2 Maccabees 11
1 Not long after this, Lysias the
king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore
displeasure for the things that were done.
2 And when he had gathered about
fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking
to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles,
3 and to make a gain of the temple, as
of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale
every year: 4 not at all considering
the power of God, but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his
thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.
5 So he came to Judea, and drew near
to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five
furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.
6 Now when they that were with
Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with
lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to
deliver Israel. 7 Then Maccabeus
himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard
themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth
together with a willing mind.
8 And as they were at Jerusalem, there
appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of
gold. 9 Then they praised the merciful
God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to
fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of
iron. 10 Thus they marched forward in
their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto
them. 11 And giving a charge upon
their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand
footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all
the other to flight. 12 Many of them
also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and
so escaped.
13 Who, as he was a man of
understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that
the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he
sent unto them, 14 and persuaded them
to agree to all reasonable conditions, and
promised that he would persuade the king that he must
needs be a friend unto them. 15 Then
Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common
good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king
granted it.
16 For there were letters written
unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews
sendeth greeting:
17 John and Absalon, who were sent
from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the
performance of the contents thereof.
18 Therefore what things soever were
meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as
much as might be. 19 If then ye will
keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a
means of your good. 20 But of the
particulars I have given order both to these, and the other that came from me,
to commune with you. 21 Fare ye well.
The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of
the month Dioscorinthius.
22 Now the king's letter contained
these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias
sendeth greeting:
23 since our father is translated
unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that
every one may attend upon his own affairs.
24 We understand also that the Jews
would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the customs of the
Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause
they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.
25 Wherefore our mind is, that this
nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple,
that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.
26 Thou shalt do well therefore to
send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our
mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own
affairs.
27 And the letter of the king unto
the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus
sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of
the Jews; 28 If ye fare well, we have
our desire; we are also in good health.
29 Menelaus declared unto us, that
your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
30 wherefore they that will depart
shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.
31 And the Jews shall use their own
kind of meats and laws, as before: and none of them any manner of ways shall
be molested for things ignorantly done.
32 I have sent also Menelaus, that he
may comfort you. 33 Fare ye well. In
the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth
day of the month Xanthicus.
34 The Romans also sent unto them a
letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors
of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the
Jews. 35 Whatsoever Lysias the king's
cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
36 But touching such things as he
judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one
forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now
going to Antioch. 37 Therefore send
some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
38 Farewell. This hundred and eight
and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of
the month Xanthicus.