Page:KJV 1772 Oxford Edition, vol. 2.djvu/193

Apocrypha. ling fires burnt the "blasphemers alive; and cir.16*. others broke open the gates, and, having received in the rest of the army, took the -city,

37 And killed Timotheus, that was hid an a certain pit, and Chereas his brother, with Apollophanes.

38 When this was done, they praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving, who had done 10 great things for Israel, and given them the victory.

OT long after this, Lysias the king's t protector and cousin, who also ma naged the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.

2 a And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the || Gentiles,

3 And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year :

4 Not at all considering the power of God, but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants. •

5 So he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.

6 Now when || they that were with Mac cabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would fend a good angelto deliver Israel.

7 Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren : so they went forth together with a willing mind.

8 And as they were at Jerusalem, b there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.'

9 Then they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.

10 Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven : for the Lord was merciful unto them.

1 1 And giving a charge upon their ene mies like lions, they flew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, B'f°«* and put all the other to flight.

12 Many of them also being wounded escaped naked j and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.

13^ Who, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them,

14 And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promt/ed c that c«Mac «. he would persuade the king that he must 5S'5»,6<*" needs be a friend unto them.

1 c Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lynas desired, being careful of the com mon good ; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king, granted it.

16 For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect : Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting :

17 John and Absalon, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the perform ance of the contents thereof.

18 Therefore what things soever were cir. 163. meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.

19 If then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.

20 But of the particulars I have given order both to these, and the other thai came from me, to commune with you.

21 Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month || Dioscorinthius. II Or,

22 Now the king's letter contained these Dlasc<ir*',' words : King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting : •

23 Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may at tend upon his own affairs.

24 We understand also that the Jews- would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living : for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.

25 Wherefore our mind isj that this na tion shall be in rest, and we have deter mined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.