God's Truth
Table of Contents
First Book of Machabees
The 1st Chapter
After that Alexander the son of Philippe, king of Macedonia went forth of the land of Cethim, and slew Darius king of the Persians and Medes: It happened, that he took great wars in hand, won very many strong cities, and slew many kings of the earth: going through to the ends of the world and getting many spoils of the people: In so much, that the world stood in great awe of him, and therefore was he proud in his heart. (kjv = he was exalted and his heart was lifted up) Now when he had gathered a mighty strong host, and subdued the lands and people with their princes, so that they became tributaries unto him: he fell sick. And when he perceived that he must needs die, he called for his noble estates (which had been brought up with him of children) and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive. So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.
After his death fell the kingdom unto his princes, and they obtained it everyone in his room, and caused themselves to be crowned as kings: and so did their children after them many years, and much wickedness increased in the world. Out of these came the ungracious root, noble Antiochus (kjv = surnamed Epiphanes) the son of Antiochus the king (which had been a pledge (kjv = hostage) at Rome) and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the reign of the Greeks.
In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, which moved much people with their council, saying: Let us go and make a covenant with the Heathen, that are round about us: for since we departed from them, we have had much sorrow. So this device pleased them well, and certain of the people took upon them for to go unto the king, which gave them license to do after the ordinances of the Heathen. Then set they up an open school (at Jerusalem) of the laws of the Heathen, and were no more circumcised: but forsook the holy Testament, and joined themselves to the Heathen, and were clean sold to do mischief.
So when Antiochus began to be mighty in his kingdom, he went about to obtain the land of Egypt also, that he might have the dominion of two realms. Upon this he entered into Egypt with a strong host with chariots, elephants, horsemen and a great number of ships, and began to war against Ptolomy the king of Egypt. But Ptolomy was afraid of him, and fled: and many of his people were wounded to death. Thus Antiochus won many strong cities, and took away great good out of the land of Egypt.
And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty third year, and went toward Israel, and came up to Jerusalem with a mighty people: and entered proudly into the Sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, the candlestick (kjv= candlestick of light) and all the ornaments thereof, the table of the showbread, the pouring vessel and the chargers, the golden spoons, the veil, the crowns and golden apparel of the temple, and break down all. He took also the silver and gold, the precious Jewels and the secret treasures that he found. And when he had taken away altogether, caused a great murder of men, and so fulfilled his malicious pride, he departed into his own land.
Thus there arose a great heaviness and misery in all the land of Israel. The princes and elders of the people mourned, the young men and maidens were defiled, and the fair beauty of women was changed: the bridegroom and the bride took them to mourning the land and those that dwelt therein, was moved: for all the house of Jacob was brought to confusion.
After two years the king sent his chief treasurer unto the cities of Juda, which came to Jerusalem with a great multitude of people, speaking peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. And when he had spoiled the city, he set fire on it, casting down houses and walls on every side. The women and their children took they captive, and lead away their cattle. Then builded they the castle of David with a great thick wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a stronghold for them. Beside all this they set wicked people and ungodly men to keep it, stored it with weapons and vitals: gathered the goods of Jerusalem, and laid them up there: thus became it a thievish (thieves) castle.
And this was done to lay wait for the people that went into the Sanctuary, and for the cruel destruction of Israel. Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the Sanctuary, and defiled it: Insomuch that the citizens were faine to depart, and the city became an habitation of strangers, being desolate of her own seed, for her own natives were faine to leave her. Her Sanctuary was clean wasted, her holy days were turned to mourning, her Sabbaths were had in derision, and her honor was brought to nought. Look how great her glory was before, so great was her confusion, and her joy turned into sorrow.
Antiochus also the king sent out a commission unto all his kingdom, that all the people should be one. Then they left every man his law, and all the Heathen agreed to the commandment of king Antiochus: Yes, many of the Israelites consented there unto, offering unto Idols, and defiling the Sabbath. So the king Antiochus sent his messengers with his commission unto Jerusalem, and to all the cities of Juda: that they should follow the laws of the Heathen, and forbade either burntofferings, meat offerings or peace offerings to be made in the temple of God, and that there should no Sabbath nor high feast day to be kept: but commanded, that the Sanctuary and the holy people of Israel should be defiled.
He commanded also that there should be set up other altars, temples and Idols: to offer up swines flesh and other unclean beasts: that men should leave their children uncircumcised, to defile their souls with all manner of uncleanness and abominations: that they might so forget the law, and change all the holy ordinances of God: (kjv leaves out "of God") and whosoever would not do according to the commandment of king Antiochus, should suffer death. In like manner commanded he throughout all his realm, and set rulers over the people, for to compel them to do these things, commanding the cities of Juda to do sacrifice unto Idols.
Then went the people unto the Heathen by heaps, forsook the law of the Lord, and committed much evil in the land: yes and chased out the secret Israelites, which had hid themselves in corners and privy places. The fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty fifth year, set king Antiochus an abominable Idol of desolation upon the altar of God, and they builded altars throughout all the cities of Juda on every side, before the doors of the houses, and in the streets: where they burnt incense, and did sacrifice. And as for the books of the law of God, they burnt them in the fire, and rent them in pieces. Whatsoever he was that had a book of the Testament of the Lord found by him, yes whosoever endeavored himself to keep the law of the Lord, the kings commandment was, that they should put him to death. And through his authority they executed these things every month, upon the people of Israel that were found in the cities.
The five and twentieth day of the month, what time as they did sacrifice upon the altar (which stood instead of the altar of the Lord) according to the commandment of king Antiochus, they put certain women to death, which had caused their children to be circumcised: Not only that, but they hanged up the children by the necks throughout all their houses, and slew the circumcisers of them.
Yet were there many of the people of Israel, which determined in themselves, that they would not eat unclean things: but chose rather to suffer death, then to be defiled with unclean meats. So because they would not break the blessed law of God, they were cruelly slain. And this great tyranny increased very sore upon the people of Israel.The 2nd Chapter
In those days there did stand up one Mathasiah (kjv adds = the son of John), the son of Simeon the priest (out of the kindred of Joaris) (kjv= Joarib), from Jerusalem, and dwelt upon the mount of Modin, and had five sons: Jhon called Goddis: Simon, called Thasi: Judas, other wise called Maccabeus: Eleazer, other wise called Abaron: and Jonathas, whose surname was Apphus. These saw the evil, that was done among the people of Juda and Jerusalem. And Mathasiah said woe is me, alas that ever I was born, to see this misery of my people, and the piteous destruction of the holy city: And thus to sit so still, it being delivered into the hands of the enemies. Her Sanctuary is come in to the power of strangers her temple is, as it were a man that has lost his good name. Her precious ornaments are carried away captive, her *old men (kjv = infants) are slain in the streets, her young men are fallen through the sword of the enemies.
What people is it, that has not some possession in her kingdom ? Or who has not gotten some of her spoils ? All her glory is taken away. She was a Queen, and now she is become a handmade. Behold our Sanctuary, our beauty and honor is wasted away, and defiled by the Gentiles. What helps it us then to live ? And Mathasiah rent his clothes, and his sons, and put on sackcloth upon them, and mourned very sore.
Then came the men there which were sent of king Antiochus, to compel such as were fled in to the city of Modin, for to do sacrifice and to burn incense unto Idols, and to forsake the law of God. So, many of the people of Israel consented and inclined unto them, but Mathasiah and his sons remained steadfast. Then spoke the commissioners of king Antiochus, and said unto Mathasiah: You are a noble man, of high reputation and great in this city, having fair children and brethren. Come now therefore first, and fulfil the kings commandment, like as all the Heathen have done, yea, and the men of Juda, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shall you and your children be in the kings favor, and enriched with gold, silver and great rewards.
Mathasiah answered, and spoke with a loud voice: though all nations obey the king Antiochus, and fall away every man from keeping the **law (kjv = religion) of their fathers: though they consent to his commandments, yet will I and my sons and my brethren, not fall from the law of our fathers. God forbid we should forsake the law and the ordinances of God, and agree unto the commandment of king Antiochus. Therefore we will do no such sacrifice, neither break the statutes of our law, to go another way. And when he had spoken these words, there came one of the Jews, which openly in the sight of all, did sacrifice unto the Idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the kings commandment.
When Mathasiah saw this, it grieved him at the heart, so that his reins shook withal, and his wrath kindled for very zeal of the law. With that he gave a skip forth, and killed the Jew beside the altar: Yes and slew the kings commissioner, that compelled him to do sacrifice, and destroyed the altar at the same time: such a zeal had he unto the law of God, like as Phynehes did unto Zambri the son of Salomi. And Mathasiah cried with a loud voice throughout the city, saying: Whoso is fervent in the law, and will keep the covenant, let him follow me. So he and his sons fled in to the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city. Many other godly men also departed into the wilderness with their children, their wives, and their cattle, and remained there: for the tyranny increased so sore upon them.
Now when the kings servants, and the host, which was at Jerusalem in the city of David heard, that certain men had broken the kings commandment and were gone their way to the wilderness into secret places, and that there were many departed after them: they followed upon them to fight against them in the Sabbath day and said: Well you yet rebel ? Get you from here, now and do the commandment of king Antiochus and you shall live. They answered: we will not go forth, neither will we do the kings commandment, to defile the Sabbath day. Then began they to fight against them nevertheless they gave them none other answer, nether cast they one stone at them nor made fast their privy places, but said. We will die all in our own innocency, heaven and earth shall testify with us, that you put us to death wrongfully. Thus they fought against them upon the Sabbath, and slew both men and cattle, their wives and their children, to the number of a thousand people.
When Mathasiah and his friends heard this, they mourned for them right sore, and said one to another: If so be that we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and for our laws against the Heathen: then shall they the sooner root us out of the earth. So they concluded among themselves at the same time, saying: Whatsoever he be that comes to make battle with us upon the Sabbath day, we will fight against him, and not die all, as our brethren that were murdered so heinously. Upon this came the Synagog of the Jews unto them:(kjv =Assideans) strong
men of Israel, all such as were fervent in the law. And all they that were fled for persecution, came to help them, and to stand by them: Insomuch that they gathered an host of men, and slew the wicked doers in their jealousy, and the ungodly men in their wrath. Some of the wicked fled unto the Heathen, and escaped.
Thus Mathasiah and his friends went about, and destroyed the altars, and circumcised the children, that had not yet received circumcision: as many as they found in the coasts of Israel: and followed mightily upon the children of pride, and this act prospered in their hands: Insomuch, that they kept the law against the power of the Gentiles and the kings, and gave not over their dominion unto wicked doers.
After this when the time drew on fast, that Mathasiah should die, he said unto his sons: Now is pride and persecution increased, now is the time of destruction and wrathful displeasure: wherefore (O' my sons) be you fervent in the law, and jeopardize your lives for the Testament of the fathers: call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time, so shall you receive great honor and an everlasting name.
Remember Abraham, was he not found faithful in *tentacion (temptation/attention) and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness ? Joseph in the time of his trouble kept the commandment, and was made lord of Egypt. Phinches our father was so fervent for the honor of God, that he obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Josue for fulfilling the word of God, was made captain of Israel. Caleb bear record before the congregation, and received an heritage. David also in his merciful kindness, obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Eliah being jealous and fervent in the law, was taken up into heaven. Hananias, Asarias and Misael remained steadfast in faith, and were delivered out of the fire. In like manner Daniel being unguilty, was saved from the mouth of the Lions.
And thus you may consider throughout all ages since the world began, that whosoever put their trust in *God, (kjv=him) were not overcome. Fear not you then the words of the ungodly man, for his glory is but dung and worthless. Today is he set up, and tomorrow he is gone: for he is turned into earth, and his memorial is come to naught. Wherefore (O' my sons) take good hearts unto you, and quiet yourselves like men in the law: for if you do the things that are commanded you in the law of the Lord your God, you shall obtain great honor therein.
And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of wisdom: see that you give ear unto him alway, he shall be a father unto you. As for Judas Maccabeus, he has ever been mighty and strong from his youth up: let him be your captain, and order the battle of the people: thus you shall bring unto you all that favor the law, and see that you avenge the wrong of your people, and recompense the Heathen again, and apply yourselves whole to the commandment of the law. So he gave them his blessing, and was layed by his fathers: and died in the hundred forty sixth year at Modin, where his sons buried him in his fathers sepulchre, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.The 3rd Chapter
Then stood up Judas Macabeus in his fathers stead, and all his brethren helped him: and so did all they that held with his father, and fought with cheerfulness for Israel. So Judas got his people great honor: He put on a breastplate as a giant, and arrayed himself with his harness, and defended the host with his sword. In his acts he was like a Lion, and as a lions whelp roaring at his prey. He was an enemy to the wicked, and hunted them out: and burnt up those that vexed his people. So that his enemies fled for fear of him, and all the workers of ungodliness were put to trouble: such luck and prosperity were in his hand. This grieved diverse kings, but Jacob was greatly rejoiced through his acts, and he got himself a great name forever.
He went through the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, turning away the wrath from Israel, and receiving such as were oppressed: and the fame of him went unto the utmost part of the earth. Then Appollonius (a prince of Syria) gathered a mighty great host of the Heathen, and out of Samaria, to fight against Israel. Which when Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, fought with him: slew him, and a great multitude with him, and the remnant fled, and he took their substance. Judas also took Appollonius own sword and fought with it all his life long.
Now when Seron, (another prince of Syria) heard say, that Judas had gathered unto him the congregation and ***church of the faithful he said: I will get me a name and a praise throughout the realm: for I will go fight with Judas and them that are with him, as many as despise the kings commandment. So he made him ready, and there went with him a great mighty host of the ungodly, to stand by him, and to be avenged of the children of Israel. And when they came near unto Bethoron, Judas went forth against them a small company. And when his people saw such a great host before them, they said unto Judas: How are we able (being so few) to fight against so great a multitude and so strong ? seeing we be so weary, and have fasted all this day? *** truth is : this word "church" has been added here and in Chapter 4 . 1) In previous uses of this word : namely in the Prohets Oseas and Amos the Lord shows that these "churches" of Israel are " buildings" and a displeasure to God. 2) In 2nd Maccabees there is a word "churchrobber" refering to one who robs the goods out of a" building" of worship. 3) In Acts Chapter 14, ... "Then Jupiters priest, which dwelt before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the "church" porch, and would have done sacrifice with the people." 4) incredibly, the word "church" is not found in the kjv in same verses where it is found in the original Word of God. 5) this word was inserted into the text of the kjv 79 times; all in the NT. 6) In most cases (NT) the word "congregation" was replaced by the word "church" in newer versions. 7) The Hebrew word "congregation" never, in any case, refers to a building.
But Judas said: It is a small matter for many to be overcome with a few: yes there is no difference to the God of heaven, to deliver by a great multitude or by a small company: for the victory of battle stands not in the multitude of the host, but strength comes from heaven. Behold, they come against us with a presumptuous and proud multitude, to destroy us, our wives and our children, and rob us. But we fight for our lives, and for our laws, and the Lord himself shall destroy them before our face: therefore be you not afraid of them.
As soon as he had spoken these words, he leapt suddenly upon them. Thus was Seron smitten, and his host put to flight, and Judas followed upon them beyond Bethoron unto the plain field: where were slain eight hundred men of them, and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines. Then all the Heathen on every side were afraid for Judas and his brethren: so that the rumor of him came unto the kings ears for all the Gentiles could tell of the wars of Judas.
So when king Antiochus heard these things, he was angry in his mind: wherefore he sent forth and gathered an host of his whole realm very strong armies: and opened his treasury, and gave his host a years wages in hand, commanding them to be ready at all times.
Nevertheless when he saw, that there was not money enough in his treasuries, and that through the discord and persecution, which he made in the land (to put down the laws that had been of old times) his customs and tributes of the land were minished: he feared that he was not able for to bear the costs and charges any longer, nor to have such gifts, to give so liberally as he did before, more than the kings that were before him.
Wherefore he was heavy in his mind, and thought to go into Persdes, for to take tributes of the land, and so to gather much money. So he left Lysias (a noble man of the kings blood) to oversee the kings business, from the water Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt: And to keep well his son Antiochus, until he came again.
Moreover, he gave him half of his host and Elephants, committed unto him everything of his mind, concerning those which dwelt in Juda and Jerusalem: that he should send out an army against them, to destroy and root out the power of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem: to put out their memorial from that place, to set strangers for to inhabit all their quarters, and part their land among them. Thus the king took the other part of the host, and departed from Antioch (a city of his realm) over the water of Euphrates, in the hundred and forty seventh year, and went through the high countries.
And Lysias chose unto him Ptolomy the son of Doriminus, Nicanor and Gorgias mighty men, and the kings friends. These he sent with forty thousand footmen and seven thousand horsemen, for to go into the land of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded. So they went forth with all their power, and came to Emmaus into the plain field. When the merchants heard the rumor of them, they and their servants took very much silver and gold, for to buy the children of Israel to be their bond men. There came unto them also yet more men of war on every side, out of Syria and from the Palestines.
Now when Judas and his brethren saw that trouble increased, and that the host drew near unto their borders: considering the kings words which he commanded unto the people: namely that they should utterly waste and destroy them: They said one to another: Let us *redress (set to right) the decay of our people, and let us fight for our folk and for our Sanctuary. Then the congregation were soon ready gathered to fight, to pray and to make supplication unto God for mercy and grace.
As for Jerusalem, it lay void, and was as it had been a wilderness. There went no man in or out at it, and the Sanctuary was trodden down. The aliens kept the castle, there was the habitation of the Heathen. The mirth of Jacob was taken away, the pipe and the harp was gone from among them.
The Israelites gathered them together, and came to Maspha, before Jerusalem: for in Maspha was the place where they prayed before time. So they fasted that day, and put sackclothes upon them, cast ashes upon their heads, rent their clothes, and laid forth the books of the law (whereout the Heathen sought the likeness of their images) and brought the Priests ornaments, the firstlings and the tithes. They set there also the abstainers (which had fulfilled their days) before God, and cried with a loud voice toward heaven, saying: What shall we do with these? and *whither shall we carry them away? For the Sanctuary is trodden down and defiled, your priests are come to heaviness and dishonor: and behold, the Heathen are come together for to destroy us. You know what things they imagine against us. How may we stand before you, except you (O' God) be our help? *whither=what ever place, result, or condition.
They blew out the trumpet also with a loud voice. Then Judas ordained captains over the people: over thousands, over hundreds, over fifty and over tens. But as for such as builded them houses, married wives, planted them vineyards, and those that were fearful: he commanded them every man to go home, according to the law. So the host removed, and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
And Judas said, arm yourselves, be strong (O' my children) make you ready against tomorrow in the morning, that you may fight with these people, which are agreed together to destroy us and our sanctuary. Better is it for us to die in battle, than to see our people and our sanctuary in such a miserable case. Nevertheless, as the will is in heaven, so be it.The 4th Chapter
Then took Gorgias five thousand men of foot, and a thousand of the best horsemen: and removed by night, to come near where the Jews host lay, and so to slay them suddenly. Now the men that kept the castle, were the conveyers of them. Then arose Judas to smite the chief and principal of the kings Host at Emmaus, for army was not yet come together. In the mean season came Gorgias by night into Judas tents: and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains, and thought they had been fled away because of him. But when it was day, Judas showed himself in the field with three thousand men only, which has neither harness nor swords to their minds.
But on the other side, they saw that the Heathen were mighty and well harnessed, and their horsemen about them, and all these well expert in sets of war. Then said Judas to the men that were with him: Fear not you the multitude of them, be not afraid of their violent running: remember how our fathers were delivered in the reed sea, when Pharaoh threatened them with a great Host.
Even so let us also cry now toward heaven: and the Lord shall have mercy upon us, (jkv = if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us) and remember the covenant of our fathers, yes and destroy this Host before our face this day: And all the heathen shall know, that it is God himself, which delivers and saves Israel.
Then the Heathen lift up their eyes, and saw that they were coming against them, they went out of their tents in to the battle: and they that were with Judas, blew up their trumpets. So they buckled together, and the Heathen were discomfited and fled over the plain field: but the hindmost of them were slain. For they followed upon them unto Assaremoth, (kjv= Gazera) and unto the fields of Idumea toward Zrot and Jamnia: so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men. So Judas turned again with his Host, a said unto the people: Be not greedy of the spoils we have yet a battle to fight: for Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountains, but stand you fast against our enemies, and overcome them: then may you safely take the spoils.
As Judas was speaking these words, there appeared one part of them upon the mount. But when Gorgias saw that they of his party were fled, and the tents burnt up (for by the smoke they might understand what was done) they perceiving this were very sore afraid: and when they saw also that Judas and his host were in the field ready to strike battle, they fled everychone (every each one) into the land of the Heathen.
So Judas turned again to spoil the tents, where they got much gold and silver, precious stones, purple and great riches. Thus they went home and sung a song of thanksgiving and praised God in heaven: for he is gracious, and his mercy endures forever: And so Israel had a great victory in that day.
Now all the Heathen that escaped, came and told Lysias everything as it happened. Wherefore Lysias was sore afraid and grieved in his mind, because Israel had not gotten such misfortune as he would they should, neither as the king commanded. The next year following, gathered Lysias threescore thousand (60,000; score =20) chosen men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, to fight against them.
So they came into Jewry, and pitched their tents at Bethoron, where Judas came against them with ten thousand men. And when he saw so great mighty host, he made his prayer and said: Blessed be you (O' saviour of Israel) which did destroy the violent power of the giant, in the hand of your servant David, and gather the host of the Heathen into the hand of Jonathan (the son of Saul) and of his weapon bearer.
Put this host now into the hand of your people of Israel, and let them be confounded in their multitude and horsemen. Make them afraid, and discomforts the boldness of their strength, that they may be moved through their destruction. Cast them down through the sword of your lovers, then shall all they that know your name, praise you with thanksgiving.
So they struck the battle, and there were slain of Lysias host, five thousand men. Then Lysias seeing the discomfiting (frustrate, defeat) of his men, and the manliness of the Jews, how they were ready, either to live or die like men: He went unto Antioche, and chose out men of war: that when they were gathered together, they might come again into Jewry. Then said Judas and his brethren behold: our enemies are discomfited: Let us now go up, to cleanse and to repair the Sanctuary.
Upon this, all the host gathered them together, and went up unto mount Sion.
Now when they saw the Sanctuary layed waste, the altar defiled, the doors burned up, the shrubs growing in the courts, like as in a wood upon mountains, yes and the priests Cells were broken down: They rent their clothes, made great lamentation, cast
ashes upon their heads, fell down flat to the ground, made a great noise with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those which were in the castle till they had cleansed the Sanctuary. So he chose priests that were undefiled, such as had pleasure in the law *of God: (kjv leaves out "of God") and they cleansed the Sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place. And for so much as the altar of burntofferings was unhallowed, he took advisement, what he might do with all: so he thought it was best to destroy it (least it should happen to do them any shame) for the Heathen had defiled it, and therefore they break it down. As for the stones they layed them upon the mountain by the *house (kjv = temple) in a
convenient place: till there came a prophet to show, what should be done with them.
So they took whole stones according to the law, and builded a new altar such one as was before, and made up the Sanctuary within and without, and hallowed the courts. They made new ornaments, and brought the candlestick the altar of incense, and the table in to the temple. They incense layed they upon the altar, and lighted the lamps that were upon the candlestick, that they might burn in the temple. They set the show bread upon the table, and hanged up the veil, and set up the temple, as it was before. And on twentieth fifth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred and forty eighth year: they rose up by times in the morning for to do sacrifice (according to the law) upon the new burntoffering altar that they had made: after the time and season that the Heathen had defiled it. The same day was it set up again, with songs pipes, harps, and cymbals.
And all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and thanking (kjv =praising) the God of heaven which had given them *victory (kjv =good success). So they kept the dedication of the altar eight days offering burnt sacrifices and thankofferings with gladness. They decked the temple also with crowns and shields of gold, and hallowed the ports and cells, and hanged doors upon them. Thus there was very great gladness among the people, because the blasphemy (kjv= reproach) of the Heathen was put away. So Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel, ordained, that the time of the dedication of the altar should be kept in *his (kjv = their) season from year to year, by the space of eight days, from the twentieth fifth day of the month Casleu: and that with mirth and gladness.
And at the same time builded they up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about: least the Gentiles should come and tread it down, as they did before. Therefore Judas set men of war in it, to keep it: and made it strong, for to defend Bethsura: that the people might have a refuge against the *Edomites. (kjv = Idumea.) Bethsura = Heb "house of the rock" Edomites = Heb "red" descendants of Esau, or those that have sold their birthright.
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