The
Apocrypha
Mattathias and His Sons 1 Maccabees 2:1-28
Mattathias, a priest, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein. He had five sons. The king’s officers came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice.
Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. The king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You are a leader. Nowbe the first to come and do what the king commands. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king. You will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.” But Mattathias answered: “I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors. We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion.” When he had finished speaking, a Jew came to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king’s command. When Mattathias saw it, he ran and killed him on the altar. At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice: “Let every one who is zealous for the law come out with me!” Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town. And it was reported to the king’s officers, and to the troops in Jerusalem, that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness. Mattathias and his friends
went around and tore down the altars. They circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel. The days drew near for Mattathias to die. He said to his sons: “Now, my children, show zeal for the law. Give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.” Then he blessed them, and was gathered to his ancestors. He was buried and all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.
The Martyrdom of Eleazar 2 Maccabees 6:18-31
Eleazar was being forced to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh. He went up to the rack of his own accord, spitting out the flesh. Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took Eleazar aside. They urged him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and to pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal that had been commanded by the king. By doing this he might be saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old friendship with them. “Such pretense is not worthy of our time of life,” he said, “for many of the young might suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year had gone over to an alien religion. For the sake of living a brief moment longer, they would
2 Maccabees 6:18-31 Illustration 5 - Ch.6 v23-24
be led astray because of me, while I defile and disgrace my old age. For the present I would avoid the punishment of mortals. But whether I live or die I will not escape the hands of the Almighty. I will show myself worthy of my old age and leave to the young an example of how to die a good death.” When he had said this, he went at once to the rack. Those who a little before had acted toward him with goodwill now changed to ill will. When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: “I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear the Lord.” So in this way he died, leaving in his death a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great body of his nation.
The Martyrdom of Seven Brothers 2 Maccbees 7:1-42
Seven brothers and their mother were arrested. They were being compelled by the king to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh. One of them said: “We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors.” The king fell into a rage, and gave orders to have pans and caldrons heated. He ordered to take him to the fire, and to fry him in a pan.
The smoke from the pan spread widely. But the brothers and their mother encouraged one another to die nobly. The mother saw her seven sons perish within a single day. She bore it with good courage because of her hope in the Lord. The youngest brother was being still alive. King Antiochus not only appealed to him in words. He promised with oaths that he would make him rich. He would take him for his friend and entrust him with public affairs. Since the young man would not listen to him at all, the king called the mother to him. He urged her to advise the youth to save himself. After much urging on his part, s vok to persuade her son. But, leaning close to him, she spoke in their native language as follows: “My son, do not fear this butcher. Accept death, so that in God’s mercy I may get you back again along with your brothers.” While she was still speaking, the young man said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law that was given to Moses.” The king fell into a rage, and handled him worse than the others. So he died in his integrity, putting his whole trust in the Lord. Last of all, the mother died, after her sons.
Purification of the Temple 2 Maccabee 10:1-8
Maccabeus and his followers recovered the temple and the city. They tore down the altars that had been built in the public square by the foreigners. They also destroyed the sacred precincts. They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice. Then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years. They offered incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence. When they had done this, they fell prostrate and implored the Lord. On the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place. They celebrated it for eight days. All the people remembered how not long before, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. They carried beautiful branches and also fronds of palm and offered hymns of thanksgiving.
Prayers for Those Killed in Battle 2 Maccabees 12: 32-45
After the festival called Pentecost, Judas and his men hurried against Gorgias. Gorgias came out with three thousand infantry and four hundred cavalry. When they joined battle, it happened that a few of the Jews fell. Judas assembled his army and went to the city of Adullam. They kept the sabbath there. On the next day, Judas and his men went to take up the bodies of the fallen. 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. So they turned to supplication. They prayed that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out. The noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin. They had seen with their own eyes what had happened as the result of the sin of those who had fallen. He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver. He sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. 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. He made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.
2 Maccabees 12:32-45 Illustration missing!
Tobit Becomes Blind Tobit 1:1-2:14
I, Tobit, was carried away captive to Assyria and came to Nineveh. I was mindful of God with all my heart. I would give my food to the hungry and my clothing to the naked. If I saw the dead body of any of my people thrown out behind the wall of Nineveh, I would bury it. At our festival of Pentecost a good dinner was prepared for me and I reclined to eat. When the table was set for me and an abundance of food placed before me, I said to my son Tobias: “Go, and bring whatever poor person you may find. He shall eat together with me. I will wait for you, until you come back.” So Tobias went to look for some poor person of our people. When he had returned he said: “Father!” And I replied: “Here I am, my child.” Then he went on to say: “Look, father, one of our own people has been murdered and thrown into the market place. Now he lies there strangled.” Then I sprang up. I left the dinner before even tasting it. I removed the body from the square and buried him. That same night I washed myself and went into my courtyard. I slept by the wall of the courtyard. My face was uncovered because of the heat. I did not know that there were sparrows on the wall. Their fresh droppings fell into my eyes and produced white films. I became completely blind.
Tobias and the Angel Rafael Tobit 4:1-5:23
Tobit remembered the money that he had left in trust with Gabael. Then he called his son Tobias. When he came to him he said: “My son, I left ten talents of silver in trust with Gabael. So now, find yourself a man to go with you. Get back the money from Gabael.” Tobias went out to look for a man to go with him to Media. He found the angel Raphael standing in front of him. But he did not perceive that he was an angel of God. Tobias said to him: “Do you know the way to go to Media?” “Yes, I have been there many times.” Tobias said: “Wait for me. I do need you to travel with me. I will pay you your wages.” He replied: “All right, I will wait. But do not take too long.” Before Tobias went out to start his journey, he kissed his father and mother. His mother began to weep. The dog came out with him and went along with them. The first night they camped by the Tigris river. Suddenly a large fish leaped up from the water. The angel said: “Catch the fish!” So Tobias grasped the fish and drew it up on the land. “Cut open the fish and take out its gall, heart, and liver. For its gall, heart, and liver
are useful as medicine.” Then Tobias questioned the angel and said to him: “What value is there in the fish’s heart and liver, and in the gall?” He replied: “As for the fish’s heart and liver, you must burn them to make a smoke in the presence of a man or woman afflicted by a demon or evil spirit. Every affliction will flee away and never remain with that person any longer. And as for the gall, anoint a person’s eyes. The eyes will be healed.”
Tobit’s Sight Restored Tobits 7:1-11:19
Rafael took Tobias to Raguel’s house. He embraced his kinsman Tobias and wept. His wife Edna also wept for him, and their daughter Sarah likewise wept. Then Raguel slaughtered a ram from the flock and received them very warmly. Tobias said: “Raguel, give me my kinswoman Sarah.” Raguel said: “No one except you, brother, has the right to marry my daughter Sarah. But let me explain to you the true situation more fully. I have given her to seven men. All died on the night when they went in to her.” Then Raguel summoned his daughter Sarah. When she came to him he took her by the hand and gave her to Tobias, saying: “Take her to be your wife and bring her safely to your father.” They began to eat and drink. When they had finished eating and drinking they wanted to retire. Then Tobias remembered the words of Raphael. He took the fish’s liver and heart and put them on the embers of the incense. The odor of the fish so repelled the demon that he fled. Then they went to sleep for the night. When the fourteen days of the wedding celebration had ended Tobias parted from Raguel. The dog went along behind them.
Meanwhile Anna sat looking intently down the road by which her son would come. When she caught sight of him coming, she ran up to her son and threw her arms around him. Then Tobit got up and came stumbling out through the courtyard door. Tobias went up to him with the gall of the fish in his hand, saying: “Take courage, father.” With this he applied the medicine on his eyes. Then Tobit saw his son and threw his arms around him. Tobit went in rejoicing and praising God at the top of his voice.
Susanna’s Beauty Attracts Two Elders Daniel 13: 1-26
There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim. He married Susanna, a very beautiful woman and one who feared the Lord. Joakim was very rich, and had a fine garden adjoining his house. The Jews used to come to him because he was the most honored of them all. When the people left
at noon, Susanna would go into her husband’s garden to walk. Every day two elders used to see her, going in and walking about. They began to lust for her. Once she wished to bathe in the garden, for it was a hot day. No one was there except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching her. She said to her maids: “Bring me olive oil and ointments. And shut the garden doors so that I can bathe.”
They did as she told them. They shut the doors of the garden and went out by the side doors to bring what they had been commanded. They did not see the elders, because they were hiding. When the maids had gone out, the two elders got up and ran to her. They said: “Look, no one can see us. We are burning with desire for you. so give your consent, and lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you
that a young man was with you. “ Susanna groaned and said: “I choose not to do it. I will fall into your hands, rather than sin in the sight of the Lord.” Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and the two elders shouted against her. When the people in the house heard the shouting in the garden, they rushed in at the side door to see what had happened to her.
Daniel Rescues Susanna Daniel 13:28-62
The next day the people gathered at the house of Susanna’s husband Joakim. The two elders came, full of their wicked plot to have Susanna put to death. The elders said: “While we were walking in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids. They shut the garden doors, and Susanna dismissed the maids. Then a young man came to her and lay with her. We were in a corner of the garden. When we saw this wickedness we ran to them. Although we saw them embracing. We could not hold the man, because he was stronger than we. He opened the doors and got away. These things we testify.” Just as Susanna was being led off to execution, God stirred up the holy spirit of a young lad named Daniel. Daniel shouted with a loud voice: “I want no part in shedding this woman’s blood. These men have given false evidence against her.” Daniel said to them: “Separate them far from each other. I will examine them.” When they were separated from each other, he summoned one of them. Daniel said to him: “Under what tree did you see them?” He answered: “Under a mastic tree.” Then he ordered them to bring the other. He said to him: “Tell me: Under
what tree did you catch them?” He answered: “Under an evergreen oak.” Then the whole assembly raised a great shout. They blessed God, who saves those who hope in him. Thus innocent blood was spared that day.
Daniel 13:28-62 Illustration missing!
Daniel and the Priest of Bel Daniel 14: 3-22
The Babylonians had an idol called Bel. Every day they provided for it twelve bushels of choice flour and forty sheep and six measures of wine. The king went every day to worship it. But Daniel worshiped his own God. So the king said to him: “Why do you not worship Bel?” He answered: “Because I do not revere idols made with hands, but the living God, who created heaven and earth.” The king said: “Do you not think that Bel is a living god? Do you not see how much he eats and drinks every day?” Daniel laughed, and said: “Do not be deceived, O king, for this thing is only clay inside and bronze outside. It never ate or drank anything.” So the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel. The priests of Bel said: “See, we are now going outside. You yourself, O king, set out the food and prepare the wine. Shut the door and seal it with your signet. When you return in the morning, if you do not find that Bel has eaten it all, we will die.” They were unconcerned, for beneath the table they had made a hidden entrance. After they had gone out, the king set out the food for Bel. Then Daniel ordered his servants to bring ashes. They scattered them
throughout the whole temple in the presence of the king alone. Then they went out, shut the door and sealed it with the king’s signet, and departed. During the night the priests came as usual, with their wives and children. They ate and drank everything. Early in the morning the king rose and came, and Daniel with him. “Are the seals unbroken, Daniel?” “They are unbroken, O king.” As soon as the doors were opened, the king looked at the table, and shouted: “You are great, O Bel! In you there is no deceit at all!” But Daniel restrained the king from going in. “Look at the floor,” he said, “and notice whose footprints these are.” The king said: “I see the footprints of men and women and children.” Then the king was enraged. He arrested the priests, their wives and children. They showed him the secret doors through which they used to enter to consume what was on the table. Therefore the king put them to death, and gave Bel over to Daniel, who destroyed it and its temple.
Danie Illust
el 14:3-22 tration missing!
Nebuchadnezzar and Holofernes Judith 1: 1-7:16
Nebuchadnezzar ruled over the Assyrians in the great city of Nineveh. He made war against King Arphaxad. Nebuchadnezzar sent messengers. But all who lived in the whole region disregarded the summons of Nebuchadnezzar. They refused to join him in the war. They were not afraid of him, but regarded him as only one man. So they sent back his messengers empty-handed and in disgrace. Nebuchadnezzar became very angry. He swore by his throne and kingdom that he would take revenge. Then he summoned all his ministers and all his nobles. He set before them his secret plan. They decided that every one who had not obeyed his command should be destroyed. When he had completed his plan, Nebuchadnezzar called Holofernes, the chief general of his army, and said to him: “March out against all the land to the west, because they disobeyed my orders. Tell them to prepare earth and water, for I will cover the whole face of the
earth with the feet of my troops.” The next day Holofernes move against Bethulia, and make war on the Israelites. Then all the chieftains of the coastland came to him and said: ”Listen to what we have to say, my lord. Your army will suffer no losses. Remain in your camp, and keep all the men in your forces with you. Let your servants take possession of the water that flows from the foot of the mountain. This is where all the people of Bethulia get their water. So thirst will destroy them. They will surrender their town. We and our people will go up to the tops of the nearby mountains. We will keep watch to see that no one gets out of the town. They, their wives and children will waste away with famine. Before the sword reaches them they will be strewn about in the streets where they live. Thus you will pay them back with evil, because they rebelled and did not receive you peaceably.” These words pleased Holofernes and all his attendants. He gave orders to do as they had said.
Judith 1:1-7:16 Illustration missing!
Judith’s mission Judith 8:1-10:10
Judith was beautiful in appearance, and was very lovely to behold. Her husband Manasseh had left her gold and silver, men and women slaves, livestock, and fields. She maintained this estate. No one spoke ill of her, for she feared God with great devotion. Judith said: “Listen to me! God is not like a human being. Let us call upon him to help us. He will hear our voice. We know no other god but him. We hope that he will not disdain us or any of our nation. For if we are captured, all Judea will be captured and our sanctuary will be plundered.” Then Judith said to them: “I am about to do something that will go down through all generations of our descendants. Stand at the town gate tonight. I may go out with my maid. The Lord will deliver Israel by my hand. Do not try to find out what I am doing. I will not tell you until I have finished what I am about to do.” The rulers said to her: “Go in peace. May the Lord God go before you. “ Judith went down into the house. She took off her widow’s garments, bathed her body with water, and anointed herself with precious ointment. She combed her hair, put on a tiara, and dressed herself in
the festive attire that she used to wear while her husband Manasseh was living. She put sandals on her feet, and put on her anklets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and all her other jewelry. Thus she made herself very beautiful, to entice the eyes of all the men who might see her. She gave her maid a skin of
wine and a flask of oil. Then they went out to the town gate. “Order the gate of the town to be opened for me so that I may go out.�
They ordered the young men to open the gate for her. Judith went out, accompanied by her maid. The men of the town watched her until they lost sight of her.
Judith Beheads Holofernes Jud 10: 11-13: 10
As the women were going straight on through the valley, an Assyrian patrol met her and brought them to the tent of Holofernes. There was great excitement in the whole camp, for her arrival was reported from tent to tent. Holofernes said to her: “Do not be afraid. You have come to safety. No one will hurt you.” Judith answered him: “I will say nothing false to my lord. Our nation cannot be punished, nor can the sword prevail against them, unless they sin against their God. Now they do what is wrong. I fled from them. God has sent me to accomplish with you things that will astonish the whole world wherever people shall hear about them. “ Her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants. On the fourth day Holofernes held a banquet. Then Judith came in and lay down. Holofernes’ heart was ravished with her. He had been waiting for an opportunity to seduce her from the day he first saw her. Holofernes said to her: “Have a drink and be merry with us!” Judith said: “I will gladly drink, my lord, because today is the greatest day in my whole life.” Holofernes was greatly pleased with her. He drank a great quantity of wine, much
more than he had ever drunk in any one day since he was born. When evening came, they went to bed. They all were weary because the banquet had lasted so long. Judith was left alone in the tent, with Holofernes stretched out on his bed, for he was dead drunk. Judith had told her maid to stand outside the bedchamber and to wait for her to come out. Then Judith went up to the bedpost near Holofernes’ head. She took down his sword that hung there. Then she struck his neck twice with all her might, and cut off his head. Next she rolled his body off the bed and pulled down the canopy from the posts. Soon afterward she went out and gave Holofernes’ head to her maid, who placed it in her food bag.
Holofernes’ Death Is Discovered Judith 13:11- 15:7
Judith and her maid passed through the camp. They went up the mountain to Bethulia, and came to its gates. Judith called out: “Open, open the gate! God, our God, is with us!” When the people of her town heard her voice, they hurried down to the town gate. They all ran together, both small and great. It seemed unbelievable that she had returned. They opened the gate and welcomed them.
Then they lit a fire to give light, and gathered around them. Then she pulled the head out of the bag and showed it to them, and said: “See here, the head of Holofernes, the commander of the Assyrian army. The Lord has struck him down by the hand of a woman.” All the people were greatly astonished. They bowed down and worshiped God. As soon as it was dawn they hung the head of Holofernes on the wall. Then they all took their weapons. They went out in companies to the mountain passes. When the Assyrians saw them they sent word to their commanders, who then went to the generals and the captains and to all their other officers. They came to Holofernes’ tent and said to the steward in charge of all his personal affairs: “Wake up our lord. The slaves have been so bold as to come down against us to give battle.” The steward knocked at the entry of the tent. But when no one answered, he opened it and went into the bedchamber. There he found Holofernes sprawled on the floor dead, with his head missing. Then he cried out with a loud voice and groaned and shouted. He tore his clothes. He rushed out to the people and shouted: “The slaves have tricked us! One Hebrew woman has brought disgrace on the
house of King Nebuchadnezzar. Look, Holofernes is lying on the ground. His head is missing!” When the men heard it, they were amazed at what had happened. Overcome with fear and trembling, they did not wait for one another. All rushed out and fled by every path across the plain and through the hill country.
Baruch and the Jews in Babylon Baruch 1:1-22
Baruch wrote in Babylon, at the time when the Chaldeans took Jerusalem and burned it with fire. Baruch read the words of this book to Jeconiah, king of Judah, to the nobles and the princes, to the elders, and to all the people, small and great, all who lived in Babylon by the river Sud. Then they wept, and fasted, and prayed before the Lord. They collected as much money as each could give, and sent it to Jerusalem to the high priest Jehoiakim. At the same time, Baruch took the vessels of the house of the Lord, which had been carried away from the temple, to return them to the land of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away from Jerusalem the princes and the prisoners, the nobles and the people of the land, and brought them to Babylon.
They said: “Here we send you money. Buy with the money burnt offerings and sin offerings and incense. Offer them on the altar of the Lord our God. Pray for the life of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. We shall live under the protection of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Pray also for us to the Lord our God. We have sinned against the Lord our God. And you shall read aloud this scroll that we are sending you.�