THE FIRST BOOK OF MACHABEES

         These books are so called, because they contain the history
         of the people of God under the command of Judas Machabeus
         and his brethren: and he, as some will have it, was surnamed
         Machabeus, from carrying in his ensigns, or standards, those
         words of Exodus 15.11, Who is like to thee among the strong,
         O Lord: in which the initial letters, in the Hebrew, are M.
         C. B. E. I. It is not known who is the author of these
         books. But as to their authority, though they are not
         received by the Jews, saith St. Augustine, (lib. 18, De Civ.
         Dei, c. 36,) they are received by the church: who, in
         settling her canon of the scriptures, chose rather to be
         directed by the tradition she had received from the apostles
         of Christ, than by that of the scribes and Pharisees. And as
         the church has declared these two Books canonical, even in
         two general councils, viz., Florence and Trent, there can be
         no doubt of their authenticity.

         1 Machabees Chapter 1

         The reign of Alexander and his successors: Antiochus rifles
         and profanes the temple of God: and persecutes unto death
         all that will not forsake the law of God, and the religion
         of their fathers.

         1:1. Now it came to pass, after that Alexander the son of
         Philip the Macedonian, who first reigned in Greece, coming
         out of the land of Cethim, had overthrown Darius, king of
         the Persians and Medes:

         1:2. He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of
         all, and slew the kings of the earth:

         1:3. And he went through even to the ends of the earth: and
         took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet
         before him.

         1:4. And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and
         his heart was exalted and lifted up:

         1:5. And he subdued countries of nations, and princes; and
         they became tributaries to him.

         1:6. And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and
         knew that he should die.

         1:7. And he called his servants, the nobles that were
         brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his
         kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

         Divided his kingdom, etc... This is otherwise related by
         Q. Curtius; though he acknowledges that divers were of
         that opinion, and that it had been delivered by some
         authors, lib. 10. But here we find from the sacred text,
         that he was in error.

         1:8. And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.

         1:9. And his servants made themselves kings, every one in
         his place:

         1:10. And they all put crowns upon themselves after his
         death, and their sons after them, many years; and evils
         were multiplied in the earth.

         1:11. And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus
         the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a
         hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and
         thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

         Antiochus the Illustrius... Epiphanes, the younger son of
         Antiochus the Great, who usurped the kingdom, to the
         prejudice of his nephew Demetrius, son of his elder
         brother Seleucus Philopater.-Ibid. Of the kingdom of the
         Greeks... Counting, not from the beginning of the reign
         of Alexander, but from the first year of Seleucus Nicator.

         1:12. In those days there went out of Israel wicked men,
         and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go and make a
         covenant with thc heathens that are round about us: for
         since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.

         1:13. And the word seemed good in their eyes.

         1:14. And some of the people determined to do this, and
         went to the king: and he gave them license to do after the
         ordinances of the heathens.

         1:15. And they built a place of excercise in Jerusalem,
         according to the laws of the nations:

         1:16. And they made themselves prepuces, and departed from
         the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathens,
         and were sold to do evil:

         1:17. And the kingdom was established before Antiochus, and
         he had a mind to reign over the land of Egypt, that he
         might reign over two kingdoms.

         1:18. And he entered into Egypt with a great multitude,
         with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great
         number of ships:

         1:19. And he made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt; but
         Ptolemee was afraid at his presence and fled, and many were
         wounded unto death.

         1:20. And he took the strong cities in the land of Egypt:
         and he took the spoils of the land of Egypt.

         1:21. And after Antiochus had ravaged Egypt, in the hundred
         and forty-third year, he returned and went up against
         Israel.

         1:22. And he went up to Jerusalem, with a great multitude.

         1:23. And he proudly entered into the sanctuary, and took
         away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and
         all the vessels thereof, and the table of proposition, and
         the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the little mortars
         of gold, and the veil, and the crowns, and the golden
         ornament that was before the temple: and he broke them all
         in pieces.

         1:24. And he took the silver and gold, and the precious
         vessels: and he took the hidden treasures, which he found:
         and when he had taken all away, he departed into his own
         country.

         1:25. And he made a great slaughter of men, and spoke very
         proudly.

         1:26. And there was great mourning in Israel, and in every
         place where they were:

         1:27. And the princes, and the ancients mourned, and the
         virgins and the young men were made feeble, and the beauty
         of the women was changed.

         1:28. Every bridegroom took up lamentation: and the bride
         that sat in the marriage bed, mourned:

         1:29. And the land was moved for the inhabitants thereof,
         and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.

         1:30. And after two full years, the king sent the chief
         collector of his tributes to the cities of Juda, and he
         came to Jerusalem with a great multitude.

         The chief collector, etc... Apollonius.

         1:31. And he spoke to them peaceable words in deceit; and
         they believed him.

         1:32. And he fell upon the city suddenly, and struck it
         with a great slaughter, and destroyed much people in
         Israel.

         1:33. And he took the spoils of the city, and burnt it with
         fire, and threw down the houses thereof, and the walls
         thereof round about:

         1:34. And they took the women captive, and the chil- dren,
         and the cattle they possessed.

         1:35. And they built the city of David with a great and
         strong wall, and with strong towers, and made it a fortress
         for them:

         The city of David... That is, the castle of Sion.

         1:36. And they placed there a sinful nation, wicked men,
         and they fortified themselves therein: and they stored up
         armour;and victuals, and gathered together the spoils of
         Jerusalem;

         1:37. And laid them up there: and they became a great
         snare.

         1:38. And this was a place to lie in wait against the
         sanctuary, and an evil devil in Israel.

         An evil devil... That is, an adversary watching constantly
         to do harm, as the evil spirit is always watching and
         seeking whom he may devour.

         1:39. And they shed innocent blood round about the
         sanctuary, and defiled the holy place.

         1:40. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled away by reason
         of them and the city was made the habitation of strangers,
         and she became a stranger to her own seed, and her children
         forsook her.

         1:41. Her sanctuary was desolate like a wilderness, her
         festival days were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into
         reproach, her honours were brought to nothing.

         1:42. Her dishonour was increased according to her glory,
         and her excellency was turned into mourning.

         1:43. And king Antiochus wrote to all his kingdom, that all
         the people should be one: and every one should leave his
         own law.

         1:44. And all nations consented, according to the word of
         king Antiochus.

         1:45 And many of Israel consented to his service, and they
         sacrificed to idols, and profaned the sabbath.

         1:46. And the king sent letters by the hands of messengers
         to Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda; that they
         should follow the law of the nations of the earth.

         1:47. And should forbid holocausts and sacrifices, and
         atonements to be made in the temple of God.

         1:48. And should prohibit the sabbath, and the festival
         days to be celebrated.

         1:49. And he commanded the holy places to be profaned, and
         the holy people of Israel.

         1:50. And he commanded altars to be built, and temples, and
         idols, and swine's flesh to be immolated, and unclean
         beasts,

         1:51. And that they should leave their children
         uncircumcised, and let their souls be defiled with all
         uncleannesses, and abominations, to the end that they
         should forget the law, and should change all the
         justifications of God.

         1:52. And that whosoever would not do according to the word
         of king Antiochus, should be put to death.

         1:53. According to all these words he wrote to his whole
         kingdom: and he appointed rulers over the people that
         should force them to do these things.

         1:54. And they commanded the cities of Juda to sacrifice.

         1:55. Then many of the people were gathered to them that
         had forsaken the law of the Lord: and they committed evils
         in the land:

         1:56. And they drove away the people of Israel into lurking
         holes, and into the secret places of fugitives.

         1:57. On the fifteenth day of the month, Casleu, in the
         hundred and forty-fifth year, king Antiochus set up the
         abominable idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and
         they built altars throughout all the cities of Juda round
         about:

         The abominable idol, etc... Viz., the statue of Jupiter
         Olympius.

         1:58. And they burnt incense, and sacrificed at the doors
         of the houses and in the streets.  1:59. And they cut in
         pieces, and burnt with fire the books of the law of God:

         1:60. And every one with whom the books of the testament of
         the Lord were found, and whosoever observed the law of the
         Lord, they put to death, according to the edict of the
         king.

         1:61. Thus by their power did they deal with the people of
         Israel, that were found in the cities month after month.

         1:62. And on the five and twentieth day of the month they
         sacrificed upon the altar of the idol that was over against
         the altar of God.

         1:63. Now the women that circumcised their children were
         slain according to the commandment of king Antiochus,

         1:64. And they hanged the children about their neck in all
         their houses: and those that had circumcised them, they put
         to death.

         1:65. And many of the people of Israel determined with
         themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: and
         they chose rather to die, than to be defiled with unclean
         meats:

         1:66. And they would not break the holy law of God and they
         were put to death:

         1:67. And there was very great wrath upon the people.  . j;
         1 Machabees Chapter 2

         The zeal and success of Mathathias. His exhortation to his
         sons at his death.

         2:1. 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:

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

         2:3. And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi;

         2:4. And Judas, who was called Machabeus;

         2:5. And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron; and Jonathan,
         who was surnamed Apphus.

         2:6. These saw the evils that were done in the people of
         Juda, and in Jerusalem.

         2:7. 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?

         2:8. The holy places are come into the hands of strangers
         her temple is become as a man without honour.

         2:9. 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.

         2:10. What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and
         gotten of her spoils?

         2:11. All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free
         is made a slave.

         2:12. And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our
         glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.

         2:13. To what end then should we live any longer?

         2:14. And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and
         they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great
         lamentation.

         2:15. 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.

         2:16. And many of the people of Israel consented and came
         to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.

         2:17. 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.

         2:18. 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.  2:19. 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:

         2:20. I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of
         our fathers.

         2:21. God be merciful unto us: it is not profitable for us
         to forsake the law, and the justices of God:

         2:22. 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.

         2:23. 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.

         2:24. 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:

         2:25. Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who
         compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and
         pulled down the altar,

         2:26. And shewed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri,
         the son of Salomi.

         2:27. 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.

         2:28. So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left
         all that they had in the city.

         2:29. Then many that sought after judgment, and justice,
         went down into the desert

         2:30. And they abode there, they and their children, and
         their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions
         increased upon them.

         2:31. 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.

         2:32. And forthwith they went out towards them, and made
         war against them on the sabbath day.

         2:33. And they said to them: Do you still resist? come
         forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and
         you shall live.

         2:34. And they said: We will not come forth, neither will
         we obey the king's edict, to profane the sabbath day.

         2:35. And they made haste to give them battle.

         2:36. But they answered them not, neither did they cast a
         stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,

         2:37. Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven
         and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to
         death wrongfully.

         2:38. 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.

         2:39. And Mathathias and his friends heard of it, and they
         mourned for them exceedingly.

         2:40. 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.

         2:41. 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.

         2:42. Then was assembled to them the congregation of the
         Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a
         good will for the law.

         The Assideans... A set of men that led a religious life;
         and were zealous for the law and worship of God.

         2:43. And all they that fled from the evils, joined
         themselves to them, and were a support to them.

         2:44. 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.

         2:45. And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and
         they threw down the altars:

         2:46. And they circumcised all the children whom they found
         in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they
         did valiantly.

         2:47. And they pursued after the children of pride, and the
         work prospered in their hands:

         2:48. 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.

         They yielded not the horn, etc... That is, they suffered
         not the power of Antiochus, that man of sin, to abolish
         the law and religion of God.

         2:49. 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:

         2:50. Now, therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law,
         and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.

         2:51. 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.

         2:52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it
         was reputed to him unto justice?

         2:53. Joseph, in the time of his distress, kept the
         commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.

         2:54. Phinees, our father, by being fervent in the zeal of
         God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

         2:55. Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler
         in Israel.

         Jesus... That is, Josue.

         2:56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation,
         received an inheritance.

         2:57. David, by his mercy, obtained the throne of an
         everlasting kingdom.

         2:58. Elias, while he is full of zeal for the law, was
         taken up into heaven.

         2:59. Ananias and Azarias and Misael, by believing, were
         delivered out of the flame.

         2:60. Daniel, in his innocency, was delivered out of the
         mouth of the lions.

         2:61. And thus consider, through all generations: that none
         that trust in him, fail in strength.

         2:62. And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory
         is dung and worms:

         2:63. Today he is lifted up, and tomorrow he shall not be
         found, because he is returned into his earth and his
         thought is come to nothing.

         2:64. You, therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave
         manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.

         2:65. 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.

         2:66. 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.

         2:67. And you shall take to you all that observe the law:
         and revenge ye the wrong of your people.

         2:68. Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to
         the precepts of the law.

         2:69. And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.

         2:70. 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.

         1 Machabees Chapter 3

         Judas Machabeus succeeds his father, and overthrows
         Apollonius and Seron. A great army is sent against him out
         of Syria. He prepares his people for battle by fasting and
         prayer.

         3:1. Then his son Judas, called Machabeus, rose up in his
         stead.

         3:2. And all his brethren helped him, and all they that had
         joined themselves to his father, and they fought with
         cheerfulness the battle of Israel.

         3:3. And he got his people great honour, and put on a
         breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike armour about
         him in battles, and protected the camp with his sword.

         3:4. In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion's
         whelp roaring for his prey.

         3:5. And he pursued the wicked and sought them out, and
         them that troubled his people he burnt with fire:

         3:6. And his enemies were driven away for fear of him, and
         all the workers of iniquity were troubled: and salvation
         prospered in his hand.

         3:7. And he grieved many kings, and made Jacob glad with
         his works, and his memory is blessed for ever.

         3:8. And he went through the cities of Juda, and destroyed
         the wicked out of them, and turned away wrath from Israel.

         3:9. And he was renowned even to the utmost part of the
         earth, and he gathered them that were perishing.

         3:10. And Apollonius gathered together the Gentiles, and a
         numerous and great army from Samaria, to make war against
         Israel.

         3:11. And Judas understood it, and went forth to meet him:
         and he overthrew him, and killed him: and many fell down
         slain, and the rest fled away.

         3:12. And he took their spoils, and Judas took the sword of
         Apollonius, and fought with it all his lifetime.

         3:13. And Seron, captain of the army of Syria, heard that
         Judas had assembled a company of the faithful, and a
         congregation with him,

         3:14. And he said I will get me a name, and will be
         glorified in the kingdom, and will overthrow Judas, and
         those that are with him, that have despised the edict of
         the king.

         3:15. And he made himself ready; and the host of the wicked
         went up with him, strong succours, to be revenged of the
         children of Israel.

         3:16. And they approached even as far as Bethoron: and
         Judas went forth to meet him, with a small company.

         3:17. But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they
         said to Judas: How shall we, being few, be able to fight
         against so great a multitude, and so strong, and we are
         ready to faint with fasting today?

         3:18. And Judas said: It is an easy matter for many to be
         shut up in the hands of a few: and there is no difference
         in the sight of the God of heaven to deliver with a great
         multitude, or with a small company:

         3:19. For the success of war is not in the multitude of the
         army, but strength cometh from heaven.

         3:20. They come against us with an insolent multitude, and
         with pride, to destroy us, and our wives, and our children,
         and to take our spoils.

         3:21. But we will fight for our lives, and our laws:

         3:22. And the Lord himself will overthrow them before our
         face, but as for you, fear them not

         3:23. And as soon as he had made an end of speaking, he
         rushed suddenly upon them: and Seron, and his host were
         overthrown before him:

         3:24. And he pursued him by the descent of Bethoron, even
         to the plain, and there fell of them eight hundred men, and
         the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.

         3:25. And the fear of Judas, and of his brethren, and the
         dread of them, fell upon all the nations round about them.

         3:26. And his fame came to the king, and all nations told
         of the battles of Judas.

         3:27. Now when king Antiochus heard these words, he was
         angry in his mind: and he sent, and gathered the forces of
         all his kingdom, an exceeding strong army.

         3:28. And he opened his treasury, and gave out pay to the
         army for a year: and he commanded them, that they should be
         ready for all things.

         3:29. And he perceived that the money of his treasures
         failed, and that the tributes of the country were small,
         because of the dissension, and the evil that he had brought
         upon the land, that he might take away the laws of old
         times:

         3:30. And he feared that he should not have as formerly
         enough for charges and gifts, which he had given before
         with a liberal hand: for he had abounded more than the
         kings that had been before him.

         3:31. And he was greatly perplexed in mind, and purposed to
         go into Persia, and to take tributes of the countries, and
         to gather much money.

         3:32. And he left Lysias, a nobleman of the blood royal to
         oversee the affairs of the kingdom from the river Euphrates
         even to the river of Egypt:

         3:33. And to bring up his son, Antiochus, till he came
         again.

         3:34. And he delivered to him half the army, and the
         elephants: and he gave him charge concerning all that he
         would have done, and concerning the inhabitants of Judea,
         and Jerusalem.

         3:35. And that he should send an army against them to
         destroy and root out the strength of Israel, and the
         remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away the memory of them
         from that place.

         3:36. And that he should settle strangers, to dwell in all
         their coasts, and divide their land by lot.

         3:37. So the king took the half of the army that remained,
         and went forth from Antioch, the chief city of his kingdom,
         in the hundred and forty-seventh year: and he passed over
         the river Euphrates, and went through the higher countries.

         3:38. Then Lysias chose Ptolemee, the son of Dorymenus, and
         Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's friends.

         3:39. And he sent with them forty thousand men, and seven
         thousand horsemen: to go into the land of Juda, and to
         destroy it, according to the king's orders.

         3:40. So they went forth with all their power, and came,
         and pitched near Emmaus, in the plain country.

         3:41. And the merchants of the countries heard the fame of
         them: and they took silver and gold in abundance, and
         servants: and they came into the camp, to buy the children
         of Israel for slaves: and there were joined to them the
         forces of Syria, and of the land of the strangers.

         3:42. And Judas, and his brethren, saw that evils were
         multiplied, and that the armies approached to their
         borders: and they knew the orders the king had given to
         destroy the people, and utterly abolish them.

         3:43. And they said, every man to his neighbour: Let us
         raise up the low condition of our people, and let us fight
         for our people, and our sanctuary.

         3:44. And the assembly was gathered, that they might be
         ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy
         and compassion.

         3:45. Now Jerusalem was not inhabited, but was like a
         desert: there was none of her children that went in or out:
         and the sanctuary was trodden down: and the children of
         strangers were in the castle, there was the habitation of
         the Gentiles: and joy was taken away from Jacob, and the
         pipe and harp ceased there.

         3:46. And they assembled together, and came to Maspha, over
         against Jerusalem: for in Maspha was a place of prayer
         heretofore in Israel.

         3:47. And they fasted that day, and put on haircloth, and
         put ashes upon their heads: and they rent their garments:

         3:48. And they laid open the books of the law, in which the
         Gentiles searched for the likeness of their idols:

         3:49. And they brought the priestly ornaments, and the
         first fruits and tithes, and stirred up the Nazarites that
         had fulfilled their days:

         3:50. And they cried with a loud voice toward heaven,
         saying: What shall we do with these, and whither shall we
         carry them?

         3:51. For thy holies are trodden down, and are profaned,
         and thy priests are in mourning, and are brought low.

         3:52. And behold the nations are come together against us,
         to destroy us: thou knowest what they intend against us.

         3:53. How shall we be able to stand before their face,
         unless thou, O God, help us?

         3:64. Then they sounded with trumpets, and cried out with a
         loud voice.

         3:66. And after this, Judas appointed captains over the
         people, over thousands, and over hundreds, and over
         fifties, and over tens.

         3:66. And he said to them that were building houses, or had
         betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards, or were
         fearful, that they should return every man to his house,
         according to the law.

         3:67. So they removed the camp, and pitched on the south
         side of Emmaus.

         3:68. And Judas said: Gird yourselves, and be valiant men,
         and be ready against the morning, that you may fight with
         these nations that are assembled against us to destroy us
         and our sanctuary.

         3:59. For it is better for us to die in battle, than to see
         the evils of our nation, and of the holies:

         3:60. Nevertheless, as it shall be the will of God in
         heaven, so be it done.

         1 Machabees Chapter 4

         Judas routs the king's army. Gorgias flies before him.
         Lysias comes against him with a great army, but is
         defeated. Judas cleanses the temple, sets up a new altar,
         and fortifies the sanctuary.

         4:1. Then Gorgias took five thousand men, and a thousand of
         the best horsemen; and they removed out of the camp by
         night.

         4:2. That they might come upon the camp of the Jews and
         strike them suddenly: and the men that were of the castle
         were their guides.

         4:3. And Judas heard of it, and rose up, he and the valiant
         men, to attack the king's forces that were in Emmaus.

         4:4. For as yet the army was dispersed from the camp

         The army was dispersed... That is, in different divisions,
         not altogether encamped.

         4:5. And Gorgias came by night into the camp of Judas, and
         found no man; and he sought them in the mountains: for he
         said: These men flee from us.

         4:6. And when it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain
         with three thousand men only, who neither had armour nor
         swords:

         Who neither had armour nor swords... Such as they wished
         for.

         4:7. And they saw the camp of the Gentiles that it was
         strong, and the men in breastplates, and the horsemen round
         about them, and these were trained up to war.

         4:8. And Judas said to the men that were with him: Fear ye
         not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.

         4:9. Remember in what manner our fathers were saved in the
         Red Sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with a great army.

         4:10. And now let us cry to heaven, and the Lord will have
         mercy on us, and will remember the covenant of our fathers,
         and will destroy this army before our face this day:

         4:11. And all nations shall know that there is one that
         redeemeth and delivereth Israel.

         4:12. And the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them
         coming against them.

         4:13. And they went out of the camp to battle, and they
         that were with Judas sounded the trumpet.

         4:14. And they joined battle: and the Gentiles were routed,
         and fled into the plain.

         4:15. But all the hindmost of them fell by the sword and
         they pursued them as far as Gezeron, and even to the plains
         of Idumea, and of Azotus, and of Jamnia: and there fell of
         them to the number of three thousand men.

         4:16. And Judas returned again with his army that followed
         him.

         4:17. And he said to the people: Be not greedy of the
         spoils; for there is war before us:

         4:18. And Gorgias and his army are near us in the mountain:
         but stand ye now against our enemies, and overthrow them,
         and you shall take the spoils afterwards with safety.

         4:19. And as Judas was speaking these words, behold part of
         them appeared, looking forth from the mountain.

         4:20. And Gorgias saw that his men were put to flight, and
         that they had set fire to the camp: for the smoke that was
         seen declared what was done.

         4:21. And when they had seen this, they were seized with
         great fear, seeing at the same time Judas and his army in
         the plain ready to fight.

         4:22. So they all fled away into the land of the strangers.

         4:23. And Judas returned to take the spoils of the camp,
         and they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and
         purple of the sea, and great riches.

         4:24. And returning home, they sung a hymn, and blessed God
         in heaven, because he is good, because his mercy endureth
         for ever.

         4:25. So Israel had a great deliverance that day.

         4:26 And such of the strangers as escaped, went and told
         Lysias all that had happened.

         4:27. And when he heard these things, he was amazed and
         discouraged: because things had not succeeded in Israel
         according to his mind, and as the king had commanded.

         4:28. So the year following, Lysias gathered together
         threescore thousand chosen men, and five thousand horsemen,
         that he might subdue them.

         4:29. And they came into Judea, and pitched their tents in
         Bethoron, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.

         4:30. And they saw that the army was strong, and he prayed
         and said: Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst
         break the violence of the mighty by the hand of thy servant
         David, and didst deliver up the camp of the strangers into
         the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and of his armour
         bearer.

         4:31. Shut up this army in the hands of thy people Israel,
         and let them be confounded in their host and their
         horsemen.  32 Strike them with fear, and cause the boldness
         of their strength to languish, and let them quake at their
         own destruction.

         4:33. Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee:
         and let all that know thy name praise thee with hymns.

         4:34. And they joined battle: and there fell of the army of
         Lysias five thousand men.

         4:35. And when Lysias saw that his men were put to flight,
         and how bold the Jews were, and that they were ready either
         to live, or to die manfully, he went to Antioch, and chose
         soldiers, that they might come again into Judea with
         greater numbers.

         4:36. Then Judas, and his brethren said: Behold our enemies
         are discomfited: let us go up now to cleanse the holy
         places, and to repair them.

         4:37. And all the army assembled together, and they went up
         into Mount Sion.

         4:38. And they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar
         profaned, and the gates burnt, and shrubs growing up in the
         courts as in a forest, or on the mountains, and the
         chambers joining to the temple thrown down.

         4:39. And they rent their garments, and made great
         lamentation, and put ashes on their heads:

         4:40. And they fell down to the ground on their faces, and
         they sounded with the trumpets of alarm, and they cried
         towards heaven.

         4:41. Then Judas appointed men to fight against them that
         were in the castle, till they had cleansed the holy places,

         4:42. And he chose priests without blemish, whose will was
         set upon the law of God.

         4:43. And they cleansed the holy places, and took away the
         stones that had been defiled into an unclean place.

         4:44. And he considered about the altar of holocausts that
         had been profaned, what he should do with it.

         4:45. And a good counsel came into their minds, to pull it
         down: lest it should be a reproach to them, because the
         Gentiles had defiled it; so they threw it down.

         4:46. And they laid up the stones in the mountain of the
         temple, in a convenient place, till there should come a
         prophet, and give answer concerning them.

         4:47. Then they took whole stones, according to the law and
         built a new altar, according to the former:

         4:48. And they built up the holy places, and the things
         that were within the temple: and they sanctified the temple
         and the courts.

         4:49. And they made new holy vessels, and brought in the
         candlestick, and the altar of incense, and the table, into
         the temple.

         4:50. And they put incense upon the altar, and lighted up
         the lamps that were upon the candlestick, and they gave
         light in the temple.

         4:51. And they set the loaves upon the table, and hung up
         the veils, and finished all the works that they had begun
         to make.

         4:52. And they arose before the morning on the five and
         twentieth day of the ninth month, (which is the month of
         Casleu) in the hundred and forty-eighth year.

         4:53. And they offered sacrifice, according to the law,
         upon the new altar of holocausts which they had made.

         4:54. According to the time, and according to the day
         wherein the heathens had defiled it, in the same was it
         dedicated anew with canticles, and harps, and lutes, and
         cymbals.

         4:55. And all the people fell upon their faces, and adored,
         and blessed up to heaven, him that had prospered them.

         4:56. And they kept the dedication of the altar eight days,
         and they offered holocausts with joy, and sacrifices of
         salvation, and of praise.

         4:57. And they adorned the front of the temple with crowns
         of gold, and escutcheons, and they renewed the gates, and
         the chambers, and hanged doors upon them.

         4:58. And there was exceeding great joy among the people,
         and the reproach of the Gentiles was turned away.

         4:59. And Judas, and his brethren, and all thc church of
         Israel decreed, that the day of the dedication of the altar
         should be kept in its season from year to year for eight
         days, from the five and twentieth day of the month of
         Casleu, with joy and gladness.

         4:60. They built up also at that time Mount Sion, with high
         walls, and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles
         should at any time come, and tread it down, as they did
         before.

         4:61. And he placed a garrison there, to keep it, and he
         fortified it, to secure Bethsura, that the people might
         have a defence against Idumea.

         1 Machabees Chapter 5

         Judas and his brethren attack the enemies of their country,
         and deliver them that were distressed. Josephus and
         Azarius, attempting contrary to order to fight against
         their enemies, are defeated.

         5:1. Now it came to pass, when the nations round about
         heard that the altar and the sanctuary were built up, as
         before, that they were exceeding angry.

         5:2. And they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob
         that were among them, and they began to kill some of the
         people, and to persecute them.

         5:3. Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in
         Idumea, and them that were in Acrabathane: because they
         beset the Israelites round about, and he made a great
         slaughter of them.

         5:4. And he remembered the malice of the children of Bean:
         who were a snare and a stumblingblock to the people, by
         lying in wait for them in the way.

         5:5. And they were shut up by him in towers, and he set
         upon them, and devoted them to utter destruction, and burnt
         their towers with fire, and all that were in them.

         5:6. Then he passed over to the children of Ammon, where he
         found a mighty power, and much people, and Timotheus was
         their captain:

         5:7. And he fought many battles with them, and they were
         discomfited in their sight, and he smote them:

         5:8. And he took the city of Gazer and her towns, and
         returned into Judea.

         5:9. And the Gentiles that were in Galaad, assembled
         themselves together against the Israelites that were in
         their quarters, to destroy them: and they fled into the
         fortress of Datheman.

         5:10. And they sent letters to Judas, and his brethren,
         saying: The heathens that are round about are gathered
         together against us to destroy us:

         5:11. And they are preparing to come, and to take the
         fortress into which we are fled: and Timotheus is the
         captain of their host.

         5:12. Now therefore come, and deliver us out of their
         hands, for many of us are slain.

         5:13. And all our brethren that were in the places of
         Tubin, are killed: and they have carried away their wives,
         and their children, captives, and taken their spoils, and
         they have slain there almost a thousand men.

         5:14. And while they were yet reading these letters, behold
         there came other messengers out of Galilee with their
         garments rent, who related according to these words:

         5:15. Saying, that they of Ptolemais, and of Tyre, and of
         Sidon, were assembled against them, and all Galilee is
         filled with strangers, in order to consume us.

         5:16. Now when Judas and the people heard these words, a
         great assembly met together to consider what they should do
         for their brethren that were in trouble, and were assaulted
         by them.

         5:17. And Judas said to Simon, his brother: Choose thee
         men, and go, and deliver thy brethren in Galilee: and I,
         and my brother Jonathan, will go into the country of
         Galaad:

         5:18. And he left Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and
         Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant of the
         army in Judea, to keep it:

         5:19. And he commanded them, saying: Take ye the charge of
         this people; but make no war against the heathens, till we
         return.

         5:20. Now three thousand men were allotted to Simon, to go
         into Galilee: and eight thousand to Judas, to go into the
         land of Galaad.

         5:21. And Simon went into Galilee, and fought many battles
         with the heathens: and the heathens were discomfited before
         his face, and he pursued them even to the gate of
         Ptolemais.

         5:22. And there fell of the heathens almost three thousand
         men, and he took the spoils of them.

         5:23. And he took with him those that were in Galilee and
         in Arbatis, with their wives, and children, and all that
         they had, and he brought them into Judea with great joy.

         5:24. And Judas Machabeus, and Jonathan, his brother,
         passed over the Jordan, and went three days' journey
         through the desert.

         5:25. And the Nabutheans met them, and received them in a
         peaceable manner, and told them all that happened to their
         brethren in the land of Galaad,

         5:26. And that many of them were shut up in Barasa, and in
         Bosor, and in Alima, and in Casphor, and in Mageth, and in
         Carnaim; all these strong and great cities.

         5:27. Yea, and that they were kept shut up in the rest of
         the cities of Galaad, and that they had appointed to bring
         their army on the morrow near to these cities, and to take
         them, and to destroy them all in one day.

         5:28. Then Judas and his army suddenly turned their march
         into the desert, to Bosor, and took the city: and he slew
         every male by the edge of the sword, and took all their
         spoils, and burnt it with fire.

         5:29. And they removed from thence by night, and went till
         they came to the fortress.

         5:30. And it came to pass that early in the morning, when
         they lifted up their eyes, behold there were people without
         number, carrying ladders and engines to take the fortress,
         and assault them.

         5:31. And Judas saw that the fight was begun, and the cry
         of the battle went up to heaven like a trumpet, and a great
         cry out of the city:

         5:32. And he said to his host: Fight ye today for your
         brethren.

         5:33. And he came with three companies behind them, and
         they sounded their trumpets, and cried out in prayer.

         5:34. And the host of Timotheus understood that it was
         Machabeus, and they fled away before his face and they made
         a great slaughter of them, and there fell of them in that
         day almost eight thousand men.

         5:35. And Judas turned aside to Maspha, and assaulted, and
         took it, and he slew every male thereof, and took the
         spoils thereof, and burnt it with fire.

         5:36. From thence he marched, and took Casbon, and Mageth,
         and Bosor, and the rest of the cities of Galaad.

         5:37. But after this Timotheus gathered another army, and
         camped over against Raphon, beyond the torrent.

         5:38. And Judas sent men to view the army: and they brought
         him word, saying: All the nations, that are round about us,
         are assembled unto him an army exceeding great:

         5:39. And they have hired the Arabians to help them, and
         they have pitched their tents beyond the torrent, ready to
         come to fight against thee. And Judas went to meet them.

         5:40. And Timotheus said to the captains of his army: When
         Judas and his army come near the torrent of water, if he
         pass over unto us first, we shall not be able to withstand
         him: for he will certainly prevail over us.

         5:41. But if he be afraid to pass over, and camp on the
         other side of the river, we will pass over to them, and
         shall prevail against him.

         5:42. Now when Judas came near the torrent of water, he set
         the scribes of the people by the torrent, and commanded
         them, saying: Suffer no man to stay behind: but let all
         come to the battle.

         5:43. And he passed over to them first, and all the people
         after him, and all the heathens were discomfited before
         them, and they threw away their weapons, and fled to the
         temple that was in Carnaim.

         5:44. And he took that city, and the temple he burnt with
         fire, with all things that were therein: and Carnaim was
         subdued, and could not stand against the face of Judas.

         5:45. And Judas gathered together all the Israelites that
         were in the land of Galaad, from the least even to the
         greatest, and their wives and children, and an army
         exceeding great, to come into the land of Juda.

         5:46. And they came as far as Ephron: now this was a great
         city, situate in the way, strongly fortified, and there was
         no means to turn from it on the right hand or on the left,
         but the way was through the midst of it.

         5:47. And they that were in the city shut themselves in,
         and stopped up the gates with stones: and Judas sent to
         them with peaceable words,

         5:48. Saying: Let us pass through your land, to go into our
         own country, and no man shall hurt you; we will only pass
         through on foot. But they would not open to them.

         5:49. Then Judas commanded proclamation to be made in the
         camp, that they should make an assault, every man in the
         place where he was.

         5:50. And the men of the army drew near, and he assaulted
         that city all the day, and all the night; and the city was
         delivered into his hands:

         5:51. And they slew every male with the edge of the sword,
         and he razed the city, and took the spoils thereof, and
         passed through all the city over them that were slain.

         5:52. Then they passed over the Jordan to the great plain
         that is over against Bethsan.

         5:53. And Judas gathered together the hindmost, and he
         exhorted the people, all the way through, till they came
         into the land of Juda.

         5:54. And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness,
         and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain,
         till they had returned in peace.

         5:55. Now in the days that Judas and Jonathan were in the
         land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee, before
         Ptolemais,

         5:56. Joseph, the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captain of
         the soldiers, heard of the good success, and the battles
         that were fought,

         5:57. And he said: Let us also get us a name, and let us go
         fight against the Gentiles that are round about us.

         5:58. And he gave charge to them that were in his army, and
         they went towards Jamnia.

         5:59. And Gorgias and his men went out of the city, to give
         them battle.

         5:60. And Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were
         pursued unto the borders of Judea: and there fell on that
         day, of the people of Israel, about two thousand men, and
         there was a great overthrow of the people:

         5:61. Because they did not hearken to Judas and his
         brethren, thinking that they should do manfully.

         5:62. But they were not of the seed of those men by whom
         salvation was brought to Israel.

         5:63. And the men of Juda were magnified exceedingly in the
         sight of all Israel, and of all the nations where their
         name was heard.

         5:64. And the people assembled to them with joyful
         acclamations.

         5:65. Then Judas and his brethren went forth and attacked
         the children of Esau, in the land towards the south, and he
         took Chebron and her towns: and he burnt the walls thereof,
         and the towers all round it.

         5:66. And he removed his camp to go into the land of the
         aliens, and he went through Samaria.

         5:67. In that day some priests fell in battle, while
         desiring to do manfully they went out unadvisedly to fight.

         5:68. And Judas turned to Azotus, into the land of the
         strangers, and he threw down their altars, and he burnt the
         statues of their gods with fire: and he took the spoils of
         the cities, and returned into the land of Juda.

         1 Machabees Chapter 6

         The fruitless repentance and death of Antiochus. His son
         comes against Judas with a formidable army. He besieges
         Sion: but at last makes peace with the Jews.

         6:1. 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,

         6:2. 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.

         6:3. So 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.

         6:4. And they rose up against him in battle, and he fled
         away from thence, and departed with great sadness, and
         returned towards Babylonia.

         6:5. 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:

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

         6:7. 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.

         6:8. 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.

         6:9. And he remained there many days: for great grief came
         more and more upon him, and he made account that he should
         die.

         6:10. 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:

         6:11. 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!

         6:12. But now I remember the evils that I did 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.

         6:13. I know, therefore, that for this cause these evils
         have found me: and behold I perish with great grief in a
         strange land.

         6:14. Then he called Philip, one of his friends, and he
         made him regent over all his kingdom.

         6:15. 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.

         6:16. So king Antiochus died there in the year one hundred
         and forty-nine.

         6:17. And Lysias understood that the king was dead, and he
         set up Antiochus, his son, to reign, whom he had brought up
         young: and he called his name Eupator.

         6:18. 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.

         6:19. And Judas purposed to destroy them: and he called
         together all the people, to besiege them.

         6:20. And they came together, and besieged them in the year
         one hundred and fifty, and they made battering slings and
         engines.

         6:21. And some of the besieged got out: and some wicked men
         of Israel joined themselves unto them.

         6:22. And they went to the king, and said: How long dost
         thou delay to execute judgment, and to revenge our
         brethren?

         6:23. We determined to serve thy father, and to do
         according to his orders, and obey his edicts:

         6:24. 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.

         6:25. Neither have they put forth their hand against us
         only, but also against all our borders.

         6:26. And behold they have approached this day to the
         castle of Jerusalem to take it, and they have fortified the
         strong hold of Bethsura:

         6:27. And unless thou speedily prevent them, they will do
         greater things than these, and thou shalt not be able to
         subdue them.

         6:28. 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.

         6:29. There came also to him from other realms, and from
         the islands of the sea, hired troops.

         6:30. And the number of his army was an hundred thousand
         footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two
         elephants trained to battle.

         6:31. 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.

         But they sallied forth... That is, the citizens of
         Bethsura sallied forth and burnt them, that is, burnt the
         engines of the besiegers.

         6:32. And Judas departed from the castle, and removed the
         camp to Bethzacharam, over against the king's camp.

         6:33. 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:

         6:34. And they shewed the elephants the blood of grapes,
         and mulberries, to provoke them to fight.

         6:35. 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.

         6:36. These before the time wheresoever the beast was they
         were there: and whithersoever it went, they went, and they
         departed not from it.

         These before the time... That is, these were ready for
         every occasion.

         6:37. 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.

         6:38. 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.

         6:39. Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold, and
         of brass, the mountains glittered therewith, and they shone
         like lamps of fire.

         6:40. 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.

         6:41. 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.

         6:42. And Judas and his army drew near for battle: and
         there fell of the king's army six hundred men.

         6:43. 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:

         6:44. And he exposed himself to deliver his people, and to
         get himself an everlasting name.

         6:45. 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.

         6:46. 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.

         6:47. Then they seeing the strength of the king and the
         fierceness of his army, turned away from them.

         6:48. But the king's army went up against them to
         Jerusalem: and the king's army pitched their tents against
         Judea and Mount Sion.

         6:49. 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.

         6:50. And the king took Bethsura: and he placed there a
         garrison to keep it.

         6:51. 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.

         6:52. And they also made engines against their engines, and
         they fought for many days.

         6:53. 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.

         6:54. 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.

         6:55. Now Lysias heard that Philip; whom king Antiochus
         while he lived had appointed to bring up his son,
         Antiochus, and to reign,

         6:56. 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:

         6:57. 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.

         6:58. Now, therefore, let us come to an agreement with
         these men, and make peace with them and with all their
         nation.

         6:59. 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.

         6:60. 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.

         6:61. And the king and the princes swore to them: and they
         came out of the strong hold.

         6:62. 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.

         6:63. 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.

         1 Machabees Chapter 7

         Demetrius is made king, and sends Bacchides and Alcimus the
         priest into Judea, and after them Nicanor, who is slain by
         Judas with all his army.

         7:1. In the hundred and fifty-first year, Demetrius, the
         son of Seleucus, departed from the city of Rome, and came
         up with few men into a city of the sea coast, and reigned
         there.

         7:2. And it came to pass as he entered into the house of
         the kingdom of his fathers, that the army seized upon
         Antiochus, and Lysias, to bring them unto hlm.

         7:3. And when he knew it, he said: Let me not see their
         face.

         7:4. So the army slew them. And Demetrius sat upon the
         throne of his kingdom:

         7:5. And there came to him the wicked and ungodly men of
         Israel: and Alcimus was at the head of them, who desired to
         be made high priest.

         7:6. And they accused the people to the king, saying: Judas
         and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and he
         hath driven us out of our land.

         7:7. Now, therefore, send some men whom thou trustest, and
         let him go, and see all the havoc he hath made amongst us,
         and in the king's lands: and let him punish all his friends
         and their helpers.

         7:8. Then the king chose Bacchides, one of his friends,
         that ruled beyond the great river in the kingdom, and was
         faithful to the king: and he sent him,

         7:9. To see the havoc that Judas had made: and the wicked
         Alcimus he made high priest, and commanded him to take
         revenge upon the children of Israel.

         7:1O. And they arose, and came with a great army into the
         land of Juda: and they sent messengers, and spoke to Judas
         and his brethren with peaceable words, deceitfully.

         7:11. But they gave no heed to their words: for they saw
         that they were come with a great army.

         7:12. Then there assembled to Alcimus and Bacchides a
         company of the scribes, to require things that are just:

         7:13. And first the Assideans, that were among the children
         of Israel, and they sought peace of them.

         7:14. For they said: One that is a priest of the seed of
         Aaron is come, he will not deceive us.

         7:15. And he spoke to them peaceably: and he swore to them,
         saying: We will do you no harm, nor your friends.

         7:16. And they believed him. And he took threescore of
         them, and slew them in one day, according to the word that
         is written: 7:17. The flesh of thy saints, and the blood of
         them they have shed round about Jerusalem, and there was
         none to bury them.

         7:18. Then fear and trembling fell upon all the people: for
         they said: There is no truth, nor justice among them: for
         they have broken the covenant, and the oath which they
         made.

         7:19. And Bacchides removed the camp from Jerusalem, and
         pitched in Bethzecha: and he sent, and took many of them
         that were fled away from him, and some of the people he
         killed, and threw them into a great pit.

         7:20. Then he committed the country to Alcimus, and left
         with him troops to help him. So Bacchides went away to the
         king.  7:21. But Alcimus did what he could to maintain his
         chief priesthood.

         7:22. And they that disturbed the people resorted to him,
         and they got the land of Juda into their power, and did
         much hurt in Israel.

         7:23. And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and they
         that were with him, did to the children of Israel, much
         more than the Gentiles.

         7:24. And he went out into all the coasts of Judea round
         about, and took vengeance upon the men that had revolted,
         and they ceased to go forth any more into the country.

         7:25. And Alcimus saw that Judas and they that were with
         him, prevailed: and he knew that he could not stand against
         them, and he went back to the king, and accused them of
         many crimes.

         7:26. And the king sent Nicanor, one of his principal
         lords, who was a great enemy to Israel: and he commanded
         him to destroy the people.

         7:27. And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and
         he sent to Judas and to his brethren deceitfully, with
         friendly words,

         7:28. Saying: Let there be no fighting between me and you:
         I will come with a few men, to see your faces with peace.

         7:29. And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another
         peaceably: and the enemies were prepared to take away Judas
         by force.

         7:30. And the thing was known to Judas that he was come to
         him with deceit: and he was much afraid of him, and would
         not see his face any more.

         7:31. And Nicanor knew that his counsel was discovered: and
         he went out to fight against Judas, near Capharsalama.

         7:32. And there fell of Nicanor's army almost five thousand
         men, and they fled into the city of David.

         7:33. And after this Nicanor went up into mount Sion: and
         some of the priests and the people came out to salute him
         peaceably, and to shew him the holocausts that were offered
         for the king.

         7:34. But he mocked and despised them, and abused them: and
         he spoke proudly,

         7:35. And swore in anger, saying: Unless Judas and his army
         be delivered into my hands, as soon as ever I return in
         peace, I will burn this house. And he went out in a great
         rage.

         7:36. And the priests went in, and stood before the face of
         the altar and the temple: and weeping, they said:

         7:37. Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house for thy name to
         be called upon therein, that it might be a house of prayer
         and supplication for thy people.

         7:38. Be avenged of this man, and his army, and let them
         fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies, and suffer
         them not to continne any longer.

         7:39. Then Nicanor went out from Jerusalem, and encamped
         near to Bethoron: and an army of Syria joined him.

         7:40. But Judas pitched in Adarsa with three thousand men:
         and Judas prayed, and said:

         7:41. O Lord, when they that were sent by king Sennacherib
         blasphemed thee, an angel went out, and slew of them a
         hundred and eighty-five thousand:

         7:42. Even so destroy this army in our sight today and let
         the rest know that he hath spoken ill against thy
         sanctuary: and judge thou him according to his wickedness.

         7:43. And the armies joined battle on the thirteenth day of
         the month, Adar: and the army of Nicanor was defeated, and
         he himself was first slain in the battle.

         7:44. And when his army saw that Nicanor was slain they
         threw away their weapons, and fled:

         7:45. And they pursued after them one day's journey from
         Adazer, even till ye come to Gazara, and they sounded the
         trumpets after them with signals.

         7:46. And they went forth out of all the towns of Judea
         round about, and they pushed them with the horns, and they
         turned again to them, and they were all slain with the
         sword, and there was not left of them so much as one.

         7:47. And they took the spoils of them for a booty, and
         they cut off Nicanor's head, and his right hand, which he
         had proudly stretched out, and they brought it, and hung it
         up over against Jerusalem.

         7:48. And the people rejoiced exceedingly, and they spent
         that day with great joy.

         7:49. And he ordained that this day should be kept every
         year, being the thirteenth of the month of Adar

         7:50. And the land of Juda was quiet for a short time.

         1 Machabees Chapter 8

         Judas hears of the great character of the Romans: he makes
         a league with them.

         8:1. Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they
         are powerful and strong, and willingly agree to all things
         that are requested of them: and that whosoever have come to
         them, they have made amity with them, and that they are
         mighty in power.

         8:2. And they heard of their battles, and their noble acts
         which they had done in Galatia, how they had conquered
         them, and brought them under tribute:

         They heard, etc... What is here set down of the history
         and character of the ancient Romans, is not an assertion,
         or affirmation of the sacred writer: but only a relation
         of what Judas had heard of them.

         8:3. And how great things they had done in the land of
         Spain, and that they had brought under their power the
         mines of silver and of gold that are there, and had gotten
         possession of all the place by their counsel and patience:

         8:4. And had conquered places that were very far off from
         them, and kings that came against them from the ends of the
         earth, and had overthrown them with great slaughter: and
         the rest pay them tribute every year.

         8:5. And that they had defeated in battle Philip and Perses
         the king of the Ceteans, and the rest that had borne arms
         against them, and had conquered them:

         Ceteans... That is, the Macedonians.

         8:6. And how Antiochus, the great king of Asia, who went to
         fight against them, having a hundred and twenty elephants,
         with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was
         routed by them.

         8:7. And how they took him alive, and appointed to him,
         that both he and they that should reign after him, should
         pay a great tribute, and that he should give hostages, and
         that which was agreed upon,

         8:8. And the country of the Indians, and of the Medes, and
         of the Lydians, some of their best provinces: and those
         which they had taken from them, they gave to king Eumenes.

         Eumenes... King of Pergamus.

         8:9. And that they who were in Greece, had a mind to go and
         to destroy them: and they had knowledge thereof,

         8:10. And they sent a general against them, and fought with
         them, and many of them were slain, and they carried away
         their wives, and their children captives, and spoiled them,
         and took possession of their land, and threw down their
         walls, and brought them to be their servants unto this day.

         8:11. And the other kingdoms, and islands, that at any time
         had resisted them, they had destroyed and brought under
         their power.

         8:12. But with their friends, and such as relied upon them,
         they kept amity, and had conquered kingdoms that were near,
         and that were far off: for all that heard their name, were
         afraid of them.

         8:13. That whom they had a mind to help to a kingdom, those
         reigned: and whom they would, they deposed from the
         kingdom: and they were greatly exalted.

         8:14. And none of all these wore a crown, or was clothed in
         purple, to be magnified thereby.

         8:15. And that they had made themselves a senate house, and
         consulted daily three hundred and twenty men, that sat in
         counsel always for the people, that they might do the
         things that were right:

         8:16. And that they committed their government to one man
         every year, to rule over all their country, and they all
         obey one, and there is no envy nor jealousy amongst them.

         To one man... There were two consuls: but one only ruled
         at one time, each in his day.-Ibid. No envy, etc... So
         Judas had heard: and it was so far true, with regard to
         the ancient Romans, that as yet no envy or jealousy had
         divided them into such open factions and civil wars, as
         they afterwards experienced in the time of Marius and
         Sylla, etc.

         8:17. So Judas chose Eupolemus, the son of John, the son of
         Jacob, and Jason, the son of Eleazar, and he sent them to
         Rome to make a league of amity and confederacy with them:

         8:18. And that they might take off from them the yoke of
         the Grecians, for they saw that they oppressed the kingdom
         of Israel with servitude.

         8:19. And they went to Rome, a very long journey, and they
         entered into the senate house, and said:

         8:20. Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the people of
         the Jews, have sent us to you to make alliance and peace
         with you, and that we may be registered your confederates
         and friends.

         8:21. And the proposal was pleasing in their sight.

         8:22. And this is the copy of the writing that they wrote
         back again, graven in tables of brass, and sent to
         Jerusalem, that it might be with them there for a memorial
         of the peace, and alliance.  8:23. GOOD SUCCESS BE TO THE
         ROMANS, and to the people of the Jews by sea, and by land,
         for ever: and far be the sword and enemy from them.

         8:24. But if there come first any war upon the Romans, or
         any of their confederates, in all their dominions:

         8:25. The nation of the Jews shall help them according as
         the time shall direct, with all their heart:

         8:26. Neither shall they give them, whilst they are
         fighting, or furnish them with wheat, or arms, or money, or
         ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall
         obey their orders, without taking any thing of them.

         8:27. In like manner also if war shall come first upon the
         nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all
         their heart, according as the time shall permit them:

         8:28. And there shall not be given to them that come to
         their aid, either wheat, or arms, or money, or ships, as it
         hath seemed good to the Romans: and they shall observe
         their orders without deceit.

         8:29. According to these articles did the Romans covenant
         with the people of the Jews.

         8:30. And, if after this, one party or the other shall have
         a mind to add to these articles, or take away any thing,
         they may do it at their pleasure: and whatsoever they shall
         add, or take away, shall be ratified.

         8:31. Moreover, concerning the evils that Demetrius, the
         king, hath done against them, we have written to him,
         saying: Why hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends
         and allies, the Jews.

         8:32. If, therefore, they come again to us complaining of
         thee, we will do them justice, and will make war against
         thee by sea and land.

         1 Machabees Chapter 9

         Bacchides is sent again into Judea: Judas fights against
         him with eight hundred men and is slain. Jonathan succeeds
         him and revenges the murder of his brother John. He fights
         against Bacchides. Alcimus dies miserably. Bacchides
         besieges Bethbessen. He is forced to raise the siege and
         leave the country.

         9:1. In the mean time, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor
         and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides
         and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with
         them.

         9:2. And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and
         they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they
         made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.

         9:3. In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second
         year they brought the army to Jerusalem:

         9:4. And they arose and went to Berea, with twenty thousand
         men, and two thousand horsemen.

         9:5. Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three
         thousand chosen men with him:

         9:6. And they saw the multitude of the army that they were
         many, and they were seized with great fear: and many
         withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of
         them no more than eight hundred men.

         9:7. And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the
         battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down:
         because he had not time to gather them together, and he was
         discouraged.

         9:8. Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and
         go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against
         them.

         9:9. But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able,
         but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren,
         and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.

         9:10. Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing,
         and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us
         die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our
         glory.

         9:11. And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood
         over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two
         troops, and the slingers, and the archers, went before the
         army, and they that were in the front were all men of
         valour.

         9:12. And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion
         drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:

         9:13. And they also that were on Judas's side, even they
         also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the
         armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto
         the evening.

         9:14. And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the
         army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout
         of heart came together with him:

         9:15. And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he
         pursued them even to the mount Azotus.

         9:16. And they that were in the left wing saw that the
         right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas,
         and them that were with him, at their back:

         9:17. And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many
         wounded of the one side and of the other.

         9:18. And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.

         9:19. And Jonathan and Simon took Judas, their brother, and
         buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers, in the city
         of Modin.

         9:20. And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great
         lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.

         9:21. And said: How is the mighty man fallen, that saved
         the people of Israel!

         9:22. But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and
         of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are
         not written: for they were very many.

         9:23. And it came to pass, after the death of Judas, that
         the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the
         confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose
         up.

         9:24. In those days there was a very great famine, and they
         and all their country yielded to Bacchides.

         9:25. And Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them
         lords of the country:

         9:26. And they sought out, and made diligent search after
         the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he
         took vengeance of them, and abused them.

         9:27. And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as
         was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in
         Israel.

         9:28. And all the friends of Judas came together, and said
         to Jonathan:

         9:29. Since thy brother Judas died there is not a man like
         him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them
         that are the enemies of our nation.

         9:30. Now, therefore, we have chosen thee this day to be
         our prince, and captain, in his stead, to fight our
         battles.

         9:31. So Jonathan took upon him the government at that
         time, and rose up in the place of Judas, his brother

         9:32. And Bacchides had knowledge of it, and sought to kill
         him.

         9:33. And Jonathan, and Simon, his brother, knew it, and
         all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of
         Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake Asphar,

         9:34. And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself,
         with all his army, over the Jordan, on the sabbath day.

         9:35. And Jonathan sent his brother, a captain of the
         people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they
         would lend them their equipage, which was copious.

         9:36. And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba,
         and took John, and all that he had, and went away with
         them.

         9:37. After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon, his
         brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage,
         and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of
         one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.

         9:38. And they remembered the blood of John, their brother:
         and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of
         the mountain.

         9:39. And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a
         tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came
         forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with
         timbrels, and musical instruments and many weapons.

         9:40. And they rose up against them from the place where
         they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many
         wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they
         took all their spoils:

         9:41. And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the
         noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.

         9:42. And they took revenge for the blood of their brother:
         and they returned to the bank of the Jordan.

         9:43. And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath
         day even to the bank of the Jordan, with a great power.

         9:44. And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and
         fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday,
         and the day before.

         9:45. For behold the battle is before us, and the water of
         the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and
         marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn
         aside.

         9:46. Now, therefore, cry ye to heaven, that ye may be
         delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined
         battle.

         9:47. And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike
         Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.

         9:48. And Jonathan, and they that were with him, leapt into
         the Jordan, and swam over the Jordan to them.

         9:49. And there fell of Bacchides' side that day a thousand
         men: and they returned to Jerusalem,

         9:50. And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress
         that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in
         Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high
         walls, and gates, and bars.

         9:51. And he placed garrisons in them, that they might wage
         war against Israel:

         9:52. And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara,
         and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provi- sions
         of victuals:

         9:53. And he took the sons of the chief men of the country
         for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in
         custody.

         9:54. Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the
         second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner
         court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of
         the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.
         9:55. At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were
         hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with
         a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give
         order concerning his house.

         9:56. And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.

         9:57. And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he
         returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.

         9:58. And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold
         Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease and
         without fear: now, therefore, let us bring Bacchides
         hither, and he shall take them all in one night.

         9:59. So they went, and gave him counsel.

         9:60. And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent
         secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea to
         seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they
         could not, for their design was known to them.

         9:61. And he apprehended of the men of the country, that
         were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and
         he slew them.

         9:62. And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him,
         retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he
         repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.

         9:63. And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all
         his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.

         9:64. And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought
         against it many days, and made engines.

         9:65. But Jonathan left his brother, Simon, in the city and
         went forth into the country, and came with a number of men,

         9:66. And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children
         of Phaseron, in their tents, and he began to slay, and to
         increase in forces.

         9:67. But Simon, and they that were with him, sallied out
         of the city, and burnt the engines,

         9:68. And they fought against Bacchides, and he was
         discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly,
         for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.

         9:69. And he was angry with the wicked men that had given
         him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of
         them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their
         country.

         9:70. And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent
         ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore
         to him the prisoners.

         9:71. And he accepted it willingly, and did according to
         his words, and swore that he would do him no harm all the
         days of his life.

         9:72. And he restored to him the prisoners which he before
         had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned, and
         went away into his own country, and he came no more into
         their borders.

         9:73. So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt
         in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people,
         and he destroyed the wicked out of Israel.

         1 Machabees Chapter 10

         Alexander Bales sets himself up for king: both he and
         Demetrius seek to make Jonathan their friend. Alexander
         kills Demetrius in battle, and honours Jonathan. His
         victory over Apollonius.

         10:1. Now in the hundred and sixtieth year, Alexander, the
         son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and
         took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned
         there.

         10:2. And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together
         an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to
         fight.

         10:3. And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan, with
         peaceable words, to magnify him.

         10:4. For he said: Let us first make a peace with him,
         before he make one with Alexander against us.

         10:5. For he will remember all the evils that we have done
         against him, and against his brother, and against his
         nation.

         10:6. And he gave him authority to gather together a army,
         and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate:
         and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to
         be delivered to him.

         10:7. And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters
         in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in
         the castle.

         10:8. And they were struck with great fear, because they
         heard that the king had given him authority to gather
         together an army.

         10:9. And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he
         restored them to their parents.

         10:10. And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build,
         and to repair the city.

         10:11. And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and mount
         Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and
         so they did.

         10:12. Then the strangers that were in the strong holds,
         which Bacchides had built, fled away.

         10:13. And every man left his place, and departed into his
         own country:

         10:14. Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that
         had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this
         was a place of refuge for them.

         10:15. And king Alexander heard of the promises that
         Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the
         battles, and the worthy acts that he and his brethren had
         done, and the labours that they had endured.

         10:16. And he said: Shall we find such another man?  now,
         therefore, we will make him our friend and our confederate.

         10:17. So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according
         to these words, saying:

         10:18. King Alexander to his brother, Jonathan, greetings.

         10:19. We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great
         power, and fit to be our friend:

         10:20. Now therefore, we make thee this day high priest of
         thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and
         he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold) and that
         thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep
         friendship with us.

         10:21. Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the
         seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at
         the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together
         an army, and made a great number of arms.

         10:22. And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding
         sorry, and said:

         10:23. What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath
         prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews to
         strengthen himself?

         10:24. I also will write to them words of request, and
         offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid
         me.

         10:25. And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius
         to the nation of tbe Jews, greeting.

         10:26. Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have
         continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our
         enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.

         10:27. Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity
         towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for
         what you have done in our behalf.

         10:28. And we will remit to you many charges, and will give
         you gifts.

         10:29. And now I free you, and all the Jews, from tributes,
         and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the
         crowns, and the thirds of the seed:

         10:30. And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my
         share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it
         shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three
         cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee,
         from this day forth, and for ever:

         10:31. And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders
         thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.

         10:32. I yield up also the power of the castle that is in
         Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place
         therein such men as he shall choose, to keep it.

         10:33. And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried
         captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at
         liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes, even
         of their cattle.

         10:34. And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths,
         and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days
         before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day,
         be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that
         are in my kingdom:

         10:35. And no man shall have power to do any thing against
         them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.

         10:36. And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the
         number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall
         be made them, as is due to all the king's forces and
         certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses
         of the great king:

         10:37. And some of them shall be set over the affairs of
         the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be
         taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own
         laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.

         10:38. And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of
         the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea:
         that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but
         that of the high priest:

         10:39. Ptolemais and the confines thereof, I give as a free
         gift to the holy places that are in Jerusalem, for the
         necessary charges of the holy things.

         10:40. And I give every year fifteen thousand sickles of
         silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:

         10:41. And all that is above, which they that were over the
         affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they
         shall give it to the works of the house.

         10:42. Moreover, the five thousand sickles of silver, which
         they received from the account of the holy places, every
         year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the
         ministry.

         10:43. And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in
         Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted
         to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and
         all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.

         10:44. For the building also, or repairing the works of the
         holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's
         revenues:

         10:45. For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and
         the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be
         given out of the king's account, as also for the building
         of the walls in Judea.

         10:46. Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words,
         they gave no credit to them, nor received them because they
         remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for
         he had afflicted them exceedingly.

         10:47. And their inclinations were towards Alexander,
         because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their
         regard, and him they always helped.

         10:48. And king Alexander gathered together a great army,
         and moved his camp near to Demetrius.

         10:49. And the two kings joined battle, and the army of
         Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and
         pressed them close.

         10:50. And the battle was hard fought, till the sun went
         down: and Demetrius was slain that day.

         10:51. And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of
         Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:

         Ptolemee... Surnamed Philometer.

         10:52. Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom and am
         set in the throne of my ancestors, and have gotten the
         dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius and possessed our
         country,

         10:53. And have joined battle with him, and both he and his
         army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the
         throne of his kingdom:

         10:54. Now, therefore, let us make friendship one with
         another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will
         be thy son in law, and I will give both thee and her gifts
         worthy of thee.

         10:55. And king Ptolomee answered, saying: Happy is the day
         wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and
         sattest in the throne of their kingdom.

         10:56. And now I will do to thee as thou hast written but
         meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I
         may give her to thee as thou hast said.

         10:57. So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra his
         daughter, and he came to Ptolemais, in the hundred and
         sixty-second year.

         10:58. And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his
         daughter, Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at
         Ptolemais with great glory, after the manner of kings.

         10:59. And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should
         come and meet him.

         10:60. And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met
         there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and
         gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.

         10:61. And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked
         life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: and
         the king gave no heed to them.

         10:62. And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should he
         taken off, and that he shonld be clothed with purple: and
         they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.

         10:63. And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the
         midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man
         complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble
         him for any manner of cause.

         10:64. So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and
         him clothed with purple, they all fled away.

         10:65. And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst
         his chief friends, and made him governor, and partaker of
         his dominion.

         10:66. And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and
         joy.

         10:67. In the year one hundred and sixty-five, Demetrius,
         the son of Demetrius, came from Crete into the land of his
         fathers.

         10:68. And king Alexander heard of it, and was much
         troubled, and returned to Antioch.

         10:69. And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who
         was governor of Celesyria: and he gathered together a great
         army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan, the high
         priest,

         10:70. Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am
         laughed at and reproached, because thou shewest thy power
         against us in the mountuins.

         10:71. Now, therefore, if thou trustest in thy forces, come
         down to us into the plain, and there let us try one
         another: for with me is the strength of war.

         10:72. Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me,
         who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face,
         for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own
         land:

         10:73. And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen,
         and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone,
         nor rock, nor place to flee to?

         10:74. Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he
         was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and
         went out of Jerusalem, and Simon, his brother, met him to
         help him.

         10:75. And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they
         shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius
         was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.

         10:76. And they that were in the city being affrighted,
         opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.

         10:77. And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three
         thousand horsemen, and a great army.

         10:78. And he went to Azotus, as one that was making a
         journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain:
         because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted
         in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and
         they joined battle.

         10:79. And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand
         horsemen behind them.

         10:80. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind
         him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the
         people from morning till evening.

         10:81. But the people stood still, as Jonathan had
         commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.

         10:82. Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the
         legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were
         discomfited by him, and fled.

         10:83. And they that were scattered about the plain fled
         into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple,
         there to save themselves.

         10:84. But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that
         were round about it, and took the spoils of them and the
         temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he
         burnt with fire.

         10:85. So they that were slain by the sword, with them that
         were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.

         10:86. And Jonathan, removed his army from thence and
         camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to
         meet him with great honour.

         10:87. And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his
         people, having many spoils.

         10:88. And it came to pass, when Alexander, the king heard
         these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.

         10:89. And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is,
         to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave
         him Accaron, and all the borders thereof, in possession.

         1 Machabees Chapter 11

         Ptolemee invades the kingdom of Alexander: the latter is
         slain: and the former dies soon after. Demetrius honours
         Jonathan, and is rescued by the Jews from his own subjects
         in Antioch. Antiochus the younger favours Jonathan. His
         exploits in divers places.

         11:1. And the king of Egypt gathered together an army, like
         the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships: and
         he sought to get the kingdom of Alexander by deceit, and
         join it to his own kingdom.

         11:2. And he went out into Syria with peaceable words and
         they opened to him the cities, and met him: for king
         Alexander had ordered them to go forth to meet him, because
         he was his father in law.

         11:3. Now when Ptolemee entered into the cities, he put
         garrisons of soldiers in every city.

         11:4. And when he came near to Azotns, they shewed him the
         temple of Dagon that was burnt with fire, and Azotus, and
         the suburbs thereof, that were destroyed, and the bodies
         that were cast abroad, and the graves of them that were
         slain in the battle, which they had made near the way.

         11:5. And they told the king that Jonathan had done these
         things, to make him odious: but the king held his peace.

         11:6. And Jonathan came to meet the king at Joppe with
         glory, and they saluted one another, and they lodged there.

         11:7. And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river,
         called Eleutherus: and he returned into Jerusalem.

         11:8. And king Ptolemee got the dominion of the cities by
         the sea side, even to Seleucia, and he devised evil designs
         against Alexander.

         11:9. And he sent ambassadors to Demetrius, saying: Come,
         let us make a league between us, and I will give thee my
         daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in the
         kingdom of thy father.

         11:10. For I repent that I have given him my daughter: for
         he hath sought to kill me.

         11:11. And he slandered him, because he coveted his
         kingdom,

         11:12. And he took away his daughter, and gave her to
         Demetrius, and alienated himself from Alexander, and his
         enmities were made manifest.

         11:13. And Ptolemee entered into Antioch, and set two
         crowns upon his head, that of Egypt, and that of Asia.

         11:14. Now king Alexander was in Cilicia at that time:
         because they that were in those places had rebelled.

         11:15. And when Alexander heard of it, he came to give him
         battle: and king Ptolemee brought forth his army, and met
         him with a strong power, and put him to flight.

         11:16. And Alexander fled into Arabia, there to be
         protected: and king Ptolemee was exalted.

         11:17. And Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head,
         and sent it to Ptolemee.

         11:18. And king Ptolemee died the third day after: and they
         that were in the strong holds were destroyed by them that
         were within the camp.

         11:19. And Demetrius reigned in the hundred and sixty-
         seventh year.

         11:20. In those days Jonathan gathered together them that
         were in Judea, to take the castle that was in Jerusalem:
         and they made many engines of war against it.

         11:21. Then some wicked men that hated their own nation,
         went away to king Demetrius, and told him that Jonathan was
         besieging the castle.

         11:22. And when he heard it, he was angry: and forthwith he
         came to Ptolemais, and wrote to Jonathan that he should not
         besiege the castle, but should come to him in haste, and
         speak to him.

         11:23. But when Jonathan heard this, he bade them besiege
         it still: and he chose some of the ancients of Israel, and
         of the priests, and put himself in danger

         11:24. And he took gold, and silver, and raiment, and many
         other presents, and went to the king to Ptolemais and he
         found favour in his sight.

         11:25. And certain wicked men of his nation made complaints
         against him.

         11:26. And the king treated him as his predecessors had
         done before: and he exalted him in the sight of all his
         friends.

         11:27. And he confirmed him in the high priesthood and all
         the honours he had before, and he made him the chief of his
         friends.

         11:28. And Jonathan requested of the king that he would
         make Judea free from tribute, and the three governments,
         and Samaria, and the confines thereof: and he promised him
         three hundred talents.

         11:29. And the king consented: and he wrote letters to
         Jonathan of all these things, to this effect.

         11:30. King Demetrius to his brother, Jonathan, and to the
         nation of the Jews, greeting.

         11:31. We send you here a copy of the letter which we have
         written to Lasthenes, our parent, concerning you, that you
         might know it.

         11:32. King Demetrius to Lasthenes, his parent, greetings.

         11:33. We have determined to do good to the nation of the
         Jews, who are our friends, and keep the things that are
         just with us, for their good will which they bear towards
         us.

         11:34. We have ratified, therefore, unto them all the
         borders of Judea, and the three cities, Apherema, Lydda,
         and Ramatha, which are added to Judea, out of Samaria, and
         all their confines, to be set apart to all them that
         sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the
         king received of them every year, and for the fruits of the
         land, and of the trees.

         Apherema... is found only in the Greek version.

         11:35. And as for other things that belonged to us of the
         tithes, and of the tributes, from this time we discharge
         them of them: the saltpans also, and the crowns that were
         presented to us.

         11:36. We give all to them, and nothing hereof shall be
         revoked from this time forth and for ever.

         11:37. Now, therefore, see that thou make a copy of these
         things, and let it be given to Jonathan, and set upon the
         holy mountain, in a conspicuous place.

         11:38. And king Demetrius, seeing that the land was quiet
         before him, and nothing resisted him, sent away all his
         forces, every man to his own place, except the foreign
         army, which he had drawn together from the islands of the
         nations: so all the troops of his fathers hated him.

         11:39. Now there was one Tryphon who had been of
         Alexander's party before: who seeing that all the army
         murmured against Demetrius, went to Emalchuel, the Arabian,
         who brought up Antiochus, the son of Alexander:

         11:40. And he pressed him much to deliver him to him, that
         he might be king in his father's place: and he told him all
         that Demetrius had done, and how his soldiers hated him.
         And he remained there many days.

         11:41. And Jonathan sent to king Demetrius, desiring that
         he would cast out them that were in the castle in
         Jerusalem, and those that were in the strong holds: because
         they fought against Israel.

         11:42. And Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying: I will not
         only do this for thee, and for thy people, but I will
         greatly honour thee, and thy nation, when opportunity shall
         serve.

         11:43. Now, therefore, thou shalt do well if thou send me
         men to help me: for all my army is gone from me.

         11:44. And Jonathan sent him three thousand valiant men to
         Antioch: and they came to the king, and the king was very
         glad of their coming.

         11:45. And they that were of the city assembled themselves
         together, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand
         men, and would have killed the king.

         11:46. And the king fled into the palace: and they of the
         city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.

         11:47. And the king called the Jews to his assistance: and
         they came to him all at once, and they all dispersed
         themselves through the city.

         11:48. And they slew in that day a hundred thousand men,
         and they set fire to the city, and got many spoils that
         day, and delivered the king.

         11:49. And they that were of the city saw that the Jews had
         got the city as they would: and they were discouraged in
         their mind, and cried to the king, making supplication, and
         saying

         1:50. Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from
         assaulting us, and the city.

         11:51. And they threw down their arms, and made peace, and
         the Jews were glorified in the sight of the king, and in
         the sight of all that were in his realm, and were renowned
         throughout the kingdom, and returned to Jerusalem with many
         spoils.

         11:52. So king Demetrius sat in the throne of his kingdom:
         and the land was quiet before him.

         11:53. And he falsified all whatsoever he had said, and
         alienated himself from Jonathan, and did not reward him
         according to the benefits he had received from him, but
         gave him great trouble.

         11:54. And after this Tryphon returned, and with him
         Antiochus, the young boy, who was made king, and put on the
         diadem.

         11:55. And there assembled unto him all the hands which
         Demetrius had sent away, and they fought against Demetrius
         who turned his back and fled.

         11:56. And Tryphon took the elephants, and made himself
         master of Antioch.  11:57. And young Antiochus wrote to
         Jonathan, saying: I confirm thee in the high priesthood,
         and I appoint thee ruler over the four cities, and to be
         one of the king's friends.

         11:58. And he sent him vessels of gold for his service, and
         he gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in
         purple, and to wear a golden buckle:

         11:59. And he made his brother, Simon, governor, from the
         borders of Tyre even to the confines of Egypt.

         11:60. Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the
         cities beyond the river, and all the forces of Syria
         gathered themselves to him to help him, and he came to
         Ascalon, and they met him hononrably out of the city.

         11:61. And he went from thence to Gaza: and they that were
         in Gaza shut him out: and he besieged it, and burnt all the
         suburbs round about, and took the spoils.

         11:62. And the men of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan,
         and he gave them the right hand: and he took their sons for
         hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem: and he went through
         the country, as far as Damascus.

         11:63. And Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius
         were come treacherously to Cades, which is in Galilee, with
         a great army, purposing to remove him from the affairs of
         the kingdom.

         11:64. And he went against them: but left his brother,
         Simon, in the country.

         11:65. And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and assaulted
         it many days, and shut them up.

         11:66. And they desired him to make peace, and he granted
         it them: and he cast them out from thence, and took the
         city, and placed a garrison in it.

         11:67. And Jonathan and his army encamped by the water of
         Genesar, and before it was light they were ready in the
         plain of Asor.

         11:68. And behold the army of the strangers met him in the
         plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains:
         but he went out against them.

         11:69. And they that lay in ambush rose out of their
         places, and joined battle.

         11:70. And all that were on Jonathan's side fled, and none
         was left of them, but Mathathias, the son of Absalom, and
         Judas, the son of Calphi, chief captain of the army.

         11:71. And Jonathan rent his garments, and cast earth upon
         his head, and prayed.

         11:72. And Jonathan turned again to them to battle, and he
         put them to flight, and they fought.

         11:73. And they of his part that fled saw this, and they
         turned again to him, and they all with him pursued the
         enemies, even to Cades, to their own camp, and they came
         even thither.

         11:74. And there fell of the aliens in that day three
         thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jernsalem.

         1 Machabees Chapter 12

         Jonathan renews his league with the Romans and
         Lacedemonians. The forces of Demetrius flee away from him.
         He is deceived and made prisoner by Tryphon.

         12:1. 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:

         12:2. And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other
         places, according to the same form.

         12:3. 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.

         12:4. And they gave them letters to their governors in
         every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with
         peace.  12:5. And this is a copy of the letters which
         Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

         12:6. 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.

         12:7. 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.

         12:8. And Onias received the ambassador with honour and
         received the letters, wherein there was mention made of the
         alliance, and amity.

         12:9. We, though we needed none of these things having for
         our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,

         12:10. Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood
         and friendship, lest we should become stranger to you
         altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent
         to us.

         12:11. 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.

         12:12. And we rejoice at yonr glory.

         12:13. But we have had many troubles and wars on every
         side; and the kings that are round about us have fought
         against us.

         12:14. But we would not be troublesome to you, nor to the
         rest of our allies and friends, in these wars.

         12:15. For we have had help from heaven, and we have been
         delivered, and our enemies are humbled.

         12:16. 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.

         12:17. And we have commanded them to go also to you, and
         salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the
         renewing of our brotherhood.

         12:18. And now you shall do well to give us an answer
         hereto.

         12:19. And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent
         to Onias:

         12:20. Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the high
         priest, greeting.

         12:21. It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and
         the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the
         stock of Abraham.

         12:22. And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do
         well to write to us of your prosperity.

         12:23. 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.

         12:24. Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius
         were come again with a greater army than before to fight
         against him.

         12:25. 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.

         12:26. 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.

         12:27. 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.

         12:28. 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.

         12:29. But Jonathan, and they that were with him, knew it
         not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

         12:30. And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them
         not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.

         12:31. And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians, that are
         called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils
         of them.

         12:32. And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and
         passed through all that country.

         12:33. 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,

         12:34. (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.

         12:35. And Jonathan came back, and called together the
         ancients of the people; and he took a resolution with them
         to build fortresses in Judea,

         12:36. 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.

         12:37. 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:

         12:38. And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it,
         and set up gates and bars.

         12:39. 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:

         12:40. 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.

         12:41. And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty
         thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.

         12:42. Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great
         army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him.

         12:43. 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.

         12:44. And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all
         the people, whereas we have no war?

         12:45. 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.

         12:46. And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and
         sent away his army, and they departed into the land of
         Juda:

         12:47. But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he
         sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with
         him.

         12:48. 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.

         12:49. Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee,
         and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's
         company.

         12:50. 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.

         12:51. Then they that had come after them, seeing that they
         stood for their lives, returned back.

         12:52. 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.

         12:53. Then all the heathens that were round about them,
         sought to destroy them. For they said:

         12:54. 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 men.

         1 Machabees Chapter 13

         Simon is made captain general in the room of his brother.
         Jonathan is slain by Tryphon. Simon is favoured by
         Demetrius: he taketh Gaza, and the castle of Jerusalem.

         13:1. Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a
         very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy
         it.

         13:2. And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear,
         he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,

         13:3. And exhorted them, saying: You know what great
         battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have
         fought for the laws, and the sanctuary, and the distresses
         that we have seen:

         13:4. By reason whereof all my brethren have lost their
         lives for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.

         13:5. And now far be it from me to spare my life in any
         time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.

         13:6. I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and
         our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered
         together to destroy us out of mere malice.

         13:7. And the spirit of the people was enkindled as soon as
         they heard these words:

         13:8. And they answered with a loud voice, saying: Thou art
         our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, thy
         brother:

         13:9. Fight thou our battles, and we will do whatsoever
         thou shalt say to us.

         13:10. So gathering together all the men of war, he made
         haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he
         fortified it round about.

         13:11. And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with
         him a new army, into Joppe, and he cast out them that were
         in it, and himself remained there.

         13:12. And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great
         army, to invade the land of Juda, and Jonathan was with him
         in custody.

         13:13. But Simon pitched in Addus, over against the plain.

         13:14. And when Tryphon understood that Simon was risen up
         in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he meant to
         join battle with him, he sent messengers to him,

         13:15. Saying: We have detained thy brother, Jonathan, for
         the money that he owed in the king's account, by reason of
         the affairs which he had the management of.

         13:16. But now send a hundred talents of silver, and his
         two sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he
         may not revolt from us, and we will release him.

         13:17. Now Simon knew that he spoke deceitfully to him;
         nevertheless, he ordered the money and the children to be
         sent, lest he should bring upon himself a great hatred of
         the people of Israel, who might have said:

         13:18. Because he sent not the money and the children
         therefore is he lost.

         13:19. So he sent the children and the hundred talents and
         he lied, and did not let Jonathan go.

         13:20. And after this, Tryphon entered within the country,
         to destroy it: and they went about by the way that leadeth
         to Ador: and Simon and his army marched to every place
         whithersoever they went.

         Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever
         they went... That is, whithersoever Tryphon and his
         horsemen went in order to oppose them.

         13:21. And they that were in the castle, sent messengers to
         Tryphon, that he should make haste to come through the
         desert, and send them victuals.

         13:22. And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that
         night; but there fell a very great snow, and he came not
         into the country of Galaad.

         13:23. And when he approached to Bascama, he slew Jonathan
         and his sons there.

         13:24. And Tryphon returned, and went into his own country.

         13:25. And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan, his
         brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.

         13:26. And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation:
         and they mourned for him many days.

         13:27. And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and
         of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished
         stone, behind and before:

         13:28. And he set up seven pyramids, one against another,
         for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren:

         13:29. And round about these he set great pillars; and upon
         the pillars, arms, for a perpetual memory; and by the arms,
         ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the
         sea.

         13:30. This is the sepulchre that he made in Modin, even
         unto this day.

         13:31. But Tryphon, when he was upon a journey with the
         young king, Antiochus, treacherously slew him.

         13:32. And he reigned in his place, and put on the crown of
         Asia: and brought great evils upon the land.

         13:33. And Simon built up the strong holds of Judea,
         fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and
         gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the
         fortresses.

         13:34. And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to
         the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for
         all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.

         13:35. And king Demetrius, in answer to this request, wrote
         a letter in this manner:

         13:36. King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest, and friend
         of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the
         Jews, greeting:

         13:37. The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we
         have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with
         you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release
         you the things that we have released.

         13:38. For all that we have decreed in your favour shall
         stand in force. The strong holds that you have built, shall
         be your own.

         13:39. And as for any oversight or fault committed unto
         this day, we forgive it: and the crown which you owed: and
         if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not
         be taxed.

         13:40. And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours,
         let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.

         13:41. In the year one hundred and seventy, the yoke of the
         Gentiles was taken off from Israel.

         13:42. And the people of Israel began to write in the
         instruments, and public records, The first year under
         Simon, the high priest, the great captain, and prince of
         the Jews.

         13:43. In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round
         about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city,
         and he struck one tower, and took it.

         13:44. And they that were within the engine leapt into the
         city: and there was a great uproar in the city.

         13:45. And they that were in the city went up, with their
         wives and children, upon the wall, with their garments
         rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to
         grant them peace.

         13:46. And they said: Deal not with us according to our
         evil deeds, but according to thy mercy.

         13:47. And Simon being moved, did not destroy them but yet
         he cast them out of the city, and cleansed the houses
         wherein there had been idols, and then he entered into it
         with hymns, blessing the Lord:

         13:48. And having cast out of it all uncleanness, he placed
         in it men that should observe the law: and he fortified it,
         and made it his habitation.

         13:49. But they that were in the castle of Jerusalem were
         hindered from going out and coming into the country, and
         from buying and selling: and they were straitened with
         hunger, and many of them perished through famine.

         13:50. And they cried to Simon for peace, and he granted it
         to them: and he cast them out from thence and cleansed the
         castle from uncleannesses.

         13:51. And they entered into it the three and twentieth day
         of the second month, in the year one hundred and
         seventy-one, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees,
         and harps, and cymbals, and psalteries, and hymns, and
         canticles, because the great enemy was destroyed out of
         Israel.

         13:52. And he ordained that these days should be kept every
         year with gladness.

         13:53. And he fortified the mountain of the temple that was
         near the castle, and he dwelt there himself, and they that
         were with him.

         13:54. And Simon saw that John, his son, was a valiant man
         for war: and he made him captain of all the forces: and he
         dwelt in Gazara.

         1 Machabees Chapter 14

         Demetrius is taken by the king of Persia. Judea flourishes
         under the government of Simon.

         14:1. In the year one hundred and seventy-two king
         Demetrius assembled his army, and went into Media to get
         him succours to fight against Tryphon.

         14:2. And Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that
         Demetrius was entered within his borders, and he sent one
         of his princes to take him alive, and bring him to him.

         14:3. And he went, and defeated the army of Demetrius: and
         took him, and brought him to Arsaces, and he put him into
         custody.

         14:4. And all the land of Juda was at rest all the days of
         Simon, and he sought the good of his nation: and his power,
         and his glory pleased them well all his days.

         14:5. And with all his glory he took Joppe for a haven, and
         made an entrance to the isles of the sea.

         14:6. And he enlarged the bounds of his nation, and made
         himself master of the country.

         14:7. And he gathered together a great number of captives,
         and had the dominion of Gazara, and of Bethsura, and of the
         castle: and took away all uncleanness out of it, and there
         was none that resisted him.

         14:8. And every man tilled his land with peace, and the
         land of Juda yielded her increase, and the trees of the
         fields their fruit.

         14:9. The ancient men sat all in the streets, and treated
         together of the good things of the land, and the youug men
         put on them glory, and the robes of war.

         14:10. And he provided victuals for the cities, and he
         appointed that they should be furnished with ammunition, so
         that the fame of his glory was renowned even to the end of
         the earth.

         14:11. He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with
         great joy.

         14:12. And every man sat under his vine, and under his fig
         tree: and there was none to make them afraid.

         14:13. There was none left in the land to fight against
         them: kings were discomfited in those days.

         14:14. And he strengthened all those of his people that
         were brought low, and he sought the law, and took away
         every unjust and wicked man.

         14:15. He glorified the sanctuary, and multiplied the
         vessels of the holy places.

         14:16. And it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that
         Jonathan was dead: and they were very sorry.

         14:17. But when they heard that Simon, his brother, was
         made high priest in his place, and was possessed of all the
         country, and the cities therein:

         14:18. They wrote to him in tables of brass, to renew the
         friendship and alliance which they had made with Judas and
         with Jonathan, his brethren.

         14:19. And they were read before the assembly in Jerusalem.
         And this is the copy of the letters that the Spartans sent.

         14:20. The princes and the cities of the Spartans, to
         Simon, the high priest, and to the ancients, and the
         priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, their
         brethren, greeting.

         14:21. The ambassadors that were sent to our people, have
         told us of your glory, and honour, and joy: and we rejoiced
         at their coming.

         14:22. And we registered what was said by them in the
         councils of the people, in this manner: Numenius, the son
         of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, ambassadors
         of the Jews, came to us to renew the former friendship with
         us.

         14:23. And it pleased the people to receive the men
         honourably, and to put a copy of their words in the public
         records, to be a memorial to the people of the Spartans.
         And we have written a copy of them to Simon, the high
         priest.

         14:24. And after this Simon sent Numenius to Rome, with a
         great shield of gold, of the weight of a thousand pounds,
         to confirm the league with them. And when the people of
         Rome had heard

         14:25. These words, they said: What thanks shall we give to
         Simon, and his sons:

         14:26. For he hath restored his brethren, and hath driven
         away in fight the enemies of Israel from them: and they
         decreed him liberty, and registered it in tables of brass,
         and set it upon pillars in mount Sion.

         14:27. And this is a copy of the writing. The eighteenth
         day of the month Elul, in the year one hundred and
         seventy-two, being the third year under Simon, the high
         priest, at Asaramel,

         14:28. In a great assembly of the priests, and of the
         people, and the princes of the nation, and the ancients of
         the country, these things were notified: Forasmuch as there
         have often been wars in our country,

         14:29. And Simon, the son of Mathathias, of the children of
         Jarib, and his brethren, have put themselves in danger, and
         resisted the enemies of their nation, for the maintenance
         of their holy places, and the law: and have raised their
         nation to great glory.

         14:30. And Jonathan gathered together his nation, and was
         made their high priest, and he was laid to his people.

         14:31. And their enemies desired to tread down and destroy
         their country, and to stretch forth their hands against
         their holy places.

         14:32. Then Simon resisted and fought for his nation, and
         laid out much of his money, and armed the valiant men of
         his nation, and gave them wages.

         14:33. And he fortified the cities of Judea and Bethsura
         that lieth in the borders of Judea, where the armour of the
         enemies was before: and he placed there a garrison of Jews.

         14:34. And he fortified Joppe, which lieth by the sea: and
         Gazara, which bordereth upon Azotus, wherein the enemies
         dwelt before, and he placed Jews here: and furnished them
         with all things convenient for their reparation.

         14:35. And the people seeing the acts of Simon, and to what
         glory he meant to bring his nation, made him their prince
         and high priest, because he had done all these things, and
         for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and
         for that he sought by all means to advance his people.

         14:36. And in his days things prospered in his hands, so
         that the heathens were taken away out of their country, and
         they also that were in the city of David, in Jerusalem, in
         the castle, out of which they issued forth, and profaned
         all places round about the sanctuary, and did much evil to
         purity.

         14:37. And he placed therein Jews for the defence of the
         country, and of the city, and he raised up the walls of
         Jerusalem.

         14:38. And king Demetrius confirmed him in the high
         priesthood.

         14:39. According to these things he made him his friend,
         and glorified him with great glory.

         14:40. For he had heard that the Romans had called the Jews
         their friends, and confederates, and brethren, and that
         they had received Simon's ambassadors with honour:

         14:41. And that the Jews, and their priests, had consented
         that he should be their prince and high priest for ever,
         till there should arise a faithful prophet:

         14:42. And that he should be chief over them, and that he
         should have the charge of the sanctuary, and that he should
         appoint rulers over their works, and over the country, and
         over the armour, and over the strong holds;

         14:43. And that he should have care of the holy places; and
         that he should be obeyed by all, and that all the writings
         in the country should be made in his name; and that he
         should be clothed with purple and gold:

         14:44. And that it should not be lawful for any of the
         people, or of the priests, to disannul any of these things,
         or to gainsay his words, or to call together an assembly in
         the country without him: or to be clothed with purple, or
         to wear a buckle of gold.

         14:45. And whosoever shall do otherwise, or shall make void
         any of these things, shall be punished.

         14:46. And it pleased all the people to establish Simon,
         and to do according to these words.

         14:47. And Simon accepted thereof, and was well pleased to
         execute the office of the high priesthood, and to be
         captain, and prince of the nation of the Jews, and of the
         priests, and to be chief over all.

         14:48. And they commanded that this writing should be put
         in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within
         the compass of the sanctuary, in a conspicuous place:

         14:49. And that a copy thereof should be put in the
         treasury, that Simon, and his sons, may have it.

         1 Machabees Chapter 15

         Antiochus son of Demetrius honours Simon. The Romans write
         to divers nations in favour of the Jews. Antiochus quarrels
         with Simon, and sends troops to annoy him.

         15:1. And king Antiochus, the son of Demetrius, sent
         letters from the isles of the sea to Simon, the priest, and
         prince of the nation of the Jews, and to all the people:

         15:2. And the contents were these: King Antiochus to Simon,
         the high priest, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

         15:3. Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the
         kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge the
         kingdom, and to restore it to its former estate; and I have
         chosen a great army, and have built ships of war.

         15:4. And I design to go through the country, that I may
         take revenge of them that have destroyed our country, and
         that have made many cities desolate in my realm.

         15:5. Now, therefore, I confirm unto thee all the oblations
         which all the kings before me remitted to thee, and what
         other gifts soever they remitted to thee:

         15:6. And I give thee leave to coin thy own money in thy
         country:

         15:7. And let Jerusalem be holy and free, and all the
         armour that hath been made, and the fortresses which thou
         hast built, and which thou keepest in thy hands, let them
         remain to thee.

         15:8. And all that is due to the king, and what should be
         the king's hereafter, from this present and for ever, is
         forgiven thee.

         15:9. And when we shall have recovered our kingdom, we will
         glorify thee, and thy nation, and the temple, with great
         glory, so that your glory shall be made manifest in all the
         earth.

         15:10. In the year one hundred and seventy-four, Antiochus
         entered into the land of his fathers, and all the forces
         assembled to him, so that few were left with Tryphon.

         15:11. And king Antiochus pursued after him, and he fled
         along by the sea coast and came to Dora.

         15:12. For he perceived that evils were gathered together
         upon him, and his troops had forsaken him.

         15:13. And Antiochus camped above Dora with a hundred and
         twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen:

         15:14. And he invested the city, and the ships drew near by
         sea: and they annoyed the city by land, and by sea, and
         suffered none to come in, or to go out.

         15:15. And Numenius, and they that had been with him, came
         from the city of Rome, having letters written to the kings,
         and countries, the contents whereof were these:

         15:16. Lucius, the consul of the Romans, to king Ptolemee,
         greeting.

         Ptolemee... Surnamed Physeon, brother and successor to
         Philometer.

         15:17. The ambassadors of the Jews, our friends, came to
         us, to renew the former friendship and alliance, being sent
         from Simon, the high priest, and the people of the Jews.

         15:18. And they brought also a shield of gold of a thousand
         pounds.

         15:19. It hath seemed good therefore to us, to write to the
         kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor
         fight against them, their cities, or countries: and that
         they should give no aid to them that fight against them.

         15:20. And it hath seemed good to us to receive the shield
         of them.

         15:21. If, therefore, any pestilent men are fled out of
         their country to you, deliver them to Simon, the high
         priest, that he may punish them according to their law.

         15:22. These same things were written to king Demetrius,
         and to Attalus, and to Ariarathes, and to Arsaces,

         Attalus, etc... Attalus was king of Pergamus; Ariarathes
         was king of Cappadocia; and Arsaces was king of the
         Parthians.

         15:23. And to all the countries: and to Lampsacus and to
         the Spartans, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and
         Caria, and Samus, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and
         Alicarnassus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Rhodes,
         and Phaselis, and Gortyna, and Gnidus, and Cyprus, and
         Cyrene.

         15:24. And they wrote a copy thereof to Simon, the high
         priest, and to the people of the Jews.

         15:25. But king Antiochus moved his camp to Dora the second
         time, assaulting it continually, and making engines: and he
         shut up Tryphon, that he could not go out.

         15:26. And Simon sent to him two thousand chosen men to aid
         him, silver also, and gold, and abundance of furniture.

         15:27. And he would not receive them, but broke all the
         covenant that he had made with him before, and alienated
         himself from him.

         15:28. And he sent to him Athenobius, one of his friends,
         to treat with him, saying: You hold Joppe and Gazara, and
         the castle that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my
         kingdom:

         15:29. Their borders you have wasted, and you have made
         great havoc in the land, and have got the dominion of many
         places in my kingdom.

         15:30. Now, therefore, deliver up the cities that you have
         taken, and the tributes of the places whereof you have
         gotten the dominion without the borders of Judea.

         15:31. But if not, give me for them five hundred talents of
         silver, and for the havoc that you have made, and the
         tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: or else
         we will come and fight against you.

         15:32. So Athenobius, the king's friend came to Jerusalem,
         and saw the glory of Simon and his magnificence in gold,
         and silver, and his great equipage, and he was astonished,
         and told him the king's words.

         15:33. And Simon answered him, and said to him: We have
         neither taken other men's land, neither do we hold that
         which is other men's, but the inheritance of our fathers,
         which was for some time unjustly possessed by our enemies.

         15:34. But we having opportunity, claim the inheritance of
         our fathers.

         15:35. And as to thy complaints concerning Joppe and
         Gazara, they did great harm to the people, and to our
         country: yet for these we will give a hundred talents.  And
         Athenobius answered him not a word.

         15:36. But returning in a rage to the king, made report to
         him of these words, and of the glory of Simon, and of all
         that he had seen, and the king was exceeding angry.

         15:37. And Tryphon fled away by ship to Orthosias.

         15:38. And the king appointed Cendebeus captain of the sea
         coast, and gave him an army of footmen and horsemen.

         15:39. And he commanded him to march with his army towards
         Judea: and he commanded him to build up Gedor, and to
         fortify the gates of the city, and to war against the
         people. But the king himself pursued after Tryphon.

         15:40. And Cendebeus came to Jamnia, and began to provoke
         the people, and to ravage Judea, and to take the people
         prisoners, and to kill, and to build Gedor.

         15:41. And he placed there horsemen, and an army: that they
         might issue forth, and make incursions upon the ways of
         Judea, as the king had commanded him.

         1 Machabees Chapter 16

         The sons of Simon defeat the troops of Antiochus. Simon
         with two of his sons are treacherously murdered by Ptolemee
         his son in law.

         16:1. Then John came up from Gazara, and told Simon, his
         father, what Cendebeus had done against their people.

         John... He was afterwards surnamed Hircanus, and succeeded
         his father in both his dignities of high priest and
         prince. He conquered the Edomites, and obliged them to a
         conformity with the Jews in religion; and destroyed the
         schismatical temple of the Samaritans.

         16:2. And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John,
         and said to them: I and my brethren, and my father's house,
         have fought against the enemies of Israel from our youth
         even to this day: and things have prospered so well in our
         hands, that we have delivered Israel oftentimes.

         16:3. And now I am old, but be you instead of me, and my
         brethren, and go out, and fight for our nation: and the
         help from heaven be with you.

         16:4. Then he chose out of the country twenty thousand
         fighting men, and horsemen, and they went forth against
         Cendebeus: and they rested in Modin.

         16:5. And they arose in the morning, and went into the
         plain: and behold a very great army of footmen and horsemen
         came against them, and there was a running river between
         them.

         16:6. And he and his people pitched their camp over against
         them, and he saw that the people were afraid to go over the
         river, so he went over first: then the men seeing him,
         passed over after him.

         He... Viz., John.

         16:7. And he divided the people, and set the horsemen in
         the midst of the footmen: but the horsemen of the enemies
         were very numerous.

         16:8. And they sounded the holy trumpets: and Cendebeus and
         his army were put to flight: and there fell many of them
         wounded, and the rest fled into the strong hold.

         16:9. At that time, Judas, John's brother, was wounded: but
         John pursued after them, till he came to Cedron, which he
         had built:

         Cedron... Otherwise called Gedon, the city that Cendebeus
         was fortifying.

         16:10. And they fled even to the towers that were in the
         fields of Azotus, and he burnt them with fire. And there
         fell of them two thousand men, and he returned into Judea
         in peace.

         16:11. Now Ptolemee, the son of Abobus, was appointed
         captain in the plain of Jericho, and he had abundance of
         silver and gold.

         16:12. For he was son in law of the high priest.

         16:13. And his heart was lifted up, and he designed to make
         himself master of the country, and he purposed treachery
         against Simon and his sons, to destroy them.

         16:14. Now Simon, as he was going through the cities that
         were in the country of Judea, and taking care for the good
         ordering of them, went down to Jericho, he and Mathathias
         and Judas, his sons, in the year one hundred and
         seventy-seven, the eleventh month: the same is the month
         Sabath.

         16:15. And the son of Abobus received them deceitfully into
         a little fortress, that is called Doch, which he had built:
         and he made them a great feast, and hid men there.

         16:16. And when Simon and his sons had drunk plentifully,
         Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and
         entered into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his
         two sons, and some of his servants.

         16:17. And he committed a great treachery in Israel, and
         rendered evil for good.

         16:18. And Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the
         king that he should send him an army to aid him, and he
         would deliver him the country, and their cities, and
         tributes.

         16:19. And he sent others to Gazara to kill John: and to
         the tribunes he sent letters to come to him, and that he
         would give them silver, and gold, and gifts.

         16:20. And he sent others to take Jerusalem, and the
         mountain of the temple.

         16:21. Now one running before, told John in Gazara, that
         his father and his brethren were slain, and that he hath
         sent men to kill thee also.

         16:22. But when he heard it, he was exceedingly afraid: and
         he apprehended the men that came to kill him, and he put
         them to death: for he knew that they sought to make him
         away.

         16:23. And as concerning the rest of the acts of John, and
         his wars, and the worthy deeds, which he bravely achieved,
         and the building of the walls, which he made, and the
         things that he did:

         16:24. Behold, these are written in the book of the days of
         his priesthood, from the time that he was made high priest
         after his father.

The text in this file was taken with permission from Catholic Software's Douay Bible program, a complete multimedia Bible for the PC. The complete product description follows:

Douay Bible ME: A multimedia Bible. Text and footnotes are from the 1899 version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. Supports unlimited cut and paste as well as searches. It also has a concordance, topical index, and maps. These features make it powerful and easy to use. Music and color photography make it a visual and auditory feast. However, if your computer doesn't support multimedia, you can suppress these features at installation time. Available for DOS, Windows, or Windows 95. $85.00. Order from: Catholic Software, P.O. Box 1914, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-502-753-8198.