Before 14 Then the heathen that had fled out of Chrift Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, cir. 162. thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.

On were joined to them.

Or, lived together with him.

15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the heathen || were up against them, they caft earth upon their heads, and made fupplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifeftation of his prefence.

16 So at the commandment of the captain, they removed ftraightways from thence, and came near unto them, at the town of Deffau.

17 Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was fomewhat difcomfited through the fudden filence of his enemies.

18 Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the manlinefs of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durft not try the matter by the fword.

19 Wherefore he fent Pofidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.

20 So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they confented to the covenants,

21 And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves and when the day came, and ftools were fet for either of them,

22 Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places, left fome treachery fhould be fuddenly practifed by the enemies: fo they made a peaceable conference.

23 Now Nicanor abode in Jerufalem, and did no hurt, but fent away the people that came flocking unto him.

24 And he would not willingly have Judas out of his fight: for he loved the man from his heart.

25 He prayed him alfo to take a wife, and to beget children: fo he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.

26 But Alcimus perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and confidering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well-affected towards the ftate; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king's fucceffor.

27 Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accufations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, fignifying that he was much difpleafed with the covenants, and commanding him that he fhould fend Maccabeus prifoner in all hafte unto Antioch.

28 When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.

29 But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.

Apocrypha.

30 Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus faw that Nicanor began to be churlifh unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that fuch four behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.

31 But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas' policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priefts that were offering their ufual facrifices, to deliver him the man.

32 And when they fware that they could not tell where the man was whom he fought,

Before Chrift cir. 161.

33 He ftretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner, If ye will not deliver me Judas as + a prifoner, Gr.bound, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.

34 After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands towards heaven, and befought him that was ever a defender of their nation, faying in this manner;

35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, waft pleased that the temple of thine habitation fhould be among us:

36 Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holinefs, keep this houfe ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.

37 Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerufalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.

38 For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaifm, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.

39 So Nicanor willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, fent above five hundred men of war to take him.

40 For he thought, by taking him, to do the Jews much hurt.

41 Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire fhould be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every fide, fell upon his fword;

42 Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than befeemed his noble birth:

43 But miffing his ftroke through hafte, the multitude alfo rufhing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and caft himself down manfully amongst the thickest of them.

44 But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midft of the void place.

45 Nevertheless while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rofe up; and though his blood gufhed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet

he

Nicanor's blafphemy. 8 Judas encourageth his men by his dream. 28 Nicanor is flain. UT Nicanor hearing that Judas and his company we that and his Samaria, refolved without any danger to fet upon them on the fabbath-day.

BU

2 Nevertheless the Jews that were compelled to go with him, faid, O destroy not fo cruelly and barbarously, but give honour to that day, which he that feeth all things, hath honoured with holiness above other days.

3 Then the most ungracious wretch demanded, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the fabbath-day to be kept.

4 And when they faid, There is in heaven a living Lord, and mighty, who commanded the feventh day to be kept:

5 Then faid the other, And I also am mighty upon earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king's bufinefs: yet he obtained not to have his wicked will done.

6 So Nicanor in exceeding pride and haughtinefs, determined to fet up a publiek monument of his victory over Judas and them that were with him.

7 But Maccabeus had ever fure confidence that the Lord would help him:

8 Wherefore he exhorted his people, not to fear the coming of the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect the victory and aid which should come unto them from the Almighty.

9 And fo comforting them out of the law and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles that they won afore, he made them more cheerful.

10 And when he had ftirred up their minds, he gave them their charge, fhewing them therewithal the falfhood of the heathen, and the breach of oaths.

11 Thus he armed every one of them, not fo much with defence of fhields and fpears, as with comfortable and good words: and befides that he told them a dream worthy to be believed, as if it had been so indeed, which did not a little rejoice them.

12 And this was his vifion; That Onias, who had been high priest, a virtuous and a good man, reverend in converfation, gentle in condition, well spoken alfo, and exercifed from a child in all points of virtue, holding up his hands, prayed for the whole body of the Jews.

13 This done, in like manner there appeared a man with grey hairs, and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and excellent majefty.

14 Then Onias answered, faying, This is a b

Apocrypha,

lover of the brethren, who prayeth much for the Before people, and for the holy city, to wit, Jeremias the prophet of God.

15 Whereupon Jeremias, holding forth his right hand, gave to Judas a fword of gold, and in giving it, Ipake thus;

16 Take this holy fword, a gift from God, with the which thou fhalt wound the adverfaries.

17 Thus being well comforted by the words of Judas, which were very good, and able to ftir them up to valour, and to encourage the hearts of the young men, they determined not to pitch camp, but courageoufly to fet upon them, and manfully to try the matter by conflict, because the city, and the fanctuary, and the temple were in danger.

18 For the care that they took for their wives and their children, their brethren, and kinsfolks, was in leaft account with them; but the greatest and principal fear was for the holy temple.

19 Alfo they that were in the city took not the least care, being troubled for the conflict abroad:

20 And now when as all looked what should be the trial, and the enemies were already come near, and the army was fet in aray, and the beafts conveniently placed, and the horsemen fet in wings,

21 Maccabeus feeing the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fiercenefs of the beafts, ftretched out his hands towards heaven, and called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, knowing that victory cometh not by arms, but even as it seemeth good to him, he giveth it to fuch as are worthy.

22 Therefore in his prayer he said after this manner, O Lord, thou didft fend thine angel in the time of Ezekias king of Judea, and didst flay in the hoft of Sennacherib, an hundred fourscore and five thousand.

23 Wherefore now alfo, O Lord of heaven, fend a good angel before us, for a fear and dread

unto them.

24 And through the might of thine arm, let thole be ftricken with terror, that come against thy holy people to blafpheme. And he ended. thus.

25 Then Nicanor and they that were with him, came forward with trumpets and fongs. 26 But Judas and his company encountered the enemies with invocation and prayer.

27 So that fighting with their hands, and praying unto God with their hearts, they flew no lefs than thirty and five thoufand men: for through the appearance of God they were greatly cheered.

28 Now when the battle was done, returning again with joy, they knew that Nicanor lay dead in his harness.

29 Then they made a great fhout, and a noife, praifing the Almighty in their own language.

30 And Judas, who was ever the chief defender

Chrift cir. 161.

Apocrypha.

35 He hanged alfo Nicanor's head upon the Before. tower, an evident and manifeft fign unto all of Chrift the help of the Lord. cir. 161.

36 And they ordained all with a common decree, in no cafe to let that day pafs without folemnity, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue. is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus' day.

37 Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here will I make an end.

38 And if I have done well, and as is fitting the ftory, it is that which I defired: but if flenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain

unto.

39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone; and as wine mingled with water is pleafant, and delighteth the tafte: even fo, fpeech finely framed, delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here fhall be an end.