2 Mac 15:13 This done, in like manner there appeared a man with gray hairs, and exceeding glorious, who was of a wonderful and excellent majesty.

2 Mac 15:14 Then Onias answered, saying, This is a lover of the brethren, who prayeth much for the people, and for the holy city, to wit, Jeremias the prophet of G.o.d.

2 Mac 15:15 Whereupon Jeremias holding forth his right hand gave to Judas a sword of gold, and in giving it spake thus,

2 Mac 15:16 Take this holy sword, a gift from G.o.d, with the which thou shalt wound the adversaries.

2 Mac 15:17 Thus being well comforted by the words of Judas, which were very good, and able to stir them up to valour, and to encourage the hearts of the young men, they determined not to pitch camp, but courageously to set upon them, and manfully to try the matter by conflict, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger.

2 Mac 15:18 For the care that they took for their wives, and their children, their brethren, and folks, was in least account with them: but the greatest and princ.i.p.al fear was for the holy temple.

2 Mac 15:19 Also they that were in the city took not the least care, being troubled for the conflict abroad.

2 Mac 15:20 And now, when as all looked what should be the trial, and the enemies were already come near, and the army was set in array, and the beasts conveniently placed, and the hors.e.m.e.n set in wings,

2 Mac 15:21 Maccabeus seeing the coming of the mult.i.tude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretched out his hands toward heaven, and called upon the Lord that worketh wonders, knowing that victory cometh not by arms, but even as it seemeth good to him, he giveth it to such as are worthy:

2 Mac 15:22 Therefore in his prayer he said after this manner; O Lord, thou didst send thine angel in the time of Ezekias king of Judea, and didst slay in the host of Sennacherib an hundred fourscore and five thousand:

2 Mac 15:23 Wherefore now also, O Lord of heaven, send a good angel before us for a fear and dread unto them;

2 Mac 15:24 And through the might of thine arm let those be stricken with terror, that come against thy holy people to blaspheme. And he ended thus.

2 Mac 15:25 Then Nicanor and they that were with him came forward with trumpets and songs.

2 Mac 15:26 But Judas and his company encountered the enemies with invocation and prayer.

2 Mac 15:27 So that fighting with their hands, and praying unto G.o.d with their hearts, they slew no less than thirty and five thousand men: for through the appearance of G.o.d they were greatly cheered.

2 Mac 15:28 Now when the battle was done, returning again with joy, they knew that Nicanor lay dead in his harness.

2 Mac 15:29 Then they made a great shout and a noise, praising the Almighty in their own language.

2 Mac 15:30 And Judas, who was ever the chief defender of the citizens both in body and mind, and who continued his love toward his countrymen all his life, commanded to strike off Nicanor's head, and his hand with his shoulder, and bring them to Jerusalem.

2 Mac 15:31 So when he was there, and called them of his nation together, and set the priests before the altar, he sent for them that were of the tower,

2 Mac 15:32 And shewed them vile Nicanor's head, and the hand of that blasphemer, which with proud brags he had stretched out against the holy temple of the Almighty.

2 Mac 15:33 And when he had cut out the tongue of that unG.o.dly Nicanor, he commanded that they should give it by pieces unto the fowls, and hang up the reward of his madness before the temple.

2 Mac 15:34 So every man praised toward the heaven the glorious Lord, saying, Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.

2 Mac 15:35 He hanged also Nicanor's head upon the tower, an evident and manifest sign unto all of the help of the Lord.

2 Mac 15:36 And they ordained all with a common decree in no case to let that day pa.s.s without solemnity, but to celebrate the thirtieth day of the twelfth month, which in the Syrian tongue is called Adar, the day before Mardocheus' day.

2 Mac 15:37 Thus went it with Nicanor: and from that time forth the Hebrews had the city in their power. And here will I make an end.

2 Mac 15:38 And if I have done well, and as is fitting the story, it is that which I desired: but if slenderly and meanly, it is that which I could attain unto.

2 Mac 15:39 For as it is hurtful to drink wine or water alone; and as wine mingled with water is pleasant, and delighteth the taste: even so speech finely framed delighteth the ears of them that read the story. And here shall be an end.

The Book of Tobit

Tob 1:1 The book of the words of Tobit, son of Tobiel, the son of Ananiel, the son of Aduel, the son of Gabael, of the seed of Asael, of the tribe of Nephthali;

Tob 1:2 Who in the time of Enemessar king of the a.s.syrians was led captive out of Thisbe, which is at the right hand of that city, which is called properly Nephthali in Galilee above Aser.

Tob 1:3 I Tobit have walked all the days of my life in the ways of truth and justice, and I did many almsdeeds to my brethren, and my nation, who came with me to Nineve, into the land of the a.s.syrians.

Tob 1:4 And when I was in mine own country, in the land of Israel being but young, all the tribe of Nephthali my father fell from the house of Jerusalem, which was chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, that all the tribes should sacrifice there, where the temple of the habitation of the most High was consecrated and built for all ages.

Tob 1:5 Now all the tribes which together revolted, and the house of my father Nephthali, sacrificed unto the heifer Baal.

Tob 1:6 But I alone went often to Jerusalem at the feasts, as it was ordained unto all the people of Israel by an everlasting decree, having the firstfruits and tenths of increase, with that which was first shorn; and them gave I at the altar to the priests the children of Aaron.

Tob 1:7 The first tenth part of all increase I gave to the sons of Aaron, who ministered at Jerusalem: another tenth part I sold away, and went, and spent it every year at Jerusalem:

Tob 1:8 And the third I gave unto them to whom it was meet, as Debora my father's mother had commanded me, because I was left an orphan by my father.

Tob 1:9 Furthermore, when I was come to the age of a man, I married Anna of mine own kindred, and of her I begat Tobias.

Tob 1:10 And when we were carried away captives to Nineve, all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the bread of the Gentiles.

Tob 1:11 But I kept myself from eating;

Tob 1:12 Because I remembered G.o.d with all my heart.

Tob 1:13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar, so that I was his purveyor.

Tob 1:14 And I went into Media, and left in trust with Gabael, the brother of Gabrias, at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver.

Tob 1:15 Now when Enemessar was dead, Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead; whose estate was troubled, that I could not go into Media.

Tob 1:16 And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren, and gave my bread to the hungry,

Tob 1:17 And my clothes to the naked: and if I saw any of my nation dead, or cast about the walls of Nineve, I buried him.

Tob 1:18 And if the king Sennacherib had slain any, when he was come, and fled from Judea, I buried them privily; for in his wrath he killed many; but the bodies were not found, when they were sought for of the king.

Tob 1:19 And when one of the Ninevites went and complained of me to the king, that I buried them, and hid myself; understanding that I was sought for to be put to death, I withdrew myself for fear.

Tob 1:20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away, neither was there any thing left me, beside my wife Anna and my son Tobias.