2 Maccabees 11

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Very soon afterward, Lysias, guardian and kinsman of the king and head of the government, being greatly displeased at what had happened,	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.
2 mustered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and marched against the Jews. His plan was to make Jerusalem a Greek settlement;	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,
3 to levy tribute on the temple, as he did on the sanctuaries of the other nations; and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year.	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:
4 He did not take God's power into account at all, but felt exultant confidence in his myriads of foot soldiers, his thousands of horsemen, and his eighty elephants.	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.
5 So he invaded Judea, and when he reached Beth-zur, a fortified place about twenty miles from Jerusalem, launched a strong attack against it.	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.
6 When Maccabeus and his men learned that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people begged the Lord with lamentations and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.	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.
7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he exhorted the others to join him in risking their lives to help their kinsmen. Then they resolutely set out together.	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.
8 Suddenly, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white garments and brandishing gold weapons.	8 And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.
9 Then all of them together thanked God for his mercy, and their hearts were filled with such courage that they were ready to assault not only men, but the most savage beasts, yes, even walls of iron.	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.
10 Now that the Lord had shown his mercy toward them, they advanced in battle order with the aid of their heavenly ally.	10 Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them
11 Hurling themselves upon the enemy like lions, they laid low eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the rest to flight.	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.
12 Most of those who got away were wounded and stripped of their arms, while Lysias himself escaped only by shameful flight.	12 Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.
13 But Lysias was not a stupid man. He reflected on the defeat he had suffered, and came to realize that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God was their ally. He therefore sent a message	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,
14 persuading them to settle everything on just terms, and promising to persuade the king also, and to induce him to become their friend.	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.
15 Maccabeus, solicitous for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias proposed; and the king, on his part, granted in behalf of the Jews all the written requests of Maccabeus to Lysias.	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.
16 These are the terms of the letter which Lysias wrote to the Jews: "Lysias sends greetings to the Jewish people.	16 For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:
17 John and Absalom, your envoys, have presented your signed communication and asked about the matters contained in it.	17 John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.
18 Whatever had to be referred to the king I called to his attention, and the things that were acceptable he has granted.	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.
19 If you maintain your loyalty to the government, I will endeavor to further your interests in the future.	19 And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.
20 On the details of these matters I have authorized my representatives, as well as your envoys, to confer with you.	20 But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.
21 Farewell." The year one hundred and forty-eight, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.	21 Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
22 The king's letter read thus: "King Antiochus sends greetings to his brother Lysias.	22 Now the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:
23 Now that our father has taken his place among the gods, we wish the subjects of our kingdom to be undisturbed in conducting their own affairs.	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.
24 We understand that the Jews do not agree with our father's policy concerning Greek customs but prefer their own way of life. They are petitioning us to let them retain their own customs.	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.
25 Since we desire that this people too should be undisturbed, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live in keeping with the customs of their ancestors.	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.
26 Accordingly, please send them messengers to give them our assurances of friendship, so that, when they learn of our decision, they may have nothing to worry about but may contentedly go about their own business."	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.
27 The king's letter to the people was as follows: "King Antiochus sends greetings to the Jewish senate and to the rest of the Jews.	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:
28 If you are well, it is what we desire. We too are in good health.	28 If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.
29 Menelaus has told us of your wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.	29 Menelans declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
30 Therefore, those who return by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our assurance of full permission	30 Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.
31 to observe their dietary laws and other laws, just as before, and none of the Jews shall be molested in any way for faults committed through ignorance.	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.
32 I have also sent Menelaus to reassure you.	32 I have sent also Menelans, that he may comfort you.
33 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	33 Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.
34 The Romans also sent them a letter as follows: "Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, legates of the Romans, send greetings to the Jewish people.	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.
35 Whatever Lysias, kinsman of the king, has granted you, we also approve.	35 Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
36 But the matters on which he passed judgment should be submitted to the king. As soon as you have considered them, send someone to us with your decisions so that we may present them to your advantage, for we are on our way to Antioch.	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.
37 Make haste, then, to send us those who can inform us of your intentions.	37 Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
38 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	38 Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.