Part 1079

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: