2 Maccabees 11

Not long after this, ^aLysias the king’s protector and ^bcousin, ^cwho also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done. ²And when he had gathered about ^dfourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking ^eto make the city a habitation of the Gentiles, ³and to make a gain of the temple, as of the other ^fchapels of the heathen, and ^gto set the high priesthood to sale every year: ⁴not at all considering the power of God, but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore ^helephants. ⁵So he came to Judea, and drew near to ⁱBethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it. ⁶Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send ^ja good angel to deliver Israel. ⁷Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, ^kexhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind. ⁸And as they were at Jerusalem, ^lthere ^mappeared before them on horseback one ⁿin white clothing, shaking his armour of gold. ⁹Then they praised ⁿⁿthe merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron. ¹⁰Thus they marched forward in their armour, having a helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them. ¹¹And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight. ¹²Many of them also being ^owounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped. ¹³Who, as he was a man of understanding, ^pcasting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them, ¹⁴and persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and ^qpromised ^rthat he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them. ¹⁵Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted it.

¹⁶For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias ^sto this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting: ¹⁷John and ^tAbsalon, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof. ¹⁸Therefore what things soever were meet ^uto be reported to the king, I have ^vdeclared them, and he hath granted ^was much as might be. ¹⁹If then you will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good. ²⁰But of the particulars I have given order both to these, and the other that came from me, to commune with you. ^21xFare ye well. The hundred and eight and forty year, the four and twenty day of the month Dioscorinthius.

²²Now the king’s letter ^scontained these words: King Antiochus unto his ^ybrother Lysias sendeth greeting: ²³Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs. ²⁴We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own ^zmanner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws. ²⁵Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined ^ato restore them their temple, that they may ^blive according to the customs of their forefathers. ²⁶Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully ^cabout their own affairs.

²⁷And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto ^dthe council, and the rest of the Jews: ²⁸if ^xye fare well, we have our desire: we are also in good health. ^29eMenelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and ^fto follow your own business: ³⁰wherefore ^fthey that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security. ³¹And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done. ³²I have sent also ^eMenelaus, that he may comfort you. ^33xFare ye well. ^gIn the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

³⁴The ^hRomans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews. ³⁵Whatsoever Lysias ⁱthe king’s cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased. ³⁶But touching such things as he judged ^jto be referred to the king, after you have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as ^kit is convenient for you: for we are now going to ^lAntioch. ³⁷Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind. ³⁸Farewell. ^gThis hundred and eight and forty year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

XII.