1:1 And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the
Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettim, had smitten Darius
king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first
over Greece,
1:2 And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings
of the earth,
1:3 And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many
nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was
exalted and his heart was lifted up.
1:4 And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and
nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.
1:5 And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should
die.
1:6 Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had
been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among
them, while he was yet alive.
1:7 So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.
1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place.
1:9 And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did
their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the
earth.
1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed
Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome,
and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the
kingdom of the Greeks.
1:11 In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded
many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are
round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much
sorrow.
1:12 So this device pleased them well.
1:13 Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went
to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the
heathen:
1:14 Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to
the customs of the heathen:
1:15 And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant,
and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
1:16 Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought
to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.
1:17 Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with
chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,
1:18 And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was
afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.
1:19 Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took
the spoils thereof.
1:20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in
the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and
Jerusalem with a great multitude,
1:21 And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden
altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,
1:22 And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the
vials, and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the
golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.
1:23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels:
also he took the hidden treasures which he found.
1:24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having
made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.
1:25 Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place
where they were;
1:26 So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men
were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.
1:27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the
marriage chamber was in heaviness,
1:28 The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the
house of Jacob was covered with confusion.
1:29 And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief
collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem
with a great multitude,
1:30 And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when
they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote
it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.
1:31 And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire,
and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.
1:32 But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the
cattle.
1:33 Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall,
and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.
1:34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified
themselves therein.
1:35 They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had
gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and
so they became a sore snare:
1:36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an
evil adversary to Israel.
1:37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and
defiled it:
1:38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them:
whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became
strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.
1:39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were
turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into
contempt.
1:40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her
excellency was turned into mourning.
1:41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all
should be one people,
1:42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed
according to the commandment of the king.
1:43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and
sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
1:44 For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the
cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,
1:45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in
the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival
days:
1:46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
1:47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice
swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts:
1:48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make
their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:
1:49 To the end they might forget the law, and change all the
ordinances.
1:50 And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the
king, he said, he should die.
1:51 In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and
appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda
to sacrifice, city by city.
1:52 Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one
that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;
1:53 And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they
could flee for succour.
1:54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty
and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the
altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every
side;
1:55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the
streets.
1:56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they
found, they burnt them with fire.
1:57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if
any consented to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should
put him to death.
1:58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month,
to as many as were found in the cities.
1:59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice
upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.
1:60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death
certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.
1:61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their
houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
1:62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in
themselves not to eat any unclean thing.
1:63 Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with
meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they
died.
1:64 And there was very great wrath upon Israel.
2:1 In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon,
a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.
2:2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:
2:3 Simon; called Thassi:
2:4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus:
2:5 Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.
2:6 And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and
Jerusalem,
2:7 He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my
people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered
into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of
strangers?
2:8 Her temple is become as a man without glory.
2:9 Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants
are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy.
2:10 What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her
spoils?
2:11 All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a
bondslave.
2:12 And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid
waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it.
2:13 To what end therefore shall we live any longer?
2:14 Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on
sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
2:15 In the mean while the king’s officers, such as compelled the
people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice.
2:16 And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his
sons came together.
2:17 Then answered the king’s officers, and said to Mattathias on this
wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city,
and strengthened with sons and brethren:
2:18 Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king’s commandment,
like as all the heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and
such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy house be in the
number of the king’s friends, and thou and thy children shall be
honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards.
2:19 Then Mattathias answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all
the nations that are under the king’s dominion obey him, and fall away
every one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his
commandments:
2:20 Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our
fathers.
2:21 God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.
2:22 We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion,
either on the right hand, or the left.
2:23 Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the
Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin,
according to the king’s commandment.
2:24 Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and
his reins trembled, neither could he forbear to shew his anger
according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar.
2:25 Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he
killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.
2:26 Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did
unto Zambri the son of Salom.
2:27 And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice,
saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant,
let him follow me.
2:28 So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever
they had in the city.
2:29 Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into
the wilderness, to dwell there:
2:30 Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle;
because afflictions increased sore upon them.
2:31 Now when it was told the king’s servants, and the host that was at
Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the
king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the
wilderness,
2:32 They pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them,
they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day.
2:33 And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto
suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king,
and ye shall live.
2:34 But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the
king’s commandment, to profane the sabbath day.
2:35 So then they gave them the battle with all speed.
2:36 Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them,
nor stopped the places where they lay hid;
2:37 But said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will
testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully.
2:38 So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they
slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the
number of a thousand people.
2:39 Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they
mourned for them right sore.
2:40 And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have
done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they
will now quickly root us out of the earth.
2:41 At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come
to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him;
neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the
secret places.
2:42 Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty
men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.
2:43 Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto
them, and were a stay unto them.
2:44 So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger,
and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for
succour.
2:45 Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down
the altars:
2:46 And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel
uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.
2:47 They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in
their hand.
2:48 So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out
of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.
2:49 Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said
unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time
of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
2:50 Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your
lives for the covenant of your fathers.
2:51 Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so
shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting name.
2:52 Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed
unto him for righteousness?
2:53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was
made lord of Egypt.
2:54 Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the
covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
2:55 Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.
2:56 Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the
heritage of the land.
2:57 David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting
kingdom.
2:58 Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into
heaven.
2:59 Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the
flame.
2:60 Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.
2:61 And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their
trust in him shall be overcome.
2:62 Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be
dung and worms.
2:63 To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found,
because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to
nothing.
2:64 Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the
behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory.
2:65 And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel,
give ear unto him alway: he shall be a father unto you.
2:66 As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, even from
his youth up: let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the
people.
2:67 Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye
the wrong of your people.
2:68 Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of
the law.
2:69 So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.
2:70 And he died in the hundred 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.
3:1 Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead.
3:2 And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with
his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.
3:3 So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a
giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles,
protecting the host with his sword.
3:4 In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for
his prey.
3:5 For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those
that vexed his people.
3:6 Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of
iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.
3:7 He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and
his memorial is blessed for ever.
3:8 Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly
out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel:
3:9 So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he
received unto him such as were ready to perish.
3:10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host
out of Samaria, to fight against Israel.
3:11 Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and
so he smote him, and slew him: many also fell down slain, but the rest
fled.
3:12 Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and
therewith he fought all his life long.
3:13 Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that
Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to
go out with him to war;
3:14 He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I
will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the
king’s commandment.
3:15 So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty
host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of
Israel.
3:16 And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went
forth to meet him with a small company:
3:17 Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas,
How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a
multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all
this day?
3:18 Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut
up in the hands of a few; and with the God of heaven it is all one, to
deliver with a great multitude, or a small company:
3:19 For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an
host; but strength cometh from heaven.
3:20 They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and
our wives and children, and to spoil us:
3:21 But we fight for our lives and our laws.
3:22 Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face:
and as for you, be ye not afraid of them.
3:23 Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon
them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him.
3:24 And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the
plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them; and the
residue fled into the land of the Philistines.
3:25 Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding
great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them:
3:26 Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of
the battles of Judas.
3:27 Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of
indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of
his realm, even a very strong army.
3:28 He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year,
commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them.
3:29 Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed
and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the
dissension and plague, which he had brought upon the land in taking
away the laws which had been of old time;
3:30 He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any
longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before:
for he had abounded above the kings that were before him.
3:31 Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to
go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to
gather much money.
3:32 So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to
oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the
borders of Egypt:
3:33 And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again.
3:34 Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the
elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done,
as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem:
3:35 To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and
root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to
take away their memorial from that place;
3:36 And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and
divide their land by lot.
3:37 So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and
departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh
year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high
countries.
3:38 Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and
Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends:
3:39 And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand
horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king
commanded.
3:40 So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by
Emmaus in the plain country.
3:41 And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took
silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy
the children of Israel for slaves: a power also of Syria and of the
land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them.
3:42 Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied,
and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders: for they
knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and
utterly abolish them;
3:43 They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed estate of our
people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary.
3:44 Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be
ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and
compassion.
3:45 Now Jerusalem lay void as a wilderness, there was none of her
children that went in or out: the sanctuary also was trodden down, and
aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that
place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased.
3:46 Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came
to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where
they prayed aforetime in Israel.
3:47 Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes
upon their heads, and rent their clothes,
3:48 And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought
to paint the likeness of their images.
3:49 They brought also the priests’ garments, and the firstfruits, and
the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished
their days.
3:50 Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What
shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away?
3:51 For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests
are in heaviness, and brought low.
3:52 And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy
us: what things they imagine against us, thou knowest.
3:53 How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be
our help?
3:54 Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.
3:55 And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even
captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over
tens.
3:56 But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives,
or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that
they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law.
3:57 So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
3:58 And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that
ye be in readiness against the morning, that ye may fight with these
nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our
sanctuary:
3:59 For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the
calamities of our people and our sanctuary.
3:60 Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.
4:1 Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best
horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night;
4:2 To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite
them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides.
4:3 Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant
men with him, that he might smite the king’s army which was at Emmaus,
4:4 While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
4:5 In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas:
and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for
said he, These fellows flee from us
4:6 But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with
three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to
their minds.
4:7 And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well
harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were
expert of war.
4:8 Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their
multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
4:9 Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when
Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
4:10 Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord
will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and
destroy this host before our face this day:
4:11 That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth
and saveth Israel.
4:12 Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over
against them.
4:13 Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were
with Judas sounded their trumpets.
4:14 So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into
the plain.
4:15 Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for
they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and
Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three
thousand men.
4:16 This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them,
4:17 And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as
there is a battle before us,
4:18 And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand
ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may
boldly take the spoils.
4:19 As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of
them looking out of the mountain:
4:20 Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight
and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what
was done:
4:21 When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid,
and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight,
4:22 They fled every one into the land of strangers.
4:23 Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold,
and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.
4:24 After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and
praised the Lord in heaven: because it is good, because his mercy
endureth forever.
4:25 Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.
4:26 Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what
had happened:
4:27 Who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged,
because neither such things as he would were done unto Israel, nor such
things as the king commanded him were come to pass.
4:28 The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together
threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen,
that he might subdue them.
4:29 So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and
Judas met them with ten thousand men.
4:30 And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art
thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty
man by the hand of thy servant David, and gavest the host of strangers
into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer;
4:31 Shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them
be confounded in their power and horsemen:
4:32 Make them to be of no courage, and cause the boldness of their
strength to fall away, and let them quake at their destruction:
4:33 Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all
those that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving.
4:34 So they joined battle; and there were slain of the host of Lysias
about five thousand men, even before them were they slain.
4:35 Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of
Judas’ soldiers, and how they were ready either to live or die
valiantly, he went into Antiochia, and gathered together a company of
strangers, and having made his army greater than it was, he purposed to
come again into Judea.
4:36 Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are
discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary.
4:37 Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up
into mount Sion.
4:38 And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned,
and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a
forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests’ chambers
pulled down;
4:39 They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast
ashes upon their heads,
4:40 And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an
alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
4:41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were
in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.
4:42 So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had
pleasure in the law:
4:43 Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into
an unclean place.
4:44 And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt
offerings, which was profaned;
4:45 They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach
to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it
down,
4:46 And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a
convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should
be done with them.
4:47 Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new
altar according to the former;
4:48 And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the
temple, and hallowed the courts.
4:49 They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought
the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and
the table.
4:50 And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were
upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the
temple.
4:51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the
veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
4:52 Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is
called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they
rose up betimes in the morning,
4:53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of
burnt offerings, which they had made.
4:54 Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even
in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and
cymbals.
4:55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and
praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.
4:56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and
offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of
deliverance and praise.
4:57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold,
and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and
hanged doors upon them.
4:58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the
reproach of the heathen was put away.
4:59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of
Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be
kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from
the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and
gladness.
4:60 At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls
and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread
it down as they had done before.
4:61 And they set there a garrison to keep it, and fortified Bethsura
to preserve it; that the people might have a defence against Idumea.
5:1 Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and
the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much.
5:2 Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was
among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.
5:3 Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at
Arabattine, because they besieged Israel: and he gave them a great
overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils.
5:4 Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been
a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for
them in the ways.
5:5 He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them,
and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with
fire, and all that were therein.
5:6 Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a
mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.
5:7 So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were
discomfited before him; and he smote them.
5:8 And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he
returned into Judea.
5:9 Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together
against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them;
but they fled to the fortress of Dathema.
5:10 And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are
round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us:
5:11 And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we
are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.
5:12 Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of
us are slain:
5:13 Yea, all our brethren that were in the places of Tobie are put to
death: their wives and their children also they have carried away
captives, and borne away their stuff; and they have destroyed there
about a thousand men.
5:14 While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other
messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this
wise,
5:15 And said, They of Ptolemais, and of Tyrus, and Sidon, and all
Galilee of the Gentiles, are assembled together against us to consume
us.
5:16 Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled a
great congregation together, to consult what they should do for their
brethren, that were in trouble, and assaulted of them.
5:17 Then said Judas unto Simon his brother, Choose thee out men, and
go and deliver thy brethren that are in Galilee, for I and Jonathan my
brother will go into the country of Galaad.
5:18 So he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of
the people, with the remnant of the host in Judea to keep it.
5:19 Unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Take ye the charge of this
people, and see that ye make not war against the heathen until the time
that we come again.
5:20 Now unto Simon were given three thousand men to go into Galilee,
and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of Galaad.
5:21 Then went Simon into Galilee, where he fought many battles with
the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him.
5:22 And he pursued them unto the gate of Ptolemais; and there were
slain of the heathen about three thousand men, whose spoils he took.
5:23 And those that were in Galilee, and in Arbattis, with their wives
and their children, and all that they had, took he away with him, and
brought them into Judea with great joy.
5:24 Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan,
and travelled three days’ journey in the wilderness,
5:25 Where they met with the Nabathites, who came unto them in a
peaceable manner, and told them every thing that had happened to their
brethren in the land of Galaad:
5:26 And how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and
Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and
great:
5:27 And that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the
country of Galaad, and that against to morrow they had appointed to
bring their host against the forts, and to take them, and to destroy
them all in one day.
5:28 Hereupon Judas and his host turned suddenly by the way of the
wilderness unto Bosora; and when he had won the city, he slew all the
males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned
the city with fire,
5:29 From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the
fortress.
5:30 And betimes in the morning they looked up, and, behold, there was
an innumerable people bearing ladders and other engines of war, to take
the fortress: for they assaulted them.
5:31 When Judas therefore saw that the battle was begun, and that the
cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets, and a great sound,
5:32 He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren.
5:33 So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their
trumpets, and cried with prayer.
5:34 Then the host of Timotheus, knowing that it was Maccabeus, fled
from him: wherefore he smote them with a great slaughter; so that there
were killed of them that day about eight thousand men.
5:35 This done, Judas turned aside to Maspha; and after he had
assaulted it he took and slew all the males therein, and received the
spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.
5:36 From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other
cities of the country of Galaad.
5:37 After these things gathered Timotheus another host and encamped
against Raphon beyond the brook.
5:38 So Judas sent men to espy the host, who brought him word, saying,
All the heathen that be round about us are assembled unto them, even a
very great host.
5:39 He hath also hired the Arabians to help them and they have pitched
their tents beyond the brook, ready to come and fight against thee.
Upon this Judas went to meet them.
5:40 Then Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, When Judas and
his host come near the brook, if he pass over first unto us, we shall
not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us:
5:41 But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over
unto him, and prevail against him.
5:42 Now when Judas came near the brook, he caused the scribes of the
people to remain by the brook: unto whom he gave commandment, saying,
Suffer no man to remain in the camp, but let all come to the battle.
5:43 So he went first over unto them, and all the people after him:
then all the heathen, being discomfited before him, cast away their
weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Carnaim.
5:44 But they took the city, and burned the temple with all that were
therein. Thus was Carnaim subdued, neither could they stand any longer
before Judas.
5:45 Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the
country of Galaad, from the least unto the greatest, even their wives,
and their children, and their stuff, a very great host, to the end they
might come into the land of Judea.
5:46 Now when they came unto Ephron, (this was a great city in the way
as they should go, very well fortified) they could not turn from it,
either on the right hand or the left, but must needs pass through the
midst of it.
5:47 Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with
stones.
5:48 Whereupon Judas sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, Let us
pass through your land to go into our own country, and none shall do
you any hurt; we will only pass through on foot: howbeit they would not
open unto him.
5:49 Wherefore Judas commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the
host, that every man should pitch his tent in the place where he was.
5:50 So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and
all that night, till at the length the city was delivered into his
hands:
5:51 Who then slew 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.
5:52 After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before
Bethsan.
5:53 And Judas gathered together those that came behind, and exhorted
the people all the way through, till they came into the land of Judea.
5:54 So they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, where they
offered burnt offerings, because not one of them were slain until they
had returned in peace.
5:55 Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad,
and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,
5:56 Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the
garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had
done.
5:57 Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight
against the heathen that are round about us.
5:58 So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with
them, they went toward Jamnia.
5:59 Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against
them.
5:60 And so it was, that Joseph and Azaras were put to flight, and
pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there were slain that day of the
people of Israel about two thousand men.
5:61 Thus was there a great overthrow among the children of Israel,
because they were not obedient unto Judas and his brethren, but thought
to do some valiant act.
5:62 Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand
deliverance was given unto Israel.
5:63 Howbeit the man Judas and his brethren were greatly renowned in
the sight of all Israel, and of all the heathen, wheresoever their name
was heard of;
5:64 Insomuch as the people assembled unto them with joyful
acclamations.
5:65 Afterward went Judas forth with his brethren, and fought against
the children of Esau in the land toward the south, where he smote
Hebron, and the towns thereof, and pulled down the fortress of it, and
burned the towers thereof round about.
5:66 From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and
passed through Samaria.
5:67 At that time certain priests, desirous to shew their valour, were
slain in battle, for that they went out to fight unadvisedly.
5:68 So Judas turned to Azotus in the land of the Philistines, and when
he had pulled down their altars, and burned their carved images with
fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned into the land of Judea.
6:1 About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high
countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city
greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;
6:2 And that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings
of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip,
the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Grecians, had left
there.
6:3 Wherefore he came and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but
he was not able, because they of the city, having had warning thereof,
6:4 Rose up against him in battle: so he fled, and departed thence with
great heaviness, and returned to Babylon.
6:5 Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Persia, that
the armies, which went against the land of Judea, were put to flight:
6:6 And that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power was driven
away of the Jews; and that they were made strong by the armour, and
power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten of the armies, whom
they had destroyed:
6:7 Also that they had pulled down the abomination, which he had set up
upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the
sanctuary with high walls, as before, and his city Bethsura.
6:8 Now when the king heard these words, he was astonished and sore
moved: whereupon he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for
grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for.
6:9 And there he continued many days: for his grief was ever more and
more, and he made account that he should die.
6:10 Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, The
sleep is gone from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for very care.
6:11 And I thought with myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and
how great a flood of misery is it, wherein now I am! for I was
bountiful and beloved in my power.
6:12 But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I
took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to
destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause.
6:13 I perceive therefore that for this cause these troubles are come
upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land.
6:14 Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler
over all his realm,
6:15 And gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end
he should bring up his son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the
kingdom.
6:16 So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.
6:17 Now when Lysias knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus
his son, whom he had brought up being young, to reign in his stead, and
his name he called Eupator.
6:18 About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites
round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the
strengthening of the heathen.
6:19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people
together to besiege them.
6:20 So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and
fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other
engines.
6:21 Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom
some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:
6:22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere
thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?
6:23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would
have us, and to obey his commandments;
6:24 For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are
alienated from us: moreover as many of us as they could light on they
slew, and spoiled our inheritance.
6:25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but
also against their borders.
6:26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem,
to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.
6:27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the
greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.
6:28 Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together
all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had
charge of the horse.
6:29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of
the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
6:30 So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen,
and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in
battle.
6:31 These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which
they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura
came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
6:32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in
Bathzacharias, over against the king’s camp.
6:33 Then the king rising very early marched fiercely with his host
toward Bathzacharias, where his armies made them ready to battle, and
sounded the trumpets.
6:34 And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they
shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.
6:35 Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every
elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and
with helmets of brass on their heads; and beside this, for every beast
were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.
6:36 These were ready at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and
whithersoever the beast went, they went also, neither departed they
from him.
6:37 And upon the beasts were there strong towers of wood, which
covered every one of them, and were girt fast unto them with devices:
there were also upon every one two and thirty strong men, that fought
upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him.
6:38 As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and
that side at the two parts of the host giving them signs what to do,
and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks.
6:39 Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the
mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire.
6:40 So part of the king’s army being spread upon the high mountains,
and part on the valleys below, they marched on safely and in order.
6:41 Wherefore all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the
marching of the company, and the rattling of the harness, were moved:
for the army was very great and mighty.
6:42 Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and
there were slain of the king’s army six hundred men.
6:43 Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts,
armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing
that the king was upon him,
6:44 Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people,
and get him a perpetual name:
6:45 Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the
battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were
divided from him on both sides.
6:46 Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and
slew him: whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.
6:47 Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and
the violence of his forces, turned away from them.
6:48 Then the king’s army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the
king pitched his tents against Judea, and against mount Sion.
6:49 But with them that were in Bethsura he made peace: for they came
out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the
siege, it being a year of rest to the land.
6:50 So the king took Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it.
6:51 As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days: and set there
artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and
pieces to cast darts and slings.
6:52 Whereupon they also made engines against their engines, and held
them battle a long season.
6:53 Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals, (for that
it was the seventh year, and they in Judea that were delivered from the
Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the store;)
6:54 There were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did
so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse themselves,
every man to his own place.
6:55 At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the
king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus,
that he might be king,
6:56 Was returned out of Persia and Media, and the king’s host also
that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of
the affairs.
6:57 Wherefore he went in all haste, and said to the king and the
captains of the host and the company, We decay daily, and our victuals
are but small, and the place we lay siege unto is strong, and the
affairs of the kingdom lie upon us:
6:58 Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make peace
with them, and with all their nation;
6:59 And covenant with them, that they shall live after their laws, as
they did before: for they are therefore displeased, and have done all
these things, because we abolished their laws.
6:60 So the king and the princes were content: wherefore he sent unto
them to make peace; and they accepted thereof.
6:61 Also the king and the princes made an oath unto them: whereupon
they went out of the strong hold.
6:62 Then the king entered into mount Sion; but when he saw the
strength of the place, he broke his oath that he had made, and gave
commandment to pull down the wall round about.
6:63 Afterward departed he in all haste, and returned unto Antiochia,
where he found Philip to be master of the city: so he fought against
him, and took the city by force.
7:1 In the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of
Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of
the sea coast, and reigned there.
7:2 And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that
his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him.
7:3 Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces.
7:4 So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne
of his kingdom,
7:5 There came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel,
having Alcimus, who was desirous to be high priest, for their captain:
7:6 And they accused the people to the king, saying, Judas and his
brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land.
7:7 Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and
see what havock he hath made among us, and in the king’s land, and let
him punish them with all them that aid them.
7:8 Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled
beyond the flood, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to
the king,
7:9 And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest,
and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Israel.
7:10 So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of
Judea, where they sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with
peaceable words deceitfully.
7:11 But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were
come with a great power.
7:12 Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of
scribes, to require justice.
7:13 Now the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that
sought peace of them:
7:14 For said they, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come
with this army, and he will do us no wrong.
7:15 So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we
will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends.
7:16 Whereupon they believed him: howbeit he took of them threescore
men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he wrote,
7:17 The flesh of thy saints have they cast out, and their blood have
they shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.
7:18 Wherefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, who
said, There is neither truth nor righteousness in them; for they have
broken the covenant and oath that they made.
7:19 After this, removed Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his
tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men that had
forsaken him, and certain of the people also, and when he had slain
them, he cast them into the great pit.
7:20 Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a
power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king.
7:21 But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood.
7:22 And unto him resorted all such as troubled the people, who, after
they had gotten the land of Juda into their power, did much hurt in
Israel.
7:23 Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company
had done among the Israelites, even above the heathen,
7:24 He went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took
vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no
more go forth into the country.
7:25 On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had
gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their
force, he went again to the king, and said all the worst of them that
he could.
7:26 Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man
that bare deadly hate unto Israel, with commandment to destroy the
people.
7:27 So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto
Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,
7:28 Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few
men, that I may see you in peace.
7:29 He came therefore to Judas, and they saluted one another
peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by
violence.
7:30 Which thing after it was known to Judas, to wit, that he came unto
him with deceit, he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no
more.
7:31 Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went
out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama:
7:32 Where there were slain of Nicanor’s side about five thousand men,
and the rest fled into the city of David.
7:33 After this went Nicanor up to mount Sion, and there came out of
the sanctuary certain of the priests and certain of the elders of the
people, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the burnt sacrifice
that was offered for the king.
7:34 But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them
shamefully, and spake proudly,
7:35 And sware in his wrath, saying, Unless Judas and his host be now
delivered into my hands, if ever I come again in safety, I will burn up
this house: and with that he went out in a great rage.
7:36 Then the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the
temple, weeping, and saying,
7:37 Thou, O Lord, didst choose this house to be called by thy name,
and to be a house of prayer and petition for thy people:
7:38 Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them fall by the
sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any
longer.
7:39 So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in
Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria met him.
7:40 But Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he
prayed, saying,
7:41 O Lord, when they that were sent from the king of the Assyrians
blasphemed, thine angel went out, and smote an hundred fourscore and
five thousand of them.
7:42 Even so destroy thou this host before us this day, that the rest
may know that he hath spoken blasphemously against thy sanctuary, and
judge thou him according to his wickedness.
7:43 So the thirteenth day of the month Adar the hosts joined battle:
but Nicanor’s host was discomfited, and he himself was first slain in
the battle.
7:44 Now when Nicanor’s host saw that he was slain, they cast away
their weapons, and fled.
7:45 Then they pursued after them a day’s journey, from Adasa unto
Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets.
7:46 Whereupon they came forth out of all the towns of Judea round
about, and closed them in; so that they, turning back upon them that
pursued them, were all slain with the sword, and not one of them was
left.
7:47 Afterwards they took the spoils, and the prey, and smote off
Nicanors head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so proudly,
and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem.
7:48 For this cause the people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day
a day of great gladness.
7:49 Moreover they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the
thirteenth of Adar.
7:50 Thus the land of Juda was in rest a little while.
8:1 Now Judas had heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were
mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that
joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that
came unto them;
8:2 And that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of
their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and
how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute;
8:3 And what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of
the mines of the silver and gold which is there;
8:4 And that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the
place, though it were very far from them; and the kings also that came
against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had
discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest
did give them tribute every year:
8:5 Beside this, how they had discomfited in battle Philip, and
Perseus, king of the Citims, with others that lifted up themselves
against them, and had overcome them:
8:6 How also Antiochus the great king of Asia, that came against them
in battle, having an hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and
chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited by them;
8:7 And how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as
reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and
that which was agreed upon,
8:8 And the country of India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest
countries, which they took of him, and gave to king Eumenes:
8:9 Moreover how the Grecians had determined to come and destroy them;
8:10 And that they, having knowledge thereof sent against them a
certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and carried
away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and
took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, and
brought them to be their servants unto this day:
8:11 It was told him besides, how they destroyed and brought under
their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted
them;
8:12 But with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept
amity: and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh, insomuch
as all that heard of their name were afraid of them:
8:13 Also that, whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and
whom again they would, they displace: finally, that they were greatly
exalted:
8:14 Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed in
purple, to be magnified thereby:
8:15 Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein
three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for
the people, to the end they might be well ordered:
8:16 And that they committed their government to one man every year,
who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that
one, and that there was neither envy nor emmulation among them.
8:17 In consideration of these things, 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,
8:18 And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for
they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with
servitude.
8:19 They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and
came into the senate, where they spake and said.
8:20 Judas Maccabeus with 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.
8:21 So that matter pleased the Romans well.
8:22 And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back
again in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that there they might
have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy:
8:23 Good success be to the Romans, and to the people of the Jews, by
sea and by land for ever: the sword also and enemy be far from them,
8:24 If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their
confederates throughout all their dominion,
8:25 The people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be
appointed, with all their heart:
8:26 Neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon
them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath
seemed good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants
without taking any thing therefore.
8:27 In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation of the
Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the
time shall be appointed them:
8:28 Neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against
them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the
Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit.
8:29 According to these articles did the Romans make a covenant with
the people of the Jews.
8:30 Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think to
meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures,
and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified.
8:31 And as touching the evils that Demetrius doeth to the Jews, we
have written unto him, saying, Wherefore thou made thy yoke heavy upon
our friends and confederates the Jews?
8:32 If therefore they complain any more against thee, we will do them
justice, and fight with thee by sea and by land.
9:1 Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host were
slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea
the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host:
9:2 Who went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched
their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had won
it, they slew much people.
9:3 Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year they
encamped before Jerusalem: