# verses

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The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.


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The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things: but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.


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The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.


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A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.


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She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.


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A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.


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He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?


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The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.


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Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.


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Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.


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A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.


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As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind:


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As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.


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He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.


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He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.


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Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend,


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If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away.


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In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance.


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As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood.


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I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it.


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Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?


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O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them.


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Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear:


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Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me?


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Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind.


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Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth, and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works.


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And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them.


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For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin.


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A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house.


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And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment.


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Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity.


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Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins.


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And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man's fear driveth him from the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him:


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And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts.


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For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things.


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This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be taken.


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For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High: and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath fornicated in adultery, and hath gotten her children of another man.


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And they that remain shall know, that there is nothing better than the fear of God: and that there is nothing sweeter than to have regard to the commandments of the Lord.


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Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God, and shall glory in the midst of her people,


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And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and shall glorify herself in the sight of his power,


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And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying:


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I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth:


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I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea,


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And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord.


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Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle,


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And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect.


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From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him.


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And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem.


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And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.


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I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh:


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And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the purest balm.


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As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.


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All these things are the book of life, and the covenant of the most High, and the knowledge of truth.


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Moses commanded a law in the precepts of justices, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.


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He appointed to David his servant to raise up of him a most mighty king, and sitting on the throne of glory for ever.


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Who maketh understanding to abound as the Euphrates, who multiplieth it as the Jordan in the time of harvest.


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I, like a brook out of a river of a mighty water; I, like a channel of a river, and like an aqueduct, came out of paradise.


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I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord.


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I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and will leave it to them that seek wisdom, and will not cease to instruct their offspring even to the holy age.


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Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.


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Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.


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How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.


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Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?


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The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.


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And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.


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The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,


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As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.


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A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.


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As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.


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On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.


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She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.


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As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.


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As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God in the heart of a holy woman.


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Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips.


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As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast.


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As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.


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As the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man.


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If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou shalt find a strong foundation.


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The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears.


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He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind.


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And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again.


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Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled, as a roe escaped out of the snare because his soul is wounded.


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In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy words he will lay a stumblingblock.


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If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful.


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He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it.


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A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and he shall not know from whence it cometh to him.


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They shall perish in a snare that are delighted with the fall of the just: and sorrow shall consume them before they die.


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He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.


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Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.


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He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?


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For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.


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For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.


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A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.


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If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.


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He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.


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Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.


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Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.


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They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.


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And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.


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He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments.


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Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee.


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Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them.


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But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time:


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And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one half, and will count it as if he had found it:


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And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries.


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Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.


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Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty handed because of his poverty.


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Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.


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A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him.


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It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries.


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A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment.


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Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man's house.


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It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his mouth.


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He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful, and moreover he shall hear bitter words.


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Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want my house, my brother being to be lodged with me.


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These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender.


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He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.


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He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.


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He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.


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His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.


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While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.


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For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.


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For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.


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Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.


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Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.


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Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.


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Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.


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There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.


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The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.


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Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.


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The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.


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The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.


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He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.


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Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.


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Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.


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Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:


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Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.


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What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.


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And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.


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How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.


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Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.


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And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.


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The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.


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Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.


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Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:


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That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.


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As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.


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Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.


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And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.


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And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.


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He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.


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He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.


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Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.


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Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.


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He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.


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No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils.


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A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.


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He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer.


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A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.


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Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun?


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By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment.


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Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.


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Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned them from their station.


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All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment.


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Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.


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In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.


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Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest thou repent, and thou entreat for the same.


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For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children.


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Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.


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Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one, and do no grievous thing without judgment.


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If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him.


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The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.


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The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.


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And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them.


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The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.


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What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.


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He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.


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He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.


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Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.


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The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,


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A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.


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The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.


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The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.


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He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.


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The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.


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He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?


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So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?


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And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.


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To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.


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The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.


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Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:


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And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.


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The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.


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He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.


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For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.


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The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold.


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And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:


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And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,


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Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,


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And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.


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For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,


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Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.


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Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.


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Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.


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Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name.


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Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,


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According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art God the beholder of all ages.


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If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.


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He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.


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Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.


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Who will trust him that hath no rest, and that lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him, as a robber well appointed, that skippeth from city to city.


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Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?


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There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.


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There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.


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Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,


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Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work,


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Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.


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Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.


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And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.


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The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch.


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A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.


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There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.


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The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he shall be praised.


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The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and the most High hath given knowledge to men, that he may be honoured in his wonders.


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By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end.


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Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician.


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And they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they give for ease and remedy, for their conversation.


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My son, shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament as if thou hadst suffered some great harm, and according to judgment cover his body, and neglect not his burial.


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And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness.


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For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.


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The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.


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With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth the oxen therewith, and is occupied in their labours, and his whole talk is about the offspring of bulls?


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So every craftsman and workmaster that laboureth night and day, he who maketh graven seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the figure: he shall give his mind to the resemblance of the picture, and by his watching shall finish the work.


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So doth the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the iron work. The vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace.


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The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.


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So doth the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set to his work, and maketh all his work by number:


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Upon the judges' seat they shall not sit, and the ordinance of judgment they shall not understand, neither shall they declare discipline and judgment, and they shall not be found where parables are spoken:


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But they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their prayer shall be in the work of their craft, applying their soul, and searching in the law of the most High.


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He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.


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He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.


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And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.


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He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.


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The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.


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If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.


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By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.


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Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.


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Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:


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And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him.


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Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.


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The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.


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All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.


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In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.


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The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.


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In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon earth when need is, and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word.


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Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing,


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Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.


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Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:


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From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,


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He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear.


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Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:


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All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.


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The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass away with a noise like a great thunder in rain.


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The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.


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The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.


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The life of a laborer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.


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Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.


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The life of him that looketh toward another man's table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat.


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To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!


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Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!


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Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.


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And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.


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The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.


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The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.


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And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.


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All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.


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Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.


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My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?


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Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:


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Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:


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Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.


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Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.


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Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shalt find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:


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Of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of a wicked slave to bleed.


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Where there are many hands, shut up, and deliver all things in number, and weight: and put all in writing that thou givest out or receivest in.


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Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.


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The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away his sleep, when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she should be hateful:


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In her virginity, lest she should be corrupted, and be found with child in her father's house: and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren.


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Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at anytime she make thee become a laughingstock to thy enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude.


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For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.


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I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works.


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Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory?


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For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world, he declareth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things.


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He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,


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The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.


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At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:


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The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.


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It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.


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By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.


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And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.


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The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.


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He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.


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The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.


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And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.


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A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.


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At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.


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Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.


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There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.


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Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.


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There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.


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Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,


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And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.


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And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.


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And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.


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The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.


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Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.


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Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,


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And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.


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He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.


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He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.


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He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.


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And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.


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He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,


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And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.


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He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,


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That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.


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He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:


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Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.


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And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.


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No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.


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This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.


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He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:


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And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.


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And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.


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And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.


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He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.


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But he shall not inherit among the people in the land, and he hath no portion among the people: for he himself is his portion and inheritance.


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And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people: in the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel.


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Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary, and of his people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him and to his seed for ever.


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And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Juda, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our heart to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting.


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Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,


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Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.


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How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?


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He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.


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He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.


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That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:


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And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.


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And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.


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And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:


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Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,


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Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.


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By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.


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And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.


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And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no man did accuse him.


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And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.


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He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.


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For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.


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So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:


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For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.


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With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:


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And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.


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The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.


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Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!


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And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.


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Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,


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But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.


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And Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly.


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And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins.


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He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.


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Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.


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Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.


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Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.


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For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.


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Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.


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In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.


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And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.


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He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.


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For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.


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With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.


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He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.


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They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.


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For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.


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For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.


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And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.


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In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.


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And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.


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Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:


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Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.


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By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.


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He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.


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And as the rainbow giving light in bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.


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As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.


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And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,


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And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.


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And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high King,


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Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.


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Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.


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And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.


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And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.


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Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:


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And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.


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Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.


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Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.


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A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.


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And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.


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And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.


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Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:


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From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:


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They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.


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How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.


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I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.


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I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.


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And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.


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And these are the words of the book, which Baruch the son of Nerias, the son of Maasias, the son of Sedecias, the son of Sedei, the son Helcias, wrote in Babylonia.


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In the fifth year, in the seventh day of the month, at the time that the Chaldeans took Jerusalem, and burnt it with fire.


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And Baruch read the words of this book in the hearing of Jechonias the son of Joakim king of Juda, and in the hearing of all the people that came to hear the book.


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And in the hearing of the nobles, the sons of the kings, and in the hearing of the ancients, and in the hearing of the people, from the least even to the greatest of them that dwelt in Babylonia, by the river Sedi.


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And they sent it to Jerusalem to Joakim the priest, the son of Helcias, the son of Salom, and to the priests, and to all the people, that were found with him in Jerusalem:


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At the time when he received the vessels of the temple of the Lord, which had been taken away out of the temple, to return them into the land of Juda the tenth day of the month Sivan, the silver vessels, which Sedecias the son of Josias king of Juda had made,


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After that Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away Jechonias, and the princes, and all the powerful men, and the people of the land from Jerusalem, and brought them bound to Babylon.


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And they said: Behold we have sent you money, buy with it holocausts, and frankincense, and make meat offerings, and offerings for sin at the altar of the Lord our God:


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And pray ye for the life of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and for the life of Balthasar his son, that their days may be upon earth as the days of heaven:


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And that the Lord may give us strength, and enlighten our eyes, that we may live under the shadow of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon, and under the shadow of Balthasar his son, and may serve them many days, and may find favour in their sight.


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And pray ye for us to the Lord our God: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, and his wrath is not turned away from us even to this day.


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And read ye this book, which we have sent to you to be read in the temple of the Lord, on feasts, and proper days.


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And you shall say: To the Lord our God belongeth justice, but to us confusion of our face: as it is come to pass at this day to all Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem,


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And we were not obedient to him, and we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his commandments which he hath given us.


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From the day that he brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, even to this day, we were disobedient to the Lord our God: and going astray we turned away from hearing his voice.


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And many evils have cleaved to us, and the curses which the Lord foretold by Moses his servant: who brought our fathers out of the land of Egypt, to give us a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day.


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And we have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord our God according to all the words of the prophets whom he sent to us:


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And we have gone away every man after the inclinations of his own wicked heart, to serve strange gods, and to do evil in the sight of the Lord our God.


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Wherefore the Lord our God hath made good his word, that he spoke to us, and to our judges that have judged Israel, and to our kings, and to our princes, and to all Israel and Juda:


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That the Lord would bring upon us great evils, such as never happened under heaven, as they have come to pass in Jerusalem, according to the things that are written in the law of Moses:


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And he hath delivered them up to be under the hand of all the kings that are round about us, to be a reproach, and desolation among all the people, among whom the Lord hath scattered us.


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And we are brought under, and are not uppermost: because we have sinned against the Lord our God, by not obeying his voice.


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To the Lord our God belongeth justice: but to us, and to our fathers confusion of face, as at this day.


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And we have not entreated the face of the Lord our God, that we might return every one of us from our most wicked ways.


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And the Lord hath watched over us for evil, and hath brought it upon us: for the Lord is just in all his works which he hath commanded us:


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And we have not hearkened to his voice to walk in the commandments of the Lord which he hath set before us.


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And now, O Lord God of Israel, who hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a strong hand, and with signs, and with wonders, and with thy great power, and with a mighty arm, and hast made thee a name as at this day,


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We have sinned, we have done wickedly, we have acted unjustly, O Lord our God, against all thy justices.


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Let thy wrath be turned away from us: for we are left a few among the nations where thou hast scattered us.


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Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and our petitions, and deliver us for thy own sake: and grant that we may find favour in the sight of them that have led us away:


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That all the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God, and that thy name is called upon Israel, and upon his posterity.


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Open thy eyes, and behold: for the dead that are in hell, whose spirit is taken away from their bowels, shall not give glory and justice to the Lord:


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But the soul that is sorrowful for the greatness of evil she hath done, and goeth bowed down, and feeble, and the eyes that fail, and the hungry soul giveth glory and justice to thee the Lord.


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For it is not for the justices of our fathers that we pour out our prayers, and beg mercy in thy sight, O Lord our God:


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But because thou hast sent out thy wrath, and thy indignation upon us, as thou hast spoken by the hand of thy servants the prophets, saying:


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Thus saith the Lord: Bow down your shoulder, and your neck, and serve the king of Babylon: and you shall remain in the land which I have given to your fathers.


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But if you will not hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, to serve the king of Babylon: I will cause you to depart out of the cities of Juda, and from without Jerusalem.


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And I will take away from you the voice of mirth, and the voice of joy, and the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, and all the land shall be without any footstep of inhabitants.


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And they hearkened not to thy voice, to serve the king of Babylon: and thou hast made good thy words, which thou spokest by the hands of thy servants the prophets, that the bones of our kings, and the bones of our fathers should be removed out of their place:


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And behold they are cast out to the heat of the sun, and to the frost of the night: and they have died in grievous pains, by famine, and by the sword, and in banishment.


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And thou hast made the temple, in which thy name was called upon, as it is at this day, for the iniquity of the house of Israel, and the house of Juda.


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And thou hast dealt with us, O Lord our God, according to all thy goodness, and according to all that great mercy of thine:


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As thou spokest by the hand of thy servant Moses, in the day when thou didst command him to write thy law before the children of Israel,


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Saying: If you will not hear my voice, this great multitude shall be turned into a very small number among the nations, where I will scatter them:


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For I know that the people will not hear me, for they are a people of a stiff neck: but they shall turn to their heart in the land of their captivity:


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And they shall know that I am the Lord their God: and I will give them a heart, and they shall understand: and ears, and they shall hear.


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And they shall turn away themselves from their stiff neck, and from their wicked deeds: for they shall remember the way of their fathers, that sinned against me.


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And I will bring them back again into the land which I promised with an oath to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they shall be masters thereof: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be diminished.


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And I will make with them another covenant that shall be everlasting, to be their God, and they shall be my people: and I will no more remove my people, the children of Israel, out of the land that I have given them.


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And now, O Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, the soul in anguish, and the troubled spirit crieth to thee:


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Hear, O Lord, and have mercy, for thou art a merciful God, and have pity on us: for we have sinned before thee.


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O Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, hear now the prayer of the dead of Israel, and of their children, that have sinned before thee, and have not hearkened to the voice of the Lord their God, wherefore evils have cleaved fast to us.


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Remember not the iniquities of our fathers, but think upon thy hand, and upon thy name at this time:


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Because for this end thou hast put thy fear in our hearts, to the intent that we should call upon thy name, and praise thee in our captivity, for we are converted from the iniquity of our fathers, who sinned before thee.


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And behold we are at this day in our captivity, whereby thou hast scattered us to be a reproach, and a curse, and an offence, according to all the iniquities of our fathers, who departed from thee, O Lord our God.


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Thou art grown old in a strange country, thou art defiled with the dead: thou art counted with them that go down into hell.


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Learn where is wisdom, where is strength, where is understanding: that thou mayst know also where is length of days and life, where is the light of the eyes, and peace.


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That hoard up silver and gold, wherein men trust, and there is no end of their getting? who work in silver and are solicitous, and their works are unsearchable.


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Young men have seen the light, and dwelt upon the earth: but the way of knowledge they have not known,


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Nor have they understood the paths thereof, neither have their children received it, it is far from their face.


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The children of Agar also, that search after the wisdom that is of the earth, the merchants of Merrha, and of Theman, and the tellers of fables, and searchers of prudence and understanding: but the way of wisdom they have not known, neither have they remembered her paths.


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There were the giants, those renowned men that were from the beginning, of great stature, expert in war.


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But he that knoweth all things, knoweth her, and hath found her out with his understanding: he that prepared the earth for evermore, and filled it with cattle and fourfooted beasts:


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He that sendeth forth the light, and it goeth: and hath called it, and it obeyeth him with trembling.


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They were called, and they said: Here we are: and with cheerfulness they have shined forth to him that made them.


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This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law, that is for ever: all they that keep it, shall come to life: but they that have forsaken it, to death.


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Return, O Jacob, and take hold of it, walk in the way by its brightness, in the presence of the light thereof.


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You have been sold to the Gentiles, not for your destruction: but because you provoked God to wrath, you are delivered to your adversaries.


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For you have provoked him who made you, the eternal God, offering sacrifice to devils, and not to God.


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For she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, and she said: Give ear, all you that dwell near Sion, for God hath brought upon me great mourning:


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For I have seen the captivity of my people, of my sons, and my daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them.


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Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and desolate: I am forsaken of many for the sins of my children, because they departed from the law of God.


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And they have not known his justices, nor walked by the ways of God's commandments, neither have they entered by the paths of his truth and justice.


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Let them that dwell about Sion come, and remember the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Eternal hath brought upon them.


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Who have neither reverenced the ancient, nor pitied children, and have carried away the beloved of the widow, and have left me all alone without children.


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I have put off the robe of peace, and have put upon me the sackcloth of supplication, and I will cry to the most High in my days.


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Be of good comfort, my children, cry to the Lord, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the princes your enemies.


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For my hope is in the Eternal that he will save you: and joy is come upon me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall come to you from our everlasting Saviour.


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For I sent you forth with mourning and weeping: but the Lord will bring you back to me with joy and gladness for ever.


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For as the neighbours of Sion have now seen your captivity from God: so shall they also shortly see your salvation from God, which shall come upon you with great honour, and everlasting glory.


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My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you: for thy enemy hath persecuted thee, but thou shalt quickly see his destruction: and thou shalt get up upon his neck.


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My delicate ones have walked rough ways, for they were taken away as a flock made a prey by the enemies.


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Be of good comfort, my children, and cry to the Lord: for you shall be remembered by him that hath led you away.


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For as it was your mind to go astray from God; so when you return again you shall seek him ten times as much.


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The wicked that have afflicted thee, shall perish: and they that have rejoiced at thy ruin, shall be punished.


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For as she rejoiced at thy ruin, and was glad of thy fall: so shall she be grieved for her own desolation.


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For fire shall come upon her from the Eternal, long to endure, and she shall be inhabited by devils for a great time.


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For behold thy children come, whom thou sentest away scattered, they come gathered together from the east even to the west, at the word of the Holy One rejoicing for the honour of God.


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Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of thy mourning, and affliction: and put on the beauty, and honour of that everlasting glory which thou hast from God.


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God will clothe thee with the double garment of justice, and will set a crown on thy head of everlasting honour.


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Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high: and look about towards the east, and behold thy children gathered together from the rising to the setting sun, by the word of the Holy One rejoicing in the remembrance of God.


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For they went out from thee on foot, led by the enemies: but the Lord will bring them to thee exalted with honour as children of the kingdom.


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For God hath appointed to bring down every high mountain, and the everlasting rocks, and to fill up the valleys to make them even with the ground: that Israel may walk diligently to the honour of God.


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Moreover the woods, and every sweetsmelling tree have overshadowed Israel by the commandment of God.


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For God will bring Israel with joy in the light of his majesty, with mercy, and justice, that cometh from him.


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For the sins that you have committed before God, you shall be carried away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.


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And when you are come into Babylon, you shall be there many years, and for a long time, even to seven generations: and after that I will bring you away from thence with peace.


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But now, you shall see in Babylon gods of gold, and of silver, and of stone, and of wood borne upon shoulders, causing fear to the Gentiles.


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Beware therefore that you imitate not the doings of others, and be afraid, and the fear of them should seize upon you.


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But when you see the multitude behind, and before, adoring them, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored, O Lord.


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For their tongue that is polished by the craftsman, and themselves laid over with gold and silver, are false things, and they cannot speak.


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Their gods have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.


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Yea and they give thereof to prostitutes, and they dress out harlots: and again when they receive it of the harlots, they adorn their gods.


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But when they have covered them with a purple garment, they wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them.


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This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.


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And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.


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Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:


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And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.


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They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.


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And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.


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Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.


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The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.


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And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are. Be they confounded also that worship them.


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Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up again of themselves, nor if a man set them upright, will they stand by themselves, but their gifts shall be set before them, as to the dead.


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The things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse: in like manner also their wives take part of them, but give nothing of it either to the sick, or to the poor.


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The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing, therefore, by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.


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For how can they be called gods? because women set offerings before the gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood:


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And priests sit in their temples, having their garments rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.


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And whether it be evil that one doth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: neither can they set up a king, nor put him down:


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In like manner they can neither give riches, nor requite evil. If a man make a vow to them, and perform it not: they cannot require it.


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Their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like the stones that are hewn out of the mountains: and they that worship them shall be confounded.


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Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them: who when they here of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak.


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As though they could be sensible that have no motion themselves: and they, when they shall perceive this, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.


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And when any one of them, drawn away by some passenger, lieth with him, she upbraideth her neighbor, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.


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But all things that are done about them, are false: how is it then to be thought, or to be said, that they are gods?


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And they are made by workmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else but what the priests will have them to be.


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For the artificers themselves that make them, are of no long continuance. Can those things then that are made by them, be gods?


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For when war cometh upon them , or evils: the priests consult with themselves, where they may hide themselves with them.


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How then can they be thought to be gods, that can neither deliver themselves from war, nor save themselves from evils?


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For seeing they are but of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false things, by all nations, and kings: and it shall be manifest that they are no gods, but the work of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.


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Whence, therefore, is it known that they are not gods, but the work of men's hands, and no work of God is in them?


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They determine no causes, nor deliver countries from oppression: because they can do nothing, and are as daws between heaven and earth.


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For when fire shall fall upon the house of these gods of wood, and of silver, and of gold, their priests indeed will flee away, and be saved: but they themselves shall be burnt in the midst like beams.


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And they cannot withstand a king and war. How then can it be supposed, or admitted, that they are gods?


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Neither are these gods of wood, and of stone, and laid over with gold, and with silver, able to deliver themselves from thieves or robbers: they that are stronger than them,


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Shall take from them the gold, and silver, and the raiment wherewith they are clothed, and shall go their way, neither shall they help themselves.


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Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power: or else a profitable vessel in the house, with which the owner thereof will be well satisfied: or a door in the house, to keep things safe that are therein, than such false gods.


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The sun, and the moon, and the stars being bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, are obedient.


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In like manner the lightning, when it breaketh forth, is easy to be seen: and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.


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And the clouds, when God commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.


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The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains, and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in shew, nor in power, are alike to any one of them.


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Wherefore it is neither to be thought, nor to be said, that they are gods: since they are neither able to judge causes, nor to do any good to men.


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Neither do they shew signs in the heaven to the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.


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For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.


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They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.


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By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them, you shall know that they are not gods. And they themselves at last are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.


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Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius, king of the Persians and Medes:


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And he went through even to the ends of the earth: and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.


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And he called his servants, the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.


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And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them, many years; and evils were multiplied in the earth.


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And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.


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In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go and make a covenant with thc heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.


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And some of the people determined to do this, and went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the ordinances of the heathens.


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And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens, and were sold to do evil:


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And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he might reign over two kingdoms.


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And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great number of ships:


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And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt; but Ptolemee was afraid at his presence and fled, and many were wounded unto death.


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And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt, in the hundred and forty-third year, he returned and went up against Israel.


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And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all in pieces.


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And he took the silver and gold, and the precious vessels: and he took the hidden treasures, which he found: and when he had taken all away, he departed into his own country.


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And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty of the women was changed.


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And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.


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And after two full years, the king sent the chief collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.


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And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in Israel.


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And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls thereof round about:


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And they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress for them:


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And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men, and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up armour;and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem;


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And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason of them and the city was made the habitation of strangers, and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children forsook her.


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Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.


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And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all the people should be one: and every one should leave his own law.


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And many of Israel consented to his service, and they sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.


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And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda; that they should follow the law of the nations of the earth.


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And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and idols, and swine's flesh to be immolated, and unclean beasts,


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And that they should leave their children uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they should forget the law, and should change all the justifications of God.


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According to all these words he wrote to his whole kingdom: and he appointed rulers over the people that should force them to do these things.


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Then many of the people were gathered to them that had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils in the land:


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And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.


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On the fifteenth day of the month, Casleu, in the hundred and forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round about:


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And every one with whom the books of the testament of the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the king.


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Thus by their power did they deal with the people of Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.


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And on the five and twentieth day of the month they sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against the altar of God.


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Now the women that circumcised their children were slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus,


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And they hanged the children about their neck in all their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put to death.


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And many of the people of Israel determined with themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and they chose rather to die, than to be defiled with unclean meats:


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In those days arose Mathathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the mountain of Modin:


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And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies?


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The vessels of her glory are carried away captive; her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies.


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And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.


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And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.


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And they that were sent from king Antiochus, came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.


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And many of the people of Israel consented and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.


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And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.


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Therefore, come thou first, and obey the king's commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons shall be in the number of the king's friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.


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Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:


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We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.


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Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king's commandment.


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And Mathathias saw, and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:


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Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar,


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And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.


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And they abode there, they and their children, and their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions increased upon them.


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And it was told to the king's men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone away into the secret places in the wilderness, and that many were gone after them.


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And they said to them: Do you still resist? come forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and you shall live.


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And they said: We will not come forth, neither will we obey the king's edict, to profane the sabbath day.


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But they answered them not, neither did they cast a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,


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Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to death wrongfully.


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So they gave them battle on the sabbath: and they were slain, with their wives, and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.


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And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.


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And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.


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Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.


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And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.


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And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.


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And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.


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Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:


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Now, therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.


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And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.


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Phinees, our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.


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Today he is lifted up, and tomorrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth and his thought is come to nothing.


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You, therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.


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And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you.


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And Judas Machabeus, who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.


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And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers, in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.


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And all his brethren helped him, and all they that had joined themselves to his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel.


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And he got his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike armour about him in battles, and protected the camp with his sword.


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And he pursued the wicked and sought them out, and them that troubled his people he burnt with fire:


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And his enemies were driven away for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled: and salvation prospered in his hand.


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And he went through the cities of Juda, and destroyed the wicked out of them, and turned away wrath from Israel.


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And Apollonius gathered together the Gentiles, and a numerous and great army from Samaria, to make war against Israel.


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And Judas understood it, and went forth to meet him: and he overthrew him, and killed him: and many fell down slain, and the rest fled away.


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And he took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius, and fought with it all his lifetime.


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And Seron, captain of the army of Syria, heard that Judas had assembled a company of the faithful, and a congregation with him,


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And he said I will get me a name, and will be glorified in the kingdom, and will overthrow Judas, and those that are with him, that have despised the edict of the king.


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And he made himself ready; and the host of the wicked went up with him, strong succours, to be revenged of the children of Israel.


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And they approached even as far as Bethoron: and Judas went forth to meet him, with a small company.


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But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas: How shall we, being few, be able to fight against so great a multitude, and so strong, and we are ready to faint with fasting today?


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And Judas said: It is an easy matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few: and there is no difference in the sight of the God of heaven to deliver with a great multitude, or with a small company:


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They come against us with an insolent multitude, and with pride, to destroy us, and our wives, and our children, and to take our spoils.


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And as soon as he had made an end of speaking, he rushed suddenly upon them: and Seron, and his host were overthrown before him:


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And he pursued him by the descent of Bethoron, even to the plain, and there fell of them eight hundred men, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.


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And the fear of Judas, and of his brethren, and the dread of them, fell upon all the nations round about them.


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Now when king Antiochus heard these words, he was angry in his mind: and he sent, and gathered the forces of all his kingdom, an exceeding strong army.


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And he opened his treasury, and gave out pay to the army for a year: and he commanded them, that they should be ready for all things.


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And he perceived that the money of his treasures failed, and that the tributes of the country were small, because of the dissension, and the evil that he had brought upon the land, that he might take away the laws of old times:


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And he feared that he should not have as formerly enough for charges and gifts, which he had given before with a liberal hand: for he had abounded more than the kings that had been before him.


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And he was greatly perplexed in mind, and purposed to go into Persia, and to take tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.


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And he left Lysias, a nobleman of the blood royal to oversee the affairs of the kingdom from the river Euphrates even to the river of Egypt:


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And he delivered to him half the army, and the elephants: and he gave him charge concerning all that he would have done, and concerning the inhabitants of Judea, and Jerusalem.


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And 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 the memory of them from that place.


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So the king took the half of the army that remained, and went forth from Antioch, the chief city of his kingdom, in the hundred and forty-seventh year: and he passed over the river Euphrates, and went through the higher countries.


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Then Lysias chose Ptolemee, the son of Dorymenus, and Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends.


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And he sent with them forty thousand men, and seven thousand horsemen: to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, according to the king's orders.


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And the merchants of the countries heard the fame of them: and they took silver and gold in abundance, and servants: and they came into the camp, to buy the children of Israel for slaves: and there were joined to them the forces of Syria, and of the land of the strangers.


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And Judas, and his brethren, saw that evils were multiplied, and that the armies approached to their borders: and they knew the orders the king had given to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them.


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And they said, every man to his neighbour: Let us raise up the low condition of our people, and let us fight for our people, and our sanctuary.


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And the assembly was gathered, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.


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Now Jerusalem was not inhabited, but was like a desert: there was none of her children that went in or out: and the sanctuary was trodden down: and the children of strangers were in the castle, there was the habitation of the Gentiles: and joy was taken away from Jacob, and the pipe and harp ceased there.


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And they assembled together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem: for in Maspha was a place of prayer heretofore in Israel.


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And they fasted that day, and put on haircloth, and put ashes upon their heads: and they rent their garments:


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And they laid open the books of the law, in which the Gentiles searched for the likeness of their idols:


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And they brought the priestly ornaments, and the first fruits and tithes, and stirred up the Nazarites that had fulfilled their days:


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And they cried with a loud voice toward heaven, saying: What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them?


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For thy holies are trodden down, and are profaned, and thy priests are in mourning, and are brought low.


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And behold the nations are come together against us, to destroy us: thou knowest what they intend against us.


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And after this, Judas appointed captains over the people, over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.


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And he said to them that were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, that they should return every man to his house, according to the law.


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And Judas said: Gird yourselves, and be valiant men, and be ready against the morning, that you may fight with these nations that are assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.


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Then Gorgias took five thousand men, and a thousand of the best horsemen; and they removed out of the camp by night.


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That they might come upon the camp of the Jews and strike them suddenly: and the men that were of the castle were their guides.


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And Judas heard of it, and rose up, he and the valiant men, to attack the king's forces that were in Emmaus.


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And Gorgias came by night into the camp of Judas, and found no man; and he sought them in the mountains: for he said: These men flee from us.


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And when it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men only, who neither had armour nor swords:


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And they saw the camp of the Gentiles that it was strong, and the men in breastplates, and the horsemen round about them, and these were trained up to war.


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And Judas said to the men that were with him: Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.


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Remember in what manner our fathers were saved in the Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a great army.


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And now let us cry to heaven, and the Lord will have mercy on us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers, and will destroy this army before our face this day:


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But all the hindmost of them fell by the sword and they pursued them as far as Gezeron, and even to the plains of Idumea, and of Azotus, and of Jamnia: and there fell of them to the number of three thousand men.


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And Gorgias and his army are near us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overthrow them, and you shall take the spoils afterwards with safety.


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And as Judas was speaking these words, behold part of them appeared, looking forth from the mountain.


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And Gorgias saw that his men were put to flight, and that they had set fire to the camp: for the smoke that was seen declared what was done.


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And when they had seen this, they were seized with great fear, seeing at the same time Judas and his army in the plain ready to fight.


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And Judas returned to take the spoils of the camp, and they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.


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And returning home, they sung a hymn, and blessed God in heaven, because he is good, because his mercy endureth for ever.


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And when he heard these things, he was amazed and discouraged: because things had not succeeded in Israel according to his mind, and as the king had commanded.


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So the year following, Lysias gathered together threescore thousand chosen men, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them.


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And they came into Judea, and pitched their tents in Bethoron, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.


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And they saw that the army was strong, and he prayed and said: Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst break the violence of the mighty by the hand of thy servant David, and didst deliver up the camp of the strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his armour bearer.


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Shut up this army in the hands of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their host and their horsemen.


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Strike them with fear, and cause the boldness of their strength to languish, and let them quake at their own destruction.


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Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee: and let all that know thy name praise thee with hymns.


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And when Lysias saw that his men were put to flight, and how bold the Jews were, and that they were ready either to live, or to die manfully, he went to Antioch, and chose soldiers, that they might come again into Judea with greater numbers.


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Then Judas, and his brethren said: Behold our enemies are discomfited: let us go up now to cleanse the holy places, and to repair them.


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And they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burnt, and shrubs growing up in the courts as in a forest, or on the mountains, and the chambers joining to the temple thrown down.


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And they fell down to the ground on their faces, and they sounded with the trumpets of alarm, and they cried towards heaven.


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Then Judas appointed men to fight against them that were in the castle, till they had cleansed the holy places,


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And they cleansed the holy places, and took away the stones that had been defiled into an unclean place.


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And a good counsel came into their minds, to pull it down: lest it should be a reproach to them, because the Gentiles had defiled it; so they threw it down.


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And they laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple, in a convenient place, till there should come a prophet, and give answer concerning them.


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And they built up the holy places, and the things that were within the temple: and they sanctified the temple and the courts.


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And they made new holy vessels, and brought in the candlestick, and the altar of incense, and the table, into the temple.


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And they put incense upon the altar, and lighted up the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave light in the temple.


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And they set the loaves upon the table, and hung up the veils, and finished all the works that they had begun to make.


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And they arose before the morning on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, (which is the month of Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year.


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And they offered sacrifice, according to the law, upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made.


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According to the time, and according to the day wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and cymbals.


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And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored, and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them.


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And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of salvation, and of praise.


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And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and the chambers, and hanged doors upon them.


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And there was exceeding great joy among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.


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And Judas, and his brethren, and all thc church of Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar should be kept in its season from year to year for eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, with joy and gladness.


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They built up also at that time Mount Sion, with high walls, and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should at any time come, and tread it down, as they did before.


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And he placed a garrison there, to keep it, and he fortified it, to secure Bethsura, that the people might have a defence against Idumea.


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Now it came to pass, when the nations round about heard that the altar and the sanctuary were built up, as before, that they were exceeding angry.


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And they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that were among them, and they began to kill some of the people, and to persecute them.


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Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea, and them that were in Acrabathane: because they beset the Israelites round about, and he made a great slaughter of them.


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And he remembered the malice of the children of Bean: who were a snare and a stumblingblock to the people, by lying in wait for them in the way.


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And they were shut up by him in towers, and he set upon them, and devoted them to utter destruction, and burnt their towers with fire, and all that were in them.


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Then he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, and Timotheus was their captain:


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And the Gentiles that were in Galaad, assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them: and they fled into the fortress of Datheman.


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And they sent letters to Judas, and his brethren, saying: The heathens that are round about are gathered together against us to destroy us:


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And they are preparing to come, and to take the fortress into which we are fled: and Timotheus is the captain of their host.


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And all our brethren that were in the places of Tubin, are killed: and they have carried away their wives, and their children, captives, and taken their spoils, and they have slain there almost a thousand men.


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And while they were yet reading these letters, behold there came other messengers out of Galilee with their garments rent, who related according to these words:


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Saying, that they of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and of Sidon, were assembled against them, and all Galilee is filled with strangers, in order to consume us.


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Now when Judas and the people heard these words, a great assembly met together to consider what they should do for their brethren that were in trouble, and were assaulted by them.


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And Judas said to Simon, his brother: Choose thee men, and go, and deliver thy brethren in Galilee: and I, and my brother Jonathan, will go into the country of Galaad:


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And he left Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant of the army in Judea, to keep it:


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And he commanded them, saying: Take ye the charge of this people; but make no war against the heathens, till we return.


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Now three thousand men were allotted to Simon, to go into Galilee: and eight thousand to Judas, to go into the land of Galaad.


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And Simon went into Galilee, and fought many battles with the heathens: and the heathens were discomfited before his face, and he pursued them even to the gate of Ptolemais.


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And he took with him those that were in Galilee and in Arbatis, with their wives, and children, and all that they had, and he brought them into Judea with great joy.


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And Judas Machabeus, and Jonathan, his brother, passed over the Jordan, and went three days' journey through the desert.


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And the Nabutheans met them, and received them in a peaceable manner, and told them all that happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad,


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And that many of them were shut up in Barasa, and in Bosor, and in Alima, and in Casphor, and in Mageth, and in Carnaim; all these strong and great cities.


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Yea, and that they were kept shut up in the rest of the cities of Galaad, and that they had appointed to bring their army on the morrow near to these cities, and to take them, and to destroy them all in one day.


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Then Judas and his army suddenly turned their march into the desert, to Bosor, and took the city: and he slew every male by the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burnt it with fire.


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And it came to pass that early in the morning, when they lifted up their eyes, behold there were people without number, carrying ladders and engines to take the fortress, and assault them.


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And Judas saw that the fight was begun, and the cry of the battle went up to heaven like a trumpet, and a great cry out of the city:


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And he came with three companies behind them, and they sounded their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.


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And the host of Timotheus understood that it was Machabeus, and they fled away before his face and they made a great slaughter of them, and there fell of them in that day almost eight thousand men.


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And Judas turned aside to Maspha, and assaulted, and took it, and he slew every male thereof, and took the spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.


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From thence he marched, and took Casbon, and Mageth, and Bosor, and the rest of the cities of Galaad.


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And Judas sent men to view the army: and they brought him word, saying: All the nations, that are round about us, are assembled unto him an army exceeding great:


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And they have hired the Arabians to help them, and they have pitched their tents beyond the torrent, ready to come to fight against thee. And Judas went to meet them.


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And Timotheus said to the captains of his army: When Judas and his army come near the torrent of water, if he pass over unto us first, we shall not be able to withstand him: for he will certainly prevail over us.


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But if he be afraid to pass over, and camp on the other side of the river, we will pass over to them, and shall prevail against him.


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Now when Judas came near the torrent of water, he set the scribes of the people by the torrent, and commanded them, saying: Suffer no man to stay behind: but let all come to the battle.


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And he passed over to them first, and all the people after him, and all the heathens were discomfited before them, and they threw away their weapons, and fled to the temple that was in Carnaim.


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And he took that city, and the temple he burnt with fire, with all things that were therein: and Carnaim was subdued, and could not stand against the face of Judas.


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And Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the land of Galaad, from the least even to the greatest, and their wives and children, and an army exceeding great, to come into the land of Juda.


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And they came as far as Ephron: now this was a great city, situate in the way, strongly fortified, and there was no means to turn from it on the right hand or on the left, but the way was through the midst of it.


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And they that were in the city shut themselves in, and stopped up the gates with stones: and Judas sent to them with peaceable words,


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Saying: Let us pass through your land, to go into our own country, and no man shall hurt you; we will only pass through on foot. But they would not open to them.


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Then Judas commanded proclamation to be made in the camp, that they should make an assault, every man in the place where he was.


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And the men of the army drew near, and he assaulted that city all the day, and all the night; and the city was delivered into his hands:


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And they slew every male with the edge of the sword, and he razed the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through all the city over them that were slain.


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And Judas gathered together the hindmost, and he exhorted the people, all the way through, till they came into the land of Juda.


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And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain, till they had returned in peace.


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Now in the days that Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee, before Ptolemais,


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Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captain of the soldiers, heard of the good success, and the battles that were fought,


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And he said: Let us also get us a name, and let us go fight against the Gentiles that are round about us.


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And Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there fell on that day, of the people of Israel, about two thousand men, and there was a great overthrow of the people:


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And the men of Juda were magnified exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and of all the nations where their name was heard.


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Then Judas and his brethren went forth and attacked the children of Esau, in the land towards the south, and he took Chebron and her towns: and he burnt the walls thereof, and the towers all round it.


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In that day some priests fell in battle, while desiring to do manfully they went out unadvisedly to fight.


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And Judas turned to Azotus, into the land of the strangers, and he threw down their altars, and he burnt the statues of their gods with fire: and he took the spoils of the cities, and returned into the land of Juda.


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Now king Antiochus was going through the higher countries, and he heard that the city of Elymais in Persia, was greatly renowned, and abounding in silver and gold,


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And that there was in it a temple exceeding rich; and coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which king Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian, that reigned first in Greece, had left there.


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So he came, and sought to take the city and to pillage it; but he was not able, because the design was known to them that were in the city.


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And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and returned towards Babylonia.


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And whilst he was in Persia there came one that told him how the armies that were in the land of Juda were put to flight:


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And that Lysias went with a very great power, and was put to flight before the face of the Jews, and that they were grown strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils which they had gotten out of the camps which they had destroyed:


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And that they had thrown 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 Bethsura also, his city.


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And it came to pass, when the king heard these words, that he was struck with fear, and exceedingly moved: and he laid himself down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not fallen out to him as he imagined.


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And he remained there many days: for great grief came more and more upon him, and he made account that he should die.


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And he called for all his friends, and said to them: Sleep is gone from my eyes, and I am fallen away, and my heart is cast down for anxiety:


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And I said in my heart: Into how much tribulation am I come, and into what floods of sorrow wherein now I am: I that was pleasant and beloved in my power!


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But now I remember the evils that I did in Jerusalem, from whence also I took away all the spoils of gold, and of silver, that were in it, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Juda without cause.


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I know, therefore, that for this cause these evils have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a strange land.


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And he gave him the crown, and his robe, and his ring, that he should go to Antiochus, his son, and should bring him up for the kingdom.


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And Lysias understood that the king was dead, and he set up Antiochus, his son, to reign, whom he had brought up young: and he called his name Eupator.


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Now they that were in the castle, had shut up the Israelites round about the holy places: and they were continually seeking their hurt, and to strengthen the Gentiles.


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And they came together, and besieged them in the year one hundred and fifty, and they made battering slings and engines.


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And they went to the king, and said: How long dost thou delay to execute judgment, and to revenge our brethren?


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And for this they of our nation are alienated from us, and have slain as many of us as they could find, and have spoiled our inheritances.


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And behold they have approached this day to the castle of Jerusalem to take it, and they have fortified the strong hold of Bethsura:


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And unless thou speedily prevent them, they will do greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to subdue them.


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Now when the king heard this, he was angry: and he called together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and them that were over the horsemen.


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And the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two elephants trained to battle.


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And they went through Idumea, and approached to Bethsura, and fought many days, and they made engines: but they sallied forth, and burnt them with fire, and fought manfully.


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And Judas departed from the castle, and removed the camp to Bethzacharam, over against the king's camp.


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And the king rose before it was light, and made his troops march on fiercely towards the way of Bethzacharam: and the armies made themselves ready for the battle, and they sounded the trumpets:


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And they distributed the beasts by the legions: and there stood by every elephant a thousand men in coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads: and five hundred horsemen set in order were chosen for every beast.


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These before the time wheresoever the beast was they were there: and whithersoever it went, they went, and they departed not from it.


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And upon the beast, there were strong wooden towers which covered every one of them: and engines upon them, and upon every one thirty-two valiant men, who fought from above: and an Indian to rule the beast.


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And the rest of the horsemen he placed on this side and on that side, at the two wings, with trumpets to stir up the army, and to hasten them forward that stood thick together in the legions thereof.


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Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold, and of brass, the mountains glittered therewith, and they shone like lamps of fire.


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And part of the king's army was distinguished by the high mountains, and the other part by the low places: and they marched on warily and orderly.


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And all the inhabitants of the land were moved at the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the armour, for the army was exceeding great and strong.


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And Eleazar, the son of Saura, saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king's harness: and it was higher than the other beasts; and it seemed to him that the king was on it:


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And he ran up to it boldly in the midst of the legion, killing on the right hand, and on the left, and they fell by him on this side and that side.


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And he went between the feet of the elephant, and put himself under it: and slew it, and it fell to the ground upon him, and he died there.


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But the king's army went up against them to Jerusalem: and the king's army pitched their tents against Judea and Mount Sion.


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And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land.


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And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines, and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings.


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But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up.


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And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place.


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Now Lysias heard that Philip; whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son, Antiochus, and to reign,


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Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom:


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Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom.


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Now, therefore, let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation.


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And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws, as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things.


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And the proposal was acceptable in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent to them to make peace: and they accepted of it.


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Then the king entered into Mount Sion, and saw the strength of the place: and he quickly broke the oath that he had taken, and gave commandment to throw down the wall round about.


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And he departed in haste and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip master of the city: and he fought against him, and took the city.


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In the hundred and fifty-first year, Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, departed from the city of Rome, and came up with few men into a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.


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And it came to pass as he entered into the house of the kingdom of his fathers, that the army seized upon Antiochus, and Lysias, to bring them unto hlm.


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And there came to him the wicked and ungodly men of Israel: and Alcimus was at the head of them, who desired to be made high priest.


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And they accused the people to the king, saying: Judas and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and he hath driven us out of our land.


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Now, therefore, send some men whom thou trustest, and let him go, and see all the havoc he hath made amongst us, and in the king's lands: and let him punish all his friends and their helpers.


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Then the king chose Bacchides, one of his friends, that ruled beyond the great river in the kingdom, and was faithful to the king: and he sent him,


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To see the havoc that Judas had made: and the wicked Alcimus he made high priest, and commanded him to take revenge upon the children of Israel.


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And they arose, and came with a great army into the land of Juda: and they sent messengers, and spoke to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words, deceitfully.


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Then there assembled to Alcimus and Bacchides a company of the scribes, to require things that are just:


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And he spoke to them peaceably: and he swore to them, saying: We will do you no harm, nor your friends.


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And they believed him. And he took threescore of them, and slew them in one day, according to the word that is written:


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The flesh of thy saints, and the blood of them they have shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.


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Then fear and trembling fell upon all the people: for they said: There is no truth, nor justice among them: for they have broken the covenant, and the oath which they made.


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And Bacchides removed the camp from Jerusalem, and pitched in Bethzecha: and he sent, and took many of them that were fled away from him, and some of the people he killed, and threw them into a great pit.


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Then he committed the country to Alcimus, and left with him troops to help him. So Bacchides went away to the king.


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And they that disturbed the people resorted to him, and they got the land of Juda into their power, and did much hurt in Israel.


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And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and they that were with him, did to the children of Israel, much more than the Gentiles.


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And he went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance upon the men that had revolted, and they ceased to go forth any more into the country.


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And Alcimus saw that Judas and they that were with him, prevailed: and he knew that he could not stand against them, and he went back to the king, and accused them of many crimes.


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And the king sent Nicanor, one of his principal lords, who was a great enemy to Israel: and he commanded him to destroy the people.


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And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and he sent to Judas and to his brethren deceitfully, with friendly words,


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Saying: Let there be no fighting between me and you: I will come with a few men, to see your faces with peace.


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And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably: and the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by force.


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And the thing was known to Judas that he was come to him with deceit: and he was much afraid of him, and would not see his face any more.


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And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered: and he went out to fight against Judas, near Capharsalama.


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And after this Nicanor went up into mount Sion: and some of the priests and the people came out to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the holocausts that were offered for the king.


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And swore in anger, saying: Unless Judas and his army be delivered into my hands, as soon as ever I return in peace, I will burn this house. And he went out in a great rage.


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And the priests went in, and stood before the face of the altar and the temple: and weeping, they said:


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Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house for thy name to be called upon therein, that it might be a house of prayer and supplication for thy people.


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Be avenged of this man, and his army, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continne any longer.


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Then Nicanor went out from Jerusalem, and encamped near to Bethoron: and an army of Syria joined him.


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O Lord, when they that were sent by king Sennacherib blasphemed thee, an angel went out, and slew of them a hundred and eighty-five thousand:


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Even so destroy this army in our sight today and let the rest know that he hath spoken ill against thy sanctuary: and judge thou him according to his wickedness.


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And the armies joined battle on the thirteenth day of the month, Adar: and the army of Nicanor was defeated, and he himself was first slain in the battle.


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And they pursued after them one day's journey from Adazer, even till ye come to Gazara, and they sounded the trumpets after them with signals.


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And they went forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and they pushed them with the horns, and they turned again to them, and they were all slain with the sword, and there was not left of them so much as one.


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And they took the spoils of them for a booty, and they cut off Nicanor's head, and his right hand, which he had proudly stretched out, and they brought it, and hung it up over against Jerusalem.


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Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they are powerful and strong, and willingly agree to all things that are requested of them: and that whosoever have come to them, they have made amity with them, and that they are mighty in power.


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And they heard of their battles, and their noble acts which they had done in Galatia, how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute:


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And how great things they had done in the land of Spain, and that they had brought under their power the mines of silver and of gold that are there, and had gotten possession of all the place by their counsel and patience:


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And had conquered places that were very far off from them, and kings that came against them from the ends of the earth, and had overthrown them with great slaughter: and the rest pay them tribute every year.


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And that they had defeated in battle Philip and Perses the king of the Ceteans, and the rest that had borne arms against them, and had conquered them:


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And how Antiochus, the great king of Asia, who went to fight against them, having a hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was routed by them.


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And how they took him alive, and appointed to him, that both he and they that should reign after him, should pay a great tribute, and that he should give hostages, and that which was agreed upon,


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And the country of the Indians, and of the Medes, and of the Lydians, some of their best provinces: and those which they had taken from them, they gave to king Eumenes.


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And that they who were in Greece, had a mind to go and to destroy them: and they had knowledge thereof,


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And they sent a general against them, and fought with them, and many of them were slain, and they carried away their wives, and their children captives, and spoiled them, and took possession of their land, and threw down their walls, and brought them to be their servants unto this day.


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And the other kingdoms, and islands, that at any time had resisted them, they had destroyed and brought under their power.


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But with their friends, and such as relied upon them, they kept amity, and had conquered kingdoms that were near, and that were far off: for all that heard their name, were afraid of them.


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That whom they had a mind to help to a kingdom, those reigned: and whom they would, they deposed from the kingdom: and they were greatly exalted.


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And that they had made themselves a senate house, and consulted daily three hundred and twenty men, that sat in counsel always for the people, that they might do the things that were right:


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And that they committed their government to one man every year, to rule over all their country, and they all obey one, and there is no envy nor jealousy amongst them.


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So Judas chose Eupolemus, the son of John, the son of Jacob, and Jason, the son of Eleazar, and he sent them to Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them:


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And that they might take off from them the yoke of the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom of Israel with servitude.


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Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us to you to make alliance and peace with you, and that we may be registered your confederates and friends.


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And this is the copy of the writing that they wrote back again, graven in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial of the peace, and alliance.


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GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE ROMANS, and to the people of the Jews by sea, and by land, for ever: and far be the sword and enemy from them.


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But if there come first any war upon the Romans, or any of their confederates, in all their dominions:


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Neither shall they give them, whilst they are fighting, or furnish them with wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall obey their orders, without taking any thing of them.


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In like manner also if war shall come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall permit them:


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And there shall not be given to them that come to their aid, either wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall observe their orders without deceit.


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And, if after this, one party or the other shall have a mind to add to these articles, or take away any thing, they may do it at their pleasure: and whatsoever they shall add, or take away, shall be ratified.


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Moreover, concerning the evils that Demetrius, the king, hath done against them, we have written to him, saying: Why hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and allies, the Jews.


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If, therefore, they come again to us complaining of thee, we will do them justice, and will make war against thee by sea and land.


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In the mean time, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.


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And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.


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And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.


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And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.


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Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.


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But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.


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Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory.


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And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers, went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.


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And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:


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And they also that were on Judas's side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.


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And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him:


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And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:


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And Jonathan and Simon took Judas, their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers, in the city of Modin.


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And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.


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But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for they were very many.


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And it came to pass, after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.


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And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused them.


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And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.


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Since thy brother Judas died there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of our nation.


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Now, therefore, we have chosen thee this day to be our prince, and captain, in his stead, to fight our battles.


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So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas, his brother


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And Jonathan, and Simon, his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake Asphar,


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And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself, with all his army, over the Jordan, on the sabbath day.


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And Jonathan sent his brother, a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.


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And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.


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After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon, his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.


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And they remembered the blood of John, their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.


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And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments and many weapons.


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And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:


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And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.


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And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan, with a great power.


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And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday, and the day before.


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For behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.


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Now, therefore, cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.


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And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high walls, and gates, and bars.


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And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provi- sions of victuals:


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And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.


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Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.


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At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order concerning his house.


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And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.


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And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease and without fear: now, therefore, let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one night.


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And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.


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And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and he slew them.


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And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.


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And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.


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But Jonathan left his brother, Simon, in the city and went forth into the country, and came with a number of men,


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And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron, in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.


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And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.


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And he was angry with the wicked men that had given him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their country.


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And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore to him the prisoners.


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And he accepted it willingly, and did according to his words, and swore that he would do him no harm all the days of his life.


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And he restored to him the prisoners which he before had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned, and went away into his own country, and he came no more into their borders.


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So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people, and he destroyed the wicked out of Israel.


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Now in the hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander, the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.


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And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.


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For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.


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And he gave him authority to gather together a army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.


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And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.


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And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.


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And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.


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Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.


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And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.


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And he said: Shall we find such another man? now, therefore, we will make him our friend and our confederate.


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Now therefore, we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.


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Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.


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What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?


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I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.


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Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.


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Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.


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And now I free you, and all the Jews, from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:


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And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth, and for ever:


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And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.


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I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose, to keep it.


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And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes, even of their cattle.


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And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:


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And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them, as is due to all the king's forces and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:


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And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.


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And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest:


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Ptolemais and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.


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And I give every year fifteen thousand sickles of silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:


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And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.


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Moreover, the five thousand sickles of silver, which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.


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And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.


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For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's revenues:


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For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king's account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.


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Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them, nor received them because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.


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And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.


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And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.


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Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom and am set in the throne of my ancestors, and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius and possessed our country,


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And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:


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Now, therefore, let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son in law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.


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And king Ptolomee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.


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And now I will do to thee as thou hast written but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.


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So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais, in the hundred and sixty-second year.


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And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter, Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, after the manner of kings.


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And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.


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And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.


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And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should he taken off, and that he shonld be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.


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And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.


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And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor, and partaker of his dominion.


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In the year one hundred and sixty-five, Demetrius, the son of Demetrius, came from Crete into the land of his fathers.


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And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Celesyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan, the high priest,


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Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountuins.


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Now, therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.


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Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:


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And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?


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Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon, his brother, met him to help him.


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And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.


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And he went to Azotus, as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.


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And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.


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Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.


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And they that were scattered about the plain fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, there to save themselves.


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But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were round about it, and took the spoils of them and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.


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And Jonathan, removed his army from thence and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.


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And it came to pass, when Alexander, the king heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.


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And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron, and all the borders thereof, in possession.


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And the king of Egypt gathered together an army, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships: and he sought to get the kingdom of Alexander by deceit, and join it to his own kingdom.


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And he went out into Syria with peaceable words and they opened to him the cities, and met him: for king Alexander had ordered them to go forth to meet him, because he was his father in law.


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And when he came near to Azotns, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt with fire, and Azotus, and the suburbs thereof, that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad, and the graves of them that were slain in the battle, which they had made near the way.


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And they told the king that Jonathan had done these things, to make him odious: but the king held his peace.


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And Jonathan came to meet the king at Joppe with glory, and they saluted one another, and they lodged there.


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And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river, called Eleutherus: and he returned into Jerusalem.


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And king Ptolemee got the dominion of the cities by the sea side, even to Seleucia, and he devised evil designs against Alexander.


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And he sent ambassadors to Demetrius, saying: Come, let us make a league between us, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in the kingdom of thy father.


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And he took away his daughter, and gave her to Demetrius, and alienated himself from Alexander, and his enmities were made manifest.


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And Ptolemee entered into Antioch, and set two crowns upon his head, that of Egypt, and that of Asia.


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Now king Alexander was in Cilicia at that time: because they that were in those places had rebelled.


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And when Alexander heard of it, he came to give him battle: and king Ptolemee brought forth his army, and met him with a strong power, and put him to flight.


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And king Ptolemee died the third day after: and they that were in the strong holds were destroyed by them that were within the camp.


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In those days Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea, to take the castle that was in Jerusalem: and they made many engines of war against it.


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Then some wicked men that hated their own nation, went away to king Demetrius, and told him that Jonathan was besieging the castle.


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And when he heard it, he was angry: and forthwith he came to Ptolemais, and wrote to Jonathan that he should not besiege the castle, but should come to him in haste, and speak to him.


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But when Jonathan heard this, he bade them besiege it still: and he chose some of the ancients of Israel, and of the priests, and put himself in danger


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And he took gold, and silver, and raiment, and many other presents, and went to the king to Ptolemais and he found favour in his sight.


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And the king treated him as his predecessors had done before: and he exalted him in the sight of all his friends.


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And he confirmed him in the high priesthood and all the honours he had before, and he made him the chief of his friends.


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And Jonathan requested of the king that he would make Judea free from tribute, and the three governments, and Samaria, and the confines thereof: and he promised him three hundred talents.


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We send you here a copy of the letter which we have written to Lasthenes, our parent, concerning you, that you might know it.


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We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep the things that are just with us, for their good will which they bear towards us.


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We have ratified, therefore, unto them all the borders of Judea, and the three cities, Apherema, Lydda, and Ramatha, which are added to Judea, out of Samaria, and all their confines, to be set apart to all them that sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them every year, and for the fruits of the land, and of the trees.


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And as for other things that belonged to us of the tithes, and of the tributes, from this time we discharge them of them: the saltpans also, and the crowns that were presented to us.


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Now, therefore, see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be given to Jonathan, and set upon the holy mountain, in a conspicuous place.


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And king Demetrius, seeing that the land was quiet before him, and nothing resisted him, sent away all his forces, every man to his own place, except the foreign army, which he had drawn together from the islands of the nations: so all the troops of his fathers hated him.


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Now there was one Tryphon who had been of Alexander's party before: who seeing that all the army murmured against Demetrius, went to Emalchuel, the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus, the son of Alexander:


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And he pressed him much to deliver him to him, that he might be king in his father's place: and he told him all that Demetrius had done, and how his soldiers hated him. And he remained there many days.


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And Jonathan sent to king Demetrius, desiring that he would cast out them that were in the castle in Jerusalem, and those that were in the strong holds: because they fought against Israel.


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And Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying: I will not only do this for thee, and for thy people, but I will greatly honour thee, and thy nation, when opportunity shall serve.


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And Jonathan sent him three thousand valiant men to Antioch: and they came to the king, and the king was very glad of their coming.


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And they that were of the city assembled themselves together, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have killed the king.


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And the king fled into the palace: and they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.


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And the king called the Jews to his assistance: and they came to him all at once, and they all dispersed themselves through the city.


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And they slew in that day a hundred thousand men, and they set fire to the city, and got many spoils that day, and delivered the king.


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And they that were of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would: and they were discouraged in their mind, and cried to the king, making supplication, and saying


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And they threw down their arms, and made peace, and the Jews were glorified in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm, and were renowned throughout the kingdom, and returned to Jerusalem with many spoils.


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And he falsified all whatsoever he had said, and alienated himself from Jonathan, and did not reward him according to the benefits he had received from him, but gave him great trouble.


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And after this Tryphon returned, and with him Antiochus, the young boy, who was made king, and put on the diadem.


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And there assembled unto him all the hands which Demetrius had sent away, and they fought against Demetrius who turned his back and fled.


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And young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying: I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and I appoint thee ruler over the four cities, and to be one of the king's friends.


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And he sent him vessels of gold for his service, and he gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle:


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Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the river, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him to help him, and he came to Ascalon, and they met him hononrably out of the city.


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And he went from thence to Gaza: and they that were in Gaza shut him out: and he besieged it, and burnt all the suburbs round about, and took the spoils.


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And the men of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan, and he gave them the right hand: and he took their sons for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem: and he went through the country, as far as Damascus.


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And Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come treacherously to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great army, purposing to remove him from the affairs of the kingdom.


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And they desired him to make peace, and he granted it them: and he cast them out from thence, and took the city, and placed a garrison in it.


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And Jonathan and his army encamped by the water of Genesar, and before it was light they were ready in the plain of Asor.


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And behold the army of the strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains: but he went out against them.


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And all that were on Jonathan's side fled, and none was left of them, but Mathathias, the son of Absalom, and Judas, the son of Calphi, chief captain of the army.


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And they of his part that fled saw this, and they turned again to him, and they all with him pursued the enemies, even to Cades, to their own camp, and they came even thither.


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And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:


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And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance, as it was before.


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And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.


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Jonathan, the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.


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There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest, from Arius, who reigned then among you to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.


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And Onias received the ambassador with honour and received the letters, wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.


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We, though we needed none of these things having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,


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Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become stranger to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.


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We, therefore, at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet and becoming to remember brethren.


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But we have had many troubles and wars on every side; and the kings that are round about us have fought against us.


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We have chosen, therefore, Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance.


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And we have commanded them to go also to you, and salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.


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It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.


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And we also have written back to you, That our cattle, and our possessions, are yours: and yours, ours. We, therefore, have commanded that these things should be told you.


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Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.


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So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.


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And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back, and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.


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And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.


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And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle: and they were struck with fear and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.


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But Jonathan, and they that were with him, knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.


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And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians, that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.


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Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,


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(For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius) and he put a garrison there to keep it.


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And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people; and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,


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And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.


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And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook, towards the east, was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:


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Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:


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Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.


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Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him.


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But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.


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Now, therefore, send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.


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And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:


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But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.


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Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.


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Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.


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But they, when they understood that Jonathan, and all that were with him, were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.


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Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda and they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.


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They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore, let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst men.


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Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy it.


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And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,


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And exhorted them, saying: You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws, and the sanctuary, and the distresses that we have seen:


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And now far be it from me to spare my life in any time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.


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I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered together to destroy us out of mere malice.


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And they answered with a loud voice, saying: Thou art our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, thy brother:


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So gathering together all the men of war, he made haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.


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And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with him a new army, into Joppe, and he cast out them that were in it, and himself remained there.


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And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great army, to invade the land of Juda, and Jonathan was with him in custody.


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And when Tryphon understood that Simon was risen up in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers to him,


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Saying: We have detained thy brother, Jonathan, for the money that he owed in the king's account, by reason of the affairs which he had the management of.


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But now send a hundred talents of silver, and his two sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will release him.


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Now Simon knew that he spoke deceitfully to him; nevertheless, he ordered the money and the children to be sent, lest he should bring upon himself a great hatred of the people of Israel, who might have said:


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And after this, Tryphon entered within the country, to destroy it: and they went about by the way that leadeth to Ador: and Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever they went.


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And they that were in the castle, sent messengers to Tryphon, that he should make haste to come through the desert, and send them victuals.


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And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night; but there fell a very great snow, and he came not into the country of Galaad.


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And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan, his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.


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And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished stone, behind and before:


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And he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren:


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And round about these he set great pillars; and upon the pillars, arms, for a perpetual memory; and by the arms, ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the sea.


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And Simon built up the strong holds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the fortresses.


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And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.


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King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest, and friend of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting:


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The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.


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For all that we have decreed in your favour shall stand in force. The strong holds that you have built, shall be your own.


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And as for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it: and the crown which you owed: and if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.


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And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.


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And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon, the high priest, the great captain, and prince of the Jews.


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In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city, and he struck one tower, and took it.


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And they that were in the city went up, with their wives and children, upon the wall, with their garments rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.


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And Simon being moved, did not destroy them but yet he cast them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein there had been idols, and then he entered into it with hymns, blessing the Lord:


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And having cast out of it all uncleanness, he placed in it men that should observe the law: and he fortified it, and made it his habitation.


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But they that were in the castle of Jerusalem were hindered from going out and coming into the country, and from buying and selling: and they were straitened with hunger, and many of them perished through famine.


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And they cried to Simon for peace, and he granted it to them: and he cast them out from thence and cleansed the castle from uncleannesses.


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And they entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month, in the year one hundred and seventy-one, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and harps, and cymbals, and psalteries, and hymns, and canticles, because the great enemy was destroyed out of Israel.


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And he fortified the mountain of the temple that was near the castle, and he dwelt there himself, and they that were with him.


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And Simon saw that John, his son, was a valiant man for war: and he made him captain of all the forces: and he dwelt in Gazara.


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In the year one hundred and seventy-two king Demetrius assembled his army, and went into Media to get him succours to fight against Tryphon.


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And Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, and he sent one of his princes to take him alive, and bring him to him.


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And he went, and defeated the army of Demetrius: and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, and he put him into custody.


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And all the land of Juda was at rest all the days of Simon, and he sought the good of his nation: and his power, and his glory pleased them well all his days.


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And he gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazara, and of Bethsura, and of the castle: and took away all uncleanness out of it, and there was none that resisted him.


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And every man tilled his land with peace, and the land of Juda yielded her increase, and the trees of the fields their fruit.


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The ancient men sat all in the streets, and treated together of the good things of the land, and the youug men put on them glory, and the robes of war.


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And he provided victuals for the cities, and he appointed that they should be furnished with ammunition, so that the fame of his glory was renowned even to the end of the earth.


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And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low, and he sought the law, and took away every unjust and wicked man.


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But when they heard that Simon, his brother, was made high priest in his place, and was possessed of all the country, and the cities therein:


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They wrote to him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and alliance which they had made with Judas and with Jonathan, his brethren.


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And they were read before the assembly in Jerusalem. And this is the copy of the letters that the Spartans sent.


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The princes and the cities of the Spartans, to Simon, the high priest, and to the ancients, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, their brethren, greeting.


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The ambassadors that were sent to our people, have told us of your glory, and honour, and joy: and we rejoiced at their coming.


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And we registered what was said by them in the councils of the people, in this manner: Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, ambassadors of the Jews, came to us to renew the former friendship with us.


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And it pleased the people to receive the men honourably, and to put a copy of their words in the public records, to be a memorial to the people of the Spartans. And we have written a copy of them to Simon, the high priest.


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And after this Simon sent Numenius to Rome, with a great shield of gold, of the weight of a thousand pounds, to confirm the league with them. And when the people of Rome had heard


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For he hath restored his brethren, and hath driven away in fight the enemies of Israel from them: and they decreed him liberty, and registered it in tables of brass, and set it upon pillars in mount Sion.


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And this is a copy of the writing. The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the year one hundred and seventy-two, being the third year under Simon, the high priest, at Asaramel,


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In a great assembly of the priests, and of the people, and the princes of the nation, and the ancients of the country, these things were notified: Forasmuch as there have often been wars in our country,


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And Simon, the son of Mathathias, of the children of Jarib, and his brethren, have put themselves in danger, and resisted the enemies of their nation, for the maintenance of their holy places, and the law: and have raised their nation to great glory.


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And Jonathan gathered together his nation, and was made their high priest, and he was laid to his people.


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And their enemies desired to tread down and destroy their country, and to stretch forth their hands against their holy places.


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Then Simon resisted and fought for his nation, and laid out much of his money, and armed the valiant men of his nation, and gave them wages.


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And he fortified the cities of Judea and Bethsura that lieth in the borders of Judea, where the armour of the enemies was before: and he placed there a garrison of Jews.


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And he fortified Joppe, which lieth by the sea: and Gazara, which bordereth upon Azotus, wherein the enemies dwelt before, and he placed Jews here: and furnished them with all things convenient for their reparation.


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And the people seeing the acts of Simon, and to what glory he meant to bring his nation, made him their prince and high priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to advance his people.


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And in his days things prospered in his hands, so that the heathens were taken away out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David, in Jerusalem, in the castle, out of which they issued forth, and profaned all places round about the sanctuary, and did much evil to purity.


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And he placed therein Jews for the defence of the country, and of the city, and he raised up the walls of Jerusalem.


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For he had heard that the Romans had called the Jews their friends, and confederates, and brethren, and that they had received Simon's ambassadors with honour:


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And that the Jews, and their priests, had consented that he should be their prince and high priest for ever, till there should arise a faithful prophet:


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And that he should be chief over them, and that he should have the charge of the sanctuary, and that he should appoint rulers over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the strong holds;


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And that he should have care of the holy places; and that he should be obeyed by all, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name; and that he should be clothed with purple and gold:


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And that it should not be lawful for any of the people, or of the priests, to disannul any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to call together an assembly in the country without him: or to be clothed with purple, or to wear a buckle of gold.


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And Simon accepted thereof, and was well pleased to execute the office of the high priesthood, and to be captain, and prince of the nation of the Jews, and of the priests, and to be chief over all.


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And they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary, in a conspicuous place:


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And king Antiochus, the son of Demetrius, sent letters from the isles of the sea to Simon, the priest, and prince of the nation of the Jews, and to all the people:


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And the contents were these: King Antiochus to Simon, the high priest, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.


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Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge the kingdom, and to restore it to its former estate; and I have chosen a great army, and have built ships of war.


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And I design to go through the country, that I may take revenge of them that have destroyed our country, and that have made many cities desolate in my realm.


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Now, therefore, I confirm unto thee all the oblations which all the kings before me remitted to thee, and what other gifts soever they remitted to thee:


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And let Jerusalem be holy and free, and all the armour that hath been made, and the fortresses which thou hast built, and which thou keepest in thy hands, let them remain to thee.


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And all that is due to the king, and what should be the king's hereafter, from this present and for ever, is forgiven thee.


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And when we shall have recovered our kingdom, we will glorify thee, and thy nation, and the temple, with great glory, so that your glory shall be made manifest in all the earth.


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In the year one hundred and seventy-four, Antiochus entered into the land of his fathers, and all the forces assembled to him, so that few were left with Tryphon.


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And Antiochus camped above Dora with a hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen:


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And he invested the city, and the ships drew near by sea: and they annoyed the city by land, and by sea, and suffered none to come in, or to go out.


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And Numenius, and they that had been with him, came from the city of Rome, having letters written to the kings, and countries, the contents whereof were these:


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The ambassadors of the Jews, our friends, came to us, to renew the former friendship and alliance, being sent from Simon, the high priest, and the people of the Jews.


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It hath seemed good therefore to us, to write to the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries: and that they should give no aid to them that fight against them.


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If, therefore, any pestilent men are fled out of their country to you, deliver them to Simon, the high priest, that he may punish them according to their law.


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These same things were written to king Demetrius, and to Attalus, and to Ariarathes, and to Arsaces,


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And to all the countries: and to Lampsacus and to the Spartans, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samus, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Alicarnassus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Rhodes, and Phaselis, and Gortyna, and Gnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.


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But king Antiochus moved his camp to Dora the second time, assaulting it continually, and making engines: and he shut up Tryphon, that he could not go out.


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And Simon sent to him two thousand chosen men to aid him, silver also, and gold, and abundance of furniture.


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And he would not receive them, but broke all the covenant that he had made with him before, and alienated himself from him.


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And he sent to him Athenobius, one of his friends, to treat with him, saying: You hold Joppe and Gazara, and the castle that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my kingdom:


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Their borders you have wasted, and you have made great havoc in the land, and have got the dominion of many places in my kingdom.


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Now, therefore, deliver up the cities that you have taken, and the tributes of the places whereof you have gotten the dominion without the borders of Judea.


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But if not, give me for them five hundred talents of silver, and for the havoc that you have made, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: or else we will come and fight against you.


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So Athenobius, the king's friend came to Jerusalem, and saw the glory of Simon and his magnificence in gold, and silver, and his great equipage, and he was astonished, and told him the king's words.


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And Simon answered him, and said to him: We have neither taken other men's land, neither do we hold that which is other men's, but the inheritance of our fathers, which was for some time unjustly possessed by our enemies.


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And as to thy complaints concerning Joppe and Gazara, they did great harm to the people, and to our country: yet for these we will give a hundred talents. And Athenobius answered him not a word.


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But returning in a rage to the king, made report to him of these words, and of the glory of Simon, and of all that he had seen, and the king was exceeding angry.


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And the king appointed Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an army of footmen and horsemen.


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And he commanded him to march with his army towards Judea: and he commanded him to build up Gedor, and to fortify the gates of the city, and to war against the people. But the king himself pursued after Tryphon.


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And Cendebeus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke the people, and to ravage Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and to kill, and to build Gedor.


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And he placed there horsemen, and an army: that they might issue forth, and make incursions upon the ways of Judea, as the king had commanded him.


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Then John came up from Gazara, and told Simon, his father, what Cendebeus had done against their people.


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And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said to them: I and my brethren, and my father's house, have fought against the enemies of Israel from our youth even to this day: and things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered Israel oftentimes.


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And now I am old, but be you instead of me, and my brethren, and go out, and fight for our nation: and the help from heaven be with you.


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Then he chose out of the country twenty thousand fighting men, and horsemen, and they went forth against Cendebeus: and they rested in Modin.


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And they arose in the morning, and went into the plain: and behold a very great army of footmen and horsemen came against them, and there was a running river between them.


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And he and his people pitched their camp over against them, and he saw that the people were afraid to go over the river, so he went over first: then the men seeing him, passed over after him.


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And he divided the people, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: but the horsemen of the enemies were very numerous.


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And they sounded the holy trumpets: and Cendebeus and his army were put to flight: and there fell many of them wounded, and the rest fled into the strong hold.


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At that time, Judas, John's brother, was wounded: but John pursued after them, till he came to Cedron, which he had built:


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And they fled even to the towers that were in the fields of Azotus, and he burnt them with fire. And there fell of them two thousand men, and he returned into Judea in peace.


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Now Ptolemee, the son of Abobus, was appointed captain in the plain of Jericho, and he had abundance of silver and gold.


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And his heart was lifted up, and he designed to make himself master of the country, and he purposed treachery against Simon and his sons, to destroy them.


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Now Simon, as he was going through the cities that were in the country of Judea, and taking care for the good ordering of them, went down to Jericho, he and Mathathias and Judas, his sons, in the year one hundred and seventy-seven, the eleventh month: the same is the month Sabath.


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And the son of Abobus received them deceitfully into a little fortress, that is called Doch, which he had built: and he made them a great feast, and hid men there.


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And when Simon and his sons had drunk plentifully, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and entered into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and some of his servants.


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And Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the king that he should send him an army to aid him, and he would deliver him the country, and their cities, and tributes.


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And he sent others to Gazara to kill John: and to the tribunes he sent letters to come to him, and that he would give them silver, and gold, and gifts.


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Now one running before, told John in Gazara, that his father and his brethren were slain, and that he hath sent men to kill thee also.


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But when he heard it, he was exceedingly afraid: and he apprehended the men that came to kill him, and he put them to death: for he knew that they sought to make him away.


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And as concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and the worthy deeds, which he bravely achieved, and the building of the walls, which he made, and the things that he did:


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Behold, these are written in the book of the days of his priesthood, from the time that he was made high priest after his father.


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To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt; the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health and good peace.


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May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:


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When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we Jews wrote to you in the trouble and violence that came upon us in those years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the kingdom.


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They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.


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In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people that is at Jerusalem, and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the preceptor of king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt, health and welfare.


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Having been delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in war with such a king.


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For when the leader himself was in Persia, and with him a very great army, he fell in the temple of Nanea, being deceived by the counsel of the priests of Nanea.


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For Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he would marry her, and that he might receive great sums of money under the title of a dowry.


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And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a small company had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple,


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When Antiochus was come in: and opening a secret entrance of the temple, they cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with him, and hewed them in pieces; and cutting off their heads, they threw them forth.


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Therefore, whereas we purpose to keep the purification of the temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, we thought it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemias offered sacrifice, after the temple and the altar was built.


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For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that then were worshippers of God, took privately the fire from the altar, and hid it in a valley where there was a deep pit without water, and there they kept it safe, so that the place was unknown to all men.


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But when many years had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent by the king of Persia, he sent some of the posterity of those priests that had hid it, to seek for the fire: and as they told us, they found no fire, but thick water.


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Then he bade them draw it up, and bring it to him: and the priest, Nehemias, commanded the sacrifices that were laid on, to be sprinkled with the same water, both the wood, and the things that were laid upon it.


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And when this was done, and the time came that the sun shone out, which before was in a cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that all wondered.


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And all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering.


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And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone art the good king,


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Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the fathers, and didst sanctify them:


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Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves to the Gentiles, and look upon them that are despised and abhorred: that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God


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And when the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemias commanded the water that was left to be poured out upon the great stones.


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Which being done, there was kindled a flame from them: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar.


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And when this matter became public, it was told to the king of Persia, that in the place where the priests that were led away, had hid the fire, there appeared water, with which Nehemias and they that were with him had purified the sacrifices.


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And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might prove what had happened.


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And when he had proved it, he gave the priests many goods, and divers presents, and he took and distributed them to them with his own hand.


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Now it is found in the descriptions of Jeremias, the prophet, that he commanded them that went into captivity, to take the fire, as it hath been signified, and how he gave charge to them that were carried away into captivity.


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And how he gave them the law, that they should not forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, seeing the idols of gold, and silver, and the ornaments of them.


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And with other such like speeches, he exhorted them that they would not remove the law from their heart.


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It was also contained in the same writing, how the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where Moses went up, and saw the inheritance of God.


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And when Jeremias came thither he found a hollow cave: and he carried in thither the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.


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And when Jeremias perceived it, he blamed them, saying: The place shall be unknown, till God gather together the congregation of the people, and receive them to mercy.


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And then the Lord will shew these things, and the majesty of the Lord shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shewed to Moses, and he shewed it when Solomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God.


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For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise man, he offered the sacrifice of thc dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.


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And as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven, and consumed the holocaust: so Solomon also prayed, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the holocaust.


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And these same things were set down in the memoirs, and commentaries of Nehemias: and how he made a library, and gathered together out of the countries, the books both of the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings, and concerning the holy gifts.


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And in like manner Judas also gathered together all such things as were lost by the war we had, and they are in our possession.


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As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.


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And we hope that God, who hath delivered his people, and hath rendered to all the inheritance, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,


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As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and will gather us together from every land under heaven into the holy place.


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Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar:


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And the manifestations that came from heaven to them, that behaved themselves manfully on the behalf of the Jews, so that, being but a few they made themselves masters of the whole country, and put to flight the barbarous multitude:


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And recovered again thc most renowned temple in all the world, and delivered the city, and restored the laws that were abolished, the Lord with all clemency shewing mercy to them.


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And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason, of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.


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For considering the multitude of books, and the difficulty that they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of the matter,


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We have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read, that it might be a pleasure of mind: and for the studious, that they may more easily commit to memory: and that all that read might receive profit.


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And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of abridging, we have taken in hand no easy task; yea, rather a business full of watching and sweat.


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But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour.


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Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be brief.


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For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged of us.


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For to collect all that is to be known, to put the discourse in order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of the author of a history:


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But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment.


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Here then we will begin the narration: let this be enough by way of a preface: for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.


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Therefore, when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias, the high priest and the hatred his soul had of evil,


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It came to pass that even the kings themselves and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the temple with very great gifts:


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So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.


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But one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about some unjust thing in the city.


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And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius, the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria, and Phenicia:


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And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hands.


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Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid money.


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So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.


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And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.


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Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:


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And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given intelligence of belonged to Hircanus, son of Tobias, a man of great dignity; and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold.


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But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.


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But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king, said, that by all means the money must be carried to the king.


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So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.


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And the priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe, for them that had deposited them.


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Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour, declared the inward sorrow of his mind.


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For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart.


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Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.


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And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.


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For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest, who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.


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And these indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them safe and sure for those that had committed them.


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But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.


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But the spirit of the Almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.


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For there appeared to them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold.


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Moreover there appeared two other young men, beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.


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And Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up, covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter, they carried him out.


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So he that came with many servants, and all his guard, into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known.


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But they praised the Lord, because he had glorified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.


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Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias, that he would call upon the Most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost.


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So the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.


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And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.


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And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared no more.


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So Heliodorus, after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king.


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And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:


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If thou hast any enemy, or traitor to thy king dom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.


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For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visiter and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it.


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But Simon, of whom we spoke before, who was the betrayer of the money, and of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited Heliodorus to do these things, and had been the promoter of evils:


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And he presumed to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided for the city, and defended his nation, and was zealous for the law of God.


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But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by some of Simon's friends:


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Onias, considering the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyia, and Phenicia, was outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king,


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For he saw that, except the king took care, it was impossible that matters should be settled in peace, or that Simon would cease from his folly.


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But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the Illustrious, had taken possession of the kingdom, Jason, the brother of Onias, ambitiously sought the high priesthood:


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And went to the king, promising him three hundred and sixty talents of silver, and out of other revenues fourscore talents.


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Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might have license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth, and to entitle them that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians.


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Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten the rule into his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his countrymen to the fashion of the heathens.


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And abolishing those things, which had been decreed of special favour by the kings in behalf of the Jews, by the means of John, the father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome to make amity and alliance, he disannulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and brought in fashions that were perverse.


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For he had the boldness to set up, under the very castle, a place of exercise, and to put all the choicest youths in brothel houses.


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Now this was not the beginning, but an increase, and progress of heathenish and foreign manners, through the abominable and unheard of wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch, and no priest.


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Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of the discus.


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For the sake of which they incurred a dangerous contention, and followed earnestly their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be like them, who were their enemies and murderers.


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For acting wickedly against the laws of God doth not pass unpunished: but this the time following will declare.


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The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men, to carry three hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the bearers thereof desired it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it was not necessary, but might be deputed for other charges.


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So the money was appointed by him that sent it to the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that carried it was employed for thc making of galleys.


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Now when Apollonius, the son of Mnestheus was sent into Egypt to treat with the nobles of king Philometor, and Antiochus understood that he was wholly excluded from the affairs of the kingdom, consulting his own interest, he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem.


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Where he was received in a magnificent manner by Jason, and the city, and came in with torch lights, and with praises, and from thence he returned with his army into Phenicia.


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Three years afterwards Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the aforesaid Simon, to carry money to the king, and to bring answers from him concerning certain necessary affairs.


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But he being recommended to the king, when he had magnified the appearance of his power, got the high priesthood for himself, by offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver.


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So having received the king's mandate, he returned, bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood: but having the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.


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Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being himself undermined, was driven out a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites.


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So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money he had promised to the king, he took no care, when Sostratus, the governor of the castle, called for it.


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And Menelaus was removed from the priesthood, Lysimachus, his brother, succeeding: and Sostratus alas made governor of the Cyprians.


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When these things were in doing, it fell out that they of Tharsus, and Mallos, raised a sedition, because they were given for a gift to Antiochus, the king's concubine.


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The king, therefore, went in all haste to appease them, leaving Andronicus, one of his nobles, for his deputy.


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Then Menelaus supposing that he had found a convenient time, having stolen certain vessels of gold out of the temple, gave them to Andronicus, and others he had sold at Tyre, and in the neighbouring cities:


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Which when Onias understood most certainly, he reproved him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioch, beside Daphne.


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Whereupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kill Onias. And he went to Onias, and gave him his right hand with an oath, and (though he were suspected by him) persuaded him to come forth out of the sanctuary, and immediately slew him, without any regard to justice.


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For which cause not only the Jews, but also the other nations, conceived indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of so great a man.


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And when the king was come back from the places of Cilicia, the Jews that were at Antioch, and also the Greeks, went to him: complaining of the unjust murder of Onias.


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Antiochus, therefore, was grieved in his mind for Onias, and being moved to pity, shed tears, remembering the sobriety and modesty of the deceased.


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And being inflamed to anger, he commanded Andronicus to be stripped of his purple, and to be led about through all the city: and that in the same place wherein he had committed the impiety against Onias, the sacrilegious wretch should be put to death, the Lord repaying him his deserved punishment.


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Now when many sacrileges had been committed by Lysimachus in the temple, by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour of it was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, a great quantity of gold being already carried away.


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Wherefore the multitude making an insurrection, and their minds being filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began to use violence, one Tyrannus being captain, a man far gone both in age and in madness.


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But when they perceived the attempt of Lysimachus, some caught up stones, some strong clubs, and some threw ashes upon Lysimachus.


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And many of them were wounded, and some struck down to the ground, but all were put to flight: and as for the sacrilegious fellow himself, they slew him beside the treasury.


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And when the king was come to Tyre, three men were sent from the ancients to plead the cause before him.


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But Menelaus being convicted, promised Ptolemee to give him much money to persuade the king to favour him.


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So Ptolemee went to the king in a certain court where he was, as it were to cool himself, and brought him to be of another mind:


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So Menelaus, who was guilty of all the evil, was acquitted by him of the accusations: and those poor men, who, if they had pleaded their cause even before Scythians, should have been judged innocent, were condemned to death.


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Thus they that persecuted the cause for the city, and for the people, and the sacred vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment.


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And so through the covetousness of them that were in power, Menelaus continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.


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And it came to pass, that through the whole city of Jerusalem, for the space of forty days, there were seen horsemen running in the air, in gilded raiment, and armed with spears, like bands of soldiers.


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And horses set in order by ranks, running one against another, with the shakings of shields, and a multitude of men in helmets, with drawn swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden armour, and of harnesses of all sorts.


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Now when there was gone forth a false rumour as though Antiochus had been dead, Jason taking with him no fewer than a thousand men, suddenly assaulted the city: and though the citizens ran together to the wall, the city at length was taken, and Menelaus fled into the castle.


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But Jason slew his countrymen without mercy, not considering that prosperity against one's own kindred is a very great evil, thinking they had been enemies, and not citizens, whom he conquered.


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Yet he did not get the principality, but received confusion at the end, for the reward of his treachery, and fled again into the country of the Ammonites.


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At the last, having been shut up by Aretas, the king of the Arabians, in order for his destruction, flying from city to city, hated by all men, as a forsaker of the laws and execrable, as an enemy of his country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt:


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And he that had driven many out of their country perished in a strange land, going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have refuge there:


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But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth both unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being partaker of the sepulchre of his fathers.


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Now when these things were done, the king suspected that the Jews would forsake the alliance: whereupon departing out of Egypt with a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms,


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And commanded the soldiers to kill, and not to spare any that came in their way, and to go up into the houses to slay.


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Thus there was a slaughter of young and old, destruction of women and children, and killing of virgins and infants.


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And there were slain in the space of three whole days fourscore thousand, forty thousand were made prisoners, and as many sold.


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But this was not enough, he presumed also to enter into the temple, the most holy in all the world Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his country, being his guide.


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And taking in his wicked hands the holy vessels, which were given by other kings and cities, for the ornament and the glory of the place, he unworthily handled and profaned them.


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Thus Antiochus going astray in mind, did not consider that God was angry for a while, because of the sins of the inhabitants of the city: and therefore this contempt had happened to the place:


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Otherwise had they not been involved in many sins, as Heliodorus, who was sent by king Seleucus to rob the treasury, so this man also, as soon as he had come, had been forthwith scourged, and put back from his presumption.


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And, therefore, the place also itself was made partaker of the evils of the people: but afterwards shall communicate in the good things thereof, and as it was forsaken in the wrath of Almighty God, shall be exalted again with great glory, when the great Lord shall be reconciled.


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So when Antiochus had taken away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents, he went back in all haste to Antioch, thinking through pride that he might now make the land navigable, and the sea passable on foot: such was the haughtiness of his mind.


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He left also governors to afflict the people: at Jerusalem, Philip, a Phrygian by birth, but in manners more barbarous than he that set him there:


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And in Gazarim, Andronicus and Menelaus, who bore a more heavy hand upon the citizens than the rest.


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And whereas he was set against the Jews, he sent that hateful prince, Apollonius, with an army of two and twenty thousand men, commanding him to kill all that were of perfect age, and to sell the women and the younger sort.


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Who, when he was come to Jerusalem, pretending peace, rested till the holy day of the sabbath: and then the Jews keeping holiday, he commanded his men to take arms.


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And he slew all that were come forth to flee: and running through the city with armed men, he destroyed a very great multitude.


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But Judas Machabeus, who was the tenth, had withdrawn himself into a desert place, and there lived amongst wild beasts in the mountains with his company: and they continued feeding on herbs, that they might not be partakers of the pollution.


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But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God:


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And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Garazim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the place.


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For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful.


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And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew.


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But they were led by bitter constraint on the king's birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus.


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And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice:


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And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen.


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For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city, with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls.


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And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day.


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Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation.


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For it is a token of great goodness, when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished.


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For, not as with other nations, (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:)


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Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.


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And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.


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But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration.


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Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh.


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But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.


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And considering in what manner he was to come to it, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.


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But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the sacrifice:


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That by so doing he might be delivered from death; and for the sake of their old friendship with the man, they did him this courtesy.


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But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child; and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world.


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For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:


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And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a corruptible life, should be deceived, and hereby I should bring a stain and a curse upon my old age.


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For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead.


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And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for thc most venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith carried to execution.


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And they that led him, and had been a little before more mild, were changed to wrath for the words he had spoken, which they thought were uttered out of arrogancy.


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But when be was now ready to die with the stripes, he groaned: and said: O Lord, who hast the holy knowledge, thou knowest manifestly that whereas I might be delivered from death, I suffer grievous pains in body: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear thee.


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Thus did this man die, leaving not only to young men, but also to the whole nation, the memory of his death, for an example of virtue and fortitude.


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It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges.


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But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers.


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Then the king being angry, commanded fryingpans and brazen caldrons to be made hot: which forthwith being heated,


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He commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had spoken first: and the skin of his head being drawn off, to chop off also the extremities of his hands and feet, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.


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And when he was now maimed in all parts, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the fryingpan: and while he was suffering therein long torments, the rest, together with the mother, exhorted one another to die manfully,


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Saying: The Lord God will look upon the truth, and will take pleasure in us, as Moses declared in the profession of the canticle; And in his servants he will take pleasure.


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So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, before he were punished throughout the whole body in every limb.


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But he answered in his own language, and said: I will not do it. Wherefore he also, in the next place, received the torments of the first:


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And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.


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After him the third was made a mocking-stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:


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And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them, because I hope to receive them again from him.


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So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.


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And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him; for, as to thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.


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Said: Whereas thou hast power among men though thou art corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt but think not that our nation is forsaken by God.


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But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power, in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed.


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After him they brought the sixth, and he being ready to die, spoke thus: Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God, and things worthy of admiration are done to us:


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But do not think that thou shalt escape unpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.


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Now the mother was to be admired above measure, and worthy to be remembered by good men, who beheld her seven sons slain in the space of one day, and bore it with a good courage, for the hope that she had in God:


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And she bravely exhorted every one of them in her own language, being filled with wisdom; and joining a man's heart to a woman's thought,


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She said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb; for I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the limbs of every one of you.


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But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man, and that found out the origin of all, he will restore to you again, in his mercy, both breath and life, as now you despise yourselves for the sake of his laws.


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Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and withal despising the voice of the upbraider, when the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with an oath, that he would make him a rich and a happy man, and, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers, would take him for a friend, and furnish him with things necessary.


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But when the young man was not moved with these things, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to save his life.


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So bending herself towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she said in her own language: My son have pity upon me, that bore thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age.


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I beseech thee, my son, look upon heaven and earth, and all that is in them, and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind also:


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So thou shalt not fear this tormentor, but being made a worthy partner with thy brethren, receive death, that in that mercy I may receive thee again with thy brethren.


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While she was yet speaking these words, the young man said: For whom do you stay? I will not obey the commandment of the king, but the commandment of the law which was given us by Moses.


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But thou that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hand of God.


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And though the Lord, our God, is angry with us a little while, for our chastisement and correction, yet he will be reconciled again to his servants.


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But thou, O wicked, and of all men most flagitious, be not lifted up without cause with vain hopes, whilst thou art raging against his servants.


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For my brethren having now undergone a short pain, are under the covenant of eternal life: but thou, by the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.


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But I, like my brethren, offer up my life and my body for the laws of our fathers: calling upon God to be speedily merciful to our nation, and that thou by torments and stripes mayst confess that he alone is God.


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But in me, and in my brethren, the wrath of the Almighty, which hath justly been brought upon all our nation, shall cease.


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Then the king being incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly than all the rest, taking it grievously that he was mocked.


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But Judas Machabeus, and they that were with him, went privately into the towns: and calling together their kinsmen and friends, and taking unto them such as continued in the Jews' religion, they assembled six thousand men.


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And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon his people that was trodden down by all and would have pity on the temple, that was defiled by the wicked:


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That he would have pity also upon the city that was destroyed, that was ready to be made even with the ground, and would hear the voice of the blood that cried to him:


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That he would remember also the most unjust deaths of innocent children, and the blasphemies offered to his name, and would shew his indignation on this occasion.


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Now when Machabeus had gathered a multitude, he could not be withstood by the heathens: for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy.


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So coming unawares upon the towns and cities, he set them on fire, and taking possession of the most commodious places, he made no small slaughter of the enemies:


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And especially in the nights he went upon these expeditions, and the fame of his valour was spread abroad every where.


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Then Philip seeing that the man gained ground by little and little, and that things for the most part succeeded prosperously with him, wrote to Ptolemee, the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, to send aid to the king's affairs.


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And he with all speed sent Nicanor, the son of Patroclus, one of his special friends, giving him no fewer than twenty thousand armed men of different nations, to root out the whole race of the Jews, joining also with him Gorgias, a good soldier, and of great experience in matters of war.


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And Nicanor purposed to raise for the king the tribute of two thousand talents, that was to be given to the Romans, by making so much money of the captive Jews:


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Wherefore he sent immediately to the cities upon the sea coast, to invite men together to buy up the Jewish slaves, promising that they should have ninety slaves for one talent, not reflecting on the vengeance which was to follow him from the Almighty.


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Now when Judas found that Nicanor was coming, he imparted to the Jews that were with him, that the enemy was at hand.


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Others sold all that they had left, and withal besought the Lord, that he would deliver them from the wicked Nicanor, who had sold them before he came near them:


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And if not for their sakes, yet for the covenant that he had made with their fathers, and for the sake of his holy and glorious name that was invoked upon them.


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But Machabeus calling together seven thousand that were with him, exhorted them not to be reconciled to the enemies, nor to fear the multitude of the enemies who came wrongfully against them, but to fight manfully:


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Setting before their eyes the injury they had unjustly done the holy place, and also the injury they had done to the city, which had been shamefully abused, besides their destroying the ordinances of the fathers.


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For, said he, they trust in their weapons, and in their boldness: but we trust in the Almighty Lord, who at a beck can utterly destroy both them that come against us, and the whole world.


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Moreover, he put them in mind also of the helps their fathers had received from God: and how, under Sennacherib, a hundred and eighty-five thousand had been destroyed.


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And of the battle that they had fought against the Galatians, in Babylonia; how they, being in all but six thousand, when it came to the point, and the Macedonians, their companions, were at a stand, slew a hundred and twenty thousand, because of the help they had from heaven, and for this they received many favours.


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With these words they were greatly encouraged and disposed even to die for the laws and their country.


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So he appointed his brethren captains over each division of his army; Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving to each one fifteen hundred men.


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And after the holy book had been read to them by Esdras, and he had given them for a watchword, The help of God: himself leading the first band, he joined battle with Nicanor:


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And the Almighty being their helper, they slew above nine thousand men: and having wounded and disabled the greater part of Nicanor's army, they obliged them to fly.


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But they came back for want of time: for it was the day before the sabbath: and therefore they did not continue the pursuit.


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But when they had gathered together their arms and their spoils, they kept the sabbath: blessing the Lord who had delivered them that day, distilling the beginning of mercy upon them.


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Then after the sabbath they divided the spoils to the feeble and the orphans, and the widows, and the rest they took for themselves and their servants.


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When this was done, and they had all made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord, to be reconciled to his servants unto the end.


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Moreover, they slew above twenty thousand of them that were with Timotheus and Bacchides, who fought against them, and they made themselves masters of the high strong holds: and they divided amongst them many spoils, giving equal portions to the feeble, the fatherless, and the widows; yea, and the aged also


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And when they had carefully gathered together their arms, they laid them all up in convenient places, and the residue of their spoils they carried to Jerusalem:


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They slew also Philarches, who was with Timotheus, a wicked man, who had many ways afflicted the Jews.


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And when they kept the feast of the victory at Jerusalem, they burnt Callisthenes, that had set fire to the holy gates, who had taken refuge in a certain house, rendering to him a worthy reward for his impieties:


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But as for that most wicked man, Nicanor, who had brought a thousand merchants to the sale of the Jews,


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Being, through the help of the Lord, brought down by them, of whom he had made no account, laying aside his garment of glory, fleeing through the midland country, he came alone to Antioch, being rendered very unhappy by the destruction of his army.


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And he that had promised to levy the tribute for the Romans, by the means of the captives of Jerusalem, now professed that the Jews had God for their protector, and therefore they could not be hurt, because they followed the laws appointed by him.


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For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and attempted to rob the temple, and to oppress the city, but the multitude running together to arms, put them to flight: and so it fell out that Antiochus being put to flight, returned with disgrace.


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Now when he was come about Ecbatana, he received the news of what had happened to Nicanor and Timotheus.


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And swelling with anger, he thought to revenge upon the Jews the injury done by them that had put him to flight. And therefore he commanded his chariot to be driven, without stopping in his journey, the judgment of heaven urging him forward, because he had spoken so proudly, that he would come to Jerusalem, and make it a common burying place of the Jews.


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But the Lord, the God of Israel, that seeth all things, struck him with an incurable and an invisible plague. For as soon as he had ended these words, a dreadful pain in his bowels came upon him, and bitter torments of the inner parts.


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And indeed very justly, seeing he had tormented the bowels of others with many and new torments, albeit he by no means ceased from his malice.


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Moreover, being filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding the matter to be hastened, it happened as he was going with violence, that he fell from the chariot, so that his limbs were much pained by a grievous bruising of the body.


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Thus he that seemed to himself to command even the waves of the sea, being proud above the condition of man, and to weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, now being cast down to the ground, was carried in a litter, bearing witness to the manifest power of God in himself:


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So that worms swarmed out of the body of this man, and whilst he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell off, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to the army.


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And the man that thought a little before he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry, for the intolerable stench.


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And by this means, being brought from his great pride, he began to come to the knowledge of himself, being admonished by the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment.


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And when he himself could not now abide his own stench, he spoke thus: It is just to be subject to God, and that a mortal man should not equal himself to God.


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And the city, to which he was going in haste to lay it even with the ground, and to make it a common burying place, he now desireth to make free:


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And the Jews, whom he said he would not account worthy to be so much as buried, but would give them up to be devoured by the birds and wild beasts, and would utterly destroy them with their children, he now promiseth to make equal with the Athenians.


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The holy temple also, which before he had spoiled, he promised to adorn with goodly gifts, and to multiply the holy vessels, and to allow out of his revenues the charges pertaining to the sacrifices.


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Yea also, that he would become a Jew himself, and would go through every place of the earth, and declare the power of God.


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But his pains not ceasing, (for the just judgment of God was come upon him) despairing of life, he wrote to the Jews, in the manner of a supplication, a letter in these words:


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To his very good subjects the Jews, Antiochus, king and ruler, wisheth much health, and welfare, and happiness.


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If you and your children are well, and if all matters go with you to your mind, we give very great thanks.


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As for me, being infirm, but yet kindly remembering you, returning out of the places of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to take care for the common good:


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But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the higher countries, appointed who should reign after him:


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To the end that if any thing contrary to expectation should fall out, or any bad tidings should be brought, they that were in the countries, knowing to whom the whole government was left, might not be troubled.


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Moreover, considering that neighbouring princes, and borderers, wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have appointed my son, Antiochus, king, whom I often recommended to many of you, when I went into the higher provinces: and I have written to him what I have joined here below.


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I pray you, therefore, and request of you, that, remembering favours both public and private, you will every man of you continue to be faithful to me and to my son.


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For I trust that he will behave with moderation and humanity, and following my intentions, will be gracious unto you.


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Thus the murderer and blasphemer being grievously struck, as himself had treated others, died a miserable death in a strange country, among the mountains.


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But Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body: and out of fear of the son of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolemee Philometor.


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But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.


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But he threw down the altars which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.


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And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the loaves of proposition.


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And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord, lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and blasphemous men.


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Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the strangers on the very same day it was cleansed again; to wit, on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu.


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And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beasts.


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Therefore they now carried boughs and green branches and palms, for him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.


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And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.


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But now we will repeat the acts of Eupator, the son of that wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in the wars.


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For when he was come to the crown, he appointed over the affairs of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria.


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For Ptolemee, that was called Macer, was determined to be strictly just to the Jews and especially by reason of the wrong that had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them.


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But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus, which Philometor had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison.


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But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.


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And the Jews that occupied the most commodious holds, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.


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Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds of the Idumeans:


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And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty thousand.


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And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,


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Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were with them, in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those expeditions which urged more.


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Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded for the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape.


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But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape.


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And having good success in arms, and all things he took in hand, he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds.


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But Timotheus, who before had been overcome by the Jews, having called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.


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But Machabeus, and they that were with him, when he drew near, prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads, and girding their loins with haircloth,


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And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law saith.


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And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they rested.


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But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the one part having, with their valour, the Lord for a surety of victory, and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in battle.


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But when they were in the heat of the engagement, there appeared to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely, with golden bridles, conducting the Jews:


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Two of them took Machabeus between them, and covered him on every side with their arms, and kept him safe; but cast darts and fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble.


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But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.


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But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds, because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce courage, got up upon it:


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Moreover, others also getting up after them, went to set fire to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.


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And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.


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And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory.


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A short time after this Lysias, the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,


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Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:


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And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:


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Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.


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So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.


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But when Machabeus, and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.


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Then Machabeus himself first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.


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And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.


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Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great courage: being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, and walls of iron.


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And rushing violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred horsemen:


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And put all the rest to flight; and many of them being wounded, escaped naked: Yea, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.


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And as he was a man of understanding, considering with himself the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:


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And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.


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Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common good in all things; and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.


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For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greeting.


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John, and Abesalom, who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.


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Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king, I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.


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If, therefore, you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.


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But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.


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Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.


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Our father being translated amongst the gods we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns.


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And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks but that they would keep to their own manner of living and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.


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Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.


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Thou shalt do well, therefore, to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.


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But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.


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We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,


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That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.


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The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.


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But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.


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But they that were behind, viz. Timotheus, and Apollonius, the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them Nicanor, the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live in peace, and to be quiet.


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The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness: they desired the Jews, who dwelt among them, to go with their wives and children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though they had no enmity to them.


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Which when they had consented to, according to the common decree of the city, suspecting nothing, because of the peace: when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no fewer than two hundred of them.


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But as soon as Judas heard of this cruelty done to his countrymen, he commanded the men that were with him: and after having called upon God, the just judge,


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He came against those murderers of his brethren, and set the haven on fire in the night, burnt the boats, and slew with the sword them that escaped from the fire.


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And when he had done these things in this manner, he departed as if he would return again, and root out all the Joppites.


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But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do in like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them,


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He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on fire, with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs off.


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And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were marching towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen, and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians, set upon them.


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And after a hard fight, in which, by the help of God, they got the victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist him in other things.


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And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many things, promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they departed to their tents.


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He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with bridges and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations, the name of which is Casphin.


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But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the walls, and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering such words as were not to be spoken.


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But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who without any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho, in the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls.


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And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an unspeakable slaughter, so that a pool adjoining, of two furlongs broad, seemed to run with the blood of the slain.


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From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and came to Characa, to the Jews that are called Tubianites.


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But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for before he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very strong garrison in a certain hold:


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But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus, slew them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten thousand men.


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And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men, and divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, aad two thousand five hundred horsemen.


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Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent the women and children, and the other baggage, before him into a fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable, and hard to come at, by reason of the straitness of the places.


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But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own swords.


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And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of Dositheus and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren of many of the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived.


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And when he had given his faith that he would restore them according to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the saving of their brethren.


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And after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed his army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls, made a vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war, and a provision of darts.


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But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power breaketh the strength of the enemies, they took the city: and slew five and twenty thousand of them that were within.


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But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that they were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their adversity they had treated them with humanity:


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They gave them thanks, exhorting them to be still friendly to their nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks being at hand.


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But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant man, took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and cut off his shoulder: and so Gorgias escaped to Maresa.


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But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the battle:


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Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a loud voice, he put Gorgias's soldiers to flight.


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So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the same place.


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And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.


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And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.


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Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden.


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And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain.


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And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection.


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(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)


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And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.


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It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.


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In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea,


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And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots.


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Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler.


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But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be apprehended and put to death in the same place.


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Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down.


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From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death.


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And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth.


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And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was condemned to die in ashes.


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But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself worse to the Jews than his father was.


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Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would help them:


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Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in subjection to blasphemous nations.


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So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready.


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But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord.


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So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed his army about Modin.


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And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had been upon him,


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And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great fear and tumult, they went off with good success.


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But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews, attempted to take the strong places by policy:


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And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men.


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But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put iu prison.


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Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his right hand: took theirs: and went away.


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He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and intreating the Jews, and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left gifts.


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But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they should break the covenant.


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Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.


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But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for his purpose,


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Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,


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Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.


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But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,


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He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.


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For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:


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Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of these men.


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Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men.


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Now when this man had spoken to this effect the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.


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Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.


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Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.


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Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.


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Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.


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Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor: but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.


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Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.


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Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.


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And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind to consent to covenants.


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So they appointed a day upon which they might comne together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.


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But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.


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And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.


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And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.


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But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.


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Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.


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When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.


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But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.


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But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.


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And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,


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And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.


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And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:


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Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.


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Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.


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Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his kindness was called the father of the Jews.


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This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.


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So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.


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Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:


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Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.


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But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:


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And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:


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And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.


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But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath day.


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And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:


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That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.


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And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.


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Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to accomplish his design.


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So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.


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And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations, but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now to hope for victory from the Almighty.


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And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made them more cheerful:


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Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.


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So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.


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Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:


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After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:


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Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God.


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Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.


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Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully: that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the temple were in danger.


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For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple.


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And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for them that were to be engaged in battle.


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And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the horsemen ranged in convenient places,


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Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.


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And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias, king of Juda, and didst kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:


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Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm,


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That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.


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So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God.


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And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.


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And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand, with the shoulder, should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.


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And when he was come thither, having called together his countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castle,


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And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the Almighty God,


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He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor should be cut out, and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple.


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And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.


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But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias' day.


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So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my narration.


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Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.


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For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers. But here it shall be ended.


