Bible in a Year.

On day 293, 1 Maccabees 12 presents episodes of Maccabean courage and strategy. Sirach 30-31 reinforces teachings about family, respect, and ethical conduct, and Proverbs 23:13-16 reminds us of the importance of correcting with love and instructing with wisdom.

1. And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:

2. And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form.

3. And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance as it was before.

4. And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.

5. And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

6. Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.

7. There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

8. And Onias received the ambassador with honour: and received the letters wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.

9. We, though we needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,

10. Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.

11. We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren.

12. And we rejoice at your glory.

13. But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us.

14. But we would not be troublesome to you, nor the rest of our allies and friends in these wars.

15. For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.

16. We have chosen therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans to renew with them the former amity and alliance.

17. And we have commanded them to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

18. And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto.

19. And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:

20. Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting.

21. It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.

22. And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.

23. And we also have written back to you: That our cattle, and our possessions are yours: and yours, ours. We therefore have commanded that these things should be told you.

24. Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.

25. So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.

26. And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.

27. And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.

28. And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they were struck with fear, and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.

29. But Jonathan and they that were with him knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

30. And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.

31. And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.

32. And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.

33. Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,

34. (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius,) and he put a garrison there to keep it.

35. And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people, and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,

36. And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.

37. And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook towards the east was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:

38. And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.

39. Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia, and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:

40. Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.

41. And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.

42. Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him,

43. But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.

44. And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?

45. Now therefore send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.

46. And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:

47. But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

48. Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.

49. Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain to destroy all Jonathan's company.

50. But they, when they understood that Jonathan and all that were with him were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.

51. Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.

52. Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda. And they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.

53. Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:

54. They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst mem.

Chapter 30

1. He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.

2. He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.

3. He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.

4. His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.

5. While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.

6. For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.

7. For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.

8. 8A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.

9. Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.

10. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.

11. Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.

12. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.

13. Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.

14. Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.

15. Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better then all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.

16. There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.

17. Better is death than a bitter life: and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.

18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as masses of meat set about a grave.

19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:

20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:

21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.

22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.

23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.

24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.

25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.

26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.

27. A Cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.

Chapter 31

1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.

2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.

3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.

4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.

5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.

6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.

7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.

8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.

10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:

11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.

12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.

13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.

14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.

16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.

17. Be not hasty in a feast.

18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.

19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.

20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.

21. 21And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink.

22. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.

23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:

24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.

25. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.

26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.

27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.

28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.

29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.

30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.

31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.

32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal lire to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.

33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?

34. What taketh away life? death.

35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.

36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.

37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.

38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels; and wrath, and many ruins.

39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.

40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.

41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in hip mirth.

42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.

13. Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die.

14. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.

15. My son, if thy mind be wise, my heart shall rejoice with thee:

16. And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall speak what is right.