Bible in a Year.

On day 308, 2 Maccabees 11 emphasizes the courage and justice of the Maccabean leaders. Wisdom 11-12 inspires us to reflect on divine judgment and ethical action, while Proverbs 25:8-10 counsels us to act with prudence and discernment in delicate situations.

1. A short time after this Lysias the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,

2. Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles :

3. And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

4. Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his four- score elephants.

5. So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.

6. But when Machabeus and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.

7. Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.

8. And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusatem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

9. Then they all together blessed merciful Lord, and took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, walls of iron.

10. So they went on courageously, having a helper from Peaven, and the who shewed mercy to them.

11. And rushing violently upon the my, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand hundred horsemen:

12. And put all the rest to flight: many of them being wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.

13. And as he was a man of understanding considering with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:

14. And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

15. Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common Food in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.

17. John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering your writings, re- quested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.

18. Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.

19. If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

20. But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

22. But the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.

23. Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns,

24. And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.

25. Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

26. Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.

27. But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.

28. If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves also are well.

29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.

30. We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

31. That the Jews may use their own Bind of meats, and their own laws as be- fore, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.

32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

35. Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted you, we also have granted.

36. But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.

37. And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.

38. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

Chapter 11

1. She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet.

2. They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.

3. They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.

4. They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone.

5. For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith and rejoiced:

6. By the same things they in their need were benefited.

7. For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust.

8. And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:

9. Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries.

10. For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.

11. For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.

12. For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.

13. For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.

14. For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.

15. For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.

16. But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.

17. That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.

18. For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,

19. Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:

20. Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.

21. Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight.

22. For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?

23. For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth:

24. But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.

25. For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.

26. And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee.

27. But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls.

Chapter 12

1. O how good and sweet is thy spirit, O Lord, in all things!

2. And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord.

3. For those ancient inhabitants of thy holy land, whom thou didst abhor,

4. Because they did works hateful to thee by their sorceries, and wicked sacrifices,

5. And those merciless murderers of their own children, and eaters of men's bowels, and devourers of blood from the midst of thy consecration,

6. And those parents sacrificing with their own hands helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our parents,

7. That the land which of all is most dear to thee might receive a worthy colony of the children of God.

8. Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little.

9. Not that thou wast unable to bring the wicked under the just by war, or by cruel beasts, or with one rough word to destroy them at once:

10. But executing thy judgments by degrees thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a wicked generation, and their malice natural, and that their thought could never be changed.

11. For it was a cursed seed from the beginning: neither didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins.

12. For who shall say to thee: What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall come before thee to be a revenger of wicked men? or who shall accuse thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made?

13. For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all, that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly.

14. Neither shall king, nor tyrant in thy sight inquire about them whom thou hast destroyed.

15. For so much then as thou art just, thou orderest all things justly: thinking it not agreeable to thy power, to condemn him who deserveth not to be punished.

16. For thy power is the beginning of justice: and because thou art Lord of all, thou makest thyself gracious to all.

17. For thou shewest thy power, when men will not believe thee to be absolute in power, and thou convincest the boldness of them that know thee not.

18. But thou being master of power, judgest with tranquillity; and with great favour disposest of us: for thy power is at hand when thou wilt.

19. But thou hast taught thy people by such works, that they must be just and humane, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope: because in judging thou givest place for repentance for sins.

20. For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy servants, and that deserved to die, with so great deliberation, giving them time and place whereby they might be changed from their wickedness:

21. With what circumspection hast thou judged thy own children, to whose parents thou hast sworn and made covenants of good promises?

22. Therefore whereas thou chastisest us, thou scourgest our enemies very many ways, to the end that when we judge we may think on thy goodness: and when we are judged, we may hope for thy mercy.

23. Wherefore thou hast also greatly tormented them who in their life have lived foolishly and unjustly, by the same things which they worshipped.

24. For they went astray for a long time in the ways of error, holding those things for gods which are the most worthless among beasts, living after the manner of children without understanding.

25. Therefore thou hast sent a judgment upon them as senseless children to mock them.

26. But they that were not amended by mockeries and reprehensions, experienced the worthy judgment of God.

27. For seeing with indignation that they suffered by those very things which they took for gods, when they were destroyed by the same, they acknowledged him the true God, whom in time past they denied that they knew: for which cause the end also of their condemnation came upon them.

8. The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest after- ward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

9. Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:

10. Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.