3rdBookof Maccabees
CHAPTER1
[1]WhenPhilopatorlearnedfromthosewhoreturnedthat theregionswhichhehadcontrolledhadbeenseizedby Antiochus,hegaveorderstoallhisforces,bothinfantry andcavalry,tookwithhimhissisterArsinoe,andmarched outtotheregionnearRaphia,whereAntiochus's supporterswereencamped.
[2]ButacertainTheodotus,determinedtocarryoutthe plothehaddevised,tookwithhimthebestofthe Ptolemaicarmsthathadbeenpreviouslyissuedtohim,and crossedoverbynighttothetentofPtolemy,intending single-handedtokillhimandtherebyendthewar.
[3]ButDositheus,knownasthesonofDrimylus,aJewby birthwholaterchangedhisreligionandapostatizedfrom theancestraltraditions,hadledthekingawayandarranged thatacertaininsignificantmanshouldsleepinthetent;and soitturnedoutthatthismanincurredthevengeancemeant fortheking.
[4]Whenabitterfightresulted,andmatterswereturning outratherinfavorofAntiochus,Arsinoewenttothetroops withwailingandtears,herlocksalldisheveled,and exhortedthemtodefendthemselvesandtheirchildrenand wivesbravely,promisingtogivethemeachtwominasof goldiftheywonthebattle.
[5]Andsoitcameaboutthattheenemywasroutedinthe action,andmanycaptivesalsoweretaken
[6]Nowthathehadfoiledtheplot,Ptolemydecidedto visittheneighboringcitiesandencouragethem
[7]Bydoingthis,andbyendowingtheirsacredenclosures withgifts,hestrengthenedthemoraleofhissubjects.
[8]SincetheJewshadsentsomeoftheircounciland elderstogreethim,tobringhimgiftsofwelcome,andto congratulatehimonwhathadhappened,hewasallthe moreeagertovisitthemassoonaspossible
[9]AfterhehadarrivedinJerusalem,heofferedsacrifice tothesupremeGodandmadethank-offeringsanddidwhat wasfittingfortheholyplaceThen,uponenteringthe placeandbeingimpressedbyitsexcellenceanditsbeauty,
[10]hemarveledatthegoodorderofthetemple,and conceivedadesiretoentertheholyofholies
[11]Whentheysaidthatthiswasnotpermitted,because notevenmembersoftheirownnationwereallowedto enter,norevenallofthepriests,butonlythehighpriest whowaspre-eminentoverall,andheonlyonceayear,the kingwasbynomeanspersuaded.
[12]Evenafterthelawhadbeenreadtohim,hedidnot ceasetomaintainthatheoughttoenter,saying,"Evenif thosemenaredeprivedofthishonor,Ioughtnottobe"
[13]Andheinquiredwhy,whenheenteredeveryother temple,noonetherehadstoppedhim.
[14]Andsomeoneheedlesslysaidthatitwaswrongtotake thisasasigninitself
[15]"Butsincethishashappened,"thekingsaid,"why shouldnotIatleastenter,whethertheywishitornot?"
[16]Thenthepriestsinalltheirvestmentsprostrated themselvesandentreatedthesupremeGodtoaidinthe presentsituationandtoaverttheviolenceofthisevil design,andtheyfilledthetemplewithcriesandtears; [17]andthosewhoremainedbehindinthecitywere agitatedandhurriedout,supposingthatsomething mysteriouswasoccurring
[18]Thevirginswhohadbeenenclosedintheirchambers rushedoutwiththeirmothers,sprinkledtheirhairwithdust, andfilledthestreetswithgroansandlamentations
[19]Thosewomenwhohadrecentlybeenarrayedfor marriageabandonedthebridalchamberspreparedfor weddedunion,and,neglectingpropermodesty,ina disorderlyrushflockedtogetherinthecity
[20]Mothersandnursesabandonedevennewbornchildren hereandthere,someinhousesandsomeinthestreets,and withoutabackwardlooktheycrowdedtogetheratthemost hightemple.
[21]Variouswerethesupplicationsofthosegatheredthere becauseofwhatthekingwasprofanelyplotting
[22]Inaddition,thebolderofthecitizenswouldnot toleratethecompletionofhisplansorthefulfillmentofhis intendedpurpose.
[23]Theyshoutedtotheirfellowstotakearmsanddie courageouslyfortheancestrallaw,andcreateda considerabledisturbanceintheholyplace;andbeing barelyrestrainedbytheoldmenandtheelders,they resortedtothesamepostureofsupplicationastheothers [24]Meanwhilethecrowd,asbefore,wasengagedin prayer,
[25]whiletheeldersnearthekingtriedinvariouswaysto changehisarrogantmindfromtheplanthathehad conceived
[26]Buthe,inhisarrogance,tookheedofnothing,and begannowtoapproach,determinedtobringtheaforesaid plantoaconclusion.
[27]Whenthosewhowerearoundhimobservedthis,they turned,togetherwithourpeople,tocalluponhimwhohas allpowertodefendtheminthepresenttroubleandnotto overlookthisunlawfulandhaughtydeed
[28]Thecontinuous,vehement,andconcertedcryofthe crowdsresultedinanimmenseuproar;
[29]foritseemedthatnotonlythemenbutalsothewalls andthewholeeartharoundechoed,becauseindeedallat thattimepreferreddeathtotheprofanationoftheplace
CHAPTER2
[1]ThenthehighpriestSimon,facingthesanctuary, bendinghiskneesandextendinghishandswithcalm dignity,prayedasfollows:
[2]"Lord,Lord,kingoftheheavens,andsovereignofall creation,holyamongtheholyones,theonlyruler, almighty,giveattentiontouswhoaresufferinggrievously fromanimpiousandprofaneman,puffedupinhis audacityandpower.
[3]Foryou,thecreatorofallthingsandthegovernorofall, areajustRuler,andyoujudgethosewhohavedone anythingininsolenceandarrogance.
[4]Youdestroyedthosewhointhepastcommitted injustice,amongwhomwereevengiantswhotrustedin theirstrengthandboldness,whomyoudestroyedby bringinguponthemaboundlessflood
[5]YouconsumedwithfireandsulphurthemenofSodom whoactedarrogantly,whowerenotoriousfortheirvices; andyoumadethemanexampletothosewhoshouldcome afterward.
[6]Youmadeknownyourmightypowerbyinflicting manyandvariedpunishmentsontheaudaciousPharaoh whohadenslavedyourholypeopleIsrael
[7]Andwhenhepursuedthemwithchariotsandamassof troops,youoverwhelmedhiminthedepthsofthesea,but carriedthroughsafelythosewhohadputtheirconfidence inyou,theRuleroverthewholecreation
[8]Andwhentheyhadseenworksofyourhands,they praisedyou,theAlmighty.
[9]You,OKing,whenyouhadcreatedtheboundlessand immeasurableearth,chosethiscityandsanctifiedthis placeforyourname,thoughyouhavenoneedofanything; andwhenyouhadglorifieditbyyourmagnificent manifestation,youmadeitafirmfoundationfortheglory ofyourgreatandhonoredname.
[10]AndbecauseyoulovethehouseofIsrael,you promisedthatifweshouldhavereverses,andtribulation shouldovertakeus,youwouldlistentoourpetitionwhen wecometothisplaceandpray
[11]Andindeedyouarefaithfulandtrue
[12]Andbecauseoftentimeswhenourfatherswere oppressedyouhelpedthemintheirhumiliation,and rescuedthemfromgreatevils,
[13]seenow,OholyKing,thatbecauseofourmanyand greatsinswearecrushedwithsuffering,subjectedtoour enemies,andovertakenbyhelplessness
[14]Inourdownfallthisaudaciousandprofaneman undertakestoviolatetheholyplaceonearthdedicatedto yourgloriousname
[15]Foryourdwelling,theheavenofheavens,is unapproachablebyman
[16]Butbecauseyougraciouslybestowedyourgloryupon yourpeopleIsrael,yousanctifiedthisplace.
[17]Donotpunishusforthedefilementcommittedby thesemen,orcallustoaccountforthisprofanation,lest thetransgressorsboastintheirwrathorexultinthe arroganceoftheirtongue,saying,
[18]`Wehavetrampleddownthehouseofthesanctuaryas offensivehousesaretrampleddown.'
[19]Wipeawayoursinsanddisperseourerrors,andreveal yourmercyatthishour
[20]Speedilyletyourmerciesovertakeus,andputpraises inthemouthofthosewhoaredowncastandbrokenin spirit,andgiveuspeace."
[21]ThereuponGod,whooverseesallthings,thefirst Fatherofall,holyamongtheholyones,havingheardthe lawfulsupplication,scourgedhimwhohadexaltedhimself ininsolenceandaudacity.
[22]Heshookhimonthissideandthatasareedisshaken bythewind,sothathelayhelplessonthegroundand, besidesbeingparalyzedinhislimbs,wasunableevento speak,sincehewassmittenbyarighteousjudgment
[23]Thenbothfriendsandbodyguards,seeingthesevere punishmentthathadovertakenhim,andfearinglesthe shouldlosehislife,quicklydraggedhimout,panicstrickenintheirexceedinglygreatfear.
[24]Afterawhileherecovered,andthoughhehadbeen punished,hebynomeansrepented,butwentawayuttering bitterthreats
[25]WhenhearrivedinEgypt,heincreasedinhisdeedsof malice,abettedbythepreviouslymentioneddrinking companionsandcomrades,whowerestrangersto everythingjust
[26]Hewasnotcontentwithhisuncountedlicentious deeds,buthealsocontinuedwithsuchaudacitythathe framedevilreportsinthevariouslocalities;andmanyof hisfriends,intentlyobservingtheking'spurpose, themselvesalsofollowedhiswill
[27]HeproposedtoinflictpublicdisgraceupontheJewish community,andhesetupastoneonthetowerinthe courtyardwiththisinscription:
[28]"Noneofthosewhodonotsacrificeshallentertheir sanctuaries,andallJewsshallbesubjectedtoaregistration involvingpolltaxandtothestatusofslavesThosewho objecttothisaretobetakenbyforceandputtodeath;
[29]thosewhoareregisteredarealsotobebrandedon theirbodiesbyfirewiththeivy-leafsymbolofDionysus, andtheyshallalsobereducedtotheirformerlimited status"
[30]Inorderthathemightnotappeartobeanenemytoall, heinscribedbelow:"Butifanyofthemprefertojointhose whohavebeeninitiatedintothemysteries,theyshallhave equalcitizenshipwiththeAlexandrians"
[31]Nowsome,however,withanobviousabhorrenceof thepricetobeexactedformaintainingthereligionoftheir city,readilygavethemselvesup,sincetheyexpectedto enhancetheirreputationbytheirfutureassociationwiththe king
[32]Butthemajorityactedfirmlywithacourageousspirit anddidnotdepartfromtheirreligion;andbypaying moneyinexchangeforlifetheyconfidentlyattemptedto savethemselvesfromtheregistration
[33]Theyremainedresolutelyhopefulofobtaininghelp, andtheyabhorredthosewhoseparatedthemselvesfrom them,consideringthemtobeenemiesoftheJewishnation, anddeprivingthemofcommonfellowshipandmutualhelp.
CHAPTER3
[1]Whentheimpiouskingcomprehendedthissituation,he becamesoinfuriatedthatnotonlywasheenragedagainst thoseJewswholivedinAlexandria,butwasstillmore bitterlyhostiletowardthoseinthecountryside;andhe orderedthatallshouldpromptlybegatheredintooneplace, andputtodeathbythemostcruelmeans
[2]Whilethesematterswerebeingarranged,ahostile rumorwascirculatedagainsttheJewishnationbymen whoconspiredtodothemill,apretextbeinggivenbya reportthattheyhinderedothersfromtheobservanceof theircustoms
[3]TheJews,however,continuedtomaintaingoodwill andunswervingloyaltytowardthedynasty;
[4]butbecausetheyworshipedGodandconducted themselvesbyhislaw,theykepttheirseparatenesswith respecttofoodsForthisreasontheyappearedhatefulto some;
[5]butsincetheyadornedtheirstyleoflifewiththegood deedsofuprightpeople,theywereestablishedingood reputeamongallmen
[6]Neverthelessthoseofotherracespaidnoheedtotheir goodservicetotheirnation,whichwascommontalk amongall;
[7]insteadtheygossipedaboutthedifferencesinworship andfoods,allegingthatthesepeoplewereloyalneitherto thekingnortohisauthorities,butwerehostileandgreatly opposedtohisgovernmentSotheyattachednoordinary reproachtothem
[8]TheGreeksinthecity,thoughwrongedinnoway, whentheysawanunexpectedtumultaroundthesepeople andthecrowdsthatsuddenlywereforming,werenot strongenoughtohelpthem,fortheylivedundertyranny Theydidtrytoconsolethem,beinggrievedatthesituation, andexpectedthatmatterswouldchange;
[9]forsuchagreatcommunityoughtnotbelefttoitsfate whenithadcommittednooffense.
[10]Andalreadysomeoftheirneighborsandfriendsand businessassociateshadtakensomeofthemasideprivately andwerepledgingtoprotectthemandtoexertmore earnesteffortsfortheirassistance
[11]Thentheking,boastfulofhispresentgoodfortune, andnotconsideringthemightofthesupremeGod,but assumingthathewouldpersevereconstantlyinhissame purpose,wrotethisletteragainstthem:
[12]"KingPtolemyPhilopatortohisgeneralsandsoldiers inEgyptandallitsdistricts,greetingsandgoodhealth
[13]Imyselfandourgovernmentarefaringwell
[14]WhenourexpeditiontookplaceinAsia,asyou yourselvesknow,itwasbroughttoconclusion,according toplan,bythegods'deliberatealliancewithusinbattle,
[15]andweconsideredthatweshouldnotrulethenations inhabitingCoele-SyriaandPhoeniciabythepowerofthe spearbutshouldcherishthemwithclemencyandgreat benevolence,gladlytreatingthemwell.
[16]Andwhenwehadgrantedverygreatrevenuestothe templesinthecities,wecameontoJerusalemalso,and wentuptohonorthetempleofthosewickedpeople,who neverceasefromtheirfolly
[17]Theyacceptedourpresencebyword,butinsincerely bydeed,becausewhenweproposedtoentertheirinner templeandhonoritwithmagnificentandmostbeautiful offerings,
[18]theywerecarriedawaybytheirtraditionalconceit, andexcludedusfromentering;buttheyweresparedthe exerciseofourpowerbecauseofthebenevolencewhich wehavetowardall
[19]Bymaintainingtheirmanifestill-willtowardus,they becometheonlypeopleamongallnationswhoholdtheir headshighindefianceofkingsandtheirownbenefactors, andareunwillingtoregardanyactionassincere
[20]"Butwe,whenwearrivedinEgyptvictorious, accommodatedourselvestotheirfollyanddidaswas proper,sincewetreatallnationswithbenevolence
[21]Amongotherthings,wemadeknowntoallour amnestytowardtheircompatriotshere,bothbecauseof theiralliancewithusandthemyriadaffairsliberally entrustedtothemfromthebeginning;andweventuredto makeachange,bydecidingbothtodeemthemworthyof
Alexandriancitizenshipandtomakethemparticipantsin ourregularreligiousrites.
[22]Butintheirinnatemalicetheytookthisinacontrary spirit,anddisdainedwhatisgood.Sincetheyincline constantlytoevil,
[23]theynotonlyspurnthepricelesscitizenship,butalso bothbyspeechandbysilencetheyabominatethosefew amongthemwhoaresincerelydisposedtowardus;in everysituation,inaccordancewiththeirinfamouswayof life,theysecretlysuspectthatwemaysoonalterourpolicy [24]Therefore,fullyconvincedbytheseindicationsthat theyareill-disposedtowardusineveryway,wehave takenprecautionslest,ifasuddendisordershouldlater ariseagainstus,weshouldhavetheseimpiouspeople behindourbacksastraitorsandbarbarousenemies [25]Thereforewehavegivenordersthat,assoonasthis lettershallarrive,youaretosendtousthosewholive amongyou,togetherwiththeirwivesandchildren,with insultingandharshtreatment,andboundsecurelywithiron fetters,tosufferthesureandshamefuldeaththatbefits enemies
[26]Forwhentheseallhavebeenpunished,wearesure thatfortheremainingtimethegovernmentwillbe establishedforourselvesingoodorderandinthebeststate [27]ButwhoeversheltersanyoftheJews,oldpeopleor childrenoreveninfants,willbetorturedtodeathwiththe mosthatefultorments,togetherwithhisfamily
[28]Anyonewillingtogiveinformationwillreceivethe propertyoftheonewhoincursthepunishment,andalso twothousanddrachmasfromtheroyaltreasury,andwillbe awardedhisfreedom.
[29]EveryplacedetectedshelteringaJewistobemade unapproachableandburnedwithfire,andshallbecome uselessforalltimetoanymortalcreature."
[30]Theletterwaswrittenintheaboveform
CHAPTER4
[1]Ineveryplace,then,wherethisdecreearrived,afeast atpublicexpensewasarrangedfortheGentileswithshouts andgladness,fortheinveterateenmitywhichhadlongago beenintheirmindswasnowmadeevidentandoutspoken [2]ButamongtheJewstherewasincessantmourning, lamentation,andtearfulcries;everywheretheirheartswere burning,andtheygroanedbecauseoftheunexpected destructionthathadsuddenlybeendecreedforthem.
[3]Whatdistrictorcity,orwhathabitableplaceatall,or whatstreetswerenotfilledwithmourningandwailingfor them?
[4]Forwithsuchaharshandruthlessspiritwerethey beingsentoff,alltogether,bythegeneralsintheseveral cities,thatatthesightoftheirunusualpunishments,even someoftheirenemies,perceivingthecommonobjectof pitybeforetheireyes,reflectedupontheuncertaintyoflife andshedtearsatthemostmiserableexpulsionofthese people
[5]Foramultitudeofgray-headedoldmen,sluggishand bentwithage,wasbeingledaway,forcedtomarchata swiftpacebytheviolencewithwhichtheyweredrivenin suchashamefulmanner.
[6]Andyoungwomenwhohadjustenteredthebridal chambertosharemarriedlifeexchangedjoyforwailing,
theirmyrrh-perfumedhairsprinkledwithashes,andwere carriedawayunveiled,alltogetherraisingalamentinstead ofaweddingsong,astheyweretornbytheharshtreatment oftheheathen.
[7]Inbondsandinpublicviewtheywereviolently draggedalongasfarastheplaceofembarkation
[8]Theirhusbands,intheprimeofyouth,theirnecks encircledwithropesinsteadofgarlands,spentthe remainingdaysoftheirmarriagefestivalinlamentations insteadofgoodcheerandyouthfulrevelry,seeingdeath immediatelybeforethem
[9]Theywerebroughtonboardlikewildanimals,driven undertheconstraintofironbonds;somewerefastenedby thenecktothebenchesoftheboats,othershadtheirfeet securedbyunbreakablefetters,
[10]andinadditiontheywereconfinedunderasoliddeck, sothatwiththeireyesintotaldarkness,theyshould undergotreatmentbefittingtraitorsduringthewhole voyage.
[11]Whenthesemenhadbeenbroughttotheplacecalled Schedia,andthevoyagewasconcludedasthekinghad decreed,hecommandedthattheyshouldbeenclosedinthe hippodromewhichhadbeenbuiltwithamonstrous perimeterwallinfrontofthecity,andwhichwaswell suitedtomakethemanobviousspectacletoallcoming backintothecityandtothosefromthecitygoingoutinto thecountry,sothattheycouldneithercommunicatewith theking'sforcesnorinanywayclaimtobeinsidethe circuitofthecity
[12]Andwhenthishadhappened,theking,hearingthat theJews'compatriotsfromthecityfrequentlywentoutin secrettolamentbitterlytheignoblemisfortuneoftheir brothers,
[13]orderedinhisragethatthesemenbedealtwithin preciselythesamefashionastheothers,notomittingany detailoftheirpunishment
[14]Theentireracewastoberegisteredindividually,not forthehardlaborthathasbeenbrieflymentionedbefore, buttobetorturedwiththeoutragesthathehadordered, andattheendtobedestroyedinthespaceofasingleday.
[15]Theregistrationofthesepeoplewastherefore conductedwithbitterhasteandzealousintentnessfromthe risingofthesuntillitssetting,andthoughuncompletedit stoppedafterfortydays
[16]Thekingwasgreatlyandcontinuallyfilledwithjoy, organizingfeastsinhonorofallhisidols,withamind alienatedfromtruthandwithaprofanemouth,praising speechlessthingsthatarenotableeventocommunicateor tocometoone'shelp,andutteringimproperwordsagainst thesupremeGod
[17]Butafterthepreviouslymentionedintervaloftimethe scribesdeclaredtothekingthattheywerenolongerableto takethecensusoftheJewsbecauseoftheirinnumerable multitude,
[18]althoughmostofthemwerestillinthecountry,some stillresidingintheirhomes,andsomeattheplace;thetask wasimpossibleforallthegeneralsinEgypt.
[19]Afterhehadthreatenedthemseverely,chargingthat theyhadbeenbribedtocontriveameansofescape,hewas clearlyconvincedaboutthematter
[20]whentheysaidandprovedthatboththepaperandthe penstheyusedforwritinghadalreadygivenout
[21]Butthiswasanactoftheinvincibleprovidenceofhim whowasaidingtheJewsfromheaven.
CHAPTER5
[1]Thentheking,completelyinflexible,wasfilledwith overpoweringangerandwrath;sohesummonedHermon, keeperoftheelephants,
[2]andorderedhimonthefollowingdaytodrugallthe elephants--fivehundredinnumber--withlargehandfuls offrankincenseandplentyofunmixedwine,andtodrive themin,maddenedbythelavishabundanceofliquor,so thattheJewsmightmeettheirdoom.
[3]Whenhehadgiventheseordershereturnedtohis feasting,togetherwiththoseofhisfriendsandofthearmy whowereespeciallyhostiletowardtheJews.
[4]AndHermon,keeperoftheelephants,proceeded faithfullytocarryouttheorders
[5]TheservantsinchargeoftheJewswentoutinthe eveningandboundthehandsofthewretchedpeopleand arrangedfortheircontinuedcustodythroughthenight, convincedthatthewholenationwouldexperienceitsfinal destruction
[6]FortotheGentilesitappearedthattheJewswereleft withoutanyaid,
[7]becauseintheirbondstheywereforciblyconfinedon everysideButwithtearsandavoicehardtosilencethey allcalledupontheAlmightyLordandRulerofallpower, theirmercifulGodandFather,praying
[8]thatheavertwithvengeancetheevilplotagainstthem andinagloriousmanifestationrescuethemfromthefate nowpreparedforthem
[9]Sotheirentreatyascendedferventlytoheaven
[10]Hermon,however,whenhehaddruggedthepitiless elephantsuntiltheyhadbeenfilledwithagreatabundance ofwineandsatiatedwithfrankincense,presentedhimself atthecourtyardearlyinthemorningtoreporttotheking aboutthesepreparations
[11]ButtheLordsentuponthekingaportionofsleep,that beneficencewhichfromthebeginning,nightandday,is bestowedbyhimwhograntsittowhomeverhewishes
[12]AndbytheactionoftheLordhewasovercomebyso pleasantanddeepasleepthathequitefailedinhislawless purposeandwascompletelyfrustratedinhisinflexible plan
[13]ThentheJews,sincetheyhadescapedtheappointed hour,praisedtheirholyGodandagainbeggedhimwhois easilyreconciledtoshowthemightofhisall-powerful handtothearrogantGentiles
[14]Butnow,sinceitwasnearlythemiddleofthetenth hour,thepersonwhowasinchargeoftheinvitations, seeingthattheguestswereassembled,approachedtheking andnudgedhim
[15]Andwhenhehadwithdifficultyrousedhim,he pointedoutthatthehourofthebanquetwasalready slippingby,andhegavehimanaccountofthesituation
[16]Theking,afterconsideringthis,returnedtohis drinking,andorderedthosepresentforthebanquetto reclineoppositehim
[17]Whenthiswasdoneheurgedthemtogivethemselves overtorevelryandtomakethepresentportionofthe banquetjoyfulbycelebratingallthemore
[18]Afterthepartyhadbeengoingonforsometime,the kingsummonedHermonandwithsharpthreatsdemanded toknowwhytheJewshadbeenallowedtoremainalive throughthepresentday.
[19]Butwhenhe,withthecorroborationofhisfriends, pointedoutthatwhileitwasstillnighthehadcarriedout completelytheordergivenhim,
[20]theking,possessedbyasavageryworsethanthatof Phalaris,saidthattheJewswerebenefitedbytoday'ssleep, "but,"headded,"tomorrowwithoutdelaypreparethe elephantsinthesamewayforthedestructionofthelawless Jews!"
[21]Whenthekinghadspoken,allthosepresentreadily andjoyfullywithoneaccordgavetheirapproval,andeach departedtohisownhome
[22]Buttheydidnotsomuchemploythedurationofthe nightinsleepasindevisingallsortsofinsultsforthose theythoughttobedoomed
[23]Then,assoonasthecockhadcrowedintheearly morning,Hermon,havingequippedthebeasts,beganto movethemalonginthegreatcolonnade
[24]Thecrowdsofthecityhadbeenassembledforthis mostpitifulspectacleandtheywereeagerlywaitingfor daybreak
[25]ButtheJews,attheirlastgasp,sincethetimehadrun out,stretchedtheirhandstowardheavenandwithmost tearfulsupplicationandmournfuldirgesimploredthe supremeGodtohelpthemagainatonce.
[26]Theraysofthesunwerenotyetshedabroad,and whilethekingwasreceivinghisfriends,Hermonarrived andinvitedhimtocomeout,indicatingthatwhattheking desiredwasreadyforaction
[27]Buthe,uponreceivingthereportandbeingstruckby theunusualinvitationtocomeout--sincehehadbeen completelyovercomebyincomprehension--inquiredwhat thematterwasforwhichthishadbeensozealously completedforhim.
[28]ThiswastheactofGodwhorulesoverallthings,for hehadimplantedintheking'smindaforgetfulnessofthe thingshehadpreviouslydevised.
[29]ThenHermonandalltheking'sfriendspointedout thatthebeastsandthearmedforceswereready,"Oking, accordingtoyoureagerpurpose."
[30]Butatthesewordshewasfilledwithanoverpowering wrath,becausebytheprovidenceofGodhiswholemind hadbeenderangedinregardtothesematters;andwitha threateninglookhesaid,
[31]"Wereyourparentsorchildrenpresent,Iwouldhave preparedthemtobearichfeastforthesavagebeasts insteadoftheJews,whogivemenogroundforcomplaint andhaveexhibitedtoanextraordinarydegreeafulland firmloyaltytomyancestors.
[32]Infactyouwouldhavebeendeprivedoflifeinsteadof these,wereitnotforanaffectionarisingfromournurture incommonandyourusefulness"
[33]SoHermonsufferedanunexpectedanddangerous threat,andhiseyeswaveredandhisfacefell.
[34]Theking'sfriendsonebyonesullenlyslippedaway anddismissedtheassembledpeople,eachtohisown occupation.
[35]ThentheJews,uponhearingwhatthekinghadsaid, praisedthemanifestLordGod,Kingofkings,sincethis alsowashisaidwhichtheyhadreceived
[36]Theking,however,reconvenedthepartyinthesame mannerandurgedthegueststoreturntotheircelebrating.
[37]AftersummoningHermonhesaidinathreatening tone,"Howmanytimes,youpoorwretch,mustIgiveyou ordersaboutthesethings?
[38]Equiptheelephantsnowoncemoreforthedestruction oftheJewstomorrow!"
[39]Buttheofficialswhowereattablewithhim, wonderingathisinstabilityofmind,remonstratedas follows:
[40]"Oking,howlongwillyoutryus,asthoughweare idiots,orderingnowforathirdtimethattheybedestroyed, andagainrevokingyourdecreeinthematter?
[41]Asaresultthecityisinatumultbecauseofits expectation;itiscrowdedwithmassesofpeople,andalso inconstantdangerofbeingplundered."
[42]Uponthistheking,aPhalarisineverythingandfilled withmadness,tooknoaccountofthechangesofmind whichhadcomeaboutwithinhimfortheprotectionofthe Jews,andhefirmlysworeanirrevocableoaththathe wouldsendthemtodeathwithoutdelay,mangledbythe kneesandfeetofthebeasts,
[43]andwouldalsomarchagainstJudeaandrapidlylevel ittothegroundwithfireandspear,andbyburningtothe groundthetempleinaccessibletohimwouldquickly renderitforeveremptyofthosewhoofferedsacrifices there
[44]Thenthefriendsandofficersdepartedwithgreatjoy, andtheyconfidentlypostedthearmedforcesattheplaces inthecitymostfavorableforkeepingguard
[45]Nowwhenthebeastshadbeenbroughtvirtuallytoa stateofmadness,sotospeak,bytheveryfragrantdraughts ofwinemixedwithfrankincenseandhadbeenequipped withfrightfuldevices,theelephantkeeper
[46]enteredataboutdawnintothecourtyard--thecity nowbeingfilledwithcountlessmassesofpeoplecrowding theirwayintothehippodrome--andurgedthekingonto thematterathand
[47]Sohe,whenhehadfilledhisimpiousmindwitha deeprage,rushedoutinfullforcealongwiththebeasts, wishingtowitness,withinvulnerableheartandwithhis owneyes,thegrievousandpitifuldestructionofthe aforementionedpeople.
[48]AndwhentheJewssawthedustraisedbythe elephantsgoingoutatthegateandbythefollowingarmed forces,aswellasbythetramplingofthecrowd,andheard theloudandtumultuousnoise,
[49]theythoughtthatthiswastheirlastmomentoflife,the endoftheirmostmiserablesuspense,andgivingwayto lamentationandgroanstheykissedeachother,embracing relativesandfallingintooneanother'sarms--parentsand children,mothersanddaughters,andotherswithbabiesat theirbreastswhoweredrawingtheirlastmilk
[50]Notonlythis,butwhentheyconsideredthehelp whichtheyhadreceivedbeforefromheaventhey prostratedthemselveswithoneaccordontheground, removingthebabiesfromtheirbreasts,
[51]andcriedoutinaveryloudvoice,imploringtheRuler overeverypowertomanifesthimselfandbemercifulto them,astheystoodnowatthegatesofdeath
CHAPTER6
[1]ThenacertainEleazar,famousamongthepriestsofthe country,whohadattainedaripeoldageandthroughouthis lifehadbeenadornedwitheveryvirtue,directedtheelders aroundhimtoceasecallingupontheholyGodandprayed asfollows:
[2]"Kingofgreatpower,AlmightyGodMostHigh, governingallcreationwithmercy,
[3]lookuponthedescendantsofAbraham,OFather,upon thechildrenofthesaintedJacob,apeopleofyour consecratedportionwhoareperishingasforeignersina foreignland
[4]Pharaohwithhisabundanceofchariots,theformer rulerofthisEgypt,exaltedwithlawlessinsolenceand boastfultongue,youdestroyedtogetherwithhisarrogant armybydrowningtheminthesea,manifestingthelightof yourmercyuponthenationofIsrael.
[5]Sennacheribexultinginhiscountlessforces,oppressive kingoftheAssyrians,whohadalreadygainedcontrolof thewholeworldbythespearandwasliftedupagainstyour holycity,speakinggrievouswordswithboastingand insolence,you,OLord,brokeinpieces,showingyour powertomanynations.
[6]ThethreecompanionsinBabylonwhohadvoluntarily surrenderedtheirlivestotheflamessoasnottoservevain things,yourescuedunharmed,eventoahair,moistening thefieryfurnacewithdewandturningtheflameagainstall theirenemies
[7]Daniel,whothroughenviousslanderswascastdown intothegroundtolionsasfoodforwildbeasts,you broughtuptothelightunharmed
[8]AndJonah,wastingawayinthebellyofahuge,seabornmonster,you,Father,watchedoverandrestored unharmedtoallhisfamily
[9]Andnow,youwhohateinsolence,all-mercifuland protectorofall,revealyourselfquicklytothoseofthe nationofIsrael--whoarebeingoutrageouslytreatedby theabominableandlawlessGentiles.
[10]Evenifourliveshavebecomeentangledinimpieties inourexile,rescueusfromthehandoftheenemy,and destroyus,Lord,bywhateverfateyouchoose.
[11]Letnotthevain-mindedpraisetheirvanitiesatthe destructionofyourbelovedpeople,saying,`Noteventheir godhasrescuedthem'
[12]Butyou,OEternalOne,whohaveallmightandall power,watchoverusnowandhavemercyuponuswhoby thesenselessinsolenceofthelawlessarebeingdeprivedof lifeinthemanneroftraitors
[13]AndlettheGentilescowertodayinfearofyour invinciblemight,OhonoredOne,whohavepowertosave thenationofJacob
[14]Thewholethrongofinfantsandtheirparentsentreat youwithtears
[15]LetitbeshowntoalltheGentilesthatyouarewithus, OLord,andhavenotturnedyourfacefromus;butjustas youhavesaid,`Notevenwhentheywereinthelandof
theirenemiesdidIneglectthem,'soaccomplishit,O Lord."
[16]JustasEleazarwasendinghisprayer,thekingarrived atthehippodromewiththebeastsandallthearroganceof hisforces.
[17]AndwhentheJewsobservedthistheyraisedgreat criestoheavensothateventhenearbyvalleysresounded withthemandbroughtanuncontrollableterroruponthe army
[18]Thenthemostglorious,almighty,andtrueGod revealedhisholyfaceandopenedtheheavenlygates,from whichtwogloriousangelsoffearfulaspectdescended, visibletoallbuttheJews.
[19]Theyopposedtheforcesoftheenemyandfilledthem withconfusionandterror,bindingthemwithimmovable shackles.
[20]Eventhekingbegantoshudderbodily,andheforgot hissulleninsolence
[21]Thebeaststurnedbackuponthearmedforces followingthemandbegantramplinganddestroyingthem
[22]Thentheking'sangerwasturnedtopityandtears becauseofthethingsthathehaddevisedbeforehand.
[23]Forwhenheheardtheshoutingandsawthemall fallenheadlongtodestruction,heweptandangrily threatenedhisfriends,saying,
[24]"Youarecommittingtreasonandsurpassingtyrantsin cruelty;andevenme,yourbenefactor,youarenow attemptingtodepriveofdominionandlifebysecretly devisingactsofnoadvantagetothekingdom
[25]Whoisitthathastakeneachmanfromhishomeand senselesslygatheredherethosewhofaithfullyhaveheld thefortressesofourcountry?
[26]Whoisitthathassolawlesslyencompassedwith outrageoustreatmentthosewhofromthebeginning differedfromallnationsintheirgoodwilltowardusand oftenhaveacceptedwillinglytheworstofhumandangers?
[27]Looseanduntietheirunjustbonds!Sendthembackto theirhomesinpeace,beggingpardonforyourformer actions!
[28]ReleasethesonsofthealmightyandlivingGodof heaven,whofromthetimeofourancestorsuntilnowhas grantedanunimpededandnotablestabilitytoour government."
[29]Thesethenwerethethingshesaid;andtheJews, immediatelyreleased,praisedtheirholyGodandSavior, sincetheynowhadescapeddeath.
[30]Thentheking,whenhehadreturnedtothecity, summonedtheofficialinchargeoftherevenuesand orderedhimtoprovidetotheJewsbothwinesand everythingelseneededforafestivalofsevendays, decidingthattheyshouldcelebratetheirrescuewithall joyfulnessinthatsameplaceinwhichtheyhadexpectedto meettheirdestruction
[31]Accordinglythosedisgracefullytreatedandnearto death,orrather,whostoodatitsgates,arrangedfora banquetofdeliveranceinsteadofabitterandlamentable death,andfullofjoytheyapportionedtocelebrantsthe placewhichhadbeenpreparedfortheirdestructionand burial
[32]Theyceasedtheirchantingofdirgesandtookupthe songoftheirfathers,praisingGod,theirSaviorandworker
ofwondersPuttinganendtoallmourningandwailing, theyformedchorusesasasignofpeacefuljoy.
[33]Likewisealsotheking,afterconveningagreat banquettocelebratetheseevents,gavethankstoheaven unceasinglyandlavishlyfortheunexpectedrescuewhich hehadexperienced
[34]AndthosewhohadpreviouslybelievedthattheJews wouldbedestroyedandbecomefoodforbirds,andhad joyfullyregisteredthem,groanedastheythemselveswere overcomebydisgrace,andtheirfire-breathingboldness wasignominiouslyquenched
[35]ButtheJews,whentheyhadarrangedthe aforementionedchoralgroup,aswehavesaidbefore, passedthetimeinfeastingtotheaccompanimentofjoyous thanksgivingandpsalms
[36]Andwhentheyhadordainedapublicriteforthese thingsintheirwholecommunityandfortheirdescendants, theyinstitutedtheobservanceoftheaforesaiddaysasa festival,notfordrinkingandgluttony,butbecauseofthe deliverancethathadcometothemthroughGod
[37]Thentheypetitionedtheking,askingfordismissalto theirhomes.
[38]SotheirregistrationwascarriedoutfromthetwentyfifthofPachontothefourthofEpeiph,forfortydays;and theirdestructionwassetforthefifthtotheseventhof Epeiph,thethreedays
[39]onwhichtheLordofallmostgloriouslyrevealedhis mercyandrescuedthemalltogetherandunharmed.
[40]Thentheyfeasted,providedwitheverythingbythe king,untilthefourteenthday,onwhichalsotheymadethe petitionfortheirdismissal.
[41]Thekinggrantedtheirrequestatonceandwrotethe followingletterforthemtothegeneralsinthecities, magnanimouslyexpressinghisconcern:
CHAPTER7
[1]"KingPtolemyPhilopatortothegeneralsinEgyptand allinauthorityinhisgovernment,greetingsandgood health.
[2]Weourselvesandourchildrenarefaringwell,thegreat Godguidingouraffairsaccordingtoourdesire
[3]Certainofourfriends,frequentlyurginguswith maliciousintent,persuadedustogathertogethertheJews ofthekingdominabodyandtopunishthemwith barbarouspenaltiesastraitors;
[4]fortheydeclaredthatourgovernmentwouldneverbe firmlyestablisheduntilthiswasaccomplished,becauseof theill-willwhichthesepeoplehadtowardallnations
[5]Theyalsoledthemoutwithharshtreatmentasslaves, orratherastraitors,and,girdingthemselveswithacruelty moresavagethanthatofScythiancustom,theytried withoutanyinquiryorexaminationtoputthemtodeath
[6]Butweveryseverelythreatenedthemfortheseacts, andinaccordancewiththeclemencywhichwehave towardallmenwebarelysparedtheirlivesSincewehave cometorealizethattheGodofheavensurelydefendsthe Jews,alwaystakingtheirpartasafatherdoesforhis children,
[7]andsincewehavetakenintoaccountthefriendlyand firmgoodwillwhichtheyhadtowardusandourancestors,
wejustlyhaveacquittedthemofeverychargeofwhatever kind.
[8]Wealsohaveorderedeachandeveryonetoreturnto hisownhome,withnooneinanyplacedoingthemharm atallorreproachingthemfortheirrationalthingsthathave happened
[9]Foryoushouldknowthatifwedeviseanyevilagainst themorcausethemanygriefatall,wealwaysshallhave notmanbuttheRulerovereverypower,theMostHigh God,ineverythingandinescapablyasanantagonistto avengesuchactsFarewell"
[10]UponreceivingthislettertheJewsdidnot immediatelyhurrytomaketheirdeparture,butthey requestedofthekingthatattheirownhandsthoseofthe Jewishnationwhohadwillfullytransgressedagainstthe holyGodandthelawofGodshouldreceivethe punishmenttheydeserved
[11]Fortheydeclaredthatthosewhoforthebelly'ssake hadtransgressedthedivinecommandmentswouldneverbe favorablydisposedtowardtheking'sgovernment
[12]Thekingthen,admittingandapprovingthetruthof whattheysaid,grantedthemagenerallicensesothat freelyandwithoutroyalauthorityorsupervisionthey mightdestroythoseeverywhereinhiskingdomwhohad transgressedthelawofGod.
[13]Whentheyhadapplaudedhiminfittingmanner,their priestsandthewholemultitudeshoutedtheHallelujahand joyfullydeparted.
[14]Andsoontheirwaytheypunishedandputtoapublic andshamefuldeathanywhomtheymetoftheirfellowcountrymenwhohadbecomedefiled.
[15]Inthatdaytheyputtodeathmorethanthreehundred men;andtheykeptthedayasajoyfulfestival,sincethey haddestroyedtheprofaners.
[16]ButthosewhohadheldfasttoGodeventodeathand hadreceivedthefullenjoymentofdeliverancebegantheir departurefromthecity,crownedwithallsortsofvery fragrantflowers,joyfullyandloudlygivingthankstothe oneGodoftheirfathers,theeternalSaviorofIsrael,in wordsofpraiseandallkindsofmelodioussongs.
[17]WhentheyhadarrivedatPtolemais,called"rosebearing"becauseofacharacteristicoftheplace,thefleet waitedforthem,inaccordwiththecommondesire,for sevendays
[18]Theretheycelebratedtheirdeliverance,fortheking hadgenerouslyprovidedallthingstothemfortheir journey,toeachasfarashisownhouse
[19]Andwhentheyhadlandedinpeacewithappropriate thanksgiving,theretooinlikemannertheydecidedto observethesedaysasajoyousfestivalduringthetimeof theirstay
[20]Then,afterinscribingthemasholyonapillarand dedicatingaplaceofprayeratthesiteofthefestival,they departedunharmed,free,andoverjoyed,sinceattheking's commandtheyhadbeenbroughtsafelybylandandseaand rivereachtohisownplace
[21]Theyalsopossessedgreaterprestigeamongtheir enemies,beingheldinhonorandawe;andtheywerenot subjectatalltoconfiscationoftheirbelongingsbyanyone
[22]Besidestheyallrecoveredalloftheirproperty,in accordancewiththeregistration,sothatthosewhoheld
anyrestoredittothemwithextremefearSothesupreme Godperfectlyperformedgreatdeedsfortheirdeliverance. [23]BlessedbetheDelivererofIsraelthroughalltimes! Amen.