DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
<form
action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr"
method="post"
target="_top">
<input
type="hidden"
name="cmd"
value="_s-xclick">
<input
type="hidden"
name="hosted_button_id"
value="DKL7ADEKRVUBL">
<input
type="image"
src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif"
border="0"
name="submit"
alt="PayPal
- The safer, easier way to pay
online!">
<img
alt=""
border="0"
src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif"
width="1"
height="1">
</form>
HTML https://3169.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Apocrypha
*****************************************************
#Post#: 13361--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: May 24, 2020, 10:23 am
---------------------------------------------------------
2 Maccabees 11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Lysias Besieges Beth-zur
11 Very soon after this, Lysias, the king’s guardian and
kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at
what had happened, 2 gathered about eighty thousand infantry and
all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended to make
the city a home for Greeks, 3 and to levy tribute on the temple
as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put
up the high priesthood for sale every year. 4 He took no account
whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten
thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and his
eighty elephants. 5 Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur,
which was a fortified place about five stadia[a] from Jerusalem,
and pressed it hard.
6 When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias[b] was
besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with
lamentations and tears, prayed the Lord to send a good angel to
save Israel. 7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms,
and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid
their kindred. Then they eagerly rushed off together. 8 And
there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared
at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.
9 And together they all praised the merciful God, and were
strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only humans but the
wildest animals or walls of iron. 10 They advanced in battle
order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on
them. 11 They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy,
and laid low eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred
cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee. 12 Most of them got
away stripped and wounded, and Lysias himself escaped by
disgraceful flight.
Lysias Makes Peace with the Jews
13 As he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the
defeat that had befallen him, and realized that the Hebrews were
invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he
sent to them 14 and persuaded them to settle everything on just
terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining
him to be their friend.[c] 15 Maccabeus, having regard for the
common good, agreed to all that Lysias urged. For the king
granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabeus
delivered to Lysias in writing.
16 The letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect:
“Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings. 17 John and
Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed
communication and have asked about the matters indicated in it.
18 I have informed the king of everything that needed to be
brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible. 19
If you will maintain your goodwill toward the government, I will
endeavor in the future to help promote your welfare. 20 And
concerning such matters and their details, I have ordered these
men and my representatives to confer with you. 21 Farewell. The
one hundred forty-eighth year,[d] Dioscorinthius twenty-fourth.”
22 The king’s letter ran thus:
“King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings. 23 Now that
our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects
of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.
24 We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s
change to Greek customs, but prefer their own way of living and
ask that their own customs be allowed them. 25 Accordingly,
since we choose that this nation also should be free from
disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to
them and that they shall live according to the customs of their
ancestors. 26 You will do well, therefore, to send word to them
and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our
policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of
their own affairs.”
27 To the nation the king’s letter was as follows:
“King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews,
greetings. 28 If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are
in good health. 29 Menelaus has informed us that you wish to
return home and look after your own affairs. 30 Therefore those
who go home by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our pledge
of friendship and full permission 31 for the Jews to enjoy their
own food and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be
molested in any way for what may have been done in ignorance. 32
And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you. 33 Farewell. The
one hundred forty-eighth year,[e] Xanthicus fifteenth.”
34 The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus:
“Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the
people of the Jews, greetings. 35 With regard to what Lysias the
kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent. 36
But as to the matters that he decided are to be referred to the
king, as soon as you have considered them, send some one
promptly so that we may make proposals appropriate for you. For
we are on our way to Antioch. 37 Therefore make haste and send
messengers so that we may have your judgment. 38 Farewell. The
one hundred forty-eighth year,[f] Xanthicus fifteenth.”
Footnotes:
2 Maccabees 11:5 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 11:6 Gk he
2 Maccabees 11:14 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 11:21 164 b.c.
2 Maccabees 11:33 164 b.c.
2 Maccabees 11:38 164 b.c.
#Post#: 13362--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: May 24, 2020, 10:24 am
---------------------------------------------------------
2 Maccabees 12 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Incidents at Joppa and Jamnia
12 When this agreement had been reached, Lysias returned to the
king, and the Jews went about their farming.
2 But some of the governors in various places, Timothy and
Apollonius son of Gennaeus, as well as Hieronymus and Demophon,
and in addition to these Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would
not let them live quietly and in peace. 3 And the people of
Joppa did so ungodly a deed as this: they invited the Jews who
lived among them to embark, with their wives and children, on
boats that they had provided, as though there were no ill will
to the Jews;[a] 4 and this was done by public vote of the city.
When they accepted, because they wished to live peaceably and
suspected nothing, the people of Joppa[b] took them out to sea
and drowned them, at least two hundred. 5 When Judas heard of
the cruelty visited on his compatriots, he gave orders to his
men 6 and, calling upon God, the righteous judge, attacked the
murderers of his kindred. He set fire to the harbor by night,
burned the boats, and massacred those who had taken refuge
there. 7 Then, because the city’s gates were closed, he
withdrew, intending to come again and root out the whole
community of Joppa. 8 But learning that the people in Jamnia
meant in the same way to wipe out the Jews who were living among
them, 9 he attacked the Jamnites by night and set fire to the
harbor and the fleet, so that the glow of the light was seen in
Jerusalem, thirty miles[c] distant.
The Campaign in Gilead
10 When they had gone more than a mile[d] from there, on their
march against Timothy, at least five thousand Arabs with five
hundred cavalry attacked them. 11 After a hard fight, Judas and
his companions, with God’s help, were victorious. The defeated
nomads begged Judas to grant them pledges of friendship,
promising to give him livestock and to help his people[e] in all
other ways. 12 Judas, realizing that they might indeed be useful
in many ways, agreed to make peace with them; and after
receiving his pledges they went back to their tents.
13 He also attacked a certain town that was strongly fortified
with earthworks[f] and walls, and inhabited by all sorts of
Gentiles. Its name was Caspin. 14 Those who were within, relying
on the strength of the walls and on their supply of provisions,
behaved most insolently toward Judas and his men, railing at
them and even blaspheming and saying unholy things. 15 But Judas
and his men, calling upon the great Sovereign of the world, who
without battering rams or engines of war overthrew Jericho in
the days of Joshua, rushed furiously upon the walls. 16 They
took the town by the will of God, and slaughtered untold
numbers, so that the adjoining lake, a quarter of a mile[g]
wide, appeared to be running over with blood.
Judas Defeats Timothy’s Army
17 When they had gone ninety-five miles[h] from there, they came
to Charax, to the Jews who are called Toubiani. 18 They did not
find Timothy in that region, for he had by then left there
without accomplishing anything, though in one place he had left
a very strong garrison. 19 Dositheus and Sosipater, who were
captains under Maccabeus, marched out and destroyed those whom
Timothy had left in the stronghold, more than ten thousand men.
20 But Maccabeus arranged his army in divisions, set men[i] in
command of the divisions, and hurried after Timothy, who had
with him one hundred twenty thousand infantry and two thousand
five hundred cavalry. 21 When Timothy learned of the approach of
Judas, he sent off the women and the children and also the
baggage to a place called Carnaim; for that place was hard to
besiege and difficult of access because of the narrowness of all
the approaches. 22 But when Judas’s first division appeared,
terror and fear came over the enemy at the manifestation to them
of him who sees all things. In their flight they rushed headlong
in every direction, so that often they were injured by their own
men and pierced by the points of their own swords. 23 Judas
pressed the pursuit with the utmost vigor, putting the sinners
to the sword, and destroyed as many as thirty thousand.
24 Timothy himself fell into the hands of Dositheus and
Sosipater and their men. With great guile he begged them to let
him go in safety, because he held the parents of most of them,
and the brothers of some, to whom no consideration would be
shown. 25 And when with many words he had confirmed his solemn
promise to restore them unharmed, they let him go, for the sake
of saving their kindred.
Judas Wins Other Victories
26 Then Judas[j] marched against Carnaim and the temple of
Atargatis, and slaughtered twenty-five thousand people. 27 After
the rout and destruction of these, he marched also against
Ephron, a fortified town where Lysias lived with multitudes of
people of all nationalities.[k] Stalwart young men took their
stand before the walls and made a vigorous defense; and great
stores of war engines and missiles were there. 28 But the
Jews[l] called upon the Sovereign who with power shatters the
might of his enemies, and they got the town into their hands,
and killed as many as twenty-five thousand of those who were in
it.
29 Setting out from there, they hastened to Scythopolis, which
is seventy-five miles[m] from Jerusalem. 30 But when the Jews
who lived there bore witness to the goodwill that the people of
Scythopolis had shown them and their kind treatment of them in
times of misfortune, 31 they thanked them and exhorted them to
be well disposed to their race in the future also. Then they
went up to Jerusalem, as the festival of weeks was close at
hand.
Judas Defeats Gorgias
32 After the festival called Pentecost, they hurried against
Gorgias, the governor of Idumea, 33 who came out with three
thousand infantry and four hundred cavalry. 34 When they joined
battle, it happened that a few of the Jews fell. 35 But a
certain Dositheus, one of Bacenor’s men, who was on horseback
and was a strong man, caught hold of Gorgias, and grasping his
cloak was dragging him off by main strength, wishing to take the
accursed man alive, when one of the Thracian cavalry bore down
on him and cut off his arm; so Gorgias escaped and reached
Marisa.
36 As Esdris and his men had been fighting for a long time and
were weary, Judas called upon the Lord to show himself their
ally and leader in the battle. 37 In the language of their
ancestors he raised the battle cry, with hymns; then he charged
against Gorgias’s troops when they were not expecting it, and
put them to flight.
Prayers for Those Killed in Battle
38 Then Judas assembled his army and went to the city of
Adullam. As the seventh day was coming on, they purified
themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath there.
39 On the next day, as had now become necessary, Judas and his
men went to take up the bodies of the fallen and to bring them
back to lie with their kindred in the sepulchres of their
ancestors. 40 Then under the tunic of each one of the dead they
found sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, which the law
forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear to all that this
was the reason these men had fallen. 41 So they all blessed the
ways of the Lord, the righteous judge, who reveals the things
that are hidden; 42 and they turned to supplication, praying
that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted
out. The noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free
from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had
happened as the result of the sin of those who had fallen. 43 He
also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two
thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide
for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and
honorably, taking account of the resurrection. 44 For if he were
not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it
would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 45
But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for
those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious
thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they
might be delivered from their sin.
Footnotes:
2 Maccabees 12:3 Gk to them
2 Maccabees 12:4 Gk they
2 Maccabees 12:9 Gk two hundred forty stadia
2 Maccabees 12:10 Gk nine stadia
2 Maccabees 12:11 Gk them
2 Maccabees 12:13 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 12:16 Gk two stadia
2 Maccabees 12:17 Gk seven hundred fifty stadia
2 Maccabees 12:20 Gk them
2 Maccabees 12:26 Gk he
2 Maccabees 12:27 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 12:28 Gk they
2 Maccabees 12:29 Gk six hundred stadia
#Post#: 13363--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: May 24, 2020, 10:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
2 Maccabees 13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Menelaus Is Put to Death
13 In the one hundred forty-ninth year[a] word came to Judas and
his men that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a great army
against Judea, 2 and with him Lysias, his guardian, who had
charge of the government. Each of them had a Greek force of one
hundred ten thousand infantry, five thousand three hundred
cavalry, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed
with scythes.
3 Menelaus also joined them and with utter hypocrisy urged
Antiochus on, not for the sake of his country’s welfare, but
because he thought that he would be established in office. 4 But
the King of kings aroused the anger of Antiochus against the
scoundrel; and when Lysias informed him that this man was to
blame for all the trouble, he ordered them to take him to Beroea
and to put him to death by the method that is customary in that
place. 5 For there is a tower there, fifty cubits high, full of
ashes, and it has a rim running around it that on all sides
inclines precipitously into the ashes. 6 There they all push to
destruction anyone guilty of sacrilege or notorious for other
crimes. 7 By such a fate it came about that Menelaus the
lawbreaker died, without even burial in the earth. 8 And this
was eminently just; because he had committed many sins against
the altar whose fire and ashes were holy, he met his death in
ashes.
A Battle Near the City of Modein
9 The king with barbarous arrogance was coming to show the Jews
things far worse than those that had been done[b] in his
father’s time. 10 But when Judas heard of this, he ordered the
people to call upon the Lord day and night, now if ever to help
those who were on the point of being deprived of the law and
their country and the holy temple, 11 and not to let the people
who had just begun to revive fall into the hands of the
blasphemous Gentiles. 12 When they had all joined in the same
petition and had implored the merciful Lord with weeping and
fasting and lying prostrate for three days without ceasing,
Judas exhorted them and ordered them to stand ready.
13 After consulting privately with the elders, he determined to
march out and decide the matter by the help of God before the
king’s army could enter Judea and get possession of the city. 14
So, committing the decision to the Creator of the world and
exhorting his troops to fight bravely to the death for the laws,
temple, city, country, and commonwealth, he pitched his camp
near Modein. 15 He gave his troops the watchword, “God’s
victory,” and with a picked force of the bravest young men, he
attacked the king’s pavilion at night and killed as many as two
thousand men in the camp. He stabbed[c] the leading elephant and
its rider. 16 In the end they filled the camp with terror and
confusion and withdrew in triumph. 17 This happened, just as day
was dawning, because the Lord’s help protected him.
Antiochus Makes a Treaty with the Jews
18 The king, having had a taste of the daring of the Jews, tried
strategy in attacking their positions. 19 He advanced against
Beth-zur, a strong fortress of the Jews, was turned back,
attacked again,[d] and was defeated. 20 Judas sent in to the
garrison whatever was necessary. 21 But Rhodocus, a man from the
ranks of the Jews, gave secret information to the enemy; he was
sought for, caught, and put in prison. 22 The king negotiated a
second time with the people in Beth-zur, gave pledges, received
theirs, withdrew, attacked Judas and his men, was defeated; 23
he got word that Philip, who had been left in charge of the
government, had revolted in Antioch; he was dismayed, called in
the Jews, yielded and swore to observe all their rights, settled
with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and
showed generosity to the holy place. 24 He received Maccabeus,
left Hegemonides as governor from Ptolemais to Gerar, 25 and
went to Ptolemais. The people of Ptolemais were indignant over
the treaty; in fact they were so angry that they wanted to annul
its terms.[e] 26 Lysias took the public platform, made the best
possible defense, convinced them, appeased them, gained their
goodwill, and set out for Antioch. This is how the king’s attack
and withdrawal turned out.
Footnotes:
2 Maccabees 13:1 163 b.c.
2 Maccabees 13:9 Or the worst of the things that had been done
2 Maccabees 13:15 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 13:19 Or faltered
2 Maccabees 13:25 Meaning of Gk uncertain
#Post#: 13364--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: May 24, 2020, 10:26 am
---------------------------------------------------------
2 Maccabees 14 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Alcimus Speaks against Judas
14 Three years later, word came to Judas and his men that
Demetrius son of Seleucus had sailed into the harbor of Tripolis
with a strong army and a fleet, 2 and had taken possession of
the country, having made away with Antiochus and his guardian
Lysias.
3 Now a certain Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest but
had willfully defiled himself in the times of separation,[a]
realized that there was no way for him to be safe or to have
access again to the holy altar, 4 and went to King Demetrius in
about the one hundred fifty-first year,[b] presenting to him a
crown of gold and a palm, and besides these some of the
customary olive branches from the temple. During that day he
kept quiet. 5 But he found an opportunity that furthered his mad
purpose when he was invited by Demetrius to a meeting of the
council and was asked about the attitude and intentions of the
Jews. He answered:
6 “Those of the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose leader is
Judas Maccabeus, are keeping up war and stirring up sedition,
and will not let the kingdom attain tranquility. 7 Therefore I
have laid aside my ancestral glory—I mean the high
priesthood—and have now come here, 8 first because I am
genuinely concerned for the interests of the king, and second
because I have regard also for my compatriots. For through the
folly of those whom I have mentioned our whole nation is now in
no small misfortune. 9 Since you are acquainted, O king, with
the details of this matter, may it please you to take thought
for our country and our hard-pressed nation with the gracious
kindness that you show to all. 10 For as long as Judas lives, it
is impossible for the government to find peace.” 11 When he had
said this, the rest of the king’s Friends,[c] who were hostile
to Judas, quickly inflamed Demetrius still more. 12 He
immediately chose Nicanor, who had been in command of the
elephants, appointed him governor of Judea, and sent him off 13
with orders to kill Judas and scatter his troops, and to install
Alcimus as high priest of the great[d] temple. 14 And the
Gentiles throughout Judea, who had fled before[e] Judas, flocked
to join Nicanor, thinking that the misfortunes and calamities of
the Jews would mean prosperity for themselves.
Nicanor Makes Friends with Judas
15 When the Jews[f] heard of Nicanor’s coming and the gathering
of the Gentiles, they sprinkled dust on their heads and prayed
to him who established his own people forever and always upholds
his own heritage by manifesting himself. 16 At the command of
the leader, they[g] set out from there immediately and engaged
them in battle at a village called Dessau.[h] 17 Simon, the
brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, but had been
temporarily[i] checked because of the sudden consternation
created by the enemy.
18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of Judas and his
troops and their courage in battle for their country, shrank
from deciding the issue by bloodshed. 19 Therefore he sent
Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to give and receive
pledges of friendship. 20 When the terms had been fully
considered, and the leader had informed the people, and it had
appeared that they were of one mind, they agreed to the
covenant. 21 The leaders[j] set a day on which to meet by
themselves. A chariot came forward from each army; seats of
honor were set in place; 22 Judas posted armed men in readiness
at key places to prevent sudden treachery on the part of the
enemy; so they duly held the consultation.
23 Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing out of the
way, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered. 24
And he kept Judas always in his presence; he was warmly attached
to the man. 25 He urged him to marry and have children; so
Judas[k] married, settled down, and shared the common life.
Nicanor Turns against Judas
26 But when Alcimus noticed their goodwill for one another, he
took the covenant that had been made and went to Demetrius. He
told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government, since he
had appointed that conspirator against the kingdom, Judas, to be
his successor. 27 The king became excited and, provoked by the
false accusations of that depraved man, wrote to Nicanor,
stating that he was displeased with the covenant and commanding
him to send Maccabeus to Antioch as a prisoner without delay.
28 When this message came to Nicanor, he was troubled and
grieved that he had to annul their agreement when the man had
done no wrong. 29 Since it was not possible to oppose the king,
he watched for an opportunity to accomplish this by a stratagem.
30 But Maccabeus, noticing that Nicanor was more austere in his
dealings with him and was meeting him more rudely than had been
his custom, concluded that this austerity did not spring from
the best motives. So he gathered not a few of his men, and went
into hiding from Nicanor. 31 When the latter became aware that
he had been cleverly outwitted by the man, he went to the
great[l] and holy temple while the priests were offering the
customary sacrifices, and commanded them to hand the man over.
32 When they declared on oath that they did not know where the
man was whom he wanted, 33 he stretched out his right hand
toward the sanctuary, and swore this oath: “If you do not hand
Judas over to me as a prisoner, I will level this shrine of God
to the ground and tear down the altar, and build here a splendid
temple to Dionysus.”
34 Having said this, he went away. Then the priests stretched
out their hands toward heaven and called upon the constant
Defender of our nation, in these words: 35 “O Lord of all,
though you have need of nothing, you were pleased that there
should be a temple for your habitation among us; 36 so now, O
holy One, Lord of all holiness, keep undefiled forever this
house that has been so recently purified.”
Razis Dies for His Country
37 A certain Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was
denounced to Nicanor as a man who loved his compatriots and was
very well thought of and for his goodwill was called father of
the Jews. 38 In former times, when there was no mingling with
the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and he had most
zealously risked body and life for Judaism. 39 Nicanor, wishing
to exhibit the enmity that he had for the Jews, sent more than
five hundred soldiers to arrest him; 40 for he thought that by
arresting[m] him he would do them an injury. 41 When the troops
were about to capture the tower and were forcing the door of the
courtyard, they ordered that fire be brought and the doors
burned. Being surrounded, Razis[n] fell upon his own sword, 42
preferring to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of
sinners and suffer outrages unworthy of his noble birth. 43 But
in the heat of the struggle he did not hit exactly, and the
crowd was now rushing in through the doors. He courageously ran
up on the wall, and bravely threw himself down into the crowd.
44 But as they quickly drew back, a space opened and he fell in
the middle of the empty space. 45 Still alive and aflame with
anger, he rose, and though his blood gushed forth and his wounds
were severe he ran through the crowd; and standing upon a steep
rock, 46 with his blood now completely drained from him, he tore
out his entrails, took them in both hands and hurled them at the
crowd, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to give them
back to him again. This was the manner of his death.
Footnotes:
2 Maccabees 14:3 Other ancient authorities read of mixing
2 Maccabees 14:4 161 b.c.
2 Maccabees 14:11 Gk of the Friends
2 Maccabees 14:13 Gk greatest
2 Maccabees 14:14 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 14:15 Gk they
2 Maccabees 14:16 Gk he
2 Maccabees 14:16 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 14:17 Other ancient authorities read slowly
2 Maccabees 14:21 Gk They
2 Maccabees 14:25 Gk he
2 Maccabees 14:31 Gk greatest
2 Maccabees 14:40 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 14:41 Gk he
#Post#: 13365--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: May 24, 2020, 10:27 am
---------------------------------------------------------
2 Maccabees 15 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Nicanor’s Arrogance
15 When Nicanor heard that Judas and his troops were in the
region of Samaria, he made plans to attack them with complete
safety on the day of rest. 2 When the Jews who were compelled to
follow him said, “Do not destroy so savagely and barbarously,
but show respect for the day that he who sees all things has
honored and hallowed above other days,” 3 the thrice-accursed
wretch asked if there were a sovereign in heaven who had
commanded the keeping of the sabbath day. 4 When they declared,
“It is the living Lord himself, the Sovereign in heaven, who
ordered us to observe the seventh day,” 5 he replied, “But I am
a sovereign also, on earth, and I command you to take up arms
and finish the king’s business.” Nevertheless, he did not
succeed in carrying out his abominable design.
Judas Prepares the Jews for Battle
6 This Nicanor in his utter boastfulness and arrogance had
determined to erect a public monument of victory over Judas and
his forces. 7 But Maccabeus did not cease to trust with all
confidence that he would get help from the Lord. 8 He exhorted
his troops not to fear the attack of the Gentiles, but to keep
in mind the former times when help had come to them from heaven,
and so to look for the victory that the Almighty would give
them. 9 Encouraging them from the law and the prophets, and
reminding them also of the struggles they had won, he made them
the more eager. 10 When he had aroused their courage, he issued
his orders, at the same time pointing out the perfidy of the
Gentiles and their violation of oaths. 11 He armed each of them
not so much with confidence in shields and spears as with the
inspiration of brave words, and he cheered them all by relating
a dream, a sort of vision,[a] which was worthy of belief.
12 What he saw was this: Onias, who had been high priest, a
noble and good man, of modest bearing and gentle manner, one who
spoke fittingly and had been trained from childhood in all that
belongs to excellence, was praying with outstretched hands for
the whole body of the Jews. 13 Then in the same fashion another
appeared, distinguished by his gray hair and dignity, and of
marvelous majesty and authority. 14 And Onias spoke, saying,
“This is a man who loves the family of Israel and prays much for
the people and the holy city—Jeremiah, the prophet of God.” 15
Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave to Judas a golden
sword, and as he gave it he addressed him thus: 16 “Take this
holy sword, a gift from God, with which you will strike down
your adversaries.”
17 Encouraged by the words of Judas, so noble and so effective
in arousing valor and awaking courage in the souls of the young,
they determined not to carry on a campaign[b] but to attack
bravely, and to decide the matter by fighting hand to hand with
all courage, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple
were in danger. 18 Their concern for wives and children, and
also for brothers and sisters[c] and relatives, lay upon them
less heavily; their greatest and first fear was for the
consecrated sanctuary. 19 And those who had to remain in the
city were in no little distress, being anxious over the
encounter in the open country.
The Defeat and Death of Nicanor
20 When all were now looking forward to the coming issue, and
the enemy was already close at hand with their army drawn up for
battle, the elephants[d] strategically stationed and the cavalry
deployed on the flanks, 21 Maccabeus, observing the masses that
were in front of him and the varied supply of arms and the
savagery of the elephants, stretched out his hands toward heaven
and called upon the Lord who works wonders; for he knew that it
is not by arms, but as the Lord[e] decides, that he gains the
victory for those who deserve it. 22 He called upon him in these
words: “O Lord, you sent your angel in the time of King Hezekiah
of Judea, and he killed fully one hundred eighty-five thousand
in the camp of Sennacherib. 23 So now, O Sovereign of the
heavens, send a good angel to spread terror and trembling before
us. 24 By the might of your arm may these blasphemers who come
against your holy people be struck down.” With these words he
ended his prayer.
25 Nicanor and his troops advanced with trumpets and battle
songs, 26 but Judas and his troops met the enemy in battle with
invocations to God and prayers. 27 So, fighting with their hands
and praying to God in their hearts, they laid low at least
thirty-five thousand, and were greatly gladdened by God’s
manifestation.
28 When the action was over and they were returning with joy,
they recognized Nicanor, lying dead, in full armor. 29 Then
there was shouting and tumult, and they blessed the Sovereign
Lord in the language of their ancestors. 30 Then the man who was
ever in body and soul the defender of his people, the man who
maintained his youthful goodwill toward his compatriots, ordered
them to cut off Nicanor’s head and arm and carry them to
Jerusalem. 31 When he arrived there and had called his
compatriots together and stationed the priests before the altar,
he sent for those who were in the citadel. 32 He showed them the
vile Nicanor’s head and that profane man’s arm, which had been
boastfully stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty.
33 He cut out the tongue of the ungodly Nicanor and said that he
would feed it piecemeal to the birds and would hang up these
rewards of his folly opposite the sanctuary. 34 And they all,
looking to heaven, blessed the Lord who had manifested himself,
saying, “Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled!” 35
Judas[f] hung Nicanor’s head from the citadel, a clear and
conspicuous sign to everyone of the help of the Lord. 36 And
they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go
unobserved, but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth
month—which is called Adar in the Aramaic language—the day
before Mordecai’s day.
37 This, then, is how matters turned out with Nicanor, and from
that time the city has been in the possession of the Hebrews. So
I will here end my story.
The Compiler’s Epilogue
38 If it is well told and to the point, that is what I myself
desired; if it is poorly done and mediocre, that was the best I
could do. 39 For just as it is harmful to drink wine alone, or,
again, to drink water alone, while wine mixed with water is
sweet and delicious and enhances one’s enjoyment, so also the
style of the story delights the ears of those who read the work.
And here will be the end.
Footnotes:
2 Maccabees 15:11 Meaning of Gk uncertain
2 Maccabees 15:17 Or to remain in camp
2 Maccabees 15:18 Gk for brothers
2 Maccabees 15:20 Gk animals
2 Maccabees 15:21 Gk he
2 Maccabees 15:35 Gk He
#Post#: 16557--------------------------------------------------
Re: 2 MACCABEES
DIR By: patrick jane
Date: August 22, 2020, 10:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
excellent
*****************************************************
Page 2 of 2
DIR Previous Page