2 Maccabees 12
2 Timotheus troubles the Jews. 3 The wicked deed of them of Ioppe against the Jews. 6 Judas is avenged of them. 9 He sets fire in the haven of Iamnia. 20 The pursuit of the Jews against Timotheus. 24 Timotheus is taken and let go unhurt. 32 Judas pursues Gorgias.
WHEN these covenants were made, Lysias went unto the King, and the Jews tilled their ground.
But the governors of the places, as Timotheus and Apollonius the son of Geneus, and Ieronimus, and also Demophon, and besides them Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not let them live in rest and peace,
They of Ioppe also did such a vile act: they prayed the Jews that dwelt among them, to go with their wives and children into the ships, which they had prepared as though they had ought them none evil will.
And so by the common advise of the city, they obeyed them, and suspect nothing: but when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no less than two hundred of them.
Now when Judas knew of this cruelty shown against his nation, he commanded those men that were with him, to make them ready.
And having called upon God the righteous Judge, he went forth against the murderers of his brethren, and set fire in the haven by night, and burnt the ships, and those that fled thence, he slew.
And when the city was shut up, he departed as though he would come again, and root out all them of the city of Ioppe.
But when he perceived that the Ianites were minded to do in like manner unto the Jews, which dwelt among them,
He came upon the Iamnites by night, and set fire in the haven with the navy, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem, upon a two hundredth and forty furlongs.
Now when they were gone from thence nine furlongs, in their journey toward Timotheus, about five thousand men of footmen and five hundredth horsemen of the Arabians set upon him.
So the battle was sharp, but it prospered with Judas through the help of God: the Nomads of Arabia, being overcome, besought Judas to make peace with them, and promised to give him certain cattle, and to help him in other things.
And Judas thinking that they should indeed be profitable concerning many things, granted them peace: whereupon they shook hands, and so they departed to their tents.
Judas also assaulted a city called Caspis, which was strong by reason of a bridge, and fenced round about with walls, and had divers kinds of people dwelling therein.
So they that were within it, put such trust in the strength of the walls, and in store of vittles, that they were the slacker in their doings, reviling them that were with Judas, and reproaching them: yea, they blasphemed and spoke such words as were not lawful.
But Maccabeus soldiers, calling upon the great Prince of the world (which without any instruments, or engines of war, did cast down the wall of Jericho, in the time of Iesus) gave a fierce assault against the walls,
And took the city by the will of God, and made an exceeding great slaughter, in so much that a lake of two furlongs, broad, which lay thereby, seemed to flow with blood.
Then departed they from thence, seven hundredth and fifty furlongs, and came to Characa unto the Jews, that are called Tubieni.
But they found not Timotheus there: for he was departed from thence, and had done nothing, and had left a garrison in a very stronghold.
But Dositheus, and Sosipater, which were captains with Maccabeus, went forth, and slew those that Timotheus had left in the fortress more than ten thousand men.
And Maccabeus prepared, and ranged his army by bands, and went courageously against Timothes, which had with him an hundredth and twenty thousand men of foot, and two thousand and five hundredth horsemen.
When Timotheus had knowledge of Judas coming coming, he sent the women, and children, and the other baggage afore unto a fortress called Carnion (for it was hard to besiege, and uneasy to come unto because of the straights of all sides.)
But when Judas first band came in sight, the enemies were smitten with fear, and a trembling was among them through the presence of him that sees all things, insomuch that they fleeing one here, another there, were oft times hurt by their own people, and wounded with the points of their own swords.
But Judas was very earnest in pursuing, and slew those wicked men: yea, he slew thirty thousand men of them.
Timotheus also himself fell into the hands of Dositheus, and Sosipater, whom he besought with much craft to let him go with his life, because he had many of the Jews parents and the brethren of some of them, which if they put him to death, should be despised.
So when he had assured them with many words, and promised that he would restore them without hurt, they let him go for the health of their brethren.
Then went Maccabeus toward Carmon, and Atargation, and slew five and twenty thousand brethren.
And after that he had chased away and slain them, Judas removed the host toward Ephron a strong city, wherein was Lysias and a great multitude of all nations, and the strong young men kept the walls defending them mightily: there was also great preparation of engines of war, and darts.
But when they had called upon the Lord, which with his power breaks the strength of the enemies, they won the city, and slew five and twenty thousand men of them that were within.
From thence went they to Scythopolis, which lies six hundredth furlongs from Jerusalem.
But when the Jews which dwelt there, testified, that the Scythopolitans dealt lovingly with them, and entreated them kindly in the time of their adversary,
They gave them thanks, desiring them to be friendly still unto them, and so they came to Jerusalem, as the feast of the works approached.
And after the feast called Pentecost they went forth against Gorgias the governor of Idumea.
Who came out with three thousand more of foot and four hundredth horsemen.
And when they joined together, a few of the Jews were slain,
And Dositheus one of the Baccenors, which was on horseback and a mighty man, took Gorgias, and laid hold of his garment, and drew him by force, because he would have taken the wicked man alive: but an horseman of Thracia fell upon him, and smote of his shoulder, so that Gorgias fled into Marisa.
And when they that were with Eserin, had forgotten long, and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord, that he would show himself to be their helper, and captain of the field.
And then he began in his own language, and sung psalms with a loud voice, insomuch that straight ways he made them that were about Gorgias, to take their flight.
So Judas gathered his host, and came into the city of Odolla. And when the seventh day came, they cleansed themselves (as the custom was) and kept the Sabbath in the same place.
And upon the day following, as necessity required, Judas and his company came to take up the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen in their father’s graves.
Now under the coats of every one, that was slain, they found jewels that had been consecrated to the idols of the Iamnites, which thing is forbidden the Jews by the Law. Then every man saw, that this was the cause wherefore they were slain.
And so every man gave thanks unto the Lord, the righteous Judge, which had opened the things that were hid.
And they gave themselves to prayer, and besought him, that they should not utterly be destroyed for the fault committed. Besides that, noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, for so much as they saw before their eyes the things which came to pass by the sin of these that were slain.
And having made a gathering through the company, sent to Jerusalem about two thousand drachmes of silver, to offer a sin offering, doing very well, and honestly that he thought of the resurrection.
For if he had not hoped, that they which were slain, should rise again, it had been superfluous, and vain, to pray for the dead.
And therefore he perceived, that there was great favor laid up for those that died godly. (It was an holy, and a good thought.) So he made a reconciliation for the dead that they might be delivered from sin.
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