Page 1241 - bible

Second Book of Machabees 1235

11 And abolishing those things, which had might be deputed for other charges.
been decreed of special favour by the kings in 20 So the money was appointed by him that
behalf of the Jews, by the means of John, the sent it to the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of
father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador them that carried it was employed for thc making
to Rome to make amity and alliance, he disan- of galleys.
nulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and 21 Now when Apollonius, the son of Mnes-
brought in fashions that were perverse. theus was sent into Egypt to treat with the no-
12 For he had the boldness to set up, under bles of king Philometor, and Antiochus under-
the very castle, a place of exercise, and to put stood that he was wholly excluded from the af-
all the choicest youths in brothel houses. fairs of the kingdom, consulting his own interest,
13 Now this was not the beginning, but an he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from
increase, and progress of heathenish and foreign thence to Jerusalem.
manners, through the abominable and unheard 22 Where he was received in a magnificent
of wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch, and manner by Jason, and the city, and came in with
no priest. torch lights, and with praises, and from thence
14 Insomuch that the priests were not now he returned with his army into Phenicia.
occupied about the offices of the altar, but de- 23 Three years afterwards Jason sent
spising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, Menelaus, brother of the aforesaid Simon, to
hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the carry money to the king, and to bring answers
unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of from him concerning certain necessary affairs.
the discus. 24 But he being recommended to the king,
15 And setting nought by the honours of their when he had magnified the appearance of his
fathers, they esteemed the Grecian glories for the power, got the high priesthood for himself, by
best: offering more than Jason by three hundred tal-
16 For the sake of which they incurred a dan- ents of silver.
gerous contention, and followed earnestly their 25 So having received the king’s mandate, he
ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be returned, bringing nothing worthy of the high
like them, who were their enemies and murder- priesthood: but having the mind of a cruel
ers. tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.
17 For acting wickedly against the laws of God 26 Then Jason, who had undermined his own
doth not pass unpunished: but this the time fol- brother, being himself undermined, was driven
lowing will declare. out a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites.
18 Now when the game that was used ev- 27 So Menelaus got the principality: but as
ery fifth year was kept at Tyre, the king being for the money he had promised to the king, he
present, took no care, when Sostratus, the governor of
19 The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sin- the castle, called for it.
ful men, to carry three hundred didrachmas of 28 For to him appertained the gathering of the
silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the bear- taxes: wherefore they were both called before the
ers thereof desired it might not be bestowed on king.
the sacrifices, because it was not necessary, but 29 And Menelaus was removed from the