The Second Book of Maccabees

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

- Chapter 11 -

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,

collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews, planing to make the city a home for Greeks,

and to levy tribute on the temple, as (a)on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.

He took no account of God’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.

Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia(b) away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.

When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.

Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.

As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing(c) weapons of gold.

They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to (d)assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,

they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.

Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.

Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.

But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again

and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and (e) promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.

Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.

The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the (f)people of the Jews, greetings.

John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.

Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.

If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.

Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.

Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month (g)Dioscorinthius.”

And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.

Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom (h)should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,

we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—

choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.

You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”

And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.

If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.

Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.

They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our (i)friendship, with full permission

that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.

Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.

Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”

The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.

In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.

But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.

Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.

(j)Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.

Footnotes

(a)11:3 Or, on all the sacred places of the heathen

(b)11:5 One stadia was roughly 189 meters or 618 feet, so 5 stadia was about a little less than 1 km or a little more than half a mile.

(d)11:9 Gr. wound.

(e)11:14 The Greek text here is corrupt.

(f)11:16 Gr. multitude.

(g)11:21 This month name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt.

(h)11:23 Or, should not be disquieted but

(i)11:30 Gr. right hand.

(j)11:38 Gr. Be in good health.

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

Not long after the, Lysias the king’s protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.

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,

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.

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.

Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them

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.

Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.

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,

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.

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.

For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:

John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.

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.

And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.

But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.

Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.

Now the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:

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.

We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom 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.

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.

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.

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:

If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.

Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:

Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.

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.

I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

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.

Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.

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.

Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.

Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.