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3 Makabim
3 Maccabees
Introduction
A NOTE ON THIS RENDERING
THE WITNESS — AND THE NAME IS WRONG
This book is canonical in the Eastern Orthodox, Armenian and Syriac churches, and stands in many manuscripts of the Septuagint. BUT ITS TITLE IS A LIBRARIAN'S ERROR. THERE IS NO MACCABEE IN IT. It is set in PTOLEMAIC EGYPT under Ptolemy IV Philopator, a generation and more BEFORE the revolt in Yehudah. Not Mattityahu, not Yehudah HaMakabi, not one of the brothers appears. IT WAS COMPOSED IN GREEK, in Alexandria, by a Jew of the diaspora — SO, AS WITH 2 MAKABIM, THIS HOUSE DOES NOT CLAIM TO RESTORE HEBREW HERE; IT TRANSLATES INTO IT. The base is the Brenton Septuagint edition, which is in the public domain. We note, because the House does not claim what it cannot prove, that BRENTON HIMSELF DID NOT TRANSLATE THE APOCRYPHA; the English carried under his name for this book is of another hand, and public domain. AND YET IT BELONGS It is kept because it is the ONE BOOK IN THIS BIBLE WRITTEN FROM THE DIASPORA, ABOUT THE DIASPORA. Every other book here is about the Land. THIS ONE IS ABOUT WHAT IT COSTS TO KEEP THE TORAH WHEN YOU LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE — and that is the condition of most of Yisra’el, in most centuries, including this one. THE OFFER, AND THE REFUSAL This is the argument of the book, and the king states it himself in his own letter (3:21–23): WE WISHED... TO BESTOW UPON THEM THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS OF ALEXANDRIA, AND TO ADMIT THEM TO THE EVERLASTING RITES OF OUR SOLEMNITIES... THEY HAVE SPURNED THE FAIR OFFER... HAVE REJECTED THE INESTIMABLE RIGHTS. FULL CITIZENSHIP WAS ON THE TABLE. The price was initiation into the mysteries, and a mark on the body — THE IVY-LEAF OF DIONYSUS, BRANDED ON THOSE WHO REGISTERED (2:29). THEY SAID NO. And the king’s own verdict on them, at 3:19, may be the finest sentence an enemy ever wrote about Yisra’el: THEY ALONE AMONG THE NATIONS LIFT UP THEIR HEADS AGAINST KINGS. THE OLDEST LIBEL, IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM 3:4–7 — AS THEY WORSHIPPED ELOHIM, AND OBSERVED HIS TORAH, THEY MADE CERTAIN DISTINCTIONS, AND AVOIDED CERTAIN THINGS... THEY SAID MUCH OF THE EXCLUSIVENESS OF THE YEHUDIM WITH REGARD TO THEIR WORSHIP AND MEATS; THEY ALLEGED THAT THEY WERE MEN UNSOCIABLE, HOSTILE TO THE KING’S INTERESTS. Kashrut, Shabbat, separation, and a refusal to dine at the king’s table. THAT IS THE WHOLE INDICTMENT, TWENTY-TWO CENTURIES AGO, AND IT HAS NOT CHANGED. BUT MARK 3:8–10, WHICH NOBODY QUOTES The Yevanim of the city took their side: THEY ENCOURAGED THE YEHUDIM BY SYMPATHIZING WITH THEM IN THEIR TROUBLES... SOME OF THE NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW DEALERS OF THE YEHUDIM EVEN CALLED THEM SECRETLY TO AN INTERVIEW, PLEDGED THEM THEIR ASSISTANCE. THE BOOK THAT RECORDS THE PERSECUTION REFUSES TO BLAME THE NATIONS FOR IT. It names the king, and the informers — AND IT NAMES THE NEIGHBOURS WHO STOOD UP. For a House that teaches the grafting in, that distinction is worth more than the atrocity. HOW ELOHIM ACTUALLY WINS Shimon’s prayer in chapter 2 recites the great deliverances: the Flood, Sedom, PHARAOH DROWNED IN THE SEA. And then, in chapter 5, ELOHIM STOPS A KING WITH A NAP. 5:11 — HE WHO HAS SENT HIS GOOD CREATURE SLEEP FROM ALL TIME... DIFFUSED A PORTION THEREOF NOW UPON THE KING. And when that wears off, 5:28 — THIS WAS THE WORKING OF THAT ALMIGHTY ELOHIM WHO HAD MADE HIM FORGET ALL HIS PURPOSE. And under that forgetting, the king denounces his own decree and calls them INNOCENT (5:31) — not knowing he issued it. NO SEA SPLITS. NO FIRE FALLS. He is defeated by SLEEP and by FORGETFULNESS, the smallest instruments in creation. THAT IS NOT A LESSER DELIVERANCE. IT IS A MORE FRIGHTENING ONE. THE THIRD ENOCHIC BRIDGE At 2:4 the Kohen Gadol prays: THOU WHO DIDST DESTROY THE FORMER WORKERS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AMONG WHOM WERE THE GIANTS, WHO TRUSTED IN THEIR STRENGTH, BY COVERING THEM WITH A MEASURELESS FLOOD. Bereshit 6:4 mentions the Nefilim and moves on. THIS PRAYER MAKES THEM THE CAUSE OF THE MABBUL — WHICH IS NOT BERESHIT’S ARGUMENT. IT IS 1 CHANOCH’S. Together with the IRIN of Dani’el 4 and the LORD OF SPIRITS of 2 Makabim 3:24, this House now holds THREE ENOCHIC TITLES INSIDE BOOKS THE CHURCH NEVER DISPUTED. The vocabulary was never actually removed. AND THE PRAYERS DO NOT PLEAD — THEY CITE 2:10 — Shimon holds Elohim to Shlomo’s dedication prayer: THOU DIDST PROMISE... THAT SHOULD WE FALL AWAY, AND THEN COME TO THIS HOUSE AND PRAY, THOU WOULDEST HEAR (1 Melachim 8). 6:15 — El’azar holds Him to Vayikra 26:44: AS THOU SAIDST THAT THOU WOULDST NOT FORGET THEM EVEN IN THE LAND OF THEIR ENEMIES, SO DO THOU FULFIL THIS SAYING. BOTH MEN ARGUE FROM THE TEXT. And El’azar’s prayer names Dani’el in the lions’ den, Yonah in the fish, AND THE THREE IN THE FURNACE WITH THE DEWY COOLNESS (6:6) — WHICH IS NOT IN THE HEBREW DANI’EL. It is in the Greek, at Dani’el 3:50, which this House has already set from Theodotion. A BOOK IN EGYPT PRAYS A VERSE THE MASORETES DID NOT KEEP. SUKKOT ON THE KILLING GROUND 6:30–31 — they are given SHEVA YAMIM of feasting IN THE VERY PLACE IN WHICH THEY EXPECTED TO MEET WITH THEIR DESTRUCTION; AND THEY PARTED OUT THE PLACE INTENDED FOR THEIR FALL AND BURIAL INTO SUKKOT. Seven days. Booths. In the hippodrome. This is the THIRD time in this Bible that deliverance is kept as Sukkot: 2 Makabim 1:9 (Sukkot in Kislev), 2 Makabim 10:6 (the Chanukah, AS IN THE MO’ED OF SUKKOT), and here. WHEN YISRA’EL IS DELIVERED, YISRA’EL BUILDS BOOTHS. It is not a metaphor. It is the reflex. A FOURTH MO’ED MADE BY MEN 6:36 — THEY MADE A PUBLIC ORDINANCE TO COMMEMORATE THESE THINGS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, AS LONG AS THEY SHOULD BE SOJOURNERS... NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRINKING OR LUXURY, BUT BECAUSE ELOHIM HAD SAVED THEM. Add it to the three from 1 Makabim: the Chanukah (4:59), Nicanor’s Yom (7:49), the 23rd of Iyar (13:51). FOUR APPOINTED TIMES FOUNDED BY DECREE OF THE CONGREGATION. The House prints all four and calls them what they are: ordinances of men, kept with gladness — not mo’adim of Yahuah out of Vayikra 23. AND THE HARD PLACE, WHICH THE HOUSE WILL NOT EXCUSE At 7:10–15 the delivered Yehudim ask the king’s leave TO INFLICT FITTING PUNISHMENT UPON THOSE OF THEIR RACE WHO HAD WILLINGLY TRANSGRESSED — and kill above THREE HUNDRED MEN, ESTEEMING THIS DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED A SEASON OF JOY. A massacre committed by the delivered, ON THE DAY OF THEIR DELIVERANCE, AND CALLED JOY. IT IS RENDERED AS IT STANDS. The House sets beside it what the text itself supplies: these were the men who at 2:29–31 TOOK THE IVY-LEAF OF DIONYSUS TO BUY ALEXANDRIAN CITIZENSHIP, and the charge at 7:11 is exact — MEN WHO HAD FOR THEIR BELLIES’ SAKE TRANSGRESSED THE ORDINANCES OF ELOHIM. WE PRINT THE DEED AND WE PRINT THE MOTIVE, AND WE DO NOT RESOLVE IT FOR THE READER. A Bible that shows you Yisra’el only at her best is not a Bible. It is a brochure. AND WHERE THE HISTORY IS MOST DISPUTED At 4:20 the registration of the Yehudim collapses because PAPER AND PENS HAD FAILED THEM — in Egypt, the papyrus country — and the text calls this THE ACTIVE INTERFERENCE OF THE UNCONQUERABLE PROVIDENCE. This is the verse at which most readers judge the book to pass from history into legend, AND THEY MAY BE RIGHT. RULE X.4 GOVERNS: IT IS PRINTED AS IT STANDS, AND THE DIFFICULTY IS NAMED HERE RATHER THAN QUIETLY DELETED THERE. TWO PILLARS At 2:27–29 the king raises A PILLAR bearing the decree of registration and the mark. At 7:20 the delivered raise A PILLAR bearing the record of their deliverance, AND DEDICATE THE PLACE OF THEIR FESTIVITY TO BE ONE OF PRAYER — the Greek is PROSEUCHE, the diaspora house of prayer. THE BOOK IS BUILT BETWEEN TWO PILLARS: ONE OF THE MARK, AND ONE OF THE MERCY. And at 7:13 the whole am answers with the HALLELUYAH. THE TONGUE Hebrew terms are set in the House’s green and glossed at their first appearance in this book, and thereafter left to stand bare. The Name YAHUAH is never glossed. Where the Alexandrian idiom is not a Hebrew one — THE GREATEST ELOHIM — it is left standing, and not smoothed into something more familiar. Numbers that SIGNIFY are Hebraised; numbers that MEASURE are left in English. RULE X.4 The text is rendered as it stands. The translation is never adjusted to fit a conclusion. Interpretation belongs to the introductions and the notes — never to the verse.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 1
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1Now Philopator, on learning from those who came back that Antiochus had made himself master of the places which belonged to himself, sent orders to all his footmen and horsemen, took with him his sister Arsinoe, and marched out as far as the parts of Raphia, where Antiochus and his forces encamped.2And one Theodotus, intending to carry out his design, took with him the bravest of the armed men who had been before committed to his trust by Ptolemy, and got through by lailah to the tent of Ptolemy, to kill him on his own responsibility, and so to end the war.3But Dositheus, called the son of Drimulus, BY BIRTH A YEHUDI, AFTERWARD A RENEGADE FROM THE LAWS AND OBSERVANCES OF HIS COUNTRY, conveyed Ptolemy away, and made an obscure person lie down in his stead in the tent. It befell this man to receive the fate which was meant for the other.4A fierce battle then took place; and the men of Antiochus prevailing, Arsinoe continually went up and down the ranks, and with dishevelled hair, with tears and entreaties, begged the soldiers to fight manfully for themselves, their children, and wives; and promised that if they proved conquerors, she would give them two minae of gold apiece.5It thus fell out that their enemies were defeated in hand-to-hand encounter, and that many of them were taken prisoners.6Having vanquished this attempt, the king then decided to proceed to the neighbouring cities, and encourage them.7By doing this, and by making donations to their temples, he inspired his subjects with confidence.8The Yehudim also sent some of their council and of their zekenim to him. The greetings, guest-gifts, and congratulations on the past, bestowed by them, filled him with the greater eagerness to visit their city.9Having arrived at Yerushalayim, sacrificed, and offered thank-offerings to THE GREATEST ELOHIM, and done whatever else was suitable to the sanctity of the place, and entered the inner court,10he was so struck with the exact magnificence of the place, and so wondered at the orderly arrangements of the Heichal, THAT HE CONCEIVED THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING THE KODESH HAKODASHIM (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, the sanctuary itself) .11And when they told him that this was not permissible — NONE OF THE NATION, NO, NOR EVEN THE KOHANIM IN GENERAL, BUT ONLY THE SUPREME KOHEN GADOL OF ALL, AND HE ONLY ONCE IN A SHANAH, being allowed to go in — HE WOULD BY NO MEANS GIVE WAY.12THEN THEY READ THE TORAH TO HIM; but he persisted in obtruding himself, exclaiming that he ought to be allowed, and saying, "Be it that they were deprived of this honour, I ought not to be."13And he put the question, "Why, when I enter all temples, none of the priests who were present forbad me?"14He was thoughtlessly answered by some one, that he did wrong to boast of this.15"Well; since I have done this," said he, "be the cause what it may, SHALL I NOT ENTER WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT?"16And when the Kohanim fell down in their sacred vestments, IMPLORING THE GREATEST ELOHIM TO COME AND HELP IN TIME OF NEED, and to avert the violence of the fierce aggressor; and when they filled the Heichal with lamentations and tears —17then those who had been left behind in the city were scared, and rushed forth, uncertain of the event.18VIRGINS, WHO HAD BEEN SHUT UP WITHIN THEIR CHAMBERS, CAME OUT WITH THEIR MOTHERS, scattering dust and ashes on their heads, and filling the streets with outcries.19Women, but recently separated off, LEFT THEIR BRIDAL CHAMBERS, left the reserve that befitted them, and ran about the city in a disorderly manner.20NEWBORN BABES WERE DESERTED BY THE MOTHERS OR NURSES WHO WAITED UPON THEM — some here, some there, in houses, or in fields; these now, with an ardour which could not be checked, swarmed into the Heichal of El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן, the Most High).21Various were the prayers offered up by those who assembled in this place, on account of the unholy attempt of the king.22Along with these there were some of the citizens who took courage, and would not submit to his obstinacy, and his intention of carrying out his purpose.23CALLING OUT TO ARMS, AND TO DIE BRAVELY IN DEFENCE OF THE TORAH OF THEIR FATHERS, they created a great uproar in the place; and were with difficulty brought back by the aged and the zekenim to the station of prayer which they had occupied before.24During this time the multitude kept on praying.25The zekenim who surrounded the king strove in many ways to divert his haughty mind from the design which he had formed.26He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onwards, with the view of carrying out this design.27YET EVEN HIS OWN OFFICERS, WHEN THEY SAW THIS, JOINED THE YEHUDIM IN AN APPEAL TO HIM WHO HAS ALL POWER, to aid in the present crisis, and not wink at such overweening lawlessness.28Such was the frequency and the vehemence of the cry of the assembled crowd, that an indescribable noise ensued.29NOT THE MEN ONLY — THE VERY WALLS AND FLOOR SEEMED TO SOUND FORTH; ALL THINGS PREFERRING DISSOLUTION RATHER THAN TO SEE THE PLACE DEFILED.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 2
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1Now was it that the Kohen Gadol SHIMON bowed his knees over against the holy place, and spread out his hands in reverent form, and uttered the following supplication:2"O Yahuah, Yahuah, KING OF THE SHAMAYIM, AND RULER OF THE WHOLE CREATION, HOLY AMONG THE HOLY, SOLE GOVERNOR, ALMIGHTY — give ear to us who are oppressed by a wicked and profane one, who exulteth in his confidence and strength.3It is Thou, the Creator of all, the Adon of the universe, who art a righteous Governor, and judgest all who act with pride and insolence.4IT WAS THOU WHO DIDST DESTROY THE FORMER WORKERS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AMONG WHOM WERE THE GIANTS, WHO TRUSTED IN THEIR STRENGTH AND HARDIHOOD, BY COVERING THEM WITH A MEASURELESS FLOOD.5IT WAS THOU WHO DIDST MAKE THE SEDOMIM, those workers of exceeding iniquity, men notorious for their vices, AN EXAMPLE TO AFTER GENERATIONS, when Thou didst consume them with fire and brimstone.6Thou didst make known Thy power when Thou causedst the bold Pharaoh, THE ENSLAVER OF THY AM, to pass through the ordeal of many and diverse inflictions.7And Thou rolledst the depths of the sea over him, when he made pursuit with chariots and with a multitude of followers; AND GAVEST A SAFE PASSAGE TO THOSE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE, the Adon of the whole creation.8These saw and felt the works of Thine hands, and praised Thee, the Almighty.9Thou, O King, when Thou createdst the illimitable and measureless earth, DIDST CHOOSE OUT THIS CITY. Thou didst make this place sacred to Thy name, ALBEIT THOU NEEDEST NOTHING; Thou didst glorify it with Thy illustrious presence, after constructing it to the kavod of Thy great and honourable name.10AND THOU DIDST PROMISE, OUT OF LOVE TO THE HOUSE OF YISRA'EL, THAT SHOULD WE FALL AWAY FROM THEE, AND BECOME AFFLICTED, AND THEN COME TO THIS HOUSE AND PRAY, THOU WOULDEST HEAR OUR PRAYER.11VERILY THOU ART FAITHFUL AND EMET.12And whereas Thou didst often aid our fathers when hard pressed, and in low estate, and deliveredst them out of great dangers —13see now, holy King, how THROUGH OUR MANY AND GREAT CHATA'IM WE ARE BORNE DOWN, AND MADE SUBJECT TO OUR ENEMIES, and are become weak and powerless.14We being in this low condition, this bold and profane man seeks to dishonour this Thy holy place, consecrated out of the earth to the name of Thy Majesty.15THY DWELLING-PLACE, THE SHEMEI HASHAMAYIM (שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, the heaven of heavens), IS INDEED UNAPPROACHABLE TO MEN.16But since it seemed good to Thee TO EXHIBIT THY KAVOD AMONG THY AM YISRA'EL, Thou didst sanctify this place.17PUNISH US NOT BY MEANS OF THE UNCLEANNESS OF THEIR MEN, NOR CHASTISE US BY MEANS OF THEIR PROFANITY; lest the lawless ones should boast in their rage, and exult in exuberant pride of speech, and say,18'WE HAVE TRAMPLED UPON THE HOLY HOUSE, AS IDOLATROUS HOUSES ARE TRAMPLED UPON.'19BLOT OUT OUR INIQUITIES, AND DO AWAY WITH OUR ERRORS, AND SHEW FORTH THY COMPASSION IN THIS HOUR.20LET THY MERCIES QUICKLY GO BEFORE US. GRANT US SHALOM, THAT THE CAST DOWN AND BROKEN HEARTED MAY PRAISE THEE WITH THEIR MOUTH."21At that time Elohim, WHO SEETH ALL THINGS, who is beyond all Holy among the holy, heard that prayer, so suitable; and scourged the man greatly uplifted with scorn and insolence.22SHAKING HIM TO AND FRO AS A REED IS SHAKEN WITH THE WIND, HE CAST HIM UPON THE PAVEMENT, POWERLESS, WITH LIMBS PARALYSED; BY A RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT DEPRIVED OF THE FACULTY OF SPEECH.23His friends and body-guards, beholding the swift recompense which had suddenly overtaken him, struck with exceeding terror, and fearing that he would die, speedily removed him.24When in course of time he had come to himself, THIS SEVERE CHECK CAUSED NO REPENTANCE WITHIN HIM, BUT HE DEPARTED WITH BITTER THREATENINGS.25He proceeded to Mitzrayim, grew worse in wickedness through his beforementioned companions in wine, who were lost to all goodness;26and not satisfied with countless acts of impiety, his audacity so increased that he raised evil reports there; and many of his friends, watching his purpose attentively, joined in furthering his will.27HIS PURPOSE WAS TO INFLICT A PUBLIC STIGMA UPON OUR RACE. Wherefore he erected a pillar at the tower-porch, and caused the following inscription to be engraven upon it:28THAT ENTRANCE TO THEIR OWN HEICHAL WAS TO BE REFUSED TO ALL THOSE WHO WOULD NOT SACRIFICE; THAT ALL THE YEHUDIM WERE TO BE REGISTERED AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE; THAT THOSE WHO RESISTED WERE TO BE FORCIBLY SEIZED AND PUT TO DEATH;29THAT THOSE WHO WERE THUS REGISTERED WERE TO BE MARKED ON THEIR PERSONS BY THE IVY-LEAF SYMBOL OF DIONYSUS, and to be set apart with these limited rights.30To do away with the appearance of hating them all, he had it written underneath, THAT IF ANY OF THEM SHOULD ELECT TO ENTER THE COMMUNITY OF THOSE INITIATED IN THE RITES, THESE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS WITH THE ALEXANDRIANS.31Some of those who were over the city, therefore, abhorring any approach to the city of piety, UNHESITATINGLY GAVE IN TO THE KING, and expected to derive some great honour from a future connection with him.32A NOBLER SPIRIT, HOWEVER, PROMPTED THE MAJORITY TO CLING TO THEIR RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES; and by paying money that they might live unmolested, these sought to escape the registration.33CHEERFULLY LOOKING FORWARD TO FUTURE AID, THEY ABHORRED THEIR OWN APOSTATES, considering them to be national foes, and debarring them from the common usages of social intercourse.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 3
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1On discovering this, so incensed was the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the Yehudim in Alexandria. Laying his hand more heavily upon those who lived in the country, he gave orders that they should be quickly collected into one place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives.2While this was going on, an invidious rumour was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure the race of the Yehudim. THE PURPORT OF THEIR CHARGE WAS, THAT THE YEHUDIM KEPT THEM AWAY FROM THE ORDINANCES OF THE LAW.3Now, while the Yehudim always maintained a feeling of unswerving loyalty towards the kings,4yet, AS THEY WORSHIPPED ELOHIM, AND OBSERVED HIS TORAH, THEY MADE CERTAIN DISTINCTIONS, AND AVOIDED CERTAIN THINGS. Hence some persons held them in odium;5although, as they adorned their conversation with works of TZEDAKAH, they had established themselves in the good opinion of the world.6What all the rest of mankind said was, however, made of no account by the foreigners;7WHO SAID MUCH OF THE EXCLUSIVENESS OF THE YEHUDIM WITH REGARD TO THEIR WORSHIP AND MEATS. THEY ALLEGED THAT THEY WERE MEN UNSOCIABLE, HOSTILE TO THE KING'S INTERESTS, REFUSING TO ASSOCIATE WITH HIM OR HIS TROOPS. By this way of speaking, they brought much odium upon them.8NOR WAS THIS UNEXPECTED UPROAR AND SUDDEN CONFLUX OF PEOPLE UNOBSERVED BY THE YEVANIM WHO LIVED IN THE CITY, CONCERNING MEN WHO HAD NEVER HARMED THEM. Yet to aid them was not in their power, since all was oppression around; BUT THEY ENCOURAGED THE YEHUDIM BY SYMPATHIZING WITH THEM IN THEIR TROUBLES, and expected a favourable turn of affairs.9"HE WHO KNOWETH ALL THINGS WILL NOT," said they, "DISREGARD SO GREAT A PEOPLE."10SOME OF THE NEIGHBOURS, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW DEALERS OF THE YEHUDIM EVEN CALLED THEM SECRETLY TO AN INTERVIEW, PLEDGED THEM THEIR ASSISTANCE, AND PROMISED TO DO THEIR VERY UTMOST FOR THEM.11Now the king, elated with his prosperous fortune, AND NOT REGARDING THE SUPERIOR POWER OF ELOHIM, but thinking to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the prejudice of the Yehudim:12"King Ptolemy Philopator, to the commanders and soldiers in Mitzrayim, and in all places: health and happiness!13I am right well; and so too are my affairs.14Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars of which ye know, and which by the aid of the gods, not lightly given, and by our own vigour, has been brought to a successful issue according to our expectation,15we resolved, not with strength of spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the inhabitants of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and to be their willing benefactors.16So, having bestowed considerable sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far as Yerushalayim; and went up to honour the Heichal of these wretched beings WHO NEVER CEASE FROM THEIR FOLLY.17To outward appearance they received us willingly, but belied that appearance by their deeds. When we were eager to enter their Heichal, and to honour it with the most beautiful and exquisite gifts,18THEY WERE SO CARRIED AWAY BY THEIR OLD ARROGANCE AS TO FORBID US THE ENTRANCE; while we, out of our forbearance toward all men, refrained from exercising our power upon them.19And thus, exhibiting their enmity against us, THEY ALONE AMONG THE NATIONS LIFT UP THEIR HEADS AGAINST KINGS AND BENEFACTORS, as men unwilling to submit to any thing reasonable.20We then, having endeavoured to make allowance for the madness of these persons, and on our victorious return treating all people in Mitzrayim courteously, acted in a manner which was befitting.21Accordingly, bearing no ill-will against their kinsmen, but rather remembering our connection with them, and the numerous matters with sincere heart from a remote period entrusted to them, WE WISHED TO VENTURE A TOTAL ALTERATION OF THEIR STATE, BY BESTOWING UPON THEM THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS OF ALEXANDRIA, AND TO ADMIT THEM TO THE EVERLASTING RITES OF OUR SOLEMNITIES.22All this, however, they have taken in a very different spirit. With their innate malignity, THEY HAVE SPURNED THE FAIR OFFER; and constantly inclining to evil,23HAVE REJECTED THE INESTIMABLE RIGHTS. Not only so, but by using speech, and by refraining from speech, THEY ABHOR THE FEW AMONG THEM WHO ARE HEARTILY DISPOSED TOWARDS US; ever deeming that their ignoble course of procedure will force us to do away with our reform.24Having then received certain proofs that these Yehudim bear us every sort of ill-will, we must look forward to the possibility of some sudden tumult among ourselves, when these impious men may turn traitors and barbarous enemies.25As soon, therefore, as the contents of this letter become known to you, IN THAT SAME HOUR WE ORDER THOSE YEHUDIM WHO DWELL AMONG YOU, WITH WIVES AND CHILDREN, TO BE SENT TO US, VILIFIED AND ABUSED, IN CHAINS OF IRON, to undergo a death cruel and ignominious, suitable to men disaffected.26FOR BY THE PUNISHMENT OF THEM IN ONE BODY WE PERCEIVE THAT WE HAVE FOUND THE ONLY MEANS OF ESTABLISHING OUR AFFAIRS FOR THE FUTURE ON A FIRM AND SATISFACTORY BASIS.27WHOEVER SHALL SHIELD A YEHUDI — WHETHER IT BE OLD MAN, CHILD, OR SUCKLING — SHALL WITH HIS WHOLE HOUSE BE TORTURED TO DEATH.28WHOEVER SHALL INFORM AGAINST THE YEHUDIM, besides receiving the property of the person charged, SHALL BE PRESENTED WITH TWO THOUSAND DRACHMAS FROM THE ROYAL TREASURY, SHALL BE MADE FREE, AND SHALL BE CROWNED.29Whatever place shall shelter a Yehudi shall, when he is hunted forth, BE PUT UNDER THE BAN OF FIRE, and be for ever rendered useless to every living being for all time to come."30Such was the purport of the king's letter.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 4
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1Wherever this decree was received, THE PEOPLE KEPT UP A REVELRY OF JOY AND SHOUTING, as if their long-pent-up, hardened hatred were now to shew itself openly.2The Yehudim suffered great throes of sorrow, and wept much; while their hearts, all things around being lamentable, were set on fire as they bewailed the sudden destruction which was decreed against them.3WHAT HOME, OR CITY, OR PLACE AT ALL INHABITED, OR WHAT STREETS WERE THERE, WHICH THEIR CONDITION DID NOT FILL WITH WAILING AND LAMENTATION?4They were sent out unanimously by the generals in the several cities, with such stern and pitiless feeling, THAT THE EXCEPTIONAL NATURE OF THE INFLICTION MOVED EVEN SOME OF THEIR ENEMIES. These, influenced by sentiments of common humanity, and reflecting upon the uncertain issue of life, SHED TEARS AT THIS THEIR MISERABLE EXPULSION.5A MULTITUDE OF AGED HOARY-HAIRED MEN WERE DRIVEN ALONG WITH HALTING BENDING FEET, urged onward by the impulse of a violent, shameless force to quick speed.6GIRLS WHO HAD ENTERED THE BRIDAL CHAMBER QUITE LATELY, to enjoy the partnership of marriage, EXCHANGED PLEASURE FOR MISERY; and with dust scattered upon their myrrh-anointed heads, were hurried along unveiled; and, in the midst of outlandish insults, SET UP WITH ONE ACCORD A LAMENTABLE CRY IN LIEU OF THE MARRIAGE HYMN.7Bound, and exposed to public gaze, they were hurried violently on board ship.8The husbands of these, in the prime of their youthful vigour, INSTEAD OF CROWNS WORE HALTERS ROUND THEIR NECKS; instead of feasting and youthful jollity, spent the rest of their nuptial yamim in wailings, and saw only the grave at hand.9THEY WERE DRAGGED ALONG BY UNYIELDING CHAINS, LIKE WILD BEASTS. Of these, some had their necks thrust into the benches of the rowers, while the feet of others were enclosed in hard fetters.10The planks of the deck above them barred out the light, and shut out the yom on every side, SO THAT THEY MIGHT BE TREATED LIKE TRAITORS DURING THE WHOLE VOYAGE.11They were conveyed accordingly in this vessel, and at the end of it arrived at Schedia. THE KING HAD ORDERED THEM TO BE CAST INTO THE VAST HIPPODROME, which was built in front of the city. This place was well adapted by its situation to expose them to the gaze of all comers into the city, and of those who went from the city into the country. Thus they could hold no communication with his forces; nay, were deemed unworthy of any civilized accommodation.12When this was done, the king, hearing that their brethren in the city often went out and lamented the melancholy distress of these victims,13was full of rage, and commanded that they should be carefully subjected to the same, and not one whit milder, treatment.14THE WHOLE NATION WAS NOW TO BE REGISTERED. EVERY INDIVIDUAL WAS TO BE SPECIFIED BY NAME — not for that hard servitude of labour which we have a little before mentioned, but that he might expose them to the beforementioned tortures; and finally, in the short space of a yom, might extirpate them by his cruelties.15THE REGISTERING OF THESE MEN WAS CARRIED ON CRUELLY, ZEALOUSLY, ASSIDUOUSLY, FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN TO ITS GOING DOWN; AND WAS NOT BROUGHT TO AN END IN FORTY YAMIM.16The king was filled with great and constant joy, and celebrated banquets before the temple idols. HIS ERRING HEART, FAR FROM THE EMET, AND HIS PROFANE MOUTH, GAVE KAVOD TO IDOLS — DEAF, AND INCAPABLE OF SPEAKING OR AIDING — and uttered unworthy speech against the Greatest Elohim.17At the end of the abovementioned interval of time, the registrars brought word to the king THAT THE MULTITUDE OF THE YEHUDIM WAS TOO GREAT FOR REGISTRATION;18inasmuch as there were many still left in the land, of whom some were in inhabited houses, and others were scattered about in various places; so that all the commanders in Mitzrayim were insufficient for the work.19The king threatened them, and charged them with taking bribes in order to contrive the escape of the Yehudim; but was clearly convinced of the truth of what had been said.20THEY SAID, AND PROVED, THAT PAPER AND PENS HAD FAILED THEM FOR THE CARRYING OUT OF THEIR PURPOSE.21NOW THIS WAS THE ACTIVE INTERFERENCE OF THE UNCONQUERABLE PROVIDENCE WHICH ASSISTED THE YEHUDIM FROM SHAMAYIM.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 5
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1Then he called Hermon, who had charge of the elephants. Full of rage, altogether fixed in his furious design,2he commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine and handfuls of incense infused, TO DRUG THE ELEPHANTS EARLY ON THE FOLLOWING YOM. THESE FIVE HUNDRED ELEPHANTS were, when infuriated by the copious draughts of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Yehudim.3The king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, AND GATHERED TOGETHER ALL THOSE OF HIS FRIENDS AND OF THE ARMY WHO HATED THE YEHUDIM THE MOST.4The master of the elephants, Hermon, fulfilled his commission punctually.5The underlings appointed for the purpose went out about eventide and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security by lailah, THINKING THAT THE WHOLE RACE WOULD PERISH TOGETHER.6The goyim believed the Yehudim to be destitute of all protection, for chains fettered them about.7THEY INVOKED THE ALMIGHTY YAHUAH, and ceaselessly besought with tears THEIR MERCIFUL ELOHIM AND FATHER, RULER OF ALL, ADON OF EVERY POWER,8to overthrow the evil purpose which was gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them.9THEIR LITANY SO EARNEST WENT UP TO SHAMAYIM.10Then Hermon, who had filled his merciless elephants with copious draughts of mingled wine and frankincense, came early to the palace to certify the king thereof.11HE, HOWEVER, WHO HAS SENT HIS GOOD CREATURE SLEEP FROM ALL TIME, BY LAILAH OR BY YOM, THUS GRATIFYING WHOM HE WILLS, DIFFUSED A PORTION THEREOF NOW UPON THE KING.12BY THIS SWEET AND PROFOUND INFLUENCE OF YAHUAH HE WAS HELD FAST; and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified.13But the Yehudim, having escaped the hour which had been fixed, praised their holy Elohim; and again prayed Him who is easily reconciled to display the power of His powerful hand to the overweening goyim.14The middle of the tenth hour had well nigh arrived, when the master-bidder, seeing the guests who were bidden collected, came and shook the king.15He gained his attention with difficulty; and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him.16The king listened to this, and then, turning aside to his potations, commanded the guests to sit down before him.17This done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet.18Conversation grew on; and the king sent for Hermon, and enquired of him, with fierce denunciations, WHY THE YEHUDIM HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO OUTLIVE THAT YOM.19Hermon explained that he had done his bidding over lailah; and in this he was confirmed by his friends.20The king then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said THAT THEY MIGHT THANK HIS SLEEP OF THAT YOM. "Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against to-morrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Yehudim."21When the king said this, the company present were glad, and approved; and then each man went to his own home.22NOR DID THEY EMPLOY THE LAILAH IN SLEEP, SO MUCH AS IN CONTRIVING CRUEL MOCKERIES FOR THOSE DEEMED MISERABLE.23The morning cock had just crowed; and Hermon, having harnessed the brutes, was stimulating them in the great colonnade.24The city crowds were collected together to see the hideous spectacle, and waited impatiently for the dawn.25THE YEHUDIM, BREATHLESS WITH MOMENTARY SUSPENSE, STRETCHED FORTH THEIR HANDS, AND PRAYED THE GREATEST ELOHIM, IN MOURNFUL STRAINS, AGAIN TO HELP THEM SPEEDILY.26The sun's rays were not yet shed abroad, and the king was waiting for his friends, when Hermon came to him, calling him out, and saying that his desires could now be realized.27THE KING, RECEIVING HIM, WAS ASTONISHED AT HIS UNWONTED EXIT; AND, OVERWHELMED WITH A SPIRIT OF OBLIVION ABOUT EVERYTHING, ENQUIRED THE OBJECT OF THIS EARNEST PREPARATION.28BUT THIS WAS THE WORKING OF THAT ALMIGHTY ELOHIM WHO HAD MADE HIM FORGET ALL HIS PURPOSE.29Hermon, and all his friends, pointed out the preparation of the animals: "They are ready, O king, according to your own strict injunction."30THE KING WAS FILLED WITH FIERCE ANGER AT THESE WORDS; for, BY THE PROVIDENCE OF ELOHIM REGARDING THESE THINGS, HIS MIND HAD BECOME ENTIRELY CONFUSED. He looked hard at Hermon, and threatened him as follows:31"YOUR PARENTS, OR YOUR CHILDREN, WERE THEY HERE, TO THESE WILD BEASTS A LARGE REPAST THEY SHOULD HAVE FURNISHED — NOT THESE INNOCENT YEHUDIM, WHO ME AND MY FOREFATHERS LOYALLY HAVE SERVED.32Had it not been for familiar friendship, and the claims of your office, your life should have gone for theirs."33Hermon, being threatened in this unexpected and alarming manner, was troubled in visage, and depressed in countenance.34The friends, too, stole out one by one, and dismissed the assembled multitudes to their occupations.35The Yehudim, having heard of these events, PRAISED THE GLORIOUS ELOHIM AND KING OF KINGS, because they had obtained this help also from Him.36Now the king arranged another banquet after the same manner, and proclaimed an invitation to mirth.37And he summoned Hermon to his presence, and said, with threats, "How often, O wretch, must I repeat my orders to thee about these same persons?38Once more, arm the elephants against the morrow for the extermination of the Yehudim."39His kinsmen, who were reclining with him, wondered at his instability, and thus expressed themselves:40"O king, how long dost thou make trial of us, as of men bereft of reason? THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THOU HAST ORDERED THEIR DESTRUCTION. When the thing is to be done, THOU CHANGEST THY MIND, AND RECALLEST THY INSTRUCTIONS.41For this cause the feeling of expectation causes tumult in the city; it swarms with factions, and is continually on the point of being plundered."42The king, just like another Phalaris, a prey to thoughtlessness, MADE NO ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES WHICH HIS OWN MIND HAD UNDERGONE, ISSUING IN THE DELIVERANCE OF THE YEHUDIM. He swore a fruitless oath, and determined forthwith to send them to She'ol, crushed by the knees and feet of the elephants.43HE WOULD ALSO INVADE YEHUDAH, AND LEVEL ITS TOWNS WITH FIRE AND THE SWORD; AND DESTROY THAT HEICHAL WHICH THE GOYIM MIGHT NOT ENTER, AND PREVENT SACRIFICES EVER AFTER BEING OFFERED UP THERE.44Joyfully his friends broke up, together with his kinsmen; and, trusting in his determination, arranged their forces in guard at the most convenient places of the city.45And the master of the elephants urged the beasts into an almost maniacal state, drenched them with incense and wine, and decked them with frightful instruments.46About early morning, when the city was now filled with an immense number of people at the hippodrome, he entered the palace, and called the king to the business in hand.47The king's heart teemed with impious rage; and he rushed forth with the mass, along with the elephants. WITH FEELINGS UNSOFTENED, AND EYES PITILESS, HE LONGED TO GAZE AT THE HARD AND WRETCHED DOOM of the abovementioned Yehudim.48But the Yehudim, when the elephants went out at the gate, followed by the armed force, and when they saw the dust raised by the throng, and heard the loud cries of the crowd,49THOUGHT THAT THEY HAD COME TO THE LAST MOMENT OF THEIR LIVES, to the end of what they had tremblingly expected. They gave way therefore to lamentations and moans; THEY KISSED EACH OTHER; those nearest of kin to each other hung about one another's necks — FATHERS ABOUT THEIR SONS, MOTHERS THEIR DAUGHTERS; OTHER WOMEN HELD THEIR INFANTS TO THEIR BREASTS, WHICH DREW WHAT SEEMED THEIR LAST MILK.50NEVERTHELESS, WHEN THEY REFLECTED UPON THE SUCCOUR BEFORE GRANTED THEM FROM SHAMAYIM, THEY PROSTRATED THEMSELVES WITH ONE ACCORD; removed even the sucking children from the breast,51and sent up an exceeding great cry, ENTREATING THE ADON OF ALL POWER TO REVEAL HIMSELF, AND HAVE MERCY UPON THOSE WHO NOW LAY AT THE GATES OF SHE'OL.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 6
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1And an EL'AZAR, an illustrious Kohen of the country, who had attained to length of yamim, and whose life had been adorned with virtue, caused the zekenim who were about him to cease to cry out to the holy Elohim, and prayed thus:2"O King, mighty in power, Most High, Almighty Elohim, who regulatest the whole creation with Thy tender mercy —3LOOK UPON THE SEED OF AVRAHAM, UPON THE CHILDREN OF THE SANCTIFIED YA'AKOV, THY SANCTIFIED NACHALAH, O FATHER, now being wrongfully destroyed as strangers in a strange land.4THOU DESTROYEDST PHARAOH, WITH HIS HOST OF CHARIOTS, when that lord of this same Mitzrayim was uplifted with lawless hardihood and loud-sounding tongue. Shedding the beams of Thy mercy upon the race of Yisra'el, Thou didst overwhelm him with his proud army.5WHEN SANCHERIV, THE GRIEVOUS KING OF ASHUR, glorying in his countless hosts, had subdued the whole land with his spear, and was lifting himself against Thy holy city with boastings grievous to be endured, THOU, O YAHUAH, DIDST DEMOLISH HIM, and didst shew forth Thy might to many nations.6WHEN THE THREE FRIENDS IN THE LAND OF BAVEL OF THEIR OWN WILL EXPOSED THEIR LIVES TO THE FIRE RATHER THAN SERVE VAIN THINGS, THOU DIDST SEND A DEWY COOLNESS THROUGH THE FIERY FURNACE, AND BRING THE FIRE UPON ALL THEIR ADVERSARIES.7IT WAS THOU WHO, WHEN DANI'EL WAS HURLED, THROUGH SLANDER AND ENVY, AS A PREY TO LIONS DOWN BELOW, DIDST BRING HIM BACK AGAIN UNHURT TO LIGHT.8WHEN YONAH WAS PINING AWAY IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA-BRED MONSTER, THOU DIDST LOOK UPON HIM, O FATHER, AND RECOVER HIM TO THE SIGHT OF HIS OWN.9And now, Thou who hatest insolence; Thou who dost abound in mercy; Thou who art the protector of all things — APPEAR QUICKLY TO THOSE OF THE RACE OF YISRA'EL, who are insulted by abhorred, lawless goyim.10If our life has during our exile been stained with iniquity, DELIVER US FROM THE HAND OF THE ENEMY, AND DESTROY US, O YAHUAH, BY THE DEATH WHICH THOU PREFERREST.11LET NOT THE VAIN-MINDED CONGRATULATE VAIN IDOLS AT THE DESTRUCTION OF THY BELOVED, SAYING, 'NEITHER DID THEIR ELOHIM DELIVER THEM.'12Thou who art All-powerful and Almighty, O Eternal One, behold! Have mercy upon us who are being withdrawn from life, like traitors, by the unreasoning insolence of lawless men.13Let the goyim cower before Thy invincible might to-day, O glorious One, WHO HAST ALL POWER TO SAVE THE RACE OF YA'AKOV.14The whole band of infants and their parents with tears beseech Thee.15LET IT BE SHEWN TO ALL THE NATIONS THAT THOU ART WITH US, O YAHUAH, AND HAST NOT TURNED THY FACE AWAY FROM US; BUT AS THOU SAIDST THAT THOU WOULDST NOT FORGET THEM EVEN IN THE LAND OF THEIR ENEMIES, SO DO THOU FULFIL THIS SAYING, O YAHUAH."16Now, at the time that El'azar had ended his prayer, the king came along to the hippodrome, with the wild beasts, and with his tumultuous power.17When the Yehudim saw this, THEY UTTERED A LOUD CRY TO SHAMAYIM, so that the adjacent valleys resounded, and caused an irrepressible lamentation throughout the army.18THEN THE ALL-GLORIOUS, ALL-POWERFUL, AND TRUE ELOHIM DISPLAYED HIS HOLY COUNTENANCE, AND OPENED THE GATES OF SHAMAYIM; FROM WHICH TWO MAL'ACHIM, DREADFUL OF FORM, CAME DOWN, AND WERE VISIBLE TO ALL BUT THE YEHUDIM.19And they stood opposite, and filled the enemies' host with confusion and cowardice, AND BOUND THEM WITH IMMOVEABLE FETTERS.20And a cold shudder came over the person of the king, AND OBLIVION PARALYSED THE VEHEMENCE OF HIS SPIRIT.21THEY TURNED BACK THE ANIMALS UPON THE ARMED FORCES WHICH FOLLOWED THEM; AND THE ANIMALS TROD THEM DOWN, AND DESTROYED THEM.22THE KING'S WRATH WAS CONVERTED INTO COMPASSION; AND HE WEPT AT HIS OWN MACHINATIONS.23For when he heard the cry, and saw them all on the verge of destruction, with tears he angrily threatened his friends, saying,24"Ye have governed badly, and have exceeded tyrants in cruelty; and me, your benefactor, ye have laboured to deprive at once of my dominion and my life, by secretly devising measures injurious to the kingdom.25WHO HAS GATHERED HERE, UNREASONABLY REMOVING EACH FROM HIS HOME, THOSE WHO, IN FIDELITY TO US, HAD HELD THE FORTRESSES OF THE COUNTRY?26Who has thus consigned to unmerited punishments those who in good will towards us from the beginning have in all things surpassed all nations, and who often have engaged in the most dangerous undertakings?27LOOSE, LOOSE THE UNJUST BONDS; SEND THEM TO THEIR HOMES IN SHALOM, and deprecate what has been done.28RELEASE THE SONS OF THE ALMIGHTY LIVING ELOHIM OF SHAMAYIM, who from our ancestors' times until now has granted a glorious and uninterrupted prosperity to our affairs."29These things he said; and they, released the same moment, having now escaped death, PRAISED ELOHIM THEIR HOLY SAVIOUR.30The king then departed to the city, and called his financier to him, and bade him provide A SEVEN YAMIM' QUANTITY OF WINE AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR FEASTING for the Yehudim. HE DECIDED THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP A GLADSOME MO'ED OF DELIVERANCE IN THE VERY PLACE IN WHICH THEY EXPECTED TO MEET WITH THEIR DESTRUCTION.31Then they who were before despised and nigh unto She'ol — yea, rather advanced into it — PARTOOK OF THE CUP OF SALVATION, instead of a grievous and lamentable death. Full of exultation, THEY PARTED OUT THE PLACE INTENDED FOR THEIR FALL AND BURIAL INTO SUKKOT (סֻכּוֹת, banqueting booths).32Ceasing their miserable strain of woe, they took up the subject of their fatherland, HYMNING IN PRAISE ELOHIM THEIR WONDER-WORKING SAVIOUR. All groans, all wailing, were laid aside; THEY FORMED DANCES IN TOKEN OF SERENE JOY.33So also the king collected a number of guests for the occasion, and returned unceasing thanks with much magnificence for the unexpected deliverance afforded him.34THOSE WHO HAD MARKED THEM OUT AS FOR DEATH AND FOR CARRION, AND HAD REGISTERED THEM WITH JOY, HOWLED ALOUD, AND WERE CLOTHED WITH SHAME, and had the fire of their rage ingloriously put out.35But the Yehudim, as we just said, instituted a dance, and then gave themselves up to feasting, glad thanksgivings, and Tehillim.36THEY MADE A PUBLIC ORDINANCE TO COMMEMORATE THESE THINGS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, AS LONG AS THEY SHOULD BE SOJOURNERS. THEY THUS ESTABLISHED THESE YAMIM AS YAMIM OF MIRTH — NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRINKING OR LUXURY, BUT BECAUSE ELOHIM HAD SAVED THEM.37They requested the king to send them back to their homes.38They were being enrolled from the twenty-fifth of Pachon to the fourth of Epiphi, A PERIOD OF FORTY YAMIM; the measures taken for their destruction lasted from the fifth of Epiphi till the seventh — THAT IS, SHALOSH YAMIM.39THE RULER OVER ALL DID DURING THIS TIME MANIFEST FORTH HIS MERCY GLORIOUSLY, AND DID DELIVER THEM ALL TOGETHER UNHARMED.40They feasted upon the king's provision up to the fourteenth yom, and then asked to be sent away.41The king commended them, and wrote the subjoined letter, of magnanimous import for them, to the commanders of every city.
3 Maccabees—Chapter 7
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1"King Ptolemy Philopator, to the commanders throughout Mitzrayim, and to all who are set over affairs: joy and strength.2We too, and our children, are well; and Elohim has directed our affairs as we wish.3Certain of our friends did of malice vehemently urge us to punish the Yehudim of our realm in a body, with the infliction of a monstrous punishment.4They pretended that our affairs would never be in a good state till this took place. SUCH, THEY SAID, WAS THE HATRED BORNE BY THE YEHUDIM TO ALL OTHER PEOPLE.5They brought them fettered in grievous chains as slaves — nay, as traitors. WITHOUT ENQUIRY OR EXAMINATION THEY ENDEAVOURED TO ANNIHILATE THEM. They buckled themselves with a savage cruelty, worse than Scythian custom.6For this cause we severely threatened them; yet, with the clemency which we are wont to extend to all men, we at length permitted them to live. FINDING THAT THE ELOHIM OF SHAMAYIM CAST A SHIELD OF PROTECTION OVER THE YEHUDIM SO AS TO PRESERVE THEM, AND THAT HE FOUGHT FOR THEM AS A FATHER ALWAYS FIGHTS FOR HIS SONS;7and taking into consideration their constancy and fidelity towards us and towards our ancestors, WE HAVE, AS WE OUGHT, ACQUITTED THEM OF EVERY SORT OF CHARGE.8And we have dismissed them to their several homes, bidding all men everywhere to do them no wrong, or unrighteously revile them about the past.9FOR KNOW YE, THAT SHOULD WE CONCEIVE ANY EVIL DESIGN AGAINST THEM, OR IN ANY MANNER AGGRIEVE THEM, WE SHALL EVER HAVE AS OUR OPPOSITE, NOT MAN, BUT EL ELYON, THE RULER OF ALL MIGHT. FROM HIM THERE WILL BE NO ESCAPE, AS THE AVENGER OF SUCH DEEDS. Fare ye well."10When they had received this letter, they were not forward to depart immediately. THEY PETITIONED THE KING TO BE ALLOWED TO INFLICT FITTING PUNISHMENT UPON THOSE OF THEIR RACE WHO HAD WILLINGLY TRANSGRESSED THE HOLY ELOHIM, AND THE TORAH OF ELOHIM.11THEY ALLEGED THAT MEN WHO HAD FOR THEIR BELLIES' SAKE TRANSGRESSED THE ORDINANCES OF ELOHIM WOULD NEVER BE FAITHFUL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE KING.12The king admitted the truth of this reasoning, and commended them. Full power was given them, without warrant or special commission, TO DESTROY THOSE WHO HAD TRANSGRESSED THE TORAH OF ELOHIM boldly in every part of the king's dominions.13Their Kohanim then, as it was meet, saluted him with good wishes; AND ALL THE AM ECHOED WITH THE HALLELUYAH (הַלְלוּיָהּ, Hallelujah). They then joyfully departed.14THEN THEY PUNISHED AND DESTROYED WITH IGNOMINY EVERY POLLUTED YEHUDI THAT FELL IN THEIR WAY;15SLAYING THUS, IN THAT YOM, ABOVE THREE HUNDRED MEN, AND ESTEEMING THIS DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED A SEASON OF JOY.16They themselves, having held fast their Elohim unto death, and having enjoyed a full deliverance, departed from the city garlanded with sweet-flowered wreaths of every kind. Uttering exclamations of joy, with shirot of praise and melodious hymns, THEY THANKED THE ELOHIM OF THEIR FATHERS, THE ETERNAL SAVIOUR OF YISRA'EL.17Having arrived at Akko, called from the specialty of that district Rose-bearing, where the fleet, in accordance with the general wish, WAITED FOR THEM SHEVA YAMIM,18they partook of a banquet of deliverance; for the king generously granted them severally the means of securing a return home.19They were accordingly brought back in shalom, while they gave utterance to becoming thanks; AND THEY DETERMINED TO KEEP THESE YAMIM DURING THEIR SOJOURN AS YAMIM OF JOYFULNESS.20THESE THEY REGISTERED AS SACRED UPON A PILLAR, WHEN THEY HAD DEDICATED THE PLACE OF THEIR FESTIVITY TO BE ONE OF PRAYER. They departed unharmed, free, abundant in joy, preserved by the king's command, by land, by sea, and by river, each to his own home.21THEY HAD MORE WEIGHT THAN BEFORE AMONG THEIR ENEMIES; AND WERE HONOURED AND FEARED; AND NO ONE IN ANY WAY ROBBED THEM OF THEIR GOODS.22Every man received back his own, according to inventory; those who had obtained their goods giving them up with the greatest terror. FOR THE GREATEST ELOHIM WROUGHT WITH PERFECTNESS WONDERS FOR THEIR SALVATION.23BLESSED BE THE REDEEMER OF YISRA'EL UNTO EVERLASTING. AMEN.