6 Those of the Jews that be called Assideans whose captain is Judas Maccabeus nourish war and are seditious and will not let the realm be in peace 7 Therefore I being deprived of mine ancestours honour I mean the high priesthood am now come hither 8 First verily for the unseigned care I have of things pertaining to the king and secondly even for that I intend the good of mine own countreymen for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforesaid 9 Wherefore O king seeing thou knowest all these things he careful for the countrey and our nation which is pressed on every side according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all 10 For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state should be quiet 11 This was no sooner spoken of him but others of the kings friends being maliciously set against Judas did more incense Demetrius 12 And forthwith calling Nicanor who had been master of the elephants and making him governour over Judea he sent him forth 13 Commanding him to slay Judas and to scatter them that were with him and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple 14 Then the heathen that had sled out of Judea from Judas came to Nicanor by flocks thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare 15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanors coming and that the heathen ‖ Or wâ—râ— joyned to them were up against them they cast earth upon their heads and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence 16 So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence and came near unto them at the town of Dessau 17 Now Simon Judas brother had joyned battle with Nicanor but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies 18 Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas and the couragiousness that they had to fight for their countrey durst not try the matter by the sword 19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius and Theodotus and Mattathias to make peace 20 So when they had taken long advisement thereupon and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith and it appeared that they were all of one minde they consented to the covenants 21 And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves and when the day came and stools were set for either of them 22 Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies so they made a peaceable conference 23 Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem and did no hurt but sent away the people that came flocking unto him 24 And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight for he loved the man from his heart 25 He prayed him also to take a wife and to beget children so he married was quiet and ‖ Or. lived together with him took part of this life 26 But Alcimus perceiving the love that was betwixt them and considering the convenants that were made came to Demetrius and told him that Nicanor was not well affected towards the state for that he had ordained Judas a traytour to his realm to be the kings successour 27 Then the king being in a rage and provoked by the accusations of the most wicked man wrote to Nicanor signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch 28 When this came to Nicanors hearing he was much confounded in himself and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon the man being in no fault 29 But because there was no dealing against the king he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy 30 Notwithstanding when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him and that he entreated him more roughly then he was wont perceiving that such sowr behaviour came not of good he gathered together not a few of his men and withdrew himself from Nicanor 31 But the other knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas policy came into the great and holy temple and commanded the priests that were offering their usual sacrifices to deliver him the man 32 And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought 33 He stretched out his right hand toward the temple and made an oath in this manner If you will not deliver me Judas as †Gr. bound a prisoner I will lay this temple of God even with the ground and I will break down the altar and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus 34 After these words he departed Then the priests lift up their hands towards heaven and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation saying in this manner 35 Thou O Lord of all things who hast need of nothing wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us 36 Therefore now O holy Lord of all holiness keep this house ever undefiled which lately was cleansed and stop every unrighteous mouth 37 Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis one of the elders of Jerusalem a lover of his countreymen and a man of very good report who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews 38 For in the former times when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles he had been accused of Judaism and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemencie for the religion of the Jews 39 So Nicanor willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews sent above five hundred men of war to take him 40 For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt 41 Now when the multitude would have taken the towre and violently broken into the utter door and bade that fire should be brought to burn it he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword 42 Choosing rather to die manfully then to come into the hands of the wicked to be abused otherwise then beseemed his noble birth 43 But missing his stroke through haste the multitude also rushing within the doors he ran boldly up to the wall and cast himself down manfully amongst the thickest of them 44 But they quickly giving back and a space being made he fell down into the midst of the void place 45 Nevertheless while there was yet breath within him being inflamed with anger he rose up and though his bloud gushed out like spouts of water and his wounds were grievous yet he ran through the midst of the throng and standing upon a steep rock 46 When as his bloud was now quite gone he pluckt out his bowels and taking them in both his hands he cast them upon the throng and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again he thus died CHAP. XV. 5 Nicanors blasphemy 8 Judas
fathers house have sinned 7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee and have not kept the commandments nor the statutes nor the judgements which thou commandedst thy servant Moses 8 Remember I beseech thee the word that thou commmandedst thy servant Moses saying * Deut. 4.25 c. If ye transgress I will scatter you abroad among the nations 9 But if ye turn unto me and keep my commandments and do them * Deut. 30.4 though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven yet will I gather them from thence and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there 10 Now these are thy servants and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power and by thy strong hand 11 O LORD I beseech thee let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant and to the prayer of thy servants who desire to fear thy name and prosper I pray thee thy servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man For I was the kings cup-bearer CHAP. II. 1 Artaxerxes understanding the cause of Nehemiahs sadness sendeth him with lâ—tters and commission to Jerusalem 9 Nehemiah to the grief of the enemies cometh to Jerusalem 12 He vieweth secretly the ruines of the walls 17 He inciteth the Jews to build in despite of the enemies ANd it came to pass in the moneth Nisan in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king that wine was before him and I took up the wine and gave it unto the king Now I had not been before-time sad in his presence 2 Wherefore the king said unto me Why is thy countenance sad seeing thou art not sick this is nothing else but sorrow of heart Then I was very sore afraid 3 And said unto the king Let the king live for ever why should not my countenance be sad when the city the place of my fathers sepulchres lieth waste and the gates thereof are consumed with fire 4 Then the king said unto me For what dost thou make request So I prayed to the God of heaven 5 And I said unto the king If it please the king and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight that thou wouldest send me unto Judah unto the city of my fathers sepulchres that I may build it 6 And the king said unto me the †Heb. wise queen also fitting by him For how long shall thy journey be and when wilt thou return So it pleased the king to send me and I set him a time 7 Moreover I said unto the king If it please the king let letters be given me to the governours beyond the river that they may convey me over till I come into Judah 8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the kings forest that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house and for the wall of the city and for the house that I shall enter into And the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me 9 ¶ Then I came to the governours beyond the river and gave them the kings letters Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsâ—men with me 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant the Ammonite heard of it it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel 11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days 12 ¶ And I arose in the night I and some sew men with me neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem neither was there any beast with me save the beast that I rode upon 13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley even before the dragon-well and to the dung-port and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and the gates thereof were consumed with fire 14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain and to the kings pool but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass 15 Then went I up in the night by the brook and viewed the wall and turned back and entred by the gate of the valley and so returned 16 And the rulers knew not whither I went or what I did neither had I as yet told it to the sews nor to the priests nor to the nobles nor to the rulers nor to the rest that did the work 17 ¶ Then said I unto them Ye see the distress that we are in how Jerusalem lieth waste and the gates thereof are burnt with tire come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem that we be no more a reproach 18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me as also the kings words that he had spoken unto me And they said Let us rise up and build So they strengthned their hands for this good work 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant the Ammonite and Geâ—hem the Arabian heard it they laughed us to scorn and despised us and said What is this thing that ye do will ye rebel against the king 20 Then answered I them and said unto them The God of heaven he will prosper us therefore we his servants will arise and build but you have no portion nor right nor memorial in Jerusalem CHAP. III. 1 The names and ordes of them that builded the wall THen Eliaship the high priest rose up with his brethren the prietis and they but it the sheep-gate they sanctified it and set up the dours of it even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it unto the tower of * Jer. 31 38. Hananeel 2 And †Heb. at his hand next unto him builded the men of Jericho and next to them builded Zaccur the son of Iâ—nri 3 But the fish-gate did the sons of Hassenaah build who also laid the beams thereof and set up the doors thereof the locks thereof and the bars thereoâ— 4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz and next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meâ—hezabeel and next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana 5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. 6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah they laid the beams thereof and set up the doors thereof and the locks thereof and the bars thereof 7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah unto the throne of the governour on this side the river 8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries and they ‖ Or left Jerusalem unto the broad wall fortified
thee to honour 38 And Balaam said unto Balak Lo I am come unto thee have I now any power at all to say any thing the word that God putteth in my mouth that shall I speak 39 And Balaam went with Balak and they came unto ‖ Or a city of streets .. Kirjath-huzoth 40 And Balak offered oxen and sheep and sent to Balaam and to the princes that were with him 41 And it came to pass on the morrow that Balak took Balaam and brought him up into the high places of Baal that thence he might see the utmost part of the people CHAP. XXIII 1 13 28 Balaks sacrifice 7 18 Balaams parable ANd Balaam said unto Balak Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams 2 And Balak did as Balaam had spoken and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bullock and a ram 3 And Balaam said unto Balak Stand by thy burnt-offering and I will go peradventure the LORD will come to meet me and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee And ‖ Or he went solitary he went to an high place 4 And God met Balaam and he said unto him I have prepared seven altars and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram 5 And the LORD put a word in Balaams mouth and said Return unto Balak and thus thou shalt speak 6 And he returned unto him and â—o he stood by his burnt-sacrifice he and all the princes of Moab 7 And he took up his parable and said Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram out of the mountains of the east saying Come curse me Jacob and come defie Israel 8 How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed or how shall I defie whom the LORD hath not defied 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him and from the hils I behold him lo the people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob and the number of the fourth part of Israel Let †Heb. my soul or my life me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his 11 And Balak said unto Balaam What hast thou done unto me I took thee to curse mine enemies and behold thou hast blessed them altogether 12 And he answered and said Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth 13 And Balak said unto him Come I pray thee with me unto another place from whence thou mayest see them thou shalt see but the utmost part of them and shalt not see them all and curse me them from thence 14 ¶ And he brought him into the field of Zophim to the top of ‖ Or the hill Pis-gah and built seven altars and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar 15 And he said unto Balak Stand here by thy burnt-offering while I meet the LORD yonder 16 And the LORD met Balaam and * Chap. 22.35 put a word in his mouth and said Go again unto Balak and say thus 17 And when he came to him behold he stood by his burnt-offering and the princes of Moab with him And Balak said unto him What hath the LORD spoken 18 And he took up his parable and said Rise up Balak and hear hearken unto me thou son of Zippor 19 God is not a man that he should lie neither the son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good 20 Behold I have received commandment to bless and he hath blessed and I cannot reverse it 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob neither hath he seen perversness in Israel the LORD his God is with him and the shout of a king is among them 22 * Chap. 24.8 God brought them out of Egypt he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn 23 Surely there is no enchantment ‖ Or in against Jacob neither is there any divination against Israel according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel What hath God wrought 24 Behold the people shall rise up as a great lion and lift up himself as a young lion he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey and drink the bloud of the slain 25 ¶ And Balak said unto Balaam Neither curse them at all nor bless them at all 26 But Balaam answered and said unto Balak Told not I thee saying All that the LORD speaketh that I must do 27 ¶ And Balak said unto Balaam Come I pray thee I will bring thee unto another place peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence 28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor that looketh toward Jeshimon 29 And Balaam said unto Balak Build me here seven altars and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams 30 And Balak did as Balaam had said and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar CHAP. XXIV 1 Balaam leaving divinations prophesieth the happiness of Israel 10 Balak in anger dismisâ—eth him 15 He prophesieth of the Star of Jacob and the destruction of some nations ANd when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel he went not as at * Chap. 23.3 15. other times †Heb. to the meeting of enchantments to seek for enchantments but he set his face toward the wilderness 2 And Balaam lift up his eyes and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes and the spirit of God came upon him 3 * Chap. 23.7 18. And he took up his parable and said Balaam the son of Beor hath said and the man †Heb. who had his eyes shut but now open whose eyes are open hath said 4 He hath said which heard the words of God which saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance but having his eyes open 5 How goodly are thy tents O Jacob and thy tabernacles O Israel 6 As the valleys are they spread forth as gardens by the rivers side as the trees of sign aloes which the LORD hath planted and as cedar-trees beside the waters 7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets and his seed shall be in many waters and his king shall be higher then Agag and his kingdom shall be exalted 8 * Chap. 23.22 God brought him forth out of Egypt he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn he shall eat up the nations his enemies and shall break their bones and pierce them through with his arrows 9 * Gen. 49.9 He couched he lay down as a lion and as a great lion who shall stir him up Blessed is he that blesseth thee and cursed is he that curseth thee 10 ¶ And Balaks anger was kindled against Balaam and he smote his hands together and Balak said unto Balaam I called thee to curse mine enemies and behold thou
one accord and said unto her Thou art the exaltation of Jerusalem thou art the great glory of Israel thou art the great rejoycing of our nation 10 Thou hast done all these thingâ— by thine hand thou hast done much good to Israel and God is pleased therewith blessed be thou of the Almighty Lord for evermore and all the people said So be it 11 And the people spoiled the camp the space of thirty days and they gave unto Judith Holofernes his tent and all his plate and beds and vessels and all his stuff and she took it and laid it on her mule and made ready her carts and laid them thereon 12 Then all the women of Israel ran together to see her and blessed her and made a dance among them for her and she took branches in her hand and gave also to the women that were with her 13 And they put a garland of olive upon her and her maid that was with her and she went before all the people in the dance leading all the women and all the men of Israel followed in their armour with garlands and with longs in their mouths CHAP. XVI 6 The song of Judith 19 She dedicateth the stuff of Holofernes 23 She died at Bethullas a widow of great honour 24 All Israel did lament her death THen Judith began to sing this thanksgiving in all Israel and all the people sang after her ‖ Or. this prâ—ising this song of praise 2 And Judith said Begin unto my God with timbrels sing unto my Lord with cymbals tune unto him a ‖ Or. Psalm and praise new psalm exalt him and call upon his name 3 For God breaketh the battels for amongst the camps in the midst of the people he hath delivered me out of the hands of them that persecuted me 4 Assur came out of the mountains from the north he came with ten thousands of his army the * Chap. 2.19 multitude whereof stopped the torrents and their hors-men have covered the hills 5 He bragged that he would burn up my borders and kill my young men with the sword and dash the sucking children against the ground and make mine infants as a prey and my virgins as a spoil 6 But the Almighty Lord hath disappointed them by the hand of a woman 7 For the mighty one did not fall by the young men neither did the sons of the Titans smite him nor high giants set upon him but Judith the daughter of Merari weakned him with the beauty of her countenance 8 For she put off the garment of her widowhood for the exaltation of those that were oppressed in Israel and anointed her face with ointment and bound her hair in a †Gr. mitrâ— tire and took a linen garment to deceive him 9 Her sandals ravished his eyes her beauty took his minde prisoner and the fauchion passed through his neck 10 The Perlians quaked at her boldness and the Medes were ‖ Or confounded daunted at her hardiness 11 Then my afflicted shouted for joy and my weak ones cried aloud but ‖ the Assyrians they were astonished these lifted up their voices but they were overthrown 12 The sons of the damsels have pierced them through and wounded them as fugitives children they perished by the battel of the Lord. 13 I will sing unto the Lord ‖ Or a song of praise a new song O Lord thou art great and glorious wonderful in strength and invincible 14 Let all creatures serve thee for thou spakest and they were made thou didst send forth thy spirit and it created them and there is none that can resist thy voice 15 For the mountains shall be moved from their foundations with the waters the rocks shall melt as wax at thy presence yet thou art merciful to them that fear thee 16 For all sacrifice is too little for a sweet savour unto thee and all the fat is not sufficient for thy burnt-offering but he that feareth the Lord is great at all times 17 Wo to the nations that rise up against my kindred the Lord Almighty will take vengeance of them in the day of judgement in putting fire and worms in their flesh and they shall feel them and weep for ever 18 Now assoon as they entred into Jerusalem they worshipped the Lord and assoon as the people were purified they offered their burnt-offerings and their free-offerings and their gifts 19 Judith also dedicated all the stuff of Holofernes which the people had given her and gave the canopy which she had taken out of his bed-chamber for a gift unto the Lord. 20 So the people continued feasting in Jerusalem before the sanctuary for the space of three moneths and Judith remained with them 21 After this time every one returned to his own inheritance and Judith went to Bethulia and remained in her own possession and was in her time honourable in all the countrey 22 And many desired her but none knew her all the days of her life after that Manasses her husband was dead and was gathered to his people 23 But she increased more and more in honour and waxed old in her husbands house being an hundred and five years old and made her maid free so she died in Bethulia and they buried her in the ‖ Or sepulebre cave of her husband Manasses 24 And the house of Israel lamented her * Gen. 50.10 seven days and before she died she did distribute her goods to all them that were nearest of kindred to Manasses her husband and to them that were the nearest of her kindred 25 And there was none that made the children of Israel any more afraid in the days of Judith nor a long time after her death ¶ The rest of the chapters of the book of ESTHER which are found neither in the Hebrew nor in the Caldee Part of the tenth Chapter after the Greek 5 Mardotheus remembreth and expoundeth his dream of the river and the two draâ—ons THen Mardocheus said God hath done these things 5 For I remember a dream which I saw concerning these matters and nothing thereof hath failed 6 A little fountain became a river and there was light and the sun and much water this river is Esther whom the king married and made queen 7 And the two dragons are I and Aman. 8 And the nations were those that were assembled to destroy the name of the Jews 9 And my nation is this Israel which cried to God and were saved for the Lord hath saved his people and the Lord hath delivered us from all those evils and God hath wrought signs and great wonders which have not been done among the Gentiles 10 Therefore hath he made two lots one for the people of God and another for all the Gentileâ— 11 And these two lots came at the hour and time and day of Judgement before God amongst all nations 12 So God remembred his people and justified his inheritance 13 Therefore those days shall be unto them in
Agarenes that seek wisdom upon earth the merchants of Meran and of Theman the ‖ Or expounders authours of sables and searchers out of understanding none of these have known the way of wisdom or remember her paths 24 O Israel how great is the house of God and how large is the place of his possession 25 Great and hath none end high and unmeasurable 26 There were the giants famous from the beginning that were of so great stature and so expert in war 27 Those did not the Lord choose neither gave he the way of knowledge unto them 28 But they were destroyed because they had no wisdom and perished through their own foolishness 29 Who hath gone up into heaven and taken her and brought her down from the clouds 30 Who hath gone over the sea and found her and will bring her for pure gold 31 No man knoweth her way nor thinketh of her path 32 But he that knoweth all things knoweth her and hath found her out with his understanding he that prepared the earth for evermore hath filled it with fourfooted beasts 33 He that sendeth forth light and it goeth calleth it again and it obeyeth him with fear 34 The stars shined in their watches and rejoyced when he called them they say Here we be and so with cheerfulness they shewed light unto him that made them 35 This is our God and there shall none other be accounted of in comparision of him 36 He hath found out all the way of knowledge and hath given it unto Jacob his servant and to Israel his beloved 37 * Prov. 8.31 Joh. 1.14 Afterward did he shew himself upon earth and conversed with men CHAP. IV. 1 The book of commandments is that wisdom which was commanded in the former chapter 25 The Jews are moved to patience and to hope for the deliverance THis is the book of the commandments of God and the law that endureth for ever all they that keep it shall come to life but such as leave it shall die 2 Turn thee O Jacob and take hold of it walk †Gr. to the shining before the light thereof in the presence of the light thereof that thou mayest be illuminated 3 Give not thine honour to another nor the things that are profitable unto thee to a strange nation 4 O Israel happy are we for things that are pleasing to God are made known unto us 5 Be of good cheer my people the memorial of Israel 6 Ye were sold to the nations not for your destruction but because ye moved God to wrath ye were delivered unto the enemies 7 For ye provoked him that made you by * 1 Cor 10.20 sacrificing unto devils and not to God 8 Ye have forgotten the everlasting God that brought you up and ye have grieved Jerusalem that nursed you 9 For when she saw the wrath of God coming upon you she said Hearken O ye that dwell about Sion God hath brought upon me great mourning 10 For I saw the captivity of my sons and daughters which the Everlasting brought upon them 11 With joy did I nourish them but sent them away with weeping and mourning 12 Let no man rejoyce over me a widow and forsaken of many who for the sins of my children am left desolate because they departed from the law of God 13 They knew not his statutes nor walked in the ways of his commandments nor trode in the paths ‖ Or of his discipline in righteousness of discipline in his righteousness 14 Let them that dwell about Sion come and remember ye the captivity of my sons and daughters which the Evelasting hath brought upon them 15 For he hath brought a nation upon them from far a shameless nation and of a strange language who neither reverenced old man nor pitied childe 16 These have carried away the dear-beloved children of the widow and left her that was alone desolate without daughters 17 But what can I help you 18 For he that brought these plagues upon you will deliver you from the hands of your enemies 19 Go your way O my children go your way for I am left desolate 20 I have put off the clothing of ‖ Or prosperity peace and put upon me the sackcloth of my prayer I will cry unto the Everlasting ‖ Or in the time of mine affliction * Ps 116.2 137.7 in my days 21 Be of good cheer O my children cry unto the Lord and he shall deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies 22 For my hope is in the Everlasting that he will save you and joy is come unto me from the holy One because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you from the Everlasting our Saviour 23 For I sent you out with mourning and weeping But God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for ever 24 Like as now the neighbours of Sion have seen your captivity so shall they see shortly your salvation from our God which shall come upon you with great glory and brightness of the Everlasting 25 My children suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God for thine enemy hath persecuted thee but shortly thou shalt see his destruction and shalt tread upon his neck 26 ‖ Or My darlings My delicate ones have gone rough ways and were taken away as a flock caught of the enemies 27 Be of good comfort O my children and cry unto God for you shall be remembred of him that brought these things upon you 28 For as it was your minde to go astray from God so being returned seek him ten times more 29 For he that hath brought these plagues upon you shall bring you everlasting joy again with your salvation 30 Take a good heart O Jerusalem for he that gave thee that name will comfort thee 31 Miserable are they that afflicted thee and rejoyced at thy fall 32 Miserable are the cities which thy children served miserable is she that received thy sons 33 For as she rejoyced at thy ruine and was glad of thy fall so shall she be grieved for her own desolation 34 For I will take away the rejoycing of her great multitude and her pride shall be turned into mourning 35 For fire shall come upon her from the Everlasting long to endure and she shall be inhabited of devils for a great time 36 O Jerusalem look about thee towards the east and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from God 37 Lo thy sons come whom thou sentest away they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the holy One rejoycing in the glory of God CHAP. V. 1 Jerusalem is moved to rejoyce 5 and to behold their return out of captivity with glory PUt off O Jerusalem the garment of thy mourning and affliction and put on the comeliness of the glory that cometh from God for ever 2 Cast about thee a double garment of the righteousness which cometh from God
neither would he let Jonathan go 20 And after this came Tryphon to invade the land and destroy it going round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora but Simon his host marched against him in every place wheresoever he went 21 Now they that were in the towre sent messengers unto Tryphon to the end that he should hasten his coming unto them by the wilderness and send them victuals 22 Wherefore Tryphon made ready all his hors-men to come that night but there self a very great snow by reason whereof he came not So he departed and came into the countrey of Galaad 23 And when he came near to Bascama he slew Jonathan who was buried there 24 Afterward Tryphon returned and went into his own land 25 Then sent Simon and took the hones of Jonathan his brother and buried them in Modin the city of his fathers 26 And all Israel made great lamentation for him and bewailed him many days 27 Simon also built a monument upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren and raised it aloft to the sight with hewn stone behinde and before 28 Moreover he let up seven pyramides one against another for his father and his mother and his four brethren 29 And in these he made cunning devices about the which he set great pillars and upon the pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory and by the armour ships carved that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea 30 This is the sepulchre which he made at Modin and it standeth yet unto this day 31 Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus and slew him 32 And he reigned in his stead and crowned himself king of Asia and brought a great calamity upon the land 33 Then Simon built up the strong holds in Judea and fenced them about with high towres and great walls and gates and bars and laid up victuals †Gr. in the strong holds therein 34 Moreover Simon chose men sent to king Demetrius to the end he should give the land an immunity because †Gr. all Tryphons doings were robberies all that Tryphon did was to spoil 35 Unto whom king Demetrius answered wrote after this manner 36 King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest and friend of kings as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews sendeth greeting 37 The golden crown and the scarlet robe with ye sent unto us we have received and we are ready to make a stedfast peace with you yea to write unto our officers to confirm the immunities with we have granted 38 And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand and the strong holds which ye have builded shall be your own 39 As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day we forgive it and the crown-tax also which ye ow us and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem it shall no more be paid 40 And look who are meet among you to be in our court let them be enrolled and let there be peace betwixt us 41 Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year 42 Then the people of Israel began to write in their instruments and contracts in the first year of Simon the high priest the governour and leader of the Jews 43 In those days Simon camped against Gaza and besieged it round about he made also an engine of war and set it by the city and battered a certain towre and took it 44 And they that were in the engine leapt into the city whereupon there was a great uprore in the city 45 Insomuch as the people of the city rent their clothes and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children and cried with a loud voice beseeching Simon †Gr. to give them his right hand to grant them peace 46 And they said Deal not with us according to our wickedness but according to thy mercy 47 So Simon was appeased towards them fought no more against them but put them out of the city and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were and so entred into it with songs and thanksgiving 48 Yea he put all uncleanness out of it and placed such men there as would keep the law and made it stronger then it was before and built therein a dwelling-place for himself 49 They also of the towre in Jerusalem were kept so strait that they could neither come forth nor go into the countrey nor buy nor sell wherefore they were in great distress for want of vâ—ctuals and a great number of them perished through samine 50 Then cried they to Simon beseeching him ‖ Or to make peace with them to be at one with them which thing he granted them and when he had put them out from thence he cleansed the towre from pollutions 51 And entred into it the three and twentieth day of the second moneth in the hundred seventy and one year with thanksgiving and branches of pasm-trees with harps and cymbals and with viols hymns songs because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel 52 He ordained also that that day should be kept every year with gladness Moreover the hill of the temple that was by the towre he made stronger then it was there he dwelt himself with his company 53 And when Simon saw that John his son was a valiant man he made him captain of all the hosts and dwelt in Gazara CHAP. XIV 3 Demetrius is taken by the king of Persia 4 The good deeds of Simon to his countrey 18 The Lacedemonians and Romanes renew their league with him 26 A memorial of his acts is set up in Sion NOw in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphon 2 But when Arsaces the king of Persia and Media heard that Demetrius was entred within his borders he sent one of his princes to take him alive 3 Who went and smote the host of Demetrius and took him and brought him to Arsaces by whom he was put in ward 4 As for the land of Judea that was quiet all the days of Simon for he sought the good of his nation in such wise as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well 5 And as he was honourable in all his acts so in this that he took Joppe for an haven and made an entrance to the isles of the sea 6 And enlarged the bounds of his nation and recovered the countrey 7 And gathered together a great number of captives and had the dominion of Gazara and Bethsura and the towre out of the which he took all uncleanness neither was there any that resisted him 8 Then did they till their ground in peace and the earth gave her increase and the trees of the field their fruit 9 The ancient men sat all in the streets communing together of
and with profane hands pulling down the things that were dedicated by other kings to the augmentation and glory and honour of the place he gave them away 17 And so haughty was Antiochus in minde that he considered not that the Lord was angry for a while for the sins of them that dwelt in the city and therefore his eye was not upon the place 18 For had they not been formerly wrapped in many sins this man assoon as he had come had forthwith been scourged and put back from his presumption as Heliodorus was whom Seleucus the king sent to view the treasury 19 Nevertheless God did not choose the people for the places sake but the place for the peoples sake 20 And therefore the place it self that was partaker with them of the adversity that hapned to the nation did afterward communicate in the benefits sent from the Lord and as it was forsaken in the wrath of the Almighty so again the great Lord being reconciled it was set up with all glory 21 So when Antiochus had carried out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents he departed in all haste unto Antiochia weening in his pride to make the land navigable and the sea passable by foot such was the haughtiness of his minde 22 And he left governours to vâ—x the nation at Jerusalem Philip for his countrey a Phrygian and for manners more barbarous then he that set him there 23 And at Garizim Andronicus and besides Menelaus who worse then all the rest bare an heavy hand over the citizens having a malicious minde against his countreymen the Jews 24 He sent also that detestable ring-leader Apollonius with an army of two twenty thousand commanding him to slay all those that were in their best age and to sell the women and the younger sort 25 Who coming to Jerusalem and pretending pâ—â—â—â— dâ—â—â—orbear till the holy-day of the sabbath when taking the Jews keeping holy-day he commanded his men to arm themselves 26 And so he slew all them that were gone to the celebrating of the sabbath and running through the city with weapons â—lâ—w great multitudes 27 But Judas Maccabeus †Gr who was the tenth with nine others or thereabout withdrew himself into the wilderness and lived in the mountains after the manner of beasts with his company who fed on herbs continually lest they should be partakers of the pollution CHAP. VI. 1 The Jews are compelled to leave the law of God 4 The temple is defiled 8 Cruelty upon the people and the nomâ— 12 〈◊〉 exhorâ—â— ion 〈◊〉 bear affliction by the example of the valiaâ—â—â—ouâ—aâ—e of E. 〈◊〉 cruelly tâ—rtured NOt long after this the king sent an old man of ‖ Antioâ—b the Laune interpreters Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and not to live after the laws of God 2 And to pollute also the temple in Jerusalem and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius and that in Garizun of Jupiter the defender of strangers ‖ Out of Joseph 1.12 cap. 7. or as they werâ— as they did desire that dwelt in the place 3 The coming in of this mischief was sore and grievous to the people 4 For the temple was filled with not and revelling by the Gentiles who dallied with harlots and had to do with women within the circuit of the holy places and besides that brought in things that were not lawful 5 The altar also was filled with profane things which the law forbiddeth 6 Neither was it lawful for a man to keep sabbath-days or ancient feasts or to profess himself at all to be a Jew 7 And in the day of the kings birth every moneth they were brought by bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices and when the feast of Bacchus was kept the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus carrying ivie 8 Moreover there went out a decree to the neighbour cities of the †Gr Grecians heathen by the suggestion of Ptolemee against the Jews that they should observe the same fashions be partakers of their sacrifices 9 And whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death Then might a man have seen the present misery 10 For there were two women brought who had circumcised their children whom when they had openly led round about the city the babes hanging at their breasts they cast them down headlong from the wall 11 And others that had run together into caves near by to keep the sabbath-day secretly being discovered to Philip were all burnt together because they made a conscience to help themselves for the honour of the most sacred day 12 Now I beseech those that read this book that they be not discouraged for these calamities but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction but for a chastning of our nation 13 For it is a token of his great goodness when wicked doers are not suffered any long time but forthwith punished 14 For not as with other nations whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish till they be come to the fulness of their sins so dealeth he with us 15 Lest that being come to the height of sin afterwards he should take vengeance of us 16 And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us And though he punish with adversity yet doth he never forsake his people 17 But let this that we have spoken be for a warning unto us And now will we come to the declaring of the matter in few words 18 Eleazar one of the principal scribes an aged man and of a well-savoured countenance was constrained to open his mouth and to eat swines flesh 19 But he choosing rather to die gloriously then to live stained with such an abomination spirit it forth and came of his own accord to the torment 20 As it behoved them to come that are resolute to stand out against such things as are not lawful for love of life to be tasted 21 But they that had the charge of that wicked feast for the old acquaintance they had with the man taking him aside besought him to bring flesh of his own provision such as was lawful for him to use and make as if he did eat of the flesh taken from the sacrifice commanded by the king 22 That in so doing he might he delivered from death and for the old friendship with them finde favour 23 But he began to consider discreetly and as became his age and the excellency of his ancient years and the honour of his gray head whereunto he was come and his most honest education from a childe or rather the holy law made and given by God therefore he answered accordingly and willed them straightways to send him to the grave 24 For it becometh not our age said he in any wise to dissemble whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar being fourscore years old and ten were now gone to a strange religion 25
commaâ—dment but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses 31 And thou that hast been the authour of all mischief against the Hebrews shalt not escape the hands of God 32 For we suffer because of our sins 33 And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastning and correction yet shall he beat one again with his servants 34 But thou O godless man and of all other most wicked be not lifted up without a cause nor puffed up with uncertain hopes lifting up thy hand against the servants of God 35 For thou hast not yet escaped the judgement of almighty God who seeth all things 36 For our brethren who now have suffered a short pain are dead under Gods covenant of everlasting life but thou through the judgement of God shalt receive just punishment for thy pride 37 But I as my brethren offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess that he alone is God 38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty which is justly brought upon all our nation may cease 39 Then the king being in a rage handled him worse then all the rest and took it grievously that he was mocked 40 So this man died undefiled and put his whole trust in the Lord. 41 Last of all after the sons the mother died 42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts and the extreme tortures CHAP. VIII 1 Judas gathereth an host 9 Nicanor is sent against him who Presumeth to make much money of his prisoners 16 Judas encourageth his men and putteth Nicanor to flight 18 and divideth the spoils 30 Other enemies are also defeated 35 and Nicanor fleeth with grief to Antioch THen Judas Maccabeus and they that were with him went privily into the towns and called their kins folks together and took unto them all such as continued in the Jews religion and assembled about six thousand men 2 And they called upon the Lord that he would look upon the people that was troden down of all and also pity the temple profaned of ungodly men 3 And that he would have compassion upon the city sore defaced and ready to be made even with the ground and hear the bloud that cried unto him 4 And remember the wicked slaughter of harmless infants and the blasphemies committed against his name and that he would shew his hatred against the wicked 5 Now when Maccabeus had his company about him he could not be withstood by the heathen for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy 6 Therefore he came at unawares and burnt up towns and cities and got into his hands the most commodious places and overcame and put to flight no small number of his enemies 7 But specially took he advantage of the night for such privy attempts insomuch that the bruit of his manliness was spread every where 8 So when Philip saw that this man increased by little and little and that things prospered with him still more and more he wrote unto Ptolemeus the governour of Celosyria and Phenice to yeeld more aid to the kings affairs 9 Then forthwith choosing Nicanor the son of Patroclus one of his special friends he sent him with no fewer then twenty thousand of all nations under him to root out the whole generation of the Jews and with him he joyned also Gorgias a captain who in matters of war had great experience 10 So Nicanor undertook to make so much money of the captive Jews as should defray the tribute of two thousand talents which the king was to pay to the Romanes 11 Wherefore immediately he sent to the cities upon the sea-coast proclaiming a sale of the captive Jews and promising that they should have fourscore and ten bodies for one talent not expecting the vengeance that was to follow upon him from the almighty God 12 Now when word was brought unto Judas of Nicanors coming and he had imparted unto those that were with him that the army was at hand 13 They that were fearful and distrusted the justice of God fled and conveyed themselves away 14 Others sold all that they had left and withal besought the Lord to deliver them being sold by the wicked Nicanor before they met together 15 And if not for their own sakes yet for the covenants he had made with their fathers and for his holy and glorious name sake by which they were called 16 So Maccabeus called his men together unto the number of six thousand and exhorted them not to be stricken with terrour of the enemy nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen who came wrongfully against them but to fight manfully 17 And to set before their eyes the injury that they had unjustly done to the holy place and the cruel handling of the city whereof they made a mockery and also the taking away of the government of their forefathers 18 For they said he trust in their weapons and holdness but our confidence is in the almighty God who at a beck can cast down both them that come against us and also all the world 19 Moreover he recounted unto them what helps their forefathers had found and how they were delivered when under Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand perished 20 And he told them of the battel that they had in Babylon with the Galatians how they came but eight thousand in all to the business with four thousand Macedonians and that the Macedonians being perplexed the eight thousand destroyed an hundred and twenty thousand because of the help that they had from heaven and so received a great booty 21 Thus when he had made them bold with these words and ready to die for the laws and the countrey he divided his army into four parts 22 And joyned with himself his own brethren leaders of each band to wit Simon and Josepâ— and Jonathan giving each one fifteen hundred men 23 Also be appointed Eleazar to read the holy book and when he had given them this watch-word The help of God himself leading the first band he joyned battel with Nicanor 24 And by the help of the Almighty they slew above nine thousand of their enemies and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanors host and so put all to flight 25 And took their money that came to buy them and pursued them far but lacking time they returned 26 For it was the day before the sabbath and therefore they would no longer pursue them 27 So when they had gathered ‖ That is the enemies armour their armour together and spoiled their enemies they occupied themselves about the sabbath yeelding exceeding praise and thanks to the Lord who had preserved them unto that day which was the beginning of mercy distilling upon them 28 And after the sabbath when they had
remember the benefits that I have done unto you generally and in special and that every man will be still faithful to me and my son 27 For I am perswaded that he ‖ Or following understanding my minde will favourably and graciously yeeld to your desires 28 Thus the murderer and blasphemer having suffered most grievously as he entreated other men so died he a miserable death in a strange countrey in the mountains 29 And Philip that was brought up with him carried away his body who also fearing the son of Antiochus went into Egypt to Ptolemeus Philometor CHAP. X. 1 Judas recovereth the city and purifieth the temple 14 Gorgias vexeth the Jews 16 Judas winneth their bolds 29 Timotheus and his men are discomfited 35 Gazara is taken and Timotheus slain NOw Maccabeus and his company the Lord guiding them recovered the temple and the city 2 But the altars which the heathen had built in the open street and also the chappels they pulled down 3 And having cleansed the temple they made another altar and striking stones they took fire out of them and offered a sacrifice after two years and set forth incense and lights and shew-bread 4 When that was done they fell flat down and besought the Lord that they might come no more into such troubles but if they sinned any more against him that he himself would chasten them with mercy and that they might not be delivered unto the blasphemous and barbarous nations 5 Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple on the very same day it was cleansed again even the five and twentieth day of the same moneth which is Casseu 6 And they kept eight days with gladness as in the feast of the tabernacles remembring that not long afore they had held the feast of the tabernacles when as they wandred in the mountains and dens like beasts 7 Therefore they bare branches and fair boughs and palms also and sang psalms unto him that had given them good success in cleansing his place 8 They ordained also by a common statute and decree That every year those days should be kept of the whole nation of the Jews 9 And this was the end of Antiochus called Epiphanes 10 Now will we declare the acts of Antiochus Eupator who was the son of this wicked man gathering briefly the calamities of the wars 11 So when he was come to the crown he set one Lyâ—ias over the affairs of his realm and appointed him chief governour of Celosyria and Phenice 12 For Ptolemeus that was called Macron choosing rather to do justice unto the Jews for the wrong that had been done unto them endeavoured to continue peace with them 13 Whereupon being accused of the kings friends before Eupator and called traitour at every word because he had left Cyprus that Philometor had committed unto him and departed to Antiochus Epiphanes ‖ Or and not bearing his authority as it becometh a noble man and seeing that he was in no honourable place he was so discouraged that he poisoned himself and died 14 But when Gorgias was governour of the ‖ Or or strong places holds he hired souldiers and nourished was continually with the Jews 15 And there withal the Idumeans having gotten into their hands the most commodious holds kept the Jews occupied receiving those that were banished from Jerusalem they went about to nourish war 16 Then they that were with Maccabeus made supplication and besought God that he would be their helper and so they ran with violence upon the strong holds of the Idumeans 17 And assaulting them strongly they wan the holds and kept off all that fought upon the wall and slew all that fell into their hands and killed no fewer then twenty thousand 18 And because certain who were no less then nine thousand were fled together into two very strong castles having all manner of things convenient to sustain the siege 19 Maccabeus left Simon and Joseph and Zaccheus also and them that were with him who were enow to besiege them and departed himself unto those places which more needed his help 20 Now ‖ Or Simoâ—â— they that were with Simon being led with covetousness were perswaded for money through certain of those that were in the castle and took seventy thousand drachmes and let some of them escape 21 But when it was told Maccabeus what was done he called the governours of the people together and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money let their enemies free to fight against them 22 So he slew those that were found traitours and immediately took the two castles 23 And having good success with his weapons in all things he took in hand he slew in the two holds more then twenty thousand 24 Now Timotheus whom the Jews had overcome before when he had gathered a great multitude of forein forces and horses out of Asia not a few came as though he would take Jury by force of arms 25 But when he drew near ‖ Or Maccabeus and they that were with him they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto God and sprinkled earth upon their heads and girded their loyns with sack â—loth 26 And fell down at the foot of the altar and besought him to be merciful to them and to be * Deut. 28. an enemy to their enemies and an adversary to their adversaries as the law declareth 27 So after the prayer they took their weapons and went on further from the city and when they drew near to their enemies they kept by themselves 28 Now the sun being newly risen they joyned both together the one part having together with their vertue their refuge also unto the Lord for a ‖ Or warrant or surety pledge of their success and victory the other side making their rage leader of their battel 29 But when the battel waxed strong there appeared unto the enemies from heaven five comely men upon horses with bridles of gold and two of them led the Jews 30 And took Maccabeus betwixt them and covered him on every side with their weapons and kept him safe but shot arrows and lightnings against the enemies so that being confounded with blindness and full of trouble they were killed 31 And there were slain of footmen twenty thousand and five hundred and six hundred hors-men 32 As for Timotheus himself he fled into a very strong hold called Gazara where Chereas was governour 33 But they that were with Maccabeus laid siege against the fortress couragâ—ouâ—ly four days 34 And they that were within trusting to the strength of the place blasphemed exceedingly and uttered wicked words 35 Nevertheless upon the fifth day early twenty young men of Maccabeus company inflamed with anger because of the blasphemies assaulted the wall manly with a fierce courage killed all that they met withal 36 Others likewise ascending after them whiles they were busied with them that were within burnt the towres
he heard of Jesus he sent unto him the elders of the Jews beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant 4 And when they came to Jesus they besought him instantly saying that he was worthy for whom he should do this 5 For he loveth our nation and he hath built us a synagogue 6 Then Jesus went with them And when he was now not far from the house the centurion sent friends to him saying unto him Lord trouble not thy self for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof 7 Wherefore neither thought I my self worthy to come unto thee but say in a word and my servant shall be healed 8 For I also am a man set under authority having under me souldiers and I say unto one Go and he goeth and to another Come and he cometh and to my servant Do this and he doeth it 9 When Jesus heard these things he marvelled at him and turned him about and said unto the people that followed him I say unto you I have not found so great faith no not in Israel 10 And they that were sent returning to the house found the servant whole that had been sick 11 ¶ And it came to pass the day after that he went into a city called Nain and many of his disciples went with him and much people 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city behold there was a dead man carried out the onely son of his mother and she was a widow and much people of the city was with her 13 And when the Lord saw her he had compassion on her and said unto her Weep not 14 And he came and touched the ‖ Or coffin biere and they that bare him stood still and he said Young man I say unto thee Arise 15 And he that was dead sat up and began to speak and he delivered him to his mother 16 And there came a fear on all and they glorified God saying That a great prophet is risen up among us and That God hath visited his people 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judea and throughout all the region round about 18 * Matth. 11.2 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things 19 ¶ And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto Jesus saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another 20 When the men were come unto him they said John Baptist hath sent us unto thee saying Art thou he that should come or look we for another 21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues and of evil spirits and unto many that were blinde he gave sight 22 Then Jesus answering said unto them Go your way and tell John what things ye have seen and heard how that the blinde see the lame walk the lepers are cleansed the deaf hear the dead are raised to the poor the gospel is preached 23 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me 24 ¶ And when the messengers of John were departed he began to speak unto the people concerning John What went ye out into the wilderness for to see A reed shaken with the wind 25 But what went ye out for to see A man clothed in soft raiment Behold they which are gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in kings courts 26 But what went ye out for to see A prophet Yea I say unto you and much more then a prophet 27 This is he of whom it is written Behold I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee 28 For I say unto you Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet then John the Baptist but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater then he 29 And all the people that heard him and the publicans justified God being baptized with the baptism of John 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers ‖ Or frustrated rejected the counsel of God ‖ Or within themselves against themselves being not baptized of him 31 ¶ And the Lord said * Mat. 11.16 Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation and to what are they like 32 They are like unto children sitting in the market-place and calling one to another and saying We have piped unto you and ye have not danced we have mourned to you and ye have not wept 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine and ye say He hath a devil 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking and ye say Behold a gluttonous man and a wine bibber a friend of publicans and sinners 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children 36 ¶ * Mark â—4 3 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him And he went into the Pharisee's house and sat down to meat 37 And behold a woman in the city which was a sinner when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house brought an alabaster-box of ointment 38 And stood at his feet behinde him weeping and began to wash his feet with tears and did wipe them with the hairs of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it he spake within himself saying This man if he were a prophet would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him for for she is a sinner 40 And Jesus answering said unto him Simon I have somewhat to say unto thee And he saith Master say on 41 There was a certain creditour which had two debters the one ought five hundred ‖ See Mat. â—8 23. pence and the other fist 42 And when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both Tell me therefore which of them will love him most 43 Simon answered and said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most And he said unto him Thou hast rightly judged 44 And he turned to the woman and said unto Simon Seest thou this woman I entred into thine house thou gavest me no water for my feet but she hath washed my feet with tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head 45 Thou gavest me no kiss but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet 46 Mine head with oyl thou didst not anoint but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment 47 Wherefore I say unto thee Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much but to whom little is forgiven the same loveth little 48 And he said unto her Thy sins are forgiven 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves Who is this that forgiveth sins also 50 And he said to the woman Thy faith hath saved thee go in peace CHAP. VIII 1 Women minister unto Christ of their substance 4 Christ after he had preached from place
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
honest though we be as reprobates 8 For we can do nothing against the truth but for the truth 9 For we are glad when we are weak and ye are strong and this also we wish even your perfection 10 Therefore I write these things being absent lest being present I should use sharpness according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification and not to destruction 11 Finally brethren farewel Be perfect be of good comfort be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you 12 * Rom. 16.16 Greet one another with an holy kiss 13 All the saints salute you 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you all Amen ¶ The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi a city of Macedonia by Titus and Lucas ¶ The epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the GALATIANS CHAP. I. 6 He wondreth that they have so soon lest him and the gospel 8 and accurseth those that preath any other gospel then he did 11 He learned the gospel not of men but of God 13 and sheweth what he was before his calling 17 and what he did presently after it PAul an apostle not of men neither by man but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead 2 And all the brethren which are with me unto the churches of Galatia 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ 4 Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel 7 Which is not another but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ 8 But though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed 9 As we said before so say I now again If any man preach any other gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed 10 For do I now perswade men or God or do I seek to please men for if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ 11 But I certifie you brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man 12 For I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion how that * Act. 9.1 beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it 14 And profited in the Jews religion above many my †Gr. equals in years equals in mine own nation being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers 15 But when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace 16 To reveal his Son in me that * Eph. 3 8. I might preach him among the heathen immediately I conferred not with flesh and bloud 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me but I went into Arabia and returned again unto Damascus 18 Then after three years I ‖ Or returned went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him fifteen days 19 But other of the apostles saw I none save James the Lords brother 20 Now the things which I write unto you behold before God I lie not 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ 23 But they had heard onely That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed 24 And they glorified God in me CHAP. II. 1 He sheweth when he went up again to Jerusalem and for what pur-purpose and that Titus was not circumcised 11 and that he resisted Peter and told him the reason 14 why he and other being Jews do beleeve in Christ to be justified by faith and not by works 20 and that they live not in sin who are so justified THen fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas and took Titus with me alse 2 And I went up by revelation and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but ‖ Or severally privately to them which were of reputation lest by any means I should run or had run in vain 3 But neither Titus who was with me being a Greek was compelled to be circumcised 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in who came in privily to spie out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus that they might bring us into bondage 5 To whom we gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the gospel might continue with you 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me * Rom 2.12 God accepteth no mans person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me 7 But contrariwise when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter 8 For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision the same was mighty in me towards the Gentiles 9 And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be pillars perceived the grace that was given unto me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship that we should go unto the heathen and they unto the circumcision 10 Onely they would that we should remember the poor the same which I also was forward to do 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed 12 For before that certain came from James he did eat with the Gentiles but when they were come he withdrew and separated himself fearing them which were of the circumcision 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel I said unto Peter before them all If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of Gentiles and not as do the Jews why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews 15 We who are Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by the faith of Jesus Christ even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law for * Rom. 3.20 by the works of the law shall no flesh be