11 Having been saved by God out of great perils, we render great thanks, as befits us to thank One who arrayeth himself against a king. 12 For He flung away into Persia those who had arrayed themselves against the holy city. 13 For when the leader arrived, with a force that seemed irresistible, they were cut to pieces in the temple of Nanaea by the treachery of Nanaea’s priests. 14 Antiochus, on the pretext of marrying her, came into the place, he and his Friends who were with him, that they might take a great part of the treasures by way of dowry; 15 but when the priests of the Nanaeon had set the treasures forth, and he had passed with a small company inside the wall of the precincts, they shut to the temple when Antiochus had entered: 16 then opening the secret door in the panelled ceiling, they threw stones and struck down the leader, and hewing the company in pieces threw their heads to those who were outside. 17 Blessed for all things be our God who gave the impious doers for a prey. 18 Whereas we are now about to celebrate the purification of the temple in the month Chislev, on the five and twentieth day, we deem it our duty to inform you, that you too may keep the feast of tabernacles.—Now 〈concerning〉 the fire, on the occasion of Nehemiah offering sacrifices, after he had built both the temple and the altar (, you must know that) when our fathers were to be led into the land of Persia, 19 the godly priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar, and hid it secretly in the hollow of a sort of empty cistern, wherein they made it sure, so that the place was unknown to all men. 20 Well, after many years, when it pleased God, Nehemiah was sent on a mission by the king of Persia, and he sent in quest of the fire the descendants of the priests who had hid it. When they announced that they had found no fire, 21 but thick liquid, he commanded them to draw out some and bring it to him: and when the sacrifices had been duly placed (on the altar), Nehemiah commanded the priests to sprinkle the liquid both on the wood and on the sacrifices. 22 When this was done, after some time had elapsed and the sun, formerly hidden in clouds, had shone out, there was kindled a great blaze, so that all men marvelled. 23 And the priests offered prayer, while the sacrifice was being consumed,—priests and all, Jonathan leading and the rest saying it after him, as did Nehemiah. 24 The following was the prayer: O Lord, Lord God, the creator of all things, who art terrible and strong and righteous and merciful, 25 who alone art King and gracious, who alone suppliest every need, who alone art righteous and almighty and eternal, thou that savest Israel out of all evil, who madest the fathers thine elect, and didst sanctify them: 26 accept this sacrifice for all thy people Israel, guard thine own Portion, and consecrate it. 27 Gather together our dispersion, set at liberty them that are in bondage among the heathen, look upon them that are despised and abhorred, and let the heathen know that thou art our God. 28 Torment them that oppress us and in arrogancy shamefully treat us. 29 Plant thy people in thy holy place, even as Moses said. 30 Then the priests sang the hymns. 31 Now as soon as the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemiah ordered the rest of the liquid to be poured on large stones. 32 And when this was done, a flame was kindled; but, when the light from the altar shone over against it, it was extinguished. 33 And when the matter became known, and it was told the king of the Persians, that, in the place where the captive priests had hid the fire, there had appeared the liquid with which Nehemiah and his company purified the sacrifice, 34 then the king, after verifying the matter, had the place made a sacred enclosure. 35 And the king exchanged gifts with those in his favour. 36 Nehemiah and his company called this thing Nephthar, which is by interpretation, Cleansing; but most people call it Nephthai.

21 It is also found in the records, that Jeremiah the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take some of the fire, as has been already noted: 2 and how that the prophet charged them that were carried away, after giving them the law, that they should not forget the statutes of the Lord, neither be led astray in their minds, when they saw images of gold and silver, and the adornment thereof. 3 And with other such words exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their heart. 4 This also was in the writing, that the prophet, being warned by God, commanded the tabernacle and ark to accompany him, and that he went away to the mountain which Moses had climbed to view the inheritance of God. 5 On reaching it Jeremiah found a cavernous chamber, in which he placed the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense; and he made fast the door. 6 And some of his followers drew near in order to mark the road, but they could not find it. 7 Now when Jeremiah came to know this, he blamed them, saying, Unknown shall the spot be until God gather the people again together, 8 and mercy come; then indeed shall the Lord disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen, even the Cloud, as in the days of Moses it was visible, and as when Solomon prayed that the Place might be consecrated with solemn splendour. 9 It was also narrated how he, in his wisdom, 10 sacrificed at the consecration and completion of the temple; as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire descended from heaven to consume the sacrifice, so Solomon also prayed, 11 and the fire descended and burned up the holocaust; [and Moses said, Because the sin offering had not been eaten, 12 it was consumed in like manner with the rest;] and Solomon kept the eight days.

13 These things were narrated also in the archives or memoirs of Nehemiah; as well as how he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and the prophets, and the books of David, and letters of kings about sacred gifts. 14 Even so did Judas collect for us all the writings which had been scattered owing to the outbreak of war. 15 They are still with us. So, if you need them, send some messengers to fetch them for you.

16 Seeing therefore that we are about to keep the purification, we write thus to you. You will do well, then, to keep the days (of the festival). 17 Now God, who saved all his people, and restored to all the heritage, 18 and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the hallowing, even as he promised through the law,—in God have we hope, that he will speedily have mercy upon us, and gather us together from under the (wide) heaven to the holy place: for he did deliver us out of great evils, and did purify the place.

2:19–32. The preface of the epitomist.