2Macc 14
1
After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered
by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,
2
Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.
3
Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the
times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself,
nor have any more access to the holy altar,
4
Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting to him
a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the
temple: and so that day he held his peace.
5
Nevertheless having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being
called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what
they intended, he answered thereunto:
6
Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish
war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.
7
Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors’ honour, I mean the high priesthood,
am now come here:
8
First, truly for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly,
even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no
small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforesaid.
9
Wherefore, O king, seeing know all these things, be careful for the country, and our
nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that you readily
shewest to all.
10
For as long as Judas lives, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11
This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king’s friends, being maliciously
set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.
12
And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him
governor over Judea, he sent him forth,
13
Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make
Alcimus high priest of the great temple.
14
Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks,
thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.
15
Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s coming, and that the heathen were up against
them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him whom had established
his people for ever, and who always helps his portion with manifestation of his presence.
16
So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from there, and came
near to them at the town of Dessau.
17
Now Simon, Judas’ brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited
through the sudden silence of his enemies.
18
Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the
courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter
by the sword.
19
Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.
20
So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude
acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented
to the covenants,
21
And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and
stools were set for either of them,
22
Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly
practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.
23
Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came
flocking to him.
24
And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he love the man from his
heart
25
He prayed him also to take a wife, and to engender children: so he married, was quiet,
and took part of this life.
26
But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was between them, and considering the covenants
that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him whom Nicanor was not well affected
toward the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the
king’s successor.
27
Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked
man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants,
and commanding him whom he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
28
When this came to Nicanor’s hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it
grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being
in no fault.
29
But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish
this thing by policy.
30
Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish to him, and
that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour
came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself
from Nicanor.
31
But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas’ policy, came into the
great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices,
to deliver him the man.
32
And when they swore that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,
33
He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner:
If you will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even
with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple to Bacchus.
34
After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven,
and besought him whom was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;
35
You, O Lord of all things, who have need of nothing, were pleased that the temple
of your habitation should be among us:
36
Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which
lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.
37
Now was there accused to Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover
of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called
a father of the Jews.
38
For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had
been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency
for the religion of the Jews.
39
So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare to the Jews, sent above five
hundred men of war to take him:
40
For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.
41
Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer
door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken
on every side fell upon his sword;
42
Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be
abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:
43
But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors,
he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of
them.
44
But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst
of the void place.
45
Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he
rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were
grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,
46
When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in
both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and
spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.