through the street of the city and proclaimed before him Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour 12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the kings gate but Haman hasted to his house mourning and having his head covered 13 And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befâ—â—n him Then said his wisemen Zeresh his wife unto him if Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevail against him but shalt surely fall before him 14 And while they were yet talking with him came the kings chamberlains hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared CHAP. VII 1 Esther entertaining the king and Haman maketh suit for her own life and her peoples 5 She accuseth Haman 7 The king in his â—nâ—er understanding of the gallows which Haman had made for Mordecai causeth him to be banâ—ed thereon SO the king and Haman came †Heb. to drink to banquet with Esther the queen 2 And the king said again to Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine What is thy petition queen Esther and it shall be granted thee and what is thy request and it shall be performed even to the half of the kingdom 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said If I have found favour in thy sight O king and if it please the king let my life be given me at my petition and my people at my request 4 For we are sold I and my people †Heb. that they should destroy and kill and cause to perish to be destroyed to be slain and to perish but if we had been sold for bond men bond-women I had held my tongue although the enemy could not counter all the kings damage 5 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen Who is he and where is he †Heb. whose heart hath filled him that durst presume in his heart to do so 6 And Esther said †Heb. the man adversary The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman Then Haman was afraid ‖ Or. at the presence of before the king and the queen 7 ¶ And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace-garden and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king 8 Then the king returned out of the palace-garden into the place of the banquet of wine and Haman was fain upon the bed whereon Esther was Then said the king Will he force the queen also †Heb. with me before me in the house As the word went out of the kings mouth they covered Hamans face 9 And Harbonah one of the chamberlains said before the king Behold also the †Heb. tree gallows fifty cubits high which Haman had made for Mordecai who had spoken good for the king standeth in the house of Haman Then the king said Hang him thereon 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai Then was the kings wrath pacified CHAP. VIII 1 Mordecai is advanced 3 Esther maketh suit to reverse Hamans letters 7 Ahasuerus granteth to the Jews to defend themselves 15 Mordecai's honour and the Jews joy ON that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews enemy unto Esther the queen and Mordecai came before the king for Esther had told what he was unto her 2 And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman gave it unto Mordecai And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman 3 ¶ And Esther spake yet again before the king and fell down at his feet †Heb. she wept besought him and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite and his device that he had devised against the Jews 4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther So Esther arose and stood before the king 5 And said If it please the king and if I have found favour in his fight and the thing seem right before the king and I be pleasing in his eyes let it be written to reverse †Heb. thâ— device the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite ‖ Or who wrote which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the kings provinces 6 For how can I †Heb. 〈◊〉 able that I may see endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred 7 ¶ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen to Mordecai the Jew Behold I have given Esther the house of Haman him they have hanged upon the gallows because he laid his hands upon the Jews 8 Write ye also for the Jews as it liketh you in the kings name and seal it with the kings ring for the writing which is written in the kings name and sealed with the kings ring * See chap. 1.19 may no man reverse 9 Then were the kings scribes called at that time in the third moneth that is the moneth Sivan on the three and twentieth day thereof and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews and to the lieutenants and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia an hundred twenty and seven provinces unto every province according to the writing thereof and unto every people after their language and to the Jews according to their writing and according to their language 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus name and sealed it with the kings ring and sent letters by posts on hors-back and riders on mules and young dromedaries 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together and to stand for their life to destroy to slay and to cause to perish all the power of the people and province that would assault them both little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus namely upon the thirteenth day of the twefth moneth which is the moneth Adar 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was †Heb. revealed published unto all people and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out being hastned and pressed on by the kings commandment and the decree was given at Shushan the palace 15 ¶ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel ofâ—blue white with a great crown of gold with a garment of fine linen and purple the city of Shushan rejoyced and was glad 16 The Jews had light and gladness
things which have been set forth by vow for the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem 8 ¶ Then the chief of the families of Judea and of the tribes of Benjamin stood up the priests also and the Levites and all they whose minde the Lord had moved to go up and to build an house for the Lord at Jerusalem 9 And they that dwelt round about them and helped them in all things with silver and gold with †Heb. substance Ezra 1.6 horses and cattel and with very many free gifts of a great number whose minds were stirred up thereto 10 King Cyrus also brought forth the holy vessels which Nebuchodonosor had carried away from Jerusalem and had set up in his temple of idols 11 Now when Cyrus kâ—ng of the Persians had brought them forth he delivered them to Mithridates his treasurer 12 And by him they were delivered to †Gr. Shashbazar the first part of the word is acrruptly joynes to the word going before Ezra 1.8 Sanabassar the governour of Judea 13 And this was the number of them A thousand golden cups and a thousand of silver †Heb. knioâ—â— Ezra 1.9 censers of silver twenty nine vials of gold thirty and of silver * Ezr. 1.10 but four hundred and ten two thousand four hundred and ten and a thousand other vessels 14 So all the vessels of gold and of silver which were carried away were * Ezr. 1.11 but five thousand four hundred five thousand four hundred threescore and nine 15 These were brought back by Sanabassar together with them of the captivity from Babylon to Jerusalem 16 * Ezra 4.7 But in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians Belemus and Mithridates and Tabellius and †Babumus and the name which followeth is but an epithete to the former Ezra 4.9 Rathumus Beeltethmus and †Shimshai Ezra 4.8 Semellius the secretary with others that were in commission with them dwelling in Samaria and other places wrote unto him against them that dwelt in Judea and Jerusalem these letters following 17 To king Artaxerxes our lord thy servants Rathumus the story-writer and Semellius the scribe and the rest of their counsel and the judges that are in Celosyria and Phenice 18 Be it now known to the lord the king that the Jews that are come up from you to us being come into Jerusalem that rebellious and wicked city do build the market-places and repair the walls of it and do lay the foundation of the temple 19 Now if this city and the walls thereof be made up again they will not onely refuse to give tribute but also rebel against kings 20 And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand we think it meet not to neglect such a matter 21 But to speak unto our lord the king to the intent that if it be thy pleasure it may be sought out in the books of thy fathers 22 And thou shalt finde in the chronicles what is written concerning these things and shalt understand that that city was rebellious troubling both kings and cities 23 And that the Jews were rebellious and raised always wars therein for the which cause even this city was made desolate 24 Wherefore now we do declare unto thee O lord the king that if this city be built again and the walls thereof set up anew thou shalt from henceforth have no passage into Celosyria and Phenice 25 Then the king wrote back again to Rathumus the story-writer to Beeltethmus to Semellius the scribe and to the rest that were in commission and dwellers in Samaria and Syria and Phenice after this manner 26 I have read the epistle which ye have sent unto me therefore I commanded to make diligent search and it hath been found that that city was from the beginning practising against kings 27 And the men therein were given to rebellion and war and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem who reigned and exacted tributes in Celosyria and Phenice 28 Now therefore I have commanded to hinder those men from building the city and heed to be taken that there be no more done in it 29 And that those wicked workers proceed no further to the annoyance of kings 30 Then king Artaxerxes his letters being read Rathumus and Semellius the scribe and the rest that were in commission with them removing in haste towards Jerusalem with a troup of hors-men and ‖ Or a great number of souldiers a multitude of people in battel aray began to hinder the builders and the building of the temple in Jerusalem ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians CHAP. III. 4. Three strive to excel each other in wise speeches 9 They refer themselves to the judgement of the king 18 The first declareth the strength of wine NOw when Darius reigned he made a great feast unto all his subjects and unto all his houshold and unto all the princes of Media and Persia 2 And to all the governours and captains and lieutenants that were under him from India unto Ethiopia of an hundred twenty and seven provinces 3 And when they had eaten and drunken and being satisfied were gone home then Darius the king went into his bed-chamber and stept and soon after awaked 4 Then three young men that were of the guard that kept the kings body spake one to another 5 Let every one of us speak a sentence he that shall overcome and whole sentence shall seem wiser then the others unto him shall the king Darius give great gifts and great things in token of victory 6 As to be clothed in purple to drink in gold and to sleep upon gold and a chariot with bridles of gold and an head-tire of fine linen and a chain about his neck 7 And he shall sit next to Darius because of his wisdom and shall be called Darius his cousin 8 And then every one wrote his sentence sealed it and laid it under king Darius his pillow 9 And said that when the king is risen some will give him the writings and of whose side the king and the three princes of Persia shall judge that his sentence is the wisest to him shall the victory be given as was appointed 10 The first wrote Wine is the strongest 11 The second wrote The king is the strongest 12 The third wrote Women are strongest but above all things truth beareth away the victory 13 ¶ Now when the king was risen up they took their writings and delivered them unto him and so he read them 14 And sending forth he called all the princes of Persia and Media and the governours and the captains and the lieutenants and the chief officers 15 And sat him down in the ‖ Or counsel royal seat of judgement and the writings were read before them 16 And he said Call the young men and they shall declare their own sentences So they were called and came in 17 And he said unto them Declare
called the ladder of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt 60 Then Jonathan ‖ Or want beyond the river passed through the cities Or went passed beyond the river and through the cities Gr. went forth and passed through the cities beyond the water and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him and when he came to Ascalon they of the city met him honourably 61 From whence he went to Gaza but they of Gaza shut him out wherefore he said siege unto it and burned ‖ Or the places thereabout the suburbs thereof with fire and spoiled them 62 Afterward when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan †Gr. be gave them the right hand he made peace with them and took the sons of their chief men for hostages and sent them to Jerusalem and passed through the countrey unto Damascus 63 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius princes were come to Cades which is in Galilee with a great power purposing ‖ Or to remove him from the affairs of the kingdom to remove him out of the countrey 64 He went to meet them and left Simon his brother in the countrey 65 Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and sought against it a long season and shut it up 66 But they desired to have peace with him w e he granted them and then put them out from thence and took the city set a garison in it 67 As for Jonathan and his host they pitched at the water of Genesar from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor 68 And behold the host of strangers met them in the plain who having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains came themselves over against him 69 So when they that say in ambush rose out of their places and joyned battel all that were of Jonathans side sled 70 Insomuch as there was not one of them lest except Mattathias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Calphi the captains of the host 71 Then Jonathan rent his clothes and cast earth upon his head and prayed 72 Afterwards turning again to battel he put them to flight and so they ran away 73 Now when his own men that were fled saw this they turned again unto him and with him pursued them to Cades even unto their own tents and there they camped 74 So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men but Jonathan returned to Jerusalem CHAP. XII 1 Jonathan reneweth his league with the Romanes and Lacedemonians 28 The sorees of Demetrius thinking to surprise Jonathan flee away for fear 35 Jonathan fortifieth the castles in Judea 48 and is shut up by the â—raâ—â— of Tryphon in Ptolemais NOw when Jonathan saw that the time served him he chose certain men and sent them to Rome for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them 2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians and to other places for the same purpose 3 So they went unto Rome and entred into the Senate and said Jonathan the high priest and the people of the Jews sent us unto you to the end you should renew the friendship which you had with them and league as in former time 4 Upon this the Romanes gave them letters unto the governours of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably 5 And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote unto the Lacedemonians 6 Jonathan the high priest and the elders of the nation and the priests and the other people of the Jews unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting 7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from ‖ Areus Look Joseph Antiq l. 13. c. 8 Darius who reigned then among you to signifie that you are our brethren as the copy here under-written doth specifie 8 At which time Onias entreated the embassadour that was sent honorably and received the letters wherein declaration was made of the ‖ Or kindred Joâ— Antiâ— league and friendship 9 Therefore we also albeit we need none of these things for that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us 10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood friendship lest we should become strangers unto you altogether for there is a long time passed since you sent unto us 11 We therefore at all times without ceasing both in our feasts and other convenient days do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer and in our prayers as reason is and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren 12 And we are right glad of your honour 13 As for our selves we have had great troubles and wars on every side forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have sought against us 14 Howbeit we would not be troublesom unto you nor to others of our confederates and friends in these wars 15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us so as we are delivered from our enemies and our enemies are brought under foot 16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason and sent them unto the Romanes to renew the amity that we had with them and the former league 17 We commanded them also to go unto you and to salute you to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood 18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto 19 And this is the copy of the letters ‖ Read out of Joseph which Areâ—â— sent to Oâ—â—as which Oniares sent 20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest greeting 21 It is found in writing that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren and that they are of the stock of Abraham 22 Now therefore since this is come to our knowledge you shall do well to write unto us of your †Gr. pean prosperity 23 We do write back again to you that your cattel and goods are ours and ours are yours We do command therefore our ambassadours to make report unto you on this wife 24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius princes were come to fight against him with a greater host then afore 25 He removed from Jerusalem and met them in the land of Amathis for he gave them no respite ‖ Or tâ— set foot in his countrey or to invade his countrey to enter his countrey 26 He sent spies also unto their tents who came again and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night-season 27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down Jonathan commanded his men to watch and to be in arms that all the night long they might be ready to fight also he sent forth sentiness round about the host 28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battel they feared and trembled in their hearts and
offended any thing at all 9 But Festus willing to do the Jews a pleasure answered Paul and said Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me 10 Then said Paul I stand at Cesars judgement-seat where I ought to be judged to the Jews have I done no wrong as thou very well knowest 11 For if I be an offender or have committed any thing worthy of death I refuse not to die but if there he none of these things whereof these accuse me no man may deliver me unto them I appeal unto Cesar 12 Then Festus when he had conferred with the council answered Hast thou appealed unto Cesar unto Cesar shalt thou go 13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus 14 And when they had been there many days Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king saying There is a certain man lest in bonds by Felix 15 About whom when I was at Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews enformed me desiring to have judgement against him 16 To whom I answered It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him 17 Therefore when they were come hither without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgement-seat and I commanded the man to be brought forth 18 Against whom when the accusers stood up they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition and of one Jesus which was dead whom Paul affirmed to be alive 20 And because ‖ Or I was doubtful how to enquire hereof I doubted of such manner of questions I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem there be judged of these matters 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the ‖ Or judgement hearing of Augustus I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus I would also hear the man my felt To morrow said he thou shalt hear him 23 And on the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp and was entred into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city at Festus commandment Paul was brought forth 24 And Festus said King Agrippa and all men which are here present with us ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me both at Jerusalem and also here crying that he ought not to live any longer 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus I have determined to send him 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord Wherefore I have brought him forth before you and specially before thee O king Agrippa that after examination had I might have somewhat to write 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not withal to signifie the crimes laid against him CHAP. XXVI 2 Paul in the presence of Agrippa deelareth his life from his childhood 12 and how miraculously he was converted and called to his apostleship 24 Festus chargeth him to be mad whereunto he answereth modestly 28 Agrippa is almost perswaded to be a Christian 31 The whole company pronounce him innocent THen Agrippa said unto Paul Thou art permitted to speak for thy self Then Paul stretched forth the hand and answered for himself 2 I think my self happy king Agrippa because I shall answer for my self this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently 4 My manner of life from my youth which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem know all the Jews 5 Which knew me from the beginning if they would testifie that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night hope to come for which hopes sake king Agrippa I am accused of the Jews 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead 9 I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth 10 * Chap. 8.3 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem and many of the saints did I shut up in prison having received authority from the chief priests and when they were put to death I gave my voice against them 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme and being exceedingly mad against them I persecuted them even unto strange cities 12 * Chap 9.2 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests 13 At midday O king I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun shining round about me and them which journeyed with me 14 And when we were all faln to the earth I heard a voice speaking unto me and saying in the Hebrew tongue Saul Saul why persecutest thou me It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks 15 And I said Who art thou Lord And he said I am Jesus whom thou persecutest 16 But rise and stand upon thy feet for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee 17 Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee 18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by saith that is in me 19 Whereupon O king Agrippa I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus and at Jerusalem and throughout all the coasts of Judea and then to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God and do works meet for repentance 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple and went about to kill me 22 Having therefore obtained help of God I continue unto this day witnessing both to small and great saying none other things then those which the prophets and Moses did say should come 23 That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light unto the people and to the Gentiles 24 And as he thus spake for himself Festus said with a loud
with my lord then remember thine hand-maid 32 ¶ And David said to Abigail Blessed be the LORD God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me 33 And blessed be thy advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from coming to shed bloud and from avenging my self with mine own hand 34 For in very deed as the LORD God of Israel liveth which hath kept me back from hurting thee except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall 35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him and said unto her Go up in peace to thine house see I have hearkned to thy voice and have accepted thy person 36 ¶ And Abigail came to Nabal and behold he held a seast in his house like the feast of a king and Nabals heart was merry within him for he was very drunken wherefore she told him nothing less or more until the morning light 37 But it came to pass in the morning when the wine was gone out of Nabal and his wife had told him these things that his heart died within him and he became as a stone 38 And it came to pass about ten days after that the LORD smote Nabal that he died 39 ¶ And when David heard that Nabal was dead he said Blessed be the LORD that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and hath kept his servant from evil for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head And David sent and communed with Abigail to take her to him to wife 40 And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel they spake unto her saying David sent us unto thee to take thee to him to wife 41 And she arose and bowed her self on her face to the earth and said Behold let thine hand-maid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord 42 And Abigail hasted and arose and rode upon an ass with five damsels of hers that went †Heb. at her feet after her and she went after the messengers of David and became his wife 43 David also took Ahinoam * Josh 25.56 of Jezreel and they were also both of them his wives 44 ¶ But Saul had given * 2 Sam. 3.14 15. Michal his daughter Davids wife to Phalti the son of Laish which was of Gallim CHAP. XXVI 1 Saul by the diseovery of the Ziphites cometh to Hachilah against David 4 David coming into the trench stayeth Abishai from killing Saul but taketh his spear and cruse 13 David reproveth Abner 18 and exhorteth Saul 21 Saul acknowledgeth his sin ANd the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah saying * Chap. 28.19 Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah which is before Jeshimon 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph. 3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah which is before Jeshimon by the way but David abode in the wilderness and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness 4 David therefore sent out spies and understood that Saul was come in very deed 5 ¶ And David arose and came to the place where Saul had pitched and David beheld the place where Saul lay and * Chap. 14.50 17.55 Abner the son of Ner the captain of his host and Saul lay in the ‖ Or midst of his carriages trench and the people pitched round about him 6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah brother to Joab saying Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp And Abishai said I will go down with thee 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night and behold Saul lay sleeping within the trench and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster but Abner and the people lay round about him 8 Then said Abishai to David God hath †Heb. shut up delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day now therefore let me smite him I pray thee with the spear even to the earth at once and I will not smite him the second time 9 And David said to Abishai Destroy him not for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORDS anointed and be guiltless 10 David said furthermore As the LORD liveth the LORD shall smite him or his day shall come to die or he shall descend into battel and perish 11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORDS anointed but I pray thee take thou now the spear that is at his bolster and the cruse of water and let us go 12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Sauls bolster and they gat them away and no man saw it nor knew it neither awaked for they were all asleep because a deep sleep from the LORD was faln upon them 13 ¶ Then David went over to the other side and stood on the top of an hill afar off a great space being between them 14 And David cried to the people and to Abner the son of Ner saying Answerest thou not Abner Then Abner answered and said Who art thou that criest to the king 15 And David said to Abner Art not thou a valiant man and who is like to thee in Israel wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord 16 This thing is not good that thou hast done as the LORD liveth ye are †Heb. the sons of death worthy to die because ye have not kept your master the LORDS anointed and now see where the kings spear is and the cruse of water that was at his bolster 17 And Saul knew Davids voice and said Is this thy voice my son David And David said It is my voice my lord O king 18 And he said Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant for what have I done or what evil is in mine hand 19 Now therefore I pray thee let my lord the king hear the words of his servant If the LORD have stirred thee up against me let him †Heb. smell accept an offering but if they be the children of men cursed be they before the LORD for they have driven me out this day from †Heb. cleaving abiding in the inheritance of the LORD saying Go serve other gods 20 Now therefore let not my bloud fall to the earth before the face of the LORD for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains 21 ¶ Then said Saul I have sinned return my son David for I will no more do thee harm because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day
so will I certainly do this day 31 Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth and did reverence to the king and said Let my lord king David live for ever 32 ¶ And king David said Call me Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada And they came before the king 33 The king also said unto them Take with you the servants of your lord and cause Solomon my son to ride upon †Heb. which belongeth to me mine own mule and bring him down to Gihon 34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel and blow ye with the trumpet and say God save king Solomon 35 Then ye shall come up after him that he may come and sit upon my throne for he shall be king in my stead and I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah 36 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said Amen the LORD God of my lord the king say so too 37 As the LORD hath been with my lord the king even so be he with Solomon and make his throne greater then the throne of my lord king David 38 So Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites went down and caused Solomon to ride upon king Davids mule and brought him to Gihon 39 And Zadok the priest took an horn of oyl out of the tabernacle and anointed Solomon and they blew the trumpet and all the people said God save king Solomon 40 And all the people came up after him and the people piped with ‖ Or fluter pipes and rejoyced with great joy so that the earth rent with the sound of them 41 ¶ And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating and when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet he said Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar 42 And while he yet spake behold Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came and Adonijah said unto him Come in for thou art a valiant man and bringest good tidings 43 And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king 44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and the Cherethites and the Pelethites and they have caused him to ride upon the kings mule 45 And Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon and they are come up from thence rejoycing so that the city rang again this is the noise that ye have heard 46 And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom 47 And moreover the kings servants came to bless our lord king David saying God make the name of Solomon better then thy name and make his throne greater then thy throne and the king bowed himself upon the bed 48 And also thus said the king Blessed be the LORD God of Israel which hath given one to sit on my throne this day mine eyes even seeing it 49 And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid and rose up and went every man his way 50 ¶ And Adonijah feared because of Solomon and arose and went and caught hold on the horns of the altar 51 And it was told Solomon saying Behold Adonijah feareth king Solomon for lo he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar saying Let king Solomon swear unto in to day that he will not slay his servant with the sword 52 And Solomon said If he will shew himself a worthy man there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth but if wickedness shall be found in him he shall die 53 So king Solomon sent and they brought him down from the altar and he came and howed himself to king Solomon and Solomon said unto him Go to thine house CHAP. II. 1 David having given a charge to Solomon 3 of religiousness 5 of Joab 7 of Barzillai 8 of Shimei 10 dieth 12 Solomon uttâ—eâ—eth 13 Adonijiah moving Bath-sheba to sue unto Solomon for Abiathar is put tâ— dâ—ath 26 Abiathar having his life give him is detriâ—ed of the priesthood 28 Joah freeing to the borns of the altar is there slain 25 Beâ—â—â—ah is put in Joahs room and Zadok in Abâ—atrars 26 Shâ—mâ—â— conjineâ— to Jerusalem by occasion of â—coing thence to Gath is put to death NOw the days of David drew nigh that he should die and he charged Solomon his son saying 2 I go the way of all the earth be thou strong therefore and shew thy self a man 3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God to walk in his ways to keep his statutes and his commandments and his judgements and his testimomes as it is written in the law of Moses that thou mayest * Deu. 29.9 Jo. h. 1. ◠‖ Or. dâ— wisely prosper in all that thou doest and whithersoever thou turnest thy self 4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spoke concerning me saying If thy children take heed to their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul * 2 Sam. 7.12 there shall not †Heb. bâ—â—ut off from thee from the throne fail thee said he a man on the throne of Israel 5 Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel unto * 2 Sam. 3 2â— Abner the son of Ner and unto * 2 Sam. 20.10 Amasa the son of Jether whom he slew and †Heb. put shed the bloud of war in peace and put the bloud of war upon his girdle that was about his loyns and in his shoes that were on his feet 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace 7 But shew kindness unto the sons of * 2 Sam. 19.31 Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be of those that eat at thy table for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother 8 And behold thou hast with thee * 2 Sam. 16.5 Shimei the son of Gera a Benjamite of Bahurim which cursed me with a †Heb. strong grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim but he came down to meet me at Jordan and I sware to him by the LORD saying * 2 Sam. 19.22 I will not put thee to death with the sword 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless for thou art a wise man and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with bloud 10 So * Act. 2.29 13.36 David dept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David 11 And the days that David * 2 Sam. 5.4 1 Chr. 29.26 27. reigned over Israel were
so great 11 And God said to Solomon Because this was in thine heart and thou hast not asked riches wealth or honour nor the life of thine enemies neither yet hast asked long life but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thy self that thou mayest judge my people over whom I have made thee king 12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee and I will give thee riches and wealth and honour such as * 1 Chr. 29.25 Ch. 9.22 Eccles 2.9 none of the kings have had that have been before thâ—e neither shall there any after thee have the like 13 ¶ Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem from before the tabernacle of the congregation and reigned over Israel 14 * 1 Kin. â— 16 10 â—6 c. And Solomon gathered chariots and hors-men and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots and twelve thousand hors-men which he placed in the chariot-cities and with the king at Jerusalem 15 * 1 King 12.27 Chap. 9.27 And the king †Heb. 〈◊〉 made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones and cedar-trees made he as the sycomore-trees that are in the vale for abundance 16 * 1 King 10.28 Chap. 9.28 And †Heb. the â—oing forth of the horses which was Solomons Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt and linen yarn the kings merchants received the linen yarn at a price 17 And they fetcht up and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver and an horse for an hundred and fifty and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites and for the kings of Syria †Heb. by their hand by their means CHAP. II. 1 17 Solomons labourers for the building of the temple 3 His embassage to Huram for workmen and provision of stuff 11 Huram sendeth him a kinde answer ANd Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD and an house for his kingdom 2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them 3 ¶ And Solomon sent to ‖ Or Hiram 1 Kin. 5.1 Huram the king of Tyre saying As thou didst deal with David my father and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein even so deal with me 4 Behold I build an house to the name of the LORD my God to dedicate it to him and to burn before him †Heb. incâ—use of spices sweet incense and for the continual shew-bread and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening on the sabbaths and on the new moons and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God This is an ordinance for ever to Israel 5 And the house which I build is great for great is our God above all gods 6 * 1 King 8.27 Chap. 6.18 But who †Heb. hath retained or obtained strength is able to build him an house seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him who am I then that I should build him an house save onely to burn sacrifice before him 7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold and in silver and in brass and in iron and in purple and crimson and blue and that can skill †Heb. to grave gravings to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem whom David my father did provide 8 Send me also cedar-trees fir-trees and ‖ Or almuggim 1 Kings 10.11 algum-trees out of Lebanon for I know that thy servants can skill to out timber in Lebanon and behold my servants shall be with thy servants 9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance for the house which I am about to build shall be †Heb. great and wonderful wonderful great 10 And behold I will give to thy servants the hewers that cut timber twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat and twenty thousand measures of barley and twenty thousand baths of wine and twenty thousand baths oâ—oyl 11 ¶ Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing which he sent to Solomon Because the LORD hath loved his people he hath made thee king over them 12 Huram said moreover Blessed be the LORD-God of Israel that made heaven and earth who hath given to David the king a wise son †Heb knowing prudence and understanding eâ—dued with prudence and understanding that might build an house for the LORD and an house for his kingdom 13 And now I have sent a cunning man endued with understanding of Huram my fathers 14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan and his father was a man of Tyre skilful to work in gold and in silver in brass in iron in stone and in timber in purple in blue and in fine linen and in crimson also to grave any manner of graving and to finde out every device which shall be put to him with thy cunning men and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father 15 Now therefore the wheat and the barley the oyl and the wine which my lord hath spoken of let him send unto his servants 16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon †Heb. according to all thy need as much as thou shalt need and we will bring it to thee in flotes by sea to †Heb. Japho Joppa and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem 17 ¶ * As vers 2. And Solomon numbred all †Heb. the men the strangers the strangers that were in the land of Israel after the numbring wherewith David his father had numbred them and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred 18 And he set * As it is verser threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain and three thousand and six hundred over-seers to set the people a work CHAP. III. 1 The place and time of building the temple 3 The measure and ornaments of the house 11 The cherubims 14 The vail and pillars THen * 1 King 6.1 c. Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Morsah ‖ Or which was seen of David his father where the LORD appeared unto David his father in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of * 1 Chr. 21.18 ‖ Or Aâ—â—â—nah 2 Sam. 24.18 Ornan the Jebusite 2 And he began to build in the second day of the second moneth in the fourth year of his reign 3 ¶ Now these are the things * 1 King 6.2 wherein Solomon was †Heb. founded instructed for the building of the house of God The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits and the breadth twenty cubits 4 And the * 1 King 6.3 porch
Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign and he reigned three moneths in Jerusalem 3 And the king of Egypt †Heb. removed him put him down at Jerusalem and †Heb. muâ—cted condemned the land in an hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem and turned his name to Jehoiakim And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother and carried him to Egypt 5 ¶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God 6 Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and bound him in ‖ Or chains fetters to carry him to Babylon 7 * 2 Kin. 24.13 Dan. 1.1 2. Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon and put them in his temple at Babylon 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim and his abominations which he did and that which was found in him behold they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah and ‖ Or Jeconiah 1 Chr. 3.16 or Coniah Jer. 22.24 Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead 9 ¶ * 2 Kin. 24.8 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned three moneths and ten days in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD 10 And †Heb. at the return of the year when the year was expired king Nebuchadnezzar sent and brought him to Babylon with the †Heb. vâ—ssels of desire goodly vessels of the house of the LORD and made ‖ Or. Mattaniah 2 King 24.17 * Jer. 37.1 Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem 11 ¶ * 2 Kin. 24.18 Jer. 52.1 c. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem 12 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD 13 And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear by God but he stiffned his neck and hardned his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel 14 ¶ Moreover all the chief of the priests and the people transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem 15 * Jer. 25.2 4. and 35.15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them †Heb. by the hand of his messengers by his messengers rising up ‖ That is continually and carefully betimes and sending because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place 16 But they mocked the messengers of God and despised his words and misused his prophets until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people till there was no †Heb. healing remedy 17 * 2 Kin. 25.1 c. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Caldees who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion upon young man or maiden old man or him that stooped for age he gave them all into his hand 18 And all the vessels of the house of God great and small and the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king and of his princes all these he brought to Babylon 19 And they burnt the house of God and brake down the wall of Jerusalem and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof 20 And †Heb. the remainder from the sword them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Perâ—ia 21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of * Jer. 25 9 12. 29.10 Jeremiah until the land * Lev. 26.34 35 43. had enjoyed her sabbaths for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath to fulfil threescore and ten years 22 ¶ * Ezra 1.1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of * Jer. 25.12.13 29.10 Jeremiah might be acomplished the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing saying 23 Thus saith Cyrus king of Pesia All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem which is in Judah who is there among you of all his people the LORD his God be with him and let him go up ¶ EZRA CHAP. I. 1 The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple 5 The people provide for the return 7 Cyrus restoreth the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar NOw in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia that the word of the LORD * 2 Chr. 36.22 Jer. 25.12 29.10 by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia that he †Heb. caused a vâ—â—ce to â—ass made a Proclamation throughout all his kingdom and put it also in writing saying 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he hath * Isa 44.28 45.13 charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem which is in Judah 3 Who is there among you of all his people his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and build the house of the LORD God of Israel he is the God which is in Jerusalem 4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth let the men of his place †Heb. lift him up help him with silver and with gold and with goods and with beasts besides the free-will-offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem 5 ¶ Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin and the priests and the Levites with all them whose spirit God had raised to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem 6 And all they that were about them ‖ This is helped them strengthned their hands with vessels of silver with gold with goods and with beasts and with precious things besides all that was willingly offered 7 ¶ Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD * 2 King 24.12 2 Chr. â—6 â— which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem and had put them in the house of his gods 8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring sorth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer and numbred them unto
of the field had shadow under it and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof and all flesh was fâ—d of it 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed and behold a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven 14 He cried †Cald. with might aloud and faid thus How down the tree and cut off his branches shake off his leaves and scatter his fruit let the beasts get away from under it and the fowls from his branches 15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth even with a band of iron and brass in the tender grass of the field and let it be wet with the dew of heaven and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth 16 Let his heart be changed from mans and let a beasts heart be given unto him and let seven times pass over him 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by the word of the holy ones to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth up over it the basest of men 18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen now thou O Belteshazzar declare the interpretation thereof forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation but thou art able for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee 19 ¶ Then Daniel whose name was Belteshazzar was astonied for one hour and his thoughts troubled him the king spake and said Belteshazzar let not the dream or the interpretation thereof trouble thee Belteshazzar answered and said My lord the dream be to them that hate thee and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies 20 The tree that thou sawest which grew was strong whose height reached unto the heaven and the â—ight thereof to all the earth 21 Whose leaves were fair and the fruit thereof much and in it was meat for all under which the beasts of the field dwelt and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation 22 It is thou O king that art grown and become strong for thy greatness is grown and reacheth unto heaven and thy dominion to the end of the earth 23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven and saying Hew the tree down and destroy it yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth even with a band of iron and brass in the tender grass of the field and let it be wet with the dew of heaven and let his portion be with the beasts of the field till seven times pass over him 24 This is the interpretation O king and this is the decree of the most High which is come upon my lord the king 25 That they shall * Ch. 5.21 c. drive thee from men and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven and seven times shall pass over thee till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree-roots thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule 27 Wherefore O king let my counsel be acceptable unto thee and break off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor if it may be ‖ Or an beaâ—ing of thineerroâ—â— a lengthning of thy tranquillity 28 ¶ All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar 29 At the end of twelve moneths he walked ‖ Or upon in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon 30 The king spake and said Is not this great Babylon that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honour of my majesty 31 While the word was in the kings mouth there fell a voice from heaven saying O king Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken The kingdom is departed from thee 32 And they shall drive thee from men and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will 33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar and he was driven from men and did eat grass as oxen and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hairs were grown like eagles feathers and his nails like birds claws 34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lift up mine eyes unto heaven and mine understanding returned unto me and I blessed the most High and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever whose dominion is * Ch. 7.14 Mic. 4.7 Lu. 1.33 an everlasting dominion and his kingdom is from generation to generation 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him * Job 9.12 If. 45.9 What doest thou 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me and for the glory of my kingdom mine honour and brightness returned unto me and my counsellours and my lords sought unto me and I was established in my kingdom and excellent majesty was added unto me 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven all whose works are truth and his ways judgement and those that walk in pride he is able to abase CHAP. V. 1 Belshazzars impious â—east 5 A â—and-writing unknown to the magicians troubleth the king 10 At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought 17 He reproving the king of pride and idolatry 25 readeth and interpreteth the writing 30 The monarchy is translated to the Medes BElshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords and drank wine before the thousand 2 Belshazzar whiles he tasted the wine commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had †Cald. brought forth taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem that the king and his princes his wives and his concubines might drink therein 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem and the king and his princes his wives and his concubines drank in them 4 They drunk wine and praised the gods of gold and of silver of brass of iron of wood and of stone 5 ¶ In the same hour came forth fingers of a mans hand and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the kings palace and the king saw the
part of the hand that wrote 6 Then the kings †Cald. brightnessâ—â— countenance †Cald. changed iâ— was changed and his thoughts troubled him so that the ‖ Or girdles †Cald. bindings oâ— knots joynts of his loyns were loosed and his knees smote one against another 7 The king cried †Cald. with might aloud to bring in the astrologers the Caldeans and the soothsayers and the king spake and said to the wise men of Babylon Whosoever shall read this writing and shew me the interpretation thereof shall be clothed with ‖ Or purpâ—â— scarlet and have a chain of gold about his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom 8 Then came in all the kings wise men but they could not read the writing nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled and his †Cald. brightnesses countenance was changed in him and his lords were astonied 10 ¶ Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet-house and the queen spake and said O king live for ever let not thy thoughts trouble thee nor let thy countenance be changed 11 * Ch. 2.48 There is a man in thy kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods and in the days of thy ‖ Or grandfather father light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods was found in him whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy ‖ Or grandfather father the king I say thy father made * Ch. 4.9 master of the magicians astrologers Caldeans and soothsayers 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit and knowledge and understanding ‖ Or of an interpreter c. interpreting of dreams and shewing of hard sentences and ‖ Or of a dissolver dissolving of †Cald. knots doubts were found in the same Daniel whom the king named Belteshazzar now let Daniel be called and he will shew the interpretation 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king and the king spake and said unto Daniel Art thou that Daniel which art of the children of the captivity of Judah whom the king my ‖ Or grandfather father brought out of Jewry 14 I have even heard of thee that the spirit of the gods is in thee and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee 15 And now the wise men the astrologers have been brought in before me that they should read this writing and make known unto me the interpretation thereof but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing 16 And I have heard of thee that thou canst †Cald. interpret make interpretations and dissolve doubts now if thou canst read the writing and make known to me the interpretation thereof thou shalt be clothed with scarlet and have a chain of gold about thy neck and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom 17 ¶ Then Daniel answered and said before the king Let thy gifts be to thy self and give thy ‖ Or feâ— as Ch. 2.6 rewards to another yet I will read the writing unto the king and make known to him the interpretation 18 O thou king the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom and majesty and glory and honour 19 And for the majesty that he gave him all people nations and languages trembled and feared before him whom he would be slew and whom he would he kept alive and whom he would he set up and whom he would he put down ‖ Or to dead proudly 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his minde hardned in pride he was †Cald. made to come down deposed from his kingly throne and they took his glory from him 21 And he was * Ch. 4.22 driven from the sons of men and ‖ Or he made his heart equal c. his heart was made like the beasts and his dwelling was with the wilde asses they fed him with grass like oxen and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will 22 And thou his son O Belshazzar hast not humbled thine heart though thou knewest all this 23 But hast lifted up thy self against the Lord of heaven and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee and thou and thy lords thy wives and thy concubines have drunk wine in them and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold of brass iron wood and stone which see not nor hear nor know and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways hast thou not glorified 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him and this writing was written 25 ¶ And this is the writing that was written MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN 26 This is the interpretation of the thing MENE God hath numbred thy kingdom and finished it 27 TEKEL thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting 28 PERES thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians 29 Then commanded Belshazzar and they clothed Daniel with scarlet and put a chain of gold about his neck and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom 30 ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Caldeans slain 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom †Cald. he as the son of c. being ‖ Or now about threescore and two year old CHAP. VI. 1 Daniel is made chief of the presidents 4 They couspiring against him obtain an idolatrous decree 10 Daniel accused of the breach thereof is cast into the lions den 18 Daniel is saved 24 his adversaries devoured 25 and God magnified by a decree IT pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes which should be over the whole kingdom 2 And over these three presidents of whom Daniel was first that the princes might give accounts unto them and the king should have no damage 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him and the king thought to set him over the whole realm 4 ¶ Then the presidents and princes sought to finde occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom but they could finde none occasion nor fault forasmuch as he was faithful neither was there any errour or fault found in him 5 Then said these men We shall not finde any occasion against this Daniel except we finde it against him concerning the law of his God 6 Then these presidents and princes †Or came â—â—multâ—â—ously assembled together to the king and said thus unto him King Darius live for ever 7 All the presidents of the kingdom the governours and the princes the counsellours and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm ‖
Or interdict decree that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days save of thee O king he shall be cast into the den of lions 8 Now O king establish the decree and signe the writing that it be not changed according to the * Esth 1.19 and 8,8 law of the Medes and Persians which †Cald. passeth not altereth not 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree 10 ¶ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his house and his windows being open in his chamber * 1 Kin. 8.48 toward Jerusalem he kneeled upon his knees * Ps 55.17 three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God 12 Then they came near and spake before the king concerning the kings decree Hast thou not signed a decree that every man that shall ask a petition of any God of man within thirty days save of thee O king shall be cast into the den of lions The king answered and said The thing is true according to the law of the Medes and Pertians which altereth not 13 Then answered they and said before the king That Daniel which is of the children of the captivity of Judah regardeth not thee O king nor the decree that thou hast signed but maketh his petition three times a day 14 Then the king when he heard these words was sore displeased with himself and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him 15 Then these men assembled unto the king and said unto the king Know O king that the law of the Medes and Persians is that no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed 16 Then the king commanded and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions now the king spake and said unto Daniel Thy God whom thou servest continually he will deliver thee 17 And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel 18 ¶ Then the king went to his palace and passed the night fasting neither were ‖ Or table instruments of musick brought before him and his sleep went from him 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste unto the den of lions 20 And when he came to the den he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel and the king spake and said to Daniel O Daniel servant of the living God is thy God whom thou servest continually able to deliver thee from the lions 21 Then said Daniel unto the king O king live for ever 22 My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions mouths that they have not hurt me forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me and also before thee O king have I done no hurt 23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den so Daniel was taken up out of the den and no manner of hurt was found upon him because he beleeved in his God 24 ¶ And the king commanded and they brought those men which had accused Daniel and they cast them into the den of lions them their children and their wives and the lions had the mastery of them and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den 25 ¶ Then king Darius wrote unto all people nations and languages that dwell in all the earth Peace be multiplied unto you 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for he is the living God and stedfast for ever and his kingdom that which shall not be * Ch. 2.44 and 4.3 7 14.2â— Luk. 1.33 destroyed and his dominion shall be even unto the end 27 He delivereth and rescueth and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth who hath delivered Daniel from the †Heb. band power of the lions 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of * Ch. 1.21 Cyrus the Persian CHAP. VII 1 Daniels vision of four beasts 9 of Gods kingdom 15 The interpretation thereof IN the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel †Cald. saâ—â— had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the ‖ Or words matters 2 Daniel spake and said I saw in my vision by night and behold the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea diverse one from another 4 The first was like a lion and had eagles wings and I beheld till the wings thereof were pluckt ‖ Or wherewith and it was lifted up from the earth and made stand upon the feet as a man a mans heart was given to it 5 And behold another beast a second like to a bear and ‖ Or it raised up one dominion it raised up it self on one side and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it and they said thus unto it Arise devour much flesh 6 After this I beheld and lo another like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl the beast had also four heads and dominion was given to it 7 After this I saw in the night-visions and behold a fourth beast dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly and it had great iron teeth it devoured and brake in pieces and stamped the residue with the feet of it and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it and it had ten horns 8 I considered the horns and behold there came up among them another little horn before whom there were three of the first horns pluckt up by the roots and behold in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things 9 ¶ I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow and the hair of his head like the pure wooli his throne was like the fiery flame and his wheels as burning fire 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him * Rev. 5. â—â— thousand thousands ministred unto him ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him the judgement was set and the * Rev. 17.12 books were opened 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake I beheld even till the beast was slain and his body destroyed and given to the burning flame 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts they had their dominion taken away yet
that sinned and ‖ Or â—ne ungodly did wickedly against the Lord above all people and kingdoms and how they grieved him ‖ Or sensibly exceedingly so that the words of the Lord rose up against Israel 25 * 2 Chr. 35.20 Now after all these acts of Josias it came to pass that Pharaoh the king of Egypt came to raise war at Carchamis upon Euphrates and Josias went out against him 26 But the king of Egypt sent to him saying What have I to do with thee O king of Judea 27 I am not sent out from the Lord God against thee for my war is upon Euphrates and now the Lord is with me yea the Lord is with me hasting me forward depart from me and be not against the Lord. 28 Howbeit Josias did not turn back his chariot from him but undertook to fight with him not regarding the words of the prophet Jeremy spoken by the mouth of the Lord 29 But joyned battel with him in the plain of Magiddo and the princes came against king Josias 30 Then said the king unto his servants Carry me away out of the battel for I am very weak and immediately his servants took him away out of the battel 31 Then gat he up upon his second chariot and being brought back to Jerusalem died and was buried in his fathers sepulchre 32 And in all Jewry they mourned for Josias yea Jeremy the prophet lamented for Josias and the chief men with the women made lamentation for him unto this day and this was given out for an ordinance to be done continually in all the nation of Israel 33 These things are written in the book of the stories of the kings of Judah and every one of the acts that Josias did and his glory and his understanding in the law of the Lord and the things that he had done before and the things now recited are reported in the book of the kings of Israel and Judea 34 * 2 Kings 23.30 2 Chr. 36 1â— And the people took Joachaz the son of Josias and made him king in stead of Josias his father when he was twenty and three years old 35 And he reigned in Judea and in Jerusalem three moneths and then the king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem 36 And he set a tax upon the land of an hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold 37 The king of Egypt also made king Joacim his brother king of Judea and Jerusalem 38 And he bound Joacim and the nobles but Zaraces his brother he apprehended and brought him out of Egypt 39 Five and twenty years old was * 2 Chr. 36 4 5. Jeboiakim or Ellakim Joacim when he was made king in the land of Judea and Jerusalem and he did evil before the Lord. 40 Wherefore against him Nebuchodonosor the king of Babylon came up and bound him with a chain of brass and carried him unto Babylon 41 Nebuchodonosor also took of the holy vessels of the Lord and carried them away and set them in his own temple at Babylon 42 But those things that are recorded of him and of his uncleanness and impiety are written in the chronicles of the kings 43 And Joacim his son reigned in his stead he was made king being eighteen years old 44 And reigned but three moneths and ten days in Jerusalem and did evil before the Lord. 45 So after a year Nebuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought into Babylon with the holy vessels of the Lord 46 And made Zedechias king of Judea and Jerusalem when he was one and twenty years old and he reigned eleven years 47 And he did evil also in the sight of the Lord and cared not for the words that were spoken unto him by the prophet Jeremy from the mouth of the Lord. 48 And after that king Nebuchodonosor had made him to swear by the name of the Lord he forswore himself and rebelled and hardning his neck and his heart he transgressed the laws of the Lord God of Israel 49 The governours also of the people and of the priests did many things against the laws and passed all the pollutions of all nations and defiled the temple of the Lord which was sanctified in Jerusalem 50 Nevertheless the God of their fathers sent by his messenger to call them back because he spared them and his tabernacle also 51 But they had his messengers in derision and look when the Lord spake unto them they made a sport of his prophets 52 So far forth that he being wroth with his people for their great ungodliness commanded the kings of the Caldees to come up against them 53 Who slew their young men with the sword yea even within the compass of their holy temple and spared neither young man nor maid old man nor childe among them for he delivered all into their hands 54 And they took all the holy vessels of the Lord both great and small with the vessels of the ark of God and the kings treasures and carried them away into Babylon 55 As for the house of the Lord they burnt it brake down the walls of Jerusalem set fire upon her towers 56 And as for her glorious things they never ceased till they had consumed and brought them all to nought and the people that were not slain with the sword he carried unto Babylon 57 Who became servants to him and his children till the Persians reigned to fulfil the * Jer. 25.11 29.10 word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremy 58 Until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths the whole time of her desolation shall she ‖ Or keep sabbath rest until the full term of seventy years CHAP. II. 1 Cyrus is moved by God to build the temple 5 and giveth leave to the Jews to return and contribute to it 11 He delivereth again the vessels which had been taken thence 25 Artaxerxes forbiddeth the Jews to build any more IN the * 2 Chr. 36.22 Ezra 1.1 c. first year of Cyrus king of the Persians that the word of the Lord might be accomplished that he had promised by the mouth of Jeremy 2 The Lord raised up the spirit of Cyrus the king of the Persians and he made proclamation through all his kingdom and also by writing 3 Saying Thus saith Cyrus king of the Persians The Lord of Israel the most high Lord hath made me king of the whole world 4 And commanded me to build him an house at Jerusalem in Jewry 5 If therefore there be any of you that are of his people let the Lord even his Lord be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea and build the house of the Lord of Israel for ‖ Or this he is the Lord that dwelleth in Jerusalem 6 Whosoever then dwell in the places about let them help him those I say that are his neighbours with gold and with silver 7 With gifts with horses and with cattel and other
unrighteousness and she is the strength kingdom power and majesty of all ages Blessed be the God of truth 41 And with that he held his peace and all the people then shouted and said Great is truth and mighty above all things 42 Then said the king unto him Ask what thou wilt more then is appointed in the writing and we will give it thee because thou art found wisest and thou shalt sit next me and shalt be called my cousin 43 Then said he unto the king Remember thy vow which thou hast vowed to build Jerusalem in the day when thou camest to thy kingdom 44 And to send away all the vessels that were taken away out of Jerusalem which Cyrus set apart when he vowed to destroy Babylon and to send them again thither 45 Thou also hast vowed to build up the temple which the Edomites burnt when Judea was made desolate by the Caldees 46 And now O lord the king this is that which I require and which I desire of thee and this is the princely liberality proceeding from thy self I desire therefore that thou make good the vow the performance whereof with thine own mouth thou hast vowed to the king of heaven 47 Then Darius the king stood up and kissed him and wrote letters for him unto all the treasurers and lieutenants and captains and governours that they should safely convey on their way both him and all those that go up with him to build Jerusalem 48 He wrote letters also unto the lieutenants that were in Celosyria and Phenice and unto them in Libanus that they should bring cedar-wood from Libanus unto Jerusalem and that they should build the city with him 49 Moreover he wrote for all the Jews that went out of his realm up into Jury concerning their freedom that no officer no ruler no lieutenant nor ‖ Or sâ—â—oâ—d treasurer should forcibly enter into their doors 50 And that all the countrey which they hold should be free without tribute and that the Edomites should give over the villages of the Jews which then they held 51 Yea that there should be yearly given twenty talents to the building of the temple until the time that it were built 52 And other ten talents yearly to maintain the burnt offerings upon the altar every day as they had a commandment to offer seventeen 53 And that all they that went from Babylon to build the city should have free liberty as well they as their posterity and all the priests that went away 54 He wrote also concerning the charges and the priests vestments wherein they minister 55 And likewise for the charges of the Levites to be given them until the day that the house were finished and Jerusalem builded up 56 And he commanded to give to all that kept the city ‖ Or portions of â—and pensions and wages 57 He sent away also all the vessels from Babylon that Cyrus had set apart and all that Cyrus had given in commandment the same charged he also to be done and sent unto Jerusalem 58 Now when this young man was gone forth he lifted up his face to heaven toward Jerusalem and praised the King of heaven 59 And said From thee cometh victory from thee cometh wisdom and thine is the glory and I am thy servant 60 Blessed art thou who hast given me wisdom for to thee I give thanks O Lord of our fathers 61 And so he took the letters and went out and came unto Babylon and told it all his brethren 62 And they praised the God of their fathers because he had given them freedom and liberty 63 To go up and to build Jerusalem and the temple which is called by his name and they feasted with instruments of musick and gladness seven days CHAP. V. 4 The names and number of the Jews that returned home 50 The altar is set up in his place 57 The foundation of the temple is laid 73 The work is hindred for a time AFter this were the principal men of the families chosen according to their tribes to go up with their wives and sons and daughters with their men-servants and maid-servants and their cattel 2 And Darius sent with them a thousand hors-men till they had brought them back to Jerusalem safely and with musical instruments tabrets and flutes 3 And all their brethren played and he made them go up together with them 4 And these are the names of the men which went up according to their families amongst their tribes after their several heads 5 The priests the sons of Phinees the son of Aaron Jesus the son of Josdec the son of Saraias and ‖ â—rachim and Zâ—rotabel This place is corrupt for Joachim was the son if Josedech Neh. 12.10 and not Zorobabel who was of the tribe of Judah Joacim the son of Zorohabel the son of Salathiel of the house of David out of the kindred of Phares of the tribe of Judah 6 * Zorobabel Who spake wise sentences before Darius the king of Persia in the second year of his reign in the moneth Nisan which is the first moneth 7 And these are they of Jewry that came up from the captivity where they dwelt as strangers whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon 8 And they returned unto Jerusalem and to the other parts of Jewry every man to his own city who came wâ—â—â— Zoroâ—abâ—l with Jesus Nehemias and * Saraiah Zacharias and Reesaias Enemus Mardocheus Beelsarus * Or Mispar Aspharasus * Or Beelaiah Reelius Roimus and Baana their guides 9 The number of them of the nation and their governours sons of * Parosh Ezra 2.3 Neh. 7.8 where for brevity look for the true numbers of the particulars following for here they vary much and the names much more Phoros two thousand an hundred seventy and two the sons of * Shephatiah Saphat * Or three hundred seventy two four hundred seventy and two 10 The sons of Ares seven hundred fifty and six 11 The sons of Phaath Moab two thousand eight hundred and twelve 12 The sons of Elam a thousand two hundred fifty and four the sons of * Zattu Zathui nine hundred fourty and five the sons of * Zaachai Corbe seven hundred and five the sons of Bani six hundred fourty and eight 13 The sons of Bebai six hundred twenty and three the sons of * Asâ—ad Sadas three thousand two hundred twenty and two 14 The sons of Adonicam six hundred sixty and seven the sons of * Biâ—ui Bagoi two thousand sixty and six the sons of Adin four hundred fifty and four 15 The sons of * Aper-bezekiah Aterezias ninety and two the sons of Ceilan and Azetas threescore and seven the sons of Azuran four hundred thirty and two 16 The sons of Ananias an hundred and one the sons of Arom thirty two and the sons of * Bezai Bassa three hundred twenty and three the sons
And so they through mine hypocrisie and desire to live a little time and a moment longer should be deceived by me and I get a slain to mine old age and make it abominable 26 For though for the present time I should be delivered from the punishment of men yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead 27 Wherefore now manfully changing this life I will shew my self such an one as mine age requireth 28 And leave a notable example to such as be young to die willingly and couragiously for the honourable and holy laws and when he had said these words immediately he went to the torment 29 They that led him changing the good will they bare him a little before into hatred because the foresaid speeches proceeded as they thought from ‖ Or madness or â—ridâ— a desparate minde 30 But when he was ready to die with stripes he groaned and said It is manifest unto the Lord that hath the holy knowledge that whereas I might have been delivered from death I now endure sore pains in body by being beaten but in soul am well content to suffer these things because I fear him 31 And thus this man died leaving his death for an example of a noble courage and a memorial of vertue not onely unto young men but unto all his nation CHAP. VII The constancy and cruel death of seven brethren and their mother in one day because they would not eat swines flesh at the kings commandment IT came to pass also that seven brethren with their mother were taken and compelled by the king against the law to taste swines flesh and were tormented with scourges and whips 2 But one of them that spake first said thus What wouldest thou ask or learn of us we are ready to die rather then to transgress the laws of our fathers 3 Then the king being in a rage commanded pans and caldrons to be made but. 4 Which forthwith being heared he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first and to cut off the utmost parts of his body the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on 5 Now when he was thus maimed in all his members he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire and to be fried in the pan and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully saying thus 6 The Lord God looketh upon us and in truth hath comfort in us as * Deu. 32.36 Moses in his song which witnessed to their faces declared saying And he shall be comforted in his servants 7 So when the first was dead after this manner they brought the second to make him a mocking-stock and when they had Pulled off the skin of his head with the hair they asked him Wilt thou eat before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body 8 But he answered in his own language and said No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order as the former did 9 And when he was at the last gasp he said Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life but the King of the world shall raise us up who have died for his laws unto everlasting life 10 After him was the third made a mocking-stock and when he was required he put out his tongue and that right soon holding forth his hands manfully 11 And said couragiously These I had from heaven and for his laws I despise them and from him I hope to receive them again 12 Insomuch that the king and they that were with him marvelled at the young mans courage for that he nothing regarded the pains 13 Now when this man was dead also they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner 14 So when he was ready to die he said thus It is good being put to death by men to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him as for thee thou shalt have no resurrection to life 15 Afterward they brought the fifth also and mangled him 16 Then looked he unto the king and said Thou hast power over men thou art corruptible thou doest what thou wilt yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God 17 But abide a while and behold his great power how he will torment thee and thy seed 18 After him also they brought the sixth who being ready to die said Be not deceived without cause for we suffer these things for our selves having sinned against our God therefore marvellous things are done unto us 19 But think not thou that takest in hand to strive against God that thou shalt escape unpunished 20 But the mother was marvellous above all and worthy of honourable memory for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day she bare it with a good courage because of the hope that she had in the Lord. 21 Yea she exhorted every one of them in her own language filled with couragious spirits and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach she said unto them 22 I cannot tell how you came into my womb for I neither gave you breath nor life neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you 23 But doubtless the Creatour of the world who formed the generation of man and found out the beginning of all things will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again as you now regard not your own selves for his laws sake 24 Now Antiochus thinking himself despised and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech whilest the youngest was yet alive did not onely exhort him by words but also assured him with oaths that he would make him both a rich and a happy man if he would turn from the laws of his fathers and that also he would take him for his friend and trust him with affairs 25 But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him the king called his mother and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life 26 And when he had exhorted her with many words she promised him that she would counsel her son 27 But she bowing her self towards him laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn spake in her countrey language on this manner O my son have pity upon me that bare thee nine moneths in my womb and gave thee such three years and nourished thee and brought thee up unto this age and endured the troubles of education 28 I beseech thee my son look upon the heaven and the earth and all that is therein and consider that God made them of things that were not and so was mankinde made likewise 29 Fear not this tormentour but being worthy of thy brethren take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren 30 Whiles she was yet speaking these words the young man said Whom wait ye for I will not obey the kings
encourageth his men by his dream 28 Nicanor is slain BUt Nicanor hearing that Judas and his company were in the strong places about Samatis resolved without any danger to set upon them on the sabbath-day 2 Nevertheless the Jews that were compelled to go with him said O destroy not so cruelly and barbarously but give honour to that day which he that seeth all things hath honoured with holiness above other days 3 Then the most ungracious wretch demanded if there were a mighty One in heaven that had commanded the sabbath-day to be kept 4 And when they said There is in heaven a living Lord and mighty who commanded the seventh day to be kept 5 Then said the other And I also am mighty upon earth and I command to take arms and to do the kings business yet he obtained not to have his wicked will done 6 So Nicanor in exceeding pride and haughtiness determined to set up a publick monument of his victory over Judas and them that were with him 7 But Maccabeus had ever sure confidence that the Lord would help him 8 Wherefore he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the heathen against them but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven and now to expect the victory and aid which should come unto them from the Almighty 9 And so comforting them out of the law and the prophets and withal patting them in minde of the battels that they won afore he made them more cheerful 10 And when he had stirred up their minds he gave them their charge shewing them therewithal the falshood of the heathen and the breach of oaths 11 Thus he armed every one of them not so much with defence of shields and spears as with comfortable and good words and besides that he told them a dream worthy to be beleeved as if it had been so indeed which did not a little rejoyce them 12 And this was his vision That Onias who had been high priest a vertuous and a good man reverend in conversation gentle in condition well spoken also and exercised from a childe in all points of vertue holding up his hands prayed for the whole body of the Jews 13 This done in like manner there appeared a man with gray hairs and exceeding glorious who was of a wonderful and excellent majesty 14 Then Onias answered saying This is a lover of the brethren who prayeth much for the people and for the holy city to wit Jeremias the prophet of God 15 Whereupon Jeremias holding forth his right hand gave to Judas a sword of gold and in giving it spake thus 16 Take this holy sword a gift from God with the which thou shalt wound the adversaries 17 Thus being well comforted by the words of Judas which were very good and able to stir them up to valour and to encourage the hearts of the young men they determined not to pitch camp but couragiously to set upon them and manfully to try the matter by conflict because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger 18 For the care that they took for their wives and their children their brethren and kinsfolks was in least account with them but the greatest and principal fear was for the holy temple 19 Also they that were in the city took not the least care being troubled for the conflict abroad 20 And now when as all looked what should be the trial and the enemies were already come near and the army was set in aray and the beasts convenienty placed and the hors-men set in wings 21 Maccabeus seeing the coming of the multitude and the divers preparations of armour and the fierceness of the beasts stretched out his hands towards heaven and called upon the Lord that worketh wonders knowing that victory cometh not by arms but even as it seemeth good to him he giveth it to such as are worthy 22 Therefore in his prayer he said after this manner O Lord thou didst send thine angel in the time of Ezekias king of Judea and didst slay in the host of Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand 23 Wherefore now also O Lord of heaven send a good angel before us for a fear and dread unto them 24 And through the might of thine arm let those be stricken with terrour that come against thy holy people to blaspheme And he ended thus 25 Then Nicanor and they that were with him came forward with trumpets and songs 26 But Judas and his company encountred the enemies with invocation and prayer 27 So that fighting with their hands and praying unto God with their hearts they slew no less then thirty and five thousand men for through the appearance of God they were greatly cheered 28 Now when the battel was done returning again with joy they knew that Nicanor lay dead in his harness 29 Then they made a great shout and a noise praising the Almighty in their own language 30 And Judas who was ever the chief defender of the citizens both in body and minde and who continued his love towards his countreymen all his life commanded to strike off Nicanors head and his hand with his shoulder and bring them to Jerusalem 31 So when he was there and had called them of his nation together and set the priests before the altar he sent for them that were of the towre 32 And shewed them vile Nicanors head and the hand of that blasphemer which with proud brags he had stretched out against the holy temple of the Almighty 33 And when he had cut out the tongue of that ungodly Nicanor he commanded that they should give it by pieces unto the fowls and hang up the reward of his madness before the temple 34 So every man praised toward the heaven the glorious Lord saying Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled 35 He hanged also Nicanors head upon the towre an evident and manifest signe unto all of the help of the Lord. 36 And they ordained all with a common decree in no case to let that day pass without solemnity but to celebrate the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar the day before Mardocheus day 37 Thus went it with Nicanor and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power And here will I make an end 38 And if I have done well and as is fitting the story it is that which I desired but it slenderly and meanly it is that which I could attain unto 39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone and as wine mingled with water is pleasant and delighteth the tast even so speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story And here shall be an end The end of the Apocrypha THE NEW TESTAMENT OF OUR LORD and SAVIOUR JESVS CHRIST Newly translated out of the original Greek and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised By his MAJESTIES special
my name 9 Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lie behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth 11 Behold I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God which it new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God and I will write upon him my new name 13 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write ‖ Or in Laodius These things saith the Amen the faithful and true witness the beginning of the creation of God 15 I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot I would thou wert cold or hot 16 So then because thou art luke-warm and neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my mouth 17 Because thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blinde and naked 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayest be rich and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve that thou mayest see 19 * Pr. 2. â—â— Heb. 12. â— As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and repent 20 Behold I stand at the door and knock If any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne 22 He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches CHAP. IV. 2 John seeth the throne of God in heaven 4 The four and twenty elders 6 The four beasts full of eves before and behinde 10 The elders lay down their crowns and worship him that sat on the throne AFter this I looked and behold a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me which said Come up hither and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter 2 And immediately I was in the spirit and behold a throne was set in heaven and one sat on the throne 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper a sardine stone there was a rainbowe round about the throne in sight like unto an emerald 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment and they had on their heads crowns of gold 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thundrings and voices And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal And in the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behinde 7 And the first beast was like a lion and the second beast like a calf and the third beast had a face as a man and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and †Gr. they have no rest they rest not day and night saying * Isa 6.3 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is is to come 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne who liveth for ever and ever 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying 11 * Ch. 5.12 Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created CHAP. V. 1 The book sealed with seven seals 9 which onely the Lamb that was slain is worthy to open 12 Therefore the elders praise him 9 and confess that he redeemed them with his blood ANd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof 3 And no man in heaven nor in earth neither under the earth was able to open the book neither to look thereon 4 And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book neither to look thereon 5 And one of the elders saith unto me Weep not behold * Gen. 19.9 the Lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof 6 And I behold and lo in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts and in the midst of the elders stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne 8 And when he had taken the book the four beasts and four and twenty eiders fell down before the Lamb having every one of them harps and golden vials full of ‖ Or inâ—nse odours which are the prayers of saints 9 And they sung a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy bloud out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation 10 * 1 Pet. 2.9 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth 11 And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders and the number of them was * Dan. 7.10 ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands 12 Saying with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under