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chapter 11
1
A
short time after this Lysias the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had
chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had
happened,
2 Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the
horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a
habitation of the Gentiles :
3 And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other
temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:
4 Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in
mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of
his horsemen, and his four- score elephants.
5 So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura,
which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid
siege to that fortress.
6 But when Machabeus and they that were with him,
understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people
besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel
to save Israel.
7 Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms,
exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to
succour their brethren.
8 And when they were going forth together with a
willing mind, there appeared at Jerusatem a horseman going before them in white
clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.
9 Then they all together blessed merciful Lord, and
took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the
fiercest beasts, walls of iron.
10 So they went on courageously, having a helper from
Peaven, and the who shewed mercy to them.
11 And rushing violently upon the my, like lions, they
slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand hundred horsemen:
12 And put all the rest to flight: many of them being
wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and
escaped.
13 And as he was a man of understanding considering
with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could
not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent
to them:
14 And promised that he would agree to all things that
are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.
15 Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias,
providing for the common Food in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to
Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.
16 For there were letters written to the Jews from
Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.
17 John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering
your writings, re- quested that I would accomplish those things which were
signified by them.
18 Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the
king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter
permitted.
19 If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in
affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.
20 But as concerning other particulars, I have given
orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with
you.
21 Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and
forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.
22 But the king's letter contained these words: King
Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.
23 Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are
desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply
themselves diligently to their own concerns,
24 And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to
my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their
own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live
after their own laws.
25 Wherefore being desirous that this nation also
should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be
restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their
ancestors.
26 Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and
grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort,
and look to their own affairs.
27 But the king's letter to the Jews was in this
manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews,
greeting.
28 If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves
also are well.
29 Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come
down to your countrymen, that are with us.
30 We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come
and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,
31 That the Jews may use their own Bind of meats, and
their own laws as be- fore, and that none of them any manner of ways be
molested for things which have been done by ignorance.
32 And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.
33 Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and
forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
34 The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect.
Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people
of the Jews, greeting.
35 Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted
you, we also have granted.
36 But touching such things as he thought should be
referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves,
send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we
are going to Antioch.
37 And therefore make haste to write back, that we may
know of what mind you are.
38 Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and
forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
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