صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني
[blocks in formation]

the Jews, that they should observe the same , and be partakers of their sacrifices:

id whoso would not conform themselves to the 3 of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then man have seen the present misery.

'or there were two women brought who had cird their children; whom when they had openly nd about the city, the babes hanging at their they cast them down headlong from the wall. nd others, that had run together into caves near eep the sabbath-day secretly, being discovered to were all burnt together, because they made conto help themselves for the honour of the most

ay.

ow I beseech those that read this book, that not discouraged for these calamities, but that ige those punishments not to be for destruction, a chastening of our nation.

or it is a token of his great goodness, when loers are not suffered any long time, but forthaished.

or not as with other nations, whom the Lord forbeareth to punish, till they be come to the of their sins, so dealeth he with us,

est that, being come to the height of sin, aftershould take vengeance of us.

nd therefore he never withdraweth his mercy : and though he punish with adversity, yet doth .forsake his people.

at let this that we have spoken be for a warning And now will we come to the declaring of the a few words.

eazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, well-favoured countenance, was constrained to mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.

at he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to ned with such an abomination, spit it forth, and his own accord to the torment,

s it behoved them to come, that are resolute to t against such things as are not lawful for love > be tasted.

at they that had the charge of that wicked feast, ld acquaintance they had with the man, taking e, besought him to bring flesh of his own prouch as was lawful for him to use, and make as I eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice comby the king;

Lat in so doing he might be delivered from d for the old friendship with them find favour. it he began to consider discreetly as became his the excellency of his ancient years, and the of his gray head, whereunto he was come, and honest education from a child, or rather the made and given by God: therefore he answered ly, and willed them straightways to send him

ave.

r it becometh not our age, said he, in any wise ble, whereby many young persons might think azar, being fourscore years old and ten, were to a strange religion;

d so they through mine hypocrisy, and desire

Apocrypha.

to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I get a stain to mine old age, and make it abominable.

26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men: yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive nor dead. 27 Wherefore now, manfully changing this life, I will show myself such an one as mine age requireth,

28 And leave a notable example to such as be young, to die willingly and courageously for the honourable and holy laws. And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment:

29 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred, because the aforesaid speeches proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind.

30 But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned and said, It is manifest unto the Lord, that hath the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.

31 And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation.

CHAPTER VII.

The constancy and cruel death of seven brethren and their mother in one day, because they would not eat swine's flesh at the king's commandment.

IT

T came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine's flesh, and were tormented with Scourges and whips.

2 But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than transgress the laws of our fathers.

3 Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot:

4 Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.

5 Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan : and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,

6 The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

7 So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the second to make him a mocking-stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?

8 But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.

Apocrypha

II. MACCABEES, VIII.

9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the king of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.

10 After him was the third made a mocking-stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully,

11 And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; and from him I hope to receive them again.

12 Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marvelled at the young man's courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.

13 Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner.

14 So when he was ready to die, he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

15 Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him.

16 Then looked he unto the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God;

17 But abide awhile, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

18 After him also they brought the sixth, who, being ready to die, said, Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God therefore marvellous things are done unto us. 19 But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.

20 But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord.

21 Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,

22 I cannot tell how ye came into my womb; for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you;

23 But doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your ownselves for his laws' sake.

24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.

25 But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.

26 And when he had exhorted her wi she promised him that she would counsel 27 But she, bowing herself towards hi cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her count this manner; O my son, have pity upor thee nine months in my womb, and gave years, and nourished thee, and brought this age, and endured the troubles of ed 28 I beseech thee, my son, look upon the earth, and all that is therein, and co made them of things that were not; and made likewise.

29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being brethren, take thy death, that I may rece in mercy with thy brethren.

30 While she was yet speaking these w man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not commandment: but I will obey the cor the law that was given unto our fathers

31 And thou that hast been the aut chief against the Hebrews, shalt not esc of God.

32 For we suffer because of our sins. 33 And though the living Lord be a little while for our chastening and corre he be at one again with his servants.

34 But thou, O godless man, and of wicked, be not lifted up without a cause with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy han servants of God:

35 For thou hast not yet escaped the Almighty God, who secth all things.

36 For our brethren, who have now pain, are dead under God's covenant of e but thou, through the judgment of God just punishment for thy pride.

37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my for the laws of our fathers, beseeching would speedily be merciful unto our nat thou by torments and plagues mayest e alone is God:

38 And that in me and my brethren th Almighty, which is justly brought upon may cease.

39 Then the king, being in a rage, hand than all the rest, and took it grievously mocked.

40 So this man died undefiled, and 1 trust in the Lord.

41 Last of all, after the sons, the moth 42 Let this be enough now to have sp ing the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

er, and took unto them all such as continued in the religion, and assembled about six thousand men. nd they called upon the Lord, that he would look he people that was trodden down of all; and also e temple profaned of ungodly men;

nd that he would have compassion upon the city faced, and ready to be made even with the ground, ar the blood that cried unto him,

nd remember the wicked slaughter of harmless , and the blasphemies committed against his name; it he would show his hatred against the wicked. ow when Maccabeus had his company about him, d not be withstood by the heathen: for the wrath Lord was turned into mercy.

herefore he came at unawares, and burned up and cities, and got into his hands the most coms places, and overcame and put to flight no small r of his enemies.

ut especially took he advantage of the night for rivy attempts, insomuch that the bruit of his ess was spread every where.

› when Philip saw that this man increased by id little, and that things prospered with him still ad more, he wrote unto Ptolemeus, the governor syria and Phenice, to yield more aid to the king's

en forthwith choosing Nicanor the son of Patrone of his special friends, he sent him with no han twenty thousand of all nations under him, to it the whole generation of the Jews; and with joined also Gorgias a captain, who in matters of great experience.

So Nicanor undertook to make so much money captive Jews, as should defray the tribute of two ad talents, which the king was to pay to the

8.

Wherefore immediately he sent to the cities upon coast, proclaiming a sale of the captive Jews, and ng that they should have fourscore and ten For one talent; not expecting the vengeance that follow upon him from the Almighty God. Tow when word was brought unto Judas of Nicaming, and he had imparted unto those that were m that the army was at hand,

"hey that were fearful, and distrusted the justice - fled, and conveyed themselves away. thers sold all that they had left, and withal behe Lord to deliver them, being sold by the wicked

- before they met together:

nd if not for their own sakes, yet for the covehad made with their fathers, and for his holy -ious name's sake, by which they were called.

Maccabeus called his men together, unto the of six thousand, and exhorted them not to be with terror of the enemy, nor to fear the great le of the heathen, who came wrongfully against but to fight manfully.

nd to set before their eyes the injury that they 1stly done to the holy place, and the cruel handthe city, whereof they made a mockery, and also g away of the government of their forefathers:

Apocrypha.

18 For they, said he, trust in their weapons and boldness; but our confidence is in the Almighty God, who at a beck can cast down both them that come against us, and also all the world.

19 Moreover, he recounted unto them what helps their forefathers had found, and how they were delivered, when under Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand perished.

20 And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they came but eight thousand in all to the business, with four thousand Macedonians, and that the Macedonians being perplexed, the eight thousand destroyed an hundred and twenty thousand, because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty.

21 Thus when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the laws and the country, he divided his army into four parts;

22 And joined with himself his own brethren, leaders of each band, to wit, Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving each one fifteen hundred men.

23 Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book: and when he had given them this watchword, The help of God; himself leading the first band, he joined battle with Nicanor.

24 And by the help of the Almighty they slew above nine thousand of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanor's host, and so put all to flight;

25 And took their money that came to buy them, and pursued them far: but lacking time they returned: 26 For it was the day before the sabbath, and therefore they would no longer pursue them.

27 So when they had gathered their armour together, and spoiled their enemies, they occupied themselves about the sabbath, yielding exceeding praise and thanks to the Lord, who had preserved them unto that day, which was the beginning of mercy distilling upon them.

28 And after the sabbath, when they had given part of the spoils to the maimed, and the widows, and orphans, the residue they divided among themselves and their servants.

29 When this was done, and they had made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord to be reconciled with his servants for ever.

Bacchides, who fought against them, they slew above 30 Moreover, of those that were with Timotheus and twenty thousand, and very easily got high and strong holds, and divided among themselves many spoils more, aged also, equal in spoils with themselves. and made the maimed, orphans, widows, yea, and the

31 And when they had gathered their armour together, they laid them up all carefully in convenient places, and the remnant of the spoils they brought to Jerusalem. who was with Timotheus, and had annoyed the Jews 32 They slew also Philarches that wicked person, many ways.

33 Furthermore, at such time as they kept the feast for the victory in their country, they burnt Callisthenes, that had set fire upon the holy gates, who had fled into

[blocks in formation]

a little house; and so he received a reward meet for his wickedness.

34 As for that most ungracious Nicanor, who had brought a thousand merchants to buy the Jews,

35 He was, through the help of the Lord, brought down by them of whom he made least account; and putting off his glorious apparel, and discharging his company, he came like a fugitive servant through the midland unto Antioch, having very great dishonour, for that his host was destroyed.

36 Thus he, that took upon him to make good to the Romans their tribute by means of the captives in Jerusalem, told abroad, that the Jews had God to fight for them, and therefore they could not be hurt, because they followed the laws that he gave them.

CHAPTER IX.

2 Antiochus is chased from Persepolis: 5 He is stricken with a sore disease, 14 and promiseth to become a Jew: 28 He dieth miserably.

10 And the man, that thought a little reach to the stars of heaven, no man co carry for his intolerable stink.

11 Here therefore being plagued, he off his great pride, and to come to the himself, by the scourge of God, his pain in

moment.

12 And when he himself could not : smell, he said these words, It is meet to t God, and that a man that is mortal shoul think of himself, as if he were God.

13 This wicked person vowed also 1 (who now no more would have mercy up thus,

14 That the holy city (to the which he haste to lay it even with the ground, and common burying-place,) he would set at 1:

15 And as touching the Jews, whom h not worthy to be so much as buried, but with their children to be devoured of

ABOUT that time came Antiochus with dishonour out wild beasts, he would make them all ec

of the country of Persia.

2 For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went about to rob the temple, and to hold the city; whereupon the multitude, running to defend themselves with their weapons, put them to flight; and so it happened, that Antiochus, being put to flight of the inhabitants, returned with shame.

3 Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had happened unto Nicanor and Timotheus. 4 Then swelling with anger, he thought to avenge upon the Jews the disgrace done unto him by those that made him flee. Therefore commanded he his chariotman to drive without ceasing, and to despatch the journey, the judgment of God now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this sort, That he would come to Jerusalem, and make it a common burying-place of the Jews.

5 But the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, smote him with an incurable and invisible plague: for as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts;

6 And that most justly: for he had tormented other men's bowels with many and strange torments.

7 Howbeit, he nothing at all ceased from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey but it came to pass that he fell down from his chariot, carried violently; so that having a sore fall, all the members of his body were much pained.

8 And thus he that a little afore thought he might command the waves of the sea, (so proud was he beyond the condition of man) and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground and carried in a horse-litter, showing forth unto all the manifest power

of God.

9 So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and while he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was

citizens of Athens:

16 And the holy temple, which before he would garnish with goodly gifts, and r holy vessels with many more, and out of hi defray the charges belonging to the sacrifi

17 Yea, and that also he would becon self, and go through all the world that v and declare the power of God.

18 But for all this his pains would not just judgment of God was come upon h despairing of his health, he wrote unto letters underwritten, containing the form tion, after this manner:

19 Antiochus, king and governor, to t his citizens, wisheth much joy, health, and 20 If ye and children fare well, an your be to your contentment, I give very great t having my hope in heaven.

21 As for me, I was weak, or else I w membered kindly your honour and good w ing out of Persia, and being taken with a ease, I thought it necessary to care for safety of all:

22 Not distrusting mine health, but hope to escape this sickness.

23 But considering that even my father. he led an army into the high countries, app

[blocks in formation]

ypha.

y son.

II. MACCABEES, X.

s that I have done unto you generally, and in , and that every man will be still faithful to me For I am persuaded that he, understanding my will favourably and graciously yield to your deThus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered grievously, as he entreated other men, so died iserable death in a strange country in the moun

And Philip, that was brought up with him, carried is body, who also, fearing the son of Antiochus, nto Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometer.

CHAPTER X.

a recovereth the city, and purifieth the temple. 14 Gorgias the Jews. 16 Judas winneth their holds. 29 Timotheus his men are discomfited. 35 Gazara is taken, and Timotheus

V Maccabeus and his company, the Lord guiding em, recovered the temple and the city: But the altars which the heathen had built in the treet, and also the chapels, they pulled down. And having cleansed the temple, they made another and striking stones they took fire out of them, fered a sacrifice after two years, and set forth inand lights, and show-bread.

When that was done, they fell flat down, and bethe Lord that they might come no more into roubles; but if they sinned any more against him, e himself would chasten them with mercy, and hey might not be delivered unto the blasphemous arbarous nations.

Yow upon the same day that the strangers profaned mple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, the five and twentieth day of the same month, is Casleu.

And they kept eight days with gladness, as in the of the tabernacles, remembering that not long afore had held the feast of the tabernacles, when as they red in the mountains and dens like beasts. Therefore they bare branches, and fair boughs, and also, and sang psalms unto him that had given good success in cleansing his place.

They ordained also by a common statute and deThat every year those days should be kept of the nation of the Jews.

And this was the end of Antiochus, called Epi

s.

Now will we declare the acts of Antiochus Eupaho was the son of this wicked man, gathering the calamities of the wars.

So when he was come to the crown, he set one 3 over the affairs of his realm, and appointed him governor of Celosyria and Phenice.

For Ptolemeus, that was called Macron, choosing to do justice unto the Jews for the wrong that een done unto them, endeavoured to continue peace hem.

Whereupon being accused of the king's friends

[ocr errors]

Apocrypha.

before Eupator, and called traitor at every word, because he had left Cyprus, that Philometer had committed unto him, and departed unto Antiochus Epiphanes, and seeing that he was in no honourable place, he was so discouraged, that he poisoned himself and died.

14 But when Gorgias was governor of the holds, he hired soldiers, and nourished war continually with the Jews:

15 And therewithal the Idumeans, having gotten into their hands the most commodious holds, kept the Jews occupied, and receiving those that were banished from Jerusalem, they went about to nourish war.

16 Then they that were with Maccabeus made supplication, and besought God that he would be their helper; and so they ran with violence upon the strong holds of the Idumeans,

17 And assaulting them strongly, they won the holds, and kept off all that fought upon the wall, and slew all that fell into their hands, and killed no fewer than twenty thousand.

18 And because certain, who were no less than nine thousand, were filed together into two very strong castles, having all manner of things convenient to sustain the siege,

19 Maccabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zaccheus also, and them that were with him, who were enough to besiege them, and departed himself unto those places which more needed his help.

20 Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded for money through certain of those that were in the castle, and took seventy thousand drachms, and let some of them escape.

21 But when it was told Maccabeus what was done, he called the governors of the people together, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, and set their enemies free to fight against them. 22 So he slew those that were found traitors, and immediately took the two castles.

23 And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand, he slew in the two holds more than twenty thousand.

24 Now Timotheus, whom the Jews had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude of foreign forces, and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Jewry by force of arms.

25 But when he drew near, they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God, and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth,

26 And fell down at the foot of the altar, and besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declareth.

27 So after the prayer, they took their weapons, and went on further from the city: and when they drew near to their enemies, they kept by themselves.

28 Now the sun being newly risen, they joined both together; the one part having, together with their virtue, their refuge also unto the Lord for a pledge of their success and victory: the other side making their rage leader of their battle.

« السابقةمتابعة »