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Apocrypha.

I. MACCABEES.

Аростурка. 48 And made up the sanctuary, and the of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, things that were within the temple, and hal- and much people, with Timotheus their cap

lowed the courts.

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.

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.

51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the vails, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.

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,

53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt-offerings, which they had made.

tain.

7 So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote them.

8 And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea. 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, 10 And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy ns:

11 And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.

12 Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain :

13 Yea, all our brethren that were in the

54 Look, at what time and what day the hea- places of Tobie are put to death: their wives then had profaned it, even in that was it dedi-and their children also they have carried away cated with songs, and eitherns, and harps, and captives, and borne away their stuff; and they cymbals. have destroyed there about a thousand men.

55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.

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.

57 They decked also the fore-front of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.

58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.

14 While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise,

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.

16 Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled a great congrega tion together, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and assaulted of them.

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

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 18 So he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, space of eight days, from the five and twentieth and Azarias, captains of the people, with the day of the month Casleu, with mirth and glad-remnant of the host in Judea to keep it.

ness.

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.

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. CHAP. V.

Nthat the altar was built, and the sanctuary

TOW when the nations round about heard

renewed as before, it displeased them very much. 2 Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.

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.

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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.

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.

20 Now unto Simon were given three thonsand men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of Galaad.

21 Then went Simon into Galilce, where he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him.

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.

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.

24 Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days journey in the wilderness,

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 He shut them up therefore in the towers, 26 And how that many of them were shut up and encamped against them, and destroyed them in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, utterly, and burned the towers of that place with Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong fire, and all that were therein. and great:

6 Afterward he passed over to the children!

27 And that they were shut up in the rest of

Apocrypha.

CHAP. V.

Apocrypha. the cities of the country of Galad, and that was a great city in the way as they should go, against to-morrow they had appointed to bring very well fortified) they could not turn from it, their hosts against the forts, and to take them, either on the right hand or the left, but must and to destroy them all in one day. needs pass through the midst of it.

23 Hereupon Judas and his host turned sud-| denly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and when he had won the city, he slow all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire. 29 From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress.

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.

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, 32 He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren.

33 So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer.

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.

35 This done, Judas turned aside to Maspha; and after he had assaulted it, he took it, and slew all the males therein, and received the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.

36 From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities of the country of Galaad.'

37 After these things gathered Timotheus! another host, and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.

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.

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.

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:

41 But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him.

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.

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.

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.

47 Then they of the city shut them out, and stomped up the gates with stones.

43 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.

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.

50 So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and all that night, till at length the city was delivered into his hands:

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.

52 After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan.

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.

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.

55 Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,

56 Joseph the son of Zecharias, and Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had done.

57 Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are round about us.

58 So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia.

59 Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them.

60 And so it was that Joseph and Azarias 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.

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.

62 Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand deliverance was given unto Israel.

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;

64 Insomuch as the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.

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.

66 From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Sa

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 maria. very great host, to the end they might come into the land of Judea.

46 Now when they came unto Ephron, (this

67 At that time certain priests, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they went out to fight unadv sedly.

Apocrypha.

1. MACCABEES.

Apocrypha. 68 So Judas turned to Azotus in the land of them, called all the people together to besiege the Philistines, and when he had pulled down them.

their altars, and burned their carved images 20 So they came together, and besieged them with fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines. 21 Howbeit, certain of them that were be

into the land of Judea.

CHAP. VI.

ABOUT that time king Antiochus travel- sieved got forth, unto whom some ungodly men

ling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;

of Israel joined themselves:

22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?

23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his

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 commandments; among the Grecians, had left there.

24 For which cause they of our nation be3 Wherefore he came and sought to take siege the tower, and are alienated from us: the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, moreover as many of us as they could light on because they of the city, having had warning they slew, and spoiled our inheritance. thereof, 25 Neither have they stretched out their hand 4 Rose up against him in battle: so he fled, against us only, but also against all their borand departed thence with great heaviness, and ders. returned to Babylon.

26 And behold, this day are they besieging

5 Moreover there came one who brought the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuahim tidings into Persia, that the armies, which ry also and Bethsura have they fortified. went against the land of Judea, were put to flight:

27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.

6 And that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power, was driven away of the Jews; 28 Now when the king heard this, he was and that they were made strong by the armour, angry, and gathered together all his friends, and power, and store of spoils, which they had and the captains of his army, and those that had gotten of the armies, whom they had destroyed: charge of the horse. 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.

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.

9 And there he continued many days: for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die.

10 Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and mine heart faileth for very care.

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.

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.

29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.

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.

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.

32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp.

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.

34 And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed thein the blood of grapes and mulberries.

35 Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they ap 13 I perceive therefore that for this cause pointed a thousand men, armed with coats of these troubles are come upon me, and behold, I inail, and with helmets of brass on their heads: perish through great grief in a strange land. and beside this, for every beast were ordained 14 Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, five hundred horsemen of the best. whom he made ruler over all his realm,

15 And gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up bis son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the kingdom.

16 So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.

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.

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.

19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy

36 These were ready at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also, neither departed they from him.

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.

33 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.

39 Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glis

Apocrypha.

Apocrypha. 60 So the king and the princes were content: wherefore he sent unto them to make peace; and they accepted thereof.

61 Also the king and the princes made an oath unto them: whereupon they went out of the strong hold.

CHAP. VII. tered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire. 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. 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. 42 Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king's army six hundred men.

62 Then the king entered into mount Sion; but when he saw the strength of the place, he brake his oath that he had made, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.

43 Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiv- 63 Afterward departed he in all haste, and ing that one of the beasts, armed with royal returned unto Antiochia, where he found Philip harness, was higher than all the rest, and sup-to be master of the city: so he fought against him, and took the city by force. posing that the king was upon him, CHAP. VII.

N hundred and one and fiftieth year,

44 Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a per- IDemetrius the son of Seleucus departed petual name:

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.

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.

47 Howbeit, the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.

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.

:

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.

50 So the king took Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it.

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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.

from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea-coast, and reigned there.

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. 3 Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces.

4 So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom, 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:

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 Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havoc he hath made among us, and in the king's land, and let him punish them with all them that aid them.

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

52 Whereupon they also made engines against king. their engines, and held them battle a long sea

son.

9 And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and command53 Yet at the last, their vessels being with-ed that he should take vengeance of the chilout victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, dren of Israel. 10 So they departed, and came with a great and they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the power into the land of Judea, where they sent store ;)

messengers to Judas and his brethren with

54 There were but a few left in the sanctua- peaceable words deceitfully. 11 But they gave no heed to their words; ry, because the famine did so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse them- for they saw that they were come with a great selves, every man to his own place.

power.

12 Then did there assemble unto Alcimus 55 At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, while he lived, and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, justice. that he might be king,

13 Now the Assideans were the first among 56 Was returned out of Persia and Media, the children of Israel that sought peace of them: 14 For said they, One that is a priest of the and the king's host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong. of the affairs. 15 So he spake unto them peaceably, and 57 Wherefore he went in all haste, and said to the king and the captains of the host and the sware unto them, saying, We will procure the company, We decay daily, and our victuals are harm neither of you nor your friends. 16 Whereupon they believed him howbeit but small, and the place we lay siege unto is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he

us:

58 Now therefore let us be friends with these wrote, men, and make peace with them, and with all their nation;

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.

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.

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

105

Apocrypha.

Apocrypha.

I. MACCABEES. 39 So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and broken the covenant and oath that they made. 19 After this removed Bacchides from Jeru- pitched his tents in Beth-horon, where an host salem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where out of Syria met him. 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.

20 Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king.

21 But Alcimus contended for the high priest

hood.

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.

23 Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, even above the heathen,

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.

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.

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.

27 So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,

28 Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in peace.

40 But Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he prayed, saying,

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.

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.

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.

44 Now when Nicanor's host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled. 45 Then they pursued after them a day's journey, from Adasa unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets.

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.

47 Afterward they took the spoils and the prey, and smote off Nicanor's head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem.

48 For this cause the people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness.

49 Moreover, they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth of Adar. 50 Thus the land of Juda was in rest a lit

29 He came therefore to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the tle while. enemies were prepared to take away Judas by violence.

CHAP. VIII.

NOW Judas had heard of the fame of the 30 Which thing after it was known to Judas, Romans, that they were mighty and valiant to wit, that he came unto him with deceit, he men, and such as would lovingly accept all that was sore afraid of him, and would see his face joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them;

no more.

31 Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama:

32 Where there were slain of Nicanor's side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of David.

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. 34 But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly,

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.

36 Then the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying,

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 :

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.

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;

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;

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:

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 :

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 :

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 And the country of India, and Media, and 106

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