2 Maccabees 11
1 Lysias goes about to overcome the Jews. 8 Succor is sent from heaven unto the Jews. 16 The letter of Lysias unto the Jews. 20 The letter of King Antiochus unto Lysias. 27 A letter of the same unto the Jews. 34 A letter of the Romans to the Jews.
VERY shortly after this, Lysias the King’s steward, and a kinsman of his which had the governance of the affairs took sore displeasure for the things that were done.
And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand, with all the horsemen he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles.
And the Temple would he have to get money by, like the other temples of the heathen: for he would sell the Priest’s office every year.
And thus being puffed up in his mind, because of the great number of footmen, and thousands of horsemen, and in his fourscore elephants,
He came into Judea, and drew near to Beth-sura, which was a castle of defence, five furlongs from Jerusalem, and laid sore siege unto it.
But when Maccabeus, and his company knew that he besieged the holds, they, and all the people made prayers with weeping, and tears before the Lord, that he would send a good Angel to deliver Israel.
And Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopardize themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a courageous mind.
And as they were there beside Jerusalem, there appeared from them upon horseback a man in white clothing, shaking his harness of gold.
Then they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready, not only to fight with men, but with the most cruel beasts, and to break down walls of iron.
Thus they marched forward in array, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them.
And running upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundredth horsemen, and put all the others to flight.
Many of them also being wounded escaped naked, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped,
Who as he was a man of understanding considering what loss he had had, and knowing, that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God helped them, sent unto them,
And promised, that he would consent to all things which were reasonable, and persuade the King to be their friend.
Maccabeus agreed to Lysias requests, having respect in all things to the common wealth, and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the King granted it.
For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias containing these words, LYSIAS unto the people of the Jews sends greeting.
Iohn and Abessalom, which were sent from you, delivered me the things that you demand by writing, and required me to fulfill the things that they had declared.
Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the King himself, I have declared them, and he granted that that was possible.
Therefore if ye behave yourselves as friends towards his affairs, hereafter also I will endeavor myself to do you good.
As concerning these things, I have given commandment to these men, and to those whom I sent unto you, to commune with you of the same particularly.
Fare ye well, the hundredth and eight and forty year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius,
Now the King’s letter contained these words, KING ANTIOCHUS unto his brother Lysias sends greeting.
Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they which are in our realm, live quietly, that every man may apply his own affairs.
We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but would keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we would suffer them to live after their own Laws.
Wherefore our mind is that this nation shall be in rest, and have determined to restore them their Temple, that they may be governed according to the custom of their fathers.
Thou shalt do well therefore to send them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and cheerfully go about their own affairs.
And this was the King’s letter unto the nation, KING ANTIOCHUS unto the Elders of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews sends greeting.
If ye sat well, we have our desire: we are also in good health.
Menelaus declared unto us that your desire was to return home, and to apply your own business.
Wherefore, those that will depart, we give them free liberty, unto the thirty days of the month of Panthicus,
That the Jews may use their own manner of living and Laws, like as afore, and none of them by any manner of ways to have harm for things done by ignorance.
I have sent also Menelaus to comfort you.
Fare ye well: the hundredth and eight and forty year, the fifteenth day of the month of Panthicus.
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