2 Maccabees 2

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 'It is on record that the prophet Jeremiah ordered the deportees to take the fire, as we have described,	1 It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:
2 and how, having given them the Law, the prophet warned the deportees never to forget the Lord'sprecepts, nor to let their thoughts be tempted by the sight of gold and silver statues or the finery adorning them.	2 And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments.
3 Among other similar admonitions, he urged them not to let the Law depart from their hearts.	3 And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.
4 'The same document also describes how the prophet, warned by an oracle, gave orders for the tentand the ark to go with him, when he set out for the mountain which Moses had climbed to survey God's heritage.	4 It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God.
5 On his arrival, Jeremiah found a cave-dwel ing, into which he put the tent, the ark and the altar ofincense, afterwards blocking up the entrance.	5 And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.
6 Some of his companions went back later to mark out the path but were unable to find it.	6 And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.
7 When Jeremiah learned this, he reproached them, "The place is to remain unknown", he said, "untilGod gathers his people together again and shows them his mercy.	7 Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.
8 Then the Lord wil bring these things once more to light, and the glory of the Lord will be seen, and sowil the cloud, as it was revealed in the time of Moses and when Solomon prayed that the holy place might begloriously hal owed."	8 Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.
9 'It was also recorded how Solomon in his wisdom offered the sacrifice of the dedication and completionof the sanctuary.	9 It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.
10 As Moses had prayed to the Lord and fire had come down from heaven and burned up the sacrifice,so Solomon also prayed, and the fire from above consumed the burnt offerings.	10 And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings.
11 Moses had said, "Because the sacrifice for sin had not been eaten, it was burnt instead."	11 And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed.
12 Solomon similarly observed the eight-day festival.	12 So Solomon kept those eight days.
13 'In addition to the above, it was also recorded, both in these writings and in the Memoirs of Nehemiah, how Nehemiah founded a library and made a col ection of the books dealing with the kings and the prophets, thewritings of David and the letters of the kings on the subject of offerings.	13 The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.
14 Similarly, Judas made a complete col ection of the books dispersed in the late war, and these we stillhave.	14 In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us,
15 If you need any of them, send someone to fetch them.	15 Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.
16 'Since we are about to celebrate the purification, we now write, requesting you to observe the samedays.	16 Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.
17 God, who has saved his whole people, conferring heritage, kingdom, priesthood and sanctification onal of us,	17 We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,
18 as he has promised in the Law, will surely, as our hope is in him, be swift to show us mercy andgather us together from everywhere under heaven to the holy place, since he has rescued us from great evilsand has purified it.'	18 As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.
19 The story of Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers, the purification of the great Temple, the dedicationof the altar,	19 Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,
20 together with the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,	20 And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son,
21 and the celestial manifestations that came to hearten the brave champions of Judaism, so that, fewthough they were, they pil aged the whole country, routed the barbarian hordes,	21 And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes,
22 recovered the sanctuary renowned the whole world over, liberated the city and re-established the lawsby then all but abolished, the Lord showing his favour by al his gracious help to them-	22 And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:
23 al this, already related in five books by Jason of Cyrene, we shall attempt to condense into a singlework.	23 All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.
24 Considering the spate of figures and the difficulty encountered, because of the mass of material, bythose who wish to immerse themselves in historical records,	24 For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,
25 we have aimed at providing diversion for those who merely want something to read, a saving of labourfor those who enjoy committing things to memory, and profit for each and al .	25 We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.
26 For us who have undertaken the drudgery of this abridgement, it has been no easy task but a matterof sweat and midnight oil,	26 Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching;
27 comparable to the exacting task of someone organising a banquet, whose aim is to satisfy a variety oftastes. Nevertheless, for the sake of rendering a general service, we remain glad to endure this drudgery,	27 Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;
28 leaving accuracy of detail to the historian, and concentrating our effort on tracing the outlines in thiscondensed version.	28 Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.
29 Just as the architect of a new house is responsible for the construction as a whole, while the manundertaking the ceramic painting has to take into consideration only the decorative requirements, so, I think, it iswith us.	29 For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.
30 To make the subject his own, to explore its by-ways, to be meticulous about details, is the business ofthe original historian,	30 To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:
31 but the person making the adaptation must be al owed to aim at conciseness of expression and toforgo any exhaustive treatment of his subject.	31 But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.
32 So now let us begin our narrative, without adding any more to what has been said above; there wouldbe no sense in expanding the preface to the history and curtailing the history itself.	32 Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.