2 Maccabees, 2

1. It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:

1. It is found in the archives that the prophet Jeremiah ordered the exiles to take the fire, as we have already said.

2. And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments.

2. After giving them the Law, he exhorted them not to forget the precepts of God and not to let themselves be dazzled by the idols of silver and gold with all their adornment.

3. And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.

3. He spoke to them of many similar things, admonishing them never to lose their love for the Law.

4. It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up, and saw the heritage of God.

4. It is also said in these writings of the past that the prophet Jeremiah, fulfilling orders from Heaven, commanded that the ark of the Covenant with its tent be brought with him. And he went to the mountain which Moses had climbed before and from where he had seen the promised land.

5. And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.

5. There Jeremiah found a cave; and he brought in the ark, the tent that covered it and the altar of incense. Then he closed up the entrance with stones.

6. And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.

6. Some of those who followed him returned to mark out the way, but they could not find it anymore.

7. Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

7. When Jeremiah learned this, he reproached them and said, "This place is to remain hidden until God has compassion on his scattered people and gathers them together.

8. Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.

8. Then the Lord will reveal these things again and his Glory shall appear in the cloud as it appeared in the time of Moses and when Solomon asked God to come and consecrate his house."

9. It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.

9. It was also reported in these archives how Solomon, inspired by his wisdom, offered the sacrifice of the dedication and completion of the Temple.

10. And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings.

10. And as fire had come down from heaven through the prayer of Moses to consume the offerings and the sacrificial victim, so through the prayer of Solomon, fire also came down from heaven and burned up the holocausts.

11. And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed.

11. And what Moses had said was fulfilled: Inasmuch as the sin-offering was not eaten, the fire consumed it.

12. So Solomon kept those eight days.

12. Solomon celebrated the feast, too, for eight days.

13. The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.

13. This also can be read in the archives and in the Memories of Nehemiah's time. It is recounted there that Nehemiah founded a library and collected the books dealing with the kings and the prophets, the writings of David and the letters of the kings about offerings.

14. In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us,

14. In the same way, Judas has just gathered all the books dispersed on account of the war we suffered, and they are now in our possession.

15. Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.

15. So, if you need any of them, send someone to get them for you.

16. Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.

16. We said we are now about to celebrate the feast of the purification of the Temple; you will do well to celebrate these feast days also,

17. We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,

17. for God has saved all his people and returned to everyone his own land. He let us recover the kingdom, the Temple, and the worship rendered to him in that Temple,

18. As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.

18. as is commanded in his Law. God himself, as we do hope, will soon have mercy on us and gather us together from everywhere to the Holy Place, since he has rescued us from great evils and has purified this Place.

19. Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,

19. The story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers has been written by Jason of Cyrene. He narrated the purification of the Temple of the Most High, the dedication of the altar,

20. And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son,

20. the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,

21. And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes,

21. and the heavenly manifestations in favor of those who fought bravely and gloriously for Judaism. Although they were few in number, they liberated the whole land and put to flight hordes of foreigners.

22. And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:

22. They regained the Temple renowned throughout the world, liberated the city and reestablished the laws which were nearly abolished, for the Lord was gracious to them in his great kindness.

23. All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.

23. All this, which has been set forth in five volumes by Jason of Cyrene, we shall now attempt to sum up in a single book.

24. For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,

24. We recognize that these books contain many figures, and that it is difficult for those who wish to understand this history because of so many facts.

25. We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.

25. So we have concerned ourselves to offer something engaging for those who simply want to read, something easily committed to memory, and profitable for anyone who reads it.

26. Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching;

26. For us who have undertaken the arduous task of summarizing, it has not been easy but has cost as much effort

27. Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;

27. as it would to prepare a banquet which would please everyone. But like those who prepare a banquet, we have endured this toil willingly in order to please others.

28. Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

28. So we leave to the historian the task of relating accurately all the details, and we have condensed this enormous work into a simple summary.

29. For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.

29. For just as the architect of a new house has to be concerned about the whole construction, while the painters and decorators are concerned only about what relates to their task, so it is with us.

30. To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:

30. The analysis of details and discussion on disputable points belongs to the historian.

31. But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.

31. But for one who tries to condense a report, his task is to summarize and not present a complete narration of facts and events.

32. Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

32. So let us begin our narrative without going on at length about what has been said before, for it would be senseless to expand the preface while cutting short the narration of the history itself.