Page:KJV 1772 Oxford Edition, vol. 2.djvu/162

Apocrypha, Christ pulled down their strong holds, and brought dr. ifii. them to be their servants unto this day :

11 It was told him besides, how they de stroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them ;

12 But with their friends and such as re lied 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 :

13 Also that, whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign ; and whom again they would, they displace : finally, that they were greatly exalted :

14 Yet for all this none of them wore a crown, or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby :

15 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 :

16 And that they committed their go vernment to one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, and that there was neither envy nor emulation among them.

17 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,

18 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.

19 They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said,

20 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.

21 So that matter pleased the Romans well.

22 And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again in tables of brass, arid sent to Jerusalem, that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy :

23 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.

24 If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,

25 The people" of the Jews shall help c^rir them, as the time shall be appointed, with. dr. 161. all their heart :

26 Neither shall they give any thing un to them that make war upon them, or aid them with_ victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto tha Romans ; but they shall keep their cove nants without taking any thing therefore.

27 In the fame 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 ap pointed them :

28 Neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against them, or wea pons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans ; but they shall keep their covenants, and that with out deceit.

29 According to these articles did the Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews.

30 Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add or take a Way shall be ratified.

31 And as touching the evils that Deme trius doeth to the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews ?

32 If therefore they complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and - fight with thee by sea and by land.

URTHERMORE when Demetrius - heard that Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, f he sent Bacchides and Al- cimus into the land of Judea the second proceeded' time, and with them II the chief strength ^e"f' of his host : the right

2 Who went forth by the way that leadeth to || Galgata, and pitched their Gaiiha.