<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<h2><SPAN name="chap14"></SPAN>The First Book of the Maccabees</h2>
<p>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,</p>
<p>1:2 And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the
earth,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:4 And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations,
and kings, who became tributaries unto him.</p>
<p>1:5 And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:7 So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.</p>
<p>1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:12 So this device pleased them well.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>1:14 Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the
customs of the heathen:</p>
<p>1:15 And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and
joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:17 Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and
elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,</p>
<p>1:18 And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of
him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.</p>
<p>1:19 Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the
spoils thereof.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>1:21 And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar,
and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he
took the hidden treasures which he found.</p>
<p>1:24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a
great massacre, and spoken very proudly.</p>
<p>1:25 Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they
were;</p>
<p>1:26 So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were
made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.</p>
<p>1:27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage
chamber was in heaviness,</p>
<p>1:28 The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of
Jacob was covered with confusion.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:32 But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves
therein.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>1:36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil
adversary to Israel.</p>
<p>1:37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled
it:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned
into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.</p>
<p>1:40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency
was turned into mourning.</p>
<p>1:41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one
people,</p>
<p>1:42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according
to the commandment of the king.</p>
<p>1:43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed
unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>1:45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the
temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:</p>
<p>1:46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:</p>
<p>1:47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice
swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts:</p>
<p>1:48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their
souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:</p>
<p>1:49 To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.</p>
<p>1:50 And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he
said, he should die.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>1:53 And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could
flee for succour.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>1:55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.</p>
<p>1:56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found,
they burnt them with fire.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as
many as were found in the cities.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain
women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.</p>
<p>1:61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses,
and slew them that had circumcised them.</p>
<p>1:62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not
to eat any unclean thing.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>1:64 And there was very great wrath upon Israel.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:</p>
<p>2:3 Simon; called Thassi:</p>
<p>2:4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus:</p>
<p>2:5 Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.</p>
<p>2:6 And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>2:8 Her temple is become as a man without glory.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:10 What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?</p>
<p>2:11 All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a
bondslave.</p>
<p>2:12 And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste,
and the Gentiles have profaned it.</p>
<p>2:13 To what end therefore shall we live any longer?</p>
<p>2:14 Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and
mourned very sore.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:16 And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came
together.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>2:20 Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our
fathers.</p>
<p>2:21 God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.</p>
<p>2:22 We will not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion,
either on the right hand, or the left.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:25 Also the king’s commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he
killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down.</p>
<p>2:26 Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri
the son of Salom.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:28 So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they
had in the city.</p>
<p>2:29 Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the
wilderness, to dwell there:</p>
<p>2:30 Both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because
afflictions increased sore upon them.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:34 But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s
commandment, to profane the sabbath day.</p>
<p>2:35 So then they gave them the battle with all speed.</p>
<p>2:36 Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor
stopped the places where they lay hid;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:39 Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for
them right sore.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:43 Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and
were a stay unto them.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:45 Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the
altars:</p>
<p>2:46 And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel
uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly.</p>
<p>2:47 They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their
hand.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>2:50 Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for
the covenant of your fathers.</p>
<p>2:51 Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye
receive great honour and an everlasting name.</p>
<p>2:52 Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him
for righteousness?</p>
<p>2:53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord
of Egypt.</p>
<p>2:54 Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of
an everlasting priesthood.</p>
<p>2:55 Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel.</p>
<p>2:56 Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of
the land.</p>
<p>2:57 David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.</p>
<p>2:58 Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.</p>
<p>2:59 Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.</p>
<p>2:60 Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions.</p>
<p>2:61 And thus consider ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust
in him shall be overcome.</p>
<p>2:62 Fear not then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and
worms.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>2:67 Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong
of your people.</p>
<p>2:68 Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the
law.</p>
<p>2:69 So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:1 Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:4 In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for
his prey.</p>
<p>3:5 For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that
vexed his people.</p>
<p>3:6 Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of
iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.</p>
<p>3:7 He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his
memorial is blessed for ever.</p>
<p>3:8 Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of
them, and turning away wrath from Israel:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of
Samaria, to fight against Israel.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:12 Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and
therewith he fought all his life long.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:16 And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to
meet him with a small company:</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>3:19 For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but
strength cometh from heaven.</p>
<p>3:20 They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our
wives and children, and to spoil us:</p>
<p>3:21 But we fight for our lives and our laws.</p>
<p>3:22 Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for
you, be ye not afraid of them.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:25 Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great
dread, to fall upon the nations round about them:</p>
<p>3:26 Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the
battles of Judas.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>3:33 And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>3:36 And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their
land by lot.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:38 Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias,
mighty men of the king’s friends:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:40 So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in
the plain country.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:47 Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their
heads, and rent their clothes,</p>
<p>3:48 And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint
the likeness of their images.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p>3:51 For thy sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in
heaviness, and brought low.</p>
<p>3:52 And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what
things they imagine against us, thou knowest.</p>
<p>3:53 How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our
help?</p>
<p>3:54 Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.</p>
<p>3:55 And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, even captains over
thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>3:57 So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>3:59 For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of
our people and our sanctuary.</p>
<p>3:60 Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.</p>
<p>4:1 Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best
horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>4:4 While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.</p>
<p>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</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:8 Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude,
neither be ye afraid of their assault.</p>
<p>4:9 Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh
pursued them with an army.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>4:11 That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and
saveth Israel.</p>
<p>4:12 Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against
them.</p>
<p>4:13 Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with
Judas sounded their trumpets.</p>
<p>4:14 So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the
plain.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:16 This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them,</p>
<p>4:17 And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a
battle before us,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:19 As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them
looking out of the mountain:</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>4:22 They fled every one into the land of strangers.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:25 Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.</p>
<p>4:26 Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had
happened:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:29 So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas
met them with ten thousand men.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>4:31 Shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be
confounded in their power and horsemen:</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:36 Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let
us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary.</p>
<p>4:37 Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into
mount Sion.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>4:39 They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon
their heads,</p>
<p>4:40 And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with
the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.</p>
<p>4:41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the
fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.</p>
<p>4:42 So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the
law:</p>
<p>4:43 Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an
unclean place.</p>
<p>4:44 And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings,
which was profaned;</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:47 Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar
according to the former;</p>
<p>4:48 And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and
hallowed the courts.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>4:53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt
offerings, which they had made.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the
God of heaven, who had given them good success.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>4:58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach
of the heathen was put away.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:6 Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty
power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain.</p>
<p>5:7 So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited
before him; and he smote them.</p>
<p>5:8 And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned
into Judea.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>5:11 And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are
fled, Timotheus being captain of their host.</p>
<p>5:12 Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are
slain:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:14 While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers
from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:21 Then went Simon into Galilee, where he fought many battles with the
heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:24 Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and
travelled three days’ journey in the wilderness,</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>5:29 From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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,</p>
<p>5:32 He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren.</p>
<p>5:33 So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their
trumpets, and cried with prayer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:36 From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities
of the country of Galaad.</p>
<p>5:37 After these things gathered Timotheus another host and encamped against
Raphon beyond the brook.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>5:41 But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him,
and prevail against him.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:47 Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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:</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:52 After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:55 Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon
his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:57 Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the
heathen that are round about us.</p>
<p>5:58 So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they
went toward Jamnia.</p>
<p>5:59 Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:62 Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand
deliverance was given unto Israel.</p>
<p>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;</p>
<p>5:64 Insomuch as the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>5:66 From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed
through Samaria.</p>
<p>5:67 At that time certain priests, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in
battle, for that they went out to fight unadvisedly.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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