CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT FROM
Alfred C. Barnes
The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text.
http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029308503
THE
THIRD BOOK
OF MACCABEES:
CONTAINING
THE OCCURRENCES OF ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS, NAMELY, FROM THE ACCESSION OF ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES TO THE DEATH OF NICANOE.
At the beginning are inserted two letters written at a later period; and likewise, the history of Heliodorus’ attempt to plunder the Temple.
CHAPTER II
B.C.125
The letter continued. The author’s design in this book.
” It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them which went into captivity a, to take of the fire, as it hath been signified: and how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them which went into captivity not to forget the commandments of the Lord; and that they should not err in their minds, on beholding images of gold and silver, with their ornaments. And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts. 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. And when Jeremy came thither, he found a hollow wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door. And some of those who followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. 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 be merciful unto them. 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. It was also declared that he, being wise, offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. And as Moses prayed unto the Lord, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down, and consumed the burnt offerings. And Moses said, Because the sin-offering was not eaten b, it was consumed. So also, Solomon kept those eight days. The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he, founding a library, gathered the acts of the kings and the prophets, and of”
” David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. In like manner also Judas gathered all those things which were dispersed by reason of the war which we had, and they remain with us. Wherefore, if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you. 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. But it is God who delivered all his people, and gave them all a heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary c, as he promised in the law. For we hope in God that he will shortly have mercy upon us and gather us together out of every land under heaven, unto the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.”
NOW as concerning Judas Maccabaeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar; and the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his and the manifest signs which came from heaven unto those who behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes; and recovered again the temple renowned all the world, over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws, which were about to be dissolved, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour: things which have been declared by Jason of Gyrene in five books —we will assay to abridge in one volume. For considering
the infinite number d and the difficulty which they find who desire to enter deeply c into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter; we have been careful, that they which will read might have delight, and that they which are desirous to commit to memory, might have ease and that all, into whose hands it comes, may have profit. Indeed to us, who have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching; even as it is no ease unto him who prepares a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this painful task; leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules f of an abridgment. For as the master-builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he who undertakes to deck it with painting and sculpture g, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us. To stand upon every point, and discourse of all things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belonged to the first author of the story: but to study brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him who will make an abridgment h. Here then let us begin the narrative; only adding thus much to
that which hath been said before; for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue to a story, and to be short in the story itself.
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