Bible in a Year.

On day 283, we follow the challenges and victories of the Maccabees in their struggle for freedom and fidelity to God. Sirach 4-6 offers practical advice on behavior and justice. Proverbs 22:1-4 highlights the importance of honor, diligence, and the fear of the Lord as the foundations of a righteous life.

1. In those days arose Mathathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the mountain of Modin.

2. And he had five sons: John who was surnamed Gaddis:

3. And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi:

4. And Judas, who was called Machabeus:

5. And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron: and Jonathan, who was surnamed Apphus.

6. These saw the evils that were done in the people of Juda, and in Jerusalem.

7. And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies?

8. The holy places are come into the hands of strangers: her temple is become as a man without honour.

9. The vessels of her glory are carried away captive: her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies.

10. What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils?

11. All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free is made a slave.

12. And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.

13. To what end then should we live any longer?

14. And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.

15. And they that were sent from king Antiochus came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.

16. And many of the people of Israel consented, and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.

17. And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.

18. Therefore come thou first, and obey the king's commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons, shall be in the number of the king's friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.

19. Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:

20. I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers.

21. God be merciful unto us: it is not profitable for us to forsake the law, and the justices of God:

22. We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice, and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.

23. Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king's commandment.

24. And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:

25. Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar.

26. And shewed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of Salomi.

27. And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.

28. So he, and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.

29. Then many that sought after judgment, and justice, went down into the desert:

30. And they abode there, they and their children, and their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions increased upon them.

31. And it was told to the king's men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem in the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king's commandment, were gone away into the secret places in the wilderness, and that many were gone after them.

32. And forthwith they went out towards them, and made war against them on the sabbath day,

33. And they said to them: Do you still resist? come forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and you shall live.

34. And they said: We will not come forth, neither will we obey the king's edict, to profane the sabbath day.

35. And they made haste to give them battle.

36. But they answered them not, neither did they cast a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,

37. Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to death wrongfully.

38. So they gave them battle on the sabbath: and they were slain with their wives, and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.

39. And Mathathias and his friends heard of it, and they mourned for them exceedingly.

40. And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications: they will now quickly root us out of the earth.

41. And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.

42. Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.

43. And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them, and were a support to them.

44. And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.

45. And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw down the altars:

46. And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.

47. And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work prospered in their hands:

48. And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.

49. Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:

50. Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

51. And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.

52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?

53. Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.

54. Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

55. Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.

56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance.

57. David by his mercy obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom.

58. Elias, while he was full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.

59. Ananias and Azarias and Misael by believing, were delivered out of the flame.

60. Daniel in his innocency was delivered out of the mouth of the lions.

61. And thus consider through all generations: that none that trust in him fail in strength.

62. And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung, and worms:

63. To day he is lifted up, and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth; and his thought is come to nothing.

64. You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.

65. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you.

66. And Judas Machabeus who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.

67. And you shall take to you all that observe the law: and revenge ye the wrong of your people.

68. Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law.

69. And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.

70. And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.

Chapter 4

1. Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.

2. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the Boor in his want.

3. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to give to him that is in distress.

4. Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.

5. Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.

6. For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.

7. Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.

8. Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.

9. Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.

10. In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.

11. And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.

12. Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.

13. And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.

14. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.

15. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.

16. He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.

17. If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.

18. For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.

19. She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.

20. Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,

21. And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.

22. But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

23. Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.

24. For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.

25. For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.

26. Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.

27. Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:

28. And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

29. For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.

30. In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.

31. Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.

32. Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.

33. Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.

34. Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.

35. Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.

36. Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.

Chapter 5

1. Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.

2. Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:

3. And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.

4. Say not: I have sinned, and whet harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.

5. Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:

6. And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.

7. For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.

8. Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.

9. For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.

10. Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.

11. Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.

12. Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.

13. Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.

14. If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.

15. Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.

16. Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.

17. For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.

18. Justify alike the small and the great.

Chapter 6

1. Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.

2. Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,

3. And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.

4. For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.

5. A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

6. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.

7. If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.

8. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

9. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.

10. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

11. A friend ii he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.

12. If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.

13. Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

14. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

15. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.

16. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

17. He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.

18. My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

19. Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:

20. For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.

21. How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.

22. She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.

23. For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.

24. Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.

25. Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:

26. Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.

27. Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.

28. Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:

29. For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.

30. Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:

31. For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.

32. Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.

33. My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.

34. If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.

35. Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.

36. And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.

37. Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.

1. A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.

2. The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.

3. The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.

4. The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.