Bible in a Year.

On day 302, we follow the perseverance of the people of Israel in 2 Maccabees 5, facing challenges with faith. Sirach 50-51 instructs us on honor and virtue, while Proverbs 24:17-20 warns against envy and pride, encouraging trust in divine justice.

1. At the same time Antiochus prepared for a second journey into Egypt.

2. And it came to pass that through the whole city of Jerusalem for the space of forty days there were seen horsemen running in the air, in gilded raiment, and armed with spears, like bands of soldiers.

3. And horses set in order by ranks, running one against another, with the shakings of shields, and a multitude of men in helmets, with drawn swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden armour, and of harnesses of all sorts.

4. Wherefore all men prayed that these prodigies might turn to good.

5. Now when there was gone forth a false rumour, as though Antiochus had been dead, Jason taking with him no fewer than a thousand men, suddenly assaulted the city: and though the citizens ran together to the wall, the city at length was taken, and Menelaus fled into the castle.

6. But Jason slew his countrymen without mercy, not considering that prosperity against one's own kindred is a very great evil, thinking they had been enemies, and not citizens, whom he conquered.

7. Yet he did not gee the principality, but received confusion at tile end, for the reward of his treachery, and fled again into the country of the Ammonites.

8. At the last having been shut up by Aretas the king of the Arabians, in order for his destruction, flying from city to city, hated by all men, as a forsaker of the laws, and execrable, as an enemy of his country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt:

9. And he that had driven many out of their country, perished in a strange land, going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have refuge there:

10. But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth both unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being partaker of the sepulchre of his fathers.

11. Now when these things were done, the king suspected that the Jews would forsake the alliance: whereupon departing out of Egypt with a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms.

12. And commanded the soldiers to kill, and not to spare any that came in their way, and to go up into the houses slay.

13. Thus there was a slaughter of young and old, a destruction of women children, and killing of virgins and infants.

14. And there were slain in the space o three whole days fourscore thousand, forty thousand were made prisoners, and as many sold.

15. But this was not enough; he presumed also to enter into the temple, the most holy in all the world, Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his country, being his guide.

16. And taking in his wicked hands the holy vessels, which were given by other kings and cities, for the ornament and the glory of the place, he unworthily handled and profaned them.

17. Thus Antiochus going astray in mind, did not consider that God was angry for a while, because of the sins of the habitants of the city: and therefore contempt had happened to the place:

18. Otherwise had they not been involved in many sins, as Heliodorus, who was sent by king Seleucus to rob treasury, so this man also, as soon as had come, had been forthwith scourged, and put back from his presumption.

19. But God did not choose the people for the place's sake, but the place for the people's sake.

20. And therefore the place also itself was made partaker of the evils of the people: but afterward shall communicate in the good things thereof, and as it was forsaken in the wrath of almighty God, shall be exalted again with great glory, when the great Lord shall be reconciled.

21. So when Antiochus had taken away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents, he went back in all haste to Antioch, thinking through pride, that he might now make the land navigable, and the sea passable on foot: such was the haughtiness of his mind.

22. He left also governors to afflict the people: at Jerusalem, Philip, a Phrygian by birth, but in manners more barbarous than he that set him there:

23. And in Gazarim, Andronicus and Menelaus, who bore a more heavy hand upon the citizens than the rest.

24. And whereas he was set against the Jews, he sent that hateful prince Apollonius with an army of two and twenty thousand men, commanding him to kill all that were of perfect age, and to sell the women and the younger sort.

25. Who when he was come to Jerusalem, pretending peace, rested till the holy day of the sabbath: and then the Jews keeping holiday, he commanded his men to take arms.

26. And he slew all that were come forth to see: and running through the city with armed men, he destroyed a very great multitude.

27. But Judas Machabeus, who was the tenth, had withdrawn himself into a desert place, and there lived amongst wild beasts in the mountains with his company: and they continued feeding on herbs, that they might not be partakers of the pollution.

Chapter 50

1. Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.

2. By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.

3. In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.

4. He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.

5. He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.

6. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.

7. And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.

8. And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.

9. As a bright Are, and frankincense burning in the fire.

10. As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.

11. As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.

12. When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.

13. And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,

14. And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.

15. And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high Ring,

16. He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.

17. He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.

18. Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.

19. Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.

20. And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.

21. And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.

22. Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:

23. And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.

24. And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.

25. May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:

26. That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.

27. There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:

28. They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.

29. Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.

30. Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things: and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.

31. For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.

Chapter 51

1. They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.

11. I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.

12. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.

13. Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.

14. I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.

15. I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.

16. And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.

17. Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.

18. When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.

19. I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.

20. My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.

21. I bowed down my ear a little, and received her.

22. I found much wisdom in myself, and I profited much therein.

23. To him that giveth me wisdom, will I give glory.

24. For I have determined to follow her: I have had a zeal for good, and shall not be confounded.

25. My soul hath wrestled for her, and in doing it I have been confirmed.

26. I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bewailed my ignorance of her.

27. I directed my soul to her, and in knowledge I found her.

28. I possessed my heart with her from the beginning: therefore I shall not be forsaken.

29. My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.

30. The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward: and with it I will praise him.

31. Draw near to me, ye unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the house of discipline.

32. Why are ye slow? and what do you say of these things? your souls are exceeding thirsty.

33. I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,

34. And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.

35. Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.

36. Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.

37. Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and you shall not be confounded in his praise.

38. Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.

17. When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice:

18. Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19. Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly:

20. For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.