2 Maccabees 11

KING JAMES BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Not long after the, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.	1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.
2 And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles,	2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.
3 And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:	3 And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the leaves of proposition.
4 Not at all considering the power of God but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.	4 And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord, lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and blasphemous men.
5 So he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.	5 Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the strangers, on the very same day it was cleansed again, to wit, on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu.
6 Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel.	6 And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beasts.
7 Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.	7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
8 And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.	8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.
9 Then they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.	9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.
10 Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them	10 But now we will relate the acts of Eupator the son of that wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in the wars.
11 And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.	11 For when he was come to the crown. he appointed over the affairs of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria.
12 Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.	12 For Ptolemee that was called Macer, was determined to be strictly just to the Jews, and especially by reason of the wrong that had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them.
13 Who, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them,	13 But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus which Philometor had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison.
14 And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promised that he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them.	14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.
15 Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted it.	15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.
16 For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:	16 Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds of the Idumeans:
17 John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.	17 And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty thousand.
18 Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.	18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,
19 And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.	19 Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were with them in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those expeditions which urged more.
20 But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.	20 Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded For the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape.
21 Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.	21 But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape.
22 Now the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:	22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.
23 Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs.	23 And having good success in arms and in all things he took in hand, he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds.
24 We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.	24 But Timotheus who before had been overcome by the Jews, having called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.
25 Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.	25 But Machabeus and they that were with him, when he drew near, prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads and girding their loins with haircloth,
26 Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.	26 And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law saith.
27 And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Jews:	27 And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they rested.
28 If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.	28 But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the one part having with their valour the Lord for a surety o victory and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in battle.
29 Menelans declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:	29 But when they were in the heat of the engagement there appeared to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely with golden bridles, conducting the Jews:
30 Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.	30 Two of whom took Machabeus between them, and covered him on every side with their arms, and kept him safe: but cast darts and fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble.
31 And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.	31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
32 I have sent also Menelans, that he may comfort you.	32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.
33 Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.	33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.
34 The Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews.	34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.
35 Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.	35 But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce courage got up upon it.
36 But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.	36 Moreover others also getting up after them, went to set Are to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.
37 Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.	37 And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.
38 Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.	38 And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory.