, thou God of our fathers, <n>Another reading is, <i>and thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified. </i></n> and worthy to be praised; and thy name is glorified for evermore:


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For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done: yea, true are all thy works, and thy ways are right, and all thy judgements truth.


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In all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, <i>even </i> Jerusalem, thou hast executed true judgements: for according to truth and justice hast thou brought all these things upon us because of our sins.


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In all things have we trespassed, and not obeyed thy commandments, nor kept them, neither done as thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.


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Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and everything that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgement.


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And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, and most hateful forsakers <i>of God, </i> and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world.


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And now we cannot open our mouth; shame and reproach have befallen thy servants, and them that worship thee.


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and cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for the sake of Abraham that is beloved of thee, and for the sake of Isaac thy servant, and Israel thy holy one;


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to whom thou didst promise, that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is upon the sea shore.


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For we, O Lord, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins.


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Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to offer before thee, and to find mercy.


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like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs; so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and <i>grant </i> that we may wholly go after thee, for they shall not be ashamed that put their trust in thee.


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Put us not to shame: but deal with us after thy kindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercy.


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Deliver us also according to thy marvellous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord: and let all them that do thy servants hurt be confounded;


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and let them be ashamed of all their <n>Some MSS. omit <i>power and. </i></n> power and might, and let their strength be broken;


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And the king’s servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the furnace hot with naphtha, pitch, tow, and small wood;


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But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace together with Azarias and his fellows, and he smote the flame of the fire out of the furnace;


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and made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them.<pb/>


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Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, and glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying,


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Blessed art thou, O Lord, thou God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.


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Blessed art thou in the temple of thine holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.


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Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubim: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.


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Blessed art thou on the throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and <n>Another reading is, <i>exalted. </i></n> extolled above all for ever.


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O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O all <n>Another reading is, <i>the host. </i></n> ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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<n>Before this verse some authorities insert verse 46, <i>O ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye &c. </i></n> O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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<n>Before this verse some authorities insert verse 49, <i>O ye ice and cold, bless ye &c. </i></n> O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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<n>Some authorities transpose verses 56 and 55. </n> O sea and rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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<n>Some MSS. read <i>O Israel, bless ye. </i></n> O let Israel bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O ye priests <n>Some MSS. omit <i>of the Lord. </i></n> of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O ye servants <n>Some MSS. omit <i>of the Lord. </i></n> of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.


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O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever: for he hath rescued us from <n>Or, <i>the grave </i> Gr. <i>Hades. </i></n> hell, and saved us from the hand of death: he hath delivered us out of the midst of the furnace <i>and </i> burning flame, even out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered us.


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O all ye that worship the Lord, bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks: for his mercy <i>endureth </i> for ever.


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and he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Helkias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.


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Now Joakim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.


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And the same year there were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who were accounted to govern the people.


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And the two elders beheld her going in every day, and walking; and they were inflamed with love for her.


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And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgements.


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So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: and then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.


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And it fell out, as they watched a fit day, she went in as aforetime with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.


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Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.


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And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at the side doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: and they saw not the elders, because they were hid.


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Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.


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If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.


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Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not, I cannot escape your hands.


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So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the side door, to see what had befallen her.


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But when the elders had told their tale, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.


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And it came to pass on the morrow, when the people assembled to her husband Joakim, the two elders came full of their wicked intent against Susanna to put her to death;


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And these wicked men commanded her to be unveiled, (for she was veiled) that they might be filled with her beauty.


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And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this <i>woman </i> came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.


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And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the doors, and leaped out.


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But having taken this <i>woman</i>, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.


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Then the assembly believed them, as those that were elders of the people and judges: so they condemned her to death.


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Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, that knowest all things before they be:


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thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.


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Therefore when she was led away to be put to death, God raised up the holy spirit of a young youth, whose name was Daniel:


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So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?


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Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.


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So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now are thy sins come <i>home to thee </i> which thou hast committed aforetime,


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in pronouncing unjust judgement, and condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.


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Now then, if thou sawest her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.


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And Daniel said, Right well hast thou lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God and shall cut thee in two.


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So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Canaan, and not of Judah, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.


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Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Judah would not abide your wickedness.


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Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under a holm tree.


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Then said Daniel unto him, Right well hast thou also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.


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With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and blessed God, who saveth them that hope in him.


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And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness out of their own mouth:


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and according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death, and the innocent blood was saved the same day.


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Therefore Helkias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joakim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.


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Now the Babylonians had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six firkins of wine.


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And the king did honour to it, and went daily to worship it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why dost thou not worship Bel?


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And he said, Because I may not do honour to idols made with hands, but to the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth, and hath sovereignty over all flesh.


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Then said the king unto him, Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living god? or seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?


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Then Daniel laughed, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass without, and did never eat or drink anything.


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So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expenses, ye shall die.


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But if ye can shew me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to thy word.


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Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten, beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel.


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So Bel’s priests said, Lo, we will get us out: but thou, O king, set on the meat, and mingle the wine and set it forth, and shut the door fast, and seal it with thine own signet;


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and when thou comest in the morning, if thou find not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us.


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And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.


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And it came to pass, when they were gone forth, the king set the meat before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and they strewed all the temple <i>with them </i> in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king’s signet, and so departed.


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Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drink up all.


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And as soon as he had opened the door, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee is no deceit at all.


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Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.


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and took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.


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Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel’s power, who overthrew him and his temple.<pb/>


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And in that same place there was a great <n>Or, <i>serpent </i></n> dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.


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And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, and eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.


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But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.


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Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon’s mouth, so the dragon did eat and burst in sunder: and <i>Daniel </i> said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.


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When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath pulled down Bel, and slain the dragon, and put the priests to the sword.


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So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.


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Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, the king delivered Daniel unto them:


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And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.<pb/>


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Now there was in Jewry the prophet <n>Gr. <i>Ambakoum. </i></n> Habakkuk, who had made pottage, and had broken bread into a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers.


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But the angel of the Lord said unto Habakkuk, Go carry the dinner that thou hast into Babylon unto Daniel, in the lions’ den.


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Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and lifted him up by the hair of his head, and with the blast of his breath set him in Babylon over the den.


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Upon the seventh day the king came to bewail Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and, behold, Daniel was sitting.


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Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art thou, O Lord, thou God of Daniel, and there is none other beside thee.


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And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face.


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AND it came to pass, after that Alexander the Macedonian, the son of Philip, who came out of the land of Chittim, and smote Darius king of the Persians and Medes, <i>it came to pass, </i> after he had smitten him, that he reigned in his stead, in former time, over <n>That is, the Greek Empire. Compare ver. 10 and ch. vi. 2. </n> Greece.


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and went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of a multitude of nations. And the earth was quiet before him, and he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up,


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and he gathered together an exceeding strong host, and ruled over countries and nations and principalities, and they became tributary unto him.


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And he called his servants, which were honourable, which had been brought up with him from his youth, and he divided unto them his kingdom, while he was yet alive.


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And they did all put diadems upon themselves after that he was dead, and so did their sons after them many years: and they multiplied evils in the earth.<pb/>


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And there came forth out of them a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in <n>circa B.C. 176. </n> the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.<pb/>


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In those days came there forth out of Israel transgressors of the law, and persuaded many, saying, let us go and make a covenant with the <n>Or, <i>nations: </i> and so throughout this book. </n> Gentiles that are round about us; for since we were parted from them many evils have befallen us.


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And certain of the people were forward <i>herein </i> and went to the king, and he gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the <n>Or, <i>nations: </i> and so throughout this book. </n> Gentiles.


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And <n>See 2 Macc. iv. 9, 12. </n> they built a place of exercise in Jerusalem according to the laws of the <n>Or, <i>nations: </i> and so throughout this book. </n> Gentiles;


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and they made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the <n>Or, <i>nations: </i> and so throughout this book </n> Gentiles, and sold themselves to do evil.<pb/>


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And the kingdom was well ordered in the sight of Antiochus, and he thought to reign over Egypt, that he might reign over the two kingdoms.


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And he entered into Egypt with a <n>Gr. <i>heavy. </i></n> great multitude, with chariots, and with elephants, and with horsemen, and with a great <n>Or, <i>armament </i></n> navy;


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and he made war against Ptolemy king of Egypt; and Ptolemy was put to shame before him, and fled; and many fell wounded to death.


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And they got possession of the strong cities in the land of Egypt; and he took the spoils of Egypt.<pb/>


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And Antiochus, after that he had smitten Egypt, returned in <n>circa B.C. 170. See 2 Macc. v. 11-16. </n> the hundred and forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a <n>Gr. <i>heavy. </i></n> great multitude,


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and entered presumptuously into the sanctuary, and took the golden altar, and the candlestick of the light, and all that pertained thereto,


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and the table of the shewbread, and the cups to pour withal, and the bowls, and the golden censers, and the veil, and the crowns, and the adorning of gold which was on the face of the temple, and he scaled it all off.


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And he took the silver and the gold and the precious vessels; and he took the hidden treasures which he found.


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And when he had taken all, he went away into his own land, and he made a great slaughter, and spake very presumptuously.


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and the rulers and elders groaned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.


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And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.<pb/>


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And <n>See 2 Macc. v. 24. </n> after <n>Gr. <i>two years of days. </i></n> two full years the king sent a chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Judah, and he came unto Jerusalem with a <n>Gr. <i>heavy. </i></n> great multitude.


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And he spake words of peace unto them in subtilty, and they gave him credence: and he fell upon the city suddenly, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people out of Israel.


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And he took the spoils of the city, and set it on fire, and pulled down the houses thereof and the walls thereof on every side.


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And they builded the city of David with a great and strong wall, with strong towers, and it became unto them a citadel.


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And they put there a sinful nation, transgressors of the law, and they strengthened themselves therein.


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And they stored up arms and victuals, and gathering together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and they became a sore snare:


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and it became a place to lie in wait in against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel continually.


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And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them; and she became a habitation of strangers, and she became strange to them that were born in her, and her children forsook her.


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Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, <n>See 2 Macc. vi. 6. </n> her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honour into contempt.


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According to her glory, so was her dishonour multiplied, and her high estate was turned into mourning.<pb/>


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and that each should forsake his own laws. And all the nations agreed according to the word of the king;


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And the king sent letters by the hand of messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, that they should follow laws strange to the land,


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and should forbid whole burnt offerings and sacrifice and drink offerings in the sanctuary; and should profane the sabbaths and feasts,


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that they should build altars, and temples, and shrines for idols, and should sacrifice swine’s flesh and unclean beasts:


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and that they should leave their sons uncircumcised, that they should make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation;


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According to all these words wrote he to his whole kingdom; and he appointed overseers over all the people, and he commanded the cities of Judah to sacrifice, city by city.


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And from the people were gathered together unto them many, every one that had forsaken the law; and they did evil things in the land;


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And on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in <n>circa B.C. 168. See 2 Macc. v. 11. </n> the hundred and forty and fifth year, they builded an abomination of desolation upon the <n>The two words rendered <i>altar </i> are different in the Greek: and so in ver. 59. </n> altar, and in the cities of Judah on every side they builded <i>idol </i> <n>The two words rendered <i>altar </i> are different in the Greek: and so in ver. 59. </n> altars.


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And wheresoever was found with any a book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the king’s sentence delivered him to death.


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And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the <i>idol </i> <n>The two words rendered <i>altar </i> are different in the Greek: and so in ver. 59. </n> altar <i>of God. </i>


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And <n>See 2 Macc. vi. 10.</n> the women that had circumcised their children they put to death according to the commandment.


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And they hanged their babes about their necks, and <i>destroyed </i> their houses, and them that had circumcised them.


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And <n>See 2 Macc. vi. 19 and vii. 1, &c. </n> they chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: and they died.


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In those days rose up Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem; and he dwelt at Modin.


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and he said, <pb/>Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see the destruction of my people, and the destruction of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was given into the hand of the enemy, the sanctuary into the hand of aliens?


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her vessels of glory are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in her streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.


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and, behold, our holy things and our beauty and our glory are laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned them.


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And the king’s officers answered and spake to Mattathias, saying, Thou art a ruler and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren:


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now therefore come thou first and do the commandment of the king, as all the nations have done, and the men of Judah, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou and thy house shall be in the number of the king’s <n>See ch. iii. 38: vi. 10, &c. Compare ch. x. 65; xi. 27; 2 Macc. viii. 9. </n> Friends, and thou and thy sons shall be honoured with silver and gold and many gifts.


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And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, If all the nations that are in the house of the king’s dominion hearken unto him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have made choice to follow his commandments,


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<n>Gr. <i>May he be propitious. </i> Compare 2 Sam. xxiii. 17 (Sept.). </n> Heaven forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.


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We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go aside from our worship, on the right hand, or on the left.


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And when he had left speaking these words, there came a Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment.


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And Mattathias saw it, and his zeal was kindled, and his reins trembled, and he shewed forth his wrath according to judgement, and ran, and slew him upon the altar.


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And the king’s officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and pulled down the altar.


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And Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous for the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him come forth after me.


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And it was told the king’s officers, and the forces that were in Jerusalem, the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness;


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and many pursued after them, and having overtaken them, they encamped against them, and set the battle in array against them on the sabbath day.


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And they said unto them, Thus far. Come forth, and do according to the word of the king, and ye shall live.


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And they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the word of the king, to profane the sabbath day.


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saying, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth witness over us, that ye put us to death without trial.


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And they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they died, they and their wives and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand <n>Gr. <i>souls of men. </i></n> souls.<pb/>


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And one said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not against the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they will now quickly destroy us from off the earth.


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And they took counsel on that day, saying, whosoever shall come against us to battle on the sabbath day, let us fight against him, and we shall in no wise all die, as our brethren died in the secret places.


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Then were gathered together unto them a company of <n>That is, <i>Chasidim. </i></n> Hasidaeans, mighty men of Israel, every one that offered himself willingly for the law.


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And they mustered a host, and smote sinners in their anger, and lawless men in their wrath: and the rest fled to the Gentiles for safety.


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and they circumcised by force the children that were uncircumcised, as many as they found in the coasts of Israel.


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And they rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of the kings, neither <n>Gr. <i>gave they a horn to the sinner. </i></n> suffered they the sinner to triumph.<pb/>


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And the days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said unto his sons, <pb/>Now have pride and rebuke gotten strength, and a season of overthrow, and wrath of indignation.


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And now, my children, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.


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And call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name.


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Phinehas our father, for that he was zealous exceedingly, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.


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And thus consider ye from generation to generation, that none that put their trust in him shall want for strength.


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To-day he shall be lifted up, and to-morrow he shall in no wise be found, because he is returned unto his dust, and his thought is perished.


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And ye, my children, be strong, and shew yourselves men in behalf of the law; for therein shall ye obtain glory.


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And, behold, Simon your brother, I know that he is a man of counsel; give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you.


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And Judas Maccabaeus, he hath been strong and mighty from his youth: he shall be your captain, and <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>ye shall fight. </i></n> shall fight the battle of the people.


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And he died in <n>circa B.C. 167. </n> the hundred and forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.<pb/>


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And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that clave unto his father, and they fought with gladness the battle of Israel.


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And he gat his people great glory, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and set battles in array, protecting the army with his sword.


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And the lawless shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of lawlessness were sore troubled, and salvation prospered in his hand.


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And he went about among the cities of Judah, and destroyed the ungodly <n>Gr. <i>out of it. </i></n> out of the land, and turned away wrath from Israel:


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and he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he gathered together such as were ready to perish.<pb/>


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And Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host from Samaria, to fight against Israel.


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And Judas perceived it, and he went forth to meet him, and smote him, and slew him: and many fell wounded to death, and the rest fled.


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And they took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and therewith he fought all his days.<pb/>


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And Seron, the commander of the host of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered a gathering and a congregation of faithful men with him, and of such as went out to war;


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And he said, I will make myself a name and get me glory in the kingdom; and I will fight against Judas and them that are with him, that set at nought the word of the king.


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And there went up with him also a mighty army of the ungodly to help him, to take vengeance on the children of Israel.<pb/>


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And he came near unto the going up of Bethhoron, and Judas went forth to meet him with a small company.


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But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judas, What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? and we for our part are faint, having tasted no food this day.


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And Judas said, It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few; and with <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>the God of heaven. </i></n> heaven it is all one, to save by many or by few:


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They come unto us in fulness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us:


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Now when he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and Seron and his army were discomfited before him.


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And they pursued them in the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, and there fell of them about eight hundred men; but the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.<pb/>


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And the fear of Judas and his brethren, and the dread of them, began to fall upon the nations round about them:


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But when king Antiochus heard these words, he was full of indignation: and he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, an exceeding strong army.


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And he opened his treasury, and gave his forces pay for a year, and commanded them to be ready for every need.


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And he saw that the money failed from his treasures, and that the tributes of the country were small, because of the dissension and plague which he had brought upon the land, to the end that he might take away the laws which had been from the first days;


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and he feared that he should not have enough as at other times for the charges and the gifts which he gave aforetime with a liberal hand, and he abounded above the kings that were before him.


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And he was exceedingly perplexed in his mind, and he determined to go into Persia, and to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.


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And he left Lysias, an honourable man, and one of the seed royal, to be over the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt,


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And he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all the things that he would have done, and concerning them that dwelt in Judaea and in Jerusalem,


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that he should send a host against them, to root out and destroy the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from the place;


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And that he should make strangers to dwell on all their coasts, and should divide their land to them by lot.


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And the king took the half that remained of the forces, and removed from Antioch, from his royal city, <n>circa B.C. 166. </n> the hundred and forty and seventh year; and he passed over the river Euphrates, and went through the upper countries.<pb/>


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And Lysias chose Ptolemy the son of Dorymenes, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends;


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and with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horse, to go into the land of Judah, and to destroy it, according to the word of the king.


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And the merchants of the country heard the fame of them, and took silver and gold exceeding much, with <n>Most of the authorities read <i>servants. </i></n> fetters, and came into the camp to take the children of Israel for servants: and there were added unto them the forces of Syria and of the land of the <n>Gr. <i>strangers. </i></n> Philistines.<pb/>


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And Judas and his brethren saw that evils were multiplied, and that the forces were encamping in their borders; and they took knowledge of the king’s words which he had commanded, to destroy the people and make an end of them;


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and they said each man to his neighbour, Let us raise up the ruin of our people, and let us fight for our people and the holy place.


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And the congregation was gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask for mercy and compassion.


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And Jerusalem was without inhabitant as a wilderness, there was none of her offspring that went in or went out; and the sanctuary was trodden down, and the sons of strangers were in the citadel, the Gentiles lodged therein; and joy was taken away from Jacob, and the pipe and the harp ceased.


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And they gathered themselves together, and came to Mizpeh, over against Jerusalem; for in Mizpeh was there a place of prayer aforetime for Israel.


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And they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and <i>put </i> ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes,


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and laid open the book of the law, concerning which the Gentiles were wont to inquire, seeking the likenesses of their idols.


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And they brought the priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and they stirred up the Nazarites, who had accomplished their days.


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And they cried aloud toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these men, and whither shall we carry them away?


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And, behold, the Gentiles are assembled together against us to destroy us: thou knowest what things they imagine against us.


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And after this Judas appointed leaders of the people, captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties, and captains of tens.


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And he said to them that were building houses, and were betrothing wives, and were planting vineyards, and were fearful, that they should return, each man to his own house, according to the law.


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And Judas said, Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these Gentiles, that are assembled together against us to destroy us, and our holy place:


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for it is better for us to die in battle, than to look upon the evils of our nation and the holy place.


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that it might fall upon the army of the Jews and smite them suddenly: and the men of the citadel were his guides.


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And Judas heard thereof, and removed, he and the valiant men, that he might smite the king’s host which was at Emmaus,


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And Gorgias came into the camp of Judas by night, and found no man; and he sought them in the mountains; for he said, These men flee from us.


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And as soon as it was day, Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men: howbeit they had not armour nor swords to their minds.


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And they saw the camp of the Gentiles strong <i>and </i> fortified, and horsemen compassing it round about; and these were expert in war.


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And Judas said to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their onset.


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And now let us cry unto heaven, if he will have us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this army before our face today:


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But all the hindmost fell by the sword: and they pursued them unto <n>Gr. <i>Gazera. </i></n> Gazara, and unto the plains of Idumaea and Azotus and Jamnia, and there fell of them about three thousand men.


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and Gorgias and his host are nigh unto us in the mountain. But stand ye now against our enemies, and fight against them, and afterwards take the spoils with boldness.


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While Judas was yet making an end of these words, there appeared a part of them looking out from the mountain:


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and they saw that their host had been put to flight, and that the Jews were burning the camp; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done.


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But when they perceived these things, they were sore afraid; and perceiving also the army of Judas in the plain ready for battle,


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And Judas returned to spoil the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue, and sea purple, and great riches.


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And they returned home, and sang a song of thanksgiving, and gave praise <n>Or, looking up <i>unto heaven </i></n> unto heaven; because <i>his mercy </i> is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.


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but when he heard thereof, he was confounded and discouraged, because neither had such things as he would been done unto Israel, nor had such things as the king commanded him come to pass.<pb/>


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And in the next year he gathered together threescore thousand chosen footmen, and five thousand horse, that he might subdue them.


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And he saw that the army was strong, and he prayed and said, <pb/>Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the onset of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver the army of the <n>Gr. <i>strangers. </i></n> Philistines into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his armourbearer:


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shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be ashamed for their host and their horsemen:


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give them faintness of heart, and cause the boldness of their strength to melt away, and let them quake at their destruction:


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cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving.<pb/>


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And they joined battle; and there fell of the army of Lysias about five thousand men, and they fell down over against them.


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But when Lysias saw that his array was put to flight, and the boldness that had come upon them that were with Judas, and how they were ready either to live or to die nobly, he removed to Antioch, and gathered together hired soldiers, that he might come again into Judaea with even a greater company.<pb/>


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But Judas and his brethren said, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse the holy place, and to dedicate it afresh.


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And they saw the sanctuary laid desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest or as on one of the mountains, and the priests’ chambers pulled down;


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and fell on their faces to the ground, and <n>Compare Num. xxxi. 6. </n> blew with the <n>Gr. <i>trumpets of signals. </i></n> solemn trumpets, and cried toward heaven.


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Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the citadel, until he should have cleansed the holy place.<pb/>


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And they took counsel concerning the altar of burnt offerings, which had been profaned, what they should do with it:


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and there came into their mind a good counsel, that they should pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the Gentiles had defiled it: and they pulled down the altar,


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and laid up the stones in the mountain of the house in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to give an answer concerning them.


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And they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar after the fashion of the former;


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And they made the holy vessels new, and they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings and of incense, and the table, into the temple.


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And they burned incense upon the altar, and they lighted the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple.


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And they set loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they made.<pb/>


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And they rose up early in the morning, on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is the month Chislev, in <n>circa B.C. 165. </n> the hundred and forty and eighth year,


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and offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings which they had made.


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At what time and on what day the Gentiles had profaned it, even on that <i>day </i> was it dedicated afresh, with songs and harps and lutes, and with cymbals.


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And all the people fell upon their faces, and worshipped, and <n>Or, <i>gave praise, </i> looking up <i>unto heaven, to him which </i></n> gave praise unto heaven, which had given them good success.


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And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance and praise.


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And they decked the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold and small shields, and dedicated afresh the gates and the priests’ chambers, and made doors for them.


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And there was exceeding great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.


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And Judas and his brethren and the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their seasons from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Chislev, with gladness and joy.


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And at that season they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about, lest haply the Gentiles should come and tread them down, as they had done aforetime.


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And he set there a force to keep it, and they fortified Bethsura to keep it; that the people might have a stronghold over against Idumaea.<pb/>


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And it came to pass, when the Gentiles round about heard that the altar was built, and the sanctuary dedicated as aforetime, they were exceeding wroth.


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And they took counsel to destroy the race of Jacob that was in the midst of them, and they began to slay and destroy among the people.


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And Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumaea at Akrabattine, because they besieged Israel: and he smote them with a great slaughter, and brought down their pride, and took their spoils.


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And he remembered the wickedness of the children of <n>Compare 2 Macc. x. 18-23. </n> Baean, who were unto the people a snare and a stumblingblock, lying in wait for them in the ways.


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And they were shut up by him in the towers; and he encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned with fire the towers of the place, with all that were therein.


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And he passed over to the children of Ammon, and found a mighty band, and much people, with Timotheus for their leader.


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and gat possession of Jazer, and the <n>Gr. <i>daughters. </i> Compare Num. xxi. 25. </n> villages thereof, and returned again into Judaea.<pb/>


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And the Gentiles that were in Gilead gathered themselves together against the Israelites that were on their borders, to destroy them. And they fled to the stronghold of Dathema,


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and sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, saying, The Gentiles that are round about us are gathered together against us to destroy us:


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and they are preparing to come and get possession of the stronghold whereunto we are fled for refuge, and Timotheus is the leader of their host.


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And all our brethren that were in the land of <n>Compare 2 Macc. xii. 17. </n> Tubias have been put to death; and they have carried into captivity their wives and their children and their stuff; and they destroyed there about a thousand men.


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While the letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, bringing a report after this wise,


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saying, That there were gathered together against them those of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and of Sidon, and all Galilee of the <n>Gr. <i>strangers. </i></n> Gentiles to consume them.


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Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled together a great congregation, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in tribulation, and were assaulted of them.


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And Judas said unto Simon his brother, Choose thee out men, and go and deliver thy brethren that are in Galilee, but I and Jonathan my brother will go into the land of Gilead.


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And he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the host, in Judaea, for to keep it.


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And he gave commandment unto them, saying, Take ye the charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until that we come again.


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And unto Simon were divided three thousand men to go into Galilee, but unto Judas eight thousand men <i>to go </i> into the land of Gilead.<pb/>


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And Simon went into Galilee, and fought many battles with the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were discomfited before him.


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And he pursued them unto the gate of Ptolemais; and there fell of the Gentiles about three thousand men, and he took their spoils.


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And they took to them those that were in Galilee, and in Arbatta, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, and brought them into Judaea with great gladness.


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And Judas Maccabaeus and his brother Jonathan passed over Jordan, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness;


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and they met with the Nabathaeans, and these met them in a peaceable manner, and told them all things that had befallen their brethren in the land of Gilead:


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and how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, <n>Compare 2 Macc. xii. 13. </n> Casphor, Maked, and <n>compare 2 Macc. xii. 21. </n> Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great:


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and how that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the land of Gilead, and that tomorrow they have appointed to encamp against the strongholds, and to take them, and to destroy all these men in one day.


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And Judas and his army turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and he took the city, and slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire.


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And the morning came, and they lifted up their eyes, and, behold, much people which could not be numbered, bearing ladders and engines of war, to take the stronghold; and they were fighting against them.


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And Judas saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets and a great sound,


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And he went forth behind them in three companies, and they sounded with their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.


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And the army of Timotheus perceived that it was Maccabaeus, and they fled from before him: and he smote them with a great slaughter; and there fell of them on that day about eight thousand men.


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And he turned aside to Mizpeh and fought against it, and took it, and slew all the males thereof, and took the spoils thereof, and burned it with fire.


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From thence he removed, and took <n>See ver. 26 </n> Casphor, Maked, Bosor, and the other cities of the land of Gilead.<pb/>


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Now after these things Timotheus gathered another army, and encamped over against Raphon beyond the brook.


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And Judas sent men to espy the army; and they brought him word, saying, All the Gentiles that be round about us are gathered together unto them, an exceeding great host.


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And they have hired Arabians to help them, and are encamping beyond the brook, ready to come against thee to battle. And Judas went to meet them.


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And Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, when Judas and his army drew nigh unto the brook of water, If he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us:


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but if he be afraid, and encamp beyond the river, we will cross over unto him, and prevail against him.


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Now when Judas came nigh unto the brook of water, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook, and gave commandment unto them, saying, Suffer no man to encamp, but let all come to the battle.


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And he crossed over the first against them, and all the people after him: and all the Gentiles were discomfited before his face, and cast away their arms, and fled unto the temple at <n>See ver. 26. </n> Carnaim.


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And they took the city, and burned the temple with fire, together with all that were therein. And Carnaim was subdued, neither could they stand any longer before the face of Judas.<pb/>


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And Judas gathered together all Israel, them that were in the land of Gilead, from the least unto the greatest, and their wives, and their children, and their stuff, an exceeding great army, that they might come into the land of Judah.


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And they came as far as Ephron, and this same city was great, <i>and it was </i> in the way as they should go, exceeding strong: they could not turn aside from it on the right hand or on the left, but must needs pass through the midst of it.


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And Judas sent unto them with words of peace, saying, We will pass through thy land to go into our own land, and none shall do you any hurt, we will only pass by on our feet. And they would not open unto him.


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And Judas commanded proclamation to be made in the army, that each man should encamp in the place where he was.


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And the men of the host encamped, and fought against the city all that day and all that night, and the city was delivered into his hands;


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and he destroyed all the males with the edge of the sword, and rased the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain.


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And Judas gathered together those that lagged behind, and encouraged the people all the way through, until he came into the land of Judah.


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And they went up to mount Sion with gladness and joy, and offered whole burnt offerings, because not so much as one of them was slain until they returned in peace.<pb/>


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And in the days when Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Gilead, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,


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Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, rulers of the host, heard of their exploits and of the war, what things they had done;


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and they said, Let us also get us a name, and let us go fight against the Gentiles that are round about us.


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And Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were pursued unto the borders of Judaea; and there fell on that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men.


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And there was a great overthrow among the people, because they hearkened not unto Judas and his brethren, thinking to do some exploit.


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And the man Judas and his brethren were glorified exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and of all the Gentiles, wheresoever their name was heard of;


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And Judas and his brethren went forth, and fought against the children of Esau in the land toward the south; and he smote Hebron and the <n>Gr. <i>daughters. </i> Compare Num. xxi. 25. </n> villages thereof, and pulled down the strongholds thereof, and burned the towers thereof round about.


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And he removed to go into the land of the <n>Gr. <i>strangers. </i></n> Philistines, and he went through <n>Or, <i>Marisa </i> See Josephus, Antiq. xii. 8. 6, and 2 Macc. xii. 35. </n> Samaria.


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In that day certain priests, desiring to do exploits there, were slain in battle, when as <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>they. </i></n> he went out to battle unadvisedly.


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And Judas turned aside to Azotus, to the land of the <n>Gr. <i>strangers. </i></n> Philistines, and pulled down their altars, and burned the carved images of their gods with fire, and took the spoil of their cities, and returned into the land of Judah.<pb/>


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And king Antiochus was journeying through the upper countries; and he heard say, that in Elymais in Persia there was a city renowned for riches, for silver and gold;


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and that the temple which was in it was rich exceedingly, and that therein were golden shields, and breastplates, and arms, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Greeks, left behind there.


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And he came and sought to take the city, and to pillage it; and he was not able, because the thing was known to them of the city,


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and they rose up against him to battle: and he fled, and removed thence with great heaviness, to return unto Babylon.<pb/>


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And there came one bringing him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judah, had been put to flight;


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and that Lysias went first with a strong host, and was put to shame before them; and that they had waxed strong by reason of arms and power, and with store of spoils, which they took from the armies that they had cut off;


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and that they had pulled down the abomination which he had built upon the altar that was in Jerusalem; and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and Bethsura, his city.


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And it came to pass, when the king heard these words, he was astonished and moved exceedingly: and he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for.


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And he was there many days, because great grief was renewed upon him, and he made account that he should die.


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And he called for all his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, and said unto them, Sleep departeth from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for care.


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And I said in my heart, Unto what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood is it, wherein I now am! for I was gracious and beloved in my power.


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But now I remember the evils which I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of silver and gold that were therein, and sent forth to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without a cause.


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I percieve that on this account these evils are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land.


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And he called for Philip, one of his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, and set him over all his kingdom,


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and gave him his diadem, and his robe, and his signet ring, to the end he should bring Antiochus his son, and nourish him up that he might be king.


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And Lysias knew that the king was dead, and he set up Antiochus his son to reign, whom he had nourished up being young, and he called his name Eupator.<pb/>


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And they that were in the citadel shut up Israel round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the Gentiles.


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And they were gathered together, and besieged them in <n>circa B.C. 163. </n> the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounds to shoot from, and engines of war.


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And there came forth some of them that were shut up, and there were joined unto them certain ungodly men of Israel.


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And they went unto the king, and said, How long wilt thou not execute judgement, and avenge our brethren?


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and for this cause the children of our people besieged <n>Gr. <i>it. </i></n> the citadel, and were alienated from us; but as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritances.


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And, behold, they are encamped this day against the citadel at Jerusalem, to take it: and the sanctuary and Bethsura have they fortified.


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And if ye are not beforehand with them quickly, they will do greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to control them.<pb/>


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And when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, <i>even the </i> rulers of his host, and them that were over the horse.


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And the number of his forces was a hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants trained for war.


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And they went through Idumaea, and encamped against Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war; and they <i>of Bethsura </i> came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.


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And the king rose early in the morning, and removed his army <n>Or, <i>itself eager for the fight </i></n> at full speed along the road to Bethzacharias, and his forces made them ready to battle, and sounded with the trumpets.


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And they shewed the elephants the blood of grapes and mulberries, that they might prepare them for the battle.


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And they divided the beasts among the phalanxes, and they set by each elephant a thousand men armed with coats of mail, and helmets of brass on their heads; and for each beast were appointed five hundred chosen horsemen.


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These were ready beforehand, wheresoever the beast was; and whithersoever the beast went, they went with him; they departed not from him.


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And towers of wood were upon them, strong <i>and </i> covered, one upon each beast, girt fast upon him with cunning contrivances; and upon each <i>beast </i> were two and thirty valiant men that fought upon them, beside his Indian


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(and the residue of the horsemen he set on this side and that side at the two parts of the army), striking terror <i>into the enemy, </i> and protected by the phalanxes.


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Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains shone therewith, and blazed like torches of fire.


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And a part of the king’s army was spread upon the high mountains, and some on the low ground, and they went on firmly and in order.


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And all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the multitude, and the rattling of the arms, did quake: for the army was exceeding great and strong.


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And Eleazar, who was <i>called </i> Avaran, saw one of the beasts armed with royal breastplates, and he was higher than all the beasts, and the king seemed to be upon him;


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and he ran upon him courageously into the midst of the phalanx, and slew on the right hand and on the left, and they parted asunder from him on this side and on that.


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And he crept under the elephant, and thrust him from beneath, and slew him; and <i>the elephant </i> fell to the earth upon him, and he died there.


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And they saw the strength of the kingdom, and the fierce onset of the hosts, and turned away from them.<pb/>


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But they of the king’s army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king encamped toward Judaea, and toward mount Sion.


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And he made peace with them of Bethsura; and he came out of the city, because they had no food there to endure the siege, because it was a sabbath to the land.


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And he encamped against the sanctuary many days; and set there mounds to shoot from, and engines of war, and instruments for casting fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts, and slings.


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But there were no victuals in the sanctuary, because it was the seventh year, and they that fled for safety into Judaea from among the Gentiles had eaten up the residue of the store;


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and there were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine prevailed against them, and they were scattered, each man to his own place.<pb/>


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And Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he was yet alive, appointed to nourish up his son Antiochus, that he might be king,


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was returned from Persia and Media, and with him the forces that went with the king, and that he was seeking to take unto him the government.


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And he made haste, and gave consent to depart; and he said to the king and the leaders of the host and to the men, We decay daily, and our food is scant, and the place where we encamp is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us:


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now therefore let us give the right hand to these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation,


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and covenant with them, that they shall walk after their own laws, as aforetime: for because of their laws which we abolished they were angered, and did all these things.


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And the saying pleased the king and the princes, and he sent unto them to make peace; and they accepted thereof.


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And the king entered into mount Sion; and he saw the strength of the place, and set at nought the oath which he had sworn, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.


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And he removed in haste, and returned unto Antioch, and found Philip master of the city; and he fought against him, and took the city by force.<pb/>


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In <n>circa B.C. 162. </n> the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus came forth from Rome, and went up with a few men unto a city by the sea, and reigned there.


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And it came to pass, when he would go into the house of the kingdom of his fathers, that the army laid hands on Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him.


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And there came unto him all the lawless and ungodly men of Israel; and Alcimus was their leader, desiring to be high priest;


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and they accused the people to the king, saying, Judas and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and have scattered us from our own land.


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Now therefore send a man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see all the havock which he hath made of us, and of the king’s country, and <i>how </i> he hath punished them and all that helped them.


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And the king chose Bacchides, one of the king’s <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, who was ruler in the country beyond the river, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king.


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And he sent him, and that ungodly Alcimus, and made sure to him the high priesthood, and he commanded him to take vengeance upon the children of Israel.<pb/>


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And they removed, and came with a great host into the land of Judah, and he sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with words of peace deceitfully.


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And there were gathered together unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to seek for justice.


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And the <n>That is, Chasidim. </n> Hasidaeans were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them;


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for they said, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with the forces, and he will do us no wrong.


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And he spake with them words of peace, and sware unto them, saying, We will seek the hurt neither of you nor your friends.


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And they gave him credence: and he laid hands on threescore men of them, and slew them in one day, according to the word which <i>the psalmist </i> wrote,<pb/>


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<n>Ps. lxxix. 2, 3. </n> The flesh of thy saints <i>did they cast out, </i> <pb/>And their blood did they shed round about Jerusalem; <pb/>And there was no man to bury them.<pb/>


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And the fear and the dread of them fell upon all the people, for they said, There is neither truth nor judgement in them; for they have broken the covenant and the oath which they sware.


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And Bacchides removed from Jerusalem, and encamped in Bezeth; and he sent and took away many of the deserters that were with him, and certain of the people, and he slew them, <i>and cast them </i> into the great pit.


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And he made sure the country to Alcimus, and left with him a force to aid him; and Bacchides went away unto the king.<pb/>


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And there were gathered unto him all they that troubled their people, and they got the mastery of the land of Judah, and did great hurt in Israel.


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And Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the children of Israel, <i>even </i> above the Gentiles,


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and he went out into all the coasts of Judaea round about, and took vengeance on the men that had deserted from him, and they were restrained from going forth into the country.


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But when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company waxed strong, and knew that he was not able to withstand them, he returned to the king, and brought evil accusations against them.<pb/>


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<n>See 2 Macc. xiv. 12. </n> And the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that hated Israel and was their enemy, and commanded him to destroy the people.


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And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great host; and he sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with words of peace, saying,


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Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see your faces in peace.


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And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. And the enemies were ready to take away Judas by violence.


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And the thing was known to Judas, <i>to wit, </i> that he came unto him with deceit, and he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more.


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And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered; and he went out to meet Judas in battle beside Capharsalama;


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and there fell of Nicanor’s side about <n>Some ancient authorities read <i>five thousand. </i></n> five hundred men, and they fled into the city of David.<pb/>


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And after these things Nicanor went up to mount Sion: and there came some of the priests out of the sanctuary, and some of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the whole burnt sacrifice that was being offered for the king.


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And he mocked them, and laughed at them, and <n>Gr. <i>polluted them. </i></n> entreated them shamefully, and spake haughtily,


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and sware in a rage, saying, Unless Judas and his army be now delivered into my hands, it shall be that, if I come again in peace, I will burn up this house: and he went out in a great rage.


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Thou didst choose this house to be called by thy name, to be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people:


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take vengeance on this man and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to live any longer.<pb/>


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And Nicanor went forth from Jerusalem, and encamped in Bethhoron, and there met him the host of Syria.


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When they that came from the king blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote among them a hundred and fourscore and five thousand.


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Even so discomfit thou this army before us to-day, and let all the rest know that he hath spoken wickedly against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness.


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And on the thirteenth day of the month Adar the armies joined battle: and Nicanor’s army was discomfited, and he himself was the first to fall in the battle.


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And they pursued after them a day’s journey from Adasa until thou comest to <n>Gr. <i>Gazera. </i></n> Gazara, and they sounded an alarm after them with the <n>Gr. <i>trumpets of signals. </i></n> solemn trumpets.


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And they came forth out of all the villages of Judaea round about, and <n>Gr. <i>outflanked them. </i></n> closed them in; and these turned them back on those, and they all fell by the sword, and there was not one of them left.


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And they took the spoils, and the booty, and they smote off Nicanor’s head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so haughtily, and brought them, and <n>Gr. <i>stretched them out. </i></n> hanged them up beside Jerusalem.


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And <n>See 2 Macc. xv. 36. </n> they ordained to keep this day year by year, <i>to wit, </i> the thirteenth day of Adar.


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And Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are valiant men, and have pleasure in all that join themselves unto them, and make amity with all such as come unto them,


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and that they are valiant men. And they told him of their wars and exploits which they do among the Gauls, and how that they conquered them, and brought them under tribute;


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and what things they did in the land of Spain, that they might become masters of the mines of silver and gold which were there;


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and how that by their policy and persistence they conquered all the place (and the place was exceeding far from them), and the kings that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, until they had discomfited them, and smitten them very sore; and how the rest give them tribute year by year:


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and Philip, and Perseus, king of Chittim, and them that lifted up themselves against them, did they discomfit in battle, and conquered them:


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Antiochus also, the great king of Asia, who came against them to battle, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horse, and chariots, and an exceeding great host, and he was discomfited by them,


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and they took him alive, and appointed that both he and such as reigned after him should give them a great tribute, and should give hostages, and a parcel <i>of land, to wit, </i>


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the country of India, and Media, and Lydia, and of the goodliest of their countries; and they took them from him, and gave them to king Eumenes:


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and the thing was known to them, and they sent against them a captain, and fought against them, and many of them fell down wounded to death, and they made captive their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and conquered their land, and pulled down their strongholds, and spoiled them, and brought them into bondage unto this day:


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and the residue of the kingdoms and of the isles, as many as rose up against them at any time, they destroyed and made them to be their servants;


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but with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept amity; and they conquered the kingdoms that were nigh and those that were far off, and all that heard of their fame were afraid of them:


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moreover, whomsoever they will to succour and to make kings, these do they make kings; and whomsoever they will, do they depose; and they are exalted exceedingly:


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and for all this none of them did ever put on a diadem, neither did they clothe themselves with purple, to be magnified thereby:


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and how they had made for themselves a senate house, and day by day three hundred and twenty men sat in council, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered:


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and how they commit their government to one man year by year, that he should rule over them, and be lord over all their country, and all are obedient to that one, and there is neither envy nor emulation among them.<pb/>


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And Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with them,


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and that they should take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Greeks did keep Israel in bondage.


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And they went to Rome (and the way was exceeding long), and they entered into the senate house, and answered and said,


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Judas, who is also <i>called </i> Maccabaeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends.<pb/>


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And this is the copy of the writing which they wrote back again on tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of peace and confederacy:<pb/>


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Good success be to the Romans, and to the nation of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: the sword also and the enemy be far from them.


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the nation of the Jews shall help them as confederates, as the occasion shall prescribe to them, with all their heart:


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and unto them that make war upon them they shall not give, neither supply, food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome, and they shall keep their ordinances without taking anything therefore.


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In the same manner, moreover, if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them as confederates with all their soul, as the occasion shall prescribe to them:


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and to them that are confederates <i>with their foes </i> there shall not be given food, arms, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto Rome; and they shall keep these ordinances, and that without deceit.


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But if hereafter the one party and the other shall take counsel to add or diminish anything, they shall do it at their pleasure, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be established.


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And as touching the evils which king Demetrius doeth unto them, we have written to him, saying, Wherefore hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews?


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If therefore they plead any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee by sea and by land.<pb/>


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And Demetrius heard that Nicanor was fallen with his forces in battle, and he sent Bacchides and Alcimus again into the land of Judah a second time, and the right wing <i>of his army </i> with them:


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and they went by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and encamped against Mesaloth, which is in Arbela, and gat possession of it, and destroyed much people.


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And the first month of <n>circa B.C. 161. </n> the hundred and fifty and second year they encamped against Jerusalem:


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and they saw the multitude of the forces, that they were many, and they feared exceedingly: and many slipped away out of the army; there were not left of them more than eight hundred men.


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And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and that the battle pressed upon him, and he was sore troubled in heart, for that he had no time to gather them together, and he waxed faint.


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And he said to them that were left, Let us arise and go up against our adversaries, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them.


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And they would have dissuaded him, saying, We shall in no wise be able: but let us rather save our lives now: let us return again, <i>we </i> and our brethren, and fight against them: but we are few.


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And Judas said, let it not be so that I should do this thing, to flee from them: and if our time is come, let us die manfully for our brethren’s sake, and not leave a cause of reproach against our glory.


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And the host removed from the camp, and stood to encounter them, and the horse was parted into two companies, and the slingers and the archers went before the host, and all the mighty men that fought in the front of the battle.


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But Bacchides was in the right wing; and the phalanx drew near on the two parts, and they blew with their trumpets.


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And the men of Judas’ side, even they sounded with their trumpets, and the earth shook with the shout of the armies, and the battle was joined, and continued from morning until evening.


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And Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, and there went with him all that were brave in heart,


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And they that were on the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they turned and followed upon the footsteps of Judas and of those that were with him:


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And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers at Modin.


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And they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, and said,


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And the rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars, and the valiant deeds which he did, and his greatness, they are not written; for they were exceeding many.<pb/>


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And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the lawless put forth their heads in all the coasts of Israel, and all they that wrought iniquity rose up


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And they sought out and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them unto Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them, and used them despitefully.


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And there was great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the time that no prophet appeared unto them.


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Since thy brother Judas hath died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies and Bacchides, and among them of our nation that hate us.


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Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and leader in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles.


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And Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up in the stead of his brother Judas.<pb/>


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And Jonathan, and Simon his brother, and all that were with him, knew it; and they fled into the wilderness of Tekoah, and encamped by the water of the pool Asphar.


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And <i>Jonathan </i> sent his brother, a leader of the multitude, and besought his friends the Nabathaeans, that they might leave with them their baggage, which was much.


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And the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it.<pb/>


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But after these things they brought word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri were making a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabath with a great train, a daughter of one of the great nobles of Canaan.


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And they remembered John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain:


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and they lifted up their eyes, and saw, and, behold, a great ado and much baggage: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and his brethren, to meet them with timbrels, and minstrels, and many weapons.


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And they rose up against them from their ambush, and slew them, and many fell wounded to death, and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.


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And Jonathan said to his company, Let us stand up now and fight for our lives, for it is not <i>with us </i> to-day, as yesterday and the day before.


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For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us; moreover the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that side, and marsh and wood; and there is no place to turn aside.


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And the battle was joined, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, and he turned away back from him.


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And Jonathan and they that were with him leapt into the Jordan, and swam over to the other side: and they did not pass over Jordan against them.


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and he returned to Jerusalem. And they builded strong cities in Judaea, the stronghold that was in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.


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And he fortified the city Bethsura, and Gazara, and the citadel, and put forces in them, and store of victuals.


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And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in ward in the citadel at Jerusalem.<pb/>


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And in <n>circa B.C. 160. </n> the hundred and fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded to pull down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary; he pulled down also the works of the prophets;


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and he began to pull down. At that time was Alcimus stricken, and his works were hindered; and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, and he could no more speak anything and give order concerning his house.


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And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, and he returned to the king: and the land of Judah had rest two years.<pb/>


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And all the lawless men took counsel, saying, Behold, Jonathan and they of his part are dwelling at ease, and in security: now therefore we will bring Bacchides, and he shall lay hands on them all in one night.


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And he removed, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to all his confederates that were in Judaea, that they should lay hands on Jonathan and those that were with him: and they could not, because their counsel was known unto them.


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And <i>they that were of Jonathan’s part </i> laid hands on about fifty of the men of the country, that were authors of the wickedness, and he slew them.


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And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, gat them away to Bethbasi, which is in the wilderness, and he built up that which had been pulled down thereof, and they made it strong.


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And Bacchides knew it, and he gathered together all his multitude, and sent word to them that were of Judaea.


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And he went and encamped against Bethbasi, and fought against it many days, and made engines of war.


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And Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country, and he went with a few men.


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And they began to smite them, and to go up with their forces. And Simon and they that were with him went out of the city, and set on fire the engines of war,


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and fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore; for his counsel was in vain, and his inroad.


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And they were very wroth with the lawless men that gave him counsel to come into the country, and they slew many of them. And he took counsel to depart into his own land.


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And Jonathan had knowledge thereof, and sent ambassadors unto him, to the end that they should make peace with him, and that he should restore unto them the captives.


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And he accepted the thing, and did according to his words, and sware unto him that he would not seek his hurt all the days of his life.


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And he restored unto him the captives which he had taken aforetime out of the land of Judah, and he returned and departed into his own land, and came not any more into their borders.


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And the sword ceased from Israel. And Jonathan dwelt at Michmash; and Jonathan began to judge the people; and he destroyed the ungodly out of Israel.<pb/>


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And in <n>circa B.C. 153. </n> the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, went up and took possession of Ptolemais: and they received him, and he reigned there.


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And king Demetrius heard thereof, and he gathered together exceeding great forces, and went forth to meet him in battle.<pb/>


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For he said, let us be beforehand to make peace with them, ere he make peace with Alexander against us:


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for he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and unto his brethren and unto his nation.


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And he gave him authority to gather together forces, and to provide arms, and that he should be his confederate: and he commanded that they should deliver up to him the hostages that were in the citadel.<pb/>


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And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of them that were in the citadel:


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and they were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together a host.


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And they of the citadel delivered up the hostages unto Jonathan, and he restored them unto their parents.


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And he commanded them that did the work to build the walls and the mount Sion round about with <n>So the versions and Josephus. Gr. <i>four-foot stones. </i></n> square stones for defence; and they did so.


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Only at Bethsura were there left certain of those that had forsaken the law and the commandments; for it was a place of refuge unto them.<pb/>


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And king Alexander heard all the promises which Demetrius had sent unto Jonathan: and they told him of the battles and the valiant deeds which he and his brethren had done, and of the toils which they had endured;


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And he said, Shall we find such another man? and now we will make him our <n>See ch. ii. 18. Compare ver. 65. </n> Friend and confederate.


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We have heard of thee, that thou art a mighty man of valour, and meet to be our <n>See ch. ii. 18. Compare ver. 65. </n> Friend.


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And now we have appointed thee this day to be high priest of thy nation, and to be called the king’s <n>See ch. ii. 18. Compare ver. 65. </n> Friend (and he sent unto him a purple robe and a crown of gold), and to take our part, and to keep friendship with us.<pb/>


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And Jonathan put on the holy garments in the seventh month of <n>circa B.C. 153. </n> the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of tabernacles, and he gathered together forces, and provided arms in abundance.<pb/>


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What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath been beforehand with us in establishing friendship with the Jews, to strengthen himself?


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I also will write unto them words of encouragement and of honour and of gifts, that they may be with me to aid me.


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And he sent unto them according to these words: <pb/>King Demetrius unto the nation of the Jews, greeting:


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Forasmuch as ye have kept your covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, and have not joined yourselves to our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.


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And now continue ye still to keep faith with us, and we will recompense unto you good things in return for your dealings with us,


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And now do I free you, and release all the Jews, from the tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from the crowns.


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And instead of the third part of the seed, and instead of the half of the fruit of the trees, which falleth to me to receive, I release it from this day and henceforth, so that I will not take it from the land of Judah, and from the three governments which are added thereunto from the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth and for all time.


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I yield up also my authority over the citadel which is at Jerusalem, and give it to the high priest, that he may appoint in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.


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And every soul of the Jews, that hath been carried captive from the land of Judah into any part of my kingdom, I set at liberty without price; and let all remit the tributes of their cattle also.


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And all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and new moons, and appointed days, and three days before a feast, and three days after a feast, let them all be days of immunity and release for all the Jews that are in my kingdom.


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And no man shall have authority to exact from any of them, or to trouble them concerning any matter.


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And let there be enrolled among the king’s forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, and pay shall be given unto them, as belongeth to all the king’s forces.


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And of them some shall be placed in the king’s great strongholds, and some of them shall be placed over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and let those that are over them, and their rulers, be of themselves, and let them walk after their own laws, even as the king hath commanded in the land of Judah.


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And the three governments that have been added to Judaea from the country of Samaria, let them be added to Judaea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, that they may not obey other authority than the high priest’s.


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As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I have given it as a gift to the sanctuary that is at Jerusalem, for the expenses that befit the sanctuary.


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And I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver from the king’s revenues from the places that are convenient.


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And all the overplus, which they that manage the king’s affairs paid not in as in the first years, they shall give from henceforth toward the works of the house.


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And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they received from the uses of the sanctuary from the revenue year by year, this also is released, because it appertaineth to the priests that minister.


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And whosoever shall flee unto the temple that is at Jerusalem, and <i>be found </i> within all the borders thereof, whether one owe moneys to the king, or any other matter, let them go free, and all that they have in my kingdom.


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And for the building and renewing of the works of the sanctuary the expense shall be given also out of the king’s revenue.


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And for the building of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, shall the expense be given also out of the king’s revenue, and for the building of the walls in Judaea.<pb/>


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Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credence unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil which he had done in Israel, and that he had afflicted them very sore.


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And they were well pleased with Alexander, because he was the first that spake words of peace unto them, and they were confederate with him always.


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And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Alexander fled; and Demetrius followed after him, and prevailed against them.


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And he strengthened the battle exceedingly until the sun went down: and Demetrius fell that day.<pb/>


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Forasmuch as I am returned to my kingdom, and am set on the throne of my fathers, and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and have gotten possession of our country;


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yea, I joined the battle with him, and he and his army were discomfited by us, and we sat upon the throne of his kingdom:


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now also let us establish amity one with the other, and give me now thy daughter to wife: and I will make affinity with thee, and will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.


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And Ptolemy the king answered, saying, Happy is the day wherein thou didst return into the land of thy fathers, and didst sit on the throne of their kingdom.


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And now will I do to thee, as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another; and I will make affinity with thee, even as thou hast said.


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And Ptolemy went out of Egypt, himself and Cleopatra his daughter, and came unto Ptolemais in <n>circa B.C. 151. </n> the hundred and threescore and second year:


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and king Alexander met him, and he bestowed on him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great pomp, as the manner of kings is.<pb/>


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And he went with pomp to Ptolemais, and met the two kings, and gave them and their <n>See ch. ii. 18. Compare ver. 65. </n> Friends silver and gold, and many gifts, and found favour in their sight.


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And there were gathered together against him certain pestilent fellows out of Israel, men that were transgressors of the law, to complain against him: and the king gave no heed to them.


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And the king commanded, and they took off Jonathan’s garments, and clothed him in purple: and thus they did.


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And the king made him sit with him, and said unto his princes, Go forth with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and let no man trouble him for any manner of cause.


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And it came to pass, when they that complained against him saw his glory according as <i>the herald </i> made proclamation, and <i>saw </i> him clothed in purple, they all fled away.


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And the king gave him honour, and wrote him among his <n>See ch. xi. 27; 2 Macc. viii. 9. Compare ch. ii. 18; ver. 16, &c. </n> Chief Friends, and made him a captain, and governor of a province.


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And in <n>circa B.C. 148. </n> the hundred and threescore and fifth year came Demetrius, son of Demetrius, out of Crete into the land of his fathers:


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And Demetrius appointed Apollonius, who was over Coelesyria, and he gathered together a great host, and encamped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest, saying,<pb/>


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Thou alone liftest up thyself against us, but I am had in derision and in reproach because of thee. And why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?


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Now therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try the matter together; for with me is the power of the cities.


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Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that help us; and they say, Your foot cannot stand before our face; for thy fathers have been twice put to flight in their own land.


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And now thou shalt not be able to abide the horse and such a host as this in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto.<pb/>


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Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and he chose out ten thousand men, and went forth from Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him for to help him.


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And he encamped against Joppa: and they of the city shut him out, because Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa:


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and they fought against it. And they of the city were afraid, and opened unto him: and Jonathan became master of Joppa.


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And Apollonius heard, and he gathered an army of three thousand horse, and a great host, and went to Azotus as though he were on a journey, and therewithal drew onward into the plain, because he had a multitude of horse, and trusted therein.


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And he pursued after him to Azotus, and the armies joined battle<n>Most of the authorities here repeat <i>after him.</i></n>.


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And Jonathan knew that there was an ambushment behind him. And they compassed round his army, and cast their darts at the people, from morning until evening:


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And Simon drew forth his host, and joined battle with the phalanx (for the horsemen were spent), and they were discomfited by him, and fled.


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And the horsemen were scattered in the plain, and they fled to Azotus, and entered into Beth-dagon, their idol’s temple, to save themselves.


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And Jonathan burned Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, and them that fled into it, he burned with fire.


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And from thence Jonathan removed, and encamped against Ascalon, and they of the city came forth to meet him with great pomp.


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and he sent unto him a buckle of gold, as the use is to give to such as are of the kindred of the kings: and he gave him Ekron and all the coasts thereof for a possession.<pb/>


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And the king of Egypt gathered together great forces, as the sand which is by the sea shore, and many ships, and sought to make himself master of Alexander’s kingdom by deceit, and to add it to his own kingdom.


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And he went forth into Syria with words of peace, and they of the cities opened unto him, and met him; For king Alexander’s commandment was that they should meet him, because he was his father in law.


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But when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon burned with fire, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof pulled down, and the bodies cast abroad, and them that had been burned, whom he burned in the war, for they had made heaps of them in his way.


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And they told the king what things Jonathan had done, that they might cast blame on him: and the king held his peace.


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And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river that is called Eleutherus, and returned to Jerusalem.


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But king Ptolemy became master of the cities upon the sea coast, unto Selucia which is by the sea, and he devised evil devices concerning Alexander.


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And he sent ambassadors unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a covenant with one another, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign over thy father’s kingdom;


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And taking his daughter from him, he gave her to Demetrius, and was estranged from Alexander, and their enmity was openly seen.


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And Ptolemy entered into Antioch, and put on himself the diadem of Asia; and he put two diadems upon his head, the diadem of Egypt and that of Asia.


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And Alexander heard of it, and he came against him in war: and Ptolemy led forth <i>his host, </i> and met him with a strong force, and put him to flight.


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And king Ptolemy died the third day after, and they that were in his strongholds were slain by them that were in the strongholds.


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In those days Jonathan gathered together them of Judaea, to take the citadel that was at Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.


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And certain that hated their own nation, men that transgressed the law, went unto the king, and reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.


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And he heard, and was angered; but when he heard it, he set forth immediately, and came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not besiege it, and that he should meet him and speak with him at Ptolemais with all speed.


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But when Jonathan heard this, he commanded to besiege it <i>still: </i> and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and of the priests, and put himself in peril,


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and taking silver and gold and raiment and divers presents besides, went to Ptolemais unto the king. And he found favour in his sight.


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and the king did unto him even as his predecessors had done unto him, and exalted him in the sight of all his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends,


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and confirmed to him the high priesthood, and all the other honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his <n>See ch. x. 65. </n> Chief Friends.


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And Jonathan requested of the king, that he would make Judaea free from tribute, and the three <n>Gr. <i>toparchies </i></n> provinces, and the country of Samaria; and promised him three hundred talents.


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And the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan concerning all these things after this manner:<pb/>


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The copy of the letter which we wrote unto Lasthenes our kinsman concerning you, we have written also unto you, that ye may see it.


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We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews, who are our friends, and observe what is just toward us, because of their good will toward us.


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We have confirmed therefore unto them the borders of Judaea, and also the three governments of Aphaerema and Lydda and Ramathaim (<i>these </i> were added unto Judaea from the country of Samaria), and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the king’s dues which the king received of them yearly aforetime from the produce of the earth and the fruits of trees.


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And as for the other things that pertain unto us from henceforth, of the tenths and the tolls that pertain unto us, and the saltpits, and the crowns that pertain unto us, all these we will bestow upon them.


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Now therefore be careful to make a copy of these things, and let it be given unto Jonathan, and let it be set up on the holy mount in a meet and conspicuous place.<pb/>


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And king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made to him, and he sent away all his forces, each man to his own place, except the foreign forces, which he had raised from the isles of the Gentiles: and all the forces of his fathers hated him.


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Now Tryphon was of those who aforetime had been of Alexander’s part, and he saw that all the forces murmured against Demetrius, and he went to Imalcue the Arabian, who was nourishing up Antiochus the young child of Alexander,


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and pressed sore upon him that he should deliver him unto him, that he might reign in his father’s stead: and he told him all that Demetrius had done, and the hatred wherewith his forces hated him; and he abode there many days.<pb/>


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And Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he should cast out of Jerusalem them of the citadel, and them that were in the strongholds; for they fought against Israel continually.


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And Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy nation, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if I find fair occasion.


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Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men who shall fight for me; for all my forces are revolted.


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And Jonathan sent him three thousand valiant men unto Antioch: and they came to the king, and the king was glad at their coming.


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And they of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and they were minded to slay the king.


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And the king fled into the court of the palace, and they of the city seized the passages of the city, and began to fight.


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And the king called the Jews to help him, and they were gathered together unto him all at once, and they dispersed themselves in the city, and slew that day to the number of a hundred thousand.


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And they of the city saw that the Jews had made themselves masters of the city as they would, and they waxed faint in their hearts, and they cried out to the king with supplication, saying,


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And they cast away their arms, and made peace; and the Jews were glorified in the sight of the king, and before all that were in his kingdom; and they returned to Jerusalem, having many spoils.


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And he lied in all that he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, and recompensed him not according to the benefits with which he had recompensed him, and afflicted him exceedingly.<pb/>


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Now after this Tryphon returned, and with him the young child Antiochus; and he reigned, and put on a diadem.


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And there were gathered unto him all the forces which Demetrius had sent away with disgrace, and they fought against him, and he fled and was put to the rout.


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And the young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm unto thee the high priesthood, and appoint thee over the four governments, and to be one of the king’s <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends.


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And he sent unto him golden vessels and furniture for the table, and gave him leave to drink in golden vessels, and to be clothed in purple, and to have a golden buckle.


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And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river and through the cities; and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to be his confederates. And he came to Ascalon, and they of the city met him honourably.


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And he departed thence to Gaza, and they of Gaza shut him out; and he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.


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And they of Gaza made request unto Jonathan, and he gave them his right hand, and took the sons of their princes for hostages, and sent them away to Jerusalem; and he passed through the country as far as Damascus.<pb/>


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And Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to Kedesh, which is in Galilee, with a great host, purposing to remove him from his office;


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and they made request to him that he would give them his right hand, and he gave it to them; and he put them out from thence, and took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it.


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And Jonathan and his army encamped at the water of Gennesareth, and early in the morning they gat them to the plain of Hazor.


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And, behold, an army of strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains, but themselves met him face to face.


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But they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle; and all they that were of Jonathan’s side fled:


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not one of them was left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi, captains of the forces.


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And they of his side that fled saw it, and returned unto him, and pursued with him unto Kedesh unto their camp, and they encamped there.


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And there fell of the strangers on that day about three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.<pb/>


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And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.


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And they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us, to renew for them the friendship and the confederacy, as in former time.


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And they gave them letters unto the men in every place, that they should bring them on their way to the land of Judah in peace.


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Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, unto their brethren the Spartans, greeting:


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Even before this time were letters sent unto Onias the high priest from <n>So the old Latin versions and Josephus: compare also ver. 20. All the other authorities read <i>Darius </i> in this place. </n> Arius, who was reigning among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten sheweth.


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And Onias entreated honourably the man that was sent, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of confederacy and friendship.


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Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands,


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have assayed to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we should not become estranged from you altogether: for long time is passed since ye sent unto us.


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We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it is right and meet to be mindful of brethren:


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But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings that are round about us have fought against us.


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We were not minded therefore to be troublesome unto you, and to the rest of our confederates and friends, in these wars;


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for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been brought low.


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We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them unto the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former confederacy.


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We commanded them therefore to go also unto you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing <i>of friendship </i> and our brotherhood.


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It hath been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:


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and now, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your <n>Gr. <i>peace </i></n> prosperity.


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And we moreover do write on our part to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report unto you on this wise.<pb/>


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And Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were returned to fight against him with a greater host than afore,


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and he removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the country of Hamath; for he gave them no respite to set foot in his country.


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And he sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were appointed in such and such a way to fall upon them in the night season.


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But as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready for battle: and he put forth sentinels round about the camp.


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And the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp <n>Some authorities add <i>and departed. </i></n>


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And Jonathan pursued after them, and overtook them not; for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.


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And Jonathan turned aside to the Arabians, who are called Zabadaeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.


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And Simon went forth, and took his journey as far as Ascalon, and the strongholds that were near unto it. And he turned aside to Joppa, and took possession of it;


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for he had heard that they were minded to deliver the stronghold unto the men of Demetrius; and he set a garrison there to keep it.<pb/>


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And Jonathan returned, and called the elders of the people together; and he took counsel with them to build strongholds in Judaea,


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and to make the walls of Jerusalem higher, and to raise a great mound between the citadel and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be all alone, that men might neither buy nor sell.


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And they were gathered together to build the city, and there fell down part of the wall of the brook that is on the east side, and he repaired that which is called Chaphenatha.


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And Simon also built Adida in the <n>Gr. <i>Sephela. </i></n> plain country, and made it strong, and set up gates and bars.<pb/>


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And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to put on himself the diadem, and to stretch forth his hand against Antiochus the king.


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And he was afraid lest haply Jonathan should not suffer him, and lest he should fight against him; and he sought a way how to take him, that he might destroy him. And he removed, and came to Bethshan.


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And Jonathan came forth to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan.


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And Tryphon saw that he came with a great host, and he was afraid to stretch forth his hand against him:


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and he received him honourably, and commended him unto all his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient unto him, as unto himself.


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And he said unto Jonathan, Why hast thou put all this people to trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?


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And now send them away to their homes, but choose for thyself a few men who shall be with thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it up to thee, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king’s officers: and I will return and depart; for this is the cause of my coming.


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And he put his trust in him, and did even as he said, and sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Judah.


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But he reserved to himself three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, but one thousand went with him.


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Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and laid hands on him; and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.


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And Tryphon sent forces and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s men.


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And they perceived that he was taken and had perished, and they that were with him; and they encouraged one another, and went on their way close together, prepared to fight.


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And they that followed upon them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.


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And they all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; and all Israel mourned with a great mourning.


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And all the Gentiles that were round about them sought to destroy them utterly: for they said, They have no ruler, nor any to help them: now therefore let us fight against them, and take away their memorial from among men.<pb/>


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And Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty host to come into the land of Judah, and destroy it utterly.


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And he saw that the people trembled and was in great fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together;


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and he encouraged them, and said unto them, Ye yourselves know all the things that I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen:


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And now be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of affliction; for I am not better than my brethren.


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Howbeit I will take vengeance for my nation, and for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children; because all the Gentiles are gathered to destroy us of very hatred.


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And they answered with a loud voice, saying, Thou art our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan thy brother.


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And he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.


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And he sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, and with him a great host, to Joppa: and he cast out them that were therein, and abode there in it<pb/>


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And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a mighty host to enter into the land of Judah, and Jonathan was with him in ward.


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And Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, and he sent ambassadors unto him, saying,


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It is for money which Jonathan thy brother owed unto the king’s treasure, by reason of the offices which he had, that we hold him fast.


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And now send a hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will set him at liberty.


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And Simon knew that they spake unto him deceitfully; and he sendeth the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people,


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And he sent the children and the hundred talents. And he dealt falsely, and did not set Jonathan at liberty.


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And after this Tryphon came to invade the land, and destroy it, and he went round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora: and Simon and his army marched over against him to every place, wheresoever he went.


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Now they of the citadel sent unto Tryphon ambassadors, hastening him to come unto them through the wilderness, and to send them victuals.


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And Tryphon made ready all his horse to come: and on that night there fell a very great snow, and he came not by reason of the snow. And he removed, and came into the country of Gilead.


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And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried him at Modin, the city of his fathers.


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And Simon built <i>a monument </i> upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with polished stone behind and before.


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And he set up seven pyramids, one over against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren.


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And for these he made cunning devices, setting about them great pillars, and upon the pillars he fashioned <n>Gr. <i>panoplies. </i></n> all manner of arms for a perpetual memory, and beside the <n>Gr. <i>panoplies. </i></n> arms ships carved, that they should be seen of all that sail on the sea.


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and reigned in his stead, and put on himself the diadem of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land.


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And Simon built the strongholds of Judaea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars; and he laid up victuals in the strongholds.


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And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the country an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to plunder.


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And king Demetrius sent unto him according to these words, and answered him, and wrote a letter unto him, after this manner:<pb/>


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King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest and <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friend of kings, and unto the elders and nation of the Jews, greeting:


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The golden crown, and the palm branch, which ye sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a <n>Gr. <i>great. </i></n> stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to grant immunities unto you.


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And whatsoever things we confirmed unto you, they are confirmed; and the strongholds, which ye have builded, let them be your own.


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As for any oversights and faults committed unto this day, we forgive them, and the crown which ye owed us: and if there were any other toll exacted in Jerusalem, let it be exacted no longer.


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And if there be any among you meet to be enrolled in our court, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us.<pb/>


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In <n>circa B.C. 143. </n> the hundred and seventieth year was the yoke of the heathen taken away from Israel.


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And the people began to write in their instruments and contracts, In the first year of Simon, the great high priest and captain and leader of the Jews.<pb/>


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In those days he encamped against <n>See ver. 53 (compare ver. 48); ch. xiv. 7, 34; xv. 28; xvi. 1: also Josephus. All the authorities read <i>Gaza </i> in this verse. </n> Gazara, and compassed it round about with armies; and he made an engine of siege, and brought it up to the city, and smote a tower, and took it.


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And they that were in the engine leaped forth into the city; and there was a great uproar in the city:


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and they of the city rent their clothes, and went up on the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, making request to Simon to give them <n>Gr. <i>right hands. </i></n> his right hand.


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And Simon was reconciled unto them, and did not fight against them: and he put them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with singing and giving praise.


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And he put all uncleanness out of it, and placed in it such men as would keep the law, and made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwelling place for himself.<pb/>


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But they of the citadel in Jerusalem were hindered from going forth, and from going into the country, and from buying and selling; and they hungered exceedingly, and a great number of them perished through famine.


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And they cried out to Simon, that he should give them his right hand; and he gave it to them: and he put them out from thence, and he cleansed the citadel from its pollutions.


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And he entered into it on the three and twentieth day of the second month, in <n>circa B.C. 142. </n> the hundred and seventy and first year, with praise and palm branches, and with harps, and with cymbals, and with viols, and with hymns, and with songs: because a great enemy was destroyed out of Israel.


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And he ordained that they should keep that day every year with gladness. And the hill of the temple that was by the citadel he made stronger than before, and there he dwelt, himself and his men.


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And Simon saw that John his son was a <i>valiant </i> man, and he made him leader of all his forces: and he dwelt in Gazara.<pb/>


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And in <n>circa B.C. 141. </n> the hundred and seventy and second year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media, to get him help, that he might fight against Tryphon.


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And Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was come into his borders, and he sent one of his princes to take him alive:


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and he went and smote the army of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces; and he put him in ward.<pb/>


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And the land had rest all the days of Simon: and he sought the good of his nation; and his authority and his glory was well-pleasing to them all his days.


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and he gathered together a great number of captives, and gat the dominion of Gazara, and Bethsura, and the citadel, and he took away from it its uncleannesses; and there was none that resisted him.


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And they tilled their land in peace, and the land gave her increase, and the trees of the plains their fruit.


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The ancient men sat in the streets, they communed all of them together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel.


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He provided victuals for the cities, and furnished them with <n>Gr. <i>implements of munition. </i></n> all manner of munition, until the name of his glory was named unto the end of the earth.


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and there ceased in the land any that fought against them: and the kings were discomfited in those days.


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And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out, and every lawless and wicked person he took away.


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And it was heard at Rome that Jonathan was dead, and even unto Sparta, and they were exceeding sorry.


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But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein,


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they wrote unto him on tables of brass, to renew with him the friendship and the confederacy which they had confirmed with Judas and Jonathan his brethren;


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And this is the copy of the letters which the Spartans sent: <pb/>The rulers of the Spartans, and the city, unto Simon the high priest, and unto the elders, and the priests, and the residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, greeting:


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The ambassadors that were sent unto our people made report to us of your glory and honour: and we were glad for their coming,


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and we did register the things that were spoken by them in the <n>Gr. <i>counsels of the people. </i></n> public records after this manner: Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews’ ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us.


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And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their words in the <n>Gr. <i>books that are appointed for the people. </i></n> public records, to the end that the people of the Spartans might have a memorial thereof: moreover they wrote a copy of these things unto Simon the high priest.<pb/>


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After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight, in order to confirm the confederacy with them.<pb/>


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for he and his brethren and the house of his father have made themselves strong, and have chased away in fight the enemies of Israel from them, and confirmed liberty to <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> Israel.


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And they wrote on tables of brass, and set them upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is the copy of the writing: <pb/>On the eighteenth day of Elul, in <n>circa B.C. 141. </n> the hundred and seventy and second year, and this is the third year of Simon the high priest,


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<n>Perhaps a Hebrew title of Simon underlies these words. </n> in Asaramel, in a great congregation of priests and people and princes of the nation, and of the elders of the country, <n>Gr. <i>he made known. </i></n> was it notified unto us:


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Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, but Simon the son of Mattathias, the son of the sons of Joarib, and his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and withstood the enemies of their nation, that their sanctuary and the law might be established, and glorified their nation with great glory:


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and Jonathan assembled their nation together, and became their high priest, and was gathered to his people:


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and their enemies purposed to invade their country, that they might destroy their country utterly, and stretch forth their hands against their sanctuary:


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then rose up Simon, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation, and gave them wages:


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and he fortified the cities of Judaea, and Bethsura that lieth upon the borders of Judaea, where the arms of the enemies were aforetime, and set there a garrison of Jews:


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and he fortified Joppa which is upon the sea, and Gazara which is upon the borders of Azotus, wherein the enemies dwelt aforetime, and placed Jews there, and set therein all things convenient for the reparation thereof:


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and the people saw the <n>Some authorities read <i>acts. </i></n> faith of Simon, and the glory which he thought to bring unto his nation, and they made him their leader and high priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and the faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people:


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and in his days things prospered in his hands, so that the Gentiles were taken away out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David, they that were in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a citadel, out of which they issued, and polluted all things round about the sanctuary, and did great hurt unto its purity;


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and he placed Jews therein, and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and made high the walls of Jerusalem:


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for he had heard say, that the Jews had been called by the Romans friends and confederates and brethren, and that they had met the ambassadors of Simon honourably;


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and that the Jews and the priests were well pleased that Simon should be their leader and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;


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and that he should be captain over them, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the arms, and over the strongholds; and that he should take charge of the sanctuary,


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and that he should be obeyed by all, and that all instruments in the country should be written in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold;


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and that it should not be lawful for any of the people or of the priests to set at nought any of these things, or to gainsay the words that he should speak, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold;


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but whosoever should do otherwise, or set at nought any of these things, he should be liable to punishment.


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and Simon accepted hereof, and consented to be high priest, and to be captain and <n>Gr. <i>ethnarch. </i></n> governor of the Jews and of the priests, and to be protector of all.<pb/>


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And they commanded to put this writing on tables of brass, and to set them up within the precinct of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place;


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and moreover to put the copies thereof in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them.<pb/>


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And Antiochus son of Demetrius the king sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon the priest and <n>Gr. <i>ethnarch. </i></n> governor of the Jews, and to all the nation;


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and the contents thereof were after this manner: <pb/>King Antiochus to Simon the chief priest and <n>Gr. <i>ethnarch. </i></n> governor, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting:


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Forasmuch as certain pestilent fellows have made themselves masters of the kingdom of our fathers, but my purpose is to claim the kingdom, that I may restore it as it was before; and moreover I have raised a multitude of foreign soldiers, and have prepared ships of war;


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moreover I am minded to land in the country, that I may punish them that have destroyed our country, and them that have made many cities in the kingdom desolate:


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Now therefore I confirm unto thee all the exactions which the kings that were before me remitted unto thee, and whatsoever gifts besides they remitted unto thee:


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but that Jerusalem and the sanctuary should be free: and all the arms that thou hast prepared, and the strongholds that thou hast built, which thou hast in thy possession, let them remain unto thee:


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and everything owing to the king, and the things that shall be owing to the king from henceforth and for evermore, let them be remitted unto thee:


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moreover, when we shall have established our kingdom, we will glorify thee and thy nation and the temple with great glory, so that your glory shall be made manifest in all the earth.<pb/>


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In <n>circa B.C. 139 </n> the hundred and seventy and fourth year went Antiochus forth into the land of his fathers; and all the forces came together unto him, so that there were few men with Tryphon.


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And king Antiochus pursued him, and <n>Or, <i>he came unto Dor, fleeing by the way which is by the sea </i></n> he came, as he fled, unto Dor, which is by the sea:


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And Antiochus encamped against Dor, and with him a hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horse.


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And he compassed the city round about, and the ships joined in the attack from the sea; and he vexed the city by land and sea, and suffered no man to go out or in.<pb/>


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And Numenius and his company came from Rome, having letters to the kings and to the countries, wherein were written these things:<pb/>


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The Jews’ ambassadors came unto us as our friends and confederates, to renew the old friendship and confederacy, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews:


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It pleased us therefore to write unto the kings and unto the countries, that they should not seek their hurt, nor fight against them, and their cities, and their country, nor be confederates with such as fight against them.


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If therefore any pestilent fellows have fled from their country unto you, deliver them unto Simon the high priest, that he may take vengeance on them according to their law.<pb/>


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and unto all the countries, and to <n>Some authorities read <i>Sampsaces: </i> the Latin versions have <i>Lampsacus. </i></n> Sampsames, and to the Spartans, and unto Delos, and unto Myndos, and unto Sicyon, and unto Caria, and unto Samos, and unto Pamphylia, and unto Lycia, and unto Halicarnassus, and unto Rhodes, and unto Phaselis, and unto Cos, and unto Side, and unto Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.


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But Antiochus the king encamped against Dor the second day, bringing his forces up to it continually, and making engines of war, and he shut up Tryphon from going in or out.


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And Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to fight on his side; and silver, and gold, and instruments of war in abundance.


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And he would not receive them, but set at nought all the covenants which he had made with him aforetime, and was estranged from him.


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And he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friends, to commune with him, saying, <pb/>Ye hold possession of Joppa and Gazara, and the citadel that is in Jerusalem, cities of my kingdom.


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The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places in my kingdom.


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Now therefore deliver up the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judaea:


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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: or else we will come and subdue you.<pb/>


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And Athenobius the king’s <n>See ch. ii. 18. </n> Friend came to Jerusalem; and he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver vessels, and his great attendance, and he was amazed; and he reported to him the king’s words.


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And Simon answered, and said unto him, <pb/>We have neither taken other men’s land, nor have we possession of that which appertaineth to others, but of the inheritance of our fathers; howbeit, it was had in possession of our enemies wrongfully for a certain time.


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But as touching Joppa and Gazara, which thou demandest, they did great harm among the people throughout our country, we will give a hundred talents for them. <pb/>And he answered him not a word,


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but returned in a rage to the king, and reported unto him these words, and the glory of Simon, and all that he had seen: and the king was exceeding wroth.


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And the king appointed Cendebaeus chief captain of the sea coast, and gave him forces of foot and horse:


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and he commanded him to encamp before Judaea, and he commanded him to build up Kidron, and to fortify the gates, and that he should fight against the people: but the king pursued Tryphon.


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And Cendebaeus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke the people, and to invade Judaea, and to take the people captive, and to slay them.


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And he built Kidron, and set horsemen there, and forces of foot, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judaea, according as the king commanded him.<pb/>


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And Simon called his two oldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I and my brethren and my father’s house have fought the battles of Israel from our youth, even unto this day; and things have prospered in our hands, that we should deliver Israel oftentimes.


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But now I am old, and ye moreover, by <i>his </i> mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go forth and fight for our nation; but let the help which is from heaven be with you.


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And he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war and horsemen, and they went against Cendebaeus, and slept at Modin.


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And rising up in the morning, they went into the plain, and, behold, a great host came to meet them, of footmen and horsemen: and there was a brook betwixt them.


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And he encamped over against them, he and his people: and he saw that the people were afraid to pass over the brook, and he passed over first, and the men saw him, and passed over after him.


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And he divided the people, and <i>set </i> the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: but the enemies’ horsemen were exceeding many.


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And they sounded with the trumpets; and Cendebaeus and his army were put to the rout, and there fell of them many wounded to death, but they that were left fled to the stronghold:


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at that time was Judas John’s brother wounded: but John pursued after them, till he came unto Kidron, which <i>Cendebaeus </i> had built;


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and they fled unto the towers that are in the fields of Azotus; and he burned it with fire; and there fell of them about two thousand men. And he returned into Judaea in peace.<pb/>


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And Ptolemy the son of Abubus had been appointed captain for the plain of Jericho, and he had much silver and gold;


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And his heart was lifted up, and he was minded to make himself master of the country, and he took counsel deceitfully against Simon and his sons, to make away with them.


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Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; and he went down to Jericho, himself and Mattathias and Judas his sons, in <n>circa B.C. 136. </n> the hundred and seventy and seventh year, in the eleventh month, the same is the month Sebat:


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and the son of Abubus received them deceitfully into the little stronghold that is called Dok, which he had built, and made them a great banquet, and hid men there.


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And when Simon and his sons had drunk freely, Ptolemy and his men rose up, and took their arms, and came in upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants.


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And Ptolemy wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him forces to aid him, and should deliver him their country and the cities.


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And he sent others to Gazara to make away with John: and unto the captains of thousands he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver and gold and gifts.


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And one ran before to Gazara, and told John that his father and brethren were perished, and he hath sent to slay thee also.


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And when he heard, he was sore amazed; and he laid hands on the men that came to destroy him, and slew them; for he perceived that they were seeking to destroy him.<pb/>


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And the rest of the acts of John, and of his wars, and of his valiant deeds which he did, and of the building of the walls which he built, and of his doings,


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behold, they are written in the <n>Gr. <i>book of days. </i></n> chronicles of his high priesthood, from the time that he was made high priest after his father.


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THE brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem and they that are in the country of Judaea, send greeting to the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt, <i>and wish them </i> good peace:


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and may God do good unto you, and remember his covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, his faithful servants;


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and give you all a heart to worship him and do his <n>Gr. <i>wills. </i></n> pleasure with a great heart and a willing soul;


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In the reign of Demetrius, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews have <i>already </i> written unto you in the tribulation and in the extremity that hath come upon us in these years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom,


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and set the <n>Or, <i>porch </i></n> gate on fire, and shed innocent blood: and we besought the Lord, and were heard; and we offered sacrifice and meal <i>offering, </i> and we lighted the lamps, and we set forth the <n>Gr. <i>loaves </i></n> shewbread.


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<i>Written </i> in the hundred fourscore and eighth year. <pb/>THEY that are in Jerusalem and they that are in Judaea and the senate and Judas, unto Aristobulus, king Ptolemy’s teacher, who is also of the stock of the anointed priests, and unto the Jews that are in Egypt, send greeting and health.


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For himself cast forth into Persia them that arrayed themselves <i>against us </i> in the holy city.


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For when the prince was come <i>there, </i> and the army with him that seemed irresistible, they were cut to pieces in the temple of Nanaea by the treachery of Nanaea’s priests.


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For Antiochus, on the pretence that he would marry her, came into the place, he and his <n>See ch. viii. 9. </n> Friends that were with him, that they might take a great part of the treasures in name of a dowry.


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And when the priests of Nanaea’s temple had set <n>Gr. <i>them. </i></n> the treasures forth, and he was come there with a small company within the wall of the precincts, they shut to the temple when Antiochus was come in:


text:
and opening the secret door of the panelled cieling, they threw stones and <n>Gr. <i>struck down as with a thunderbolt. </i></n> struck down the prince, and they hewed <n>Or, his company </n> <i>him and his company </i> in pieces, and smote off their heads, and cast them to those that were without.


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Blessed <i>be </i> our God in all things, who gave <i>for a prey </i> them that had committed impiety.<pb/>


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Whereas we are now about to keep the purification of the temple in the <i>month </i> Chislev, on the five and twentieth day, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that <n>The Greek text here is corrupt. </n> ye also may keep a feast of tabernacles, and <i>a memorial </i> of the fire <i>which was given </i> when Nehemiah offered sacrifices, after that he had builded both the temple and the altar.


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For indeed when our fathers were about to be led into the land of Persia, the godly priests of that time took of the fire of the altar, and hid it privily in the hollow of a well that was without water, wherein they made <i>it </i> sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.


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Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having received a charge from the king of Persia, sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests that hid it. When they declared to us that they had found no fire, but thick water,


text:
he commanded them to draw out thereof and bring <i>to him: </i> and when <n>Gr. <i>the things of the sacrifices. </i> Similarily in verses 31, 33, and ch. ii. 10. </n> the sacrifices had been offered <i>on the altar, </i> Nehemiah commanded the priests to sprinkle with the water both the wood and the things laid thereupon.


text:
And when it was done, and some time had passed, and the sun shone out, which before was hid with clouds, there was kindled a great blaze, so that all men marvelled.


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And the priests made a prayer while the sacrifice was consuming, both the priests and all <i>others, </i> Jonathan leading and the rest answering, as Nehemiah did.


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And the prayer was after this manner: <pb/>O Lord, Lord God, the Creator of all things, who art terrible and strong and righteous and merciful, who alone art King and gracious,


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who alone suppliest <i>every need, </i> who alone art righteous and almighty and eternal, thou that savest Israel out of all evil, who madest the fathers <i>thy </i> chosen, and didst sanctify them:


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Gather together our Dispersion, set at liberty them that are in bondage among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.


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And as soon as the sacrifice was consumed, then Nehemiah commanded <n>Some authorities read <i>that great stones should inclose the water that was left. </i> Both the Greek text and the meaning of this verse and the next are uncertain. </n> to pour <i>on </i> great stones the water that was left.


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And when this was done, a flame was kindled; <n>Or, <i>but it spent itself, whereas the...shone still. </i></n> but when the light from the altar <n>Or, <i>shone back </i></n> shone over against it, <i>all </i> was consumed.


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And when the matter became known, and it was told the king of the Persians, that, in the place where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared the water, wherewith also Nehemiah and they that were with him purified the sacrifice,


text:
And when the king would shew favour to any, he would take <i>from them </i> many presents and give them some of <i>this water. </i>


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And Nehemiah and they that were with him called this thing Nephthar, which is by interpretation, Cleansing; but most men call it Nephthai.<pb/>


text:
It is also found in the records, that Jeremiah the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as hath been signified <i>above: </i>


text:
and how that the prophet charged them that were carried away, having given them the law, that they should not forget the statutes of the Lord, neither be led astray in their minds, when they saw images of gold and silver, and the adornment thereof.


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And it was <i>contained </i> in the writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should follow with him, <n>Gr. <i>and when. </i> The Greek text here is probably corrupt. </n> when he went forth into the mountain where Moses went up and beheld the heritage of God.


text:
And Jeremiah came and found <n>Gr. <i>a cavernous chamber. </i></n> a chamber in the rock, and there he brought in the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense; and he made fast the door.


text:
And some of those that followed with him came there that they might mark the way, and could not find it.


text:
But when Jeremiah perceived it, he blamed them, saying, Yea and the place shall be unknown until God <n>Gr. <i>gather together a gathering of the people. </i></n> gather the people again together, and mercy come:


text:
and then shall the Lord disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen, and the <n>Or, <i>cloud, as...temple. As Moses </i></n> cloud. <pb/>As also it was shewed with Moses; as also Solomon besought that the place might be consecrated greatly,


text:
and it was also declared that he, having wisdom, offered a sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple; <i>so we would have it now. </i>


text:
As Moses prayed unto the Lord, and fire came down out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice, even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offerings;


text:
<n>See Lev. x. 16 and ix. 24. </n>(and Moses said, Because the sin offering had not been eaten, it was consumed in like manner <i>with the rest</i>;)


text:
And the same things were related <n>Or, <i>also </i></n> both in the public archives and in <n>Or, <i>Nehemiah’s records </i></n> the records that concern Nehemiah; and how he, founding a library, gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the <i>books </i> of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts.


text:
And in like manner Judas also gathered together for us all those <i>writings </i> that had been scattered by reason of the war that befell, and they are <i>still </i> with us.


text:
Seeing then that we are about to keep the purification, we write unto you; ye will therefore do well if ye keep the days.


text:
Now God, who saved all his people, and restored the heritage to all, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the hallowing,


text:
even as he promised through the law,— in God have we hope, that he will quickly have mercy upon us, and gather <i>us </i> together out of <n>Gr. <i>the </i> earth <i>under heaven. </i></n> all the earth unto the holy place: for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place. ____________________<pb/><pb/>


text:
Now the things concerning Judas Maccabaeus and his brethren, and the purification of the <n>Gr. <i>greatest. </i></n> great temple, and the dedication of the altar,


text:
and the manifestations that came from heaven unto those that vied with one another in manful deeds for the religion of the Jews; so that, being but a few, they <n>Gr. <i>took for a prey. </i></n> rescued the whole country, and chased the barbarous multitudes,


text:
and recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and restored the laws which were like to be overthrown, seeing the Lord became <n>Gr. <i>propitious. </i></n> gracious unto them with all forbearance:


text:
<i>these things, I say, </i> which have been declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one work.


text:
For having in view the confused mass of the numbers, and the <n>Or, weariness </n> difficulty which awaiteth them that would enter into the narratives of the history, by reason of the abundance of the matter,


text:
we were careful that they who choose to read may be attracted, and that they who wish well <i>to our cause </i> may find it easy to recall <n>Or, the past </n> <i>what we have written, </i> and that all readers may have profit.


text:
And although to us, who have taken upon us the painful labour of the abridgement, the task is not easy, but <i>a matter </i> of sweat and watching


text:
(even as it is no light thing unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others); yet for the sake of the gratitude of the many we will gladly endure the painful labour,


text:
leaving to the historian the exact handling of every particular, and again <n>Or, <i>making no effort </i></n> having no strength to <n>Or, <i>enlarge on </i></n> fill in the outlines of our abridgement.


text:
For as the masterbuilder of a new house must care for the whole <n>Gr. <i>foundation. </i></n> structure, and again he that undertaketh to <n>Gr. <i>decorate in encaustic. </i></n> decorate and paint it must seek out the things fit for the adorning thereof; even so I think it is also with us.


text:
To occupy the ground, and to <n>Or, <i>provide a place for discussions </i></n> indulge in long discussions, and to be curious in particulars, becometh the first author of the history:


text:
but to strive after brevity of expression, and to avoid a laboured fulness in the treatment, is to be granted to him that would bring a writing into a new form.


text:
Here then let us begin the narration, only adding thus much to that which hath been already <n>Or, <i>spoken of </i></n> said; for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue to the history, and to abridge the history <i>itself. </i><pb/>


text:
WHEN the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,


text:
it came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and glorify the temple with the noblest presents;


text:
insomuch that even Seleucus the king of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the services of the sacrifices.


text:
But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, having been made guardian of the temple, fell out with the high priest about the <n>Or, <i>charge of the buildings </i> Gr. <i>office of aedile. </i></n> ruling of the market in the city.


text:
And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius <i>the son </i> of <n>Or, <i>Thraseas </i> The Greek text is probably corrupt. Perhaps the true reading is <i>Apollonius of Tarsus. </i></n> Thrasaeus, who at that time was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia:


text:
and he brought him word how that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the multitude of the funds was innumerable, and that they did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible that these should fall under the king’s power.


text:
And when Apollonius met the king, he informed him of the money whereof he had been told; and the <i>king </i> appointed Heliodorus, who was his chancellor, and sent him with a commandment to accomplish the removal of the aforesaid money.


text:
So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but in fact to execute the king’s purpose.


text:
And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received by the high priest <n>Some authorities read <i>and of the city. </i></n> of the city, he laid before <n>Or, <i>him </i></n> <i>them </i> an account of the information which had been given <i>him, </i> and declared wherefore he was come; and he inquired if in truth these things were so.


text:
And the high priest explained to him that there were <i>in the treasury </i> deposits of widows and orphans,


text:
and moreover some <i>money </i> belonging to Hyrcanus the <i>son </i> of Tobias, a man in very high place, <n>Or, and <i>not </i> such a man <i>as that impious Simon slanderously alleged </i></n> <i>and that the case was </i> not as that impious Simon falsely alleged; and that in all there were four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold;


text:
and that it was altogether impossible that wrong should be done unto them that had put trust in the holiness of the place, and in the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world.


text:
But <n>Some authorities read <i>the other. </i></n> Heliodorus, because of the king’s commandments given him, said that in any case this <i>money </i> must be confiscated for the king’s treasury.<pb/>


text:
So having appointed a day, he entered in to direct the inquiry concerning these matters; and there was no small distress throughout the whole city.


text:
And the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priestly garments, and <i>looking </i> toward heaven, called upon him that gave the law concerning deposits, that he should preserve these <i>treasures </i> safe for those that had deposited them.


text:
And whosoever saw the mien of the high priest was wounded in mind; for his countenance and the change of his colour betrayed the distress of his soul.


text:
For a terror and a shuddering of the body had come over the man, whereby the pain that was in his heart was plainly shewn to them that looked upon him.


text:
And they that were in the houses rushed flocking out to make a universal supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.


text:
And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, thronged the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ward ran together, some to the <n>Or, <i>porches </i></n> gates, others to the walls, and some looked out through the windows.


text:
Then it would have pitied a man to see the multitude prostrating themselves all mingled together, and the expectation of the high priest in his sore distress.<pb/>


text:
While therefore they called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things intrusted <i>to them </i> <n>Gr. <i>safe with all security. </i></n> safe and sure for those that had intrusted them,


text:
But when he was already present there with his guards over against the treasury, the Soverign of spirits and of all authority caused a great <n>Gr. <i>manifestation. </i></n> apparition, so that all that had presumed to come <i>in </i> with him, stricken with dismay at the power of God, fainted and were sore afraid.


text:
For there was seen by them a horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with beautiful trappings, and he rushed fiercely and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete armour of gold.


text:
Two other also appeared unto him, young men notable in their strength, and beautiful in their glory, and splendid in their apparel, who stood by him on either side, and scourged him unceasingly, inflicting on him many sore stripes.


text:
And when he had fallen suddenly unto the ground, and great darkness had come over him, <i>his guards </i> caught him up and put him into a litter,


text:
and carried him, him that had just now entered with a great train and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, himself now brought to utter helplessness, manifestly made to recognise the sovereignty of God.


text:
And so, while he, through the working of God, speechless and bereft of all hope and deliverance, lay prostrate,


text:
they blessed the Lord, that made marvellous his own place; and the temple, which a little afore was full of terror and alarm, was filled with joy and gladness after the Almighty Lord appeared.<pb/>


text:
But quickly certain of Heliodorus’s familiar friends besought Onias to call upon the Most High, and grant life to him who lay quite at the last gasp.


text:
And the high priest, secretly fearing lest the king might come to think that some treachery toward Heliodorus had been perpetrated by the Jews, brought a sacrifice for the deliverance of the man.


text:
But as the high priest was making the propitiation, the same young men appeared again to Heliodorus, arrayed in the same garments; and they stood and said, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, for for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life;


text:
and do thou, since thou hast been scourged from heaven, publish unto all men the sovereign majesty of God. And when they had spoken these words, they vanished out of sight.


text:
So Heliodorus, having offered a sacrifice unto the Lord and vowed <n>Gr. <i>greatest. </i></n> great vows unto him that had saved his life, and having graciously received Onias, returned with his host to the king.


text:
And he testified to all men the works of the <n>Gr. <i>greatest. </i></n> great God which he had beheld with his eyes.<pb/>


text:
And when the king asked Heliodorus, what manner of man was fit to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said,


text:
If thou hast any enemy or conspirator against the state, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him back well scourged, if he even escape with his life; because of a truth there is about the place a power of God.


text:
For he that hath his dwelling in heaven himself hath his eyes upon that place, and helpeth it; and them that come to hurt it he smiteth and destroyeth.<pb/>


text:
But the aforesaid Simon, he who had given information of the money, and <i>had betrayed </i> his country, slandered Onias, <i>saying </i> that it was he who had incited Heliodorus, and made himself the author of these evils.


text:
And him that was the benefactor of the city, and the guardian of his fellow countrymen, and a zealot for the laws, he dared to call a conspirator against the state.


text:
But when the growing enmity <i>between them </i> waxed so great, that even murders were perpetrated through one of <n>Gr. <i>those that had been approved by Simon. </i></n> Simon’s trusted followers,


text:
Onias, seeing the <n>Or, <i>severity </i></n> danger of the contention, and that <n>Compare ver. 21. See also ch. iii. 5. The Greek as commonly read means <i>Apollonius, as </i> being <i>the governor...Phoenicia, did rage, and increase &c. </i></n> Apollonius <i>the son </i> of Menestheus, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was increasing Simon’s malice,


text:
betook himself to the king, not to be an accuser of his fellow-citizens, but looking to the good of all the <n>Gr. <i>multitude. </i></n> people, both public and private;


text:
for he saw that without the king’s providence it was impossible for the state to obtain peace any more, and that Simon would not cease from his madness.<pb/>


text:
But when Seleucus was deceased, and Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias supplanted <i>his brother </i> in the high priesthood,


text:
having promised unto the king at an audience three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and <i>out </i> of another fund eighty talents;


text:
and beside this, he undertook to assign a hundred and fifty more, if it might be allowed him <n>Gr. <i>through his. </i></n> through the king’s authority to set him up a <i>Greek </i> place of exercise and <i>form </i> a body of youths <i>to be trained therein, </i> and to register the inhabitants of Jerusalem as <i>citizens </i> of Antioch.


text:
And when the king had given assent, and he had gotten possession of the office, he forthwith brought over them of his own race to the Greek fashion.


text:
And setting aside the royal ordinances of special favour to the Jews, granted by the means of John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the ambassage to the Romans for friendship and alliance, and seeking to overthrow the lawful modes of life, he brought in new customs forbidden by the law:


text:
for he eagerly established a <i>Greek </i> place of exercise under the citadel itself; and caused the noblest of the young men to wear the <i>Greek </i> cap.


text:
And thus there was an extreme of Greek fashions, and an advance of an alien religion, by reason of the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly man and no high priest;


text:
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 <n>Or, <i>take part in the unlawful provision for the palaestra </i></n> enjoy that which was unlawfully provided in the palaestra, after the summons <n>Or, <i>to </i> the game of <i>the discus </i></n> of the discus;


text:
making of no account the honours of their fathers, and thinking the glories of the Greeks best of all.


text:
By reason whereof sore calamity beset them; and the men whose ways of living they earnestly followed, and unto whom they desired to be made like in all things, these they had to be their enemies and to punish them.


text:
For it is not a light thing to do impiously against the laws of God: but <n>Or, <i>this the due season </i> of requital <i>will make plain </i></n> these things the time following shall declare.<pb/>


text:
the vile Jason sent sacred envoys, <n>See ver. 9. </n> as being Antiochians of Jerusalem, bearing three hundred drachmas of silver to the sacrifice of Hercules, which even the bearers thereof thought not right to use for <i>any </i> sacrifice, because it was not fit, but to <n>Or, <i>reserve for </i></n> expend on another charge.


text:
And though in the purpose of the sender this <i>money was </i> for the sacrifice of Hercules, yet on account of <n>Some authorities read <i>the bearers. </i></n> present circumstances it went to the equipment of the galleys.<pb/>


text:
Now when Apollonius the <i>son </i> of Menestheus was sent into Egypt for the <n>The exact meaning of the Greek word is uncertain. </n> enthronement of <i>Ptolemy </i> Philometor as king, Antiochus, learning that <i>Ptolemy </i> had shewn himself ill affected toward the state, took thought for the security of his realm; wherefore, going <i>by sea </i> to Joppa, he travelled on to Jerusalem.


text:
And being magnificently received by Jason and the city, he was brought in with torches and shoutings. This done, he afterward led his army down into Phoenicia.<pb/>


text:
Now after a space of three years Jason sent Menelaus, the aforesaid Simon’s brother, to bear the money unto the king, and to <n>Or, <i>convey </i> to him <i>reports </i></n> make reports concerning some necessary matters.


text:
But he being commended to the king, and <n>The Greek text of this verse is uncertain. </n> having glorified <n>Or, <i>him </i></n> himself <n>Or, <i>by </i> flattering <i>the dignity of his authority </i></n> by the display of his authority, got the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.


text:
And having received the royal mandates he came <i>to Jerusalem, </i> bringing nothing worthy the high priesthood, but having the passion of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.


text:
And whereas Jason, who had supplanted his own brother, was supplanted by another and driven as a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites,


text:
Menelaus had possession of the office: but of the money that had been promised to the king nothing <n>Gr. <i>was in due order. </i></n> was duly paid, and that though Sostratus the governor of the citadel demanded it


text:
(for unto him appertained the gathering of the revenues); for which cause they were both called by the king to his presence.


text:
And Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus for his <n>Gr. <i>successor. </i></n> deputy in the high priesthood; and Sostratus <i>left </i> Crates, who was over the Cyprians.<pb/>


text:
Now while such was the state of things, it came to pass that they of Tarsus and Mallus made insurrection, because they were to be given as a present to Antiochis, the king’s concubine.


text:
The king therefore came <i>to Cilicia </i> in all haste to settle matters, leaving for his <n>Gr. <i>successor. </i></n> deputy Andronicus, a man of high rank.


text:
And Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a favourable opportunity, presented to Andronicus certain vessels of gold belonging to the temple, which he had stolen: other <i>vessels </i> also he had already sold into Tyre and the cities round about.


text:
And when Onias had sure knowledge <i>of this, </i> he sharply reproved him, having withdrawn himself into a sanctuary at Daphne, that lieth by Antioch.


text:
Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed him <n>Or, <i>to get Onias into his hands </i></n> to kill Onias. And coming to Onias, and <n>The Greek text of this sentence is probably corrupt. </n> being persuaded to use treachery, and being received as a friend, <i>Andronicus </i> gave him his right hand with oaths <i>of fidelity, </i> and, though he was suspected <i>by him, so </i> persuaded him to come forth of the sanctuary; and forthwith he <n>Or, <i>imprisoned him </i> Gr. <i>shut him off. </i></n> despatched him without regard of justice.


text:
For the which cause not only Jews, but many also of the other nations, had indignation and displeasure at the unjust murder of the man.


text:
And when the king was come back again from the places in Cilicia, the Jews that were <n>Or, <i>in the several cities </i></n> in the city pleaded before <i>him against Andronicus </i> (the Greeks also joining with them in hatred of the wickedness), urging that Onias had been wrongfully slain.


text:
Antiochus therefore was heartily sorry, and was moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and well ordered life of him that was dead;


text:
and being inflamed with passion, forthwith he stripped off Andronicus’s purple robe, and <n>Or, <i>rent his </i></n> rent off his under garments, and when he had led him round through the whole city unto that very place where he had committed impiety against Onias, there he put the murderer out of the way, the Lord rendering to him the punishment he had deserved.<pb/>


text:
Now when many sacrileges had been committed in the city by Lysimachus with the consent of Menelaus, and when the bruit thereof was spread abroad outside, the people gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, after many vessels of gold had been already dispersed.


text:
And when the multitudes were rising against <i>him, </i> and were filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and with unrighteous violence began <i>the conflict, </i> one Hauran, a man far gone in years and no less also in madness, leading <i>the attack. </i>


text:
But when they perceived the assault of Lysimachus, some caught up stones, others logs of wood, and some took handfuls of the ashes that lay near, and they flung them all pell-mell upon Lysimachus and them that were with him;


text:
by reason of which they wounded many of them, and some they struck to the ground, and all <i>of them </i> they forced to flee, but the author of the sacrilege himself they killed beside the treasury.<pb/>


text:
And when the king was come to Tyre, the three men that were sent by the senate pleaded the cause before him.


text:
But Menelaus, seeing himself now defeated, promised much money to Ptolemy the <i>son </i> of Dorymenes, that he might win over the king.


text:
Whereupon Ptolemy taking the king aside into a cloister, as it were to take the air, brought him to be of another mind:


text:
and him that was the cause of all the evil, Menelaus, he discharged from the accusations; but these hapless men, who, if they had pleaded even before Scythians, would have been discharged uncondemned, them he sentenced to death.


text:
Soon then did they that were spokesmen for the city and the families <i>of Israel </i> and the holy vessels suffer that unrighteous penalty.


text:
For which cause even certain Tyrians, moved with hatred of the wickedness, provided magnificently for their burial.


text:
But Menelaus through the covetous dealings of them that were in power remained still in his office, <n>Or, <i>growing in </i></n> cleaving to wickedness, <n>Gr. <i>established as a. </i></n> as a great conspirator against his fellow-citizens.<pb/>


text:
And it <i>so </i> befell that throughout all the city, for the space of almost forty days, there appeared in the midst of the sky horsemen in swift motion, wearing robes inwrought with gold and <i>carrying </i> spears, equipped in troops for battle;


text:
and drawing of swords; and <i>on the other side </i> squadrons of horse in array; and encounters and <n>Or, <i>charges </i></n> pursuits of both <i>armies; </i> and shaking of shields, and multitudes of lances, and casting of darts, and flashing of golden trappings, and girding on of all sorts of armour.


text:
Wherefore all men besought that the <n>Gr. <i>manifestation. </i></n> vision might have been given for good.<pb/>


text:
But when a false rumour had arisen that Antiochus was deceased, Jason took not less than a thousand men, and suddenly <n>Gr. <i>perpetrated. </i></n> made an assault upon the city; and they that were upon the wall being routed, and the city being now at length well nigh taken, Menelaus took refuge in the citadel.


text:
But Jason slaughtered his own citizens without mercy, not considering that good success against kinsmen is the greatest ill success, but supposing himself to be setting up trophies over enemies, and not over fellow-countrymen.


text:
The office <i>however </i> he did not get, but, receiving shame as the end of his conspiracy, he passed again a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites.


text:
At the last therefore he met with a miserable end: having been <n>The Greek text here is uncertain. </n> shut up at the court of Aretas the prince of the Arabians, fleeing from city to city, pursued of all men, hated as an apostate from the laws, and held in abomination as the butcher of his country and his fellow-citizens, he was cast forth into Egypt;


text:
and he that had driven many from their own country into strange lands perished <i>himself </i> in a strange land, having crossed the sea to the Lacedaemonians, as thinking to find shelter <i>there </i> because they were <n>See 1 Macc. xii. 7. </n> near of kin;


text:
and he that had cast out a multitude unburied had none to mourn for him, nor had he any funeral at all, or place in the sepulchre of his fathers.<pb/>


text:
Now when tidings came to the king concerning that which was done, he thought that Judaea was in revolt; whereupon setting out from Egypt in a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms,


text:
and commanded his soldiers to cut down without mercy such as came in their way, and to slay such as went up upon the houses;


text:
and there was killing of young and old, making away of boys, women, and children, slaying of virgins and infants.


text:
And in all the three days <i>of the slaughter </i> there were destroyed fourscore thousand, <i>whereof </i> forty thousand <i>were slain </i> in close combat, and no fewer were sold than slain.


text:
But not content with this he presumed to enter into the most holy temple of all the earth, having Menelaus for his guide (him that had proved himself a traitor both to the laws and to his country),


text:
even taking the sacred vessels with his polluted hands, and dragging down with his profane hands the offerings that had been dedicated by other kings to the augmentation and glory and honour of the place.


text:
And Antiochus was lifted up in mind, not seeing that because of the sins of them that dwelt in the city the Sovereign Lord had been provoked to anger a little while, and therefore his eye was <i>then </i> turned away from the place.


text:
But had it not so been that they were already holden by many sins, this man, even as Heliodorus who was sent by Seleucus the king to view the treasury, would, so soon as he pressed forward, have been scourged and turned back from his daring deed.


text:
Howbeit the Lord did not choose the nation for the place’s sake, but the place for the nation’s sake.


text:
Wherefore also the place itself, having partaken in the calamities that befell the nation, did afterward share in <i>its </i> benefits; and the <i>place </i> which was forsaken in the wrath of the Almighty was, at the reconciliation of the great Sovereign, restored again with all glory.


text:
As for Antiochus, when he had carried away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents, he departed in all haste unto Antioch, weening in his arrogancy to make the land navigable and the sea passable by foot, because his heart was lifted up.


text:
And moreover he left governors to afflict the race: at Jerusalem, Philip, by race a Phrygian, and in character more barbarous than him that set him there;


text:
and at Gerizim, Andronicus; and besides these, Menelaus, who worse than all the rest exalted himself against his fellow-citizens. And having a malicious mind <n>Some authorities read <i>toward the Jews, he sent. </i> The Greek text of this sentence is uncertain. </n> toward the Jews <n>Compare ch. iv. 9, 19; ix. 19. </n> <i>whom he had made </i> his citizens,


text:
he sent that <n>Gr. <i>mysarch, </i> which also may mean <i>ruler of the Mysians. </i></n> lord of pollutions Apollonius with an army of two and twenty thousand, commanding him to slay all those that were of full age, and to sell the women and the younger men.


text:
And he coming to Jerusalem, and playing the man of peace, waited till the holy day of the sabbath, and finding the Jews at rest from work, he commanded his men to parade in arms.


text:
And he put to the sword all them that came forth to the spectacle; and running into the city with the armed men he slew great multitudes.


text:
But Judas, who is also <i>called </i> Maccabaeus, with nine others or thereabout, withdrew himself, and with his company kept himself alive in the mountains after the manner of wild beasts; and they continued feeding on <n>Gr. <i>the grassy food. </i></n> such poor herbs as grew there, that they might not be partakers of the <i>threatened </i> pollution.<pb/>


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And not long after this the king sent forth <n>Or, <i>Geron an Athenian </i></n> an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and not to live after the laws of God;


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and also to pollute the sanctuary in Jerusalem, and to call it by the name of <n>Gr. <i>Zeus. </i></n> Jupiter Olympius, and <i>to call </i> the <i>sanctuary </i> in Gerizim by the name of <n>Gr. <i>Zeus. </i></n> Jupiter the Protector of strangers, even as they <n>Or, <i>did </i></n> were that dwelt in the place.


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For the temple was filled with riot and revellings by the heathen, who <n>Or, <i>idled with their fellows </i></n> dallied with harlots, and had to do with women within the sacred precincts, and moreover brought inside things that were not befitting;


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and <n>Or, <i>the altar </i></n> the place of sacrifice was filled with those abominable things which had been prohibited by the laws.


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And a man could neither keep the sabbath, nor observe the feasts of the fathers, nor so much as confess himself to be a Jew.


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And on the day of the king’s birth every month they were led along with bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the <n>Gr. <i>feast of Dionysia. </i></n> feast of Bacchus came, they were compelled to go in procession in honour of <n>Gr. <i>Dionysus. </i></n> Bacchus, wearing wreaths of ivy.


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And there went out a decree to the neighbouring Greek cities, by the suggestion of Ptolemy, that they should observe the same conduct against the Jews, and should make them eat of the sacrifices;


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and that they should slay such as did not choose to go over to the Greek rites. So the present misery was for all to see:


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for two women were brought up for having circumcised their children; and these, when they had led them publicly round about the city, with the babes hung from their breasts, they cast down headlong from the wall.


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And others, that had run together into the caves near by to keep the seventh day secretly, being betrayed to Philip were all burnt together, because they scrupled to defend themselves, from regard to the honour of that most solemn day.<pb/>


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I beseech therefore those that read this book, that they be not discouraged because of the calamities, but account that these punishments were not for the destruction, but for the chastening of our race.


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For indeed that those who act impiously be not let alone any long time, but straightway meet with retribution, is a sign of great beneficence.


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For in the case of the other nations the Sovereign Lord doth with longsuffering forbear, until that he punish them when they have attained unto the full measure of <i>their </i> sins; but not so judged he as touching us,


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that he may not take vengeance on us afterward, <n>Or, <i>when our sins be come to their height </i></n> when we be come unto the <n>Gr. <i>end. </i></n> height of our sins.


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Wherefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us; but though he chasteneth with calamity, yet doth he not forsake his own people.


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Howbeit let this that we have spoken suffice to put <i>you </i> in remembrance; but after <i>these </i> few words we must come to the narrative.<pb/>


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Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, a man already well stricken in years, and of a noble countenance, was compelled to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh.


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But he, welcoming death with renown rather than life with pollution, advanced of his own accord to the instrument of torture, but first spat forth <i>the flesh,</i>


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<i>coming forward </i> as men ought to come that are resolute to repel such things as not <i>even </i> for the natural love of life is it lawful to taste.


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But they that had the charge of that forbidden sacrificial feast took the man aside, for the acquaintance which of old times they had with him, and privately besought him to bring flesh of his own providing, such as was befitting for him to use, and to make as if he did eat of the flesh from the sacrifice, as had been commanded by the king;


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that by so doing he might be delivered from death, and for his ancient friendship with them might be treated kindly.


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But he, having formed a high resolve, and one that became his years, and the dignity of old age, and the gray hairs <n>The Greek text appears to be corrupt. </n> which he had reached with honour, and his excellent <n>Some authorities read <i>manner of life. </i></n> education from a child, <n>Or, <i>but yet more </i></n> or rather <i>that became </i> the holy <n>Gr. <i>legislation. </i></n> laws of God’s ordaining, declared his mind accordingly, bidding them quickly send him unto Hades.


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For it becometh not our years to dissemble, <i>said he, </i> that <i>through this </i> many of the young should suppose that Eleazar, the man of fourscore years and ten, had gone over unto an alien religion;


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and <i>so </i> they, by reason of my dissimulation, and for the sake of this brief and momentary life, should be led astray because of me, <n>Or, <i>while I shall get </i></n> and <i>thus </i> I get to myself a pollution and a stain of mine old age.


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For even if for the present time I shall remove from me the punishment of men, yet shall I not escape the hands of the Almighty, either living or dead.


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and <n>Gr. <i>one that hath left behind. </i></n> leave behind a noble ensample to the young to die willingly and nobly a glorious death for the reverend and holy laws. And when he had said these words, he went straightway to the instrument of torture.


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<n>The Greek text of this verse is uncertain. </n> And when they changed the good will they bare him a little before into ill will, because <n>Gr. <i>the aforesaid words were. </i></n> these words of his were, as they thought, sheer madness,


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and when he was at the point to die with the <n>Or, <i>blows </i></n> stripes, he groaned aloud and said, To the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, it is manifest that, whereas I might have been delivered from death, I endure sore pains in my body by being scourged; but in soul I gladly suffer these things for my fear of him.


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So this man also died after this manner, leaving his death for an ensample of nobleness and a memorial of virtue, not only to the young but also to the great body of his nation.<pb/>


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And it came to pass that seven brethren also with their mother were at the king’s command taken and shamefully handled with scourges and cords, to compel them to taste of the abominable swine’s flesh.


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But one of them made himself the spokesman and said, What wouldest thou ask and learn of us? for we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our fathers.


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and when these forthwith were heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had been their spokesman, and to scalp him, and to cut off his extremities, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.


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And when he was utterly <n>Gr. <i>useless. </i></n> maimed, <i>the king </i> commanded to bring him to the fire, being yet alive, and to fry him in the pan. And as the vapour of the pan spread far, they and their mother also exhorted one another to die nobly, saying thus:


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The Lord God beholdeth, and in truth is <n>Or, <i>comforted in </i></n> intreated for us, as Moses declared in <n>See Deut. xxxi. 21 and xxxii. 36. </n> his song, which witnesseth against <i>the people </i> to their faces, saying, And he shall be <n>Or, <i>comforted in </i></n> intreated for his servants.<pb/>


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And when the first had died after this manner, they brought the second to the mocking; and they pulled off the skin of his head with the hair and asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thy body be punished in every limb?


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But he answered in the language of his fathers and said to them, No. Wherefore he also underwent the next torture in succession, as the first had done.


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And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou, miscreant, dost release us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise up us, who have died for his laws, unto an eternal renewal of life.<pb/>


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


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and nobly said, From heaven I possess these; and for his laws’ sake I contemn these; and from him I hope to receive these back again:


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insomuch that the king himself and they that were with him were astonished at the young man’s soul, for that he nothing regarded the pains.<pb/>


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And being come near unto death he said thus: It is good to die at the hands of men and look for the hopes which are <i>given </i> by God, that we shall be raised up again by him; for as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.<pb/>


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But he looked toward <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> the king and said, Because thou hast authority among men, though thou art <i>thyself </i> corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our race hath been forsaken of God;


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but hold thou on thy way, and behold his sovereign majesty, how it will torture thee and thy seed.<pb/>


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And after him they brought the sixth. And when he was at the point to die he said, Be not vainly deceived, for we suffer these things for our own doings, as sinning against our own God: marvellous things are come to pass;


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But above all was the mother marvellous and worthy of honourable memory; for when she looked on seven sons perishing within the space of one day, she bare <i>the sight </i> with a good courage for the hopes <i>that she had set </i> on the Lord.


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And she exhorted each one of them in the language of their fathers, filled with a noble temper and stirring up her womanish thought with manly passion, saying unto them,


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I know not how ye came into my womb, neither was it I that bestowed on you your <n>Or, <i>breath </i></n> spirit and your life, and it was not I that brought into order the first elements of each one of you.


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Therefore the Creator of the world, who fashioned the <n>Or, <i>first origin </i></n> generation of man and devised the <n>Or, <i>first origin </i></n> generation of all things, in mercy giveth back to you again both your <n>Or, <i>breath </i></n> spirit and your life, as ye now contemn your own selves for his laws’ sake.


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But Antiochus, thinking himself to be despised, and suspecting the reproachful voice, whilst the youngest was yet alive did not only make his appeal <i>to him </i> by words, but also at the same time promised with oaths that he would enrich him and <n>Gr. <i>make him one that is counted happy. </i></n> raise him to high estate, if he would turn from the <i>customs </i> of his fathers, and that he would take him for his <n>See ch. viii. 9. </n> Friend and intrust him with affairs.


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But when the young man would in no wise give heed, the king called unto him his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the lad to save himself.


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But bending toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, she spoke thus in the language of her fathers: My son, have pity upon me that carried thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished and brought thee up unto this age, and sustained thee.


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I beseech thee, my child, to lift thine eyes unto the heaven and the earth, and to see all things that are therein, and thus to recognise that God made them not of things that were, and <i>that </i> the race of men in this wise cometh into being.


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Fear not this butcher, but, proving thyself worthy of thy brethren, accept thy death, that in the mercy <i>of God </i> I may receive thee again with thy brethren.<pb/>


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But before she had yet ended speaking, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I obey not the commandment of the king, but I hearken to the commandment of the law that was given to our fathers through Moses.


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But thou, that hast devised all manner of evil against the Hebrews, shalt in no wise escape the hands of God.


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and if for rebuke and chastening our living Lord hath been angered a little while, yet shall he again be reconciled with his own servants.


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But thou, O unholy man and of all most vile, be not vainly lifted up in thy wild pride with uncertain hopes, raising thy hand against the heavenly children;


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For these our brethren, having endured a <n>Gr. <i>short pain of ever-flowing life. </i></n> short pain that bringeth everlasting life, have now <n>Gr. <i>fallen. </i> By the omission of one Greek letter the words would signify <i>having endured a short pain, have now drunk of ever-flowing life under God’s covenant. </i></n> died under God’s covenant; But thou, through the judgement of God, shalt receive in just measure the penalties of thine arrogancy.


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But I, as my brethren, give up both body and soul for the laws of our fathers, calling upon God that he may speedily become <n>Gr. <i>propitious. </i></n> gracious to the nation; and that thou amidst trials and plagues mayest confess that he alone is God;


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and that in me and my brethren <n>Some authorities read <i>may be stayed. </i></n> thou mayest stay the wrath of the Almighty, which hath been justly brought upon our whole race.


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But the king, falling into a rage, handled him worse than all the rest, being exasperated at his mocking.


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Let it then suffice to have said thus much concerning the <i>enforcement of </i> sacrificial feasts and the <i>king’s </i> exceeding barbarities.<pb/>


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But Judas, who is also <i>called </i> Maccabaeus, and they that were with him, making their way privily into the villages, called unto them their kinsfolk; and taking unto them such as had continued in the Jews’ religion, gathered together as many as six thousand.


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And they called upon the Lord, <i>beseeching him </i> to look upon the people that was oppressed by all; and to have compassion on the sanctuary also that had been profaned by the ungodly men;


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and to have pity on the city also that was suffering ruin and ready to be made even with the ground; and to hearken to the blood that cried unto him;


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and to remember also the lawless <n>Gr. <i>destruction.</i></n> slaughter of the innocent infants, and <n>Gr. <i>concerning the blasphemies. </i></n> the blasphemies that had been committed against his name; and to shew his hatred of wickedness.


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And when Maccabaeus had trained his men for service, the heathen at once found him irresistible, for that the wrath of the Lord was turned into pity.


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<n>The Greek text of verses 6 and 7 is uncertain. </n> And coming unawares he set fire to cities and villages. And in winning back the most important positions, putting to flight no small number of the enemies,


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he specially took advantage of the nights for such assaults. And his courage was loudly talked of everywhere.<pb/>


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But when Philip saw the man gaining ground by little and little, and increasing more and more in his prosperity, he wrote unto Ptolemy, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, that he should support the king’s cause.


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And <i>Ptolemy </i> quickly appointed Nicanor the <i>son </i> of Patroclus, one of the <i>king’s </i> <n>See 1 Macc. x. 65. Compare ch. i. 14; vii. 24; x. 13; xiv. 11; 1 Macc. ii. 18. </n> Chief Friends, and sent him, in command of no fewer than twenty thousand of all nations, to destroy the whole race of Judaea; and with him he joined Gorgias also, a captain and one that had experience in matters of war.


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And Nicanor <n>Or, <i>resolved </i></n> undertook by <i>the sale of </i> the captive Jews to make up for the king the tribute of two thousand talents which he was to pay to the Romans.


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And immediately he sent unto the cities upon the sea coast, inviting them to buy Jewish <n>Gr. <i>bodies. </i></n> slaves, promising to allow fourscore and ten <n>Gr. <i>bodies. </i></n> slaves for a talent, not expecting the judgement that was to follow upon him from the Almighty.<pb/>


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But tidings came to Judas concerning the inroad of Nicanor; and when he communicated to them that were with him the presence of the army,


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they that were cowardly and distrustful of the judgement of God <n>The Greek text here is uncertain. </n> ran away and left the country.


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And others sold all that was left over to them, and withal besought the Lord to deliver them that had been sold <i>as slaves </i> by the impious Nicanor or ever he met them;


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and <i>this, </i> if not for their own sakes, yet for the covenants made with their fathers, and because he had called them by his reverend and glorious name.


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And Maccabaeus gathered his men together, six thousand in number, and exhorted them not to be stricken with dismay at the enemy, nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen who came wrongfully against them; but to contend nobly,


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setting before their eyes the outrage that had been lawlessly perpetrated upon the holy place, and the shameful handling of the city that had been turned to mockery, and further the overthrow of the mode of life received from their ancestors.


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For they, said he, trust to arms, and withal to deeds of daring; but we trust on the almighty God, since he is able at a beck to cast down them that are coming against us, and even the whole world.


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And moreover he recounted unto them the help given from time to time in the days of their ancestors, both the <i>help given </i> in the days of Sennacherib, how that a hundred fourscore and five thousand perished,


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and the <i>help given </i> in the land of Babylon, even the battle that was fought against the <n>Gr. <i>Galatians. </i></n> Gauls, how that they came to the engagement eight thousand in all, with four thousand Macedonians, <i>and how that, </i> the Macedonians being hard pressed, the <n>Some authorities read <i>eight. </i></n> six thousand destroyed the hundred and twenty thousand, because of the succour which they had from heaven, and took great booty.


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And when he had with these words made them of good courage, and ready to die for the laws and their country, he divided his army into four parts;


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<n>Gr. <i>appointing his brethren also leaders. </i></n> appointing his brethren to be with himself leaders of the several bands, <i>to wit, </i> Simon and Joseph and Jonathan, giving each the command of fifteen hundred men,


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and moreover Eleazer also: <i>then, </i> having read aloud the sacred book, and having given as watchword, THE HELP OF GOD, leading the first band himself, he joined battle with Nicanor.


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And, since the Almighty fought on their side, they slew of the enemy above nine thousand, and wounded and <n>Gr. <i>disabled in their limbs. </i></n> disabled the more part of Nicanor’s army, and compelled all to flee:


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and they took the money of those that had come there to buy them. And after they had pursued them for some <n>Or, <i>while </i></n> distance, they returned, being constrained by the time of the day;


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<n>The exact meaning of this clause is uncertain. </n> And when they had gathered <n>Gr. <i>their arms...the spoils of the enemy. </i></n> the arms of the enemy together, and had stripped off their spoils, they occupied themselves about the sabbath, blessing and thanking the Lord exceedingly, who had saved them unto this day, for that he had caused a beginning of mercy to distil upon them.


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And after the sabbath, when they had given of the spoils to the <n>Or, <i>wounded </i> Gr. <i>shamefully handled. </i></n> maimed, and to the widows and orphans, the residue they distributed among themselves and their children.


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And when they had accomplished these things, and had made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord to be wholly reconciled with his servants.<pb/>


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And having had an encounter with the forces of Timotheus and Bacchides, they killed above twenty thousand of them, and made themselves masters of strongholds exceeding high, and divided very much plunder, giving the <n>Or, <i>wounded </i> Gr. <i>shamefully handled. </i></n> maimed and orphans and widows, and moreover the aged also, an equal share with themselves.


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<n>The exact meaning of this clause is uncertain. </n> And when they had gathered the arms <n>Gr. <i>of them. </i></n> of the enemy together, they stored them all up carefully in the most important positions, and the residue of the spoils they carried to Jerusalem.


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And they killed the <n>That is, probably, the captain of an irregular auxiliary force. Some write <i>Phylarches, </i> as a proper name. </n> phylarch of Timotheus’s forces, a most unholy man, and one who had done the Jews much hurt.


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<n>The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt. </n> And as they kept the feast of victory in the <n>Or, <i>country </i></n> city of their fathers, they burned those that had set the sacred <n>Or, <i>porches </i></n> gates on fire, <i>and among them </i> Callisthenes, who had fled into <n>Or, <i>a solitary hut </i></n> an outhouse; and <i>so </i> they received the meet reward of their impiety.<pb/>


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And the thrice-accursed Nicanor, who had brought the thousand merchants to buy the Jews <i>for slaves, </i>


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being through the help of the Lord humbled by them who in his eyes were held to be of least account, put off his glorious apparel, and <i>passing </i> through the midland, <n>Gr. <i>having made himself solitary. </i></n> shunning all company like a fugitive slave, arrived at Antioch, <n>Or, <i>having won the greatest possible favour by reason of the destruction of his host </i></n> having, <i>as he thought, </i> had the greatest possible good fortune, though his host was destroyed.


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And he that had taken upon him to make tribute sure for the Romans by the captivity of the men of Jerusalem published abroad that the Jews had One who fought for them, and that <n>Or, <i>because of this </i> their <i>way of life </i> Gr. <i>because of this manner. </i></n> because this was so the Jews were invulnerable, because they followed the laws ordained by him.<pb/>


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Now about that time it befell that Antiochus had returned <n>Or, <i>with dishonour </i></n> in disorder from the region of Persia.


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For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and he assayed to rob <n>Or, <i>temples </i></n> a temple and to hold down the city. Whereupon there was an onset of the multitudes, and <n>Or, the people of the country <i>turned </i></n> <i>Antiochus and his men </i> turned to make defence with arms; and it came to pass that Antiochus was put to flight by the people of the country and broke up his camp with disgrace.


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And while he was at Ecbatana, news was brought him what had happened unto Nicanor and the forces of Timotheus.


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And being lifted up <n>Or, <i>in his spirit </i></n> by his passion he thought to make the Jews suffer even for the evil-doing of those that had put him to rout. Wherefore, the judgement from heaven even now accompanying him, he gave order to his charioteer to drive without ceasing and despatch the journey; for thus he arrogantly spake: I will make Jerusalem a common graveyard of Jews, when I come there.


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But the All-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, smote him with a <n>Gr. <i>remediless. </i></n> fatal and invisible stroke; and as soon as he had ceased speaking this word, an incurable pain of the bowels seized him, and bitter torments of the inner parts;


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But he in no wise ceased from his rude insolence; nay, still more was he filled with arrogancy, breathing fire in his passion against the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey. But it came to pass moreover that he fell from his chariot as it rushed along, and having a grievous fall was racked in all the members of his body.


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And he that but now supposed himself to have the waves of the sea at his bidding, so vainglorious was he beyond the condition of a man, and that thought to weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, was now brought to the ground and carried in a litter, <n>Or, <i>shewing manifestly unto all the power of God </i></n> shewing unto all that the power was manifestly God’s;


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so that out of the body of the impious man worms swarmed, and while he was still living in anguish and pains, his flesh fell off, and by reason of the stench all the army turned with loathing from his corruption.


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And the man that a little afore supposed himself to touch the stars of heaven, no one could endure to carry for his intolerable stench.


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Hereupon therefore he began in great part to cease from his arrogancy, being broken <i>in spirit, </i> and to come to knowledge under the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment.


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And when he himself could not abide his own smell, he said these words: It is right to be subject unto God, and that one who is mortal should not <n>Some authorities read <i>be minded as </i> if <i>equal to God. </i></n> be minded arrogantly.


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And the vile man vowed unto the sovereign Lord, who now no more would have pity upon him, saying on this wise:


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that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste, to lay it even with the ground and to <n>Gr. <i>build. </i></n> make it a common graveyard, he would declare free;


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and as touching the Jews, whom he had decided not even to count worthy of burial, but to cast them out to the beasts with their infants, for the birds to devour, he would make them all equal to citizens of Athens;


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and the holy sanctuary, which before he had spoiled, he would adorn with goodliest offerings, and would restore all the sacred vessels many times multiplied, and out of his own revenues would defray the charges that were required for the sacrifices;


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and, beside all this, that he would become a Jew, and would visit every inhabited place, publishing abroad the might of God.


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But when his sufferings did in no wise cease, for the judgement of God had come upon him in righteousness, having given up all hope of himself, he wrote unto the Jews the letter written below, having the nature of a supplication, to this effect:<pb/>


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To the worthy Jews, his fellow-citizens, Antiochus, king and general, wisheth much joy and health and prosperity.


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<n>Or, <i>Ye fare well, and your children; and your affairs are to your mind. </i> The Greek text in verses 20 and 21 is uncertain. </n> May ye and your children fare well; and your affairs shall be to your mind. Having my hope in heaven,


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I remembered with affection your honour and good will <i>toward me. </i> Returning out of the region of Persia, and being taken with a noisome sickness, I deemed it necessary to take thought for the common safety of all,


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But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the upper country, appointed his successor,


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to the end that, if anything fell out contrary to expectation, or if any unwelcome tidings were brought, they <i>that remained </i> in the country, knowing to whom the state had been left, might not be troubled;


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and, beside all this, observing how that the princes that are borderers and neighbours unto my kingdom watch opportunities, and look for the future event, I have appointed my son Antiochus <i>to be </i> king, whom I often committed and commended to most of you, when I was hastening unto the upper provinces; and I have written to him what is written below.


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I exhort you therefore and beseech you, having in your remembrance the benefits done to you in common and severally, to preserve each of you your present good will toward me and my son.


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For I am persuaded that he in gentleness and kindness will follow my purpose and treat you with indulgence.<pb/>


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So the murderer and blasphemer, having endured the sorest sufferings, even as he had dealt with other men, ended his life among the mountains by a most piteous fate in a strange land.


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And Philip his foster-brother conveyed the body <i>home; </i> and then, fearing the son of Antiochus, he betook himself to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.<pb/>


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And Maccabaeus and they that were with him, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city;


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and they pulled down the altars that had been built in the marketplace by the aliens, and also <i>the walls of </i> sacred inclosures.


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And having cleansed the sanctuary they made another altar of sacrifice; and <n>Gr. <i>firing. </i></n> striking stones and taking fire out of them, they offered sacrifices, after <i>they had ceased for </i> two years, and <i>burned </i> incense, and <i>lighted </i> lamps, and set forth the shewbread.


text:
And when they had done these things, they fell prostrate and besought the Lord that they might fall no more into such evils; but that, if ever they should sin, they might be chastened by him with forbearance, and not be delivered unto blaspheming and barbarous heathen.


text:
Now on the same day that the sanctuary was profaned by aliens, upon that very day did it come to pass that the cleansing of the sanctuary was made, even on the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Chislev.


text:
And they kept eight days with gladness in the manner <i>of the feast </i> of tabernacles, remembering how that <n>Or, <i>not long afore they kept the feast of tabernacles by wandering </i></n> not long afore, during the feast of tabernacles, they were wandering in the mountains and in the caves after the manner of wild beasts.


text:
Wherefore bearing wands wreathed with leaves, and fair boughs, and palms also, they offered up hymns of thanksgiving to him that had prosperously brought to pass the cleansing of his own place.


text:
They ordained also with a common statute and decree, for all the nation of the Jews, that they should keep these days every year.


text:
And <n>Gr. <i>such were the </i> events <i>of the end </i></n> such was the end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes.


text:
But now will we declare what came to pass under Antiochus <i>named </i> <n>That is, <i>son of a good father. </i></n> Eupator, who proved himself a <i>true </i> son of that ungodly man, and will gather up briefly the <n>Or, <i>chief </i></n> successive evils of the wars.


text:
For this man, when he succeeded to the kingdom, appointed one Lysias <i>to be </i> chancellor, and supreme governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia.


text:
For Ptolemy that was called Macron, setting an example of observing justice toward the Jews because of the wrong that had been done unto them, endeavoured to <n>Or, <i>settle his relations with </i></n> conduct his dealings with them on peaceful terms.


text:
Whereupon being accused by the <i>king’s </i> <n>See ch. viii. 9. </n> Friends before Eupator, and hearing himself called traitor at every turn, because he had abandoned Cyprus which Philometor had intrusted to him, and had withdrawn himself unto Antiochus <i>called </i> Epiphanes, and <n>The Greek text here is corrupt. </n> failing to uphold the honour of his office, he took poison and made away with himself.<pb/>


text:
But Gorgias, when he was made governor of the district, maintained a force of mercenaries, and at every turn kept up war with the Jews.


text:
And together with him the Idumaeans also, being masters of important strongholds, harassed the Jews; and receiving unto them those that had taken refuge <i>there </i> from Jerusalem, they assayed to keep up war.


text:
But Maccabaeus and his men, having made solemn supplication and besought God to fight on their side, rushed upon the strongholds of the Idumaeans;


text:
and assaulting them vigorously they made themselves masters of the positions, and kept off all that fought upon the wall, and slew those that fell in their way, and killed no fewer than twenty thousand.


text:
And because no less than nine thousand were fled into two towers exceeding strong and having all things <i>needed </i> for a seige,


text:
Maccabaeus, having left Simon and Joseph, and Zacchaeus besides and them that were with him, a force sufficient to besiege them, departed himself unto places where he was most needed.


text:
But Simon and they that were with him, yielding to covetousness, were bribed by certain of those that were in the towers, and receiving seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away.


text:
But when word was brought to Maccabaeus of what was done, he gathered the leaders of the people together, and accused <i>those men </i> of having sold their brethren for money, by setting their enemies free <i>to fight </i> against them.


text:
And prospering with his arms in all things he took in hand, he destroyed in the two strongholds more than twenty thousand.<pb/>


text:
Now Timotheus, who had been before defeated by the Jews, having gathered together foreign forces in great multitudes, and having collected the <n>Or, <i>horses </i></n> horsemen which belonged to Asia, not a few, came as though he would take Judaea by force of arms.


text:
But as he drew near, Maccabaeus and his men sprinkled earth upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God,


text:
and falling down upon the step in front of the altar, besought him to become <n>Gr. <i>propitious. </i></n> gracious to them, and <n>See Ex. xxiii. 22. </n> be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.


text:
And rising from their prayer they took up their arms, and advanced some distance from the city; and when they had come near to their enemies they <n>Gr. <i>were by themselves.</i></n> halted.


text:
And when the dawn was now spreading, the two <i>armies </i> joined battle; the one part having this, beside <i>their </i> virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled unto the Lord for refuge, the others making their passion their leader in the strife.


text:
But when the battle waxed strong, there appeared out of heaven unto their adversaries five men on horses with bridles of gold, <i>in </i> splendid <i>array; </i> <n>Some authorities read <i>and leading on the Jews; who also, taking. </i></n> and two of them, leading on the Jews,


text:
and taking Maccabaeus in the midst of them, and covering him with their own armour, guarded him from wounds, while on the adversaries they shot forth arrows and thunderbolts; by reason whereof they were blinded and thrown into confusion, and were cut to pieces, filled with bewilderment.


text:
But Timotheus himself fled into a stronghold called Gazara, a fortress of exceeding strength, <n>See ver. 37. </n> Chaereas being in command there.


text:
And they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and hurled forth impious words.


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But at dawn of the five and twentieth day certain young men of the company of Maccabaeus, inflamed with passion because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall with masculine force and with <n>Gr. <i>passion as of wild beasts. </i></n> furious passion, and cut down whosoever came in their way.


text:
And others climbing up in like manner, while <i>the besieged </i> were distracted with them <i>that had made their way </i> within, set fire to the towers, and kindling fires burned the blasphemers alive; while others broke open the gates, and, having given entrance to the rest of the band, occupied the city.


text:
And when they had accomplished these things, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgivings, him who doeth great benefits unto Israel, and giveth them the victory.<pb/>


text:
Now after a very little time Lysias, the king’s guardian and kinsman and chancellor, being sore displeased for the things that had come to pass,


text:
collected about fourscore thousand <i>footmen </i> and all his horsemen and came against the Jews, thinking to make the city a place for Greeks to dwell in,


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and to levy tribute on the temple, as <n>Or, <i>on all the sacred places of the heathen </i></n> on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood to sale every year;


text:
holding in no account the might of God, but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.


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And coming into Judaea and drawing near to Bethsuron, which was a strong place and distant from Jerusalem about <n>The Greek text here is uncertain. </n> five leagues, he pressed it hard.


text:
But when Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication unto the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.


text:
And Maccabaeus himself took up arms first, and exhorted the others to jeopard themselves together with him and succour their brethren; and they sallied forth with him right willingly.


text:
And as they were there, close to Jerusalem, there appeared at their head one on horseback in white apparel, brandishing <n>Gr. <i>a panoply. </i></n> weapons of gold.


text:
And they all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart: being ready to <n>Gr. <i>wound. </i></n> assail not men only but the wildest beasts, and walls of iron,


text:
they advanced in array, having him that is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.


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And hurling <i>themselves </i> like lions upon the enemy, they slew of them eleven thousand <i>footmen </i> and sixteen hundred horsemen, and forced all <i>the rest </i> to flee.


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But the more part of them escaped wounded <i>and </i> naked; and Lysias also himself escaped by shameful flight.


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But as he was a man not void of understanding, weighing with himself the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again <i>unto them, </i>


text:
and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and <n>The Greek text here is corrupt. </n> <i>promised </i> that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.


text:
And Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the <i>common </i> good; for whatsoever <i>requests </i> Maccabaeus delivered in writing unto Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.


text:
For the letters written unto the Jews from Lysias were to this effect: <pb/>Lysias unto the <n>Gr. <i>multitude. </i></n> people of the Jews, greeting.


text:
John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the <n>Or, <i>document </i></n> petition written below, made request concerning the things signified therein.


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What things soever therefore had need to be brought before the king I declared <i>to him, </i> and what things were possible he allowed.


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If then ye will preserve your good will toward the state, henceforward also will I endeavour to contribute to <i>your </i> good.


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<n>Or, <i>but as to this. </i></n> And on this behalf I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those <i>that are sent </i> from me, to confer with you.


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Fare ye well. <i>Written </i> in the hundred forty and eighth year, on the four and twentieth day of <i>the month </i> <n>This name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt. </n> Dioscorinthius.<pb/>


text:
Seeing that our father passed unto the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom <n>Or, <i>should not be disquieted but </i></n> should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,


text:
we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them unto the <i>customs </i> of the Greeks, but choose rather their own manner of living, and make request that the <i>customs </i> of their law be allowed unto them,—


text:
choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from <n>Or, <i>disquiet </i></n> disturbance, we determine that their temple be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.


text:
Thou wilt therefore do well to send <i>messengers </i> unto them and give them the right hand <i>of friendship, </i> that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.<pb/>


text:
And unto the nation the king’s letter was after this manner: <pb/>King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.


text:
They therefore that depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have <i>our </i> <n>Gr. <i>right hand. </i></n> friendship, with full permission


text:
that the Jews use their own <i>proper </i> meats and <i>observe their own </i> laws, even as heretofore; and none of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been ignorantly done.


text:
Fare ye well. <i>Written </i> in the hundred forty and eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.


text:
And the Romans also sent unto them a letter in these words: <pb/>Quintus Memmius <i>and </i> Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, unto the people of the Jews, greeting.


text:
But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send one forthwith, after ye have advised thereof, that we may publish such <i>decrees </i> as befit your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.


text:
<n>Gr. <i>Be in good health. </i></n> Farewell. <i>Written </i> in the hundred forty and eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.<pb/>


text:
So when these covenants had been made, Lysias departed unto the king, and the Jews went about their husbandry.


text:
But <i>certain </i> of the governors of districts, Timotheus and Apollonius the <i>son </i> of Gennaeus, and Hieronymus also and Demophon, and beside them Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to enjoy tranquillity and live in peace.


text:
And men of Joppa perpetrated this great impiety: they invited the Jews that dwelt among them to go with their wives and children into the boats which they had provided, as though they had no ill will towards them;


text:
and when <n>Gr. <i>they also. </i></n> the Jews, <n>Gr. <i>after. </i></n> relying on the common decree of the city, accepted <i>the invitation, </i> as men desiring to live in peace and suspecting nothing, they took them out to sea and drowned them, <i>in number </i> not less than two hundred.


text:
But when Judas heard of the cruelty done unto his fellow-countrymen, giving command to the men that were with him


text:
and calling upon God the righteous Judge, he came against the murderers of his brethren, and set the haven on fire by night, and burned the boats, and put to the sword those that had fled thither.


text:
But when the town was closed <i>against him, </i> he withdrew, intending to come again to root out the whole community of the men of Joppa.


text:
But learning that the men of Jamnia were minded to do in like manner unto the Jews that sojourned among them,


text:
he fell upon the Jamnites also by night, and set fire to the haven together with the fleet, so that the glare of the light was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs distant.<pb/>


text:
Now when they had drawn off nine furlongs from thence, as they marched against Timotheus, <i>a host of </i> Arabians attacked him, no fewer than five thousand <i>footmen </i> and five hundred horsemen.


text:
And when a sore battle had been fought, and Judas and his company by the help of God had good success, the nomads being overcome besought Judas to grant them friendship, promising to give <i>him </i> cattle, and to help <n>Gr. <i>them. </i></n> his people in all other ways.


text:
So Judas, thinking that they would indeed be profitable in many things, agreed to live in peace with them; and receiving pledges of friendship they departed to their tents.


text:
And he also fell upon a certain city <n>The relation between the names <i>Gephyrun </i> and <i>Caspin </i> is unknown, and perhaps the Greek text is corrupt. Compare <i>Gephrun, </i> the name of a city of Gilead mentioned by Polybius, v. 70. 12.; and <i>Casphor, </i> 1 Macc. v. 26, 36. </n> Gephyrun, strong and fenced about with walls, and inhabited by a mixed multitude of divers nations; and it was named Caspin.


text:
But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the walls and to their store of provisions, behaved themselves rudely toward Judas and them that were with him, railing, and furthermore blaspheming and speaking impious words.


text:
But Judas and his company, calling upon the great sovereign of the world, who without rams and cunning engines of war hurled down Jericho in the times of Joshua, rushed wildly against the wall;


text:
and having taken the city by the will of God, they made unspeakable slaughter, insomuch that the adjoining lake, which was two furlongs broad, appeared to be filled with the deluge of blood.<pb/>


text:
And when they had drawn off seven hundred and fifty furlongs from thence, they made their way to Charax, unto the Jews that are called <n>That is, <i>men of Tob: </i> see Judg. xi. 3, 2 Sam. x. 6, and compare 1 Macc. v. 13. </n> Tubieni.


text:
And Timotheus they found not in occupation of that district, for he had then departed from the district without accomplishing anything, but had left behind a garrison, and that a very strong one, in a certain post.


text:
But Dositheus and Sosipater, who were of Maccabaeus’s captains, sallied forth and destroyed those that had been left by Timotheus in the stronghold, above ten thousand men.


text:
And Maccabaeus, ranging his own army by bands, set <n>Gr. <i>them. </i></n> these two over the bands, and marched in haste against Timotheus, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen and two thousand and five hundred horsemen.


text:
But when Timotheus heard of the inroad of Judas, he at once sent away the women and the children and also the baggage into the <i>fortress </i> called <n>Compare <i>Carnain, </i> 1 Macc. 5. 26, 43, 44. </n> Carnion; for the place was hard to besiege and difficult of access by reason of the narrowness of the approaches on all sides.


text:
But when the band of Judas, who led the van, appeared in sight, and when terror came upon the enemy and fear, because the manifestation of him who beholdeth all things came upon them, they fled amain, carried this way and that, so that they were often hurt of their own men, and pierced with the points of their swords.


text:
And Judas continued the pursuit the more hotly, putting the wicked wretches to the sword, and he destroyed as many as thirty thousand men.


text:
But Timotheus himself, falling in with the company of Dositheus and Sosipater, besought them with much <n>Gr. <i>jugglery. </i></n> crafty guile to let him go with his life, because he had <i>in his power </i> the parents of many <i>of them </i> and the brethren of some: <n>Gr. <i>and the result will be that these be disregarded. </i> The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt. </n> otherwise, <i>said he, </i> little regard will <n>Or, <i>have been shewn </i></n> be shewn to these.


text:
So when he had with many words confirmed the agreement to restore them without hurt, they let him go that they might save their brethren.<pb/>


text:
And <i>Judas, </i> marching against <n>Compare <i>Carnain, </i> 1 Macc. v. 26, 43, 44. </n> Carnion and the temple of Atergatis, slew five and twenty thousand persons.


text:
And after he had put these to flight and destroyed them, he marched against Ephron also, a strong city, <n>The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt. </n> wherein were multitudes of people of all nations; and stalwart young men placed <n>Gr. <i>in front of. </i></n> on the walls made a vigorous defence; and there were great stores of engines and darts there.


text:
But calling upon the Sovereign who with might breaketh in pieces the <n>Some authorities read <i>weight. </i></n> strength of <n>Or, <i>his enemies </i></n> the enemy, they got the city into their hands, and slew as many as twenty and five thousand of them that were within.


text:
And setting out from thence they marched in haste against Scythopolis, which is distant from Jerusalem six hundred furlongs.


text:
But when the Jews that were settled there testified of the good will that the Scythopolitans had shewn toward them, and of their kindly bearing <i>toward them </i> in the times of their misfortune,


text:
they gave thanks, and further exhorted them to remain well affected toward the race for the future; and they went up to Jerusalem, the feast of weeks being close to hand.<pb/>


text:
But after the <i>feast </i> called Pentecost they marched in haste against Gorgias the governor of Idumaea:


text:
And a certain Dositheus, one <n>The Greek text is uncertain. </n> of Bacenor’s company, who was on horseback and a strong man, pressed hard on Gorgias, and taking hold of his cloke drew him along by main force; and while he was minded to take the accursed man alive, one of the Thracian horsemen bore down upon him and disabled his shoulder, and so Gorgias escaped unto <n>Compare 1 Macc. v. 65. </n> Marisa.


text:
And when they that were with Esdris had been fighting long and were wearied out, Judas called upon the Lord to shew himself, fighting on their side and leading the van of the battle;


text:
and <i>then </i> in the language of his fathers he raised the battle-cry joined with hymns, and rushing unawares upon the troops of Gorgias put them to flight.<pb/>


text:
And Judas gathering his army came unto the city of <n>Gr. <i>Odollam. </i></n> Adullam; and as the seventh day was coming on, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath there.


text:
And on the day following, <n>The Greek text here is uncertain. </n> at which time it had become necessary, Judas and his company came to take up the bodies of them that had fallen, <n>Or, <i>and to bring them back to be with their kinsmen in the sepulchres </i></n> and in company with their kinsmen to bring them back unto the sepulchres of their fathers.


text:
But under the garments of each one of the dead they found <n>Perhaps these were consecrated images of the idols. </n> consecrated tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to have aught to do with; and it became clear to all that it was for this cause that they had fallen.


text:
All therefore, blessing the <i>works </i> of the Lord, the righteous Judge, who maketh manifest the things that are hid,


text:
betook themselves unto supplication, beseeching that the sin committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble Judas exhorted the multitude to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they had seen before their eyes what things had come to pass because of the sin of them that had fallen.


text:
And when he had made a collection man by man to the sum of two thousand drachmas of silver, he sent unto Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice for sin, doing therein right well and honourably, in that he took thought for a resurrection.


text:
For if he were not expecting that they that had fallen would rise again, it were superfluous and idle to pray for the dead.


text:
(And if <i>he did it </i> looking unto an honourable memorial of gratitude laid up for them that <n>Gr. <i>fall asleep. </i></n> die <n>Or, <i>on the side of godliness </i></n> in godliness, holy and godly was the thought.) Wherefore he made the propitiation for them that had died, that they might be released from their sin.<pb/>


text:
In the hundred forty and ninth year tidings were brought to Judas and his company that Antiochus Eupator was coming with <i>great </i> multitudes against Judaea,


text:
and with him Lysias his guardian and chancellor, <n>The Greek text here is corrupt. </n> each having a Greek force, a hundred and ten thousand footmen, and five thousand and three hundred horsemen, and two and twenty elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with scythes.<pb/>


text:
And Menelaus also joined himself with them, and with great dissimulation encouraged Antiochus, not for the saving of his country, but because he thought that he would be set over the government.


text:
But the King of kings stirred up the <n>Or, <i>spirit </i></n> passion of Antiochus against the wicked wretch; and when Lysias informed him that this man was the cause of all the evils, <i>the king </i> commanded to bring him unto Beroea, and <n>The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt. </n> to put him to death after the manner of that place.


text:
Now there is in that place a tower of fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it had all round it a <n>Gr. <i>contrivance or machine. </i></n> gallery <n>Or, <i>sloping steeply </i></n> descending sheer on every side into the ashes.


text:
Here him that is guilty of sacrilege, or hath attained a preeminence in any other evil deeds, they <n>The Greek text here is probably corrupt. </n> all push forward into destruction.


text:
By such a fate it befell the breaker of the law, Menelaus, to die, without obtaining so much as <i>a grave in </i> the earth, and that right justly;


text:
for inasmuch as he had perpetrated many sins <n>Gr. <i>about. </i></n> against the altar, whose fire and whose ashes were holy, in ashes did he receive his death.<pb/>


text:
Now the king, <n>Some authorities read <i>indignant. </i></n> infuriated in spirit, was coming with intent to inflict on the Jews the very worst of the sufferings that had befallen <i>them </i> in his father’s time.


text:
But when Judas heard of these things, he gave charge to the multitude to call upon the Lord day and night, <i>beseeching him, </i> if ever at any other time, so now to succour them that were at the point to be deprived of the law and their country and the holy temple,


text:
and not to suffer the people that had been but now a little while revived to fall into the hands of those profane heathen.


text:
So when they had all done the same thing together, <n>Gr. <i>and besought. </i></n> beseeching the merciful Lord with weeping and fastings and prostration for three days without ceasing, Judas exhorted them and commanded they should join him <i>for service. </i>


text:
And having gone apart with the elders he resolved that, before the king’s army should enter into Judaea and make themselves masters of the city, they should go forth and try the matter <i>in fight </i> by the help of <n>Some authorities read <i>the Lord. </i></n> God.


text:
And committing the decision to the <n>Some authorities read <i>Creator. </i></n> Lord of the world, and exhorting them that were with him to contend nobly even unto death for laws, temple, city, country, <n>Or, <i>mode of life </i></n> commonwealth, he pitched his camp by Modin.


text:
And given out to his men the watchword, VICTORY IS GOD’S, with a chosen body of the bravest young men he fell upon <i>the camp </i> by night <i>and penetrated </i> to the king’s <n>Gr. <i>court. </i></n> tent, and slew <n>The Greek text here is probably corrupt. </n> <i>of </i> the <n>Gr. <i>camp. </i></n> army as many as two thousand men, and <n>The Greek text here is probably corrupt. </n> brought down the chiefest elephant with him that was in the <n>Gr. <i>house. </i></n> tower upon him.


text:
And at last they filled the <n>Gr. <i>camp. </i></n> army with terror and alarm, and departed with good success.


text:
And this had been accomplished when the day was but now dawning, because of the Lord’s protection that gave <n>Gr. <i>him. </i></n> Judas help.<pb/>


text:
But the king, having had a taste of the exceeding boldness of the Jews, made attempts by stratagem upon their positions,


text:
and <i>upon </i> a strong fortress of the Jews at Bethsura; he advanced, was turned back, failed, was defeated,


text:
But Rhodocus, from the Jewish ranks, made known to the enemy the secrets <i>of his countrymen. </i> He was sought out, and taken, and shut up in prison.


text:
The king treated with them in Bethsura the second time, gave his hand, took theirs, departed, attacked the forces of Judas, was put to the worse,


text:
heard that Philip who had been left as chancellor in Antioch had become reckless, was confounded, made to the Jews an overture <i>of peace, </i> submitted himself and sware to acknowledge all their rights, came to terms with them and offered sacrifice, honoured the sanctuary and the place,


text:
shewed kindness and graciously received Maccabaeus, left Hegemonides governor from Ptolemais even unto the <n>The form of this word is uncertain. Compare <i>Girzites </i> (or <i>Gizrites), </i> 1 Sam. xxvii. 8. One manuscript reads <i>Gerarenes. </i></n> Gerrenians,


text:
came to Ptolemais. The men of Ptolemais were displeased at the treaty, for they had exceeding great indignation <i>against the Jews: </i> they desired to annul the articles of the agreement.


text:
Lysias <n>Gr. <i>came forward to the tribune </i> or <i>judgement seat. </i></n> came forward to speak, made the best defence that was possible, persuaded, pacified, made them well affected, departed unto Antioch. This was the issue of the inroad and departure of the king.<pb/>


text:
Now after a space of three years tidings were brought to Judas and his company that Demetrius the <i>son </i> of Seleucus, having sailed into the haven of Tripolis with a mighty host and a fleet,


text:
But one Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest, and had wilfully polluted himself in the times when there was no mingling <i>with the Gentiles, </i> considering that there was no deliverance for him in any way, nor any more access unto the holy altar,


text:
came to king Demetrius in about the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting to him a chaplet of gold and a palm, and beside these <i>some </i> of the festal olive boughs of the temple. And for that day he held his peace;


text:
but having gotten opportunity to further his own madness, being called by Demetrius into a meeting of his council, and asked how the Jews stood affected and what they purposed, he answered thereunto.


text:
Those of the Jews that he called <n>That is, <i>Chasidim. </i></n> Hasidaeans, whose leader is Judas Maccabaeus, keep up war, and are seditious, not suffering the kingdom to find tranquillity.


text:
Wherefore, having laid aside mine ancestral glory, I mean the high priesthood, I am now come <n>Some authorities read <i>a second time. </i></n> hither;


text:
first for the unfeigned care I have for the things that concern the king, and secondly because I have regard also to mine own fellow-citizens: for, through the unadvised dealing of those of whom I spake before, our whole race is in no small misfortune.


text:
But do thou, O king, having informed thyself of these things severally, take thought both for our country and for our race, which <n>Or, <i>is hardly bestead </i></n> is surrounded <i>by foes, </i> according to the gracious kindness with which thou receivest all.


text:
And when he had spoken such words as these, at once <n>Or, <i>the </i> king’s <i>Friends likewise </i></n> the rest of the <i>king’s </i> <n>See ch. viii. 9. </n> Friends, having ill will against Judas, inflamed Demetrius yet more.


text:
And forthwith appointing Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor of Judaea, he sent him forth,


text:
giving him written instructions to make away with Judas himself and to scatter them that were with him, and to set up Alcimus as high priest of the <n>Gr. <i>greatest. </i></n> great temple.


text:
And <n>Or, <i>they that had fled before Judas all over Judaea thronged </i></n> those in Judaea that <n>See ch. v. 27. </n> had <i>before </i> driven Judas into exile thronged to Nicanor in flocks, supposing that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would be successes to themselves.<pb/>


text:
But when <i>the Jews </i> heard of Nicanor’s inroad and the assault of the heathen, they sprinkled earth <i>upon their heads </i> and made solemn supplication to him who had established his own people for evermore, and who alway, making manifest his presence, upholdeth <i>them that are </i> his own portion.


text:
<n>The Greek text of this verse and the next is corrupt. </n> And when the leader had given <i>his </i> commands, he straightway setteth out from thence, and joineth battle with them at a village <i>called </i> Lessau.


text:
But Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, <n>Or, <i>and had received a check, yet not till late by reason of the sudden consternation of his adversaries </i></n> yet not till late, having received a check by reason of the sudden consternation caused by his adversaries.<pb/>


text:
Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and their courage in fighting for their country, shrank from bringing the matter to the decision of the sword.


text:
Wherefore he sent Posidonius and Theodotus and Mattathias to give and receive pledges of friendship.


text:
So when these proposals had been long considered, and the leader had made the <n>Or, <i>people </i> Gr. <i>multitudes. </i></n> troops acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of like mind, they consented to the covenants.


text:
And they appointed a day on which to meet together by themselves. And a litter was borne forward from each <i>army; </i> they set chairs of state;


text:
Judas stationed armed men ready in convenient places, lest haply there should suddenly be treachery on the part of the enemy; they held such conference as was meet.


text:
Nicanor tarried in Jerusalem, and did nothing to cause disturbance, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered together.


text:
he urged him to marry and beget children; he married, settled quietly, took part in common life.<pb/>


text:
But Alcimus, perceiving the good will that was betwixt them, <n>Or, <i>and the covenants that had been made, took occasion and came </i></n> and having got possession of the covenants that had been made, came unto Demetrius and told him that Nicanor was ill affected toward the state, for he had appointed that conspirator against his kingdom, Judas, to be his successor.


text:
And the king, falling into a rage, and being exasperated by the calumnnies of that most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was displeased at the covenants, and commanding him to send Maccabaeus prisoner unto Antioch in all haste.


text:
And when this message came to Nicanor, he was confounded, and was sore troubled at the thought of annulling the articles that had been agreed upon, the man having done no wrong;


text:
but because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to execute this purpose by stratagem.


text:
But Maccabaeus, when he perceived that Nicanor was behaving more harshly in his dealings with him, and that he had become ruler in his customary bearing, understanding that this harshness came not of good, gathered together not a few of his men, and concealed himself from Nicanor.<pb/>


text:
But the other, <n>Or, <i>though he was conscious that he had been nobly defeated by </i></n> when he became aware that he had been bravely defeated by the stratagem of <n>Gr. <i>the man. </i></n> Judas, came to the <n>Gr. <i>greatest. </i></n> great and holy temple, while the priests were offering the usual sacrifices, and commanded them to deliver up the man.


text:
he stretched forth his right hand toward the sanctuary, and sware this oath: If ye will not deliver up to me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this <n>Or, <i>chapel </i> Gr. <i>inclosure. </i></n> temple of God even with the ground, and will break down the altar, and I will erect here a temple unto <n>Gr. <i>Dionysus. </i></n> Bacchus for all to see.


text:
And having said this, he departed. But the priests, stretching forth their hands toward heaven, called upon him that ever fighteth for our nation, in these words:


text:
Thou, <n>Or, <i>O Lord, who in thyself hast no need of the universe </i></n> O Lord of the universe, who in thyself hast need of nothing, wast well pleased that a sanctuary of thy <n>Gr. <i>tabernacling. </i></n> habitation should be set among us;


text:
so now, O holy Lord of all hallowing, keep undefiled for ever this house that hath been lately cleansed.<pb/>


text:
Now information was given to Nicanor against one Razis, an elder of Jerusalem, <n>Or, <i>who was a lover </i></n> as being a lover of his countrymen and a man of very good report, and one called Father of the Jews for his good will <i>toward them. </i>


text:
For in the former times when there was no mingling <i>with the Gentiles </i> he had been accused of <i>cleaving to </i> the Jews’ religion, and had jeoparded body and life with all earnestness for the religion of the Jews.


text:
And Nicanor, wishing to make evident the ill will that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred soldiers to take him;


text:
But when the <n>Or, <i>people </i> Gr. <i>multitudes. </i></n> troops were on the point of taking the tower, and were forcing the door of the court, and bade bring fire and burn the doors, he being surrounded on every side fell upon his sword,


text:
choosing rather to die nobly than to fall into the hands of the wicked wretches, and suffer outrage unworthy of his own nobleness:


text:
but since he missed his stroke through the excitement of the struggle, and the crowds were now rushing within the door, he ran bravely up to the wall and cast himself down manfully among the crowds.


text:
But as they quickly gave back, a space was made, and he fell on the middle of <n>Or, <i>the void place </i></n> his side.


text:
And having yet breath within him, and being inflamed with passion, he rose up, and though his blood gushed out in streams and his wounds were grievous, he ran through the crowds, and standing upon a steep rock,


text:
when as his blood was now well nigh spent, he drew forth his bowels <i>through the wound, </i> and taking them in both his hands he shook them at the crowds; and calling upon him who is Lord of <n>Or. <i>life and spirit </i></n> the life and the <n>Or, <i>breath </i></n> spirit to restore him <n>Some authorities read <i>the same. </i></n> these again, he thus died.<pb/>


text:
But Nicanor, hearing that Judas and his company were in the region of Samaria, resolved to set upon them with all security on the day of rest.


text:
And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously, but give due glory to the day which he that beholdeth all things hath <n>Or, honoured above  other days <i>as a hallowed day </i></n> honoured and hallowed above <i>other days; </i>


text:
then the thrice-accursed wretch asked if there were a Sovereign in heaven that had commanded to keep the sabbath day.


text:
And when they declared, There is the Lord, living himself a Sovereign in heaven, who bade <i>us </i> observe the seventh day;


text:
then saith the other, I also am a sovereign upon the earth, <n>Or, <i>that commandeth </i></n> who <i>now </i> command to take up arms and execute the king’s business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to execute his <n>Or, <i>miserable </i></n> cruel purpose.<pb/>


text:
And Nicanor, <n>Gr. <i>carrying his neck high. </i></n> bearing himself haughtily in all vaingloriousness, had determined to set up a monument of complete victory over Judas and all them that were with him:


text:
And he exhorted his company not to be fearful at the <n>Or, <i>assault </i></n> inroad of the heathen, but, keeping in mind the help which of old they had oftentimes received from heaven, so now also to look for the victory which would come unto them from the Almighty;


text:
and comforting them out of the law and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the conflicts that they had maintained, he made them more eager <i>for the battle. </i>


text:
And when he had roused their <n>Or, <i>passion </i></n> spirit, he gave them <i>his </i> commands, at the same time pointing out the perfidiousness of the heathen and their breach of their oaths.


text:
And arming each one of them, not so much with the sure defence of shields and spears as with the encouragement <i>that lieth </i> in good words, and moreover relating to them a dream <n>Or, <i>most worthy...all glad </i></n> worthy to be believed, he made them all exceeding glad.


text:
And the vision of that <i>dream </i> was this: <i>He saw </i> Onias, him that was high priest, a noble and good man, reverend in bearing, yet gentle in manner and well-spoken, and exercised from a child in all points of virtue, with outstretched hands invoking <i>blessings </i> on the whole body of the Jews:


text:
thereupon <i>he saw </i> a man appear, of venerable age and exceeding glory, and wonderful and most majestic was the dignity around him:


text:
and Onias answered and said, This is the lover of the brethren, he who prayeth much for the people and the holy city, Jeremiah the prophet of God:


text:
and Jeremiah stretching forth his right hand delivered to Judas a sword of gold, and in giving it addressed <i>him </i> thus,


text:
And being encouraged by the words of Judas, which were of a lofty strain, and able to incite unto virtue and to stir the souls of the young unto manly courage, they determined <n>Or, <i>not to go out to battle, but nobly to engage within </i> their lines, <i>&c. </i> The Greek text of this passage is uncertain. </n> not to carry on a campaign, but nobly to bear down upon <i>the enemy, </i> and fighting hand to hand with all courage bring the matter to an issue, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger.


text:
For their fear for wives and children, and furthermore for brethren and kinsfolk, was in less account with them; but greatest and first was their fear for the consecrated sanctuary.


text:
And they also that were shut up in the city were in no light distress, being troubled because of the encounter in the open ground.<pb/>


text:
And when all were now waiting for the decision of the issue, and the enemy had already joined battle, and the army had been set in array, and the <n>Gr. <i>beasts. </i></n> elephants <n>Or, <i>stationed for convenient action </i></n> brought back to a convenient post, and the horsemen drawn up <n>Or, <i>in line </i></n> on the flank,


text:
Maccabaeus, perceiving the presence of the <n>Gr. <i>multitudes. </i></n> troops, and the various arms with which they were equipped, and the savageness of the <n>Gr. <i>beasts. </i></n> elephants, holding up his hands unto heaven called upon the Lord that worketh wonders, recognising that <i>success </i> cometh not by arms, but that, according as <i>the Lord </i> shall judge, he gaineth the victory for them that are worthy.


text:
And calling upon <i>God </i> he said after this manner: Thou, O Sovereign Lord, didst send thine angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judaea, and he slew of the <n>Gr. <i>camp. </i></n> host of Sennacherib as many as a hundred fourscore and five thousand;


text:
through the greatness of thine arm let them be stricken with dismay that with blasphemy are come hither against thy holy people. And as he ended with these words,


text:
And contending with their hands, and praying unto God with their hearts, they slew no less than thirty and five thousand men, being made exceeding glad by the manifestation of God.<pb/>


text:
And when the engagement was over, and they were returning again with joy, they recognised Nicanor lying dead in full armour;


text:
and there arose a shout and <n>Or, <i>bewilderment </i></n> tumult, and <i>then </i> they blessed the Sovereign <i>Lord </i> in the language of their fathers.


text:
And he that in all things was in body and soul the foremost champion of his fellow-citizens, he that kept through life the good will of his youth toward his countrymen, commanded to cut off Nicanor’s head, and his hand with the shoulder, and bring them to Jerusalem.


text:
And when he had arrived there, and had called his countrymen together and set the priests before the altar, he sent for them that were in the citadel;


text:
and shewing the head of the vile Nicanor, and the hand of that profane man, which with proud brags he had stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty,


text:
and cutting out the tongue of the impious Nicanor, he said that he would give <n>Or, <i>them </i></n> it by pieces to the birds, and hang up the <n>The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt. </n> rewards of his madness over against the sanctuary.


text:
And they all <i>looking up </i> unto heaven blessed <n>Or, <i>the glorious Lord </i></n> the Lord who had manifested himself, saying, Blessed be he that hath preserved his own place undefiled.


text:
And he hanged Nicanor’s head and shoulder from the citadel, a sign, evident unto all and manifest, of the help of the Lord.


text:
And they all ordained with a common decree in no wise to let this day pass undistinguished, but to mark with honour the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (it is called Adar in the Syrian tongue), the day before the day of Mordecai.<pb/><pb/>


text:
THIS then having been the issue of the attempt of Nicanor, and the city having from those times been held by the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my book.


text:
And if <i>I have written </i> well and to the point in my story, this is what I myself desired; but if meanly and indifferently, this is all I could attain unto.


text:
For as it is <n>Or, <i>hurtful </i></n> distasteful to drink wine alone and in like manner again <i>to drink </i> water <i>alone, </i> <n>Gr. <i>but even as. </i></n> while the mingling of wine with water at once <n>Or, <i>addeth delight to the benefit </i></n> giveth full pleasantness to the flavour; so also the fashioning of the language delighteth the ears of them that read the story. <pb/>And here shall be the end.


text:
THE second book of the prophet Esdras, the son of Saraias, the son of Azaraias, the son of Helkias, the son of Salemas, the son of Sadoc, the son of Ahitob,


text:
the son of Achias, the son of Phinees, the son of Heli, the son of Amarias, the son of Aziei, the son of Marimoth, the son of Arna, the son of Ozias, the son of Borith, the son of Abissei, the son of Phinees, the son of Eleazar,


text:
the son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi; which was captive in the land of the Medes, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of the Persians.<pb/>


text:
Go thy way, and shew my people their sinful deeds, and their children their wickedness which they have done against me; that they may tell their children’s children:


text:
because the sins of their fathers are increased in them: for they have forgotten me, and have done sacrifice unto strange gods.


text:
Did I not bring them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage? but they have provoked me unto wrath, and have despised my counsels.


text:
Shake thou then the hair of thy head, and cast all evils upon them, for they have not been obedient unto my law, but it is a rebellious people.


text:
Many kings have I overthrown for their sakes; Pharoah with his servants and all his host have I smitten down.


text:
All the nations have I destroyed before them, and in the east I have scattered the people of two provinces, even of Tyre and Sidon, and have slain all their adversaries.


text:
Thus saith the Lord, of a truth I brought you through the sea, and where there was no path I made for you highways; I gave you Moses for a leader, and Aaron for a priest.


text:
I gave you light in a pillar of fire, and great wonders have I done among you; yet have ye forgotten me, saith the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Thus saith the Lord Almighty, The quails were for a token to you; I gave you a camp for your safeguard, nevertheless ye murmured there:


text:
and ye triumphed not in my name for the destruction of your enemies, but ever to this day do ye yet murmur.


text:
Where are the benefits that I have done for you? when ye were hungry and thirsty in the wilderness, did ye not cry unto me,


text:
saying, Why hast thou brought us into this wilderness to kill us? it had been better for us to have served the Egyptians, than to die in this wilderness.


text:
When ye were thirsty, did I not cleave the rock, and waters flowed out to your fill? for the heat I covered you with the leaves of the trees.


text:
I divided among you fruitful lands; I cast out the Canaanites, the Pherezites, and the Philistines, before you: what shall I yet do more for you? saith the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Thus saith the Lord Almighty, When ye were in the wilderness, at the bitter river, being athirst, and blaspheming my name,


text:
What shall I do unto thee, O Jacob? thou, Judah, wouldest not obey me: I will turn me to other nations, and unto them will I give my name, that they may keep my statutes.


text:
Seeing ye have forsaken me, I also will forsake you; when ye ask me to be merciful unto you, I will have no mercy upon you.


text:
Whensoever ye shall call upon me, I will not hear you: for ye have defiled your hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit manslaughter.


text:
Thus saith the Lord Almighty, Have I not prayed you as a father his sons, as a mother her daughters, and a nurse her young babes,


text:
that ye would be my people, and I should be your God; that ye would be my children, and I should be your father?


text:
I gathered you together, as a hen <i>gathereth </i> her chickens under her wings: but now, what shall I do unto you? I will cast you out from my presence.


text:
When ye offer oblations unto me, I will turn my face from you: for your solemn feast days, your new moons, and your circumcisions of the flesh, have I rejected.


text:
I sent unto you my servants the prophets, whom ye have taken and slain, and torn their bodies in pieces, whose blood I will require <i>of your hands, </i> saith the Lord.<pb/>


text:
And your children shall not be fruitful; for they have neglected my commandment <n>Or, <i>together with you </i></n> unto you, and done that which is evil before me.


text:
Your houses will I give to a people that shall come; which not having heard of me yet believe me; they to whom I have shewed no signs shall do that which I have commanded.


text:
I take to witness the grace of the people that shall come, whose little ones rejoice with gladness: and though they see me not with bodily eyes, yet in spirit they shall believe the thing that I say.<pb/>


text:
unto whom I will give for leaders, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Oseas, Amos, and Micheas, Joel, Abdias, and Jonas,


text:
Nahum, and Abacuc, Sophonias, Aggaeus, Zachary, and Malachy, which is called also the angel of the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Thus saith the Lord, I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave them my commandments by my servants the prophets; whom they would not hear, but set my counsels at nought.


text:
The mother that bare them saith unto them, go your way, O my children; for I am a widow and forsaken.


text:
I brought you up with gladness, and with sorrow and heaviness have I lost you: for ye have sinned before the Lord God, and done that which is evil before me.


text:
But what shall I now do unto you? for I am a widow and forsaken: go your way, O my children, and ask mercy of the Lord.


text:
As for me, O father, I call upon thee for a witness over the mother of <i>these </i> children, because they would not keep my covenant,


text:
that thou bring them to confusion, and their mother to a spoil, that there may be no offspring of them.


text:
Let them be scattered abroad among the heathen, let their names be blotted out of the earth: for they have despised my <n>+ Another reading is, <i>sacrament, </i> or, <i>oath </i></n> covenant.


text:
Woe unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous with thee! O thou wicked nation, remember what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrah;


text:
whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes: even so also will I do unto them that have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord Almighty.<pb/>


text:
Thus saith the Lord unto Esdras, Tell my people that I will give them the kingdom of Jerusalem, which I would have given unto Israel.


text:
Their glory also will I take unto me, and give these the everlasting tabernacles, which I had prepared for them.


text:
They shall have the tree of life for an ointment of sweet savour; they shall neither labour, nor be weary.


text:
<n>Another reading is, <i>Go. </i></n> Ask, and ye shall receive: pray for few days unto you, that they may be shortened: the kingdom is already prepared for you: watch.


text:
Take heaven and earth to witness, take them to witness; for I have given up the evil, and created the good: for I live, saith the Lord.<pb/>


text:
Mother, embrace thy children; I will bring them out with gladness like a dove; stablish their feet; for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord.


text:
And those that be dead will I raise up again from their places, and bring them out from their tombs: for I <n>Or, <i>recognise </i></n> have known my name in them.


text:
For thy help will I send my servants Esaias and Jeremy, after whose counsel I have sanctified and prepared for thee twelve trees laden with divers fruits,


text:
and as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill thy children with joy.


text:
heal the broken and the weak, laugh not a lame man to scorn, defend the maimed, and let the blind man come unto the sight of my glory.


text:
Wheresoever thou findest the dead, set a sign upon them and commit them to the grave, and I will give thee the first place in my resurrection.


text:
As for the servants whom I have given thee, there shall not one of them perish; for I will require them from among thy number.


text:
Be not careful overmuch: for when the day of tribulation and anguish cometh, others shall weep and be sorrowful, but thou shalt be merry and have abundance.


text:
Remember thy children that sleep, for I shall bring them out of the secret places of the earth, and shew mercy unto them: for I am merciful, saith the Lord Almighty.


text:
Embrace thy children until I come, and proclaim mercy unto them: for my wells run over, and my grace shall not fail.<pb/>


text:
I Esdras received a charge from the Lord upon the mount Horeb, that I should go unto Israel; but when I came unto them, they would none of me, and rejected the commandment of the Lord.


text:
And therefore I say unto you, O ye nations, that hear and understand, look for your shepherd, he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is nigh at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.


text:
Be ready to the rewards of the kingdom, for the everlasting light shall shine upon you for evermore.


text:
Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory: I call to witness my saviour openly.


text:
O receive that which is given you of the Lord, and be joyful, giving thanks unto him that hath called you to heavenly kingdoms.


text:
<n>Another reading is, <i>Take. </i></n> Look upon thy number, O Sion, and make up the reckoning of those of thine that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord.


text:
The number of thy children, whom thou longest for, is fulfilled: beseech the power of the Lord, that thy people, which have been called from the beginning, may be hallowed.<pb/>


text:
I Esdras saw upon the mount Sion a great multitude, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.


text:
And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; whereat I marvelled greatly.


