1 Machabees Chapter 2
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
2:40. And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications, they will now quickly root us out of the earth.
2:41. And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.
2:42. Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.
The Assideans.... A set of men that led a religious life; and were zealous for the law and worship of God.
2:43. And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them, and were a support to them.
2:44. And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.
2:45. And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw down the altars:
2:46. And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.
2:47. And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work prospered in their hands:
2:48. And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.
They yielded not the horn, etc.... That is, they suffered not the power of Antiochus, that man of sin, to abolish the law and religion of God.
2:49. Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
2:50. Now, therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
2:51. And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.
2:52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?
2:53. Joseph, in the time of his distress, kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.
2:54. Phinees, our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
2:55. Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.
Jesus.... That is, Josue.
2:56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance.
2:57. David, by his mercy, obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
2:58. Elias, while he is full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.
2:59. Ananias and Azarias and Misael, by believing, were delivered out of the flame.
2:60. Daniel, in his innocency, was delivered out of the mouth of the lions.
2:61. And thus consider, through all generations: that none that trust in him, fail in strength.
2:62. And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung and worms:
2:63. Today he is lifted up, and tomorrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth and his thought is come to nothing.
2:64. You, therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.
2:65. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you.
2:66. And Judas Machabeus, who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.
2:67. And you shall take to you all that observe the law: and revenge ye the wrong of your people.
2:68. Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law.
2:69. And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.
2:70. And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers, in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.