Page 1245 - bible

Second Book of Machabees 1239

9 And whosoever would not conform them- death than a hateful life, went forward voluntar-
selves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put ily to the torment.
to death: then was misery to be seen. 20 And considering in what manner he was to
10 For two women were accused to have cir- come to it, patiently bearing, he determined not
cumcised their children: whom, when they had to do any unlawful things for the love of life.
openly led about through the city, with the in- 21 But they that stood by, being moved with
fants hanging at their breasts, they threw down wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with
headlong from the walls. the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh
11 And others that had met together in caves might be brought which it was lawful for him
that were near, and were keeping the sabbath to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten,
day privately, being discovered by Philip, were as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the
burnt with fire, because they made a conscience sacrifice:
to help themselves with their hands, by reason 22 That by so doing he might be delivered
of the religious observance of the day. from death; and for the sake of their old friend-
12 Now I beseech those that shall read this ship with the man, they did him this courtesy.
book, that they be not shocked at these calami- 23 But he began to consider the dignity of his
ties, but that they consider the things that hap- age, and his ancient years, and the inbred hon-
pened, not as being for the destruction, but for our of his grey head, and his good life and con-
the correction of our nation. versation from a child; and he answered without
13 For it is a token of great goodness, when delay, according to the ordinances of the holy
sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways law made by God, saying, that he would rather
for a long time, but are presently punished. be sent into the other world.
14 For, not as with other nations, (whom the 24 For it doth not become our age, said he, to
Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of dissemble: whereby many young persons might
judgment shall come, he may punish them in the think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and
fulness of their sins:) ten years, was gone over to the life of the hea-
15 Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer thens:
our sins to come to their height, and then take 25 And so they, through my dissimulation,
vengeance on us. and for a little time of a corruptible life, should
16 And therefore he never withdraweth his be deceived, and hereby I should bring a stain
mercy from us: but though he chastise his people and a curse upon my old age.
with adversity he forsaketh them not. 26 For though, for the present time, I should
17 But let this suffice in a few words for a be delivered from the punishments of men, yet
warning to the readers. And now we must come should I not escape the hand of the Almighty
to the narration. neither alive nor dead.
18 Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a 27 Wherefore, by departing manfully out of
man advanced in years, and of a comely coun- this life, I shall shew myself worthy of my old
tenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat age:
swine’s flesh. 28 And I shall leave an example of fortitude to
19 But he, choosing rather a most glorious young men, if with a ready mind and constancy