Bible in a Year.

On day 287, we follow the Maccabees' achievements and the strengthening of their faith. Sirach 16-18 provides practical instructions on behavior, ethics, and reverence. Proverbs 22:17-21 encourages us to listen carefully to the instruction and reflect on the wisdom gained to apply in our daily lives.

1. Now king Antiochus was going through the higher countries, and he heard that the city of Elymais in Persia was greatly renowned, and abounding in silver and gold.

2. And that there was in it a temple, exceeding rich: and coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields which king Alexander, son of Philip the Macedonian that reigned first in Greece, had left there.

3. Lo, he came, and sought to take the city and to pillage it: But he was not able, because the design was known to them that were in the city.

4. And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and returned towards Babylonia.

5. And whilst he was in Persia, there came one that told him, how the armies that were in the land of Juda were put to flight:

6. And that Lysias went with a very great power, and was put to flight before the face of the Jews, and that thy were grown strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten out of the camps which they had destroyed:

7. And that they had thrown down the abomination which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls as before, and Bethsura also his city.

8. And it came to pass when the king heard these words, that he was struck with fear, and exceedingly moved: and he laid himself down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not fallen out to him as he imagined.

9. And he remained there many days: for great grief came more and more and more upon him, and he made account that he should die.

10. And he called for all his friends, and said to them: Sleep is gone from my eyes, and I am fallen away, and my heart is cast down for anxiety.

11. And I said in my heart: Into how much tribulation am I come, and into what floods of sorrow, wherein now I am: I that was pleasant and beloved in my power!

12. But now I remember the evils that I have done in Jerusalem, from whence also I took away all the spoils of gold, and of silver that were in it, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Juda without cause.

13. I know therefore that for this cause these evils have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a strange land.

14. Then he called Philip, one of his friends, and he made him regent over all his kingdom.

15. And he gave him the crown, and his robe, and his ring, that he should go to Antiochus his son, and should bring him up for the kingdom.

16. So king Antiochus died there in the year one hundred and forty-nine.

17. And Lysias understood that the king was dead, and he set up Antiochus his son to reign, whom he brought up young: and he called his name Eupator.

18. Now they that were in the castle, had shut up the Israelites round about the holy places: and they were continually seeking their hurt, and to strengthen the Gentiles.

19. And Judas purposed to destroy them: and he called together all the people, to besiege them.

20. And they came together, and besieged them in the year one hundred and fifty, and they made battering slings and engines.

21. And some of the besieged got out: and some wicked men of Israel joined themselves unto them.

22. And they went to the king, and said: How long dost thou delay to execute the judgment, and to revenge our brethren?

23. We determined to serve thy father and to do according to his orders, and obey his edicts:

24. And for this they of our nation are alienated from us, and have slain as many of us as they could find, and have spoiled our inheritances.

25. Neither have they put forth their hand against us only, but also against all our borders.

26. And behold they have approached this day to the castle of Jerusalem to take it, and they have fortified the stronghold of Bethsura:

27. And unless thou speedily prevent them, they will do greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to subdue them.

28. Now when the king heard this, he was angry: and he called together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and them that were over the horsemen.

29. There came also to him from other realms, and from the islands of the sea hired troops.

30. And the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two elephants, trained to battle.

31. And they went through Idumea, and approached to Bethsura, and fought many days, and they made engines: but they sallied forth and burnt them with fire, and fought manfully.

32. And Judas departed from the castle, and removed the camp to Bethzacharam, over against the king's camp.

33. And the king rose before it was light, and made his troops march on fiercely towards the way of Bethzacharam: and the armies made themselves ready for the battle, and they sounded the trumpets:

34. And they shewed the elephants the blood of grapes, and mulberries to provoke them to fight.

35. And they distributed the beasts by the legions: and there stood by every elephant a thousand men in coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads: and five hundred horsemen set in order were chosen for every beast.

36. These before the time wheresoever the beast was, the were there: and withersoever it went, they went, and they departed not from it.

37. And upon the beast, there were strong wooden towers, which covered every one of them: and engines upon them: and upon every one thirty-two valiant men, who fought from above; and an Indian to rule the beast.

38. And the rest of the horsemen he placed on this side and on that side at the two wings, with trumpets to stir up the army, and to hasten them forward that stood thick together in the legions thereof.

39. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold, and of brass, the mountains glittered therewith, and they shone like lamps of fire.

40. And part of the king's army was distinguished by the high mountains, and the other part by the low places: and they marched on warily and orderly.

41. And all the inhabitants of the land were moved at the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the armour, for the army was exceeding great and strong.

42. And Judas and his army drew near for battle: and there fell of the king's army six hundred men.

43. And Eleazar the son of Saura saw one of the beasts harnessed with the king's harness: and it was higher than the other beasts: and it seemed to him that the king was on it:

44. And he exposed himself to deliver his people and to get himself an everlasting name.

45. And he ran up to it boldly in the midst of the legion, killing on the right hand, and on the left, and they fell by him on this side and that side.

46. And he went between the feet of the elephant, and put himself under it: and slew it, and it fell to the ground upon him, and he died there.

47. Then they seeing the strength of the king and the fierceness of his army, turned away from them.

48. But the king's army went up against them to Jerusalem: and the king's army pitched their tents against Judea and mount Sion.

49. And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land.

50. And the king took Bethsura: and he placed there a garrison to keep it.

51. And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings.

52. And they also made engines against their engines, and they fought for many days.

53. But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up.

54. And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place.

55. Now Lysias heard that Philip, whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, and to reign, to be king,

56. Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him, and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom:

57. Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom.

58. Now therefore let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation.

59. And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things.

60. And the proposal was acceptable in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent to them to make peace: and they accepted of it.

61. And the king and the princes swore to them: and they came out of the stronghold.

62. Then the king entered into mount Sion, and saw the strength of the place: and he quickly broke the oath that he had taken, and gave commandment to throw down the wall round about.

63. And he departed in haste, and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip master of the city: and he fought against him, and took the city.

Chapter 16

1. Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them.

2. Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours.

3. For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children.

4. And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children.

5. By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate.

6. Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard.

7. In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall dame out.

8. The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sine, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength:

9. And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word.

10. He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled them- selves in their sine.

11. So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished:

12. For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation:

13. According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works.

14. The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.

15. All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment.

16. Say not: I shall be hidden from God. and who shall remember me from on high?

17. In such a multitude I shall not be known: for what is my soul in such an immense creation?

18. Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight,

19. The mountains also, and the hills, end the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling.

20. And in all these things the heart is senseless: and every heart is understood by him:

21. And his ways who shall understand, and the storm, which no eye of man see?

22. For many of his works are hidden: hut the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end.

23. He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things: and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things.

24. Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart.

25. And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.

26. The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations.

27. He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works.

28. Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time.

29. Be not thou incredulous to his word.

30. After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods.

31. The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again.

Chapter 17

1. God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.

2. And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.

3. He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.

4. He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.

5. He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.

6. He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.

7. He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:

8. That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works.

9. Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.

10. He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.

11. And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.

12. And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.

13. Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.

14. Over every nation he set a ruler.

15. And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.

16. And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

17. Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.

18. The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:

19. And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.

20. But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.

21. Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:

22. Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.

23. Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.

24. And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.

25. Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.

26. Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.

27. Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.

28. How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I

29. For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.

30. What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.

31. He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.

Chapter 18

1. He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.

2. Who is able to declare his works?

3. For who shall search out his glorious acts?

4. And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?

5. Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God:

6. When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.

7. What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?

8. The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.

9. Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.

10. He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.

11. Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.

12. The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

13. He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock.

14. He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.

15. My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.

16. Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.

17. Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.

18. A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.

19. Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.

20. Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.

21. Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.

22. Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.

23. Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.

24. Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.

25. Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.

26. From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

27. A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth.

28. Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.

29. They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth pro- verbs and judgments.

30. Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.

31. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.

32. Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.

33. Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse : for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.

17. Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine :

18. Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:

19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.

20. Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge :

21. That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.