1   The brethren of the Iewes which be at Hierusalem, ∧ in the lande of Iurie, wishe vnto these brethr&ebar; of the Iewes that are thorowout Egypt health and peace.

2   God be gracious vnto you, and thinke vpon his couenaunt that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, his faythfull seruauntes:

3    ^noteAnd geue you all such an heart that ye may loue and serue hym, yea and perfourme his will with an whole heart and a willing mynde:

4   He open your heartes vnto his law, and in his commaundementes, ∧ sende you peace,

5   Heare your prayers, be at one with you, and neuer forsake you in time of trouble,

6   Forsomuch as now we here be praying for you. B   

7   What time as Demetrius raigned, in the hundred threescore ∧ nyne yere, we Iewes wrote vnto you in the trouble ∧ violence that came vnto vs: In those yeres, after that Iason departed out of the holy lande and kingdome,

8   They brent vp the portes, and shed innocent blood: then made we our prayer vnto the Lorde, and were hearde, we offered vp sacrifices and fine floure, setting foorth cakes and bread:

9    ^noteAnd nowe come ye vnto the feast of tabernacles in the moneth ^note Casleu.

10   In the hundred fourescore and eyghtteene yere, the people that was at Hierusalem and in Iurie, the counsel, and Iudas him selfe, sent this wholsome salutation vnto Aristobulus king Ptolomies maister, whiche came of the generation of the annoynted priestes, and to the Iewes that were in Egypt:

11   Insomuch as God hath deliuered vs from great peryls, we thanke hym hyly, no lesse at all then if we had vanquished the king in battell.

12   For when he with those that had fought against the holy citie, dyd set vpon Persia:

13   For as he was in Persis [namely] the captayne with the great hoast, he perished in the temple of Naneas, beyng disceaued thorowe the deuice of Naneas priestes. C   

14   For when Antiochus, as he that should marry with her, came, and his friendes with him, into the place to receaue by name of dowrie the money whiche the priestes of Naneas had set foorth:

15   He entred with a small companie into the compasse of the temple, and so they shut the temple.

16   Nowe when Antiochus entred by opening the priuy entraunce of the temple, the priestes stoned the captayne to death, hewed them in peeces that were with him, smote of their heades, and threwe them out.

17   In all thinges God be praysed, which hath deliuered the wicked into our handes [to be punished]

18   Where as we are now purposed to kepe the purification of the temple vpon the twentie ∧ fiue day of the moneth Casleu, we thought necessarie to certifie you therof: that ye also might ^note kepe the tabernacles feast day, and the day of the fire, whiche was geuen vs when Nehemias offered, after that he had set vp the temple and the aulter.

19   For what time as our fathers were led away vnto Persis, the priestes whiche then sought the honour of God, toke the fire priuily from the aulter, and hyd it in a valley, where as was a deepe drye pit: and therin they kept it, so that the place was vnknowen to euery man.

20   Nowe after many yeres, when it pleased God that Nehemias shoulde be sent from the king of Persia, ^note he sent the childers children of those priestes which had hyd the fyre, to seke it: and as they told vs, they found no fire, but thicke water. C   

21   Then commaunded he them to drawe it vp, and to bring it him, and the offeringes withall. Nowe when the sacrifices were layed on and ordred, Nehemias commaunded the priestes to sprinckle them and the wood with water.

22   When this was done, ∧ the time come that the sunne shone whiche afore was hyd in the cloude, there was a great fire kindled, in so much that euery man marueyled.

23   Now all the priestes prayed whyle the sacrifice was a making: Ionathas prayed first, and the other gaue aunswere.

24   And Nehemias prayer was after this maner: O Lorde God, maker of all thinges, thou fearfull and strong, thou righteous and mercifull, thou that art onely a gratious king,

25   Only liberall, only iust, almightie and euerlasting, thou that deliuered Israel from all trouble, thou that hast chosen the fathers ∧ halowed them fauorably:

26   Receaue the offering for thy whole people of Israel, preserue thyne owne portion, and halowe it,

27   Gather those together that are scattred abrode from vs, deliuer them that are vnder the heathens bondage, loke vpon them whiche are despised and abhorred: that the heathen may know and see howe that thou only art God, which art our God. D   

28   Punishe them that oppresse ∧ proudly put vs to dishonour.

29   Set thy people againe in thy holy place, ^note like as Moyses hath spoken.

30   And the priestes song Psalmes of thankesgeuing, so long as the sacrifice endured.

31   Nowe when the sacrifice was brent, Nehemias commaunded the great stones to be sprinkled with the residue of the water.

32    ^noteWhich when it was done, there was kindled a flambe of them also: but it was consumed thorowe the light that shyned from the aulter.

33   So when this matter was knowen, it was tolde the king of Persia, that in the place where the priestes which were led away had hyd fyre, there appeared water, and that Nehemias and his companie had purified the sacrifices withall.

34   Then the king considering and pondering the matter diligently, inclosed the place, and consecrated a temple, to proue the thing that was done:

35   And when he founde it so in deede, he gaue the priestes many giftes ∧ diuers rewardes, yea he toke them with his owne hand, and gaue them.

36   And Nehemias called the same place ^note Nephthar, whiche is as much to say as a clensing: but many men call it Nephi. The .ii. Chapter. 4 Howe Ieremie hyd the tabernacle, the arke, and the aulter in the hyll. 23 Of the fiue bookes of Iason conteyned in one. A   

1   It is founde also in the writinges of Ieremi the prophete, that he commaunded them whiche were caried away, to take fyre, ^note as it is sayde afore.

2   He commaunded them also that they should not forget the lawe ∧ commaundementes of the Lorde, and that they shoulde not erre in their mindes, when they see images of siluer and gold, with their ornamentes.

3   These and such other thinges commaunded he them, and exhorted them that they shoulde not let the law of God go out of their heartes.

4   It is written also, how the prophete at the commaundement of God charged them to take the tabernacle ∧ the arke with them: and he went foorth vnto the mountayne where Moyses clymed vp, ^note and sawe the heritage of God.

5   And when Ieremi came there, he found an open caue, wherin he layed the tabernacle, the arke, and the aulter of incense, and so stopped the doore.

6   There came certayne men together also, folowing him to marke the place, but they coulde not finde it.

B   

7   Whiche when Ieremie perceaued, he reproued them, saying: As for that place it shalbe vnknowen, vntill the time that God gather his people together againe, and receaue them vnto mercie.

8   Then shall God shewe them these thinges, and the maiestie of the Lorde shal appeare ^note ∧ the cloude also, like as it was shewed vnto Moyses: and like as when Solomon desired that the place might be honorablie sanctified, and it was shewed hym.

9   For he beyng a wyse man, handled honorably and wysely, offering vnto God in the halowing of the temple when it was finished.

10    ^noteAnd like as when Moyses prayed vnto the Lorde, the fire came downe from heauen, and consumed the burnt offering: Euen so prayed Solomon also, ^note and the fire came downe from heauen, and consumed the burnt offering.

11   And Moyses sayde: Because the sinne offering was not eaten, therefore it is consumed.

12   In like maner Solomon kept the dedication [or halowing] eyght dayes.

13   In the annotations and writinges of ^note Ieremi were these thinges put also: and howe he made a librarie, and howe he gathered out of all countreys the bookes of the kinges, ∧ of the prophetes, and of Dauid, and the epistles of the kinges concerning the holy giftes. C   

14   Euen so Iudas also, loke what he learned by experience of warre, and such thinges as hath happened vnto vs, he gathered them altogether, and so we haue them by vs.

15   If ye now desire to haue the same, send some body to fetch them vnto you.

16   Where as we then are about to celebrate the purification, we haue written vnto you: therefore ye shall do well, if ye kepe the same dayes.

17   We hope also, that the God which deliuered his people, and gaue them al the heritage, kingdome, priesthood, and sanctuarie,

18    ^noteThat he promised them in the law, shal shortly haue mercie vpon vs, and gather vs together from vnder the heauen into his holie place: for he hath saued vs from great peryls, and hath clensed the place.

19   As concerning Iudas Machabeus and his brethren, the purification of the great temple, the dedication of the aulter:

20   Yea and of the warres that concerne noble Antiochus ∧ ^note Eupator his sonne:

21   And the miracles shewed from heauen by the valiaunt actes of those which defended the Iewes religion, so that a fewe ran through the whole countrey, and draue away the barbarous armies: C   

22   Repaired againe the temple that was spoken of throughout all the world, deliuered the citie, doyng their best that the law of the Lord which was put downe, might with all tranquilitie be restored againe vnto the Lord, that was so mercifull vnto them.

23   As touching Iason also of Cyren, we haue vndertaken compendiously to bring into one booke the thinges that were comprehended of him in fyue.

24   For we, considering the multitude of the bookes, and howe hard it shoulde be for them that woulde meddle with stories and actes, and that because of so diuers matters:

25   Haue vndertaken so to comprehend the stories, that such as are disposed to reade, might haue pleasure and pastime therin: and that they which are diligent in such thinges, might the better thinke vpon them: yea and that whosoeuer reade them, might haue profite therby.

26   Neuerthelesse, we our selues that haue medled with this matter for the shortening of it, haue taken no small labour, but great diligence, watchinges, and trauayle.

27   Like as they that make a feast, would fayne do other men pleasure: euen so we also for many mens sakes, are very well content to take the labour, D   

28   Where as we may shortly comprehend the thinges that other men haue truely written.

29   For he that buyldeth an house anewe, must prouide for many thinges to the whole buylding: but he that paynteth it afterward, seketh but only that is comely, meete and conuenient to garnishe it withall.

30   Euen so do we also in like maner: And why? He that beginneth fyrst to wryte a storie, must with his vnderstanding gather the matter together, set his wordes in order, and diligently

seke out euery part.

31   But he that afterwarde will shorten it, vseth fewe wordes, and toucheth not the matter at the largest: Let this be sufficient for a prologue.

32   Now will we begin to shew the matter: for it is but a foolishe thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the storie it selfe. The .iii. Chapter. 1 Of the honour done vnto the temple by the kinges of the gentiles. 6 Simon vttereth what treasure is in the temple. 9 Heliodorus is sent to take them away. 26 He is striken of God, and healed at the prayer of Onias. A   

1   What time as the holy citie was inhabited in all peace and wealth, and when the lawes were yet very well kept: for so was it ordeyned thorowe the godlinesse of Onias the hye prieste, and other godly men that were enemies to wickednesse,

2   It came therto, ^note that euen the kinges and princes them selues dyd the place great worship, and garnished the temple with great giftes:

3   Insomuch that Seleucus king of Asia of his owne rentes bare all the coastes belonging to the seruice of the offringes.

4   Then ^note Simon, of the tribe of Beniamin, ruler of the temple, vpon a variaunce risen betweene him ∧ the hygh priest for wickednesse that was done in the citie,

5   For that he could not ouercome Onias, he gat him to ^note Apollonius the sonne of Thrasia, which then was chiefe Lorde in Celosyria and Phenices,

6   And tolde hym, that the treasurie in Hierusalem was full of innumerable money, ∧ how that the common goodes whiche belongeth not vnto the offeringes, were exceeding great also: yea and howe it were possible that all these might come vnder the kinges power. B   

7   Now when Apollonius had shewed the king of the money, as it was tolde him: the king called for Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commaundement to bring him the same money.

8   Immediatly Heliodorus toke his iourney, but vnder a colour as though he woulde go thorowe Celosyria and Phenices to visite the cities, but his purpose was to fulfill the kinges pleasure.

9   So when he came to Hierusalem, and was louingly receaued of the hye priest into the citie, he tolde what was determined concerning the money, and shewed the cause of his comming: he asked also if it were so in deede.

10   Then the hye priest tolde hym, that there was such money layed vp for the vpholding of wydowes and fatherlesse children,

11   And how that a certayne of it belonged vnto Hyrcanus the sonne of Tobias a noble man, ∧ that of all the money (and not as that wicked Simon had reported) there were foure hundreth talentes of siluer, and two hundred of golde:

12   Yea ∧ that it were vnpossible for those mens meaning to be disceaued that had put assured confidence in the holinesse of the place, ∧ in the maiestie ∧ vndoubted safetie of the temple, whiche is had in worship thorowe the whole worlde, for the mayntenaunce and honour of the same.

13   Whervnto Heliodorus aunswered, that the king had commaunded hym in any wyse to bring hym the money. C   

14   So at the day appoynted, Heliodorus entred into the temple to order this matter: wherefore there was no small feare throughout the whole citie.

15   The priestes fell downe before the aulter in their vestmentes, and called vnto heauen vpon hym ^note whiche had made a lawe concerning stuffe geuen to kepe that they shoulde be safely preserued for such as commited them vnto keping.

16   Then who so had loked the hye priest in the face, it woulde haue greeued his heart: for his countenaunce and the chaunging of his colour, declared the inwarde sorowe of his mynde.

17   The man was all in heauinesse, and his body in feare: whereby they that loked vpon him, might perceaue the griefe of his heart.

18   The other people also came out of their houses by heapes vnto the common prayer, because the place was like to come into confusion.

19   The women came together thorowe the streetes with heary clothes about their brestes: the virgins also that were kept in, ran to Onias, some of them ran to the gates, some vp vpon the walles, other some loked out at the windowes. D   

20   Yea they all helde vp their handes towarde heauen, and prayed:

21   A miserable thing was it to loke vpon the common people, and the hie priest beyng in such trouble.

22   But they besought almightie God that the goodes which were committed vnto them, might be kept whole for those that had deliuered them vnto their keping.

23   Neuerthelesse, the thing that Heliodorus was determined to do, that perfourmed he in the same place, he hym selfe personally beyng about the treasurie with his men of warre.

24   But the spirite of almightie God shewed him selfe openly, so that al they which presumed to obey Heliodorus, fel thorow the power of God into a great fearefulnesse and dread.

25    ^noteFor there appeared vnto them an horse, with a terrible man sitting vpon him, deckte in goodly aray, and the horse smote at Heliodorus with his forefeete: Nowe he that sate vpon the horse, had harnesse of golde vpon him.

26   Moreouer, there appeared two fayre and beautifull young men of notable strength in goodly aray, whiche stoode by him, scourged him of both the sides, and gaue hym many strypes without ceassing.

27    ^noteWith that fell Hiliodorus sodenly vnto the grounde, so they toke him vp beyng compassed about with great darkenesse, ∧ bare him out vpon a beere. E   

28   Thus he that came with so many runners and men of warre into the sayde treasurie, was borne out, where as no man might helpe hym, beyng destitute of harnesse and weapons: and so the power of God was manifest ∧ knowen.

29   He lay still dumbe also by the power of God, destitute of all hope and life.

30   And they praysed the Lord, that he had shewed his power vpon his place and temple, which a litle afore was full of feare and trouble, and that through the reuelation of the almightie Lord it was filled with ioy and gladnesse,

31   Then certayne of Heliodorus friendes prayed Onias that in al haste he would call vpon God, to graunt hym his lyfe, which was geuing vp the ghost.

32   So the hye priest fearing lest the king should suspect that the Iewes had done Heliodorus some ^note euyll, he offered an offering for his health.

33   Nowe when the hye priest had obtaytayned his petition, the same young men in the same clothing appeared, ∧ stoode beside Heliodorus saying, Thanke Onias the hye priest: ^note for for his sake hath the Lorde graunted thee thy lyfe.

34   Therfore seyng that God hath scourged thee, geue hym prayse and thankes, and shewe euery man his might and power. And when they had spoken these wordes, they appeared no more. F   

35   So Heliodorus offered vnto God, made great vowes vnto hym whiche had graunted him his lyfe, thanked Onias, toke his hoast, and went againe to the king.

36   Then testified he vnto euery man, of the great workes of God that he had seene with his eyes.

37   And when the king asked Heliodorus who were meete to be sent yet once againe to Hierusalem, he sayde:

38   If thou hast any enemie or aduersarie vnto thy realme, sende him thyther, and thou shalt haue hym punished, if he escape with his lyfe: for in that place [no doubt] there is a special power and working of God.

39   For he that dwelleth in heauen, visiteth and defendeth that place, and all that come to do it harme he punisheth and plagueth them. G   

40   This is nowe the matter concerning Heliodorus, and the keping of the treasurie [at Hierusalem.]

The .iiii. Chapter. 1 Simon reporteth euyll of Onias. 7 Iason desiring the office of the hie priest, corrupted the king with rewardes. 19 The wicked intent of Iason. A   

1   This Simon nowe (of whom we spake afore) being a bewrayer of the money and of his owne natural co&ubar;trey, reported þe; worst of Onias, as though he had moued Heliodorus vnto this, ∧ as though he had ben a bringer vp of euil.

2   Thus was he not ashamed to call hym an enemie of the realme, that was so faythful an ouerseer and defender of the citie and of his people, yea and so feruent in the lawe of God.

3   But when the malice of Simon increased so farre, that thorowe his friendes there were certayne manslaughters committed:

4   Onias considered the peryll that might come thorowe this stryfe, and howe that Apollonius the chiefe Lorde in Celosiria and Phenices, was al set vpon tirannie, and Simons malice increased the same:

5   He gat him to the king, not as an accuser of the citezins, but as one that by him selfe intended the common wealth of the whole multitude.

6   For he sawe it was not possible to liue in peace, neither Simon to leaue of from his foolishnesse, except the king did loke therto. B   

7   But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, whiche is called the noble, toke the kingdome, Iason the brother of Onias laboured to be hye priest:

8   For he came vnto the king, and promised him three hundred and threescore talentes of siluer, and of the other rentes fourescore talentes.

9   Besides this, he promised hym yet an hundred and fiftie more, if he might haue licence to set vp a scoole and an exercise of weapons, and that he might call them of Hierusalem Antiochians.

10   Which when the king had graunted, and he had gotten the superioritie, he began immediatly to draw his kinsmen to the custome of the heathen,

11   Put downe the thinges that the Iewes had set vp of loue by Ihon the father of Eupolomus, whiche was sent ambassadour vnto Rome for to make the bonde of friendship and loue, he put downe all the lawes and liberties of the Iewes, and set vp the wicked statutes.

12   For when he had made a scoole of fence vnder the castle, he drewe all the chiefest yong men on his side, and trayned them to were ^note hattes.

13   And there was such a feruent desire to come to the maners of the heathen, and to take vp newe straunge fashions brought in thorowe the vngratious and vnhearde wickednesse of Iason, which shoulde not be called a priest, but an vngodly person: C   

14   Insomuch that the priestes were now no more occupied about the seruice of the aulter: but despised the temple, regarded not the offeringes, yea gaue their diligence to learne to fight, to wrastle, to leape, to daunce, and to cast the stone:

15   Not setting by the honour of the fathers, but liked the glorie of the Grekes best of all:

16   For the which they stroue perylously, ∧ were greedy to folow their statutes, yea their lust was in all thinges to be like them, whiche afore were their enemies and destroyers.

17   Howebeit to do wickedly against the law of God, shal not escape vnpunished, but of this we shall speake hereafter.

18   What time as the ^note Olimpians sportes were played at Tyrus, the king hym selfe beyng present,

19   This vngratious Iason sent wicked men, bearing from them of Hierusalem (which nowe were called Antiochians) three hundred drachmes of siluer for an offering to Hercules: these had they that caryed them desired vnder such a fashion as though they should not haue ben offered, but bestowed to other vses.

20   Neuerthelesse, he that sent them, sent them to the int&ebar;t that they should be offered vnto Hercules: but because of those that were present, they were geuen as to the making of shippes. D   

21   And Apollonius the sonne of Menestheus was sent into Egypt, because of the noble men of king Ptolomi Philometor. Nowe when Antiochus perceaued that he was put out from ^note medling in the realme, he sought

his owne profite, departed from thence, came to Ioppa, and then to Hierusalem, D   

22   Where he was honorably receaued of Iason, and of the citie, and was brought in with torche light and with great prayse: and so he turned his hoast vnto Phenices.

23   After three yeres Iason sent Menelaus (the foresayd Simons brother) ^note to beare the money vnto the king, ∧ to bring him aunswere of other necessarie matters.

24   But he when he was commended to the king for magnifiyng of his power, turned the priesthood vnto him selfe, laying vp three hundred talentes of siluer for Iason.

25   So when he had gotten commaundementes from the king, he came, hauing nothing that becommeth a priest, but bearing the stomacke of a cruel tyraunt, and the wrath of a wilde bruite beast.

26    ^noteThen Iason which had disceaued his owne brother, seyng that he hym selfe was begiled also, was fayne to flee into the lande of the Ammonites,

27   And Menelaus gat the dominion: but as for the money that he had promised vnto the king, he dyd nothing therin, albeit Sostratus the ruler of the castle required it of him. E   

28   For Sostratus was the man that gathered the customes: wherefore they were both called before the king.

29   Thus was Menelaus put out of the priesthood, ∧ Lysimachus his brother came in his steade, and Sostratus left Crates ouerseer of the ^note Cyprians.

30   It happened in the meane season, that the Tharsians and Mallotians made insurrection, because they were geuen for a present vnto Antiochus the kinges concubine.

31   Then came the king in all haste to still them againe, and to pacifie the matter, leauing Andronicus there to be his deputie as one meete therfore.

32   Now Menelaus supposing that he had gotten a right conuenient time, stole certayne vessels of golde out of the temple, and gaue them to Andronicus for a present: and some he solde at Tyrus, and in the cities therby.

33   Whiche when Onias knewe of a suretie, he reproued him: but he kept him in a sanctuarie beside Daphnis, that lyeth by Antioche.

34   Wherefore Menelaus gat hym to Andronicus, and prayed him that he would slay Onias. So when he came to Onias, he counseled hym craftyly to come out of the sanctuarie, geuing hym his hande with an oth, (how be it he suspect hym) and then he slue Onias without any regarde of righteousnesse. F   

35   For the whiche cause not onely the Iewes, but other nations also, toke indignation, and were displeased for the vnrighteous death of so godly a man.

36   And when the king was come againe from Cilicia, the Iewes and certayne of the Grekes went vnto hym, complayning for the vnrighteous death of Onias.

37   Yea Antiochus hym selfe was sory in his mynde for Onias, so that it pitied him: and he wept, remembring his sobernesse and manerly behauour.

38   Wherefore he was so kindled in his minde, that he commaunded Andronicus to be stripped out of his purple clothing, and so to be led throughout the citie, yea and the vngratious man to be slayne in the same place where he committed his wickednesse vpon Onias: Thus the Lorde rewarded him his punishement, as he had deserued.

39   Now when Lysimachus had done many wicked deedes in the temple thorow the counsell of Menelaus, and the voyce came abrode: the multitude gathered them together against Lysimachus, for he had caryed out now much golde.

40   So when the people arose, and were full of displeasure, Lysimachus armed three thousande vnthriftes to defende him, a certayne tyraunt being their captayne, which was growen both in age and woodnesse.

41   They therefore seyng the interprise of Lysimachus, caught vp, some stones, some blockes endes, ∧ some handfulles of dust that was next at hand, ∧ threwe them vpon the rebelles of Lysimachus bande that had set vpon them. G   

42   Thus there were many of them wounded, some beyng slayne, and all the other chased away: But as for the wicked church robber hym selfe, they killed him beside the treasurie.

43   Of these matters therefore, there was kept a court against Menelaus.

44   Now when the king came to Tyrus, three men that were sent from the senate pleaded him giltie before the king.

45   But Menelaus being nowe conuict, went ∧ promised Ptolomi the sonne of Dorymenes to geue him much money, if he woulde pacifie the king towarde him.

46   So Ptolomi went to the king into a court, where as he was set to coole him, and brought him out of that minde:

47   Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations, that notwithstanding was cause of all mischiefe: and those poore men which if they had tolde their cause, yea before the Scythians, they shoulde haue ben iudged innocent, them he condepmned to death.

48   Thus were they soone punished, which folowed vpon the matter for the citie, for the people, and for the holy vessels.

49   Wherefore they also of Tyrus, moued with hatred of that wicked deede, caused them to be very honorably buried.

50   And so through the couetousnesse of them that were in power, Menelaus remayned still in aucthoritie, encreasing in malice, to the hurt of the citezins. The .v. Chapter. 2 Of the signes and tokens seene in Hierusalem. 6 Of the ende and office of Iason. 11 The pursute of Antiochus against the Iewes. 15 The spoyling of the temple. A   

1   About the same time Antiochus vndertoke his second viage into Egypt.

2   And then were there seene throughout all the citie of [Hierusalem] fourtie dayes longe, horsmen running in the ayre, with robes of golde, and as bandes of speare men,

3   And as troupes of horsmen set in aray, incountering and coursing one against another, with shaking of shieldes and multitude of dartes, and drawing of swordes, and shooting of arrowes, and the glittering of the golden armour seene, and harnesse of all sortes.

4   Wherefore euery man prayed that those tokens might turne to good.

5   Now when there was gone foorth a false rumour, as though Antiochus had ben dead, Iason toke a thousand men, and came sodenly vpon the citie: the citezins ranne vnto the walles, at the last was the citie taken, and Menelaus fled into the castle.

6   As for Iason, he spared not his owne citezins in the slaughter, neither considered he what great euill it were to destroy the prosperitie of his owne kinsemen: but did as one that had gotten the victory of his enemies, and not of his friendes. B   

7   For all this gat he not the superioritie, but at the last receaued confusion for his malice, ^note and fled againe lyke a vacabound into the land of the Ammonites.

8   Finally, for a rewarde of his wickednesse, he was accused before Aretha the king of the Arabians, insomuch that he was faine to flee from citie to citie, being despised of euery man as a forsaker of the lawes, and an abhominable person: and at the last as an open enemie of his owne naturall countrey and of the citezins, he was driuen into Egypt.

9   Thus he that afore put many out of their owne natiue lande, perished from home him selfe: he went to Lacedemon, thinking there to haue gotten succour by reason of kinred.

10   And he that afore had caste many one out vnburied, was throwen out him selfe, no man mourning for him, nor putting him in his graue: so that he neither enioyed the buriall of a straunger, neither was he partaker of his fathers sepulchre.

11   Now when this was done, the king suspected that the Iewes woulde haue fallen from him, wherefore he came in a great displeasure out of Egypt, ^note ∧ toke the citie by violence.

12   He commaunded his men of warre also, that they should kill and not spare: but slay downe such as withstoode them, or clymed vp vpon the houses. C   

13   Thus was there a great slaughter of young men, olde men, women, children, and virgins.

14   In three dayes were there slaine fourscore thousand, fourtie thousand put in prison: and there were as many solde as were slaine.

15   Yet was he not content with this, but durst go into the most holy temple of al the worlde, Menelaus that traytour to the lawes and to his owne naturall

countrey being his guide.

16   And with his wicked handes toke the holy vessels, which other kinges and cities had geuen thyther for the garnishing ∧ honour of the place, them toke he in his handes vnworthyly, and defiled them.

17   So mad was Antiochus, that he considered not how that God was not a litle wroth for the sinnes of them that dwelt in the citie, for the which such confusion came vpon that place.

18    ^noteAnd why? if it had not happened them to haue ben lapped in many sinnes, this Antiochus assoone as he had come, had sodenly ben punished and shut out of his presumption, ^note like as Heliodorus was, whom Seleucus the king sent to robbe the treasurie. D   

19   Neuerthelesse, God hath not chosen the people for the places sake: but the place for the peoples sake.

20   And therefore is the place become partaker of the peoples trouble, but afterward shall it enioy the wealth of them: And lyke as it was now forsaken in the wrath of almightie God, so when the great God is reconsiled, it shalbe set vp in hie worship againe.

21   So when Antiochus had taken a thousand and eyght hundred talentes out of the temple, he gat him to Antioch in al the haste, thinking in his pride that he might make men saile vpon the drye lande, and to go vpon the sea, such an hie minde had he.

22   He left deputies there to vexe the people: at Hierusalem left he Philip a Phrygian, in maners more cruell then him selfe that set him there:

23   At Garizim he left Andronicus and Menelaus, which were more greeuous to the citezins then other.

24    ^noteNowe as he was thus set in malice against the Iewes, he sent Apollonius, a cruell prince, with an armie of twentie and two thousand, commaunding him to slay those that were of perfect age, and to sell the women, maydens, and children. E   

25   When he came now to Hierusalem, he faigned peace, ∧ kept him still vntill the Sabbath day: and then he commaunded his men to take them to their weapons, for the Iewes kept holy day:

26   And so he slue all them that were gone foorth to the open play, running [here and there] through the citie with his men weaponed, and murthered a great number.

27    ^noteBut Iudas Machabeus, which was the tenth, fled into the wildernesse, led his lyfe there with his company among wylde beastes and vpon the mountaynes, dwelling there, and eating hearbes, lest they shoulde be partakers of the filthynesse. The .vj. Chapter. 1 The Iewes are compelled to leaue the lawe of God. 4 The temple is defiled. 12 The readers are admonished that they shall not abhorre the aduersitie wherewith the Lorde afflicteth them. 28 The greeuous paine of Eleazarus. A   

1   Not longe after this, sent the king an olde man of Antioch, ^note for to compell the Iewes to transgresse the ordinaunces of the fathers, ∧ of the lawe of God,

2   To defile the temple that was at Hierusalem, and to call it the temple of Iupiter Olimpius: and that they shoulde be in Garizim, as those which dwel at the place of Iupiter the harberous.

3   This wicked sedition of the vngodlie, was heauy vpon all the people:

4   For the temple was full of voluptuousnes, bibbing and bolling of the heathen, of rybaudes and harlots together: the women went into the holy place, and bare in that was not lawfull.

5   The aulter also was full of vnlawfull thinges, which the law forbiddeth to lay vpon it,

6   The Sabbathes were not kept, the other solempne feastes of the land were not regarded: to be plaine, there durst no man be know&ebar; that he was a Iewe. B   

7   In the day of the kinges birth they were compelled parforce to offer, and when the feaste of Bacchus was kept, they were constrayned to weare garlandes of iuie, and so to go about to the honour of Bacchus.

8   Moreouer, through the counsell of Ptolomeus, there went out a c&obar;maundement

vnto the next cities of the heathen against the Iewes, that the lyke custome ∧ ^note banketting should be kept.

9   And who so would not conforme them selues to the maners of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then might a man haue seene the present miserie.

10   For there were two women accused to haue circumcized their sonnes: whom when they had led rounde about the citie the babes hanging at their brestes, they cast them downe headlonges ouer the walles.

11   Some that were crept in dennes, and had kept the Sabbath, were accused vnto Philip, and brent in the fire, because that for the feare of God they kept the commaundement so stiffely, and would not defende them selues.

12   Now I beseche all those which reade this booke, that they refuse it not for these fals of aduersitie, and iudge the thinges that are happened for no destruction, but for a chastening of our people. C   

13   And why? When God suffereth not sinners long to folow their owne minde, but shortly punisheth them, ^note it is a token of his great louing kindnesse.

14   For this grace haue we of God more then other people, That he suffreth not vs long to sinne vnpunished, lyke as other nations,

15   That when the day of iudgement commeth, he may punishe them in the fulnes of their sinnes.

16   If we sinne, he correcteth vs, but he neuer withdraweth his mercie from vs: and though he punishe with aduersitie, yet doth he neuer forsake his people.

17   But let this that we haue spoken now with fewe wordes, be for a warning and exhortation ^note of the heathen: Now wyll we come to the declaring of the matter.

18   Eleazar one of the principall scribes, an aged man, and of a well fauoured countenaunce, was constrained to gape with open mouth, ^note and to eate swynes fleshe. D   

19   But he desiring rather to dye gloriously then to lyue with shame, offered him selfe willingly to the martirdome.

20   Now when he saw that he must nedes go to it, he toke it patiently: for he was at a poynt with himselfe, that he would not consent to any vnlawful thing for any pleasure of lyfe.

21   They that ^note stoode by, being moued with pitie (but not a right) for the olde frendship of the man, toke him aside priuilie, and prayed him that he would let such fleshe be brought him as were lawfull to eate, and then to make a countenaunce as though he had eaten of the flesh of the sacrifice, like as the king commaunded.

22   For so he might be deliuered from death: and so for the olde frendship of the man, they shewed him this kindnes.

23   But he began to consider discreetely, and as became his age and the excellencie of his auncient yeres, and the honour of his gray heares whereunto he was come, and his most honest conuersation from his childhood, but chiefely the holy law made and geuen by God, therefore he aunswered consequently, and willed them straightwayes to send him to the graue:

24   For it becommeth not mine age, saide he, in any wyse to dissemble, whereby many young persons might thinke that Eleazar being fourscore yeres olde and ten, were nowe gone to a straunge religion:

25   And so through myne hypocrisie for a litle time of a transitorie lyfe, they might be deceaued: by this meanes also should I defile myne age, and make it abhominable. E   

26   For though I were nowe deliuered from the tormentes of men, yet shoulde I not escape the hand of almightie God neither aliue nor dead.

27   Wherefore I wyll dye manfully, and do as it becommeth myne age:

28    ^noteWhereby I may peraduenture leaue an example of stedfastnes for such as be young, if I with a redie minde ∧ manfully dye an honest death for the most worthy and holy lawes. When he had saide these words, immediatly he was drawen to the torment.

29   Now they that led him, and were milde a litle afore, began to take displeasure because of the wordes that he saide: for they thought he had spoken them of an hie minde.

30   But when he was in his martirdome, he mourned, and saide: Thou O Lorde which hast the holy knowledge, knowest openly, that where as I might be deliuered from death, I suffer these sore

paynes of my body: but in my minde I am well content to suffer them, because I feare thee.

31   Thus this man dyed, leauing the memoriall of his death for an example, not onely vnto young men, but vnto all the people, to be stedfast and manly, The .vij. Chapter. The punishment of the seuen brethren and of their mother. A   

1   It happened also that there were seuen brethren with their mother, taken, and compelled by the king ^note against the lawe to eate swines fleshe, [namely] with scourges and leatherne whippes.

2   And one of them, which was the chiefe, saide: What seekest thou, and what requirest thou of vs? As for vs, we are redie rather to suffer death, then to offende the lawes of God and the fathers.

3   Then was the king angry, and bad heate cauldrons ∧ brasen pottes: which when they were made hot,

4   Immediately he commaunded the tongue of him that spake first to be cut out, to pull the skin ouer his head, to pare the edges of his handes and feete: yea and that in the sight of his mother and the other of his brethren.

5   Now when he was cleane mangled, he c&obar;maunded a fire to be made, and so (while there was any breath in him) to be fried in the cauldron: In the which when he had ben long pained, the other brethren, with their mother, exhorted him to dye manfully, saying:

6   The Lorde God shall regarde the trueth, and comfort vs, lyke as Moyses testifieth ^note and declareth in his song [saying:] And he wyll haue compassion on his seruauntes. B   

7   So when the first was dead after this maner, they brought the second to haue him in derision, pulled the skinne with the heere ouer his head, and asked him if he would eate swines flesh or he were payned in the other members also throughout his body.

8   But he aunswered in his owne language, and said, I wyll not do it: And so he was tormented lyke as the first.

9   And when he was euen at the geuing vp of the ghost, he sayd, Thou most vngratious person puttest vs now to death: but the king of the worlde shal rayse vs vp which dye for his lawes, in the resurrection of euerlasting lyfe.

10   After him was the third had in derision, and when he was required he put out his tongue, and that right soone, holding foorth his handes manfully,

11   And spake with a stedfast faith: These haue I of heau&ebar;, but now for the lawes of God I despise them: for my trust is, that I shal receaue them of him againe.

12   Insomuch that the king ∧ they which were with him, marueyled at the young mans boldnes, that he nothing regarded the paynes. C   

13   Now when he was dead also, they vexed the fourth with tormentes in like maner.

14   So when he was now at his death, he saide: It is better that we being put to death of men haue our hope ∧ trust in God, for he shall rayse vs vp againe: ^note as for thee, thou shalt haue no resurrection to lyfe.

15   And when they had spoken to the fifth, they tormented him.

16   Then loked he vnto the king, and said, Thou hast power among men, for thou art a mortall man also thy selfe to do what thou wylt: but thinke not that God hath forsaken our generation.

17   Abide thee, tary still awhile, and thou shalt see the great power of God, howe he wyll punishe thee and thy seede.

18   After him they brought the sixt, which being at the poynt of death, saide, Be not deceaued O king: for this we suffer for our owne sakes, because we haue offended our God, and therefore marueylous thinges are shewed vpon vs. D   

19   But thinke not thou which takest in hande to striue against God, that thou shalt escape vnpunished.

20   This excellent mother worthy to be wel reported of ∧ had in remembra&ubar;ce, saw her seuen sonnes dye in one day, and suffered it paciently, because of the hope that she had in God:

21   Yea, she exhorted euery one of them in

her countrey language, and that boldly and stedfastly with perfect wysdome, waking vp her wiuishe thought with a manly stomake, and saide vnto them,

22   I can not tell howe ye sprang in my wombe: for I neither gaue you breath, nor soule, nor lyfe, it is not I that ioyned the members of your bodies together,

23   But the maker of the worlde which fashioned the byrth of man, and began all thinges: Euen he also of his owne mercie shall geue you breath and lyfe againe, lyke as ye now regard not your owne selues for his lawes sake.

24   Now thought Antiochus that she had despised him, therfore he let her go with her reproffes, and began to exhort the youngest sonne which yet was left, not onely with wordes, but swore vnto him with an oth, that he shoulde make him a rich and wealthy man, if he would forsake the lawes of his fathers: yea, and that he shoulde geue him whatsoeuer were necessarie for him. D   

25   But when the young man would not be moued for all these thinges, he called his mother and counselled her to saue her sonnes lyfe.

26   And when he had exhorted her with many wordes, she promysed him that she would speake to her sonne.

27   So she turned her vnto him, laughing the cruell tyraunt to scorne, and spake in her countrey language: O my sonne, haue pitie vpon me, that bare thee nine monethes in my wombe, that gaue thee sucke, nourished thee: and brought thee vp vnto this age,

28   I beseche thee my sonne, loke vpon heauen and earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them and mans generation of naught:

29   So shalt thou not feare this hangman, but suffer death stedfastly, lyke as thy brethren haue done: that I may receaue thee againe in the same mercie with thy brethren.

30   While she was yet speaking these wordes, the young man saide: whom loke ye for? [wherefore do ye tary?] I wyl not obey the kinges commaundement, ^note but the law that God gaue vs by Moyses.

31   As for thou that imaginest al mischiefe against the ^note Iewes, thou shalt not escape the hande of God.

32   For we suffer these thinges because of our sinnes.

33   And though the liuing Lord be angry with vs a litle while for our chastening and reformation, yet shall he be at one againe with his seruauntes.

34   But thou O godlesse man, and of all other the most wicked, pride not thy selfe through vaine hope, in being so malitious vpon the seruauntes of God:

35   For thou hast not yet escaped the iudgementes of God, which is almightie, ∧ seeth all thinges.

36   My brethren that haue suffered a litle paine, are nowe vnder the couenaunt of euerlasting lyfe: but through the iudgement of God, thou shalt be punished righteously for thy pride.

37   As for me, lyke as my brethren haue done, I offer my ^note soule and my bodye for the lawes of our fathers, calling vpon God that he wyll soone be mercifull vnto our people: yea and with paine and punishment ^note to make thee graunt that he onely is God. E   

38   In me nowe and in my brethren, the wrath of almightie God is at an ende, which righteously is fallen vpon all our people.

39   Then the king being kindled in anger, was more cruell vpon him then vpon al the other, and toke indignation that he was so lightly regarded.

40   So this young man dyed vndefiled, and put his trust still in the Lorde.

41   Last of all, after the sonnes was the mother put to death also.

42   Let this now be inough spoken concerning the offeringes and extreme cruelnesse.

The .viij. Chapter. 1 Iudas gathereth together his hoast. 9 Nicanor is sent against Iudas. 16 Iudas exhorteth his souldiers to constantnes. 20 Nicanor is ouercome. 27 The Iewes geueth thankes after they haue put their enemies to flight, deuiding the spoyles vnto the fatherlesse and vnto the wydowes. 35 Nicanor fleeth vnto Antiochus. A   

1   Then Iudas Machabeus, and they that were with him, went priuilie into the townes, called their kinsefolkes ∧ friendes together, toke vnto them al such as continued yet in the faith and lawe of the Iewes, and brought forth sixe thousand men.

2   So they called vpon the Lorde, that he woulde haue an eye vnto his people, which was troden downe of euery man, to be gratious vnto the temple, that was defiled of the vngodly,

3   To haue compassion vpon the destruction of the citie, which was shortly lyke to be layde waste, to heare the voyce of the blood that cryed vnto him:

4   To remember the most vnrighteous deathes of young innocent children, the blasphemies also done vnto his name, and to punishe them.

5    ^noteNow when Machabeus had gathered this multitude together, he was to mightie for the heathen, for the wrath of the Lorde was turned into mercie,

6   He fell vpon the townes and cities vnwares, brent them, toke the most commodious places, and slue many of the enemies. B   

7   But specially he made such chases by night, insomuch that his manlines was spoken of euery where.

8   So when Philip sawe that the man encreased by litle and litle, and that the matter prospered with him for the most parte: he wrote vnto Ptolomi, which was a captaine in Celosyria and Phenices, to helpe him in the kinges busines.

9    ^noteThen sent he Nicanor the sonne of Patroclus, a speciall friend of his, in all the haste, and gaue him of the common sorte of the heathen no lesse then twentie thousand harnessed men, to roote out the whole generation of the Iewes, hauing to helpe him one Gorgias a man of warre, which in matters concerning battailes had great experience.

10   Nicanor ordayned also the tribute, which the Romanes shoulde haue had, to be euen vnto the king out of the captiue of the Iewes, [namely] two thousand talentes.

11   And immediatly he sent to the cities of the sea coaste, requiring them for to bye Iewes to be their seruauntes and bondmen, promysing to sell them fourscore and ten for one talent: but he considered not the wrath of almightie God that was to come vpon him.

12   When Iudas knewe of this, he tolde the Iewes that were with him, of Nicanors comming. C   

13   Now were there some of them fearefull, not trusting vnto the righteousnes of God, and fled their way, and abode not in that place:

14   But the other that remained, came together, and besought the Lorde to deliuer them from that wicked Nicanor, which had solde them or euer he came nye them:

15   And though he woulde not do it for their sakes, yet for the couenaunt that he made with their fathers, and because they called vpon his holy and glorious name.

16    ^noteAnd so Machabeus called his men together [namely] about sixe thousand, exhorting them not to agree vnto their enemies, ^note neither to be afraide for the multitude of their aduersaries comming against them vnrighteously, but to fight manly,

17   Considering the reproofe that they had done to the holy place without cause, how they had despised and oppressed the citie, yea and destroyed the lawes of the fathers.

18    ^noteFor they, saide he, trust in their weapons and boldnesse: but our confidence is in the almightie Lorde, which in the twinkling of an eye may both destroye them, and come against vs, and all the worlde. D   

19   He exhorted them also to call to remembraunce the helpe that God shewed vnto

their fathers, as when there perished an hundred fourscore and fiue thousand of Sennacheribs people:

20   And of the battaile that they had in Babylon against the Galathians: how all the Macedonians that came to helpe them, being foure thousand, stoode in feare: and howe they being onely but ^note sixe thousand, slue an hundred ∧ twentie thousand through the helpe that was geuen them from heauen, wherby they also had receaued many benefites.

21   Through these wordes the men toke good heartes vnto them, redie to dye for the lawe and the countrey.

22   So he set vpon euery company a captaine, one of his owne brethren, Simon, Ioseph, and Ionathas, geuing ech one fifteene hundred men.

23   He caused ^note Esdras also to reade the holy booke vnto them, and to geue them a token of the helpe of God: ^note then he him selfe being captaine in the forefront of the battaile, buckled with Nicanor. E   

24   And God was their helpe, insomuch that they slue aboue nine thousand men, and compelled the more part of Nicanors hoast to flee, they were so wounded and feeble.

25   Thus they toke the money from those that came to bye them, and folowed vpon them on euery side.

26   But when the time came vpon them, they returned, for it was the day before the Sabbath, and therefore they folowed no more vpon them.

27   So they toke their weapons, ∧ spoyles, and kept the Sabbath, geuing thankes vnto the Lorde which had deliuered them that day, and shewed them the beginning of his mercie.

28   After the Sabbath, ^note they distributed the spoyles to the sicke, to the fatherlesse, and to wydowes, ∧ the residue had they them selues, with theirs.

29   When this was done, and they all had made a generall prayer, they besought the mercifull Lorde to be at one with his seruauntes.

30   Of those also that were with Timotheus and Bacchides, which fought against them, they slue twentie thousand, wanne high and strong holdes, and deuided mo spoyles, euer geuing an equal portion vnto the sicke, to the fatherlesse, to wydowes, and to aged persons.

31   And when they had diligently gathered their weapons together, they layde them all in conuenient places, and the remnaunt of the spoyles brought they to Hierusalem:

32   They slue also Philarches that wicked person, which was with Timotheus, and had vexed many Iewes.

33   And when they helde the thankesgeuing at Hierusalem for the victory, they brent those that had set fire on the portes of the temple, [namely] Calisthenes, which was fled into an house, and so they gat a worthy rewarde for their wickednesse.

34   As for that most vngratious Nicanor, which had brought a thousand marchauntes to bye the Iewes, F   

35   He was through the helpe of the Lord brought downe euen of them whom he regarded not: insomuch that he put of his glorious rayment, fled by sea, and came alone to Antioch, with great shame and dishonour, which he gat through the destruction of his hoast.

36   Thus he that promysed the Romanes to pay them their tribute when he toke Hierusalem, began nowe to say plainely, that God was the defender of the Iewes, and therefore not possible to wounde them, because they folowed the lawes which God had made. The .ix. Chapter. 1 Antiochus wylling to spoyle Persepolis is dryuen to flight. 9 As he persecuted the Iewes, he is striken of the Lorde. 13 The faigned repentaunce of Antiochus. 28 He dyeth. A   

1   At the same time came ^note Antiochus againe with dishonour out of Persia.

2   For when he came to Persepolis, and vndertoke to robbe the temple, and to subdue the citie, the people ranne together and defended them selues, insomuch that he and his were faine to flee with shame: and so after that flight it happened that Antiochus came againe with dishonour.

3   But when he came to Egbatana, he

gat knowledge what was happened vnto Nicanor and Timotheus.

4   Now as he was auauncing him selfe in his wrath, he thought he was able to auenge the iniurie that was done to them vpon the Iewes: ∧ therfore commaunded to make redy his charret, hasting on his iourney without ceassing, the iudgement of God prouoking him, because he had spoken so proudly, that he would come to Hierusalem, ∧ make it a graue of the Iewes.

5   But the Lorde God of Israel, that seeth all thinges, smote him with an vncurable and an inuisible plague [which no man could heale.] For assoone as he had spoken these wordes, there came vpon him an horryble paine of his bowels, ∧ a sore griefe of the inner partes,

6   And that was but right: for he had martyred other mens bowels with diuers and straunge tormentes. B   

7   Howbeit he woulde in no wyse ceasse from his malice: yea he was yet the prouder and more malicious against the Iewes: but whyle he was commaunding to make haste in the matter, it happened that he fell downe violently from the charret that ranne swiftly, so that it bruised his body, and did him great payne.

8   And so he that thought a litle before he might commaund the fluddes of the sea (so proude was he beyond the condition of man) and to waye the hye mountaynes in a payre of balaunce, was now brought downe to the grounde, and carried vpon a horslitter, knowledging the manifest power of God vpon him:

9   So that the wormes came out of the bodie of this wicked man in abo&ubar;dance: and whiles he was aliue, his flesh fell of for paine and torment, and all his armie was greeued at his ^note smell.

10   Thus he that a litle afore thought he might reache to the starres of heauen: him might no man now abide nor beare, for the vehemencie of stincke.

11   Therefore he being brought from his great pride, began for to come to the knowledge of him selfe: for the punishment of God warned him, ∧ his payne encreased euer more and more.

12   And when he him selfe might not abide his owne stincke, he saide these wordes: It is reason to be obedient vnto God, and that a man which is mortall, thinke not through pride, him selfe to be equall vnto God. C   

13   This wicked person prayed also vnto the Lorde, who nowe woulde haue no mercie vpon him:

14   And as for the citie that he came vnto so hastyly, to bring it downe to the ground, and to make it a graue for dead men, now he desireth to deliuer it free:

15   And as touching the Iewes, whom he had iudged not worthy to be buried, but woulde haue cast them out with their children, for to be deuoured of the foules and wilde beastes, [saying that he woulde haue destroyed both olde and young:] now he promysed to make them like the citezins of Athens:

16   And where as he had spoyled the holy temple afore, nowe he maketh promyse to garnishe it with great giftes, to encrease the holy ornamentes, and of his owne rentes to beare the costes ∧ charges belonging to the offringes:

17   Yea and that he would also become a Iewe hym selfe, to go through euery place of the worlde that was inhabyted, and to preache the power of God.

18   But when his paynes would not ceasse, (for the ryghteous iudgement of God was come vpon hym) out of a very dispayre he wrote vnto the Iewes a letter of intercession, conteyning these words: D   

19   The king and prince Antiochus, wisheth vnto the vertuous citezins of the Iewes much health and good prosperitie.

20   If ye and your children fare well, and if all thinges go after your minde, we geue great thankes.

21   In my sicknesse also do I remember you louyngly: for as I came out of Persia, ∧ was taken with sore disease, I thought it necessary to care for the common wealth:

22   Neither dispaire I in my selfe, but haue a good hope to escape this sickenesse.

23   But considering that my father led an hoast somtime in the higher places, and shewed who should raigne after him,

24   That if there happened any controuersie, or any hard thing were declared, they in the lande might knowe their chiefe Lorde, that there should be no insurrection.

25   Againe, when I ponder with my selfe, how that al the mightie men and neighbours

rounde about are laying wayte, ∧ loke but for oportunitie to do harme: I haue ordeined that my sonne Antiochus shall raigne after me, whom I oft commended to many of you, when I was in the higher kingdomes, ∧ haue written vnto him as it foloweth hereafter.

26   Therfore I pray you and require you to remember the benefites that I haue done vnto you generally and in especiall, and that euery man wil be faythfull to me and my sonne.

27   For I hope that he shalbe of sober and louing behauour, and if he folowe my deuice, he shalbe indifferent vnto you.

28    ^noteThus that murtherer and blasphemer of God was sore smitten: and like as he had intreated other men, so he died a miserable death in a straunge countrey vpon a mountayne. D   

29   And his body dyd Philip that went with him cary away, which fearing the sonne of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolomi Philometor. The .x. Chapter. 1 Iudas Machabeus taketh a citie and the temple. 10 He beginneth to shewe the actes of Eupator. 16 The Iewes fight against the Idumeans. 24 Timotheus inuadeth Iurie, with whom Iudas ioyneth battell. 29 Fiue men appeare in the ayre to the helpe of the Iewes. 39 Timothi is slayne. A   

1   Machabeus nowe and his company ^note thorowe the helpe of the Lorde wan the temple and the citie againe,

2   Destroyed the aulters and chappels that the heathen had buylded through the streetes,

3   Clensed the temple, ^note made another aulter of bricke stone, and after two yeres they offered sacrifices, set foorth the incense, the lightes, and shewe bread.

4   When that was done, they fell downe flat vpon the grounde, and besought the Lord that they might come no more into such trouble: but if they sinned any more against him, he him selfe to chasten them with mercie, and not to come in the handes of those aliauntes and blasphemous men.

5   Nowe vpon the same day that the straungers polluted the temple, it happened that on the very same day it was clensed againe: [namely] ^note the twentie and fyfth day of the moneth called ^note Casleu.

6   They kept eyght dayes in gladnesse, like as in the feast of the tabernacles, remembring that not long afore they held the feast of the tabernacles vpon the mountaynes and in dennes, like beastes. B   

7   And to the same token they bare greene bowes, braunches, ∧ palmes, and song Psalmes before hym that had geuen them good successe to clense his place.

8   They agreed also together, and made a statute that euery yere those dayes shoulde be solemply kept of all the people of the Iewes.

9   How Antiochus then, that was called the noble, died, it is sufficiently tolde.

10   Nowe will we speake of Eupator the sonne of that wicked Antiochus howe it happened with hym, and so with fewe wordes to comprehende the aduersitie that chaunced in the warres.

11   When he had taken in the kingdome, he made one Lysias whiche had ben captayne of the hoast in Phenices and ^note Syria, ruler ouer the matters of the realme.

12   For Ptolomi, that was called Macron, beyng a ruler for the Iewes, and specially to sit in iudgement for such wrong as was done vnto them, vndertoke to deale peaceably with them.

13   For the whiche cause he was accused of his friendes before Eupator: and when he was suspect to be a traytour, because he had left Cypres that Philometor had committed vnto him, and because he departed from noble Antiochus that he was come vnto, he poysoned hym selfe, and died. C   

14   Now when Gorgias was gouernour of the same places, he toke straungers, and vndertoke oft times to warre with the Iewes.

15   Moreouer, the Idumeans that helde the strong holdes, receaued those that were dryuen from Hierusalem, and toke in hande to warre also.

16    ^noteBut they that were with Machabeus besought ∧ prayed vnto the Lorde that he woulde be their helper, and so they fell vpon the strong holdes of the Idumeans,

17   And wan many places by strength: such as came against them they slue, and killed no lesse of all together then twentie thousande.

18   Neuerthelesse some, no lesse then nyne thousande, were fled into two strong towres, hauing all maner of ordinaunce to withstande them.

19   Then Machabeus leauing Simon, Iosephus, Zacheus, and those that were with them, whiche were very many, went to besiege them, ∧ to fight where most neede was.

20   Nowe they that were with Simon, beyng led with couetousnesse, were intreated for money thorowe certayne of those that lay in the castles, toke threescore and ten thousande ^note dragmas: and let some of them escape.

21   But when it was tolde Machabeus what had happened, he called the captaynes of the people together, accusing those persons, that they had sold the brethren for money, ∧ let their enemies go. D   

22   So he slue those traytours, ∧ immediatly went in hande with the two castles.

23   And when they had ordred them selues manly with their weapons ∧ handes, they slue in the two castles mo then twentie thousande.

24    ^noteNow Timotheus, whom the Iewes had ouercome afore, gathered a multitude of strange people, brought an hoast also of horsemen of the Asians to winne Iurie by strength.

25   But when he drewe nye, Machabeus and they that were with him, ^note fell to their prayer, sprinkled asshes vpon their heades, beyng gyrded with heery cloth about their loynes,

26   Fell downe before the aulter, and besought the Lord that he would be mercifull to them, but an enemie vnto their enemies, and to take part against their aduersaries, ^note according as it is promised in the lawe.

27   So after the prayer, they toke their weapons ∧ went on further from the citie: ∧ when they came nye the enemies, they prepared them selues against them. E   

28   And betimes in the morning at the breake of the day, both the hoastes buckled together: ^note The one part had the Lorde for their refuge, which is the geuer of prosperitie, strength, and victorie: the other had a manly stomacke, which is a captayne of warre.

29   The battayle nowe beyng great, ^note there appeared vnto the enemies from heauen fiue goodly men vpon horsebackes, with bridels of gold, leading the Iewes:

30   And two of them hauing Machabeus betwixt them, that kept him safe on euery side with their weapons, but shot dartes and lightninges vpon the enemies, where thorow they were confounded with blindnesse, and so sore afrayde that they fell downe.

31   There were slayne of footemen twentie thousand and fyue hundreth, and sixe hundreth horsemen.

32   As for Timotheus him selfe, he fled vnto Gazara, a very strong hold, wherin Chereas was captayne.

33   But Machabeus and his companie layed siege to it chearfully foure dayes.

34   Now they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, cursed and banned exceedingly, and made great craking with wicked wordes. F   

35   Neuerthelesse, vpon the fyft day in the morning, twentie yong men of Machabeus company, beyng set on fire in their mindes because of the blasphemie, came manfully vnto the wall, and with bolde stomakes smote downe those that they mette.

36   Others also clymed vp vp&obar; the towres, vndertaking to set fire vpon the portes, ∧ to burne those blasphemous persons quicke with the fiers that they had made, others brake open the gates, and receaued the rest of the armie, and toke the citie.

37   Two dayes were they destroying the castle, which when they founde Timotheus that was crept in a corner, they killed him, and slue Chereas his brother in like maner, with Apollophanes.

38   When this was done, they song Psalmes with prayses and thankesgeuing vnto the Lorde, which had done so great thinges for Israel, and geuen them the victorie.

The .xi. Chapter. 1 Lysias goeth about to ouercome the Iewes. 8 Succour is sent from heauen vnto the Iewes. 16 The letter of Lysias to the Iewes. 20 The letter of king Antiochus vnto Lysias. 27 A letter of the same vnto the Iewes. 34 A letter of the Romanes to the Iewes. A   

1   Not long after this, Lysias the kinges stewarde and a kinsman of his, which had the gouernaunce of his matters, toke sore displeasure for the thinges that had happened,

2   And when he had gathered fourescore thousand men of foote, with al the hoast of the horsemen, he came against the Iewes, thinking to winne the citie, to make it an habitation for the heathen:

3    ^noteAnd the temple woulde he haue to be an house of lucre, like as the other gods houses of the heathen are, and to sell the priestes office euery yere,

4   Not considering the power of God, but was wilde in his mynde, ^note trusting in the multitude of footemen, in thousandes of horsemen, ∧ in his fourescore Elephantes.

5   So he came into Iurie, and then to Bethsura, a castle of defence, lying in a narow place fiue furlonges from Hierusalem, ∧ layed sore siege vnto it.

6   Nowe when Machabeus and his company knew that the strong holdes were besieged, ^note they fell to their prayers with weeping and teares before the Lorde: and all the people in lyke maner besought him that he woulde send a good angel to deliuer Israel. B   

7   Machabeus him selfe was the first that made him redy to the battayle, exhorting the other that were with hym to ieoperde them selues, and to helpe their brethren.

8   And when they were goyng foorth of Hierusalem together with a redy and willing mynde, ^note there appeared before them vpon horsbacke a man in whyte clothing, with harnesse of gold, shaking his speare.

9   Then they praysed the Lorde all together whiche had shewed them mercie, and were comforted in their mindes, insomuch that they were redy not onely to fight with men, but with the most cruel beastes, yea ∧ run thorowe walles of iron.

10   Thus they went on willingly, hauing an helper from heauen, and the Lorde mercifull vnto them.

11   They fell mightyly vpon their enemies like lions, slue eleuen thousande footemen, sixeteene hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight,

12   Many of them beyng wounded, and some gat away naked: Yea Lysias him selfe was fayne to flee shamefully, aud so to escape.

13   Neuerthelesse, that man was not without vnderstanding, but considered by him selfe that his power was minished, and pondred howe the Iewes beyng defended by the helpe of almightie God, were not able to be ouercome: wherfore he sent them worde, C   

14   And promised, that he would consent to all thinges whiche were reasonable, and to make the king their friende.

15   To the which praier of Lysias, Machabeus agreed, seking in all thinges the common wealth: ∧ whatsoeuer Machabeus wrote vnto Lysias concerning the Iewes, the king graunted it.

16   For there were letters written vnto the Iewes from Lysias, conteyning these wordes: Lysias sendeth greeting to the people of the Iewes.

17   Iohn and ^note Absolon which were sent from you, deliuered me wrytinges, and required me to fulfill the thinges concerning their errande.

18   Therefore loke what might be graunted, I certified the king therof: ∧ whatsoeuer was conueni&ebar;t, he agreed therto.

19   If ye now wil be faythful in these matters, I shall endeuour my selfe hereafter also to do you good.

20   As concerning these thinges by euery article thereof, I haue committed them to your messengers and to those whom I sent vnto you, to commune with you of the same particulerly. D   

21   Fare ye well. In the hundred fourtie and eyght yere, the twentie ∧ fourth day of the moneth Dioscorinthius.

22   Now the kinges letter conteyned these wordes: King Antiochus sendeth greeting vnto his brother Lysias.

23   Forsomuch as our father ^note is now translated vnto the gods, our will is, that they which are in our realme, liue without any insurrection, and euery man to be diligent in his owne matters:

24   We vnderstande also, that the Iewes would not consent to our father, for to be brought vnto the custome of the gentiles, but stifly to kepe their owne statutes, for the which cause they require of vs also, to let them remayne still after their owne lawes.

25   Wherfore our minde is, that this people shalbe in rest: we haue concluded and determined also to restore them their temple againe, that they may lyue according to the vse and custome of their forefathers.

26   Thou shalt do vs a pleasure therefore, if thou send vnto them, and graunt them peace: that when they are certified of our mynde, they may be of good cheare, and loke to their owne wealth.

27   And this was the letter that the king wrote vnto the Iewes: King Antiochus sendeth greeting vnto the counsell, and the other people of the Iewes. D   

28   If ye fare well, we haue our desire: as for vs, we are in good health.

29   Menelaus came ∧ tolde vs, howe that your desire was to returne home, and peaceably to enioy your owne possessi&obar;s.

30   Wherfore, those that wil come, we geue them free libertie, vnto the thirtie day of the moneth of ^note Aprill,

31   That they may vse the meates of the Iewes and their owne lawes like as afore: and none of them by any maner of wayes to haue harme for thinges done in ignoraunce.

32   I haue sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

33   Fare ye well. In the hundred fourtie and eyght yere, the fyfteenth day of the moneth of Aprill.

34   The Romaynes also sent a letter, conteyning these wordes: Quintus Memmius, ∧ Titus Manilius ambassadours of the Romaynes, sende greeting vnto the people of the Iewes.

35   Loke what Lysias the kinges kinsman hath graunted you, we graunt you the same also. E   

36   But as concerning the thinges which he referred vnto the king, send hither some with speede, and ponder the matter diligently among your selues, that we may ^note cast the best to your profite, for we must depart nowe vnto Antioche.

37   And therefore write shortly againe, that we may knowe your mynde.

38   Fare well. In the hundreth fourtie and eyght yere, the fyfteenth day of the moneth of Aprill. The .xii. Chapter. 2 Timotheus troubleth the Iewes. 3 The wicked deede of them of Ioppa against the Iewes. 9 Iudas is auenged of them. 9 He setteth fire on the gate of Iamnia. 20 The pursute of the Iewes against Timothi. 24 Timothi is taken and let go vnhurt. 32 Iudas pursueth Gorgias. 43 Iudas offering sacrifice for the dead, sheweth the hope of the resurrection. A   

1   When these couenauntes were made, Lysias went vnto the king: and the Iewes tilled their grounde.

2   But Timotheus, ∧ Apolonius the sonne of Gennei, Ierome, and Demophon [the proude] Nicanor the captayne of Cypers, and they that lay in those places, would not let them lyue in rest ∧ peace.

3   They of Ioppa also dyd euen such a shameful deede: they prayed the Iewes that dwelt among them, to go with their wyues ∧ children into the shippes which they had prepared, and dyd with them as though they had ought them no euyll will.

4   Forsomuch then as there was gone foorth a generall proclamation thorowe the citie because of peace, they consented therto, ∧ suspect nothing: but when they were gone foorth into the deepe, they drowned no lesse then two hundred of them.

5   Wh&ebar; Iudas knew of this crueltie shewed vnto his people, he c&obar;maunded those that were with him to make them redy,

6   Exhorting them to call vpon God the righteous iudge, went foorth against those murtherers of his brethren, set fire in the hauen by night, brent vp the shippes: and those that escaped from the fire, he slue [with the sworde.]

7   And when he had done this, he departed, as though he woulde come againe and roote out all them of Ioppa.

8   But when he had gotten word that the Iamnites were mynded to do in lyke maner vnto the Iewes which dwelt among

them,

9   He came vpon the Iamnites by night, ∧ set fire on the hauen with the shippes: so that the light of the fire was seene at Hierusalem vpon a two hundred and fourtie furlonges.

10   Nowe when they were gone from thence nyne furlonges in there iourney towarde Timotheus, fiue thousande men of foote, and fyue hundreth horsemen of the Arabians, fought with hym.

11   So when the battell was earnest, and prospered with Iudas thorowe the helpe of God: the residue of the ^note Arabians beyng ouercome, besought Iudas to be at one with them, and promised to geue him certayne ^note pastures, and to do him good in other thinges.

12   Iudas thinking that they shoulde in deede be profitable concerning many thinges, promised them peace: wherevpon they shoke handes, and so they departed to their tentes.

13   Iudas went also vnto a citie, whiche was very fast kept with brydges, fensed round about with walles, and diuers kindes of people dwelling therin, called Caspin. C   

14   They that were within it, put such trust in the strength of the walles, and in their store of vittayles, that they were the slacker in their doynges, cursing and reuiling Iudas with blasphemies, and speaking such wordes as it becommeth not.

15   But Machabeus calling vpon the great prince of the (world, which without any battayle rammes or ordinaunce of warre, did ^note cast downe the walles of Iericho, in time of Iosuah) fel manfully vpon the walles,

16   Toke the citie, ∧ thorow the helpe of the Lorde made an exceeding great slaughter: insomuch that a lake of two furlonges brode whiche lay therby seemed to flowe with the blood of the slayne.

17   Then departed they from thence seuen hundred and fiftie furlonges, and came to ^note Taraca vnto the Iewes that are called Tubianei.

18   But as for Timotheus they could not get him there: for (not one matter dispatched) he was departed from thence, and had left certayne men in a very strong holde.

19   But Dositheus ∧ Sosipater, whiche were captaynes with Machabeus, slue those that Timotheus had left in the house of defence, more then ten thousand men.

20   And Machabeus prepared him with the sixe thousand men that were about him, set them in order by companies, ∧ went foorth against Timotheus, which had with him an hundred and twentie thousande men of foote, two thousande and fyue hundred horsemen. D   

21   When Timotheus had knowledge of Iudas comming, he sent the women, children, and the other baggage vnto a castle called Carnion: For it could not be wonne, and was hard to come vnto, the wayes of the same places were so narowe.

22   And when Iudas his first bande came in sight, the enemies were smitten with feare, thorowe the presence of God which seeth all thinges: Insomuch that they fleyng one here, another there, were rather discomfited of their owne people, ^note ∧ wounded with the strokes of their owne swordes.

23   Iudas also was very earnest in folowing vpon them, punishing those vngodly, ∧ slue thirtie thousande men of them.

24   Timotheus also hym selfe fel into the handes of Dositheus and Sosipater, whom he besought with much craft to let him go with his lyfe, because he had many of the Iewes fathers ∧ brethren in prison, which if they put him to death shoulde be despised.

25   So when he had promised faythfully to deliuer them againe according to the condition made, they let him go without harme, for the health of the brethren.

26   Then Machabeus marched foorth to Carnion and Atargation, and there slue twentie and fiue thousande men.

27   Nowe after that he had chased away and slayne his enemies, he remoued the hoast towarde ^note Ephron a strong citie, wherin was Lysias and a great multitude of diuers nations: and the strong young men kept the walles, defending them mightyly, in this citie was much ordinaunce and prouision of dartes. E   

28   But when Iudas and his companie had called vpon almightie God, which with his power breaketh the strength of the enemies, they wan the citie, and slue twentie and fiue thousand of them that were within.

29   From thence went they to the citie of

the ^note Seythians, which lyeth sixe hundred furlonges from Hierusalem.

30   But when the Iewes whiche were in the citie, testified that the citezins dealt louingly with them, yea ∧ intreated th&ebar; kindly in the time of their aduersitie,

31   Iudas and his companie gaue them thankes, desiring them to be friendly stil vnto them: and so they came to Hierusalem, the hye feast of the weekes beyng at hande.

32   And after the feast of Pentecost, they went foorth against Gorgias the gouernour of Idumea, F   

33   Who came out with three thousande men of foote, ∧ foure hundred horsemen.

34   Whiche when they mette together, it chaunced a fewe of the Iewes to be slayne.

35   And Dositheus one of the Bacenors, a mightie horsman, toke holde of Gorgias, and woulde haue taken him quicke: but an horseman of Thracia fell vpon him, and smote of his arme, so that Gorgias escaped and fled into ^note Moresa.

36   When they nowe that were of ^note Gorgias side, had foughten long and were weery, Iudas called vpon the Lorde, that he would be their helper, and captayne of the fielde:

37   And with that he began in his owne language, ∧ song Psalmes with a loude voyce: insomuch that he made the enemies afrayde, ∧ Gorgias men of warre toke their flight.

38   So Iudas gathered his hoast, and came into the citie of Odolla: and when the seuenth day came vpon them, they clensed them selues as the custome was, ∧ kept the Sabbath in the same place.

39   And vpon the day folowing, as necessitie required, Iudas and his company came to take vp the bodyes of them that were slayne, and to burie them in the fathers graues.

40   Nowe vnder the coates of certayne Iewes which were slayne, they founde iewels that they had taken [out of the temple and] from the idoles of the ^note Iamnites, whiche thing is forbidden the Iewes by the lawe: then euery man sawe that this was the cause wherfore they were slayne. G   

41   And so euery man gaue thankes vnto the Lorde for his righteous iudgement, whiche had opened the thing that was hyd.

42   They fel downe also vnto their prayers, and besought God that the fault whiche was made might be put out of remembraunce: Besides that, Iudas exhorted the people earnestly to kepe them selues from such sinne, forsomuch as they sawe before their eyes that these men were slayne for the same offence.

43   So he gathered of euery one a certayne, and sent two thousande drachmes of siluer vnto Hierusalem, that there might a sacrifice be offered for the misdeede: In the which place he did wel and right, for he had some consideration and pondring of the lyfe that is after this time.

44   For if he had not thought that they whiche were slayne shoulde ryse againe, it had ben superfluous and vayne to make any vowe or sacrifice for them that were dead.

45   But forsomuch as he sawe that they which die in the fauour ∧ beleefe of god, are in good rest and ioy, he thought it to be good ∧ honorable for a reconsiling, to do the same for those which were slaine, that the offence might be forgeuen. The .xiii. Chapter. 1 The comming of Eupator into Iurie. 4 The death of Menelaus. 10 Machabeus goyng to fight against Eupator, moueth his souldiers vnto prayer. 15 He killeth fourteene thousande men in the tentes of Antiochus. 21 Rhodocus the betrayer of the Iewes is taken. 24 Antiochus retayned friendship with the Iewes. A   

1   In the hundred fourtie and nine yere, gat ^note Iudas knowledge that Antiochus Eupator was comming with a great power into iurie,

2   And Lysias the stewarde and ruler of his matters with him, hauing an hundred ∧ ten thousand men of foote of the Grecians, fyue thousande horsemen, twentie and two Elephantes, and three hundred charettes set with hookes.

3   Menelaus also ioyned hym selfe with them, but with great disceyte spake faire to the king, not for any good of the countrey, but because he thought to haue ben made some great man of aucthoritie.

4   But the king of kinges moued Antiochus

minde against this vngodly person, and Lysias enformed the king that this Menelaus was the cause of all mischiefe: so that the king commaunded to bring him vnto Berea, and as the maner of them is, to put him vnto death in the same place.

5   There was also in the same place a towre of fiftie cubites hie, heaped with asshes: and it had an instrument that turned rounde, ∧ on euery side it rouled downe into the asshes, and there whosoeuer was condempned of sacriledge, or of any other greeuous crime, was cast of all men vnto the death.

6   Whereinto the king c&obar;maunded that shamefull person to be cast among the asshes, as one that was cause of all vngraciousnesse. B   

7   And reason it was that the vnthrift should dye such a death, and not to be buried,

8   For he had done much mischiefe vnto the aulter of God, whose fire and asshes were holy: therefore was it right that he him selfe also should be destroyed with asshes.

9   But the king was wood in his minde, and came to shew him selfe more cruell vnto the Iewes, then his father was.

10   Which when Iudas perceaued, ^note he commaunded the people to call vpon the Lord nyght and day, that he would nowe helpe them also lyke as he had done alway: for they were afraide to be put from their lawe, from their natural countrey, and from the holy temple:

11   And not to suffer the people which a litle while afore began to recouer, to be subdued againe of the blasphemous nations.

12   So when they had done this together, and besought the Lorde for mercie, with weeping and fasting three dayes long flat vpon the grounde, Iudas exhorted them to make them selues redie. C   

13   But he and the eldest together deuised to go foorth [first with the people] afore the king brought his hoast into Iurie, and afore he besieged the citie, and so to commit the matter vnto God.

14   Wherefore he committed the charge of all thinges vnto God the maker of all the worlde, exhorting his people to fight manfully, yea euen vnto death, for the lawes, the temple, the citie, their owne natiue countrey, and to defend the citezins: and he set his hoast before Modin.

15   He gaue them also that were with him a token of the victory of God, choosing out the manliest young men, went by night into the kinges pauilion, slue of the hoast fourteene thousand men, ^note and the greatest of the Elephantes, with those that sate vpon him.

16   Thus when they had brought a great feare and rumour among the tentes of their enemies, and al thinges went prosperously with them,

17   They departed in the breake of the day, God being their helper and defender.

18   Nowe when the king perceaued the manlinesse of the Iewes, he went about to take the strong places by craft, D   

19   And remoued his hoast ^note vnto Bethsura, which was a wel kept house of defence of the Iewes: but they were chased away, hurt, and discomfited.

20   And Iudas sent vnto them that were in it, such thinges as were necessarie.

21   In the Iewes hoast also there was one Rhodochus, which tolde the enemies their secretes: but they sought him out, and when they had gotten him, they put him in prison.

22   After this did the king commune with them that were in Bethsura, toke truice with them, departed, and stroke a battaile with Iudas, which ouercame him.

23   But when he vnderstoode that Philip, whom he had left to be ouerseer of this busines at Antioch, began to rebell against him, he was astonied in his mind, so that he yeelded him selfe to þe; Iewes, and made them an oth to do whatsoeuer they thought right.

24   Now when he was reconciled with them, he offered, made much of the temple, gaue great giftes vnto it, E   

25   Embraced Machabeus, making him captaine and gouernour from Ptolomais vnto the Gerrhenes.

26   Neuerthelesse when he came to Ptolomais, the people of the citie were not content with the bond of frendship: for they were afraide that he would breake the couenaunt.

27   Then went Lysias vp into the iudgement seate, and excused the fact as well as he coulde, and enformed the people, shewed them the cause why, ∧ pacified

them: so he came againe to Antioch. This is now the matter concerning the kinges iourney, and his returne. The .xiiij. Chapter. 1 By the motion of the Lorde, Demetrius sendeth Nicanor to kill the Iewes 18 Nicanor maketh a compact with the Iewes, 29 which he yet breaketh through the motion of the king. 37 Nicanor commaundeth Razias to be taken. 41 The boldnes of Razias. A   

1   After three yeres, was Iudas infourmed how that Demetrius the sonne of Seleucus was come vp with a great power and shippes, through the hauen of Tripolis,

2   To take certaine commodious places and countreys, against Antiochus and his captaine Lysias.

3   Nowe Alcimus whiche had ben hie priest, and wylfully defiled him selfe in the time of the mixting, seeing that by no meanes he could be helped, nor haue any more entraunce to the aulter,

4   He came to king Demetrius in the hundred fiftie and one yere, presenting vnto him a crowne of golde, a paulme, and an oliue tree, which as men thought belonged to the temple: and that day held his tongue.

5   But when he had gotten oportunitie for his madnesse, Demetrius called him to counsel, and asked him what thinges or counsels the Iewes leaned vnto?

6   He aunswered: The Iewes that be called Assidei (whose captaine is Iudas Machabeus) maintayne warres, make insurections, and wyl not let the realme be in peace. B   

7   For I being depriued of my fathers honour (I meane the hie priesthood) am come hyther:

8   Partly because I was faithfull vnto the king, and partly because I sought the profite of myne owne citezins: And why? all our people, through the wickednesse of them, are not a litle troubled.

9   Wherefore I beseche thee O king, consider all these thinges diligently, and then make some prouision for the lande and the people, according to the kindnes that thou hast offered vnto them.

10   For as long as Iudas liueth, it is not possible that men can lyue in peace.

11   When he had spoken these wordes, other friendes also hauing euill wyll at Iudas, set the king Demetrius on fire [against him.]

12    ^noteWhich immediatly sent Nicanor ruler of the Elephantes, a captaine, into Iurie, C   

13   Commaunding him to slay Iudas, ∧ to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus hie priest of the great temple.

14   Then the heathen, which fled out of Iurie from Iudas, came to Nicanor by flockes, thinking the harme and decay of the Iewes to be their welfare.

15   Now when the Iewes heard of Nicanors comming, and the gathering together of the heathen, they sprinckled them selues with earth, ^note and besought him which made them his people, and euer defended his owne portion with euident tokens, that he woulde preserue them still.

16   So at the c&obar;maundem&ebar;t of the captaine they remoued straight wayes from thence, ∧ came to a towne called Dessau.

17   And Simon, Iudas brother, fell in hand with Nicanor: but through the sodaine ^note comming of the enemies he was afraide.

18   Neuerthelesse, Nicanor hearing the manlinesse of them that were with Iudas, and the bolde stomakes that they had to fight for their natural countrey, durst not prooue the matter with bloodshedding.

19   Wherfore he sent Possidonius, ^note Theodorus, and Mathathias before, to geue and to take peace. D   

20   So when they had taken long aduisement thereupon, and the captaine shewed it vnto the multitude, they were agreed in one minde to haue peace.

21   And they appoynted a day to sit vpon these matters quietly among them selues, and for euery one stooles also were brought and set foorth.

22   Neuerthelesse, Iudas commaunded certaine men of armes to wayt in conuenient places, lest there should sodenly aryse any euill through the enemies: and so they communed reasonably together.

23   Nicanor while he abode at Hierusalem, ordered him selfe not vnreasonably, but sent away the people that were gathered together.

24   He loued Iudas euer with his heart, and fauoured him. E   

25   He prayed him also to take a wyfe, and to bring foorth children. So he maryed, liued in rest, and they led a common life.

26   But Alcimus perceauing the loue that was betwixt them, and how they were agreed together, came to Demetrius, and tolde him that Nicanor had taken straunge matters in hande, and ordayned Iudas, an enemie of the realme, to be the kinges successour.

27   Then the king was sore displeased, and through the wicked accusations which Alcimus made of Nicanor, he was so prouoked, that he wrote vnto Nicanor, saying: that he was very angry for the frendship and agreement which he had made with Machabeus, Neuerthelesse, he c&obar;maunded him in al the haste that he should take Machabeus prisoner, and sent him to Antioch.

28   Which [letters] when Nicanor had sene, he was at his wittes ende and sore greeued, that he shoulde breake the thinges wherein they had agreed, specially seeing Machabeus was that man that neuer did him harme.

29   But because he might not withstand the king, he sought oportunitie to fulfill his commaundement.

30   Notwithstanding when Machabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlishe vnto him, ∧ that he entreated him more roughly then he was wont, he perceaued that such vnkindnesse came not of good, and therefore he gathered a fewe of his men, and withdrewe him selfe from Nicanor. F   

31   Which when he knew that Machabeus had manfully preu&ebar;ted him, he came into the great and most holy temple, and commaunded the priestes which were doing their vsuall offeringes, to deliuer him the man.

32   And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought, ^note

33   He stretched out his right hande toward the temple, and made an oth, saying: If ye wyll not deliuer me Iudas captiue, I shall remoue this temple of God into the plaine fielde, I shal breake downe the aulter, and consecrate this temple vnto Bacchus.

34   After these wordes he departed. Then the priestes lyft vp their handes toward heauen, and besought him that was euer the defender of their people saying:

35   Thou O Lord of all, which hast nede of nothing, wouldest that the temple of thy habitation should be among vs: ^note

36   Therefore nowe O most holy Lorde, kepe this house euer vndefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop all the mouthes of the vnrighteous.

37   Now was there accused vnto Nicanor one Razis an alderman of Hierusalem, a louer of the whole citie, ∧ a man of good reporte, which for the kinde heart that he bare vnto the people, was called a father of the Iewes.

38   This man oft times when the Iewes were minded to kepe them selues vndefiled, defended and deliuered them, being content stedfastly to spend his body and his lyfe for his people. G   

39   So Nicanor wylling to declare the hate that he bare to the Iewes, sent fiue hundred men of warre to take him:

40   For he thought if he gat him he should bring the Iewes in great decay.

41   Now when the people began to rushe in at his house, to breake the doores, and to set fire on it, he being now taken, ^note fel vpon his sword,

42   Choosing rather to dye manfully, then to yeelde him selfe to those wicked doers: ∧ because of his noble stocke, he had rather haue ben put to extreme crueltie.

43   Notwithstanding, what time as he missed of his stroke for haste, and the multitude rushed in violently betwixt the doores, he ranne boldly to the wall, and cast him selfe downe manfully among the heape of them:

44   Which gaue soone place to his fall, so that he fell vpon his belly.

45   Neuerthelesse, while there was yet breath within him, he was kindled in his minde, ∧ while his blood gushed out exceedingly (for he was very sore wounded) he ranne through the middest of the people, and gat him to the top of a rocke.

46   So when his blood was nowe gone, he toke out his owne bowels with both his handes, ∧ threw them vpon the people, calling vpon the Lorde of lyfe ∧ spirite to rewarde him this againe: and so he dyed.

The .xv. Chapter. 2 Nicanor goeth about to come vpon Iudas on the Sabbath day. 5 The blasphemie of Nicanor. 14 Machabeus expounding vnto the Iewes the vision, boldeneth their heartes. 21 The prayer of Machabeus. 30 After the hoast of Nicanor is once ouercome, Machabeus commaundeth his head ∧ his handes to be cut of, and his tongue to be geuen vnto foules. A   

1    ^noteNowe when Nicanor knew that Iudas and his company were in the countrey of Samaria, he thought with al his power to strike a fielde with him vpon a Sabbath day.

2   Neuerthelesse the Iewes that were compelled to go with him, saide: O do not so cruelly and vnkindly, but halowe the Sabbath day, and worshippe him that seeth all thinges:

3   [For all this,] yet saide the vngratious person, ^note Is there a mightie one in heauen that commaunded the Sabbath day to be kept?

4   And when they saide: yea the lyuing God, the mightie Lord in heauen ^note commaunded the seuenth day to be kept,

5   He saide: And I am mightie vpon earth, to commaunde them for to arme them selues, ∧ to perfourme the kinges busynesse. Notwithstanding, he might not haue his purpose.

6   Nicanor had deuised with great pride to ouercome Iudas, and to bring away the victory: B   

7   But Machabeus had euer a fast confidence and a perfect hope in God, that he would helpe him:

8   And exhorted his people not to be afrayde at the comming of the heathen: but alway to remember the helpe that had ben shewed vnto them from heauen, yea and to be sure now also that almightie God would geue them the victorie.

9   He spake vnto them out of the lawe and prophetes, putting them in remembraunce of the battailes that they had striken afore, and made them to be of good courage.

10   So when their heartes were pluckt vp, he shewed them also the deceitefulnesse of the heathen, and how they woulde kepe no couenaunt nor oth.

11   Thus he weaponed them not with the armour of shielde and speare, but with wholsome wordes and exhortations: he shewed them a dreame also, wherethrough he made them all glad,

12   Which was this: He thought that he saw Onias, which had ben hie priest, a vertuous and louing man, sad and of honest conuersation, well spoken, and one that had ben exercised in godlines from a childe, holding vp his handes toward heauen, and praying for his people. C   

13   After this, there appeared vnto him another man, which was aged, honorable, and glorious.

14   And Onias saide: This is a louer of the brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people and for all the holy citie, Ieremie the prophete of God.

15   He thought also that Ieremie helde out his right hande, and gaue vnto Iudas a sword of golde, saying:

16   Take this holy sworde, a gift from God, wherwith thou shalt smite downe the enemies of the people of Israel.

17   And so they were well comforted through the wordes of Iudas, whiche were very sweete and able to stirre vp their courage: and toke courage vnto them, so that the young men were determined in their mindes to fight, and to abide stifly at it: insomuch that in the thinges which they toke in hande their boldnesse shewed the same, because the holy citie, the sanctuary, and the temple were in perill,

18   For the which they toke more care, then for their wyues, children, brethren, and kinsfolkes. D   

19   Againe, they that were in the citie, were most carefull for those which were to fight.

20   Now, when they were all in a hope that the iudgement of the matter was at hande, and the enemies drue nye, the hoast being set in aray, the Elephantes and horsemen euery one standing in his place:

21   Machabeus considering the c&obar;ming of the multitude, the ordinaunce of diuers weapons, the cruelnes of the beastes, helde vp his handes towarde

heauen, calling vpon the Lorde that doth wonders, ^note which geueth not the victory after the multitude of weapons and power of the hoaste, but to them that please him, according to his owne wyll.

22   Therefore in his prayer he saide these wordes, O Lorde, ^note thou that diddest send thyne angell in the time of Ezekiah king of Iuda, and in the hoast of Sennacherib sluest an hundred fourscore and fiue thousand:

23   Send now also thy good angel before vs O Lorde of heauens, in the fearefulnesse and dreade of thy mightie arme, E   

24   That they which come against thy holy people to blaspheme them, may be afrayd. And so he made an ende of his wordes.

25   Then Nicanor ∧ they that were with him, drue nye with trumpettes ∧ showtinges for ioy:

26   But Iudas and his company, with prayer and calling vpon God, encountred with the enemies.

27   With their handes they smote, but with their heartes they prayed vnto the Lorde, and slue no lesse then thirtie and fiue thousand men: For through the present helpe of God, they were gloriously comforted.

28   Now when they left of, and were turning againe with ioy, they vnderstoode that Nicanor him selfe was slaine with the other, for all his armour.

29   Then they gaue a great shout and a crye, praysing the almightie Lorde in their owne language.

30   And Iudas which was euer redie to spend his body and lyfe for his citezins, c&obar;maunded to smite of Nicanors head, with his arme and hande, and to be brought to Hierusalem. F   

31   When he came there, he called all the people ∧ the priestes to the aulter, with those that were in the castle,

32   And shewed them Nicanors head, and his wicked hande which he had presumptuously holden vp against the temple of God.

33   He caused the tongue also of that vngodly Nicanor to be cut in litle peeces, and to be cast to the foules, and that cruel mans hande to be hanged vp before the temple.

34   So euery man gaue thankes vnto the Lorde, saying: Blessed be he that hath kept his place vndefiled.

35   As for Nicanors head he hanged it vp vpon the hie castle for an euident and playne token of the helpe of God.

36   And so they agreed al together to kepe that day holy, [namely] the thirteenth day of the moneth ^note Adar,

37   Which in the Syrians language is called the next day before Mardocheus day.

38   Thus was Nicanor slaine, and from that time foorth the Iewes had the citie in possession: and here wyll I nowe make an ende. G   

39   If I haue done well and as the storie required, it is the thing that I desired: but if I haue spoken sclenderly ∧ barely, I haue done that I coulde.

40   For as it is hurtfull to drinke wine alone, and then againe water, ∧ as wine tempred with water is pleasaunt ∧ deliteth the taste: so the setting out of the matter delighteth the eare of them that reade the story: And here shalbe the ende. ¶2; The ende of the second booke of the Machabees.

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