2 Maccabees

1:1 The brethren the Iewes that bee at Ierusalem, and in the lande of Iudea, wish vnto the brethren the Iewes that are throughout Egypt, health and peace.

1:1 The brethren, the Jews that be at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea, wish unto the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt health and peace:

1:2 God be gracious vnto you, and remember his Couenant that hee made with Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, his faithfull seruants:

1:2 God be gracious unto you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants;

1:3 And giue you all an heart to serue him, and to doe his will, with a good courage, and a willing minde:

1:3 And give you all an heart to serve him, and to do his will, with a good courage and a willing mind;

1:4 And open your hearts in his law and commandements, & send you peace:

1:4 And open your hearts in his law and commandments, and send you peace,

1:5 And heare your prayers, and be at one with you, and neuer forsake you in time of trouble.

1:5 And hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in time of trouble.

1:6 And now wee be here praying for you.

1:6 And now we be here praying for you.

1:7 What time as Demetrius reigned, in the hundred threescore and ninth yeere, wee the Iewes wrote vnto you, in the extremitie of trouble, that came vpon vs in those yeeres, from the time that Iason and his company reuolted from the holy land, and kingdome,

1:7 What time as Demetrius reigned, in the hundred threescore and ninth year, we the Jews wrote unto you in the extremity of trouble that came upon us in those years, from the time that Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and kingdom,

1:8 And burnt the porch, and shed innocent blood. Then we prayed vnto the Lord, and were heard: we offered also sacrifices, and fine flowre, and lighted the lampes, and set forth the loaues.

1:8 And burned the porch, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed unto the Lord, and were heard; we offered also sacrifices and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.

1:9 And now see that ye keepe the feast of Tabernacles in the moneth Casleu.

1:9 And now see that ye keep the feast of tabernacles in the month Casleu.

1:10 In the hundreth, fourescore, and eight yeere, the people that were at Ierusalem, and in Iudea, and the counsel, and Iudas, sent greeting and health vnto Aristobulus, king Ptolomeus master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Iewes that were in Egypt.

1:10 In the hundred fourscore and eighth year, the people that were at Jerusalem and in Judea, and the council, and Judas, sent greeting and health unto Aristobulus, king Ptolemeus' master, who was of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that were in Egypt:

1:11 Insomuch as God hath deliuered vs from great perils, wee thanke him highly, as hauing bin in battell against a king.

1:11 Insomuch as God hath delivered us from great perils, we thank him highly, as having been in battle against a king.

1:12 For he cast them out that fought within the holy citie.

1:12 For he cast them out that fought within the holy city.

1:13 For when the leader was come into Persia, and the armie with him that seemed inuincible, they were slaine in the temple of Nanea, by the deceit of Naneas priests.

1:13 For when the leader was come into Persia, and the army with him that seemed invincible, they were slain in the temple of Nanea by the deceit of Nanea's priests.

1:14 For Antiochus, as though hee would marrie her, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receiue money in name of a dowrie.

1:14 For Antiochus, as though he would marry her, came into the place, and his friends that were with him, to receive money in name of a dowry.

1:15 Which when the priests of Nanea had set forth, and he was entred with a small company into the compasse of the temple, they shut the temple assoone as Antiochus was come in.

1:15 Which when the priests of Nanea had set forth, and he was entered with a small company into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple as soon as Antiochus was come in:

1:16 And opening a priuie doore of the roofe, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and stroke downe the captaine, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads, and cast them to those that were without.

1:16 And opening a privy door of the roof, they threw stones like thunderbolts, and struck down the captain, hewed them in pieces, smote off their heads and cast them to those that were without.

1:17 Blessed be our God in all things, who hath deliuered vp the vngodly.

1:17 Blessed be our God in all things, who hath delivered up the ungodly.

1:18 Therefore whereas we are nowe purposed to keep the purification of the Temple vpon the fiue & twentieth day of the moneth Casleu, we thought it necessary to certifie you thereof, that ye also might keepe it, as the [feast] of the tabernacles, and of the fire [which was giuen vs] when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the Temple, and the Altar.

1:18 Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar.

1:19 For when our fathers were led into Persia, the Priests that were then deuout, took the fire of the Altar priuily, & hid it in a hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was vnknowen to all men.

1:19 For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that were then devout took the fire of the altar privily, and hid it in an hollow place of a pit without water, where they kept it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men.

1:20 Now after many yeeres, when it pleased God, Neemias being sent from the king of Persia, did send of the posteritie of those Priests that had hid it, to the fire: but when they tolde vs they found no fire, but thicke water,

1:20 Now after many years, when it pleased God, Neemias, being sent from the king of Persia, did send of the posterity of those priests that had hid it to the fire: but when they told us they found no fire, but thick water;

1:21 Then comanded he them to draw it vp, and to bring it: and when the sacrifices were laid on, Neemias comanded the Priests to sprinkle ye wood, and the things laid thereupon with ye water.

1:21 Then commanded he them to draw it up, and to bring it; and when the sacrifices were laid on, Neemias commanded the priests to sprinkle the wood and the things laid thereupon with the water.

1:22 When this was done, and the time came that the Sun shone which afore was hid in the cloude, there was a great fire kindled, so that euery man marueiled.

1:22 When this was done, and the time came that the sun shone, which afore was hid in the cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that every man marvelled.

1:23 And the Priests made a prayer whilest the sacrifice was consuming, [I say] both the Priests, and all the rest, Ionathan beginning, and the rest answering thereunto, as Neemias did.

1:23 And the priests made a prayer whilst the sacrifice was consuming, I say, both the priests, and all the rest, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering thereunto, as Neemias did.

1:24 And the prayer was after this maner, O Lord, Lord God, Creatour of all things, who art fearefull, and strong, and righteous, and mercifull, and the onely, and gracious king,

1:24 And the prayer was after this manner; O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, who art fearful and strong, and righteous, and merciful, and the only and gracious King,

1:25 The onely giuer of all things, the onely iust, almightie & euerlasting, thou that deliuerest Israel from al trouble, & didst choose the fathers, & sanctifie them:

1:25 The only giver of all things, the only just, almighty, and everlasting, thou that deliverest Israel from all trouble, and didst choose the fathers, and sanctify them:

1:26 Receiue the sacrifice for thy whole people Israel, and preserue thine owne portion, and sanctifie it.

1:26 Receive the sacrifice for thy whole people Israel, and preserve thine own portion, and sanctify it.

1:27 Gather those together that are scattered fro vs, deliuer them that serue among the heathen, looke vpon them that are despised & abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.

1:27 Gather those together that are scattered from us, deliver them that serve among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God.

1:28 Punish them that oppresse vs, and with pride doe vs wrong.

1:28 Punish them that oppress us, and with pride do us wrong.

1:29 Plant thy people againe in thy holy place, as Moises hath spoken.

1:29 Plant thy people again in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken.

1:30 And the Priests sung psalmes of thankesgiuing.

1:30 And the priests sung psalms of thanksgiving.

1:31 Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Neemias commanded the water that was left, to bee powred on the great stones.

1:31 Now when the sacrifice was consumed, Neemias commanded the water that was left to be poured on the great stones.

1:32 When this was done, there was kindled a flame: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the Altar.

1:32 When this was done, there was kindled a flame: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar.

1:33 So when this matter was knowen, it was told the king of Persia, that in the place, where the Priests that were led away, had hid the fire, there appeared water, and that Neemias had purified the sacrifices therewith.

1:33 So when this matter was known, it was told the king of Persia, that in the place, where the priests that were led away had hid the fire, there appeared water, and that Neemias had purified the sacrifices therewith.

1:34 Then the king inclosing the place, made it holy after he had tried ye matter.

1:34 Then the king, inclosing the place, made it holy, after he had tried the matter.

1:35 And the king tooke many gifts, and bestowed thereof, on those whom he would gratifie.

1:35 And the king took many gifts, and bestowed thereof on those whom he would gratify.

1:36 And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much to say as a cleansing: but many men call it Nephi.

1:36 And Neemias called this thing Naphthar, which is as much as to say, a cleansing: but many men call it Nephi.