Cover 2 Cover in 1 Year

Reading 158/341, 2 Maccabees 7.20-9.18a

2017-08-01T00:10:00.000-05:00

[A] The Jewish martyrs are distinct from the Christian martyrs a few centuries later in that there is no sense of forgiveness. It took Jesus and his forgiveness from the Cross to make that possible.
[B] The title Friend is used here as it often is in the Old Testament to signify a cabinet level position in the government. This title appears in the New Testament when the Jews accuse Pilate of not being a "Friend of Caesar" which was his highest career goal, and when Jesus calls the Apostles "Friends", thereby signifying that he was placing them in charge of his Church.

...2 Maccabees...

But the mother was marvelous above all, and worthy of honorable memory, for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bore it with good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord. Indeed, she exhorted each of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits, and stirring up her feminine thoughts with a manly stomach, she said to them, “I cannot tell how you came into my womb, for I neither gave you breath nor life, nor was it I who formed the limbs of each of you, but, without a doubt, the Creator of the world, who formed human reproduction, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as you do not now regard your own selves for his laws' sake.” Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, while the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if only he would turn from the laws of his fathers, and that also he would take him for his Friend, and trust him with his affairs. But when the young man would in no way hearken to him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her to counsel the young man to save his life, and when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son. But she, bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spoke in her native language in this manner: “O my son, have pity upon me who bore you nine months in my womb, and nursed you for three years, and nourished you, and brought you up to this age, and endured the troubles of education. I beseech you, my son, look at heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not, and so was mankind made likewise. Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of your brothers, accept your death that I may receive you again in mercy with your brothers.” While she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, “Whom are you waiting for? I will not obey the king's commandment, but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses. And you, who have been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shall not escape the hands of God. For we suffer because of our sins. And though the living Lord is angry with us for a little while toward our chastening and correction, yet he shall be at one again with his servants. But you, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up your hand against the servants of God, for you have not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who sees all things. For our brothers, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of everlasting life, but you, through the judgment of God, shall receive just punishment for your pride. But I, like my brothers, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation, and that you by torments and diseases may confess that he alone is God, and that with me and my brothers the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.” Than the king, being in a rage, handed him over to worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked. So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord. Last of all after the sons the mother died. Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.

Then Judas Maccabeus, and those who were with him, went secretly into the towns, and called their kinsfolk together, and took with them all those who continued in the Jewish religion, and assembled about 6000 men. And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon the people who were trodden down by all, and also pity the temple profaned by ungodly men, that he would have compassion upon the city, badly defaced, and ready to be razed to the ground, and hear the blood that cried out to him, and remember the wicked slaughter of harmless infants, and the blasphemies committed against his name, and that he would show his hatred for evil. Now when Maccabeus had his company with him, he could not be withstood by the heathen, for the wrath of the Lord was turned to mercy. Therefore he came at them unaware, and burnt up towns and cities, and put into his hands the best places, and overcame and put to flight no small number of his enemies. He especially took advantage of the night for such secret attempts, so much so that the rumor of his virtue was spread everywhere.

So when Philip saw that this man increased by little and little, and that things prospered with him still more and more, he wrote to Ptolemy, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, to yield more aid to the king's affairs. Then right away he chose Nicanor, the son of Patroclus, one of his Special Friends. He sent him with no fewer than 20,000 from all nations under him, to wipe out the whole nation of the Jews, and with him he joined also Gorgias a captain, who in matters of war had great experience. Nicanor planned to make enough money from the captive Jews to defray the tribute of 2000 talents, which the king had to pay to the Romans. Therefore, he immediately sent messages to the cities on the sea coast, proclaiming a sale of the captive Jews, and promising that they would have 90 bodies for 1 talent, not expecting the vengeance that was to follow upon him from the Almighty God. Now when word was brought to Judas of Nicanor's coming, and he had shared with those who were with him that the army was at hand, those who were fearful, and distrusted the justice of God, fled, and got themselves away. The others sold all that they had left, and sought the Lord to deliver them, sold by the wicked Nicanor before they met together, if not for their own sakes, yet for the covenants he had made with their fathers, and for his holy and glorious name's sake, by which they were called. So Maccabeus called his men together numbering 6000, and exhorted them not to be stricken with terror of the enemy, nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen, who came wrongly against them, but to fight manfully, and to set before their eyes the injury that they had unjustly done to the holy place, and the cruel handling of the city, of which they made a mockery, and also the taking away of the government of their forefathers. “For they”, said he, “trust in their weapons and boldness, but our confidence is in the Almighty who at a finger movement can cast down both those who come against us, and also the whole world.” Moreover, he recounted to them what helps their forefathers had found, and how they were delivered, when under Sennacherib 185,000 perished. And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they were but 8000 in all at the battle, with 4000 Macedonians, and that the Macedonians being afraid, the 8000 destroyed 120,000 because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty. Thus when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the law and the country, he divided his army into four parts, and joined with himself his own brothers, leaders of each band, namely Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving each one 1500 men. Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book, and when he had given them this watchword, “The help of God”, with he himself leading the first band, by the help of the Almighty, they slew more than 9000 of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the greater part of Nicanor's army, and so put all to flight, and took the money from those who came to buy them, and pursued them far, but lacking time they returned, for it was the day before the Sabbath, and therefore they would no longer pursue them.

So when they had gathered their armor together, and spoiled their enemies, they occupied themselves about the Sabbath, yielding exceeding praise and thanks to the Lord, who had preserved them that day, which was the beginning of mercy distilling upon them. And after the Sabbath, when they had given part of the spoils to the maimed, and the widows, and orphans, what remained they divided among themselves and their servants. When this was done, and they had made a common supplication, they sought the merciful Lord to be reconciled with his servants forever. Moreover, of those who were with Timotheus and Bacchides, who fought against them, they slew more than 20,000, and very easily got high places and strongholds, and divided among themselves many spoils more, and made the maimed, orphans, widows, and the aged too, equal in spoils with themselves. And when they had gathered their armor together, they laid them up all carefully in convenient places, and the remnant of the spoils they brought to Jerusalem. They slew also Philarches, that wicked person, who was with Timotheus, and had abused the Jews in many ways. Furthermore, at such time as they kept the feast for the victory in their country they burnt Callisthenes, that had set the holy gates on fire, who had fled into a little house, and so he received a reward fitting for his wickedness. As for that most ungracious Nicanor, who had brought a 1000 merchants to buy the Jews, he was, through the help of the Lord, brought down by them of whom he had had little respect, and taking off his glorious apparel, and discharging his company, he came like a fugitive servant through the midland to Antioch having very great dishonor, since his army was destroyed. Thus he, who had planned to make pay to the Romans their tribute by means of captives in Jerusalem, told abroad, that the Jews had God to fight for them, and therefore they could not be hurt, because they followed the laws that he gave them.

About that time, Antiochus came with dishonor out of the country of Persia, for he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went to rob the temple, and to hold the city, at which the multitude ran to defend themselves with their weapons and put them to flight, and so it happened, that Antiochus being put to flight by the inhabitants, returned with shame. Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had happened to Nicanor and Timotheus. Then swelling with anger, he intended to take revenge on the Jews for the disgrace done to him by those who made him flee. Therefore, he commanded his chariot driver to drive without ceasing, and to complete the journey, the judgment of God now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this way: that he would come to Jerusalem and make it a common burying place of the Jews. But the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, smote him with an incurable and invisible disease; as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and awful torments of the inner parts, and that most justly, for he had tormented other men's bowels with many and strange torments. Nevertheless, he did not at all cease from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding to hasten the journey, but it came to pass that he fell down from his chariot, falling violently, so that having a serious fall, all the members of his body were in great pain. And thus he who a little before thought he might command the waves of the sea, (so proud was he beyond the condition of man) and weigh the high mountains in a balance, was now cast on the ground, and carried on a horse-stretcher, showing forth to all the manifest power of God. So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and while he yet lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filth of his smell was bothersome to his whole army. And the man, who had thought a little before that he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry for his intolerable stench. Here therefore, being diseased, he began to abandon his great pride, and to come to the knowledge of himself by the scourge of God, his pain increasing every moment. And when he himself could not abide his own smell, he said these words, “It is fitting to be subject to God, and that a man who is mortal should not proudly think of himself if he were God.” This wicked person even vowed to the Lord, who now no longer would have mercy upon him, saying that the holy city, to the which he was going in haste to lay it to the ground, and to make it a common graveyard, he would set at liberty, and as concerned the Jews, whom he had judged not worthy enough to be buried, but to be cast out with their children to be devoured by the fowls and wild beasts, he would make them all equals to the citizens of Athens, and the holy temple, which before he had spoiled, he would garnish with goodly gifts, and restore all the holy vessels with many more, and out of his own revenue defray the charges belonging to the sacrifices, indeed, and that also he would become a Jew himself, and go through all the world that was inhabited, and declare the power of God. But for all this his pains would not cease, for the just judgment of God had come upon him.

Reading 157/341, 2 Maccabees 5-7.19

2017-07-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

The story of the Jewish martyrs that begins in this reading and continues tomorrow is probably the most memorable part of this book and perhaps among the most in the Old Testament.

...2 Maccabees...

About the same time, Antiochus prepared his second expedition into Egypt, and then it happened, that through all the city, for the space of almost forty days, there were seen horsemen running in the air, in cloth of gold, and armed with lances, like a band of soldiers, and troops of horsemen in array, encountering and running one against another, with shaking of shields, and multitude of pikes, and drawing of swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden ornaments, and harness of all sorts. Therefore everyone prayed that this apparition might turn to good. Now when a false rumor had gone forth that Antiochus was dead, Jason took at least a thousand men, and suddenly made an assault upon the city, and those who were upon the walls were pushed back, and the city at length taken, Menelaus fled into the tower, but Jason killed his own citizens without mercy, not considering that to triumph over his own nation would be a calamity for him, but thinking they had been his enemies, and not his countrymen, whom he conquered. For all this, he did not obtain the office, but at last received shame as a reward for his treason, and fled again into the country of the Ammonites. He had an unhappy end therefore, being accused before Aretas the king of the Arabians, fleeing from city to city, pursued by all men, hated as a forsaker of the laws, and being held in abomination as an open enemy of his country and countrymen, he was cast out into Egypt. Thus he who had driven so many from their country, perished in a strange land, retiring to the Lacedaemonians, and thinking there to find help by reason of his kindred. He who had cast out many unburied, had no one to mourn for him, nor any solemn funerals at all, nor sepulcher with his fathers.

Now when what was done came to the king's ear, he thought that Judah had revolted, so, leaving Egypt with a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms, and commanded his men of war not to spare anyone they met, and to slay those who went into houses. Thus there was killing of young and old, a taking away of men, women, and children, slaying of virgins and infants. And there were destroyed within the space of three whole days 80,000, of which forty thousand were slain in the conflict, and no fewer sold than slain. Yet was he not content with this, but presumed to go into the Most Holy Temple of all the world. Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his own country, was his guide, and he took the holy vessels with polluted hands, and with profane hands pulled down the things that were dedicated by other kings to the augmentation and glory and honor of the place. And so haughty was Antiochus in mind that he did not understand that the Lord was angry for a while because of the sins of those who dwelt in the city, and therefore his eye was not upon the place. For had they not been formerly covered in many sins, this man, as soon as he had come, would have been quickly scourged and put back from his presumption, as Heliodorus was, whom Seleucus the king sent to view the treasury. Nevertheless, God did not choose the people for the place's sake, but the place for the people's sake, and therefore the place itself was partaker with them of the adversity that happened to the nation, and did afterward share in the benefits sent from the Lord, and as it was forsaken in the wrath of the Almighty, so again, the great Lord being reconciled, it was set up with all glory.

So when Antiochus had carried out of the temple 1800 talents, he departed in all haste to Antioch, plotting in his pride to make the land navigable by ship, and the sea passable by foot, such was the haughtiness of his mind. And he left governors to vex the nation, at Jerusalem: Philip, by country a Phrygian, and by manners more barbarous than the one who set him there, and at Garizim, Andronicus, and besides them, Menelaus, who, worse than all the rest, bore a heavy hand over the citizens, having a malicious mind against his countrymen the Jews. He also sent that detestable ringleader Apollonius with an army of 22,000, commanding him to slay all those who were in their best age, and to sell the women and the younger sort. Coming to Jerusalem, and pretending peace, he waited until the holy day of the Sabbath, when with the Jews keeping the holy day, he commanded his men to arm themselves. And so he killed all those that had come to watch, and running through the city with weapons, they killed great crowds. But Judas Maccabeus with nine others, or thereabout, withdrew himself into the desert, and lived in the mountains after the manner of beasts, with his group, who fed on herbs continually, lest they should be partakers of the pollution.

Not long after this the king sent an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers, and not to live after the laws of God, and to pollute the temple in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Zeus of Olympus, and that in Garizim, after Zeus the Host of Strangers, as those who dwelt there were. This evil was grievous and intolerable to the people, for the temple was filled with riot and reveling by the Gentiles, who dallied with harlots, and joined with women within the walls of the holy places, and besides that brought in things that were not lawful. The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbids. Nor was it lawful for a man to keep Sabbath days or ancient fasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew. And in the day of the king's birth every month they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices, and when the fast of Dionysius was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Dionysius, carrying ivy. Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbor cities of the heathen, by the suggestion of those of Ptolemais, against the Jews, that they should observe the same fashions, and be partakers of their sacrifices, And whoever would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles would be put to death.

Then a person could have seen the obvious misery. For two women were brought, who had circumcised their sons. When they had openly paraded them around the city, with the babies hanging at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall. And others, who had run together into caves nearby, to keep the Sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burnt together, because they decided in conscience to not defend themselves against the honor of the most sacred day. Now I beseech those that read this book, lest they be discouraged for these calamities, lest they judge those punishments to be for destruction, rather than a chastening of our nation. For it is a token of his great goodness, when wicked doers are not put up with for a long time, but quickly punished. For not as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbears to punish, until they have come to the fullness of their sins, so deals he with us, lest, having come to the height of sin, afterwards he should take vengeance upon us. And therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us, and though he punishes us with adversity, yet he never forsakes his people. But let what we have said be a warning for us. And now we will come to the telling of the matter in a few words.

Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a favored appearance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh. But he, choosing rather to die gloriously, than to live stained with such an abomination, spit it out, and came of his own accord to the torment, as it behooved them to come, who are resolute to stand against such things, which are not lawful for love of life to be tasted. But those who had the charge of that wicked feast, for the old acquaintance they had with the man, taking him aside, besought him to bring flesh of his own provision, such as was lawful for him to eat, and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king; that in so doing he might be delivered from death, and for the old friendship with them find favor. But he began to consider carefully, and as became his age, and the excellence of his ancient years, and the honor of his gray head, and his most honest education from childhood, and above this the holy law made and given by God, he answered accordingly, and willed them send him straight to the grave. “For it becomes not our age”, said he, “in any way to lie, whereby many young people might think that Eleazar, being 90 years old, had now gone to a strange religion, and so they through my hypocrisy and desire to live a little time and a moment longer, should be deceived by me, and I receive a stain on my old age, and make it abominable. For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men, yet I would not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither alive, nor dead. Therefore now, manfully changing this life, I will show myself such a one as my age requires, and leave a notable example to the young to die willingly and courageously for the honorable and holy laws.” And when he had said these words, immediately he went to the torment. Those who led him changing the goodwill they bore him a little before into hatred, because of the speeches which proceeded, as they thought, from a desperate mind. But when he was ready to die with stripes, he groaned, and said, “It is manifest to the Lord, who has the holy knowledge, that whereas I might have been delivered from death, I now endure horrible pains in body by being beaten, but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear him.” And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only for young men, but to all his nation.

It came to pass also, that seven brothers with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste pork, and were tormented with scourges and whips. But one of those who spoke first said, “What would you ask or learn of us? We are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.” Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons be made hot. While they were being heated, he commanded them to cut out the tongue of him who spoke first, and to cut off the extremities of his body, the rest of his brothers and his mother looking on. Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan, and as the smoke of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus, “The Lord God looks upon us, and in truth has compassion on us, as Moses in his song, who openly bore witness, declared, saying, ‘And he shall have compassion on his servants.’” So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the second to mock him, and when they had pulled the skin off of his head with the hair, they asked him, “Will you eat, before you are punished throughout every member of your body?” But he answered in his own language, and said, “No.” Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did. And when he was at the last gasp, he said, “You like a fury take us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.” After him was the third was mocked, and when he was required, he put out his tongue, right away, holding forth his hands manfully, and said courageously, “These I have from heaven, and for his laws I despise them, and from him I hope to receive them again.” Insomuch that the king, and those who were with him, marveled at the young man's courage, that he regarded the pains in no way. Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner. So when he was ready to die he said thus, “It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him. As for you, you shall have no resurrection to life.” Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him. Then looked he to the king, and said, “You have power over men. You are mortal. You do what you will, yet think not that our nation is forsaken by God, but abide awhile, and behold his great power, how he will torment you and your seed.” After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, “Be not deceived without cause, for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God. Therefore marvelous things are done unto us. But think not you, who takes it in hand to strive against God, shall escape unpunished.”

Reading 156/341, 2 Maccabees 3.19-4.50

2017-07-25T23:46:00.000-05:00

[A] We see what role money played in politics in those days. Each man promises a certain amount of money in order to be the leader, and then, to get the money he taxes the poor and steals from the temple.

...2 Maccabees...

Women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts, filled the streets, and the virgins who were kept inside ran out, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows. And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication. Then it would have made anyone have pity to see the falling down of the varied crowd, and the high priest being in such fear and agony. They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed in trust safe and secure for those that had committed them. Nevertheless, Heliodorus did what was decreed. Now as he himself arrived with his guard near the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were very afraid. For there appeared to them a horse with a terrible rider upon it, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely and attacked Heliodorus with his forehooves, and it seemed that he who sat upon the horse wore armor of gold. Moreover, two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and beautifully clothed, who stood by him on either side, and scourged him continually, and gave him many sore stripes. And Heliodorus fell suddenly to the ground, and was compassed with great darkness, but those who were with him took him up, and put him on a stretcher. Thus he who had just come with a great company and with all his guard into the treasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons, and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God. For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without any hope of life.

But they praised the Lord who had miraculously honored his own place, for the temple, which a shortly before had been full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness. Then quickly some of Heliodorus' friends begged Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up breathing. So the high priest, concerned that the king should misunderstand that some treachery had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the health of the man. Now as the high priest was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, “Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as for his sake the Lord has granted you life, seeing that you have been scourged from heaven, declare unto all men the mighty power of God.” And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more. So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows to him who had saved his life, and saluted Onias, returned with his host to the king. Then he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes. And when the king asked Heliodorus who might be a fit man to send once again to Jerusalem, he said, “If you have any enemy or traitor, send him there, and you shall receive him well scourged, if he escapes with his life, for in that place, let there be no doubt, there is a special power of God. For he that dwells in heaven has his eye on that place, and defends it, and he beats and destroys those who come to hurt it. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, happened in that way.

This Simon now, of whom we spoke before, having been the informer about the money against his country, slandered Onias, as if he had terrified Heliodorus and been the worker of these evils. Thus he was bold enough to call him a traitor, who had benefited the city, and protected his own nation, and was so zealous of the laws. But when their hatred went so far, that murders were committed by one of Simon's faction, Onias seeing the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, son of Menestheus, governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, increased Simon's malice, went to the king, not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but seeking the good of all, both public and private, for he saw that it was impossible that the state should continue quiet, and Simon leave his folly, unless the king noticed. But after the death of Seleucus, Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom. Jason, the brother of Onias, labored underhandedly to be high priest, promising the king in a meeting, 360 talents of silver and from other revenue 80 talents. Beside this, he promised to send 150 more, if he might have permission to set up a gymnasium for the training of youth in the fashions of the heathens, and to enroll the people of Jerusalem as belonging to Antioch. When the king had granted this, and he had received the approval in his own hand, he brought his own nation into the Greek fashion. And the royal privileges granted by special favor to the Jews by means of John the father of Eupolemus, who went to Rome as an ambassador for amity and aid, he took away, and putting down the governments which were according to the law, he brought up new customs against the law, for he gladly built a gymnasium under the tower itself, and brought the chief young men under his subjection, and made them wear a hat. Now such was the height of Greek fashion and increase of heathenish manners, through the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly wretch, and no high priest, that the priests had no courage to serve at the altar any longer, but, despising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful activities in the gymnasium, after the signal for the games called them. Not considering what were honors to their fathers, they like the glory of the Greeks best of all. For this reason, serious calamity came upon them, for they had as their enemies and oppressors, those whose custom they followed so earnestly, and to whom they desired to be like in all things, for it is not a light thing to do wickedly against the laws of God, but the following events shall demonstrate this.

Now when the quinquennial games were kept at Tyre, the king being present, this ungracious Jason sent special messengers from Jerusalem, who were Antiochians, to carry three hundred drachmas of silver to the sacrifice of Hercules. The bearers of it decided not to bestow it upon the sacrifice, because it was not right, but saved it for other things. This money then, intended by the sender to be appointed to Hercules' sacrifice, because of the bearers, was used to make ships. Now when Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent into Egypt for the coronation of king Ptolemy Philometor, Antiochus, understanding him to be opposed to his affairs, provided for his own safety: after he came to Joppa, he went then to Jerusalem, where he was honorably received by Jason, and by the city, and was brought in with torch alight, and with great shouts, and so afterward went with his host to Phoenicia. Three years later Jason sent Menelaus, the aforementioned Simon's brother, to bear money to the king, and to put him in mind of certain necessary matters. But he, being brought to the presence of the king, when he had magnified him for the glorious appearance of his power, got the priesthood for himself, offering 300 more talents of silver than Jason. So he came with the king's mandate, bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood, but having the fury of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast. Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being undermined by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites. So Menelaus got the office, but as for the money that he had promised to the king, he was not good for it, although Sostratus the ruler of the tower required it, for it was his responsibility to collect taxes. Therefore, they were both called before the king. Now Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus in his stead in the priesthood, and Sostratus left Crates, who was governor of the Cyprians.

While those things were happening, the people of Tarsus and Mallus started a rebellion, because they were given as a gift to the king's concubine, called Antiochis. Then the king came in all haste to appease matters, leaving Andronicus, a man in authority, as his deputy. Now Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a convenient time, stole certain vessels of gold out of the temple, and gave some of them to Andronicus, and some he sold in Tyre and the cities round about. When Onias knew this for certain, he reproved him, and withdrew himself into a sanctuary at Daphne, that lies near Antioch. Therefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, begged him to get Onias into his hands. He was persuaded to do it, and coming to Onias in deceit, gave him his right hand with oaths, and though he was suspected by him, yet persuaded him to come forth from the sanctuary, and then killed him without regard for justice. Therefore, not only the Jews, but many also of other nations, took great indignation, and were very grieved for the unjust murder of the man. And when the king had come again from the places around Cilicia, the Jews that were in the city, and certain of the Greeks that abhorred the crime also, complained because Onias was slain without cause. Therefore Antiochus was heartily sorry, and moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and modest behavior of him who was dead. And being kindled with anger, he took away his purple from Andronicus, and tore off his clothes, and led him through the whole city unto that very place, where he had committed the outrage against Onias, and there slew the cursed murderer. Thus the Lord rewarded him his punishment, as he had deserved.

Now when many sacrileges had been committed in the city by Lysimachus with the consent of Menelaus, and the talk of it had spread abroad, the crowds gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, many vessels of gold being already carried away. At the rising of the common people, and being filled with rage, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began first to offer violence, one Auranus being the leader, a man far gone in years, and no less in folly. Then, seeing the attempt of Lysimachus, some of them got stones, some clubs, others taking handfuls of dust, whatever was at hand, and they cast them all together upon Lysimachus, and those that attacked them. Thus many of them they wounded, and some they struck to the ground, and all of them they forced to flee, but as for the temple-robber himself, they killed him beside the treasury. Of these matters there was an accusation laid against Menelaus. Now when the king came to Tyre, three men who were sent from the senate pleaded the cause before him, but Menelaus, having been convicted, promised Ptolemy the son of Dorymenes, a lot of money, if he would pacify the king toward him. Whereupon Ptolemy, taking the king aside into a certain colonnade, as if to get some air, brought him to be of another mind, so much so that he discharged Menelaus from the accusation though he was cause of all the mischief, and those poor men, who, if they had pled their case, even before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, he condemned to death. Thus those who prosecuted the matter for the city, and for the people, and for the holy vessels, soon suffered unjust punishment. But the people of Tyre, moved with hatred of that wicked deed, caused them to be honorably buried. And so through the covetousness of those who were in power, Menelaus remained in authority, increasing in malice, and being a great traitor to the citizens.

Reading 155/341, 2 Maccabees 1-3.18

2017-07-21T02:30:00.000-05:00

2 Maccabees...

The brethren, the Jews who are in Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish to the brethren, the Jews who are throughout Egypt, health and peace. God be gracious unto you and remember his covenant which he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants. May he give you all a heart to serve him, and to do his will, with good courage and a willing mind; and open your hearts to his law and commandments, and send you peace, and hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble. Now, we here are praying for you. At the time when Demetrius reigned, in the year 169 [143 BC], we Jews wrote to you in the extremity of trouble that came upon us in those years, when Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and kingdom, and burned the gatehouse, and shed innocent blood. Then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard. We also offered sacrifices and fine flour, and lit the lamps, and set out the loaves. See to it that you keep the Feast of Tabernacles in the month of Kislev. In the year 188 [124 BC].

The people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health to Aristobulus, teacher of King Ptolemy, and member of the family of the anointed priests, and to the Jews in Egypt. Insomuch as God has delivered us from great perils, we thank him greatly, as having been in battle against a king. For he cast out those who fought within the holy city. For when the leader had come into Persia, and the army with him that seemed invincible, they were slain in the temple of Nanea by the deceit of Nanea's priests. For Antiochus, as though he would marry the goddess, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receive money as a dowry. Which when the priests of Nanea had set out, and he had entered with a small company into the precincts of the temple, they shut the temple as soon as he went in. Opening a secret door on the roof, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and struck down the captain, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads and cast them to those who were outside. Blessed be our God in all things, who has delivered up the ungodly.

Therefore, whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the 25th day of the month of Kislev, we thought it necessary to inform you, that you also might keep the Feast of the Tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Nehemiah offered sacrifice, after he had built the temple and the altar. For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the fire of the altar secretly, and hid it in the hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it going, so that the place was unknown to all men. Now after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, being sent by the king of Persia, sent the posterity of those priests who had hid the fire to look for it, but when they told us that they found no fire, but only thick liquid, he then commanded them to draw it up, and to bring it, and when the sacrifices were laid on, Nehemiah commanded the priests to sprinkle the wood and the things laid thereupon with the liquid. When this was done, and the time came that the sun shone, which before was hidden by a cloud, a great fire was kindled, so that every man marveled. And the priests made a prayer while the sacrifice was being consumed, both the priests, and all the rest, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering him, as Nehemiah did. And the prayer went like this: O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who are fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King, the only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting, you who delivers Israel from all trouble, and did choose their fathers, and sanctify them, receive the sacrifice for your whole people Israel, and preserve your own portion, and sanctify it. Gather those together who are scattered from us, deliver those who serve among the heathens, look upon them who are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that you are our God. Punish those who oppress us and with pride do us wrong. Plant your people again in your holy place, as Moses has spoken.” And the priests sung psalms of thanksgiving. Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemiah commanded the liquid that was left to be poured on the great stones. When this was done, a flame was kindled, but it was consumed by the light that shone from the altar. So when this matter was known, it was told to the king of Persia, that in the place, where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared liquid, and that Nehemiah had purified the sacrifices with it. Then the king, enclosing the place, made it sacred, after he had verified the matter. And the king took many gifts, and bestowed them on those whom he pleased. And Nehemiah called this liquid “nephthar”, which is to say, “a cleansing”, but many men call it naphtha.

It is also found in the records, that Jeremiah the prophet commanded those who were carried away to take from the fire, as has been signified, and that that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds when they see images of silver and gold, with their adornments. With other such speeches, he exhorted them, that the law should not depart from their hearts. It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned by God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth onto the mountain, where Moses climbed up and saw the heritage of God. And when Jeremiah came there, he found a hollow cave, in which he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and then sealed the door. And some of those who followed him came to mark the path, but they could not find it. When Jeremiah perceived this, he reproved them, saying, “As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time when God gather his people together again, and shows them mercy. Then the Lord shal show them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shown under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honorably sanctified. It was also declared that Solomon, being wise, offered the sacrifice of dedication and of the completion of the temple. As when Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices, so Solomon prayed also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings. Moses said, “Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed by fire.” So Solomon kept those eight days. The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Nehemiah, and how he founding a library gathered together of the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the votive offerings. In like manner also, Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us. Therefore, if you have need of them, send someone to fetch them for you. As we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written to you, and you shall do well, if you keep the same days. We hope also that the God who delivered all his people and gave them all a heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary, as he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place, for he has delivered us out of great troubles, and has purified the place.

Now as concerns Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar, and the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son, and the manifestations from heaven to those who acted manfully to their honor for Judaism, so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarian hordes, and recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were falling down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favor. All these things being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will attempt to abridge in one volume. For considering the infinite number, and the difficulties encountered by those who desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter, We have been careful, that those who read may have delight, and that those who desire to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit. For us who have taken upon ourselves this painful labor of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and late nights, as it is no ease to him who prepares a banquet and seeks the benefit of others, yet for the pleasure of many, we will undertake gladly these great pains, leaving to the historian the exact handling of every detail, and laboring to follow the rules of a summary. For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building, but he that undertakes to decorate and paint it, must seek out fitting things for the adornment thereof, so I think it is with us. To stand upon every point, and go over things at length, and to be curious about details, belongs to the historian, but to use brevity, and avoid much laboring of the work is granted to those who will make an abridgment. Here then we will begin the story, only adding this much to what has been said: that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness, it came to pass that the kings themselves honored the place, and magnified the temple with their best gifts, inasmuch as Seleucus of Asia, of his own revenues bore the whole cost of the service of the sacrifices. But a certain Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about the order of the city. And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, who was then governor of Celosyria and Phoenicia, and told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hand. Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had told him of the money of which he had been told, the king chose Heliodorus his treasurer and sent him with a commandment to bring him the aforementioned money. So Heliodorus set out on his journey, under pretense of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phoenicia, but in actuality to fulfill the king's purpose. When he had come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received by the high priest of the city, he told him what was understood of the money, and declared why he came, and asked if these things were so indeed. Then the high priest told him that there was money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children, And that some of it belonged to Hircanus, son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed, the sum of it was in all four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold,and that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done to those who had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honored over all the world. But Heliodorus, because of the king's commandment given to him, said that, regardless, it must be brought into the king's treasury. So on the day which he appointed he entered in to count the money, there was no small anxiety throughout the whole city. But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, called to heaven upon him who made a law concerning things given to be kept, that they should safely be preserved for those who had deposited them. Then whoever had looked the high priest in the face, would have wounded his heart, for his countenance and the changing of his color declared the inward agony of his mind. For the man was so compassed with fear and trembling of the body, that it was manifest to those who looked upon him what sorrow he had now in his heart. Others ran out of their houses to a common supplication, because the place was in danger of being profaned.

Reading 154/341, 1 Maccabees 14.35-16.24

2017-07-18T21:50:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees

The people therefore sang the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people. For in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the sanctuary, and did much hurt in the holy place, But he placed Jews therein, and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and raised up the walls of Jerusalem. King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things, And made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour. For he had heard say, that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren, and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Simon honourably; Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet; Moreover that he should be their captain, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the fortresses, that, I say, he should take charge of the sanctuary; Beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold, Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold; And whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished. Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as hath been said. Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all. So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of bronze, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place; Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them. Moreover Antiochus son of Demetrius the king sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon the priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people; The contents whereof were these, King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation, and to the people of the Jews, greeting, Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate, and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of war; My meaning also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate, Now therefore I confirm unto you all the oblations which the kings before me granted you, and whatsoever gifts besides they granted. I give you leave also to coin money for your country with your own stamp. And as concerning Jerusalem and the sanctuary, let them be free, and all the armour that thou hast made, and fortresses that thou hast built, and keepest in your hands, let them remain unto you. And if anything be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven you from this time forth for evermore. Furthermore, when we have obtained our kingdom, we will honour you, and your nation, and your temple, with great honour, so that your honour shall be known throughout the world. In the hundred threescore and fourteenth year went Antiochus into the land of his fathers, at which time all the forces came together unto him, so that few were left with Tryphon. Wherefore being pursued by king Antiochus, he fled unto Dora, which lieth by the sea side, For he saw that troubles came upon him all at once, and that his forces had forsaken him. Then camped Antiochus against Dora, having with him an hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen. And when he had compassed the city round about, and joined ships close to the town on the sea side, he vexed the city by land and by sea, nor suffered he any to go out or in. In the mean season came Numenius and his company from Rome, having letters to the kings and countries; wherein were written these things, Lucius, consul of the Romans unto king Ptolemee, greeting, The Jews' ambassadors, our friends and confederates, came unto us to renew the old friendship and league, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews, And they brought a shield of gold of a thousand pound. We thought it good therefore to write unto the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries, nor yet aid their enemies against them. It seemed also good to us to receive the shield of them. If therefore there be any pestilent fellows, that have fled from their country unto you, deliver them unto Simon the high priest, that he may punish them according to their own law. The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces, And to all the countries and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodus, and Aradus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene. And the copy hereof they wrote to Simon the high priest. So Antiochus the king camped against Dora the second day, assaulting it continually, and making engines, by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could nor go out nor in. At that time Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much armour. Nevertheless he would not receive them, but brake all the covenants which he had made with him afore, and became strange unto him. Furthermore he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say, You withhold Joppa and Gazera; with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my realm. The borders thereof you have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places within my kingdom. Now therefore deliver the cities which you have taken, and the tributes of the places, whereof you have gotten dominion without the borders of Judea, Or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver, and for the harm that you have done, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents, if not, we will come and fight against you So Athenobius the king's friend came to Jerusalem, and when he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was astonished, and told him the king's message. Then answered Simon, and said unto him, We have nor taken other men's land, nor holden what appertaineth to others, but the inheritance of our fathers, which our enemies had wrongfully in possession a certain time. Wherefore we, having opportunity, hold the inheritance of our fathers. And whereas thou demandest Joppa and Gazera, albeit they did great harm unto the people in our country, yet will we give you an hundred talents for them. Hereunto Athenobius answered him not a word; But returned in a rage to the king, and made report unto him of these speeches, and of the glory of Simon, and of all that he had seen, whereupon the king was exceeding wroth. In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias. Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an host of footmen and horsemen, And commanded him to remove his host toward Judea; also he commanded him to build up Cedron, and to fortify the gates, and to war against the people; but as for the king himself, he pursued Tryphon. So Cendebeus came to Jamnia and began to provoke the people and to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and slay them. And when he had built up Cedrou, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judea, as the king had commanded him. Then came up John from Gazera, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done. Wherefore Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have ever from my youth unto this day fought against the enemies of Israel, and things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered Israel oftentimes. But now I am old, and you, by God's mercy, are of a sufficient age, be you instead of me and my brother, and go and fight for our nation, and the help from heaven be with you. So he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against Cendebeus, and rested that night at Modin. And when as they rose in the morning, and went into the plain, behold, a mighty great host both of footmen and horsemen came against them, howbeit there was a water brook betwixt them. So he and his people pitched over against them, and when he saw that the people were afraid to go over the water brook, he went first over himself, and then the men seeing him passed through after him. That done, he divided his men, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen, for the enemies' horsemen were very many. Then sounded they with the holy trumpets, whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight, so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold. At that time was Judas John's brother wounded; but John still followed after them, until he came to Cedron, which Cendebeus had built. So they fled unto the towers in the fields of Azotus; wherefore he burned it with fire, so that there were slain of them about two thousand men. Afterward he returned into the land of Judea in peace. Moreover in the plain of Jericho was Ptolemeus the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance of silver and gold, For he was the high priest's son in law. Wherefore his heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon consulted deceitfully against Simon and his sons to destroy them. Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat, Where the son of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold, called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet, howbeit he had hid men there. So when Simon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and came upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants. In which doing he committed a great treachery, and recompensed evil for good. Then Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities. He sent others also to Gazera to kill John, and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards. And others he sent to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple. Now one had run afore to Gazera and told John that his father and brethren were slain, and, quoth he, Ptolemee hath sent to slay you also. Hereof when he heard, he was sore astonished, so he laid hands on them that were come to destroy him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away. As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and woryour deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings, Behold, these are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from the time he was made high priest after his father.

Reading 153/341, 1 Maccabees 13-14.34

2017-07-17T21:51:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

Now when Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a great host to invade the land of Judea, and destroy it, And saw that the people was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together, And gave them exhortation, saying, You yourselves know what great things I, and my brethren, and my father's house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles which we have seen. By reason whereof all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I am left alone. Now therefore be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of trouble, for I am no better than my brethren. Doubtless I will avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our children, for all the heathen are gathered to destroy us of very malice. Now as soon as the people heard these words, their spirit revived. And they answered with a loud voice, saying, Thou shalt be our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan your brother. Fight thou our battles, and whatsoever, thou commandest us, that will we do. So then he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about. Also he sent Jonathan the son of Absolom, and with him a great power, to Joppa, who casting out them that were therein remained there in it. So Tryphon removed from Ptolemaus with a great power to invade the land of Judea, and Jonathan was with him in ward. But Simon pitched his tents at Adida, over against the plain. Now when Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers unto him, saying, Whereas we have Jonathan your brother in hold, it is for money that he is owing unto the king's treasure, concerning the business that was committed unto him. Wherefore now send an hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will let him go. Hereupon Simon, albeit he perceived that they spake deceitfully unto him yet sent he the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people, Who might have said, Because I sent him not the money and the children, therefore is Jonathan dead. So he sent them the children and the hundred talents, howbeit Tryphon dissembled nor would he let Jonathan go. And after this came Tryphon to invade the land, and destroy it, going round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora, but Simon and his host marched against him in every place, wheresoever he went. Now they that were in the tower sent messengers unto Tryphon, to the end that he should hasten his coming unto them by the desert, and send them victuals. Wherefore Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night, but there fell a very great snow, by reason whereof he came not. So he departed, and came into the country of Galaad. And when he came near to Bascama he slew Jonathan, who was buried there. Afterward Tryphon returned and went into his own land. Then sent Simon, and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers. And all Israel made great lamentation for him, and bewailed him many days. Simon also built a monument upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with hewn stone behind and before. Moreover he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren. And in these he made cunning devices, about the which he set great pillars, and upon the pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by the armour ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea. This is the sepulchre which he made at Modin, and it standeth yet unto this day. Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him. And he reigned in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land. Then Simon built up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars, and laid up victuals therein. Moreover Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to spoil. Unto whom king Demetrius answered and wrote after this manner, King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting, The golden crown, and the scarlet robe, which you sent unto us, we have received, and we are ready to make a stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to confirm the immunities which we have granted. And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand, and the strong holds, which you have builded, shall be your own. As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also, which you owe us, and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall no more be paid. And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let then be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us. Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year. Then the people of Israel began to write in their instruments and contracts, In the first year of Simon the high priest, the governor and leader of the Jews. In those days Simon camped against Gaza and besieged it round about; he made also an engine of war, and set it by the city, and battered a certain tower, and took it. And they that were in the engine leaped into the city; whereupon there was a great uproar in the city, Insomuch as the people of the city rent their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace. And they said, Deal not with us according to our wickedness, but according to your mercy. So Simon was appeased toward them, and fought no more against them, but put them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with songs and thanksgiving. Yea, he put all uncleanness out of it, and placed such men there as would keep the law, and made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwellingplace for himself. They also of the tower in Jerusalem were kept so strait, that they could nor come forth, nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell, wherefore they were in great distress for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine. Then cried they to Simon, beseeching him to be at one with them, which thing he granted them, and when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions, And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs, because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel. He ordained also that that day should be kept every year with gladness. Moreover the hill of the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he dwelt himself with his company. And when Simon saw that John his son was a valiant man, he made him captain of all the hosts, and he dwelt in Gazera. Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphone. But when Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive, Who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward. As for the land of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well. And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea, And enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country, And gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleaness, nor was there any that resisted him. Then did they till their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit. The ancient men sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel. He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world. He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy, For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them, Nor was there any left in the land to fight against them, yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days. Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low, the law he searched out, and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away. He beautified the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple. Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very sorry. But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein, They wrote unto him in tables of bronze, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren, Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem. And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent; The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting, The ambassadors that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour, wherefore we were glad of their coming, And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews' ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us. And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage in publick records, to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof, furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the high priest. After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight to confirm the league with them. Whereof when the people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons? For he and his brethren and the house of his father have established Israel, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty. So then they wrote it in tables of bronze, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion, and this is the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest, At Saramel in the great congregation of the priests, and people, and rulers of the nation, and elders of the country, were these things notified unto us. Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary, and the law, Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honour, (For after that Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was added to his people, Their enemies prepared to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the sanctuary, At which time Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages, And fortified the cities of Judea, together with Bethsura, that lieth upon the borders of Judea, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Jews there, Moreover he fortified Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gazera, that bordereth upon Azotus, where the enemies had dwelt before, but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof.)

Reading 152/341, 1 Maccabees 11.39-12.53

2017-07-16T07:39:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

Moreover there was one Trypho, who had been a supporter of Alexander, who, seeing that all the troops murmured against Demetrius, went to Imalkue the Arab (who was bringing up Antiochus the young son of Alexander), and insistently urged him to hand over Antiochus to him, that he might reign in his father's stead. He told Imalkue therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his soldiers were at enmity with him, and he remained there a long while.

In the meantime, Jonathan sent to King Demetrius, that he would remove the guard from the citadel of Jerusalem, and also those in the fortresses, for they fought against Israel. So Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying, “I will not only do this for you and your people, but I will greatly honor you and your nation, if I find an opportunity. Now therefore you shall do well, if you send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.” So Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men at Antioch, and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

Then the people of the city gathered themselves together in the middle of the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king. So the king fled into the palace, but the people of the city held the streets of the city, and began to fight. Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came to him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city unto the number of a hundred thousand. Also they set fire on the city, and got many spoils that day, and freed the king. So when the people of the city saw that the Jews had control the city as they pleased, their courage was abated, and they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying, “Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.” With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace, and the Jews were honored in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all who were in his realm, and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils. So King Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him. Nevertheless he broke his word in all that ever he spoke, and estranged himself from Jonathan, nor did he reward him according to the benefits which he had received from him, but troubled him greatly.

After this Trypho returned, and with him the young boy Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned. Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled. Moreover, Trypho took the elephants, and won Antioch. At that time young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying, “I confirm you in the high priesthood, and appoint you ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's Friends.” Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle. His brother Simon also he made governor from the place called The Ladder of Tyrus to the borders of Egypt.

Then Jonathan went forth and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him to help him, and when he came to Askalon, the people of the city met him honorably. From there he went to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out; so he laid siege to it, and burned its suburbs with fire, and spoiled them. Afterward, when the people of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through the country to Damascus. Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes had come to Kadesh, which is in Galilee, with a great power, intending to remove him from office, he went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country. Then Simon encamped against Beth-zur and fought against it a long season, and enclosed it, but they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them. He put them out from there, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.

As for Jonathan and his army, they encamped at the waters of Gennesaret. From there, in the morning, they went to the plain of Hazor, and, behold, the army of the foreigners met them in the plain. They had laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, but came themselves against him. So when the people who lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all who were of Jonathan's side fled, there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, captains of the host. Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed. Then, turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away. Now when his own men who had fled saw this, they returned to him, and with him pursued them to Kadesh, to their tents, and there they camped. So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men, and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them. He also sent letters for the same purpose to the Spartans and other places. So they went to Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, “Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us to you, with the purpose that you should renew the friendship which you had with them, and the alliance as in former times.” Upon this the Romans gave them letters to the governors of every place, that the letters should bring them to the land of Judea peaceably.

And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans, “Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the Jews, send greetings to their brethren the Spartans: There were letters sent in times past to Onias the high priest from Arius, who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten specifies. At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honorably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship. Therefore we also, though we need none of these things, since we have the holy books in our hands to comfort us, have nevertheless attempted to send to you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether, for a long time has passed since you sent to us. We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts and other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as is right and just to remember our brethren, and we rejoice at your honor. As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, inasmuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us. But we would not be troublesome to you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars, for we have help from heaven that aids us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot. Therefore we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and sent them to Rome, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance. We commanded them also to go to you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood. Therefore now you shall do well to give us an answer.”

And this is a copy of the letters sent to Onias. “Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, Greetings. It is found in writing that the Spartans and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham, Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, you shall do well to write to us of your prosperity. For our part, we write to you that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report to you about this.”

Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes had come to fight against him with a greater army than before, he left Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Hamath, for he gave them no opportunity to enter his country. He sent spies also to their camp, who came back and told him that they were planning to come upon them in the nighttime. Therefore, as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight, he also sent forth sentinels round about the army. But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they were afraid, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp and then retreated. But Jonathan and his company did not know it until the morning, for they saw the lights burning. Then Jonathan pursued after them, but did not overtake them, for they had gone over the river Eleutherus. Therefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils. And leaving, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country.

Simon also went forth, and passed through the country to Askalon, and the strongholds adjoining, from there he turned aside to Joppa, and won it, for he had heard that they were going to deliver the stronghold to Demetrius' men; therefore he set a garrison there to keep it. After this Jonathan came home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strongholds in Judea, and making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mound between the citadel and the city, to separate it from the city, that it might be alone, that they could neither sell nor buy. So they came together to build up the city, inasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side had fallen down, and they repaired what was called Caphenatha. Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

Now Trypho went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head. But he was afraid that Jonathan would not permit him, and that he would fight against him; therefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he left, and came to Beth-shan. Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Beth-shan. Now when Trypho saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he dared not stretch his hand against him, but received him honorably, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient to him as to himself. Then to Jonathan he said, “Why have you brought all this people to such great trouble, seeing there is no war between us? Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on you, and come with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it you, and the rest of the strongholds and forces, and all those in charge. As for me, I will return and depart, for this is the purpose of my coming.” So Jonathan trusted him, and did as he told him, and sent away his army, who went into the land of Judah. And with himself he retained only three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him. But as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, the people of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

Then Trypho sent a host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company. But when they knew that Jonathan and those who were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight. So when they who had pursued them perceived that they were ready to fight for their lives, they turned back. So they all came into the land of Judah safely, and there they mourned for Jonathan, and those who were with him, and they were very afraid; therefore all Israel made great lamentation. Then all the heathens that were round about them sought to destroy them, for said they, “They have no captain, nor any to help them. Now therefore let us make war upon them, and blot out the memory of them from among men.”

Reading 151/341, 1 Maccabees 10.37-11.38

2017-07-14T00:11:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

Mac 10, And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the high priest's. As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expences of the sanctuary. Moreover I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts from the places appertaining. And all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be given toward the works of the temple. And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, those things shall be released, because they appertain to the priests that minister. And whosoever they be that flee unto the temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties hereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm. For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary expences shall be given of the king's accounts. Yea, and for the building of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, expences shall be given out of the king's accounts, as also for the building of the walls in Judea. Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel; for he had afflicted them very sore. But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true peace with them, and they were confederate with him always. Then gathered king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius. And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius' host fled, but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them. And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down, and that day was Demetrius slain. Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect, Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have gotten the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country; For after I had joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that we sit in the throne of his kingdom, Now therefore let us make a league of amity together, and give me now your daughter to wife, and I will be your son in law, and will give both you and her as according to your dignity. Then Ptolemee the king gave answer, saying, Happy be the day wherein thou didst return into the land of your fathers, and satest in the throne of their kingdom. And now will I do to you, as thou hast written, meet me therefore at Ptolemais, that we may see one another; for I will marry my daughter to you according to your desire. So Ptolemee went out of Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the hundred threescore and second year, Where king Alexander meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, as the manner of kings is. Now king Alexander had written unto Jonathan, that he should come and meet him. Who thereupon went honourably to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings, and gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their sight. At that time certain pestilent fellows of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him, but the king would not hear them. Yea more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple, and they did so. And he made him sit by himself, and said into his princes, Go with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause. Now when his accusers saw that he was honored according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all away. So the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion. Afterward Jonathan returned to Jerusalem with peace and gladness. Furthermore in the hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers, Whereof when king Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch. Then Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest, saying, Thou alone liftest up yourself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for your sake, and reproached, and why dost thou vaunt your power against us in the mountains? Now therefore, if thou trustest in your own strength, come down to us into the plain field, and there let us try the matter together, for with me is the power of the cities. Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that take our part, and they shall tell you that your foot is not able to to flight in their own land. Wherefore now thou shalt not be able to abide the horsemen and so great a power in the plain, where is nor stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto. So when Jonathan heard these words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and choosing ten thousand men he went out of Jerusalem, where Simon his brother met him for to help him. And he pitched his tents against Joppa, but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison there. Then Jonathan laid siege unto it, whereupon they of the city let him in for fear, and so Jonathan won Joppa. Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain, because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust. Then Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, where the armies joined battle. Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambushment behind him; for they had compassed in his host, and cast darts at the people, from morning till evening. But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them, and so the enemies' horses were tired. Then brought Simon forth his host, and set them against the footmen, (for the horsemen were spent) who were discomfited by him, and fled. The horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, for safety. But Jonathan set fire on Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils, and the temple of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire. Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well nigh eight thousand men. And from thence Jonathan removed his host, and camped against Ascalon, where the men of the city came forth, and met him with great pomp. After this returned Jonathan and his host unto Jerusalem, having any spoils. Now when king ALexander heard these things, he honoured Jonathan yet more. And sent him a buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king's blood, he gave him also Accaron with the borders thereof in possession. And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander's kingdom, and join it to his own. Whereupon he took his journey into Spain in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened unto him, and met him, for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his brother in law. Now as Ptolemee entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it. And when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass. Also they told the king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him, but the king held his peace. Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged. Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem. King Ptolemee therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander. Whereupon he sent ambasadors unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league betwixt us, and I will give you my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in your father's kingdom, For I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me. Thus did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom. Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known. Then Ptolemee entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt. In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him. But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him, whereupon king Ptolemee brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight. So Alexander fled into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted, For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemee. King Ptolemee also died the third day after, and they that were in the strong holds were slain one of another. By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year. At the same time Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea to take the tower that was in Jerusalem, and he made many engines of war against it. Then came ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower, Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste. Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still, and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril; And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight. And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him, Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends, And confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends. Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria, and he promised him three hundred talents. So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner, King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting, We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that you might see it. King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting, We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us. Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees. And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief. And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever. Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place. After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen, wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

Reading 150/341, 1 Maccabees 9.19-10.37

2017-07-12T00:22:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

THen Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin. Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying, How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Israel! As for the other things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they are not written, for they were very many. Now after the death of Judas the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the coasts of Israel, and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity. In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them. Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country. And they made enquiry and search for Judas' friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance of them, and used them despitefully. So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them. For this cause all Judas' friends came together, and said unto Jonathan, Since your brother Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides, and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us. Now therefore we have chosen you this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles. Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Judas. But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him Then Jonathan, and Simon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the desert of Thecoe, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar. Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath day. Now Jonathan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabathites, that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much. But the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it. After this came word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan. Therefore they remembered John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain, Where they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and, behold, there was much ado and great carriage, and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums, and instruments of musick, and many weapons. Then Jonathan and they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, as many fell down dead, and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils. Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation. So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Jordan. Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the sabbath day unto the banks of Jordan with a great power. Then Jonathan said to his company, Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us to day, as in time past, For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Jordan on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood, nor is there place for us to turn aside. Wherefore cry you now unto heaven, that you may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. With that they joined battle, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him. Then Jonathan and they that were with him leapt into Jordan, and swam over unto the other bank, howbeit the other passed not over Jordan unto them. So there were slain of Bacchides' side that day about a thousand men. Afterward returned Bacchides to Jerusalem and repaired the strong cites in Judea; the fort in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Thamnatha, Pharathoni, and Taphon, these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates and with bars. And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Israel. He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals. Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Jerusalem to be kept. Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works of the prophets And as he began to pull down, at that time was Alcimus diseased, and his enterprizes hindered, for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing, nor give order concerning his house. So Alcimus died at that time with great torment. Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king, whereupon the land of Judea was in rest two years. Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care, now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them all in one night. So they went and consulted with him. Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea, that they should take Jonathan and those that were with him, howbeit they could not, because their counsel was known unto them. Wherefore they took of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them. Afterward Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, got them away to Bethbasi, which is in the desert, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong. Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them that were of Judea. Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi, and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war. But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country, and with a certain number went he forth. And he smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent. And when he began to smite them, and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went out of the city, and burned up the engines of war, And fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore, for his counsel and travail was in vain. Wherefore he was very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the country, inasmuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country. Whereof when Jonathan had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make peace with him, and deliver them the prisoners. Which thing he accepted, and did according to his demands, and sware unto him that he would never do him harm all the days of his life. When therefore he had restored unto him the prisoners that he had taken aforetime out of the land of Judea, he returned and went his way into his own land, nor came he any more into their borders. Thus the sword ceased from Israel, but Jonathan dwelt at Machmas, and began to govern the people, and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel. In the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander, the son of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, went up and took Ptolemais, for the people had received him, by means whereof he reigned there, Now when king Demetrius heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth against him to fight. Moreover Demetrius sent letters unto Jonathan with loving words, so as he magnified him. For said he, Let us first make peace with him, before he join with Alexander against us, Else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brethren and his people. Wherefore he gave him authority to gather together an host, and to provide weapons, that he might aid him in battle, he commanded also that the hostages that were in the tower should be delivered him. Then came Jonathan to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of them that were in the tower, Who were sore afraid, when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host. Whereupon they of the tower delivered their hostages unto Jonathan, and he delivered them unto their parents. This done, Jonathan settled himself in Jerusalem, and began to build and repair the city. And he commanded the workmen to build the walls and the mount Sion and about with square stones for fortification, and they did so. Then the strangers, that were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built, fled away; Insomuch as every man left his place, and went into his own country. Only at Bethsura certain of those that had forsaken the law and the commandments remained still, for it was their place of refuge. Now when king Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Jonathan, when also it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had done, and of the pains that they had endured, He said, Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and confederate. Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying, King Alexander to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting, We have heard of you, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend. Wherefore now this day we ordain you to be the high priest of your nation, and to be called the king's friend; (and therewithal he sent him a purple robe and a crown of gold,) and require you to take our part, and keep friendship with us. So in the seventh month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles, Jonathan put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour. Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was very sorry, and said, What have we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to strengthen himself? I also will write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts, that I may have their aid. He sent unto them therefore to this effect, King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting, Whereas you have kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad. Wherefore now continue you still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for the things you do in our behalf, And will grant you many immunities, and give you rewards. And now do I free you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the customs of salt, and from crown taxes, And from what appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they shall not be taken of the land of Judea, nor of the three governments which are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth for evermore. Let Jerusalem also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes. And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it. Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes of their cattle. Furthermore I will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm. Also no man shall have authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any matter. I will further, that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all king's forces. And of them some shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust, and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.

Reading 149/341, 1 Maccabees 7-9.14

2017-07-09T22:17:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

In the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there. And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias, to bring them unto him. Wherefore, when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces. So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom, There came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, having Alcimus, who was desirous to be high priest, for their captain, And they accused the people to the king, saying, Judas and his brethren have slain all your friends, and driven us out of our own land. Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havock he hath made among us, and in the king's land, and let him punish them with all them that aid them. Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the flood, and was a great man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king, And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Israel. So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully. But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with a great power. Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice. Now the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them, For said they, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong. So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we will procure the harm nor of you nor your friends. Whereupon they believed him, howbeit he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he wrote, The flesh of your saints have they cast out, and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them. Wherefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, who said, There is nor truth nor righteousness in them; for they have broken the covenant and oath that they made. After this, removed Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people also, and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit. Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him, so Bacchides went to the king. But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood. And unto him resorted all such as troubled the people, who, after they had gotten the land of Juda into their power, did much hurt in Israel. Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, above the heathen, He went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country. On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said all the worst of them that he could. Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that bare deadly hate unto Israel, with commandment to destroy the people. So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force, and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying, Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in peace. He came therefore to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by violence. Which thing after it was known to Judas, to wit, that he came unto him with deceit, he was sore afraid of him, and would see his face no more. Nicanor also, when he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama, Where there were slain of Nicanor's side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of David. After this went Nicanor up to mount Sion, and there came out of the sanctuary certain of the priests and certain of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and to shew him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king. But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly, And sware in his wrath, saying, Unless Judas and his host be now delivered into my hands, if ever I come again in safety, I will burn up this house, and with that he went out in a great rage. Then the priests entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying, Thou, O Lord, didst choose this house to be called by your name, and to be a house of prayer and petition for your people, Be avenged of this man and his host, and let them fall by the sword, remember their blasphemies, and suffer them not to continue any longer. So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria met him. But Judas pitched in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he prayed, saying, O Lord, when they that were sent from the king of the Assyrians blasphemed, your angel went out, and smote an hundred fourscore and five thousand of them. so destroy thou this host before us this day, that the rest may know that he hath spoken blasphemously against your sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness. So the thirteenth day of the month Adar the hosts joined battle, but Nicanor's host was discomfited, and he himself was first slain in the battle. Now when Nicanor's host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled. Then they pursued after them a day's journey, from Adasa unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets. Whereupon they came forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and closed them in; so that they, turning back upon them that pursued them, were all slain with the sword, and not one of them was left. Afterwards they took the spoils, and the prey, and smote off Nicanors head, and his right hand, which he stretched out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem. For this cause the people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness. Moreover they ordained to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth of Adar. Thus the land of Juda was in rest a little while. Now Judas had heard of the the Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them; And that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute; And what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there; And that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the place, though it were very far from them, and the kings also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest did give them tribute every year, Beside this, how they had discomfited in battle Philip, and Perseus, king of the Citims, with others that lifted up themselves against them, and had overcome them, How also Antiochus the great king of Asia, that came against them in battle, having an hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited by them; And how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and what was agreed upon, And the country of India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries, which they took of him, and gave to king Eumenes, Moreover how the Grecians had determined to come and destroy them; And that they, having knowledge thereof sent against them a certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and carried away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, and brought them to be their servants unto this day, It was told him besides, how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them; But with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept amity, and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh, insomuch as all that heard of their name were afraid of them, Also that, whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign, and whom again they would, they displace, finally, that they were greatly exalted, Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby, Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered, And that they committed their government to one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, and that there was nor envy nor emmulation among them. In consideration of these things, Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with them, And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with servitude. They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said. Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends. So that matter pleased the Romans well. And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again in tables of bronze, and sent to Jerusalem, that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy, Good success be to the Romans, and to the people of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever, the sword also and enemy be far from them, If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion, The people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart, Nor shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing therefore. In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall be appointed them, Nor shall victuals be given to them that take part against them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit. According to these articles did the Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews. Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think to meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified. And as touching the evils that Demetrius doeth to the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore thou made your yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews? If therefore they complain any more against you, we will do them justice, and fight with you by sea and by land. Furthermore, when Demetrius heard the Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host, Who went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had won it, they slew much people. Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year they encamped before Jerusalem, From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen. Now Judas had pitched his tents at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him, Who seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, insomuch as abode of them no more but eight hundred men. When Judas therefore saw that his host slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed, for that he had no time to gather them together. Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with them. But they dehorted him, saying, We shall never be able, let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren, and fight against them, for we are but few. Then Judas said, God forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them, if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honour. With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men. As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing, so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets. They also of Judas' side, they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night. Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took with him all the hardy men, Who discomfited the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Azotus. But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed upon Judas and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind, Whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts. Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.

Reading 148/341, 1 Maccabees 5.49-6.63

2017-07-08T21:23:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

Wherefore Judas commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the army, that every man should pitch his tent in the place where he was. So the soldiers pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and all that night, till at the length the city was delivered into his hands, Who then slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and razed the city, and took the spoils thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain. After this went they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan. And Judas gathered together those that came behind, and exhorted the people all the way through, till they came into the land of Judea. So they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, where they offered burnt offerings, because not one of them were slain until they had returned in peace. Now what time as Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais, Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds which they had done. Wherefore they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are round about us. So when they had given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia. Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight against them. And so it was, that Joseph and Azaras were put to flight, and pursued unto the borders of Judea, and there were slain that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men. Thus was there a great overthrow among the children of Israel, because they were not obedient unto Judas and his brethren, but thought to do some valiant act. Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand deliverance was given unto Israel. Howbeit the man Judas and his brethren were greatly renowned in the sight of all Israel, and of all the heathen, wheresoever their name was heard of; Insomuch as the the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations. Afterward went Judas forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esau in the land toward the south, where he smote Hebron, and the towns thereof, and pulled down the fortress of it, and burned the towers thereof round about. From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Samaria. At that time certain priests, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they went out to fight unadvisedly. So Judas turned to Azotus in the land of the Philistines, and when he had pulled down their altars, and burned their carved images with fire, and spoiled their cities, he returned into the land of Judea. About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold; And that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Grecians, had left there. Wherefore he came and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, because they of the city, having had warning thereof, Rose up against him in battle, so he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Babylon. Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judea, were put to flight, And that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power was driven away of the Jews, and that they were made strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten of the armies, whom they had destroyed, Also that they had pulled down the abomination, which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and his city Bethsura. Now when the king heard these words, he was astonished and sore moved, whereupon he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for. And there he continued many days, for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die. Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for very care. And I thought with myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood of misery is it, wherein now I am! for I was bountiful and beloved in my power. But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause. I perceive therefore that for this cause these troubles are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land. Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler over all his realm, And gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up his son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the kingdom. So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year. Now when Lysias knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus his son, whom he had brought up being young, to reign in his stead, and his name he called Eupator. About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the heathen. Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them. So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines. Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves, And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren? We have been willing to serve your father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments; For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us, moreover as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance. Nor have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders. And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it, the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified. Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, nor shalt thou be able to rule them. Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse. There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers. So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle. These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly. Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's camp. Then the king rising very early marched fiercely with his host toward Bathzacharias, where his armies made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets. And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries. Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and with helmets of bronze on their heads, and beside this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best. These were ready at every occasion, wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also, nor departed they from him. And upon the beasts were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of them, and were girt fast unto them with devices, there were also upon every one two and thirty strong men, that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him. As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side at the two parts of the host giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and bronze, the mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire. So part of the king's army being spread upon the high mountains, and part on the valleys below, they marched on safely and in order. Wherefore all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the harness, were moved, for the army was very great and mighty. Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king's army six hundred men. Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him, Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name, Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides. Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him, whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died. Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them. Then the king's army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king pitched his tents against Judea, and against mount Sion. But with them that were in Bethsura he made peace, for they came out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest to the land. So the king took Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it. As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days, and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings. Whereupon they also made engines against their engines, and held them battle a long season. Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, and they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the store;) There were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place. At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king, Was returned out of Persia and Media, and the king's host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of the affairs. Wherefore he went in all haste, and said to the king and the captains of the host and the company, We decay daily, and our victuals are but small, and the place we lay siege unto is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us, Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make peace with them, and with all their nation; And covenant with them, that they shall live after their laws, as they did before, for they are therefore displeased, and have done all these things, because we abolished their laws. So the king and the princes were content, wherefore he sent unto them to make peace, and they accepted thereof. Also the king and the princes made an oath unto them, whereupon they went out of the strong hold. Then the king entered into mount Sion; but when he saw the strength of the place, he broke his oath that he had made, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about. Afterward departed he in all haste, and returned unto Antiochia, where he found Philip to be master of the city, so he fought against him, and took the city by force.

Reading 147/341, 1 Maccabees 4.8-5.48

2017-07-08T01:40:00.000-05:00

Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear you not their multitude, nor be you afraid of their assault. Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army. Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day, That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel. Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them. Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets. So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain. Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword, for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men. This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them, And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us, And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain, but stand you now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this you may boldly take the spoils. As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain, Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done, When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight, They fled every one into the land of strangers. Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches. After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven, because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever. Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day. Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened, Who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because nor such things as he would were done unto Israel, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to pass. The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them. So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand men. And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of your servant David, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer; Shut up this army in the hand of your people Israel, and let them be confounded in their power and horsemen, Make them to be of no courage, and cause the boldness of their strength to fall away, and let them quake at their destruction, Cast them down with the sword of them that love you, and let all those that know your name praise you with thanksgiving. So they joined battle, and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, before them were they slain. Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of Judas' soldiers, and how they were ready either to live or die valiantly, he went into Antiochia, and gathered together a company of strangers, and having made his army greater than it was, he purposed to come again into Judea. Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited, let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary. Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion. And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests' chambers pulled down; They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads, And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven. Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary. So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law, Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place. And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned; They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it, wherefore they pulled it down, And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them. Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former; And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts. They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table. And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple. Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make. Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning, And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals. Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success. And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields, and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them. Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away. Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness. At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before. And they set there a garrison to keep it, and fortified Bethsura to preserve it; that the people might have a defence against Idumea. Now when the nations round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before, it displeased them very much. Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people. Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged Gael, and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took their spoils. Also he remembered the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways. He shut them up therefore in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein. Afterward he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with Timotheus their captain. So he fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him, and he smote them. And when he had taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea. Then the heathen that were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema. And sent letters unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us to destroy us, And they are preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain of their host. Come now therefore, and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain, Yea, all our brethren that were in the places of Tobie are put to death, their wives and their children also they have carried away captives, and borne away their stuff, and they have destroyed there about a thousand men. While these letters were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who reported on this wise, And said, They of Ptolemais, and of Tyrus, and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, are assembled together against us to consume us. Now when Judas and the people heard these words, there assembled a great congregation together, to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and assaulted of them. Then said Judas unto Simon his brother, Choose you out men, and go and deliver your brethren that are in Galilee, for I and Jonathan my brother will go into the country of Galaad. So he left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant of the host in Judea to keep it. Unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Take you the charge of this people, and see that you make not war against the heathen until the time that we come again. Now unto Simon were given three thousand men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of Galaad. Then went Simon into Galilee, where he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by him. And he pursued them unto the gate of Ptolemais, and there were slain of the heathen about three thousand men, whose spoils he took. And those that were in Galilee, and in Arbattis, with their wives and their children, and all that they had, took he away with him, and brought them into Judea with great joy. Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days' journey in the desert, Where they met with the Nabathites, who came unto them in a peaceable manner, and told them every thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad, And how that many of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim; all these cities are strong and great, And that they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the country of Galaad, and that against to morrow they had appointed to bring their host against the forts, and to take them, and to destroy them all in one day. Hereupon Judas and his host turned suddenly by the way of the desert unto Bosora, and when he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire, From whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress. And betimes in the morning they looked up, and, behold, there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other engines of war, to take the fortress, for they assaulted them. When Judas therefore saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets, and a great sound, He said unto his host, Fight this day for your brethren. So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer. Then the host of Timotheus, knowing that it was Maccabeus, fled from him, wherefore he smote them with a great slaughter; so that there were killed of them that day about eight thousand men. This done, Judas turned aside to Maspha, and after he had assaulted it he took and slew all the males therein, and received the spoils thereof and and burnt it with fire. From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities of the country of Galaad. After these things gathered Timotheus another host and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook. So Judas sent men to espy the host, who brought him word, saying, All the heathen that be round about us are assembled unto them, a very great host. He hath also hired the Arabians to help them and they have pitched their tents beyond the brook, ready to come and fight against you. Upon this Judas went to meet them. Then Timotheus said unto the captains of his host, When Judas and his host come near the brook, if he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he will mightily prevail against us, But if he be afraid, and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him. Now when Judas came near the brook, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook, unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Suffer no man to remain in the camp, but let all come to the battle. So he went first over unto them, and all the people after him, then all the heathen, being discomfited before him, cast away their weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Carnaim. But they took the city, and burned the temple with all that were therein. Thus was Carnaim subdued, nor could they stand any longer before Judas. Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites that were in the country of Galaad, from the least unto the greatest, their wives, and their children, and their stuff, a very great host, to the end they might come into the land of Judea. Now when they came unto Ephron, (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well fortified) they could not turn from it, either on the right hand or the left, but must needs pass through the midst of it. Then they of the city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones. Whereupon Judas sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, Let us pass through your land to go into our own country, and none shall do you any hurt; we will only pass through on foot, howbeit they would not open unto him.

Reading 146/341, 1 Maccabees 2.42-4.7

2017-07-06T23:35:00.000-05:00

...1 Maccabees...

Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law. Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them. So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath, but the rest fled to the heathen for succour. Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars, And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly. They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand. So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, nor suffered they the sinner to triumph. Now when the time drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation, Now therefore, my sons, be you zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall you receive great honour and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness? Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt. Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Jesus for fulfilling the word was made a judge in Israel. Caleb for bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land. David for being merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven. Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame. Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of lions. And thus consider you throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome. Fear not then the words of a sinful man, for his glory shall be dung and worms. To day he shall be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing. Wherefore, you my sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall you obtain glory. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway, he shall be a father unto you. As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath been mighty and strong, from his youth up, let him be your captain, and fight the battle of the people. Take also unto you all those that observe the law, and avenge you the wrong of your people. Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law. So he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. And he died in the hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him. Then his son Judas, called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead. And all his brethren helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with cheerfulness the battle of Israel. So he gat his people great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword. In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey. For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people. Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand. He grieved also many kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever. Moreover he went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel, So that he was renowned unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish. Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel. Which thing when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him, many also fell down slain, but the rest fled. Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius' sword also, and therewith he fought all his life long. Now when Seron, a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war; He said, I will get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, who despise the king's commandment. So he made him ready to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small company, Who, when they saw the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready to faint with fasting all this day? Unto whom Judas answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude, or a small company, For the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven. They come against us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us, But we fight for our lives and our laws. Wherefore the Lord himself will overthrow them before our face, and as for you, be you not afraid of them. Now as soon as he had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host was overthrown before him. And they pursued them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about eight hundred men of them, and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines. Then began the fear of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about them, Insomuch as his fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas. Now when king Antiochus heard these things, he was full of indignation, wherefore he sent and gathered together all the forces of his realm, a very strong army. He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them. Nevertheless, when he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country were small, because of the dissension and disease, which he had brought upon the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time; He feared that he should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to give so liberally as he did before, for he had abounded above the kings that were before him. Wherefore, being greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money. So he left Lysias, a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt, And to bring up his son Antiochus, until he came again. Moreover he delivered unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem, To wit, that he should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place; And that he should place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot. So the king took the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city, the hundred forty and seventh year, and having passed the river Euphrates, he went through the high countries. Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends, And with them he sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded. So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country. And the merchants of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves, a power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto them. Now when Judas and his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp themselves in their borders, for they knew how the king had given commandment to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them; They said one to another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight for our people and the sanctuary. Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion. Now Jerusalem lay void as a desert, there was none of her children that went in or out, the sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen had their habitation in that place, and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe with the harp ceased. Wherefore the Israelites assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel. Then they fasted that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes, And laid open the book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images. They brought also the priests' garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes, and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had accomplished their days. Then cried they with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away? For your sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and your priests are in heaviness, and brought low. And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us, what things they imagine against us, thou knowest. How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help? Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice. And after this Judas ordained captains over the people, captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens. But as for such as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his own house, according to the law. So the camp removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus. And Judas said, arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that you be in readiness against the morning, that you may fight with these nations, that are assembled together against us to destroy us and our sanctuary, For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our sanctuary. Nevertheless, as the will of God is in heaven, so let him do. Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night; To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides. Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king's army which was at Emmaus, While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp. In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas, and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains, for said he, These fellows flee from us But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless had nor armour nor swords to their minds. And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen, and these were expert of war.

Reading 145/341, 1 Maccabees 1-2.41

2017-06-29T03:53:00.000-05:00

[A] Today we begin 1 Maccabees, a late historical book. It is about the time 100 years or so before Jesus.

1 Maccabees...

And it happened, after Alexander, son of Philip the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Kittim, had crushed Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, having first reigned over Greece. He made many wars and won many strongholds and slayed the kings of the earth and went to the ends of the earth and took plunder from many nations, until the earth was quiet before him, at which point he was exalted and his heart was proud. He gathered a mighty and powerful army and ruled over countries, nations, and kings, who paid him tribute. After these things he fell sick and perceived that he would die. Therefore he called his officers, such as were noble and had been brought up with him from his youth, and divided his kingdom among them, while he was still alive. So Alexander reigned twelve years and then died. Then his officers ruled, each one in his place. After his death they all put diadems upon themselves, and so did their sons after them for many years. Evils were multiplied on the earth. There came out of them a wicked shoot: Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome. He reigned in the 137th year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

In those days, there appeared in Israel, wicked men who persuaded many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us, for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.” So this device pleased them well. Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them license to act according to the ordinances of the heathen. So they built a gymnasium at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen, and made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold themselves to wrongdoing.

Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. Therefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, and made war against Ptolemy king of Egypt, but Ptolemy was afraid of him, and fled, and many were wounded to death. Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took plunder from them. And after that Antiochus had crushed Egypt, he returned again in the 143rd year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, And the table of the showbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off. He also took the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels, and he took the hidden treasures which he found. And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly. Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were; so that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed. Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in mourning. The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion. And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Judah, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude, and spoke peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit, for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very seriously, and destroyed many people of Israel. And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side. But the women and children they took captive, and possessed the cattle. Then they built the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them. And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein. They stored it also with armor and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare, For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel. Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it, Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them, whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her, and her own children left her. Her sanctuary was laid waste like a desert, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt. As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning. Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, And every one should leave his laws, so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath. For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land, And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple, and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days, And pollute the sanctuary and holy people, Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts, That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation, To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die. In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city. Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law, and so they committed evils in the land; And drove the Israelites into secret places, wheresoever they could flee for succour. Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death. Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant, so then they died. And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin. And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis, Simon; called Thassi, Judas, who was called Maccabeus, Eleazar, called Avaran, and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus. And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem, He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers? Her temple is become as a man without glory. Her glorious vessels are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young men with the sword of the enemy. What nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils? All her ornaments are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave. And, behold, our sanctuary, our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it. To what end therefore shall we live any longer? Then Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore. In the mean while the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city Modin, to make them sacrifice. And when many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together. Then answered the king's officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren, Now therefore come thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like all the heathen have done, indeed, and even the men of Judah, and such as remain at Jerusalem, so you and your house shall be in the number of the king's friends, and you and your children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards. Then Mattathias answered and spoke with a loud voice, “Though all the nations that are under the king's dominion obey him, and fall away, each one from the religion of their fathers, and give consent to his commandments, Yet will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the ordinances. We will not hearken to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the left. Now when he had left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment. Which thing when Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, nor could he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment, wherefore he ran, and slew him upon the altar. Also the king's commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled down. Thus dealt he zealously for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom. And Mattathias cried throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law, and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me. So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city. Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the desert, to dwell there, Both they, and their children, and their wives, and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them. Now when it was told the king's servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the desert, They pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day. And they said unto them, Let what you have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and you shall live. But they said, We will not come forth, nor will we do the king's commandment, to profane the sabbath day. So then they gave them the battle with all speed. Howbeit they answered them not, nor cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid; But said, Let us die all in our innocency, heaven and earth will testify for us, that you put us to death wrongfully. So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people. Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth. At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; nor will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places.

Reading 144/341, Esther 7-10, +E&F

2017-06-28T03:18:00.000-05:00

[A] Today, we finish Esther

...Esther

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. The king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, "What is your petition, queen Esther? It shall be granted you. What is your request? to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed." Then Esther the queen answered, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondservants and bondmaids, I would have held my peace, although the adversary could not have compensated for the king's loss." Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where is he who dared presume in his heart to do so?" Esther said, "An adversary and an enemy, this wicked Haman!" Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. The king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden. Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine, and Haman had fallen on the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he assault the queen in front of me in the house?" As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs who were with the king said, "Behold, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman has made for Mordecai, who spoke good for the king, is standing at Haman's house." The king said, "Hang him on it!" So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. On that day, King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the Jews' enemy, to Esther the queen. Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was to her. The king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out to Esther the golden scepter. So Esther arose, and stood before the king. She said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right to the king, and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. For how can I endure to see the evil that would come to my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my kin?" Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, "See, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged on the gallows, because he laid his hand on the Jews. Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may not be reversed by any man." Then the king's scribes were called at that time, in the third month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month, and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language. He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bread from swift steeds. In those letters, the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to defend their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, their little ones and women, and to plunder their possessions, on one day in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

“The great king Ahasuerus unto the princes and governors of an hundred and seven and twenty provinces from India unto Ethiopia, and unto all our faithful subjects, greeting. Many, the more often they are honoured with the great bounty of their gracious princes, the more proud they are waxen, And endeavour to hurt not our subjects only, but not being able to bear abundance, do take in hand to practise also against those that do them good, And take not only thankfulness away from among men, but also lifted up with the glorious words of lewd persons, that were never good, they think to escape the justice of God, that seeth all things and hateth evil. Oftentimes also fair speech of those, that are put in trust to manage their friends' affairs, hath caused many that are in authority to be partakers of innocent blood, and hath enwrapped them in remediless calamities, Beguiling with the falsehood and deceit of their lewd disposition the innocency and goodness of princes. Now you may see this, as we have declared, not so much by ancient histories, as you may, if you search what hath been wickedly done of late through the pestilent behaviour of them that are unworthily placed in authority. And we must take care for the time to come, that our kingdom may be quiet and peaceable for all men, Both by changing our purposes, and always judging things that are evident with more equal proceeding. For Haman, a Macedonian, the son of Amadatha, being indeed a stranger from the Persian blood, and far distant from our goodness, and as a stranger received of us, Had so far forth obtained the favour that we shew toward every nation, as that he was called our father, and was continually honoured of all the next person unto the king. But he, not bearing his great dignity, went about to deprive us of our kingdom and life, Having by manifold and cunning deceits sought of us the destruction, as well of Mordecai, who saved our life, and continually procured our good, as also of blameless Esther, partaker of our kingdom, with their whole nation. For by these means he thought, finding us destitute of friends to have translated the kingdom of the Persians to the Macedonians. But we find that the Jews, whom this wicked wretch hath delivered to utter destruction, are no evildoers, but live by most just laws, And that they be children of the most high and most mighty, living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner. Wherefore you shall do well not to put in execution the letters sent unto you by Haman the son of Amadatha. For he that was the worker of these things, is hanged at the gates of Susa with all his family, God, who ruleth all things, speedily rendering vengeance to him according to his deserts. Therefore you shall publish the copy of this letter in all places, that the Jews may freely live after their own laws. And you shall aid them, that the same day, being the thirteenth day of the twelfth month Adar, they may be avenged on them, who in the time of their affliction shall set upon them. For Almighty God hath turned to joy unto them the day, wherein the chosen people should have perished. Ye shall therefore among your solemn feasts keep it an high day with all feasting, That both now and hereafter there may be safety to us and the well affected Persians; but to those which do conspire against us a memorial of destruction. Therefore every city and country whatsoever, which shall not do according to these things, shall be destroyed without mercy with fire and sword, and shall be made not only unpassable for men, but also most hateful to wild beasts and fowls forever.”

A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that the Jews should be ready for that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the couriers who rode on royal horses went out, hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. The decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. Mordecai went out of the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and was glad. The Jews had light, gladness, joy, and honor. In every province, and in every city, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness, joy, a feast, and a good day. Many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen on them. Now in the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the month, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to conquer them, (but it was turned out the opposite happened, that the Jews conquered those who hated them), the Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, to lay hands on those who wanted to harm them. No one could withstand them, because the fear of them had fallen on all the people. All the princes of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and those who did the king's business helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them. For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces; for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater. The Jews struck all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and with slaughter and destruction, and did what they wanted to those who hated them. In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. They killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha, the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Jew's enemy, but they did not lay their hand on the plunder. On that day, the number of those who were slain in the citadel of Susa was brought before the king. The king said to Esther the queen, "The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in the citadel of Susa, including the ten sons of Haman; what then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your further request? It shall be done." Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Susa to do tomorrow also according to this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows." The king commanded this to be done. A decree was given out in Susa, and they hanged Haman's ten sons. The Jews who were in Susa gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and killed three hundred men in Susa; but they did not lay their hand on the spoil. The other Jews who were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, defended their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they did not lay their hand on the plunder. This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews who were in Susa assembled together on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth days of the month, and on the fifteenth day of that month, they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a good day, and a day of sending presents of food to one another. Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far, to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly, as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy. The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them; because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast "Pur," that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; but when this became known to the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Therefore they called these days "Purim," from the word "Pur." Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had come to them, the Jews established, and imposed on themselves, and on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year, and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memory of them perish from their seed. Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim. He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry. The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book. King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land, and on the islands of the sea. All the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are not they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? For Mordecai the Jew was next to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted by the multitude of his brothers, seeking the good of his people, and speaking peace to all his descendants.

Then Mordecai said, God hath done these things. For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters, and nothing thereof hath failed. A little fountain became a river, and there was light, and the sun, and much water, this river is Esther, whom the king married, and made queen, And the two dragons are I and Haman. And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jews, And my nation is this Israel, which cried to God, and were saved, for the Lord hath saved his people, and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils, and God hath wrought signs and great wonders, which have not been done among the Gentiles. Therefore hath he made two lots, one for the people of God, and another for all the Gentiles. And these two lots came at the hour, and time, and day of judgment, before God among all nations. So God remembered his people, and justified his inheritance. Therefore those days shall be unto them in the month Adar, the fourteenth and fifteenth day of the same month, with an assembly, and joy, and with gladness before God, according to the generations for ever among his people.

Reading 143/341, Esther 4, C, 5-6

2017-06-27T11:27:00.000-05:00

[A] Reading 143 and 144 for today
[B] The two entrances of Esther, one in the Greek chapter C and one immediately following at the beginning of the Hebrew chapter 5 show the significant difference in styles between the two Esther books, though they are the same story.

..>Esther...

Now when Mordecai found out all that was done, Mordecai tore his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and wailed loudly and bitterly. He came before the king's gate, for no one is allowed inside the king's gate clothed with sackcloth. In every province, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Esther's maidens and her eunuchs came and told her this, and the queen was exceedingly grieved. She sent clothing to Mordecai, to replace his sackcloth, but he did not accept it. Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, whom he had appointed to attend her, and commanded him to go to Mordecai, to find out what this was, and why it was. So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to the city square which was before the king's gate. Mordecai told him of all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Susa to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to explain it to her, and to urge her to go to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him for her people. Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a message to Mordecai, “All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, know that for whomever, whether man or woman, comes to the king in the inner court without being called, there is one law for them: that they be put to death, except for those to whom the king might hold out the golden scepter, that they may live. I have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.” They told Mordecai Esther's words. Then Mordecai asked them to return an answer to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that you will escape in the king's house anymore than all the Jews. For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows if you have not come in to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther asked them to answer Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Susa, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Then Mordecai thought upon all the works of the Lord, and made his prayer unto him, saying, “O Lord, Lord, the King Almighty, for the whole world is in your power, and if you appointed to save Israel, there is no man that can prevent you, for you have made heaven and earth, and all the wondrous things under the heavens. You are Lord of all things, and and there is no man who can resist you, who are the Lord. You know all things, and you know, Lord, that it was neither in contempt nor pride, nor for any desire of glory, that I did not bow down to proud Haman. For I could have been content with goodwill to, for the salvation of Israel, kiss the soles of his feet. But I did this that I might not prefer the glory of man above the glory of God, nor will I worship any but you, O God, nor will I do it in pride. And now, O Lord God and King, spare your people, for their eyes are upon us to bring us to nought. Indeed, they desire to destroy the inheritance that has been yours from the beginning. Despise not the portion, which you have delivered out of Egypt for your own self. Hear my prayer, and be merciful unto your inheritance, turn our sorrow into joy, that we may live, O Lord, and praise your name, and destroy not the mouths of those who praise you, O Lord.” All Israel in like manner cried most earnestly unto the Lord, because their death was before their eyes. Queen Esther also, being in fear of death, resorted unto the Lord, and laid away her glorious apparel, and put on the garments of anguish and mourning, and instead of precious ointments, she covered her head with ashes and dung, and she humbled her body greatly, and all the places of her joy she filled with her torn hair. She prayed unto the Lord God of Israel, saying, “O my Lord, you only are our King, help me, a desolate woman, who have no helper but you. For my life is in my hands. From my youth up I have heard in the tribe of my family that you, O Lord, took Israel from among all people, and our fathers from all their predecessors, for a perpetual inheritance, and you have performed whatever you promised them. And now we have sinned before you, and so you have given us into the hands of our enemies, because we worshipped their gods, O Lord, who are righteous. Nevertheless it satisfies them not that we are in bitter captivity, but they have sworn an oath to their idols, that they will abolish the thing that you with your mouth have ordained, and destroy your inheritance, and stop the mouth of those who praise you, and quench the glory of your house, and of your altar. They open the mouths of the heathen to set forth the praises of the idols and magnify a fleshly king forever. O Lord, do not give your scepter unto those who are nothing, and let them not laugh at our fall, but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, who has begun this against us. Remember, O Lord, make yourself known in time of our affliction, and give me boldness, O King of the nations, and Lord of all power. Put eloquent speech in my mouth before the lion and turn his heart to hate the man who fights against us, so that he and those who agree with him may be finished. Save us by your hand, and help me, who am alone and have no helper but you, O Lord. You know all things, O Lord. You know that I hate the glory of the unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and of all the heathen. You know my necessity, for I abhor the sign of my high estate, which is upon my head on the days on which I show myself, and that I abhor it as a menstruous rag, and that I wear it not when I am private by myself. You know that your handmaid has not eaten at Haman's table, and that I have not greatly esteemed the king's feast, nor drunk the wine of the drink offerings. Nor has your handmaid had any joy since the day that I was brought to this situation, except in you, O Lord God of Abraham. O God almighty, hear the voice of the despairing, and save us from the hands of evildoers, and save me from my fear.”

On the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel. And being gloriously adorned, after she had called upon God, who is the beholder and savior of all things, she took two maids with her. Upon the one she leaned, as carrying herself daintily, and the other followed, bearing up her train. And she was stunning through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable, but her heart was in anguish for fear. Then having passed through all the doors, she stood before the king, who sat upon his royal throne, and was clothed with all his robes of majesty, all glittering with gold and precious stones, and he was very dreadful. Then lifting up his countenance that shone with majesty, he looked very fiercely upon her, and the queen fell down, and was pale, and fainted, and bowed herself upon the head of the maid that went before her. Then God changed the spirit of the king into mildness. In fear, he leaped from his throne, and took her in his arms, until she came to herself again, and comforted her with loving words and said unto her, “Esther, what is the matter? I am your brother, be of good cheer, You shall not die, though our commandment be general, come near.” And so he held up his golden sceptre, and laid it upon her neck, and embraced her, and said, “Speak to me.” Then said she unto him, “I saw you, my lord, as an angel of God, and my heart was troubled for fear of your majesty. For wonderful are you, lord, and your countenance is full of grace.” And as she was speaking, she fell down for faintness. Then the king was troubled, and ail his servants comforted her.

Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, next to the king's house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house. When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter. Then the king asked her, "What would you like, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you, up to half of the kingdom." Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Up to half of the kingdom, it shall be performed.” Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this. If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.” Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he did not stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife. Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared except me, and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king. Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made. On that night, the king could not sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king. It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus. The king said, “What honor and dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king's servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had come into the outer court of the king's house, to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. The king's servants said to him, “Behold, Haman stands in the court.” The king said, “Let him come in.” So Haman came in. The king said to him, “What shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” Now Haman said in his heart, “Who would the king delight to honor more than myself?” Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let royal clothing be brought which the king has worn, and the horse that the king rides on, and on the head of which a crown royal is set. Let the clothing and the horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man whom the king delights to honor with them, and have him ride on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry and take the clothing and the horse, as you have said, and do this for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Let nothing fail of all that you have spoken.” Then Haman took the clothing and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and had him ride through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” Mordecai came back to the king's gate, but Haman hurried to his house, mourning and having his head covered. Haman recounted to Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him, but you will surely fall before him.” While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs came, and hurried to bring Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Reading 142/341, Esther A, 1-3

2017-06-25T22:17:00.000-05:00

If you are reading in a Protestant Bible, you will find today's reading shorter. This is because, unlike Judith and Tobit, Esther is in the Protestant bible, but only half of it is. As usual, this is because the Protestant Old Testament only includes those books written in Hebrew, and there are 2 versions of Esther: a Hebrew version and a longer Greek version. If you read the shorter version, you will not miss any essential details of the story.

In the second year of the reign of Artexerxes the great, in the first day of the month Nisan, Mardocheus the son of Jairus, the son of Semei, the son of Cisai, of the tribe of Benjamin, had a dream; Who was a Jew, and dwelt in the city of Susa, a great man, being a servitor in the king's court. He was also one of the captives, which Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon carried from Jerusalem with Jechonias king of Judea, and this was his dream, Behold a noise of a tumult, with thunder, and earthquakes, and uproar in the land, And, behold, two great dragons came forth ready to fight, and their cry was great. And at their cry all nations were prepared to battle, that they might fight against the righteous people. And lo a day of darkness and obscurity, tribulation and anguish, affliction and great uproar, upon earth. And the whole righteous nation was troubled, fearing their own evils, and were ready to perish. Then they cried unto God, and upon their cry, as it were from a little fountain, was made a great flood, much water. The light and the sun rose up, and the lowly were exalted, and devoured the glorious. Now when Mardocheus, who had seen this dream, and what God had determined to do, was awake, he bare this dream in mind, and until night by all means was desirous to know it. And Mardocheus took his rest in the court with Gabatha and Tharra, the two eunuchs of the king, and keepers of the palace. And he heard their devices, and searched out their purposes, and learned that they were about to lay hands upon Artexerxes the king, and so he certified the king of them. Then the king examined the two eunuchs, and after that they had confessed it, they were strangled. And the king made a record of these things, and Mardocheus also wrote thereof. So the king commanded, Mardocheus to serve in the court, and for this he rewarded him. Howbeit Aman the son of Amadathus the Agagite, who was in great honour with the king, sought to molest Mardocheus and his people because of the two eunuchs of the king. Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces), that in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him. He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, one hundred eighty days. When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Shushan the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king's palace. There were hangings of white, green, and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble. They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him. Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times, (for it was the king's custom to consult those who knew law and judgment, and the next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom), "What shall we do to the queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?" Memucan answered before the king and the princes, "Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands, when it is reported, 'King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she did not come.' Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen's deed will tell all the king's princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she. When the king's decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small." This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan, for he sent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people. After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was pacified, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then the king's servants who served him said, "Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king. Let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the beautiful young virgins to the citadel of Susa, to the women's house, to the custody of Hegai the king's eunuch, keeper of the women. Let cosmetics be given them, and let the maiden who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." The thing pleased the king, and he did so. There was a certain Jew in the citadel of Susa, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter; for she had nor father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful, and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter. So it happened, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together to the citadel of Susa, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was taken into the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. The maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness from him. He quickly gave her cosmetics and her portions of food, and the seven choice maidens who were to be given her out of the king's house. He moved her and her maidens to the best place in the women's house. Esther had not made known her people nor her kin, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known. Mordecai walked every day in front of the court of the women's house, to find out how Esther did, and what would become of her. Each young woman's turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after her purification for twelve months (for so were the days of their purification accomplished, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet fragrances and with preparations for beautifying women). The young woman then came to the king like this, whatever she desired was given her to go with her out of the women's house to the king's house. In the evening she went, and on the next day she returned into the second women's house, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch, who kept the concubines. She came in to the king no more, unless the king delighted in her, and she was called by name. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and his servants, Esther's feast, and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces, and gave gifts according to the king's bounty. When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate. Esther had not yet made known her kin nor her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him. In those days, while Mordecai was sitting in the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, who were doorkeepers, were angry, and sought to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus. This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name. When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree, and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king's presence. After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. All the king's servants who were in the king's gate bowed down, and paid homage to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay him homage. Then the king's servants, who were in the king's gate, said to Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's commandment?" Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he did not listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down, nor pay him homage, Haman was full of wrath. But he scorned the thought of laying hands on Mordecai alone, for they had made known to him Mordecai's people. Therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, the Mordecai's people. In the first month, which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, and chose the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws are different than other people's. They do not keep the king's laws. Therefore it is not for the king's profit to allow them to remain. If it pleases the king, let it be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who are in charge of the king's business, to bring it into the king's treasuries." The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. The king said to Haman, "The silver is given to you, the people also, to do with them as it seems good to you." Then the king's scribes were called in on the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month, and all that Haman commanded was written to the king's satraps, and to the governors who were over every province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according its writing, and to every people in their language. It was written in the name of King Ahasuerus, and it was sealed with the king's ring. Letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to plunder their possessions. The copy of the letters was this, The great king Artexerxes writeth these things to the princes and governours that are under him from India unto Ethiopia in an hundred and seven and twenty provinces. After that I became lord over many nations and had dominion over the whole world, not lifted up with presumption of my authority, but carrying myself always with equity and mildness, I purposed to settle my subjects continually in a quiet life, and making my kingdom peaceable, and open for passage to the utmost coasts, to renew peace, which is desired of all men. Now when I asked my counsellors how this might be brought to pass, Aman, that excelled in wisdom among us, and was approved for his constant good will and steadfast fidelity, and had the honour of the second place in the kingdom, Declared unto us, that in all nations throughout the world there was scattered a certain malicious people, that had laws contrary to ail nations, and continually despised the commandments of kings, so as the uniting of our kingdoms, honourably intended by us cannot go forward. Seeing then we understand that this people alone is continually in opposition unto all men, differing in the strange manner of their laws, and evil affected to our state, working all the mischief they can that our kingdom may not be firmly established, Therefore have we commanded, that all they that are signified in writing unto you by Aman, who is ordained over the affairs, and is next unto us, shall all, with their wives and children, be utterly destroyed by the sword of their enemies, without all mercy and pity, the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year, That they, who of old and now also are malicious, may in one day with violence go into the grave, and so ever hereafter cause our affairs to be well settled, and without trouble. A copy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against that day. The couriers went forth in haste by the king's commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Shushan was perplexed.

Reading 141/341, Judith 13-16

2017-06-24T11:12:00.000-05:00

...Judith

Now when the evening had come, his servants made haste to depart, and Bagoas shut his tent from without, and dismissed the waiters from the presence of his lord, and they went to their beds, for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. And Judith was left alone in the tent, and Holofernes lying upon his bed, for he was filled with wine. Now Judith had commanded her maid to stand outside her bedchamber, and to wait for her coming back, as she did daily, for she said she would go forth to her prayers, and she spoke to Bagoas with the same purpose. So all went forth and none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart, “O Lord God of all power, look graciously upon the works of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. For now is the time to help your inheritance, and to execute your enterprises to the destruction of the enemies who have risen against us.” Then she came to the bedpost at Holofernes' head, and took down his sword from there, and approached his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, “Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, this day.” And she struck twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took his head away from him. She tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars, and after she went forth, and gave Holofernes’ head to her maid, and she put it in her bag of food, so they went together according to their custom to prayer, and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates.

Then Judith afar off said to the watchmen at the gate, “Open, open now the gate, God, our God, is with us, to show his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy, as he has done this day.” Now when the men of her city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called the elders of the city. And then they ran all together, both small and great, for it was unbelievable to them that she had come back, so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about. Then she said to them with a loud voice, “Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he has not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but has destroyed our enemies by my hands this night.” So she took the head out of the bag, and showed it, and said to them, behold the head of Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assyria, and behold the canopy, in which lay in his drunkenness, and the Lord has smitten him by the hand of a woman. As the Lord lives, who has kept me in my way that I went, my countenance has deceived him to his destruction, and yet he has not committed sin with me, to defile and shame me.”

Then all the people were wonderfully astonished, and bowed themselves and worshipped God, and said with one accord, “Blessed be you, O our God, which has this day brought to nought the enemies of your people.” Then Uzziah said to her, “O daughter, blessed are you by the most high God above all the women upon the earth, and blessed be the Lord God, who has created the heavens and the earth, who has directed you to the cutting off of the head of the chief of our enemies. For this your deed of hope shall not depart from the hearts of men who remember the power of God for ever. May God make these things be for you perpetual praise, to visit you with good things because you have not spared your life for the affliction of our nation, but have revenged our ruin, walking a straight way before our God.” And all the people said, “Amen! Amen!”

Then Judith said to them, “Hear me now, my brethren, and take this head, and hang it upon the highest place of your walls. As soon as the morning shall appear, and the sun shall come forth upon the earth, every one of you take his weapons, and go forth, every valiant man out of the city, and set a captain over them, as though you would go down into the field toward the watch of the Assyrians, but do not go down. Then they shall take their armor, and shall go into their camp, and raise up the captains of the army of Assyria, and shall run to the tent of Holofernes, but shall not find him, then fear shall fall upon them, and they shall flee before your face. So you, and all that inhabit the territory of Israel, shall pursue them, and overthrow them as they go. But before you do these things, call for me Achior the Ammonite, that he may see and know him who despised the house of Israel and sent him to us as to his death.” Then they called Achior out of the house of Uzziah, and when he had come and saw the head of Holofernes in a man's hand in the assembly of the people, he fell down on his face, and his spirit failed. But when they had recovered him, he fell at Judith's feet, and reverenced her, and said, “Blessed are you in all the tents of Judah, and in all nations, who hearing your name shall be astonished. Now therefore tell me all the things that you have done in these days.” Then Judith declared to him in the midst of the people all that she had done, from the day that she went forth until that hour when she spoke to them. And when she had finished speaking, the people shouted with a loud voice, and made a joyful noise in their city. And when Achior had seen all that the God of Israel had done, he believed in God greatly, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the house of Israel to this day.

As soon as the morning arose, they hung the head of Holofernes upon the wall, and every man took his weapons, and they went forth by bands to the passes of the mountain. But when the Assyrians saw them, they sent to their commanders, who then went to the generals and captains, and to all the other rulers. So they came to Holofernes' tent, and said to him who had charge of all his things, “Wake up our lord, for the slaves have been bold to come down against us to battle, that they may be utterly destroyed.” Then Bagoas went in and knocked at the door of his tent, for he thought that he was sleeping with Judith. But because no one answered, he opened it, and went into the bedchamber, and found him cast upon the floor dead, and his head taken from him. Therefore he cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and sighing, and a mighty cry, and rent his garments. After he went into the tent where Judith lodged, and when he found her not, he leaped out to the people, and cried, “These slaves have dealt treacherously. One woman of the Hebrews has brought shame upon the house of King Nebuchadnezzar, for, behold, Holofernes lies upon the ground without a head.” When the captains of the Assyrians' army heard these words, they rent their garments and their minds were greatly troubled, and there was a cry and a very great noise throughout the camp. And when those who were in the tents heard, they were astonished at the thing that had been done. Fear and trembling fell upon them, so that there was no man that dared remain in the sight of his neighbor, but, rushing out all together, they fled into every way of the plain, and of the hill country. Those also who had camped in the mountains round about Bethulia fled away.

Then the children of Israel, everyone who was a warrior among them, rushed out upon them. Then Uzziah sent to Betomasthem and Choba and Kona and to all the territories of Israel, to report the things that had been done, and that all should rush forth upon their enemies to destroy them. Now when the children of Israel heard it, they all fell upon them with one accord, and slew them all the way to Choba, likewise also those who came from Jerusalem, and from all the hill country, (for men had told them what had been done in the camp of their enemies) and those who were in Galaad, and in Galilee, chased them with a great slaughter, until they were past Damascus and the borders thereof. And the rest who dwelt at Bethulia, fell upon the camp of Assyria, and despoiled them, and were greatly enriched. And the children of Israel who returned from the slaughter had what remained, and the villages and the cities that were in the mountains and in the plain got much spoil, for the multitude was very great.

Then Joakim the high priest, and the elders of the children of Israel who dwelt in Jerusalem, came to behold the good things that God had showed to Israel, and to see Judith, and to salute her. And when they came to her, they blessed her with one accord, and said to her, “You are the exaltation of Jerusalem, you are the great glory of Israel, you are the great rejoicing of our nation, you have done all these things by your hand, you have done much good to Israel, and God is pleased with it. Blessed be you by the Almighty Lord forevermore.” And all the people said, “Amen!” And the people spoiled the camp for thirty days, and they gave to Judith Holofernes’ tent, and all his plates, and beds, and vessels, and all his things, and she took it and laid it on her mule, and prepared her carts, and put the things on them. Then all the women of Israel ran together to see her, and blessed her, and made a dance among them for her, and she took branches in her hand, and gave also to the women who were with her. And they put a garland of olive upon her and her maid that was with her, and she went before all the people in the dance, leading all the women, and all the men of Israel followed in their armor with garlands, and with songs in their mouths.

Then Judith began to sing this thanksgiving in all Israel, and all the people sang after her this song of praise. And Judith said, “Begin a song to my God with timbrels. Sing to my Lord with cymbals. Make him a new psalm, exalt him, and call upon his name. For God breaks the battles, for among the camps in the midst of the people he has delivered me out of the hands of those who persecuted me. Assyria came out of the mountains from the north, he came with ten thousands of his army, the multitude of which stopped the torrents, and their horsemen have covered the hills. He bragged that he would burn up my borders, and kill my young men with the sword, and dash the sucking children against the ground, and make my infants like prey, and my virgins like spoil, but the Almighty Lord has disappointed them by the hand of a woman. For the mighty one did not fall by the young men, nor did the sons of the Titans smite him, nor high giants set upon him, but Judith the daughter of Merari weakened him with the beauty of her countenance. For she put off the garment of her widowhood for the exaltation of those that were oppressed in Israel, and anointed her face with ointment, and bound her hair in a diadem, and took a linen garment to deceive him. Her sandals ravished his eyes, her beauty took his mind prisoner, and the sword passed through his neck. The Persians quaked at her boldness, and the Medes were daunted at her hardiness. When my afflicted shouted for joy, and my weak ones cried aloud, they were astonished, and they were overthrown. The sons of the damsels have pierced them through, and wounded them as fugitives' children: they perished by the battle of the Lord. I will sing to the Lord a new song: O Lord, you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, and invincible. Let all creatures serve you, for you spoke, and they were made, you sent forth your spirit, and it created them, and there is no one who can resist your voice. For the mountains shall be moved from their foundations with the waters, the rocks shall melt as wax at your presence, yet you are merciful to those who fear you. For all sacrifice is too little for a sweet savor to you, and all the fat is not sufficient for your burnt offering, but he that fears the Lord is great at all times. Woe to the nations that rise up against my kindred! The Lord Almighty will take vengeance upon them in the day of judgment, in putting fire and worms in their flesh, and they shall feel them, and weep for ever.”

Now as soon as they entered into Jerusalem, they worshipped the Lord, and as soon as the people were purified, they offered their burnt offerings, and their free offerings, and their gifts. Judith also dedicated all the possessions of Holofernes, which the people had given her, and gave the canopy, which she had taken out of his bedchamber, as a gift to the Lord. So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary for the space of three months and Judith remained with them. After this time everyone returned to their own inheritance, and Judith went to Bethulia, and remained in her own possession, and was in her time honorable in all the country. And many desired her, but no one knew her all the days of her life, after Manasseh her husband had died and was gathered to his people. But she increased more and more in honor, and grew old in her husband's house, being an hundred and five years old. She freed her maid. So she died in Bethulia, and they buried her in the cave of her husband Manasseh. And the house of Israel lamented her seven days, and before she died, she distributed her possessions to all those that were nearest of kin to Manasseh her husband, and to those who were the nearest of her kin. And there was no one who made the children of Israel afraid anymore in the days of Judith, nor a long time after her death.

Reading 140/341, Judith 9-12

2017-06-23T00:10:00.000-05:00

...Judith...

Judith fell upon her face, and put ashes on her head, and uncovered the sackcloth with which she was clothed, and about the time that the incense of that evening was offered in Jerusalem in the house of the Lord, Judith cried with a loud voice, and said, “O Lord God of my father Simeon, to whom you gave a sword to take vengeance on the foreigners who loosened the girdle of a virgin to defile her, and uncovered the thigh to her shame, and polluted her womb to her reproach, (for you said, ‘This shall not be so’ yet they did so), then you handed over their rulers to be slain, so that they dyed their bed with blood, being deceived, and smote the servants with their lords, and the lords upon their thrones, and gave their wives for prey, and their daughters to be captives, and all their spoil to be divided among your dear children, who were moved with your zeal, and abhorred the pollution of their blood, and called upon you for aid, O God, O my God, hear me also a widow. For you have wrought not only those things, but also the things which came before, and which ensued after; you have thought upon the things which are now, and which are to come. Whatever you decided is ready at hand, and says, ‘Lo, we are here”, for all your ways are prepared, and your judgments are in your foreknowledge. Behold, the Assyrians are multiplied in their power; they are exalted with horse and man; they glory in the strength of their footmen; they trust in shield, and spear, and bow, and sling, and know not that you are the Lord that breaks the battles: ‘Lord’ is your name. Throw down their strength in your power, and bring down their force in your wrath, for they have purposed to defile your sanctuary, and to pollute the tabernacle where your glorious name rests and to cast down with sword the horn of your altar. Behold their pride, and send your wrath upon their heads, give into my hand, I who am a widow, the power that I have planned. Smite by the deceit of my lips the servant with the prince, and the prince with the servant, break down their stateliness by the hand of a woman. For your power is not in numbers nor your might in strong men, for you are a God of the afflicted, a helper of the oppressed, an upholder of the weak, a protector of the forlorn, a savior of the hopeless. I pray to you, I pray to you, O God of my father, and God of the inheritance of Israel, Lord of the heavens and earth, Creator of the waters, king of every creature, hear my prayer, and make my speech and deceit to be their wound and stripe, who have purposed cruel things against your covenant, and your hallowed house, and against the heights of Zion, and against the house of the possession of your children. And make every nation and tribe acknowledge that you are the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protects the people of Israel but you.”

Now after that she had ceased to cry unto the God of Israel, and had made an end of all these words. She rose where she had fallen down, and called her maid, and went down into the house in which she dwelt in the Sabbath days and on her feast days, and pulled off the sackcloth which she had on, and took off the garments of her widowhood, and washed her body all over with water, and anointed herself with precious ointment, and braided the hair of her head, and put on a diadem upon it, and put on her garments of gladness, with which she was clad during the life of Manasseh her husband. And she took sandals upon her feet, and put on her bracelets, and her necklaces, and her rings, and her earrings, and all her ornaments, and decked herself bravely, to allure the eyes of all men that should see her. Then she gave her maid a skin of wine, and a jug of oil, and filled a bag with roasted grain and lumps of figs and with fine bread; so she wrapped all these things together, and laid them upon her maid. Thus they went forth to the gate of the city of Bethulia, and found standing there Uzziah and the elders of the city: Chabris and Charmis. And when they saw her, that her countenance was altered, and her apparel was changed, they wondered at her beauty greatly, and said unto her, “The God, the God of our fathers give you favor, and accomplish your enterprises to the glory of the children of Israel, and to the exaltation of Jerusalem.” Judith worshipped God, and she said unto them, “Command the gates of the city to be opened for me, that I may go forth to accomplish the things of which you have spoken with me.” So they commanded the young men to open for her, as she had spoken. And when they had done so, Judith went out, she, and her maid with her, and the men of the city looked after her, until she had gone down the mountain, and had passed the valley, and they could see her no more.

Thus they went straight forth in the valley, and the first watch of the Assyrians met her. They took her, and asked her, “Of what people are you? From whence do you come and where are you going?” And she said, “I am a woman of the Hebrews, and have fled from them, for they shall be given to you to be consumed. I have come to see Holofernes, the chief captain of your army, to declare words of truth, and I will show him a way, whereby he shall go, and win all the hill country, without losing the body or life of any of his men.” Now when the men heard her words, and beheld her countenance, they wondered greatly at her beauty, and said to her, “You have saved your life, since you have hurried to come down to the presence of our lord. Now therefore come to his tent, and some of us shall conduct you, until they have delivered you to his hands. And when you stand before him, be not afraid in your heart, but show unto him according to your word, and he will entreat you well.” Then they chose from among themselves a hundred men to accompany her and her maid, and they brought her to the tent of Holofernes. Then there was a bustle throughout all the camp, for her coming was told among the tents, and they came around her, as she stood outside the tent of Holofernes, until they told him of her. And they wondered at her beauty, and admired the children of Israel because of her, and everyone said to his neighbor, “Who could despise this people, that have among them such women? Surely it is not good that a single man of them be left, lest they beguile the whole earth.”

Then those who lay near Holofernes went out, and all his servants, and they brought her into the tent. Now Holofernes rested upon his bed under a canopy, which was woven with purple, gold, emeralds, and precious stones. So they showed her to him, and he came out to the front of his tent with silver lamps preceding him. And when Judith had come before him, and his servants all marveled at the beauty of her countenance, she fell down upon her face, and did reverence to him, and his servants helped her up. Then Holofernes said to her, “Woman, be of good comfort; fear not in your heart, for I never hurt anyone willing to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of all the earth. As for your people who dwell in the mountains, if they had not insulted me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them, but they have done these things to themselves. But now tell me why you have fled from them and have come to us, for you have come for safety. Be of good comfort, you shall live this night, and hereafter. No one shall hurt you, but treat you well, as they do the servants of King Nebuchadnezzar, my lord.”

Then Judith said to him, “Receive the words of your servant, and suffer your handmaid to speak in your presence, and I will declare no lie to my lord this night. And if you will follow the words of your handmaid, God will perfectly accomplish something through you, and my lord shall not fail in his purposes.” As Nebuchadnezzar, king of all the earth lives, and as his power lives, who has sent you for the upholding of every living thing, for not only men shall serve him by you, but also the beasts of the field, and the cattle, and the birds of the air live by your power under Nebuchadnezzar and all his house. For we have heard of your wisdom and your policies, and it is reported in all the earth, that you alone are excellent in all the kingdom, and mighty in knowledge, and wonderful in feats of war. Now as concerning the matter which Achior did speak in your council, we have heard his words, for the men of Bethulia saved him, and he declared to them all that he had spoken to you. Therefore, O lord and master, do not disregard his word, but lay it up in your heart, for it is true: our nation shall not be punished, nor can sword prevail against them, except when they sin against their God. Now, that my lord may not be defeated and frustrated in his purpose, death has now fallen upon them, and their sin has overtaken them, by which they will provoke their God to wrath. They shall do what is not fit to be done, for their supplies fail them, and all their water is scant, and they have determined to lay hands upon their cattle, and intend to consume all those things, that God has forbidden them to eat by his laws, and are resolved to use the firstfruits of the tenths of wine and oil, which they had sanctified, and reserved for the priests that serve in Jerusalem before the face of our God, which things are not lawful for any of the people so much as to touch with their hands. For they have sent some to Jerusalem to bring back permission from the senate, because those who dwell there have also done the same. Now when they bring back this word, they will do it, and they shall be given to you to be destroyed the same day. Therefore, I your handmaid, knowing all this, have fled from their presence, and God has sent me to work things with you, at which all the earth shall be astonished, whosoever shall hear of it, for your servant is religious, and serves the God of heaven day and night. Now therefore, my lord, I will remain with you, and I, your servant, will go out by night into the valley, and I will pray to God, and he will tell me when they have committed their sins, and I will come and reveal it to you. Then you shall go forth with all your army, and there shall be no one who shall resist you. And I will lead you through the midst of Judea, until you come before Jerusalem, and I will set your throne in the midst of it, and you shall drive them as sheep that have no shepherd, and a dog shall not so much as open his mouth at you, for these things were told me according to my foreknowledge, and they were declared unto me, and I have been sent to tell you.”

Her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants, and they marveled at her wisdom, and said, “There is not such a woman from one end of the earth to the other, both for beauty of face, and wisdom of words.” Likewise Holofernes said to her, “God has done well to send you before the people, that strength might be in our hands and destruction upon them who lightly regard my lord. You are both beautiful in your countenance, and intelligent in your words. Surely, if you do as you have spoken, your God shall be my God, and you shall dwell in the house of King Nebuchadnezzar, and shall be renowned through the whole earth.” Then he commanded that she be brought in where his plate was set, and bade them to prepare for her of his own meat, and that she should drink of his own wine. And Judith said, “I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offense, but provision shall be made for me of the things that I have brought.” Then Holofernes said to her, “If your provision should fail, how would we give you the like? For there are none with us from your nation.” Then Judith unto him “As your soul lives, my lord, your handmaid shall not spend those things that I have before the Lord works by my hand the things that he has determined.” Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she slept till midnight, and she arose when it was toward the morning watch, and sent to Holofernes, saying, “Let my lord now command that your handmaid may go forth to prayer.” Then Holofernes commanded his guard that they should not stop her. Thus she dwelt in the camp three days, and went out in the night into the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a fountain of water by the camp. And when she came out, she sought the Lord God of Israel to direct her way to the raising up of the children of her people. So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she ate her food at evening.

On the fourth day Holofernes made a feast exclusively for his own servants, and called none of the officers to the banquet. Then he said to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, “Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman who is with you, that she come to us, and eat and drink with us. For, behold, it would be a shame for our person, if we shall let such a woman go, not having had her company. If we do not draw her to us, she will laugh us to scorn.” Then Bagoas went from the presence of Holofernes, and came to her, and he said, “Let not this fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and to be honored in his presence, and drink wine, and be merry with us and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, who serve in the house of Nebuchadnezzar.” Then Judith said to him, “Who am I now, that I should refuse my lord? Surely whatever pleases him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy to the day of my death.” So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her womanly attire, and her maid went and laid soft skins on the ground for her next to Holofernes, which she had received from Bagoas for her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them. Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes’ heart was ravished with her, and his mind was moved, and he desired greatly her company, for he had been waiting to deceive her, from the day that he had seen her. Then Holofernes said to her, “Drink now, and be merry with us.” So Judith said, “I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born.” Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared. And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank more wine than he had drunk at any time in one day since he was born.

A couple things

2017-06-21T22:51:00.002-05:00

Our next meeting was supposed to be on July 4th, but because of the holiday we moved it to July 11th, but that day no longer works. I would like to propose Monday July 10th. Would that work for people?

Also, you may have noticed that I have slowed down posting by quite a bit lately. Everyone was saying that they were getting behind, so I thought better to slow things down a bit and have everyone catch up rather than continue full steam ahead. At the July meeting we can see where everyone is at.

Reading 139/341, Judith 6-8

2017-06-21T22:48:00.000-05:00

...Judith...

And when the tumult of men that were about the council was ceased, Holofernes the chief captain of the army of Assur said unto Achior and all the Moabites before all the company of other nations, And who art thou, Achior, and the hirelings of Ephraim, that thou hast prophesied against us as to day, and hast said, that we should not make war with the people of Israel, because their God will defend them? and who is God but Nabuchodonosor? He will send his power, and will destroy them from the face of the earth, and their God shall not deliver them, but we his servants will destroy them as one man; for they are not able to sustain the power of our horses. For with them we will tread them under foot, and their mountains shall be drunken with their blood, and their fields shall be filled with their dead bodies, and their footsteps shall not be able to stand before us, for they shall utterly perish, saith king Nabuchodonosor, lord of all the earth, for he said, None of my words shall be in vain. And thou, Achior, an hireling of Ammon, which hast spoken these words in the day of your iniquity, shalt see my face no more from this day, until I take vengeance of this nation that came out of Egypt. And then shall the sword of mine army, and the multitude of them that serve me, pass through your sides, and thou shalt fall among their slain, when I return. Now therefore my servants shall bring you back into the hill country, and shall set you in one of the cities of the passages, And thou shalt not perish, till thou be destroyoud with them. And if thou persuade yourself in your mind that they shall be taken, let not your countenance fall, I have spoken it, and none of my words shall be in vain. Then Holofernes commanded his servants, that waited in his tent, to take Achior, and bring him to Bethulia, and deliver him into the hands of the children of Israel. So his servants took him, and brought him out of the camp into the plain, and they went from the midst of the plain into the hill country, and came unto the fountains that were under Bethulia. And when the men of the city saw them, they took up their weapons, and went out of the city to the top of the hill, and every man that used a sling kept them from coming up by casting of stones against them. Nevertheless having gotten privily under the hill, they bound Achior, and cast him down, and left him at the foot of the hill, and returned to their lord. But the Israelites descended from their city, and came unto him, and loosed him, and brought him to Bethulia, and presented him to the governors of the city, Which were in those days Ozias the son of Micha, of the tribe of Simeon, and Chabris the son of Gothoniel, and Charmis the son of Melchiel. And they called together all the ancients of the city, and all their youth ran together, and their women, to the assembly, and they set Achior in the midst of all their people. Then Ozias asked him of what was done. And he answered and declared unto them the words of the council of Holofernes, and all the words that he had spoken in the midst of the princes of Assur, and whatsoever Holofernes had spoken proudly against the house of Israel. Then the people fell down and worshipped God, and cried unto God, saying, O Lord God of heaven, behold their pride, and pity the low estate of our nation, and look upon the face of those that are sanctified unto you this day. Then they comforted Achior, and praised him greatly. And Ozias took him out of the assembly unto his house, and made a feast to the elders, and they called on the God of Israel all that night for help. The next day Holofernes commanded all his army, and all his people which were come to take his part, that they should remove their camp against Bethulia, to take aforehand the ascents of the hill country, and to make war against the children of Israel. Then their strong men removed their camps in that day, and the army of the men of war was an hundred and seventy thousand footmen, and twelve thousand horsemen, beside the baggage, and other men that were afoot among them, a very great multitude. And they camped in the valley near unto Bethulia, by the fountain, and they spread themselves in width over Dothaim to Belmaim, and in length from Bethulia unto Cynamon, which is over against Esdraelon. Now the children of Israel, when they saw the multitude of them, were greatly troubled, and said every one to his neighbour, Now will these men lick up the face of the earth; for nor the high mountains, nor the valleys, nor the hills, are able to bear their weight. Then every man took up his weapons of war, and when they had kindled fires upon their towers, they remained and watched all that night. But in the second day Holofernes brought forth all his horsemen in the sight of the children of Israel which were in Bethulia, And viewed the passages up to the city, and came to the fountains of their waters, and took them, and set garrisons of men of war over them, and he himself removed toward his people. Then came unto him all the chief of the children of Esau, and all the governors of the people of Moab, and the captains of the sea coast, and said, Let our lord now hear a word, that there be not an overthrow in your army. For this people of the children of Israel do not trust in their spears, but in the height of the mountains wherein they dwell, because it is not easy to come up to the tops of their mountains. Now therefore, my lord, fight not against them in battle array, and there shall not so much as one man of your people perish. Remain in your camp, and keep all the men of your army, and let your servants get into their hands the fountain of water, which issueth forth of the foot of the mountain, For all the inhabitants of Bethulia have their water thence; so shall thirst kill them, and they shall give up their city, and we and our people shall go up to the tops of the mountains that are near, and will camp upon them, to watch that none go out of the city. So they and their wives and their children shall be consumed with fire, and before the sword come against them, they shall be overthrown in the streets where they dwell. Thus shalt thou render them an evil reward; because they rebelled, and met not your person peaceably. And these words pleased Holofernes and all his servants, and he appointed to do as they had spoken. So the camp of the children of Ammon departed, and with them five thousand of the Assyrians, and they pitched in the valley, and took the waters, and the fountains of the waters of the children of Israel. Then the children of Esau went up with the children of Ammon, and camped in the hill country over against Dothaim, and they sent some of them toward the south, and toward the east over against Ekrebel, which is near unto Chusi, that is upon the brook Mochmur, and the rest of the army of the Assyrians camped in the plain, and covered the face of the whole land, and their tents and carriages were pitched to a very great multitude. Then the children of Israel cried unto the Lord their God, because their heart failed, for all their enemies had compassed them round about, and there was no way to escape out from among them. Thus all the company of Assur remained about them, both their footmen, chariots, and horsemen, four and thirty days, so that all their vessels of water failed all the inhibitants of Bethulia. And the cisterns were emptied, and they had not water to drink their fill for one day; for they gave them drink by measure. Therefore their young children were out of heart, and their women and young men fainted for thirst, and fell down in the streets of the city, and by the passages of the gates, and there was no longer any strength in them. Then all the people assembled to Ozias, and to the chief of the city, both young men, and women, and children, and cried with a loud voice, and said before all the elders, God be judge between us and you, for you have done us great injury, in that you have not required peace of the children of Assur. For now we have no helper, but God hath sold us into their hands, that we should be thrown down before them with thirst and great destruction. Now therefore call them unto you, and deliver the whole city for a spoil to the people of Holofernes, and to all his army. For it is better for us to be made a spoil unto them, than to die for thirst, for we will be his servants, that our souls may live, and not see the death of our infants before our eyous, nor our wives nor our children to die. We take to witness against you the heaven and the earth, and our God and Lord of our fathers, which punisheth us according to our sins and the sins of our fathers, that he do not according as we have said this day. Then there was great weeping with one consent in the midst of the assembly, and they cried unto the Lord God with a loud voice. Then said Ozias to them, Brethren, be of good courage, let us yout endure five days, in the which space the Lord our God may turn his mercy toward us; for he will not forsake us utterly. And if these days pass, and there come no help unto us, I will do according to your word. And he dispersed the people, every one to their own charge, and they went unto the walls and towers of their city, and sent the women and children into their houses, and they were very low brought in the city. Now at that time Judith heard thereof, which was the daughter of Merari, the son of Ox, the son of Joseph, the son of Ozel, the son of Elcia, the son of Ananias, the son of Gedeon, the son of Raphaim, the son of Acitho, the son of Eliu, the son of Eliab, the son of Nathanael, the son of Samael, the son of Salasadal, the son of Israel. And Manasses was her husband, of her tribe and kindred, who died in the barley harvest. For as he stood overseeing them that bound sheaves in the field, the heat came upon his head, and he fell on his bed, and died in the city of Bethulia, and they buried him with his fathers in the field between Dothaim and Balamo. So Judith was a widow in her house three youars and four months. And she made her a tent upon the top of her house, and put on sackcloth upon her loins and ware her widow's apparel. And she fasted all the days of her widowhood, save the eves of the sabbaths, and the sabbaths, and the eves of the new moons, and the new moons and the feasts and solemn days of the house of Israel. She was also of a goodly countenance, and very beautiful to behold, and her husband Manasses had left her gold, and silver, and menservants and maidservants, and cattle, and lands, and she remained upon them. And there was none that gave her an ill word; ar she feared God greatly. Now when she heard the evil words of the people against the governor, that they fainted for lack of water; for Judith had heard all the words that Ozias had spoken unto them, and that he had sworn to deliver the city unto the Assyrians after five days; Then she sent her waitingwoman, that had the government of all things that she had, to call Ozias and Chabris and Charmis, the ancients of the city. And they came unto her, and she said unto them, Hear me now, O you governors of the inhabitants of Bethulia, for your words that you have spoken before the people this day are not right, touching this oath which you made and pronounced between God and you, and have promised to deliver the city to our enemies, unless within these days the Lord turn to help you. And now who are you that have tempted God this day, and stand instead of God among the children of men? And now try the Lord Almighty, but you shall never know any thing. For you cannot find the depth of the heart of man, nor can you perceive the things that he thinketh, then how can you search out God, that hath made all these things, and know his mind, or comprehend his purpose? Nay, my brethren, provoke not the Lord our God to anger. For if he will not help us within these five days, he hath power to defend us when he will, every day, or to destroy us before our enemies. Do not bind the counsels of the Lord our God, for God is not as man, that he may be threatened; nor is he as the son of man, that he should be wavering. Therefore let us wait for salvation of him, and call upon him to help us, and he will hear our voice, if it please him. For there arose none in our age, nor is there any now in these days nor tribe, nor family, nor people, nor city among us, which worship gods made with hands, as hath been aforetime. For the which cause our fathers were given to the sword, and for a spoil, and had a great fall before our enemies. But we know none other god, therefore we trust that he will not dispise us, nor any of our nation. For if we be taken so, all Judea shall lie waste, and our sanctuary shall be spoiled, and he will require the profanation thereof at our mouth. And the slaughter of our brethren, and the captivity of the country, and the desolation of our inheritance, will he turn upon our heads among the Gentiles, wheresoever we shall be in bondage, and we shall be an offence and a reproach to all them that possess us. For our servitude shall not be directed to favour, but the Lord our God shall turn it to dishonour. Now therefore, O brethren, let us shew an example to our brethren, because their hearts depend upon us, and the sanctuary, and the house, and the altar, rest upon us. Moreover let us give thanks to the Lord our God, which trieth us, as he did our fathers. Remember what things he did to Abraham, and how he tried Isaac, and what happened to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, when he kept the sheep of Laban his mother's brother. For he hath not tried us in the fire, as he did them, for the examination of their hearts, nor hath he taken vengeance on us, but the Lord doth scourge them that come near unto him, to admonish them. Then said Ozias to her, All that thou hast spoken hast thou spoken with a good heart, and there is none that may gainsay your words. For this is not the first day wherein your wisdom is manifested; but from the beginning of your days all the people have known your understanding, because the disposition of your heart is good. But the people were very thirsty, and compelled us to do unto them as we have spoken, and to bring an oath upon ourselves, which we will not break. Therefore now pray thou for us, because thou art a godly woman, and the Lord will send us rain to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint no more. Then said Judith unto them, Hear me, and I will do a thing, which shall go throughout all generations to the children of our nation. You shall stand this night in the gate, and I will go forth with my waitingwoman, and within the days that you have promised to deliver the city to our enemies the Lord will visit Israel by mine hand. But enquire not you of mine act, for I will not declare it unto you, till the things be finished that I do. Then said Ozias and the princes unto her, Go in peace, and the Lord God be before you, to take vengeance on our enemies. So they returned from the tent, and went to their wards.

Reading 138/341, Judith 1-5

2017-06-17T10:13:00.000-05:00

Judith...

In the twelfth year of the reign of Nabuchodonosor, who reigned in Nineve, the great city; in the days of Arphaxad, which reigned over the Medes in Ecbatane, And built in Ecbatane walls round about of stones hewn three cubits broad and six cubits long, and made the height of the wall seventy cubits, and the width thereof fifty cubits, And set the towers thereof upon the gates of it an hundred cubits high, and the width thereof in the foundation threescore cubits, And he made the gates thereof, gates that were raised to the height of seventy cubits, and the width of them was forty cubits, for the going forth of his mighty armies, and for the setting in array of his footmen, in those days king Nabuchodonosor made war with king Arphaxad in the great plain, which is the plain in the borders of Ragau. And there came unto him all they that dwelt in the hill country, and all that dwelt by Euphrates, and Tigris and Hydaspes, and the plain of Arioch the king of the Elymeans, and very many nations of the sons of Chelod, assembled themselves to the battle. Then Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians sent unto all that dwelt in Persia, and to all that dwelt westward, and to those that dwelt in Cilicia, and Damascus, and Libanus, and Antilibanus, and to all that dwelt upon the sea coast, And to those among the nations that were of Carmel, and Galaad, and the higher Galilee, and the great plain of Esdrelom, And to all that were in Samaria and the cities thereof, and beyond Jordan unto Jerusalem, and Betane, and Chelus, and Kades, and the river of Egypt, and Taphnes, and Ramesse, and all the land of Gesem, Until you come beyond Tanis and Memphis, and to all the inhabitants of Egypt, until you come to the borders of Ethiopia. But all the inhabitants of the land made light of the commandment of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians, nor went they with him to the battle; for they were not afraid of him, yea, he was before them as one man, and they sent away his ambassadors from them without effect, and with disgrace. Therefore Nabuchodonosor was very angry with all this country, and sware by his throne and kingdom, that he would surely be avenged upon all those coasts of Cilicia, and Damascus, and Syria, and that he would slay with the sword all the inhabitants of the land of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and all Judea, and all that were in Egypt, till you come to the borders of the two seas. Then he marched in battle array with his power against king Arphaxad in the seventeenth year, and he prevailed in his battle, for he overthrew all the power of Arphaxad, and all his horsemen, and all his chariots, And became lord of his cities, and came unto Ecbatane, and took the towers, and spoiled the streets thereof, and turned the beauty thereof into shame. He took also Arphaxad in the mountains of Ragau, and smote him through with his darts, and destroyed him utterly that day. So he returned afterward to Nineve, both he and all his company of sundry nations being a very great multitude of men of war, and there he took his ease, and banqueted, both he and his army, an hundred and twenty days. And in the eighteenth year, the two and twentieth day of the first month, there was talk in the house of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians that he should, as he said, avenge himself on all the earth. So he called unto him all his officers, and all his nobles, and communicated with them his secret counsel, and concluded the afflicting of the whole earth out of his own mouth. Then they decreed to destroy all flesh, that did not obey the commandment of his mouth. And when he had ended his counsel, Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians called Holofernes the chief captain of his army, which was next unto him, and said unto him. Thus saith the great king, the lord of the whole earth, Behold, thou shalt go forth from my presence, and take with thee men that trust in their own strength, of footmen an hundred and twenty thousand, and the number of horses with their riders twelve thousand. And thou shalt go against all the west country, because they disobeyed my commandment. And thou shalt declare unto that they prepare for me earth and water, for I will go forth in my wrath against them and will cover the whole face of the earth with the feet of mine army, and I will give them for a spoil unto them, So that their slain shall fill their valleys and brooks and the river shall be filled with their dead, till it overflow, And I will lead them captives to the utmost parts of all the earth. Thou therefore shalt go forth, and take beforehand for me all their coasts, and if they will yield themselves unto thee, thou shalt reserve them for me till the day of their punishment. But concerning them that rebel, let not your eye spare them; but put them to the slaughter, and spoil them wheresoever thou goest. For as I live, and by the power of my kingdom, whatsoever I have spoken, that will I do by mine hand. And take thou heed that thou transgress none of the commandments of your lord, but accomplish them fully, as I have commanded thee, and defer not to do them. Then Holofernes went forth from the presence of his lord, and called ail the governors and captains, and the officers of the army of Assur; And he mustered the chosen men for the battle, as his lord had commanded him, unto an hundred and twenty thousand, and twelve thousand archers on horseback; And he ranged them, as a great army is ordered for the war. And he took camels and asses for their carriages, a very great number, and sheep and oxen and goats without number for their provision, And plenty of victual for every man of the army, and very much gold and silver out of the king's house. Then he went forth and all his power to go before king Nabuchodonosor in the voyage, and to cover all the face of the earth westward with their chariots, and horsemen, and their chosen footmen. A great number also sundry countries came with them like locusts, and like the sand of the earth, for the multitude was without number. And they went forth of Nineve three days' journey toward the plain of Bectileth, and pitched from Bectileth near the mountain which is at the left hand of the upper Cilicia. Then he took all his army, his footmen, and horsemen and chariots, and went from thence into the hill country; And destroyed Phud and Lud, and spoiled all the children of Rasses, and the children of Israel, which were toward the desert at the south of the land of the Chellians. Then he went over Euphrates, and went through Mesopotamia, and destroyed all the high cities that were upon the river Arbonai, till you come to the sea. And he took the borders of Cilicia, and killed all that resisted him, and came to the borders of Japheth, which were toward the south, over against Arabia. He compassed also all the children of Madian, and burned up their tabernacles, and spoiled their sheepcotes. Then he went down into the plain of Damascus in the time of wheat harvest, and burnt up all their fields, and destroyed their flocks and herds, also he spoiled their cities, and utterly wasted their countries, and smote all their young men with the edge of the sword. Therefore the fear and dread of him fell upon all the inhabitants of the sea coasts, which were in Sidon and Tyrus, and them that dwelt in Sur and Ocina, and all that dwelt in Jemnaan, and they that dwelt in Azotus and Ascalon feared him greatly. So they sent ambassadors unto him to treat of peace, saying, Behold, we the servants of Nabuchodonosor the great king lie before thee; use us as shall be good in your sight. Behold, our houses, and all our places, and all our fields of wheat, and flocks, and herds, and all the lodges of our tents lie before your face; use them as it pleaseth thee. Behold, our cities and the inhabitants thereof are your servants; come and deal with them as seemeth good unto thee. So the men came to Holofernes, and declared unto him after this manner. Then came he down toward the sea coast, both he and his army, and set garrisons in the high cities, and took out of them chosen men for aid. So they and all the country round about received them with garlands, with dances, and with timbrels. Yet he did cast down their frontiers, and cut down their groves, for he had decreed to destroy all the gods of the land, that all nations should worship Nabuchodonosor only, and that all tongues and tribes should call upon him as god. Also he came over against Esdraelon near unto Judea, over against the great strait of Judea. And he pitched between Geba and Scythopolis, and there he tarried a whole month, that he might gather together all the carriages of his army. Now the children of Israel, that dwelt in Judea, heard all that Holofernes the chief captain of Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians had done to the nations, and after what manner he had spoiled all their temples, and brought them to nought. Therefore they were exceedingly afraid of him, and were troubled for Jerusalem, and for the temple of the Lord their God, For they were newly returned from the captivity, and all the people of Judea were lately gathered together, and the vessels, and the altar, and the house, were sanctified after the profanation. Therefore they sent into all the coasts of Samaria, and the villages and to Bethoron, and Belmen, and Jericho, and to Choba, and Esora, and to the valley of Salem, And possessed themselves beforehand of all the tops of the high mountains, and fortified the villages that were in them, and laid up victuals for the provision of war, for their fields were of late reaped. Also Joacim the high priest, which was in those days in Jerusalem, wrote to them that dwelt in Bethulia, and Betomestham, which is over against Esdraelon toward the open country, near to Dothaim, Charging them to keep the passages of the hill country, for by them there was an entrance into Judea, and it was easy to stop them that would come up, because the passage was straight, for two men at the most. And the children of Israel did as Joacim the high priest had commanded them, with the ancients of all the people of Israel, which dwelt at Jerusalem. Then every man of Israel cried to God with great fervency, and with great vehemency did they humble their souls, Both they, and their wives and their children, and their cattle, and every stranger and hireling, and their servants bought with money, put sackcloth upon their loins. Thus every man and women, and the little children, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, fell before the temple, and cast ashes upon their heads, and spread out their sackcloth before the face of the Lord, also they put sackcloth about the altar, And cried to the God of Israel all with one consent earnestly, that he would not give their children for a prey, and their wives for a spoil, and the cities of their inheritance to destruction, and the sanctuary to profanation and reproach, and for the nations to rejoice at. So God heard their prayers, and looked upon their afflictions, for the people fasted many days in all Judea and Jerusalem before the sanctuary of the Lord Almighty. And Joacim the high priest, and all the priests that stood before the Lord, and they which ministered unto the Lord, had their loins girt with sackcloth, and offered the daily burnt offerings, with the vows and free gifts of the people, And had ashes on their mitres, and cried unto the Lord with all their power, that he would look upon all the house of Israel graciously. Then was it declared to Holofernes, the chief captain of the army of Assur, that the children of Israel had prepared for war, and had shut up the passages of the hill country, and had fortified all the tops of the high hills and had laid impediments in the champaign countries, Wherewith he was very angry, and called all the princes of Moab, and the captains of Ammon, and all the governors of the sea coast, And he said unto them, Tell me now, you sons of Chanaan, who this people is, that dwelleth in the hill country, and what are the cities that they inhabit, and what is the multitude of their army, and wherein is their power and strength, and what king is set over them, or captain of their army; And why have they determined not to come and meet me, more than all the inhabitants of the west. Then said Achior, the captain of all the sons of Ammon, Let my lord now hear a word from the mouth of your servant, and I will declare unto thee the truth concerning this people, which dwelleth near thee, and inhabiteth the hill countries, and there shall no lie come out of the mouth of your servant. This people are descended of the Chaldeans, And they sojourned heretofore in Mesopotamia, because they would not follow the gods of their fathers, which were in the land of Chaldea. For they left the way of their ancestors, and worshipped the God of heaven, the God whom they knew, so they cast them out from the face of their gods, and they fled into Mesopotamia, and sojourned there many days. Then their God commanded them to depart from the place where they sojourned, and to go into the land of Chanaan, where they dwelt, and were increased with gold and silver, and with very much cattle. But when a famine covered all the land of Chanaan, they went down into Egypt, and sojourned there, while they were nourished, and became there a great multitude, so that one could not number their nation. Therefore the king of Egypt rose up against them, and dealt subtilly with them, and brought them low with labouring in brick, and made them slaves. Then they cried unto their God, and he smote all the land of Egypt with incurable diseases, so the Egyptians cast them out of their sight. And God dried the Red sea before them, And brought them to mount Sina, and Cades-Barne, and cast forth all that dwelt in the desert. So they dwelt in the land of the Amorites, and they destroyed by their strength all them of Esebon, and passing over Jordan they possessed all the hill country. And they cast forth before them the Chanaanite, the Pherezite, the Jebusite, and the Sychemite, and all the Gergesites, and they dwelt in that country many days. And whilst they sinned not before their God, they prospered, because the God that hateth iniquity was with them. But when they departed from the way which he appointed them, they were destroyed in many battles very sore, and were led captives into a land that was not their's, and the temple of their God was cast to the ground, and their cities were taken by the enemies. But now are they returned to their God, and are come up from the places where they were scattered, and have possessed Jerusalem, where their sanctuary is, and are seated in the hill country; for it was desolate. Now therefore, my lord and governor, if there be any error against this people, and they sin against their God, let us consider that this shall be their ruin, and let us go up, and we shall overcome them. But if there be no iniquity in their nation, let my lord now pass by, lest their Lord defend them, and their God be for them, and we become a reproach before all the world. And when Achior had finished these sayings, all the people standing round about the tent murmured, and the chief men of Holofernes, and all that dwelt by the sea side, and in Moab, spake that he should kill him. For, say they, we will not be afraid of the face of the children of Israel, for, lo, it is a people that have no strength nor power for a strong battle Now therefore, lord Holofernes, we will go up, and they shall be a prey to be devoured of all your army.

Reading 137/341, Tobit 10-14

2017-06-15T23:49:00.000-05:00

...Tobit

Now Tobit his father counted every day, and when the days of the journey were expired, and they came not, Then Tobit said, Are they detained? or is Gabael dead, and there is no man to give him the money? Therefore he was very sorry. Then his wife said unto him, My son is dead, seeing he stayeth long, and she began to wail him, and said, Now I care for nothing, my son, since I have let thee go, the light of mine eyes. To whom Tobit said, Hold thy peace, take no care, for he is safe. But she said, Hold thy peace, and deceive me not; my son is dead. And she went out every day into the way which they went, and did eat no meat on the daytime, and ceased not whole nights to bewail her son Tobias, until the fourteen days of the wedding were expired, which Raguel had sworn that he should spend there. Then Tobias said to Raguel, Let me go, for my father and my mother look no more to see me. But his father in law said unto him, Tarry with me, and I will send to thy father, and they shall declare unto him how things go with thee. But Tobias said, No; but let me go to my father. Then Raguel arose, and gave him Sara his wife, and half his goods, servants, and cattle, and money, And he blessed them, and sent them away, saying, The God of heaven give you a prosperous journey, my children. And he said to his daughter, Honour thy father and thy mother in law, which are now thy parents, that I may hear good report of thee. And he kissed her. Edna also said to Tobias, The Lord of heaven restore thee, my dear brother, and grant that I may see thy children of my daughter Sara before I die, that I may rejoice before the Lord, behold, I commit my daughter unto thee of special trust; where are do not entreat her evil. After these things Tobias went his way, praising God that he had given him a prosperous journey, and blessed Raguel and Edna his wife, and went on his way till they drew near unto Nineve. Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother, how thou didst leave thy father, Let us haste before thy wife, and prepare the house. And take in thine hand the gall of the fish. So they went their way, and the dog went after them. Now Anna sat looking about toward the way for her son. And when she espied him coming, she said to his father, Behold, thy son cometh, and the man that went with him. Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that thy father will open his eyes. Therefore anoint thou his eyes with the gall, and being pricked therewith, he shall rub, and the whiteness shall fall away, and he shall see thee. Then Anna ran forth, and fell upon the neck of her son, and said unto him, Seeing I have seen thee, my son, from henceforth I am content to die. And they wept both. Tobit also went forth toward the door, and stumbled, but his son ran unto him, And took hold of his father, and he strake of the gall on his fathers' eyes, saying, Be of good hope, my father. And when his eyes began to smart, he rubbed them; And the whiteness pilled away from the corners of his eyes, and when he saw his son, he fell upon his neck. And he wept, and said, Blessed art thou, O God, and blessed is thy name for ever, and blessed are all thine holy angels, For thou hast scourged, and hast taken pity on me, for, behold, I see my son Tobias. And his son went in rejoicing, and told his father the great things that had happened to him in Media. Then Tobit went out to meet his daughter in law at the gate of Nineve, rejoicing and praising God, and they which saw him go marvelled, because he had received his sight. But Tobias gave thanks before them, because God had mercy on him. And when he came near to Sara his daughter in law, he blessed her, saying, Thou art welcome, daughter, God be blessed, which hath brought thee unto us, and blessed be thy father and thy mother. And there was joy among all his brethren which were at Nineve. And Achiacharus, and Nasbas his brother's son, came, And Tobias' wedding was kept seven days with great joy. Then Tobit called his son Tobias, and said unto him, My son, see that the man have his wages, which went with thee, and thou must give him more. And Tobias said unto him, O father, it is no harm to me to give him half of those things which I have brought, For he hath brought me again to thee in safety, and made whole my wife, and brought me the money, and likewise healed thee. Then the old man said, It is due unto him. So he called the angel, and he said unto him, Take half of all that ye have brought and go away in safety. Then he took them both apart, and said unto them, Bless God, praise him, and magnify him, and praise him for the things which he hath done unto you in the sight of all that live. It is good to praise God, and exalt his name, and honourably to shew forth the works of God; therefore be not slack to praise him. It is good to keep close the secret of a king, but it is honourable to reveal the works of God. Do what is good, and no evil shall touch you. Prayer is good with fasting and alms and righteousness. A little with righteousness is better than much with unrighteousness. It is better to give alms than to lay up gold, For alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin. Those that exercise alms and righteousness shall be filled with life, But they that sin are enemies to their own life. Surely I will keep close nothing from you. For I said, It was good to keep close the secret of a king, but that it was honourable to reveal the works of God. Now therefore, when thou didst pray, and Sara thy daughter in law, I did bring the remembrance of your prayers before the Holy One, and when thou didst bury the dead, I was with thee likewise. And when thou didst not delay to rise up, and leave thy dinner, to go and cover the dead, thy good deed was not hid from me, but I was with thee. And now God hath sent me to heal thee and Sara thy daughter in law. I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One. Then they were both troubled, and fell upon their faces, for they feared. But he said unto them, Fear not, for it shall go well with you; praise God therefore. For not of any favour of mine, but by the will of our God I came; wherefore praise him for ever. All these days I did appear unto you; but I did nor eat nor drink, but ye did see a vision. Now therefore give God thanks, for I go up to him that sent me; but write all things which are done in a book. And when they arose, they saw him no more. Then they confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared unto them. Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said, Blessed be God that liveth for ever, and blessed be his kingdom. For he doth scourge, and hath mercy, he leadeth down to hell, and bringeth up again, nor is there any that can avoid his hand. Confess him before the Gentiles, ye children of Israel, for he hath scattered us among them. There declare his greatness, and extol him before all the living, for he is our Lord, and he is the God our Father for ever. And he will scourge us for our iniquities, and will have mercy again, and will gather us out of all nations, among whom he hath scattered us. If ye turn to him with your whole heart, and with your whole mind, and deal uprightly before him, then will he turn unto you, and will not hide his face from you. Therefore see what he will do with you, and confess him with your whole mouth, and praise the Lord of might, and extol the everlasting King. In the land of my captivity do I praise him, and declare his might and majesty to a sinful nation. O ye sinners, turn and do justice before him, who can tell if he will accept you, and have mercy on you? I will extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King of heaven, and shall rejoice in his greatness. Let all men speak, and let all praise him for his righteousness. O Jerusalem, the holy city, he will scourge thee for thy children's works, and will have mercy again on the sons of the righteous. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good, and praise the everlasting King, that his tabernacle may be builded in thee again with joy, and let him make joyful there in thee those that are captives, and love in thee for ever those that are miserable. Many nations shall come from far to the name of the Lord God with gifts in their hands, gifts to the King of heaven; all generations shall praise thee with great joy. Cursed are all they which hate thee, and blessed shall all be which love thee for ever. Rejoice and be glad for the children of the just, for they shall be gathered together, and shall bless the Lord of the just. O blessed are they which love thee, for they shall rejoice in thy peace, blessed are they which have been sorrowful for all thy scourges; for they shall rejoice for thee, when they have seen all thy glory, and shall be glad for ever. Let my soul bless God the great King. For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds, and precious stone, thy walls and towers and battlements with pure gold. And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir. And all her streets shall say, Alleluia, and they shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it for ever. So Tobit made an end of praising God. And he was eight and fifty years old when he lost his sight, which was restored to him after eight years, and he gave alms, and he increased in the fear of the Lord God, and praised him. And when he was very aged he called his son, and the sons of his son, and said to him, My son, take thy children; for, behold, I am aged, and am ready to depart out of this life. Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which Jonas the prophet spake of Nineveh, that it shall be overthrown, and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media, and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land, and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time; And that again God will have mercy on them, and bring them again into the land, where they shall build a temple, but not like to the first, until the time of that age be fulfilled, and afterward they shall return from all places of their captivity, and build up Jerusalem gloriously, and the house of God shall be built in it for ever with a glorious building, as the prophets have spoken thereof. And all nations shall turn, and fear the Lord God truly, and shall bury their idols. So shall all nations praise the Lord, and his people shall confess God, and the Lord shall exalt his people, and all those which love the Lord God in truth and justice shall rejoice, shewing mercy to our brethren. And now, my son, depart out of Nineve, because that those things which the prophet Jonas spake shall surely come to pass. But keep thou the law and the commandments, and shew thyself merciful and just, that it may go well with thee. And bury me decently, and thy mother with me; but tarry no longer at Nineveh. Remember, my son, how Aman handled Achiacharus that brought him up, how out of light he brought him into darkness, and how he rewarded him again, yet Achiacharus was saved, but the other had his reward, for he went down into darkness. Manasses gave alms, and escaped the snares of death which they had set for him, but Aman fell into the snare, and perished. Wherefore now, my son, consider what alms doeth, and how righteousness doth deliver. When he had said these things, he gave up the ghost in the bed, being an hundred and eight and fifty years old, and he buried him honourably. And when Anna his mother was dead, he buried her with his father. But Tobias departed with his wife and children to Ecbatane to Raguel his father in law, Where he became old with honour, and he buried his father and mother in law honourably, and he inherited their substance, and his father Tobit is. And he died at Ecbatane in Media, being an hundred and seven and twenty years old. But before he died he heard of the destruction of Nineve, which was taken by Nabuchodonosor and Assuerus, and before his death he rejoiced over Nineveh.

Reading 136/341, Tobit 5-9

2017-06-13T15:29:00.000-05:00

...Tobit...

Tobias then answered and said, Father, I will do all things which thou hast commanded me, But how can I receive the money, seeing I know him not? Then he gave him the handwriting, and said unto him, Seek thee a man which may go with thee, whiles I yet live, and I will give him wages, and go and receive the money. Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel. But he knew not, and he said unto him, Canst thou go with me to Rages? and knowest thou those places well? To whom the angel said, I will go with thee, and I know the way well, for I have lodged with our brother Gabael. Then Tobias said unto him, Tarry for me, till I tell my father. Then he said unto him, Go and tarry not. So he went in and said to his father, Behold, I have found one which will go with me. Then he said, Call him unto me, that I may know of what tribe he is, and whether he be a trusty man to go with thee. So he called him, and he came in, and they saluted one another. Then Tobit said unto him, Brother, shew me of what tribe and family thou art. To whom he said, Dost thou seek for a tribe or family, or an hired man to go with thy son? Then Tobit said unto him, I would know, brother, thy kindred and name. Then he said, I am Azarias, the son of Ananias the great, and of thy brethren. Then Tobit said, Thou art welcome, brother; be not now angry with me, because I have enquired to know thy tribe and thy family; for thou art my brother, of an honest and good stock, for I know Ananias and Jonathas, sons of that great Samaias, as we went together to Jerusalem to worship, and offered the firstborn, and the tenths of the fruits, and they were not seduced with the error of our brethren, my brother, thou art of a good stock. But tell me, what wages shall I give thee? wilt thou a drachm a day, and things necessary, as to mine own son? Yea, moreover, if ye return safe, I will add something to thy wages. So they were well pleased. Then said he to Tobias, Prepare thyself for the journey, and God send you a good journey. And when his son had prepared all things far the journey, his father said, Go thou with this man, and God, which dwelleth in heaven, prosper your journey, and the angel of God keep you company. So they went forth both, and the young man's dog with them. But Anna his mother wept, and said to Tobit, Why hast thou sent away our son? is he not the staff of our hand, in going in and out before us? Be not greedy to add money to money, but let it be as refuse in respect of our child. For what the Lord hath given us to live with doth suffice us. Then said Tobit to her, Take no care, my sister; he shall return in safety, and thine eyes shall see him. For the good angel will keep him company, and his journey shall be prosperous, and he shall return safe. Then she made an end of weeping. And as they went on their journey, they came in the evening to the river Tigris, and they lodged there. And when the young man went down to wash himself, a fish leaped out of the river, and would have devoured him. Then the angel said unto him, Take the fish. And the young man laid hold of the fish, and drew it to land. To whom the angel said, Open the fish, and take the heart and the liver and the gall, and put them up safely. So the young man did as the angel commanded him, and when they had roasted the fish, they did eat it, then they both went on their way, till they drew near to Ecbatane. Then the young man said to the angel, Brother Azarias, to what use is the heart and the liver and the gal of the fish? And he said unto him, Touching the heart and the liver, if a devil or an evil spirit trouble any, we must make a smoke thereof before the man or the woman, and the party shall be no more vexed. As for the gall, it is good to anoint a man that hath whiteness in his eyes, and he shall be healed. And when they were come near to Rages, The angel said to the young man, Brother, to day we shall lodge with Raguel, who is thy cousin; he also hath one only daughter, named Sara; I will speak for her, that she may be given thee for a wife. For to thee doth the right of her appertain, seeing thou only art of her kindred. And the maid is fair and wise, now therefore hear me, and I will speak to her father, and when we return from Rages we will celebrate the marriage, for I know that Raguel cannot marry her to another according to the law of Moses, but he shall be guilty of death, because the right of inheritance doth rather appertain to thee than to any other. Then the young man answered the angel, I have heard, brother Azarias that this maid hath been given to seven men, who all died in the marriage chamber. And now I am the only son of my father, and I am afraid, lest if I go in unto her, I die, as the other before, for a wicked spirit loveth her, which hurteth no body, but those which come unto her; wherefore I also fear lest I die, and bring my father's and my mother's life because of me to the grave with sorrow, for they have no other son to bury them. Then the angel said unto him, Dost thou not remember the precepts which thy father gave thee, that thou shouldest marry a wife of thine own kindred? wherefore hear me, O my brother; for she shall be given thee to wife, and make thou no reckoning of the evil spirit; for this same night shall she be given thee in marriage. And when thou shalt come into the marriage chamber, thou shalt take the ashes of perfume, and shalt lay upon them some of the heart and liver of the fish, and shalt make a smoke with it, And the devil shall smell it, and flee away, and never come again any more, but when thou shalt come to her, rise up both of you, and pray to God which is merciful, who will have pity on you, and save you, fear not, for she is appointed unto thee from the beginning, and thou shalt preserve her, and she shall go with thee. Moreover I suppose that she shall bear thee children. Now when Tobias had heard these things, he loved her, and his heart was effectually joined to her. And when they were come to Ecbatane, they came to the house of Raguel, and Sara met them, and after they had saluted one another, she brought them into the house. Then said Raguel to Edna his wife, How like is this young man to Tobit my cousin! And Raguel asked them, From whence are ye, brethren? To whom they said, We are of the sons of Nephthalim, which are captives in Nineve. Then he said to them, Do ye know Tobit our kinsman? And they said, We know him. Then said he, Is he in good health? And they said, He is both alive, and in good health, and Tobias said, He is my father. Then Raguel leaped up, and kissed him, and wept, And blessed him, and said unto him, Thou art the son of an honest and good man. But when he had heard that Tobit was blind, he was sorrowful, and wept. And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept. Moreover they entertained them cheerfully, and after that they had killed a ram of the flock, they set store of meat on the table. Then said Tobias to Raphael, Brother Azarias, speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched. So he communicated the matter with Raguel, and Raguel said to Tobias, Eat and drink, and make merry, For it is meet that thou shouldest marry my daughter, nevertheless I will declare unto thee the truth. I have given my daughter in marriage to seven men, who died that night they came in unto her, nevertheless for the present be merry. But Tobias said, I will eat nothing here, till we agree and swear one to another. Raguel said, Then take her from henceforth according to the manner, for thou art her cousin, and she is thine, and the merciful God give you good success in all things. Then he called his daughter Sara, and she came to her father, and he took her by the hand, and gave her to be wife to Tobias, saying, Behold, take her after the law of Moses, and lead her away to thy father. And he blessed them; And called Edna his wife, and took paper, and did write an instrument of covenants, and sealed it. Then they began to eat. After Raguel called his wife Edna, and said unto her, Sister, prepare another chamber, and bring her in thither. Which when she had done as he had bidden her, she brought her thither, and she wept, and she received the tears of her daughter, and said unto her, Be of good comfort, my daughter; the Lord of heaven and earth give thee joy for this thy sorrow, be of good comfort, my daughter. And when they had supped, they brought Tobias in unto her. And as he went, he remembered the words of Raphael, and took the ashes of the perfumes, and put the heart and the liver of the fish thereupon, and made a smoke therewith. The which smell when the evil spirit had smelled, he fled into the utmost parts of Egypt, and the angel bound him. And after that they were both shut in together, Tobias rose out of the bed, and said, Sister, arise, and let us pray that God would have pity on us. Then began Tobias to say, Blessed art thou, O God of our fathers, and blessed is thy holy and glorious name for ever; let the heavens bless thee, and all thy creatures. Thou madest Adam, and gavest him Eve his wife for an helper and stay, of them came mankind, thou hast said, It is not good that man should be alone; let us make unto him an aid like unto himself. And now, O Lord, I take not this my sister for lush but uprightly, therefore mercifully ordain that we may become aged together. And she said with him, Amen. So they slept both that night. And Raguel arose, and went and made a grave, Saying, I fear lest he also be dead. But when Raguel was come into his house, He said unto his wife Edna. Send one of the maids, and let her see whether he be alive, if he be not, that we may bury him, and no man know it. So the maid opened the door, and went in, and found them both asleep, And came forth, and told them that he was alive. Then Raguel praised God, and said, O God, thou art worthy to be praised with all pure and holy praise; therefore let thy saints praise thee with all thy creatures, and let all thine angels and thine elect praise thee for ever. Thou art to be praised, for thou hast made me joyful, and that is not come to me which I suspected; but thou hast dealt with us according to thy great mercy. Thou art to be praised because thou hast had mercy of two that were the only begotten children of their fathers, grant them mercy, O Lord, and finish their life in health with joy and mercy. Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave. And he kept the wedding feast fourteen days. For before the days of the marriage were finished, Raguel had said unto him by an oath, that he should not depart till the fourteen days of the marriage were expired; And then he should take the half of his goods, and go in safety to his father, and should have the rest when I and my wife be dead. Then Tobias called Raphael, and said unto him, Brother Azarias, take with thee a servant, and two camels, and go to Rages of Media to Gabael, and bring me the money, and bring him to the wedding. For Raguel hath sworn that I shall not depart. But my father counteth the days, and if I tarry long, he will be very sorry. So Raphael went out, and lodged with Gabael, and gave him the handwriting, who brought forth bags which were sealed up, and gave them to him. And early in the morning they went forth both together, and came to the wedding, and Tobias blessed his wife.

Reading 135/341, Tobit 1-4

2017-06-12T03:44:00.000-05:00

Today we begin Tobit, the first of the Deuterocanonical books. These books were written in Greek and do not appear in the Protestant Old Testament, so if you are looking for Tobit in your Bible and cannot find it, that is why. This story is an old Jewish story, a sort of fairy tale. What place a fairy tale has in the Bible is an important question.

Tobit...

The book of the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali; Who in the time of Enemessar king of the Assyrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser. I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the Assyrians. And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages. Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal. But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with what was first shorn, and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron. The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem, another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem, And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father. Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias. And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles. But I kept myself from eating; Because I remembered God with all my heart. And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor. And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver. Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media. And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry, And my clothes to the naked, and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him. And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king. And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear. Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, nor was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias. And there passed not five and fifty days, before two of his sons killed him, and they fled into the mountains of Ararath, and Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead; who appointed over his father's accounts, and over all his affairs, Achiacharus my brother Anael's son. And Achiacharus intreating for me, I returned to Nineve. Now Achiacharus was cupbearer, and keeper of the signet, and steward, and overseer of the accounts, and Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him, and he was my brother's son. Now when I was come home again, and my wife Anna was restored unto me, with my son Tobias, in the feast of Pentecost, which is the holy feast of the seven weeks, there was a good dinner prepared me, in the which I sat down to eat. And when I saw abundance of meat, I said to my son, Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt find out of our brethren, who is mindful of the Lord, and, lo, I tarry for thee. But he came again, and said, Father, one of our nation is strangled, and is cast out in the marketplace. Then before I had tasted of any meat, I started up, and took him up into a room until the going down of the sun. Then I returned, and washed myself, and ate my meat in heaviness, Remembering that prophecy of Amos, as he said, Your feasts shall be turned into mourning, and all your mirth into lamentation. Therefore I wept, and after the going down of the sun I went and made a grave, and buried him. But my neighbours mocked me, and said, This man is not yet afraid to be put to death for this matter, who fled away, and yet, lo, he burieth the dead again. The same night also I returned from the burial, and slept by the wall of my courtyard, being polluted and my face was uncovered, And I knew not that there were sparrows in the wall, and mine eyes being open, the sparrows muted warm dung into mine eyes, and a whiteness came in mine eyes, and I went to the physicians, but they helped me not, moreover Achiacharus did nourish me, until I went into Elymais. And my wife Anna did take women's works to do. And when she had sent them home to the owners, they paid her wages, and gave her also besides a kid. And when it was in my house, and began to cry, I said unto her, From whence is this kid? is it not stolen? render it to the owners; for it is not lawful to eat any thing that is stolen. But she replied upon me, It was given for a gift more than the wages. Howbeit I did not believe her, but bade her render it to the owners, and I was abashed at her. But she replied upon me, Where are thine alms and thy righteous deeds? behold, thou and all thy works are known. Then I being grieved did weep, and in my sorrow prayed, saying, O Lord, thou art just, and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth, and thou judgest truly and justly for ever. Remember me, and look on me, punish me not for my sins and ignorances, and the sins of my fathers, who have sinned before thee, For they obeyed not thy commandments, wherefore thou hast delivered us for a spoil, and unto captivity, and unto death, and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed. And now thy judgments are many and true, deal with me according to my sins and my fathers', because we have not kept thy commandments, nor have walked in truth before thee. Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee, and command my spirit to be taken from me, that I may be dissolved, and become earth, for it is profitable for me to die rather than to live, because I have heard false reproaches, and have much sorrow, command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress, and go into the everlasting place, turn not thy face away from me. It came to pass the same day, that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her father's maids; Because that she had been married to seven husbands, whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed, before they had lain with her. Dost thou not know, said they, that thou hast strangled thine husbands? thou hast had already seven husbands, nor wast thou named after any of them. Wherefore dost thou beat us for them? if they be dead, go thy ways after them, let us never see of thee either son or daughter. Whe she heard these things, she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself, and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave. Then she prayed toward the window, and said, Blessed art thou, O Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable for ever, let all thy works praise thee for ever. And now, O Lord, I set I mine eyes and my face toward thee, And say, Take me out of the earth, that I may hear no more the reproach. Thou knowest, Lord, that I am pure from all sin with man, And that I never polluted my name, nor the name of my father, in the land of my captivity, I am the only daughter of my father, nor hath he any child to be his heir, nor any near kinsman, nor any son of his alive, to whom I may keep myself for a wife, my seven husbands are already dead, and why should I live? but if it please not thee that I should die, command some regard to be had of me, and pity taken of me, that I hear no more reproach. So the prayers of them both were heard before the majesty of the great God. And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit is eyes, and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit, and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber. In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had committed to Gabael in Rages of Media, And said with himself, I have wished for death; wherefore do I not call for my son Tobias that I may signify to him of the money before I die? And when he had called him, he said, My son, when I am dead, bury me, and despise not thy mother, but honour her all the days of thy life, and do what shall please her, and grieve her not. Remember, my son, that she saw many dangers for thee, when thou wast in her womb, and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave. My son, be mindful of the Lord our God all thy days, and let not thy will be set to sin, or to transgress his commandments, do uprightly all thy life long, and follow not the ways of unrighteousness. For if thou deal truly, thy doings shall prosperously succeed to thee, and to all them that live justly. Give alms of thy substance, and when thou givest alms, let not thine eye be envious, nor turn thy face from any poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee. If thou hast abundance give alms accordingly, if thou have but a little, be not afraid to give according to that little, For thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against the day of necessity. Because that alms do deliver from death, and suffereth not to come into darkness. For alms is a good gift unto all that give it in the sight of the most High. Beware of all whoredom, my son, and chiefly take a wife of the seed of thy fathers, and take not a strange woman to wife, which is not of thy father's tribe, for we are the children of the prophets, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, remember, my son, that our fathers from the beginning, that they all married wives of their own kindred, and were blessed in their children, and their seed shall inherit the land. Now therefore, my son, love thy brethren, and despise not in thy heart thy brethren, the sons and daughters of thy people, in not taking a wife of them, for in pride is destruction and much trouble, and in lewdness is decay and great want, for lewdness is the mother of famine. Let not the wages of any man, which hath wrought for thee, tarry with thee, but give him it out of hand, for if thou serve God, he will also repay thee, be circumspect my son, in all things thou doest, and be wise in all thy conversation. Do that to no man which thou hatest, drink not wine to make thee drunken, nor let drunkenness go with thee in thy journey. Give of thy bread to the hungry, and of thy garments to them that are naked, and according to thine abundance give alms, and let not thine eye be envious, when thou givest alms. Pour out thy bread on the burial of the just, but give nothing to the wicked. Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable. Bless the Lord thy God alway, and desire of him that thy ways may be directed, and that all thy paths and counsels may prosper, for every nation hath not counsel; but the Lord himself giveth all good things, and he humbleth whom he will, as he will; now therefore, my son, remember my commandments, nor let them be put out of thy mind. And now I signify this to they that I committed ten talents to Gabael the son of Gabrias at Rages in Media. And fear not, my son, that we are made poor, for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin, and do what is pleasing in his sight.