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Second Book of Machabees 1245

of whom he was not like to obtain mercy. expectation should fall out, or any bad tidings
14 And the city, to which he was going in haste should be brought, they that were in the coun-
to lay it even with the ground, and to make it a tries, knowing to whom the whole government
common burying place, he now desireth to make was left, might not be troubled.
free: 25 Moreover, considering that neighbouring
15 And the Jews, whom he said he would not princes, and borderers, wait for opportunities,
account worthy to be so much as buried, but and expect what shall be the event, I have ap-
would give them up to be devoured by the birds pointed my son, Antiochus, king, whom I often
and wild beasts, and would utterly destroy them recommended to many of you, when I went into
with their children, he now promiseth to make the higher provinces: and I have written to him
equal with the Athenians. what I have joined here below.
16 The holy temple also, which before he had 26 I pray you, therefore, and request of you,
spoiled, he promised to adorn with goodly gifts, that, remembering favours both public and pri-
and to multiply the holy vessels, and to allow vate, you will every man of you continue to be
out of his revenues the charges pertaining to the faithful to me and to my son.
sacrifices. 27 For I trust that he will behave with moder-
17 Yea also, that he would become a Jew him- ation and humanity, and following my intentions,
self, and would go through every place of the will be gracious unto you.
earth, and declare the power of God. 28 Thus the murderer and blasphemer being
18 But his pains not ceasing, (for the just grievously struck, as himself had treated oth-
judgment of God was come upon him) despair- ers, died a miserable death in a strange country,
ing of life, he wrote to the Jews, in the manner among the mountains.
of a supplication, a letter in these words: 29 But Philip, that was brought up with him,
19 To his very good subjects the Jews, Anti- carried away his body: and out of fear of the
ochus, king and ruler, wisheth much health, and son of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolemee
welfare, and happiness. Philometor.
20 If you and your children are well, and if all
matters go with you to your mind, we give very
great thanks. Chapter 10
21 As for me, being infirm, but yet kindly re-
membering you, returning out of the places of But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by
Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple
I thought it necessary to take care for the com- and the city again.
mon good: 2 But he threw down the altars which the hea-
22 Not distrusting my life, but having great thens had set up in the streets, as also the tem-
hope to escape the sickness. ples of the idols.
23 But considering that my father also, at 3 And having purified the temple, they made
what time he led an army into the higher coun- another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery
tries, appointed who should reign after him: stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and
24 To the end that if any thing contrary to set forth incense, and lamps, and the loaves of