3 Maccabees 3
1 On discovering this, so incensed was
the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the
Jews 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.
2 While this was going on, an
invidious rumour was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure
the Jewish race. The purport of their charge was, that the Jews kept them away
from the ordinances of the law. 3 Now,
while the Jews always maintained a feeling of unswerving loyalty towards the
kings, 4 yet, as they worshipped God,
and observed his law, they made certain distinctions, and avoided certain
things. Hence some persons held them in odium;
5 although, as they adorned their
conversation with works of righteousness, they had established themselves in
the good opinion of the world.
6 What all the rest of mankind said,
was, however, made of no account by the foreigners;
7 who said much of the exclusiveness
of the Jews 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.
8 Nor was this unexpected uproar and
sudden conflux of people unobserved by the Greeks 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 Jews 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.
10 Some of the neighbours, friends,
and fellow dealers of the Jews, even called them secretly to an interview,
pledged them their assistance, and promised to do their very utmost for them.
11 Now the king, elated with his
prosperous fortune, and not regarding the superior power of God, but thinking
to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the
prejudice of the Jews.
12 King Ptolemy Philopater, to the
commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all places, health and happiness!
13 I am right well; and so, too, are
my affairs. 14 Since 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,
15 we resolved, not with strength of
spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the
inhabitants of Cœle-Syria and Phœnicia, and to be their willing benefactors.
16 So, having bestowed considerable
sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far
as Jerusalem; and went up to honour the temple of these wretched beings who
never cease from their folly. 17 To
outward appearance they received us willingly; but belied that appearance by
their deeds. When we were eager to enter their temple, and to honour it with
the most beautiful and exquisite gifts,
18 they 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.
19 And 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.
20 We then, having endeavoured to
make allowance for the madness of these persons, and on our victorious return
treating all people in Egypt courteously, acted in a manner which was
befitting. 21 Accordingly, bearing no
ill-will against their kinsmen [at Jerusalem], 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.
22 All 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,
23 have 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. 24 Having then, received
certain proofs that these Jews 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.
25 As soon, therefore, as the
contents of this letter become known to you, in that same hour we order those
Jews 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.
26 For 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.
27 Whoever shall shield a Jew,
whether it be old man, child, or suckling, shall with his whole house be
tortured to death. 28 Whoever shall
inform against the Jews, besides receiving the
property of the person charged, shall be presented with two thousand drachmæ
from the royal treasury, shall be made free, and shall be crowned.
29 Whatever place shall shelter a
Jew, 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.
30 Such was the purport of the king's
letter.