The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 46: 2 Machabees
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This eBook was produced by David Widger [widger@cecomet.net]
from etext #1581 prepared by Dennis McCarthy, Atlanta, Georgia
and Tad Book, student, Pontifical North American College, Rome.
THE HOLY BIBLE
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek,
and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with
the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner
A.D. 1749-1752
THE SECOND BOOK OF MACHABEES
This second book of MACHABEES is not a continuation of the history
contained in the first: nor does is come down so low as the first does:
but relates many of the same facts more at large, and adds other
remarkable particulars, omitted in the first book, relating to the state
of the Jews, as well before as under the persecution of ANTIOCHUS. The
author, who is not the same with that of the first book, has given (as
we learn from chap. 2.20, etc.) a short abstract of what JASON of Cyrene
had written in the five volumes, concerning JUDAS and his brethren. He
wrote in Greek, and begins with two letters, sent by the Jews of
Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt.
2 Machabees Chapter 1
Letters of the Jews of Jerusalem to them that were in Egypt. They give
thanks for their delivery from Antiochus: and exhort their brethren to
keep the feast of the dedication of the altar, and of the miraculous
fire.
1:1. To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt; the brethren,
the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health
and good peace.
1:2. May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made
with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:
1:3. And give you all a heart to worship him, and to do his will with a
great heart, and a willing mind.
1:4. May he open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and
send you peace.
1:5. May he hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never
forsake you in the evil time.
1:6. And now here we are praying for you.
1:7. When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we
Jews wrote to you in the trouble and violence that came upon us in those
years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the
kingdom.
1:8. They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the
Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and
lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.
1:9. And now celebrate ye the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu.
Scenopegia... Viz., the Encenia, or feast of the dedication of the
altar, called here Scenopegia, or feast of tabernacles, from being
celebrated with the like solemnity.
1:10. In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people that is at
Jerusalem, and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the
preceptor of king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests,
and to the Jews that are in Egypt, health and welfare.
1:11. Having been delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him
great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in war with such a king.
Such a king... Viz., Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the
Jews, whilst Simon was yet alive. 1 Mac. 15.39. And afterwards besieged
Jerusalem under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned, ver.
10, is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the
kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch, (see
above 1 Mac. chap. 2., ver. 70, also the note on chap. 1, ver. 2,) but
either Judas the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene,
renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time.
1:12. For he made numbers of men swarm out of Persia, that have fought
against us, and the holy city.
1:13. For when the leader himself was in Persia, and with him a very
great army, he fell in the temple of Nanea, being deceived by the
counsel of the priests of Nanea.
Nanea... A Persian goddess, which some have taken for Diana, others for
Venus.
1:14. For Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he
would marry her, and that he might receive great sums of money under the
title of a dowry.
1:15. And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a
small company had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the
temple,
1:16. When Antiochus was come in: and opening a secret entrance of the
temple, they cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with
him, and hewed them in pieces; and cutting off their heads, they threw
them forth.
1:17. Blessed be God in all things, who hath delivered up the wicked.
1:18. Therefore, whereas we purpose to keep the purification of the
temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, we thought
it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep the day of
Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemias
offered sacrifice, after the temple and the altar was built.
1:19. For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that then
were worshippers of God, took privately the fire from the altar, and hid
it in a valley where there was a deep pit without water, and there they
kept it safe, so that the place was unknown to all men.
Persia... Babylonia, called here Persia, from being afterwards a part of
the Persian empire.
1:20. But when many years had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias
should be sent by the king of Persia, he sent some of the posterity of
those priests that had hid it, to seek for the fire: and as they told
us, they found no fire, but thick water.
1:21. Then he bade them draw it up, and bring it to him: and the priest,
Nehemias, commanded the sacrifices that were laid on, to be sprinkled
with the same water, both the wood, and the things that were laid upon
it.
1:22. And when this was done, and the time came that the sun shone out,
which before was in a cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that all
wondered.
1:23. And all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was
consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering.
1:24. And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God,
Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone
art the good king,
1:25. Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and
eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the
fathers, and didst sanctify them:
1:26. Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy
own portion, and sanctify it.
1:27. Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves
to the Gentiles, and look upon them that are despised and abhorred: that
the Gentiles may know that thou art our God.
1:28. Punish them that oppress us, and that treat us injuriously with
pride.
1:29. Establish thy people in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken.
1:30. And the priests sung hymns till the sacrifice was consumed.
1:31 .And when the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemias commanded the water
that was left to be poured out upon the great stones.
1:32. Which being done, there was kindled a flame from them: but it was
consumed by the light that shined from the altar.
1:33. And when this matter became public, it was told to the king of
Persia, that in the place where the priests that were led away, had hid
the fire, there appeared water, with which Nehemias and they that were
with him had purified the sacrifices.
1:34. And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter,
made a temple for it, that he might prove what had happened.
A temple... That is, an enclosure, or a wall round about the place where
the fire was hid, to separate it from profane uses, to the end that it
might be respected as a holy place.
1:35. And when he had proved it, he gave the priests many goods, and
divers presents, and he took and distributed them to them with his own
hand.
1:36. And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted
purification. But many call it Nephi.
2 Machabees Chapter 2
A continuation of the second letter. Of Jeremias' hiding the ark at the
time of the captivity. The author's preface.
2:1. Now it is found in the descriptions of Jeremias, the prophet, that
he commanded them that went into captivity, to take the fire, as it hath
been signified, and how he gave charge to them that were carried away
into captivity.
The descriptions... That is, the records or memoirs of Jeremias, a work
that is now lost.
2:2. And how he gave them the law, that they should not forget the
commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds,
seeing the idols of gold, and silver, and the ornaments of them.
2:3. And with other such like speeches, he exhorted them that they would
not remove the law from their heart.
2:4. It was also contained in the same writing, how the prophet, being
warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should
accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where Moses went up,
and saw the inheritance of God.
2:5. And when Jeremias came thither he found a hollow cave: and he
carried in thither the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of
incense, and so stopped the door.
2:6 .Then some of them that followed him, came up to mark the place: but
they could not find it.
2:7. And when Jeremias perceived it, he blamed them, saying: The place
shall be unknown, till God gather together the congregation of the
people, and receive them to mercy.
2:8. And then the Lord will shew these things, and the majesty of the
Lord shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shewed to
Moses, and he shewed it when Solomon prayed that the place might be
sanctified to the great God.
2:9. For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise man,
he offered the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the finishing of the
temple.
2:10. And as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven,
and consumed the holocaust: so Solomon also prayed, and fire came down
from heaven and consumed the holocaust.
2:11. And Moses said: Because the sin offering was not eaten, it was
consumed.
2:12. So Solomon also celebrated the dedication eight days.
2:13. And these same things were set down in the memoirs, and
commentaries of Nehemias: and how he made a library, and gathered
together out of the countries, the books both of the prophets, and of
David, and the epistles of the kings, and concerning the holy gifts.
2:14. And in like manner Judas also gathered together all such things as
were lost by the war we had, and they are in our possession.
2:15. Wherefore, if you want these things, send some that may fetch them
to you.
2:16. As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have
written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.
The purification... That is, the feast of the purifying or cleansing of
the temple.
2:17. And we hope that God, who hath delivered his people, and hath
rendered to all the inheritance, and the kingdom, and the priesthood,
and the sanctuary,
2:18. As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and
will gather us together from every land under heaven into the holy
place.
2:19. For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed
the place.
2:20. Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the
purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar:
2:21. As also the wars against Antiochus, the Illustrious, and his son,
Eupator:
2:22. And the manifestations that came from heaven to them, that behaved
themselves manfully on the behalf of the Jews, so that, being but a few
they made themselves masters of the whole country, and put to flight the
barbarous multitude:
2:23. And recovered again the most renowned temple in all the world, and
delivered the city, and restored the laws that were abolished, the Lord
with all clemency shewing mercy to them.
2:24. And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason,
of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.
2:25. For considering the multitude of books, and the difficulty that
they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because
of the multitude of the matter,
2:26. We have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read, that
it might be a pleasure of mind: and for the studious, that they may more
easily commit to memory: and that all that read might receive profit.
2:27. And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of abridging,
we have taken in hand no easy task; yea, rather a business full of
watching and sweat.
No easy task, etc... The spirit of God, that assists the sacred penmen,
does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter which they
are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are to deliver
it. So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained to all
things. Luke 1. ver. 3.
2:28. But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of
others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour.
2:29. Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and
as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be brief.
2:30. For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the
whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit
things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged of us.
2:31. For to collect all that is to be known, to put the discourse in
order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of
the author of a history:
2:32. But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations of
things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment.
2:33. Here then we will begin the narration: let this be enough by way
of a preface: for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to
be short in the story itself.
2 Machabees Chapter 3
Heliodorus is sent by king Seleucus to take away the treasures deposited
in the temple. He is struck by God, and healed by the prayers of the
high priest.
3:1. Therefore, when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the
laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias, the
high priest and the hatred his soul had of evil,
3:2. It came to pass that even the kings themselves and the princes
esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the
temple with very great gifts:
3:3. So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the
charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices.
Seleucus... Son of Antiochus the Great, and elder brother of Antiochus
Epiphanes.
3:4. But one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer
of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about
some unjust thing in the city.
3:5. And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius, the
son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria, and
Phenicia:
3:6. And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense
sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong
to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all
into the king's hands.
3:7. Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money
that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over
his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid
money.
3:8. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of
visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the
king's purpose.
3:9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously
received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information
had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he
was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.
3:10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and
provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless:
3:11. And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given
intelligence of belonged to Hircanus, son of Tobias, a man of great
dignity; and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two
hundred of gold.
3:12. But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple
which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and
holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.
3:13. But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king,
said, that by all means the money must be carried to the king.
3:14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order
this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.
3:15. And the priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their
priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law
concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe,
for them that had deposited them.
3:16. Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded
in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour, declared the
inward sorrow of his mind.
3:17. For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body,
that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his
heart.
3:18. Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying
and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into
contempt.
3:19. And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came
together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came
forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of
the windows.
3:20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication.
3:21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high
priest, who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.
3:22. And these indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things
that had been committed to them safe and sure for those that had
committed them.
3:23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself
being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.
3:24. But the spirit of the Almighty God gave a great evidence of his
presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the
power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.
3:25. For there appeared to them a horse, with a terrible rider upon
him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck
Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have
armour of gold.
3:26. Moreover there appeared two other young men, beautiful and strong,
bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either
side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.
3:27. And Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up,
covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter, they
carried him out.
3:28. So he that came with many servants, and all his guard, into the
aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the
manifest power of God being known.
3:29. And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without
all hope of recovery.
3:30. But they praised the Lord, because he had glorified his place: and
the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the
Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.
3:31. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias,
that he would call upon the Most High to grant him his life, who was
ready to give up the ghost.
3:32. So the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps
suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews,
offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.
3:33. And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the
same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias
the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.
3:34. And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the
great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared
no more.
3:35. So Heliodorus, after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made
great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias,
taking his troops with him, returned to the king.
3:36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he
had seen with his own eyes.
3:37. And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be
sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:
3:38. If thou hast any enemy, or traitor to thy king dom, send him
thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape:
for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.
3:39. For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visiter and
protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come
to do evil to it.
3:40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the
treasury, fell out in this manner.
2 Machabees Chapter 4
Onias has recourse to the king. The ambition and wickedness of Jason and
Menelaus. Onias is treacherously murdered.
4:1. But Simon, of whom we spoke before, who was the betrayer of the
money, and of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited
Heliodorus to do these things, and had been the promoter of evils:
4:2. And he presumed to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided
for the city, and defended his nation, and was zealous for the law of
God.
4:3. But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were
committed by some of Simon's friends:
4:4. Onias, considering the danger of this contention, and that
Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyia, and Phenicia, was
outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king,
4:5. Not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but with view to the common
good of all the people.
4:6. For he saw that, except the king took care, it was impossible that
matters should be settled in peace, or that Simon would cease from his
folly.
4:7. But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the
Illustrious, had taken possession of the kingdom, Jason, the brother of
Onias, ambitiously sought the high priesthood:
4:8. And went to the king, promising him three hundred and sixty talents
of silver, and out of other revenues fourscore talents.
4:9. Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might
have license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth,
and to entitle them that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians.
4:10. Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten the rule into
his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his countrymen to the
fashion of the heathens.
4:11. And abolishing those things, which had been decreed of special
favour by the kings in behalf of the Jews, by the means of John, the
father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome to make amity and
alliance, he disannulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and
brought in fashions that were perverse.
4:12. For he had the boldness to set up, under the very castle, a place
of exercise, and to put all the choicest youths in brothel houses.
4:13. Now this was not the beginning, but an increase, and progress of
heathenish and foreign manners, through the abominable and unheard of
wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch, and no priest.
4:14. Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices
of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices,
hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance
thereof, and of the exercise of the discus.
4:15. And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed
the Grecian glories for the best:
4:16. For the sake of which they incurred a dangerous contention, and
followed earnestly their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to
be like them, who were their enemies and murderers.
4:17. For acting wickedly against the laws of God doth not pass
unpunished: but this the time following will declare.
4:18. Now when the game that was used every fifth year was kept at Tyre,
the king being present,
4:19. The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men, to carry three
hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the
bearers thereof desired it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices,
because it was not necessary, but might be deputed for other charges.
4:20. So the money was appointed by him that sent it to the sacrifice of
Hercules: but because of them that carried it was employed for the
making of galleys.
4:21. Now when Apollonius, the son of Mnestheus was sent into Egypt to
treat with the nobles of king Philometor, and Antiochus understood that
he was wholly excluded from the affairs of the kingdom, consulting his
own interest, he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from thence to
Jerusalem.
4:22. Where he was received in a magnificent manner by Jason, and the
city, and came in with torch lights, and with praises, and from thence
he returned with his army into Phenicia.