2 Maccabees 15
15
1 But when Nicanor discovered Judas to be in the places of Samaria, he decided to meet him in warfare with all violence, on the Sabbath day.
2 In truth, the Jews who followed him out of necessity were saying: "Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honor to the day of sanctification and reverence to him who beholds all things."
3 That unhappy man asked, "Is there a powerful One in heaven, who commanded the day of the Sabbath to be kept."
4 And they responded to him, "There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the powerful One, who ordered the seventh day to be kept."
5 And so he said: "I also am powerful upon the earth, so I command arms to be taken up and the king's plans to be fulfilled." Nevertheless, he did not succeed in accomplishing his plan.
6 And Nicanor, being certainly lifted up with the greatest arrogance, had decided to establish a public monument of his victory over Judas.
7 But Maccabeus, as always, trusted with all hope that God would be present to help them.
8 And he exhorted his own not to fear the arrival of the nations, but to keep in mind the assistance they had received before from heaven, and now to hope for a future victory from the Almighty.
9 And speaking to them from the law and the prophets, reminding them even of the conflicts they had fought before, he made them more willing.
10 And so, having raised up their courage, at the same time he revealed the deceitful plan of the Gentiles and their betrayal of the oaths.
11 Then he armed every one of them, not with the weapons of shield and spear, but with the best speeches and exhortations; and he explained to them a dream, worthy to be believed, in which he rejoiced with them all.
12 Now the vision was in this manner: Onias, who had been high priest, a good and kind man, modest in appearance, gentle in manners, and noble in speech, and who from boyhood was trained in the virtues, extending his hands, prayed on behalf of all the people of the Jews.
13 After this, there appeared also another man, admirable in age and glory, and with a bearing of great dignity about him.
14 In truth, Onias responded by saying: "This one loves his brothers and the people of Israel. This is he who prays greatly for the people and for all the holy city: Jeremiah, the prophet of God."
15 Then Jeremiah extended his right hand, and he gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:
16 "Receive this holy sword as a gift from God, with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel."
17 And so, having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas, by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened, they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude, so that virtue would judge the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in peril.
18 For their concern was less for their wives and sons, and likewise less for their brothers and relatives; in truth, their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.
19 But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.
20 And, when all now hoped that judgment would soon occur, and when the enemies were near, and the army was set in order, with the beasts and the horsemen positioned in strategic places,
21 Maccabeus, considering the arrival of the multitude, and the various preparations of weapons, and the fierceness of the beasts, extending his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, who works miracles, who gives victory to those who are worthy, not according to the power of the weapons, but just as it pleases him.
22 Then, calling out in this way, he said: "You, O Lord, who sent your Angel under Hezekiah, king of Judah, and who killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib,
23 now also, O Ruler of the heavens, send your good Angel before us, who are in fear and trembling at the greatness of your arm,
24 so that those who approach against your holy people with blasphemy may be afraid." And in this way, indeed, he concluded his prayer.
25 But Nicanor, and those who were with him, advanced with trumpets and songs.
26 In truth, Judas, and those who were with him, calling upon God through prayers, came together against them.
27 Indeed, fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they struck down no less than thirty-five thousand, being delighted by the presence of God.
28 And when they had ceased and were returning with gladness, they realized, by his armor, that Nicanor had been slain.
29 And so, making a loud noise and inciting a disturbance, they blessed the Almighty Lord in the language of the fathers.
30 But Judas, who was prepared throughout all his body and soul to die for his citizens, instructed that Nicanor's head, and his hand with the arm, should be cut off and carried through to Jerusalem.
31 When it arrived, having called together his fellow tribesmen, and the priests to the altar, he summoned those also who were in the stronghold.
32 And he displayed the head of Nicanor, and his nefarious hand, which he had extended against the holy house of Almighty God with magnificent boasting.
33 He even ordered now that the tongue of the impious Nicanor should be cut up and given in pieces to the birds, but that the hand of this demented man should be suspended opposite the temple.
34 Therefore, they all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying, "Blessed is he who has kept his own place uncontaminated."
35 Then he suspended Nicanor's head at the top of the stronghold, so that it would be an evident and manifest sign of the assistance of God.
36 And so, they all decreed by common counsel in no way to let this day pass without celebration,
37 but to hold a celebration on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, which was called in the Syrian language: the day before Mardochias' day.
38 Therefore, these things were accomplished concerning Nicanor, and from that time the city was possessed by the Hebrews. And so, I will bring an end to my narration here.
39 And, indeed, if I have done well, so as to have made an adequate history, this also is what I wanted. But if it is less than worthy, may it be permitted me.
40 For, just as it is adverse to drink always wine, or always water, so also it is pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other. So, if the words were always exact, it would not be pleasing to the readers. Therefore, here it shall be completed. The Holy Bible Catholic Public Domain Version New Testament
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2 Maccabees 15
15
1 # See 1 Mac. 3.38. But Nicanor, hearing that Judas and his company were in the region of #1 Mac. 3.10.Samaria, resolved to set upon them with all security on the day of rest. 2And when the Jews that were compelled to follow him said, O destroy not so savagely and barbarously, but give due glory to the day which he #ch. 7.35 & 9.5. Ecclus. 15.18.that beholdeth all things #Cp. Ex. 20.11.hath #15.2 Or honoured above other days as a hallowed dayhonoured and hallowed above other days; 3Then #ch. 8.34.the thrice-accursed wretch asked if there were #See ch. 3.24.a Sovereign in heaven that had commanded to keep the sabbath day. 4And when they declared, There is the Lord, living himself #See ch. 3.24.a Sovereign in heaven, who bade us observe the seventh day; 5Then saith the other, I also am #Cp. Ezek. 28.2,9.a sovereign upon the earth, #15.5 Or that commandethwho now command to take up arms and execute the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to execute his #15.5 Or miserablecruel purpose.
6And Nicanor, #15.6 Gr. carrying his neck high.bearing himself haughtily in all vaingloriousness, had determined to set up a monument of complete victory over Judas and all them that were with him: 7But Maccabæus still trusted unceasingly, with all hope that he should obtain help from the Lord. 8And #ch. 8.16.1 Mac. 4.8.he exhorted his company not to be fearful at the #15.8 Or assaultinroad of the heathen, but, keeping in mind #ch. 8.19.the help which of old they had oft-times received from heaven, so now also to look for the victory which would come unto them from the Almighty; 9And comforting them out of #Mat. 5.17 & 7.12 & 22.40. Acts 13.15 & 26.22. Cp. ch. 8.23.the law and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the conflicts that they had maintained, he made them more eager for the battle. 10And when he had roused their #15.10 Or passionspirit, he gave them his commands, at the same time pointing out the perfidiousness of the heathen and their breach of their oaths. 11And arming each one of them, not so much with the sure defence of shields and spears as with the encouragement that lieth in good words, and moreover relating to them a dream #15.11 Or most worthy . . . all gladworthy to be believed, he made them all exceeding glad. 12And the vision of that dream was this: He saw #See ch. 3.1.Onias, him that was high priest, a noble and good man, reverend in bearing, yet gentle in manner and well-spoken, and exercised from a child in all points of virtue, #See ch. 14.34.with outstretched hands invoking blessings on the whole body of the Jews: 13Thereupon he saw a man appear, of venerable age and exceeding glory, and wonderful and most majestic was the dignity around him: 14And Onias answered and said, This is the lover of the brethren, he who prayeth much for the people and #See ch. 3.1.the holy city, #ch. 2.5,7.2 Esd. 2.18.Jeremiah the prophet of God: 15And Jeremiah stretching forth his right hand delivered to Judas a sword of gold, and in giving it addressed him thus, 16Take the holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt smite down the adversaries.
17And being encouraged by the words of Judas, which were of a lofty strain, and able to incite unto virtue and to stir the souls of the young unto manly courage, they determined #15.17 Or not to go out to battle, but nobly to engage within their lines, & c. The Greek text of this passage is uncertain.not to carry on a campaign, but nobly to bear down upon the enemy, and fighting hand to hand with all courage bring the matter to an issue, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger. 18For their fear for wives and children, and furthermore for brethren and kinsfolk, was in less account with them; #Cp. ch. 8.2.but greatest and first was their fear for the consecrated sanctuary. 19And they also that were shut up in the city were in no light distress, being troubled because of the encounter in the open ground.
20And when all were now waiting for the decision of the issue, and the enemy had already joined battle, and the army had been set in array, and the #15.20 Gr. beasts.elephants #15.20 Or stationed for convenient actionbrought back to a convenient post, and the horsemen drawn up #15.20 Or in lineon the flank, 21Maccabæus, perceiving the presence of the #15.21 Gr. multitudes.troops, and the various arms with which they were equipped, and the savageness of the #15.21 Gr. beasts.elephants, holding up his hands unto heaven called upon the Lord #Ps. 136.4. Dan. 4.3. See Ps. 72.18.that worketh wonders, #ch. 8.18.recognising that success cometh not by arms, but that, according as the Lord shall judge, he gaineth the victory for them that are worthy. 22And calling upon God he said after this manner: Thou, #See ch. 3.24.O Sovereign Lord, #Cp. ch. 8.19 & 1 Mac. 7.41. See 2 Kin. 19.35.didst send thine angel in the time of Hezekiah king of Judæa, and he slew of the #15.22 Gr. camp.host of Sennacherib as many as a hundred fourscore and five thousand; 23So now also, #See ch. 3.24.O Sovereign of the heavens, #ch. 11.6. See Ex. 23.20.send a good angel before us to bring terror and trembling: 24Through the greatness of thine arm let them be stricken with dismay that with blasphemy are come hither against #See Deut. 7.6.thy holy people. And as he ended with these words, 25Nicanor and his company advanced with trumpets and pæans; 26But Judas and his company joined battle with the enemy with invocation and prayers. 27And #Cp. Ps. 149.6.contending with their hands, and praying unto God with their hearts, they slew no less than thirty and five thousand men, being made exceeding glad #See ch. 2.21.by the manifestation of God.
28And when the engagement was over, and they were returning again with joy, they recognised Nicanor #Cp. 1 Mac. 7.43.lying dead in full armour; 29And there arose a shout and #15.29 Or bewildermenttumult, and then they blessed the #See ch. 3.24.Sovereign Lord #See ch. 7.8.in the language of their fathers. 30And he that in all things was in body and soul the foremost champion of his fellow-citizens, he that kept through life the good will of his youth toward his countrymen, commanded #1 Mac. 7.47.to cut off Nicanor's head, and his hand with the shoulder, and bring them to Jerusalem. 31And when he had arrived there, and had called his countrymen together and set the priests before the altar, he sent for them that were in #See ch. 4.12.the citadel; 32And shewing the head of the vile Nicanor, and the hand of that profane man, #ch. 14.33.1 Mac. 7.47.which with proud brags he had stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty, 33And cutting out the tongue of the impious Nicanor, he said that he would give #15.33 Or themit by pieces #Cp. 1 Sam. 17.44,46.to the birds, and hang up the #15.33 The Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.rewards of his madness over against the sanctuary. 34And they all looking up unto heaven blessed #15.34 Or the glorious Lordthe Lord #See ch. 2.21.who had manifested himself, saying, Blessed be he that hath preserved his own place undefiled. 35And #1 Mac. 7.47. Cp. Judith 14.1.he hanged Nicanor's head and shoulder from #See ch. 4.12.the citadel, a sign, evident unto all and manifest, of #See ch. 13.13.the help of the Lord. 36#Cp. 1 Mac. 7.49.And they all ordained with a common decree in no wise to let this day pass undistinguished, but to mark with honour the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (it is called #Ezra 6.15. Esth. 3.7,13 & 8.12. Rest of Esth. 13.6.Adar in the Syrian tongue), the day before #Cp. Esth. 9.17,21.the day of Mordecai.
37THIS then having been the issue of the attempt of Nicanor, and the city having from those times been held by #ch. 7.31 & 11.13. Judith 10.12 & 14.18.the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my book. 38And if I have written well and to the point in my story, this is what I myself desired; but if meanly and indifferently, this is all I could attain unto. 39#Cp. ch. 2.29.For as it is #15.39 Or hurtfuldistasteful to drink wine alone and in like manner again to drink water alone, #15.39 Gr. but even as.while the mingling of wine with water at once #15.39 Or addeth delight to the benefitgiveth full pleasantness to the flavour; so also the fashioning of the language delighteth the ears of them that read the story.
And here shall be the end.
THE END OF APOCRYPHA.
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historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society