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Chapter 1
After that Alexander the son of
Philippe, king of Macedonia went forth of the land of Cethim, and
slew Darius king of the Persians and Medes: It happened, that he
took great wars in hand, won very many strong cities, and slew many
kings of the earth: going through to the ends of the world and
getting many spoils of the people: In so much, that the world stood
in great awe of him, and therefore was *he proud in his heart. Now
when he had gathered a mighty strong host, and subdued the lands and
people with their princes, so that they became tributaries unto him:
he fell sick. And when he perceived that he must needs die, he
called for his noble estates ( which had been brought up with him of
children ) and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet
alive. So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.
After his death fell the kingdom unto his princes, and they
obtained it everyone in his room, and caused themselves to be
crowned as kings: and so did their children after them many years,
and much wickedness increased in the world. Out of these came the
ungracious root, noble *Antiochus the son of Antiochus the king (
which had been a *pledge) at Rome ) and he reigned in the hundred
and thirty and seventh year of the reign of the Greeks.
In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, which moved
much people with their council, saying: Let us go and make a
covenant with the Heathen, that are round about us: for since we
departed from them, we have had much sorrow. So this device pleased
them well, and certain of the people took upon them for to go unto
the king, which gave them license to do after the ordinances of the
Heathen. Then set they up an open school ( at Jerusalem ) of the
laws of the Heathen, and were no more circumcised: but forsook the
holy Testament, and joined themselves to the Heathen, and were clean
sold to do mischief.
So when Antiochus began to be mighty in his kingdom, he went
about to obtain the land of Egypt also, that he might have the
dominion of two realms. Upon this he entered into Egypt with a
strong host with chariots, elephants, horsemen and a great number of
ships, and began to war against Ptolomy the king of Egypt. But
Ptolomy was afraid of him, and fled: and many of his people were
wounded to death. Thus Antiochus won many strong cities, and took
away great good out of the land of Egypt.
And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again
in the hundred forty third year, and went toward Israel, and came up
to Jerusalem with a mighty people: and entered proudly into the
Sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, the *candlestick and all
the ornaments thereof, the table of the showbread, the pouring
vessel and the chargers, the golden spoons, the veil, the crowns and
golden apparel of the temple, and break down all. He took also the
silver and gold, the precious Jewels and the secret treasures that
he found. And when he had taken away altogether, caused a great
murder of men, and so fulfilled his malicious pride, he departed
into his own land.
Thus there arose a great heaviness and misery in all the land
of Israel. The princes and elders of the people mourned, the young
men and maidens were defiled, and the fair beauty of women was
changed: the bridegroom and the bride took them to mourning the land
and those that dwelt therein, was moved: for all the house of Jacob
was brought to confusion.
After two years the king sent his chief treasurer unto the
cities of Juda, which came to Jerusalem with a great multitude of
people, speaking peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for
when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city,
and smote it sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. And when he
had spoiled the city, he set fire on it, casting down houses and
walls on every side. The women and their children took they captive,
and lead away their cattle. Then builded they the castle of David
with a great thick wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a
stronghold for them. Beside all this they set wicked people and
ungodly men to keep it, stored it with weapons and vitals: gathered
the goods of Jerusalem, and laid them up there: thus became it a
*thievish castle.
And this was done to lay wait for the people that went into
the Sanctuary, and for the cruel destruction of Israel. Thus they
shed innocent blood on every side of the Sanctuary, and defiled it:
Insomuch that the citizens were faine to depart, and the city became
an habitation of strangers, being desolate of her own seed, for her
own natives were faine to leave her. Her Sanctuary was clean wasted,
her holy days were turned to mourning, her Sabbaths were had in
derision, and her honor was brought to nought. Look how great her
glory was afore, so great was her confusion, and her joy turned into
sorrow.
Antiochus also the king sent out a commission unto all his
kingdom, that all the people should be one. Then they left every man
his law, and all the Heathen agreed to the commandment of king
Antiochus: Yee, many of the Israelites consented there unto,
offering unto Idols, and defiling the Sabbath. So the king Antiochus
sent his messengers with his commission unto Jerusalem, and to all
the cities of Juda: that they should follow the laws of the Heathen,
and forbade either burntofferings, meat offerings or peace offerings
to be made in the temple of God, and that there should no Sabbath
ner high feast day to be kept: but commanded, that the Sanctuary and
the holy people of Israel should be defiled.
He commanded also that there should be set up other altars,
temples and Idols: to offer up swines flesh and other unclean
beasts: that men should leave their children uncircumcised, to
defile their souls with all manner of uncleanness and abominations:
that they might so forget the law, and change all the *holy
ordinances of God: and whosoever would not do according to the
commandment of king Antiochus, should suffer death. In like manner
commanded he throughout all his realm, and set rulers over the
people, for to compel them to do these things, commanding the cities
of Juda to do sacrifice unto Idols.
Then went the people unto the Heathen by heaps, forsook the
law of the Lord, and committed much evil in the land: yee and chased
out the secret Israelites, which had hid themselves in corners and
privy places. The fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred
forty fifth year, set king Antiochus an abominable Idol of
desolation upon the altar of God, and they builded altars throughout
all the cities of Juda on every side, before the doors of the
houses, and in the streets: where they burnt incense, and did
sacrifice. And as for the books of the law of God, they burnt them
in the fire, and rent them in pieces. Whatsoever he was that had a
book of the Testament of the Lord found by him, yee whosoever
endeavored himself to keep the law of the Lord, the kings
commandment was, that they should put him to death. And through his
authority they executed these things every month, upon the people of
Israel that were found in the cities.
The five and twentieth day of the month, what time as they did
sacrifice upon the altar ( which stood instead of the altar of the
Lord ) according to the commandment of king Antiochus, they put
certain women to death, which had caused their children to be
circumcised: Not only that, but they hanged up the children by the
necks throughout all their houses, and slew the circumcisers of
them.
Yet were there many of the people of Israel, which determined
in themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: but chose
rather to suffer death, then to be defiled with unclean meats. So
because they would not break the blessed law of God, they were
cruelly slain. And this great tyranny increased very sore upon the
people of Israel.
*he proud in his heart. (kjv and other bibles of man = he was
exalted and his heart was lifted up) *candlestick (kjv and other
bibles of man = candlestick of light)
*Antiochus (kjv and other bibles of man = surnamed Epiphanes)
*pledge (kjv and other bibles of man = hostage)
*thievish (thieves) *holy ordinances of God: (kjv and other bibles
of man =leaves out "of God")
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Chapter 2
In those days there did stand up
one Mathathiah*, the son of Simeon the priest ( out of the kindred
of *Joaris ), from Jerusalem, and dwelt upon the mount of Modin, and
had five sons: Jhon called Goddis: Simon, called Thasi: Judas, other
wise called Maccabeus: Eleazer, other wise called Abaron: and
Jonathas, whose surname was Apphus. These saw the evil, that was
done among the people of Juda and Jerusalem. And Mathathiah said woe
is me, alas that ever I was born, to see this misery of my people,
and the piteous destruction of the holy city: And thus to sit so
still, it being delivered into the hands of the enemies. Her
Sanctuary is come in to the power of strangers her temple is, as it
were a man that hath lost his good name. Her precious ornaments are
carried away captive, her *old men are slain in the streets, her
young men are fallen through the sword of the enemies.
What people is it, that hath not some possession in her
kingdom ? Or who hath not gotten some of her spoils ? All her glory
is taken away. She was a Queen, and now she is become a handmade.
Behold our Sanctuary, our beauty and honor is wasted away, and
defiled by the Gentiles. What helpeth it us then to live ? And
Mathathiah rent his clothes, and his sons, and put on sackcloth upon
them, and mourned very sore.
Then came the men thither which were sent of king Antiochus,
to compel such as were fled in to the city of Modin, for to do
sacrifice and to burn incense unto Idols, and to forsake the law of
God. So, many of the people of Israel consented and inclined unto
them, but Mathathiah and his sons remained steadfast. Then spake the
commissioners of king Antiochus, and said unto Mathathiah: Thou art
a noble man, of high reputation and great in this city, having fair
children and brethren. Come now therefore first, and fulfil the
kings commandment, like as all the Heathen have done, yea, and the
men of Juda, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt thou and thy
children be in the kings favor, and enriched with gold, silver and
great rewards.
Mathathiah answered, and spake with a loud voice: Though all
nations obey the king Antiochus, and fall away every man from
keeping the **law of their fathers: though they consent to his
commandments, yet will I and my sons and my brethren, not fall from
the law of our fathers. God forbid we should forsake the law and the
ordinances of God, and agree unto the commandment of king Antiochus.
Therefore we will do no such sacrifice, neither break the statutes
of our law, to go another way. And when he had spoken these words,
there came one of the Jews, which openly in the sight of all, did
sacrifice unto the Idols upon the altar in the city of Modin,
according to the kings commandment.
When Mathathiah saw this, it grieved him at the heart, so that
his reins shook withal, and his wrath kindled for very zeal of the
law. With that he gave a skip forth, and killed the Jew beside the
altar: Yee and slew the kings commissioner, that compelled him to do
sacrifice, and destroyed the altar at the same time: such a zeal had
he unto the law of God, like as Phynehes did unto Zambri the son of
Salomi. And Mathathiah cried with a loud voice throughout the city,
saying: Whoso is fervent in the law, and will keep the covenant, let
him follow me. So he and his sons fled in to the mountains, and left
all that ever they had in the city. Many other godly men also
departed into the wilderness with their children, their wives, and
their cattle, and remained there: for the tyranny increased so sore
upon them.
Now when the kings servants, and the host, which was at
Jerusalem in the city of David heard, that certain men had broken
the kings commandment and were gone their way to the wilderness into
secret places, and that there were many departed after them: they
followed upon them to fight against them in the Sabbath day and
said: Well ye yet rebel ? Get you hence and do the commandment of
king Antiochus and ye shall live. They answered: we will not go
forth, neither will we do the kings commandment, to defile the
Sabbath day. Then began they to fight against them nevertheless they
gave them none other answer, nether cast they one stone at them ner
made fast their privy places, but said. We will die all in our own
innocency, heaven and earth shall testify with us, that ye put us to
death wrongfully. Thus they fought against them upon the Sabbath,
and slew both men and cattle, their wives and their children, to the
number of a thousand people.
When Mathathiah and his friends heard this, they mourned for
them right sore, and said one to another: If so be that we all do as
our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and for our laws
against the Heathen: then shall they the sooner root us out of the
earth. So they concluded among themselves at the same time, saying:
Whatsoever he be that cometh to make battle with us upon the Sabbath
day, we will fight against him, and not die all, as our brethren
that were murdered so heinously. Upon this came the Synagog of the
Jews unto them *strong men of Israel, all such as were fervent in
the law. And all they that were fled for persecution, came to help
them, and to stand by them: Insomuch that they gathered an host of
men, and slew the wicked doers in their jealousy, and the ungodly
men in their wrath. Some of the wicked fled unto the Heathen, and
escaped.
Thus Mathathiah and his friends went about, and destroyed the
altars, and circumcised the children, that had not yet received
circumcision: as many as they found in the coasts of Israel: and
followed mightily upon the children of pride, and this act prospered
in their hands: Insomuch, that they kept the law against the power
of the Gentiles and the kings, and gave not over their dominion unto
wicked doers.
After this when the time drew on fast, that Mathathiah should
die, he said unto his sons: Now is pride and persecution increased,
now is the time of destruction and wrathful displeasure: wherefore (
O' my sons ) be ye fervent in the law, and jeopardize your lives for
the Testament of the fathers: call to remembrance what acts our
fathers did in their time, so shall ye receive great honor and an
everlasting name.
Remember Abraham, was he not found faithful in *tentacion and
it was reckoned unto him for righteousness ? Joseph in the time of
his trouble kept the commandment, and was made lord of Egypt.
Phinches our father was so fervent for the honor of God, that he
obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Josue for
fulfilling the word of God, was made captain of Israel. Caleb bear
record before the congregation, and received an heritage. David also
in his merciful kindness, obtained the throne of an everlasting
kingdom. Eliah being jealous and fervent in the law, was taken up
into heaven. Hananias, Asarias and Misael remained steadfast in
faith, and were delivered out of the fire. In like manner Daniel
being unguilty, was saved from the mouth of the Lions.
And thus ye may consider throughout all ages since the world
began, that whosoever put their trust in *God, were not overcome.
Fear not ye then the words of the ungodly man, for his glory is but
dung and worthless. Today is he set up, and tomorrow he is gone: for
he is turned into earth, and his memorial is come to naught.
Wherefore (O' my sons ) take good hearts unto you, and quiet
yourselves like men in the law: for if ye do the things that are
commanded you in the law of the Lord your God, ye shall obtain great
honor therein.
And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of wisdom:
see that you give ear unto him alway, he shall be a father unto you.
As for Judas Maccabeus, he hath ever been mighty and strong from his
youth up: let him be your captain, and order the battle of the
people: thus ye shall bring unto you all that favor the law, and see
that ye avenge the wrong of your people, and recompense the Heathen
again, and apply yourselves whole to the commandment of the law. So
he gave them his blessing, and was layed by his fathers: and died in
the hundred forty sixth year at Modin, where his sons buried him in
his fathers sepulchre, and all Israel made great lamentation for
him.
Mathathiah* (kjv adds = the son of John), *Joaris ) (kjv= Joarib)
*old men (kjv and other bibles of man = infants)
**law (kjv and other bibles of man = religion)
kjv and other bibles of man =Assideans who were *strong men of
Israel
*tentacion (temptation/attention)
put their trust in *God, (kjv and other bibles of man =him)
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Chapter 3
Then stood up Judas Macabeus in
his fathers stead, and all his brethren helped him: and so did all
they that held with his father, and fought with cheerfulness for
Israel. So Judas gat his people great honor: He put on a breastplate
as a giant, and arrayed himself with his harness, and defended the
host with his sword. In his acts he was like a Lion, and as a lions
whelp roaring at his prey. He was an enemy to the wicked, and hunted
them out: and burnt up those that vexed his people. So that his
enemies fled for fear of him, and all the workers of ungodliness
were put to trouble: such luck and prosperity were in his hand. This
grieved diverse kings, but Jacob was greatly rejoiced through his
acts, and he gat himself a great name forever.
He went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out
of them, turning away the wrath from Israel, and receiving such as
were oppressed: and the fame of him went unto the utmost part of the
earth. Then Appollonius ( a prince of Syria ) gathered a mighty
great host of the Heathen, and out of Samaria, to fight against
Israel. Which when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him,
fought with him: slew him, and a great multitude with him, and the
remnant fled, and he took their substance. Judas also took
Appollonius own sword and fought with it all his life long.
Now when Seron, ( another prince of Syria ) heard say, that
Judas had gathered unto him the congregation and ***church of the
faithful he said: I will get me a name and a praise throughout the
realm: for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, as
many as despise the kings commandment. So he made him ready, and
there went with him a great mighty host of the ungodly, to stand by
him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. And when they came
nye unto Bethoron, Judas went forth against them a small company.
And when his people saw such a great host before them, they said
unto Judas: How are we able ( being so few ) to fight against so
great a multitude and so strong ? seeing we be so weary, and have
fasted all this day?
But Judas said: It is a small matter for many to be
overcome with a few: yee there is no difference to the God of
heaven, to deliver by a great multitude or by a small company: for
the victory of battle standeth not in the multitude of the host, but
strength cometh from heaven. Behold, they come against us with a
presumptuous and proud multitude, to destroy us, our wives and our
children, and rob us. But we fight for our lives, and for our laws,
and the Lord himself shall destroy them before our face: therefore
be ye not afraid of them.
As soon as he had spoken these words, he leapt suddenly upon
them. Thus was Seron smitten, and his host put to flight, and Judas
followed upon them beyond Bethoron unto the plain field: where were
slain eight hundred men of them, and the residue fled into the land
of the Philistines. Then all the Heathen on every side were afraid
for Judas and his brethren: so that the rumor of him came unto the
kings ears for all the Gentiles could tell of the wars of Judas.
So when king Antiochus heard these things, he was angry in his
mind: wherefore he sent forth and gathered an host of his whole
realm very strong armies: and opened his treasury, and gave his host
a years wages in hand, commanding them to be ready at all times.
Nevertheless when he saw, that there was not money enough in
his treasuries, and that through the discord and persecution, which
he made in the land ( to put down the laws that had been of old
times ) his customs and tributes of the land were minished: he
feared that he was not able for to bear the costs and charges any
longer, nor to have such gifts, to give so liberally as he did
afore, more than the kings that were before him.
Wherefore he was heavy in his mind, and thought to go into
Persdes, for to take tributes of the land, and so to gather much
money. So he left Lysias ( a noble man of the kings blood ) to
oversee the kings business, from the water Euphrates unto the
borders of Egypt: And to keep well his son Antiochus, until he came
again.
Moreover, he gave him half of his host and Elephants,
committed unto him everything of his mind, concerning those which
dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem: that he should send out an army against
them, to destroy and root out the power of Israel and the remnant of
Jerusalem: to put out their memorial from that place, to set
strangers for to inhabit all their quarters, and part their land
among them. Thus the king took the other part of the host, and
departed from Antioch ( a city of his realm ) over the water of
Euphrates, in the hundred and forty seventh year, and went through
the high countries.
And Lysias chose unto him Ptolomy the son of Doriminus,
Nicanor and Gorgias mighty men, and the kings friends. These he sent
with forty thousand footmen and seven thousand horsemen, for to go
into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded. So
they went forth with all their power, and came to Emmaus into the
plain field. When the merchants heard the rumor of them, they and
their servants took very much silver and gold, for to buy the
children of Israel to be their bond men. There came unto them also
yet more men of war on every side, out of Syria and from the
Palestines.
Now when Judas and his brethren saw that trouble increased,
and that the host drew nye unto their borders: considering the kings
words which he commanded unto the people: namely that they should
utterly waste and destroy them: They said one to another: Let us
*redress the decay of our people, and let us fight for our folk and
for our Sanctuary. Then the congregation were soon ready gathered to
fight, to pray and to make supplication unto God for mercy and
grace.
As for Jerusalem, it lay void, and was as it had been a
wilderness. There went no man in or out at it, and the Sanctuary was
trodden down. The aliens kept the castle, there was the habitation
of the Heathen. The mirth of Jacob was taken away, the pipe and the
harp was gone from among them.
The Israelites gathered them together, and came to Maspha,
before Jerusalem: for in Maspha was the place where they prayed
afore time. So they fasted that day, and put sackclothes upon them,
cast ashes upon their heads, rent their clothes, and laid forth the
books of the law ( whereout the Heathen sought the likeness of their
images ) and brought the Priests ornaments, the firstlings and the
tithes. They set there also the abstainers ( which had fulfilled
their days ) before God, and cried with a loud voice toward heaven,
saying: What shall we do with these? and whither shall we carry them
away? For the Sanctuary is trodden down and defiled, thy priests are
come to heaviness and dishonor: and behold, the Heathen are come
together for to destroy us. Thou knowest what things they imagine
against us. How may we stand before thee, except thou ( O' God ) be
our help?
They blew out the trumpet also with a loud voice. Then Judas
ordained captains over the people: over thousands, over hundreds,
over fifty and over tens. But as for such as builded them houses,
married wives, planted them vineyards, and those that were fearful:
he commanded them every man to go home, according to the law. So the
host removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
And Judas said, arm yourselves, be strong ( O' my children )
make you ready against tomorrow in the morning, that ye may fight
with these people, which are agreed together to destroy us and our
sanctuary. Better is it for us to die in battle, than to see our
people and our sanctuary in such a miserable case. Nevertheless, as
the will is in heaven, so be it.
the congregation and ***church of the faithful *** truth is : this
word "church" has been added here and in Chapter 4 . 1) it to the
reader might be a warning: 2) for the warnings against the word
"church" is found in the OT (Oseas 8th chapter "they have forgotten
him that made them, they build churches," and Amos chapter 7 "but
the high hill chapels of Isaac must be laid waste and the churches
of Israel made desolate: " 3) OF the NT the word "church" is only
found in one place in the entire original word of God, Acts Chapter
14, ... "Then Jupiters priest, which dwelt before their city,
brought oxen and garlands unto the church porch, and would have done
sacrifice with the people." 4) incredibly, the word "church" is not
found in the kjv in same verse where it is found in the original
Word. 5) this word was inserted into the text of the jkv 79 times;
all in the NT. 6) In most cases (NT) the word "congregation" was
replaced by the word "church" in newer versions. 7) The Hebrew word
"congregation" never, in any case, refers to a building.
*redress (set to right)
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Chapter 4
Then took Gorgias five thousand
men of foot, and a thousand of the best horsemen: and removed by
night, to come nye where the Jews host lay, and so to slay them
suddenly. Now the men that kept the castle, were the conveyers of
them. Then arose Judas to smite the chief and principal of the kings
Host at Emmaus, for army was not yet come together. In the mean
season came Gorgias by night into Judas tents: and when he found no
man there, he sought them in the mountains, and thought they had
been fled away because of him. But when it was day, Judas showed
himself in the field with three thousand men only, which hath
neither harness ner swords to their minds.
But on the other side, they saw that the Heathen were mighty
and well harnessed, and their horsemen about them, and all these
well expert in sets of war. Then said Judas to the men that were
with him: Fear not ye the multitude of them, be not afraid of their
violent running: remember how our fathers were delivered in the reed
sea, when Pharaoh threatened them with a great Host.
*Even so let us also cry now toward heaven: and the Lord shall
have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, yee
and destroy this Host before our face this day: And all the heathen
shall know, that it is God himself, which delivereth and saveth
Israel.
Then the Heathen lift up their eyes, and saw that they were
coming against them, they went out of their tents in to the battle:
and they that were with Judas, blew up their trumpets. So they
buckled together, and the Heathen were discomfited and fled over the
plain field: but the hindmost of them were slain. For they followed
upon them unto *Assaremoth, and unto the fields of Idumea toward
Zrot and Jamnia: so that there were slain of them upon a three
thousand men. So Judas turned again with his Host, a said unto the
people: Be not greedy of the spoils we have yet a battle to fight:
for Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountains, but stand
ye fast against our enemies, and overcome them: then may ye safely
take the spoils.
As Judas was speaking these words, there appeared one part of
them upon the mount. But when Gorgias saw that they of his party
were fled, and the tents burnt up ( for by the smoke they might
understand what was done ) they perceiving this were very sore
afraid: and when they saw also that Judas and his host were in the
field ready to strike battle, they fled *everychone into the land of
the Heathen.
So Judas turned again to spoil the tents, where they got much
gold and silver, precious stones, purple and great riches. Thus they
went home and sung a song of thanksgiving and praised God in heaven:
for he is gracious, and his mercy endureth forever: And so Israel
had a great victory in that day.
Now all the Heathen that escaped, came and told Lysias
everything as it happened. Wherefore Lysias was sore afraid and
grieved in his mind, because Israel had not gotten such misfortune
as he would they should, neither as the king commanded. The next
year following, gathered Lysias *threescore thousand chosen men of
foot, and five thousand horsemen, to fight against them.
So they came into Jewry, and pitched their tents at Bethoron,
where Judas came against them with ten thousand men. And when he saw
so great mighty host, he made his prayer and said: Blessed be thou (
O' saviour of Israel ) which didst destroy the violent power of the
giant, in the hand of thy servant David, and gatherest the host of
the Heathen into the hand of Jonathan ( the son of Saul ) and of his
weapon bearer.
Put this host now into the hand of thy people of Israel, and
let them be confounded in their multitude and horsemen. Make them
afraid, and discomforteth the boldness of their strength, that they
may be moved through their destruction. Cast them down through the
sword of thy lovers, then shall all they that know thy name, praise
thee with thanksgiving.
So they struck the battle, and there were slain of Lysias
host, five thousand men. Then Lysias seeing the *discomfiting of his
men, and the manliness of the Jews, how they were ready, either to
live or die like men: He went unto Antioche, and chose out men of
war: that when they were gathered together, they might come again
into Jewry. Then said Judas and his brethren behold: our enemies are
discomfited: Let us now go up, to cleanse and to repair the
Sanctuary.
Upon this, all the host gathered them together, and went up
unto mount Sion.
Now when they saw the Sanctuary layed waste, the altar
defiled, the doors burned up, the shrubs growing in the courts, like
as in a wood upon mountains, yee and the priests Cells were broken
down: They rent their clothes, made great lamentation, cast ashes
upon their heads, fell down flat to the ground, made a great noise
with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those which
were in the castle till they had cleansed the Sanctuary. So he chose
priests that were undefiled, such as had pleasure in the law *of
God: and they cleansed the Sanctuary, and bare out the defiled
stones into an unclean place. And for so much as the altar of
burntofferings was unhallowed, he took advisement, what he might do
with all: so he thought it was best to destroy it ( least it should
happen to do them any shame ) for the Heathen had defiled it, and
therefore they break it down. As for the stones they layed them upon
the mountain by the *house in a convenient place: till there came a
prophet to show, what should be done with them.
So they took whole stones according to the law, and builded a
new altar such one as was before, and made up the Sanctuary within
and without, and hallowed the courts. They made new ornaments, and
brought the candlestick the altar of incense, and the table in to
the temple. They incense layed they upon the altar, and lighted the
lamps that were upon the candlestick, that they might burn in the
temple. They set the show bread upon the table, and hanged up the
veil, and set up the temple, as it was afore. And on twentieth fifth
day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the
hundred and forty eighth year: they rose up by times in the morning
for to do sacrifice ( according to the law ) upon the new
burntoffering altar that they had made: after the time and season
that the Heathen had defiled it. The same day was it set up again,
with songs pipes, harps, and cymbals.
And all the people fell upon their faces, *worshipping and
*thanking the God of heaven which had given them *victory. So they
kept the dedication of the altar eight days offering burnt
sacrifices and thankofferings with gladness. They decked the temple
also with crowns and shields of gold, and hallowed the ports and
cells, and hanged doors upon them. Thus there was very great
gladness among the people, because the *blasphemy of the Heathen was
put away. So Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of
Israel, ordained, that the time of the dedication of the altar
should be kept in *his season from year to year, by the space of
eight days, from the twentieth fifth day of the month Casleu: and
that with mirth and gladness.
And at the same time builded they up the mount Sion with high
walls and strong towers round about: lest the Gentiles should come
and tread it down, as they did afore. Therefore Judas set men of war
in it, to keep it: and made it strong, for to defend *Bethsura: that
the people might have a refuge against the *Edomites.
*Even so let us also cry now toward
heaven: and the Lord shall have mercy upon us, (jkv and other bibles
of man = IF : if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us)
*Assaremoth, (kjv= Gazera) *everychone (every each one) *threescore
thousand (60,000; score =20) *discomfiting (frustrate, defeat)
the law *of God: (kjv and other bibles of man: leaves out "of God")
*house (kjv and other bibles of man= temple) *worshipping and
thanking (kjv and other bibles of man =praising) *victory ( kjv
=good success). *blasphemy (kjv= reproach)
*his (kjv = their) season. (*Edomites ...kjv = Idumea.) Bethsura =
Heb "house of the rock" Edomites = Heb "red" descendants of Esau, or
those that have sold their birthright.
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Chapters
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5-8
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