Part 635 (1/2)
11:19. If, therefore, you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.
11:20. 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.
11:21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.
In the year 148... Viz., according to the computation followed by the Greeks; which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However, by this date, as well as by other circ.u.mstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that which is recorded, 1 Mac. 6.
11:22. But the king's letter contained these words King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother, greeting.
11:23. Our father being translated amongst the G.o.ds we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns.
11:24. 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.
11:25. 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.
11:26. 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.
11:27. 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.
11:28. If you are well, you are as we desire: we ourselves also are well.
11:29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.
11:30. We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,
11:31. That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.
11:32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.
11:33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
11:34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus Memmius, and t.i.tus Manilius, amba.s.sadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.
11:35. Whatsoever Lysias, the king's cousin, hath granted to you, we also have granted.
11:36. 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.
11:37. And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.
11:38. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
2 Machabees Chapter 12
The Jews are still molested by their neighbours. Judas gains divers victories over them. He orders sacrifice and prayers for the dead.
12:1. When these covenants were made, Lysias went to the king, and the Jews gave themselves to husbandry.
12:2. But they that were behind, viz. Timotheus, and Apollonius, the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them Nicanor, the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live in peace, and to be quiet.
12:3. The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness: they desired the Jews, who dwelt among them, to go with their wives and children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though they had no enmity to them.