The Second Book of Maccabees

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 2 -

A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias’ hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. The author’s preface.

It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:

And how 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 ornaments.

And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.

It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God.

And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.

And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.

Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.

It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.

And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings.

And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed.

So Solomon kept those eight days.

The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.

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,

Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.

Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.

We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an 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 hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.

Now as concerning 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 manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes,

And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:

All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.

For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,

We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.

Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching;

Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;

Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.

To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:

But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.

Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias’ hiding the ark at the time of the captivity. The author’s preface.

It is also found in the records that Jeremiah the prophet commanded those who were carried away to take some of the fire, as has been mentioned,

and how that the prophet charged those who were carried away, having given them the law, that they should not forget the statutes of the Lord or be led astray in their minds when they saw images of gold and silver, and their adornment.

With other such words exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.

It was in the writing that the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should follow with him,(a) when he went out to the mountain where Moses had gone up and saw God’s inheritance.

Jeremiah came and found a cave, he brought the tabernacle, the ark, and the altar of incense into it; then he sealed the entrance.

Some of those who followed with him came there that they might mark the way, and could not find it.

But when Jeremiah learned about that, he rebuked them, saying, “The place shall be unknown until God gathers the people together again and shows mercy.

Then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen with the cloud, as it was also shown to Moses, also as Solomon implored that the place might be consecrated greatly,

and it was also declared that he, having wisdom, offered a sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.

As Moses prayed to the Lord and fire came down out of heaven and consumed the sacrifice, even so Solomon also prayed, and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offerings.

(b)Moses said, ‘Because the sin offering had not been eaten, it was consumed in like manner.’

Likewise Solomon kept the eight days.”

The same things were reported both in the public archives and in Nehemiah’s records, and also how he, founding a library, gathered together the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts.

In like manner Judas also gathered together for us all those books that had been scattered by reason of the war, and they are still with us.

If therefore you have need of them, send some people to bring them to you.

Seeing then that we are about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. You will therefore do well if you celebrate the days.

Now God, who saved all his people, and restored the heritage to all, with the kingdom, the priesthood, and the consecration,

even as he promised through the law— in God have we hope, that he will soon have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of everywhere under heaven into his holy place; for he delivered us out of great evils, and purified the place. ———————

Now the things concerning Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the greatest temple, the dedication of the altar,

and further the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and Eupator his son,

and the manifestations that came from heaven to those who fought with one another in brave deeds for the religion of the Jews; so that, being but a few, they seized the whole country, chased the barbarous multitudes,

recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, freed the city, and restored the laws which were about to be overthrown, seeing the Lord became gracious to them with all kindness.

These things which have been declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will attempt to abridge in one book.

For having in view the confused mass of the numbers, and the(c) difficulty which awaits those who would enter into the narratives of the history, by reason of the abundance of the matter,

we were careful that those who choose to read may be attracted, and that those who wish us well may find it easy to recall, and that all readers may benefit.

Although to us, who have taken upon ourselves the painful labor of the abridgement, the task is not easy, but a matter of sweat and sleeplessness,

even as it is no light thing to him who prepares a banquet, and seeks the benefit of others. Nevertheless, for the sake of the gratitude of the many we will gladly endure the painful labor,

leaving to the historian the exact handling of every particular, and again having no strength to fill in the outlines of our abridgement.

For as the masterbuilder of a new house must care for the whole structure, and again he who undertakes to decorate and paint it must seek out the things fit for its adorning; even so I think it is also with us.

To occupy the ground, and to indulge in long discussions, and to be curious in particulars, is fitting for the first author of the history;

but to strive after brevity of expression, and to avoid a labored fullness in the treatment, is to be granted to him who would bring a writing into a new form.

Here then let’s begin the narration, only adding this much to that which has already been said; for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue to the history, and to abridge the history itself.

Footnotes

(a)2:4 Gr. and when.The Greek text here is probably corrupt.

(b)2:11 See Leviticus 10:16 and 9:24.