Part 634 (2/2)
10:35. But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds, because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pus.h.i.+ng forward with fierce courage, got up upon it:
10:36. Moreover, others also getting up after them, went to set fire to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.
10:37. And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.
Timotheus... This man, who was killed at the taking of Gazara, is different from that Timotheus who is mentioned in the fifth chapter of the first book of Machabees, and of whom there is mention in the following chapter.
10:38. And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory.
2 Machabees Chapter 11
Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.
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,
11:2. Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the hors.e.m.e.n, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:
11:3. 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:
11:4. Never considering the power of G.o.d, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the mult.i.tude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his hors.e.m.e.n, and his fourscore elephants.
11:5. So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the s.p.a.ce of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.
11:6. 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.
11:7. Then Machabeus himself first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.
11:8. And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.
11:9. Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great courage: being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, and walls of iron.
11:10. So they went on courageously, having a helper from heaven, and the Lord, who shewed mercy to them.
11:11. And rus.h.i.+ng violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred hors.e.m.e.n:
11:12. And put all the rest to flight; and many of them being wounded, escaped naked: Yea, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.
11:13. 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 G.o.d, he sent to them:
11:14. And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.
11:15. Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common good in all things; and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.
11:16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greeting.
11:17. John, and Abesalom, who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them. 11:18. Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king, I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.
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