A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias’ hiding the ark at the
time of the captivity. The author’s preface.
2:1.Now it is found in the descriptions of Jeremias, the prophet, that
he commanded them that went into captivity, to take the fire, as it
hath been signified, and how he gave charge to them that were carried
away into captivity.
The descriptions.... That is, the records or memoirs of Jeremias, a
work that is now lost.
2:2. And how he gave them the law, that they should not forget the
commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds,
seeing the idols of gold, and silver, and the ornaments of them.
2:3. And with other such like speeches, he exhorted them that they
would not remove the law from their heart.
2:4. It was also contained in the same writing, how the prophet, being
warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should
accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where Moses went up,
and saw the inheritance of God.
2:5. And when Jeremias came thither he found a hollow cave: and he
carried in thither the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of
incense, and so stopped the door.
2:6. Then some of them that followed him, came up to mark the place:
but they could not find it.
2:7. And when Jeremias perceived it, he blamed them, saying: The place
shall be unknown, till God gather together the congregation of the
people, and receive them to mercy.
2:8. And then the Lord will shew these things, and the majesty of the
Lord shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shewed to
Moses, and he shewed it when Solomon prayed that the place might be
sanctified to the great God.
2:9. For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise
man, he offered the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the finishing
of the temple.
2:10. And as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven,
and consumed the holocaust: so Solomon also prayed, and fire came down
from heaven and consumed the holocaust.
2:11. And Moses said: Because the sin offering was not eaten, it was
consumed.
2:12. So Solomon also celebrated the dedication eight days.
2:13. And these same things were set down in the memoirs, and
commentaries of Nehemias: and how he made a library, and gathered
together out of the countries, the books both of the prophets, and of
David, and the epistles of the kings, and concerning the holy gifts.
2:14. And in like manner Judas also gathered together all such things
as were lost by the war we had, and they are in our possession.
2:15. Wherefore, if you want these things, send some that may fetch
them to you.
2:16. As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have
written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.
The purification.... That is, the feast of the purifying or cleansing
of the temple.
2:17. And we hope that God, who hath delivered his people, and hath
rendered to all the inheritance, and the kingdom, and the priesthood,
and the sanctuary,
2:18. As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and
will gather us together from every land under heaven into the holy
place.
2:19. For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed
the place.
2:20. Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the
purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar:
2:21. As also the wars against Antiochus, the Illustrious, and his son,
Eupator:
2:22. And the manifestations that came from heaven to them, that
behaved themselves manfully on the behalf of the Jews, so that, being
but a few they made themselves masters of the whole country, and put to
flight the barbarous multitude:
2:23. And recovered again the most renowned temple in all the world,
and delivered the city, and restored the laws that were abolished, the
Lord with all clemency shewing mercy to them.
2:24. And all such things as have been comprised in five books by
Jason, of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.
2:25. For considering the multitude of books, and the difficulty that
they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because
of the multitude of the matter,
2:26. We have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read,
that it might be a pleasure of mind: and for the studious, that they
may more easily commit to memory: and that all that read might receive
profit.
2:27. And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of
abridging, we have taken in hand no easy task; yea, rather a business
full of watching and sweat.
No easy task, etc.... The spirit of God, that assists the sacred
penmen, does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter
which they are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are
to deliver it. So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained
to all things. Luke 1. ver. 3.
2:28. But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of
others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour.
2:29. Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular,
and as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be
brief.
2:30. For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the
whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit
things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged of us.
2:31. For to collect all that is to be known, to put the discourse in
order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of
the author of a history:
2:32. But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations
of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment.
2:33. Here then we will begin the narration: let this be enough by way
of a preface: for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to
be short in the story itself.