10
And Maccabaeus and they that were with him, the Lord leading them on, recovered the temple and the city; and they pulled down the altars that had been built in the marketplace by the aliens, and also the walls of sacred inclosures. And having cleansed the sanctuary they made another altar of sacrifice; and striking stones and taking fire out of them, they offered sacrifices, after they had ceased for two years, and burned incense, and lighted lamps, and set forth the show bread. And when they had done these things, they fell prostrate and implored the Lord that they might fall no more into such evils; but that, if ever they should sin, they might be chastened by him with forbearance, and not be delivered to blaspheming and barbarous heathen. Now on the same day that the sanctuary was profaned by aliens, upon that very day did it come to pass that the cleansing of the sanctuary was made, even on the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Chislev. And they kept eight days with gladness in the manner of the feast of tabernacles, remembering how that not not long before, during the feast of tabernacles, they were wandering in the mountains and in the caves after the manner of wild beasts. Wherefore bearing wands wreathed with leaves, and fair boughs, and palms also, they offered up hymns of thanksgiving to him that had prosperously brought to pass the cleansing of his own place. They ordained also with a common statute and decree, for all the nation of the Jews, that they should keep these days every year. And suchof such was the end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes. 10 But now will we declare what came to pass under Antiochus named Thatson Eupator, who proved himself a true son of that ungodly man, and will gather up briefly the successive evils of the wars. 11 For this man, when he succeeded to the kingdom, appointed one Lysias to be chancellor, and supreme governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia. 12 For Ptolemy that was called Macron, setting an example of observing justice toward the Jews because of the wrong that had been done to them, endeavoured to settle conduct his dealings with them on peaceful terms. 13 Whereupon being accused by the king’s See Friends before Eupator, and hearing himself called traitor at every turn, because he had abandoned Cyprus which Philometor had intrusted to him, and had withdrawn himself to Antiochus called Epiphanes, and The failing to uphold the honor of his office, he took poison and made away with himself.
14 But Gorgias, when he was made governor of the district, maintained a force of mercenaries, and at every turn kept up war with the Jews. 15 And together with him the Idumaeans also, being masters of important strongholds, harassed the Jews; and receiving to them those that had taken refuge there from Jerusalem, they assayed to keep up war. 16 But Maccabaeus and his men, having made solemn supplication and implored God to fight on their side, rushed upon the strongholds of the Idumaeans; 17 and assaulting them vigorously they made themselves masters of the positions, and kept off all that fought upon the wall, and killed those that fell in their way, and killed no fewer than twenty thousand. 18 And because no less than nine thousand were fled into two towers exceeding strong and having all things needed for a seige, 19 Maccabaeus, having left Simon and Joseph, and Zacchaeus besides and them that were with him, a force sufficient to besiege them, departed himself to places where he was most needed. 20 But Simon and they that were with him, yielding to covetousness, were bribed by certain of those that were in the towers, and receiving seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away. 21 But when word was brought to Maccabaeus of what was done, he gathered the leaders of the people together, and accused those men of having sold their brethren for money, by setting their enemies free to fight against them. 22 So he killed these men for having turned traitors, and forthwith took possession of the two towers. 23 And prospering with his arms in all things he took in hand, he destroyed in the two strongholds more than twenty thousand.
24 Now Timotheus, who had been before defeated by the Jews, having gathered together foreign forces in great multitudes, and having collected the horsemen which belonged to Asia, not a few, came as though he would take Judaea by force of arms. 25 But as he drew near, Maccabaeus and his men sprinkled earth upon their heads and girded their loins with sackcloth, in supplication to God, 26 and falling down upon the step in front of the altar, implored him to become gracious to them, and See be an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law declares. 27 And rising from their prayer they took up their arms, and advanced some distance from the city; and when they had come near to their enemies they were halted. 28 And when the dawn was now spreading, the two armies joined battle; the one part having this, beside their virtue, for a pledge of success and victory, that they had fled to the Lord for refuge, the others making their passion their leader in the strife. 29 But when the battle waxed strong, there appeared out of heaven to their adversaries five men on horses with bridles of gold, in splendid array; Someand and two of them, leading on the Jews, 30 and taking Maccabaeus in the midst of them, and covering him with their own armor, guarded him from wounds, while on the adversaries they shot forth arrows and thunderbolts; by reason whereof they were blinded and thrown into confusion, and were cut to pieces, filled with bewilderment. 31 And there were slain twenty thousand and five hundred, beside six hundred horsemen.
32 But Timotheus himself fled into a stronghold called Gazara, a fortress of exceeding strength, See Chaereas being in command there. 33 But Maccabaeus and his men were glad and laid siege to the fortress four and twenty days. 34 And they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and hurled forth impious words. 35 But at dawn of the five and twentieth day certain young men of the company of Maccabaeus, inflamed with passion because of the blasphemies, assaulted the wall with masculine force and with passion furious passion, and cut down whoever came in their way. 36 And others climbing up in like manner, while the besieged were distracted with them that had made their way within, set fire to the towers, and kindling fires burned the blasphemers alive; while others broke open the gates, and, having given entrance to the rest of the band, occupied the city. 37 And they killed Timotheus, who was hidden in a cistern, and his brother Chaereas, and Apollophanes. 38 And when they had accomplished these things, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgivings, him who does great benefits to Israel, and gives them the victory.
1:3+1:3Gr.1:3wills.1:8+1:8Or,1:8porch1:8+1:8Gr.1:8loaves1:14+See1:142 Maccabees 8:91:15+1:15Gr.1:15them.1:16+1:16Gr.struck1:16down as with a thunderbolt.1:16+Or,1:16his company1:18+The1:18Greek text here is corrupt.1:21+1:21Gr.the1:21things of the sacrifices.Similarily1:21in verses 31, 33, and 2 Maccabees 2:10.1:31+Some1:31authorities readthat1:31great stones should inclose the water that was left.Both1:31the Greek text and the meaning of this verse and the next are uncertain.1:32+1:32Or,but1:32it spent itself, whereas the...shone still.1:32+1:32Or,shone1:32back2:4+2:4Gr.and2:4when.The2:4Greek text here is probably corrupt.2:5+2:5Gr.a2:5cavernous chamber.2:7+2:7Gr.gather2:7together a gathering of the people.2:8+2:8Or,cloud,2:8as...temple. As Moses2:11+See2:11Leviticus 10:16 and 9:24.2:13+2:13Or,2:13also2:13+2:13Or,Nehemiah’s2:13records2:18+2:18Gr.2:18the2:18earthunder2:18heaven.2:19+2:19Gr.2:19greatest.2:21+2:21Gr.took2:21for a prey.2:22+2:22Gr.2:22propitious.2:24+Or,2:24weariness2:25+Or,2:25the past2:28+2:28Or,making2:28no effort2:28+2:28Or,enlarge2:28on2:29+2:29Gr.2:29foundation.2:29+2:29Gr.decorate2:29in encaustic.2:30+2:30Or,provide2:30a place for discussions2:32+2:32Or,spoken2:32of3:4+3:4Or,charge3:4of the buildings3:4Gr.office3:4of aedile.3:5+3:5Or,3:5ThraseasThe3:5Greek text is probably corrupt. Perhaps the true reading isApollonius3:5of Tarsus.3:9+Some3:9authorities readand3:9of the city.3:9+3:9Or,3:9him3:11+Or,3:11and3:11notsuch3:11a manas3:11that impious Simon slanderously alleged3:13+Some3:13authorities readthe3:13other.3:19+3:19Or,3:19porches3:22+3:22Gr.safe3:22with all security.3:24+3:24Gr.3:24manifestation.3:35+3:35Gr.3:35greatest.3:36+3:36Gr.3:36greatest.4:3+4:3Gr.those4:3that had been approved by Simon.4:4+4:4Or,4:4severity4:4+Compare4:42 Maccabees 4:21. See also 2 Maccabees 3:5. The Greek as commonly read meansApollonius,4:4as4:4beingthe4:4governor...Phoenicia, did rage, and increase etc.4:5+4:5Gr.4:5multitude.4:9+4:9Gr.through4:9his.4:14+4:14Or,take4:14part in the unlawful provision for the palaestra4:14+4:14Or,4:14tothe4:14game ofthe4:14discus4:17+4:17Or,this4:17the due seasonof4:17requitalwill4:17make plain4:19+See4:19ver 9.4:19+4:19Or,reserve4:19for4:20+Some4:20authorities readthe4:20bearers.4:21+The4:21exact meaning of the Greek word is uncertain.4:23+4:23Or,4:23conveyto4:23him4:23reports4:24+The4:24Greek text of this verse is uncertain.4:24+4:24Or,4:24him4:24+4:24Or,4:24by4:24flatteringthe4:24dignity of his authority4:27+4:27Gr.was4:27in due order.4:29+4:29Gr.4:29successor.4:31+4:31Gr.4:31successor.4:34+4:34Or,to4:34get Onias into his hands4:34+The4:34Greek text of this sentence is probably corrupt.4:34+4:34Or,imprisoned4:34him4:34Gr.shut4:34him off.4:36+4:36Or,in4:36the several cities4:38+4:38Or,tore4:38his4:50+4:50Or,growing4:50in4:50+4:50Gr.established4:50as a.5:3+5:3Or,5:3charges5:4+5:4Gr.5:4manifestation.5:5+5:5Gr.5:5perpetrated.5:8+The5:8Greek text here is uncertain.5:9+See5:91 Maccabees 12:7.5:23+Some5:23authorities readtoward5:23the Jews, he sent.The5:23Greek text of this sentence is uncertain.5:23+Compare5:232 Maccabees 4:9, 19; 9:19.5:24+5:24Gr.5:24mysarch,which5:24also may meanruler5:24of the Mysians.5:27+5:27Gr.the5:27grassy food.6:1+6:1Or,Geron6:1an Athenian6:2+6:2Gr.6:2Zeus.6:2+6:2Gr.6:2Zeus.6:2+6:2Or,6:2did6:4+6:4Or,idled6:4with their fellows6:5+6:5Or,the6:5altar6:7+6:7Gr.feast6:7of Dionysia.6:7+6:7Gr.6:7Dionysus.6:15+6:15Or,when6:15our sins be come to their height6:15+6:15Gr.6:15end.6:23+The6:23Greek text appears to be corrupt.6:23+Some6:23authorities readmanner6:23of life.6:23+6:23Or,but6:23yet more6:23+6:23Gr.6:23legislation.6:25+6:25Or,while6:25I shall get6:28+6:28Gr.one6:28that has left behind.6:29+The6:29Greek text of this verse is uncertain.6:29+6:29Gr.the6:29aforesaid words were.6:30+6:30Or,6:30blows7:5+7:5Gr.7:5useless.7:6+7:6Or,comforted7:6in7:6+See7:6Deuteronomy 31:21 and 32:36.7:6+7:6Or,comforted7:6in7:16+7:16Gr.7:16him.7:22+7:22Or,7:22breath7:23+7:23Or,first7:23origin7:23+7:23Or,first7:23origin7:23+7:23Or,7:23breath7:24+7:24Gr.make7:24him one that is counted happy.7:24+See7:242 Maccabees 8:9.7:36+7:36Gr.short7:36pain of ever-flowing life.7:36+7:36Gr.7:36fallen.By7:36the omission of one Greek letter the words would signifyhaving7:36endured a short pain, have now drunk of ever-flowing life under God’s covenant.7:37+7:37Gr.7:37propitious.7:38+Some7:38authorities readmay7:38be stayed.8:4+8:4Gr.8:4destruction.8:4+8:4Gr.concerning8:4the blasphemies.8:6+The8:6Greek text of verses 6 and 7 is uncertain.8:9+See8:91 Maccabees 10:65. Compare 2 Maccabees 1:14; 7:24; 10:13; 14:11; 1 Maccabees 2:18.8:10+8:10Or,8:10resolved8:11+8:11Gr.8:11bodies.8:11+8:11Gr.8:11bodies.8:13+The8:13Greek text here is uncertain.8:20+8:20Gr.8:20Galatians.8:20+Some8:20authorities read8:20eight.8:22+8:22Gr.appointing8:22his brethren also leaders.8:24+8:24Gr.disabled8:24in their limbs.8:25+8:25Or,8:25while8:27+The8:27exact meaning of this clause is uncertain.8:27+8:27Gr.their8:27arms...the spoils of the enemy.8:28+8:28Or,8:28wounded8:28Gr.shamefully8:28handled.8:30+8:30Or,8:30wounded8:30Gr.shamefully8:30handled.8:31+The8:31exact meaning of this clause is uncertain.8:31+8:31Gr.of8:31them.8:32+That8:32is, probably, the captain of an irregular auxiliary force. Some write8:32Phylarches,as8:32a proper name.8:33+The8:33Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.8:33+8:33Or,8:33country8:33+8:33Or,8:33porches8:33+8:33Or,a8:33solitary hut8:35+8:35Gr.having8:35made himself solitary.8:35+8:35Or,having8:35won the greatest possible favor by reason of the destruction of his host8:36+8:36Or,because8:36of this8:36theirway8:36of life8:36Gr.because8:36of this manner.9:1+9:1Or,with9:1dishonor9:2+9:2Or,9:2temples9:2+Or,9:2the people of the country9:2turned9:4+9:4Or,in9:4his spirit9:5+9:5Gr.9:5remediless.9:8+9:8Or,showing9:8manifestly to all the power of God9:12+Some9:12authorities readbe9:12minded as9:12ifequal9:12to God.9:14+9:14Gr.9:14build.9:20+9:20Or,You⌃9:20fare well, and your children; and your affairs are to your mind.The9:20Greek text in verses 20 and 21 is uncertain.10:3+10:3Gr.10:3firing.10:6+10:6Or,not10:6long before they kept the feast of tabernacles by wandering10:9+10:9Gr.such10:9were the10:9eventsof10:9the end10:10+That10:10is,son10:10of a good father.10:10+10:10Or,10:10chief10:12+10:12Or,settle10:12his relations with10:13+See10:132 Maccabees 8:910:13+The10:13Greek text here is corrupt.10:24+10:24Or,10:24horses10:26+10:26Gr.10:26propitious.10:26+See10:26Exodus 23:22.10:27+10:27Gr.were10:27by themselves.10:29+Some10:29authorities readand10:29leading on the Jews; who also, taking.10:32+See10:32ver 37.10:35+10:35Gr.passion10:35as of wild beasts.