Bible in a Year.

On day 300, 2 Maccabees 3 highlights the Maccabees' faithfulness and courage in the face of challenges. Sirach 45-46 offers reflections on perseverance, justice, and integrity, while Proverbs 24:10-12 reminds us not to abandon faith in times of difficulty, always trusting in God's protection and guidance.

1. Therefore when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and the hatred his soul had of evil,

2. It came to pass that even the kings themselves, and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the temple with very great gifts:

3. So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed out of his revenues all the charges be- longing to the ministry of the sacrifices.

4. But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about some unjust thing in the city.

5. And when he could not overcome Onias he went to Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria and Phenicia:

6. And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hands.

7. Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid money.

8. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but in- deed to fulfil the king's purpose.

9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed.

10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless.

11. And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given intelligence of, belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity: and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:

12. But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.

13. But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king, said that by :all means the money must be carried to the king.

14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this mat- tar. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city.

15. And the priests prostrated them- selves before the altar in their priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe, for them that had deposited them.

16. Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour declared the inward sorrow of his mind.

17. For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart.

18. Others also came hocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.

19. And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.

20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication.

21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity.

22. And these indeed called upon al- mighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them, safe and sure for those that had committed them.

23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury.

24. But the spirit of the almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread.

25. For there appeared to them a horse with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold.

26. Moreover there appeared two other young men beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes.

27. Arid Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter they carried him out.

28. So he that came with many servants, and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known.

29. And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery.

30. But they praised the Lord because he had glorified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.

31. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost.

32. So the high priest considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man.

33. And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life.

34. And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared no more.

35. So Heliodorus after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king.

36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes.

37. And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said:

38. If thou hast any enemy or traitor to thy kingdom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God.

39. For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visitor, and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it.

40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury fell out in this manner.

Chapter 45

1. Moses was beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.

2. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.

3. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.

4. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.

5. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.

6. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.

7. He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi:

8. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,

9. And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.

10. He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and as ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,

11. That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.

12. He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:

13. Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

14. And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.

15. Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning.

16. No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.

17. His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day.

18. Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil.

19. This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.

20. He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:

21. And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.

22. And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.

23. The Lord God saw and it pleased him not, and they were consumed in his wrathful indignation.

24. He wrought wonders upon them, and consumed them with a flame of fire.

25. And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.

26. He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.

27. But he shall not inherit among the people in the land, and he hath no portion among the people: for he himself is his portion and inheritance.

28. Phinees the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, by imitating him in the fear of the Lord:

29. And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people: in the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel.

30. Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary, and of his people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him and to his seed for ever.

31. And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Juda, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our heart to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting.

Chapter 46

1. Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,

2. Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.

3. How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?

4. Who before him hath so resisted? for the Lord himself brought the enemies.

5. Was not the sun stopped in his anger, and one day made as two?

6. He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.

7. He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.

8. That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:

9. And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.

10. And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.

11. And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:

12. That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.

13. Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,

14. That their memory might be blessed, and their bones spring up out of their place,

15. And their name continue for ever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children.

16. Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.

17. By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.

18. And he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light:

19. And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.

20. And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.

21. And he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines:

22. And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no mall did accuse him.

23. And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.

10. If thou lose hope being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished.

11. Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver.

12. If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, end he shall render to a man according to his works.