{"book":"3 Maccabees","osis":"3Macc","url":"https://driftbible.com/3-maccabees","licence":"Public domain","editions":[{"code":"WEB","name":"World English Bible","language":"en","source":"World English Bible, public domain. \"World English Bible\" is a trademark of eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Now Philopater, on learning from those who came back that Antiochus had made himself master of the places which belonged to himself, sent orders to all his infantry and cavalry, took with him his sister Arsinoe, and marched out as far as the parts of Raphia, where Antiochus and his forces encamped."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"And one Theodotus, intending to carry out his design, took with him the bravest of the armed men who had been before committed to his trust by Ptolemy, and got through at night to the tent of Ptolemy, to kill him on his own responsibility, and so to end the war."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"But Dositheus, called the son of Drimulus, by birth a Jew, afterward a renegade from the laws and observances of his country, conveyed Ptolemy away, and made an obscure person lie down in his stead in the tent. It turned out that this man received the fate which was meant for the other."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"A fierce battle then took place. The men of Antiochus were prevailing. Arsinoe continually went up and down the ranks, and with dishevelled hair, with tears and entreaties, begged the soldiers to fight bravely for themselves, their children, and wives, and promised that if they proved conquerors, she would give them each two minas of gold."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"It thus fell out that their enemies were defeated in hand-to-hand encounter, and that many of them were taken prisoners."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"Having vanquished this attempt, the king then decided to proceed to the neighboring cities, and encourage them."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"By doing this, and by making donations to their temples, he inspired his subjects with confidence."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"The Jews sent some of their council and of their elders to him. The greetings, welcoming gifts, and congratulations of the past, given by them, filled him with the greater eagerness to visit their city."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"Having arrived at Jerusalem, sacrificed, and offered thank-offerings to the Greatest God, and done whatever else was suitable to the sanctity of the place, and entered the inner court,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"he was so impressed with the magnificence of the place, and so wondered at the orderly arrangements of the temple, that he considered entering the sanctuary itself."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"When they told him that this was not permissible, none of the nation, not even the priests in general, but only the supreme high priest of all, and he only once in a year, was allowed to go in, he would by no means give way."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Then they read the law to him, but he persisted in intruding, exclaiming that he ought to be allowed. He said, “Even if they were deprived of this honor, I shouldn’t be.”"},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"He asked why, when he entered all the other temples, did none of the priests who were present forbid him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"He was thoroughly answered by someone, that he did wrong to boast of this."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"“Well, since I have done this,” said he, “be the cause what it may, shall I not enter with or without your consent?”"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"When the priests fell down in their sacred vestments imploring the Greatest God to come and help in time of need, and to avert the violence of the fierce aggressor, and when they filled the temple with lamentations and tears,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":17,"text":"then those who had been left behind in the city were scared, and rushed out, uncertain of the event."},{"chapter":1,"verse":18,"text":"Virgins, who had been shut up within their chambers, came out with their mothers, scattering dust and ashes on their heads, and filling the streets with outcries."},{"chapter":1,"verse":19,"text":"Women who had recently been arrayed for marriage left their bridal chambers, left the reserve that befitted them, and ran around the city in a disorderly manner."},{"chapter":1,"verse":20,"text":"New-born babes were deserted by the mothers or nurses who waited upon them—some here, some there, in houses, or in fields; these now, with an ardor which could not be checked, swarmed into the Most High temple."},{"chapter":1,"verse":21,"text":"Various prayers were offered up by those who assembled in this place because of the unholy attempt of the king."},{"chapter":1,"verse":22,"text":"Along with these there were some of the citizens who took courage and would not submit to his obstinacy and his intention of carrying out his purpose."},{"chapter":1,"verse":23,"text":"Calling out to arms, and to die bravely in defense of the law of their fathers, they created a great uproar in the place, and were with difficulty brought back by the aged and the elders to the station of prayer which they had occupied before."},{"chapter":1,"verse":24,"text":"During this time, the multitude kept on praying."},{"chapter":1,"verse":25,"text":"The elders who surrounded the king tried in many ways to divert his arrogant mind from the design which he had formed."},{"chapter":1,"verse":26,"text":"He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onward with the view of carrying out this design."},{"chapter":1,"verse":27,"text":"Yet even his own officers, when they saw this, joined the Jews in an appeal to Him who has all power to aid in the present crisis, and not wink at such haughty lawlessness."},{"chapter":1,"verse":28,"text":"Such was the frequency and the vehemence of the cry of the assembled crowd, that an indescribable noise ensued."},{"chapter":1,"verse":29,"text":"Not the men only, but the very walls and floor seemed to sound out, all things preferring death rather than to see the place defiled."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"Now it was that the high priest Simon bowed his knees near the holy place, spread out his hands in reverent form, and uttered the following prayer:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"“O Lord, Lord, King of the heavens, and Ruler of the whole creation, Holy among the holy, sole Governor, Almighty, give ear to us who are oppressed by a wicked and profane one, who celebrates in his confidence and strength."},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"It is you, the Creator of all, the Lord of the universe, who are a righteous Governor, and judge all who act with pride and insolence."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"It was you who destroyed the former workers of unrighteousness, among whom were the giants, who trusted in their strength and daring, by covering them with a measureless flood."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"It was you who made the Sodomites, those workers of exceeding iniquity, men notorious for their vices, an example to later generations, when you covered them with fire and brimstone."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"You made known your power when you caused the bold Pharaoh, the enslaver of your people, to pass through the ordeal of many and diverse inflictions."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"You rolled the depths of the sea over him when he pursued with chariots and with a multitude of followers, and gave a safe passage to those who put their trust in you, the Lord of the whole creation."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"These saw and felt the works of your hands, and praised you, the Almighty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"You, O King, when you created the immeasurable and measureless earth, chose this city. You made this place sacred to your name, even though you need nothing. You glorified it with your illustrious presence, after constructing it to the glory of your great and honorable name."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"You promised, out of love for the people of Israel, that if we fall away from you, become afflicted, and then come to this house and pray, you would hear our prayer."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Truly you are faithful and true."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"When you often aided our fathers when they were hard pressed and humiliated, and delivered them out of great dangers,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"see now, holy King, how through our many and great sins we are crushed and made subject to our enemies, and have become weak and powerless."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"In our low condition, this bold and profane man seeks to dishonor this your holy place, consecrated out of the earth to the name of your Majesty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"Your dwelling place, the heaven of heavens, is indeed unapproachable to men."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"But since it seemed good to you to exhibit your glory among your people Israel, you sanctified this place."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Don’t punish us by means of the uncleanness of their men, and don’t chastise us by means of their profanity, lest the lawless ones should boast in their rage, and exult in exuberant pride of speech, and say,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"‘We have trampled upon the holy house, as idolatrous houses are trampled upon.’"},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Blot out our iniquities, do away with our errors, and show your compassion in this hour."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Let your mercies quickly go before us. Grant us peace, that the downcast and broken hearted may praise you with their mouth.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"At that time God, who sees all things, who is beyond all Holy among the holy, heard that prayer, so suitable, and scourged the man who was greatly uplifted with scorn and insolence."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"Shaking him back and forth as a reed is shaken with the wind, he threw him down on the pavement, powerless, with limbs paralyzed, and by a righteous judgment deprived of the ability to speak."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"His friends and bodyguards, seeing the swift recompense which had suddenly overtaken him, struck with exceeding terror, and fearing that he would die, speedily removed him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"When in course of time he had come to himself, this severe punishment caused no repentance within him, but he departed with bitter threatenings."},{"chapter":2,"verse":25,"text":"He proceeded to Egypt, grew worse in wickedness through his previously mentioned companions in wine, who were lost to all goodness,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":26,"text":"and not satisfied with countless acts of impiety, his audacity so increased that he raised evil reports there, and many of his friends, watching his purpose attentively, joined in furthering his will."},{"chapter":2,"verse":27,"text":"His purpose was to inflict a public stigma upon our race. Therefore he erected a stone pillar in the courtyard, and caused the following inscription to be engraved upon it:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":28,"text":"“Entrance to this temple is to be refused to all those who would not sacrifice. All the Jews were to be registered among the slaves. Those who resisted are to be forcibly seized and put to death."},{"chapter":2,"verse":29,"text":"Those who are thus registered are to be marked on their persons by the ivy-leaf symbol of Dionysus, and to be reduced to these limited rights.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":30,"text":"To do away with the appearance of hating them all, he had it written underneath, that if any of them should elect to enter the community of those initiated in the rites, these should have equal rights with the Alexandrians."},{"chapter":2,"verse":31,"text":"Some of those who were over the city, therefore, abhorring any approach to the city of piety, unhesitatingly gave in to the king, and expected to derive some great honor from a future connection with him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":32,"text":"A nobler spirit, however, prompted the majority to cling to their religious observances, and by paying money that they might live unmolested, these sought to escape the registration,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":33,"text":"cheerfully looking forward to future aid, they abhorred their own apostates, considering them to be national foes, and depriving them of common fellowship and mutual help."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"On discovering this, so incensed was the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the Jews in Alexandria. Laying his hand more heavily upon those who lived in the country, he gave orders that they should be quickly collected into one place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"While this was going on, a hostile rumor was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure the Jewish race. The pretext of their charge was that the Jews kept them away from the ordinances of the law."},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"Now the Jews always maintained a feeling of unwavering loyalty toward the kings,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"yet, as they worshiped God and observed his law, they made certain distinctions, and avoided certain things. Hence they appeared hateful to some people,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"although, as they adorned their conversation with works of righteousness, they had established themselves in the good opinion of the world."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"What all the rest of mankind said was, however, disregarded by the foreigners,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"who said much of the exclusiveness of the Jews with regard to their worship and meats. They alleged that they were unsociable men, hostile to the king’s interests, refusing to associate with him or his troops. By this way of speaking, they brought much hatred on them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"This unexpected uproar and sudden gathering of people was observed by the Greeks who lived in the city, concerning men who had never harmed them. Yet to aid them was not in their power, since all was oppression around, but they encouraged them in their troubles, and expected a favorable turn of affairs."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"He who knows all things will not, they said, disregard so great a people."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"Some of the neighbors, friends, and business associates of the Jews even called them secretly to an interview, pledged them their assistance, and promised to do their very utmost for them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Now the king, elated with his prosperous fortune, and not regarding the superior power of God, but thinking to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the prejudice of the Jews:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"“King Ptolemy Philopater, to the commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all places, health and happiness!"},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"I am doing well, and so, too, are my affairs."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars of which you know, and which by the aid of the gods, not lightly given, and by our own vigor, has been brought to a successful conclusion according to our expectation,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"we resolved, not with strength of spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the inhabitants of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and to be their willing benefactors."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"So, having bestowed considerable sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far as Jerusalem, and went up to honor the temple of these wretched beings who never cease from their folly."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"To outward appearance they received us willingly, but belied that appearance by their deeds. When we were eager to enter their temple, and to honor it with the most beautiful and exquisite gifts,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"they were so carried away by their old arrogance as to forbid us the entrance, while we, out of our forbearance toward all men, refrained from exercising our power upon them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"Thus, exhibiting their enmity against us, they alone among the nations lift up their heads against kings and benefactors, as men unwilling to submit to any reasonable thing."},{"chapter":3,"verse":20,"text":"We then, having endeavored to make allowance for the madness of these people, and on our victorious return treating all people in Egypt courteously, acted in a manner which was befitting."},{"chapter":3,"verse":21,"text":"Accordingly, bearing no ill will against their kinsmen, but rather remembering our connection with them, and the numerous matters with sincere heart from a remote period entrusted to them, we wished to venture a total alteration of their state, by giving them the rights of citizens of Alexandria, and to admit them to the everlasting rites of our solemnities."},{"chapter":3,"verse":22,"text":"All this, however, they have taken in a very different spirit. With their innate malignity, they have spurned the fair offer, and constantly inclining to evil,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":23,"text":"have rejected the inestimable rights. Not only so, but by using speech, and by refraining from speech, they abhor the few among them who are heartily disposed toward us, ever deeming that their infamous way of life will force us to do away with our reform."},{"chapter":3,"verse":24,"text":"Having then received certain proofs that these Jews bear us every sort of ill will, we must look forward to the possibility of some sudden tumult among ourselves when these impious men may turn traitors and barbarous enemies."},{"chapter":3,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore, as soon as the contents of this letter become known to you, in that same hour we order those Jews who dwell among you, with wives and children, to be sent to us, vilified and abused, in chains of iron, to undergo a cruel and shameful death, suitable to enemies."},{"chapter":3,"verse":26,"text":"For by the punishment of them in one body we perceive that we have found the only means of establishing our affairs for the future on a firm and satisfactory basis."},{"chapter":3,"verse":27,"text":"Whoever protects a Jew, whether it be old man, child, or nursing baby, shall with his whole house be tortured to death."},{"chapter":3,"verse":28,"text":"Whoever informs against the Jews, besides receiving the property of the person charged, shall be presented with two thousand drachmas from the royal treasury, shall be made free, and shall be crowned."},{"chapter":3,"verse":29,"text":"Whatever place shelters a Jew shall be made unapproachable and shall be put under the ban of fire, and be forever rendered useless to every living being for all time to come.”"},{"chapter":3,"verse":30,"text":"The king’s letter was written in the above form."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Wherever this decree was received, the people kept up a revelry of joy and shouting, as if their long-pent-up, hardened hatred would now show itself openly."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"The Jews suffered great throes of sorrow and wept much, while their hearts, all things around being lamentable, were set on fire as they bewailed the sudden destruction which was decreed against them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"What home, or city, or any inhabited place, or what streets were there, which their condition didn’t fill with wailing and lamentation?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"They were sent out unanimously by the generals in various cities, with such stern and pitiless feeling that the exceptional nature of the infliction moved even some of their enemies. These, influenced by sentiments of common humanity, and reflecting upon the uncertain issue of life, shed tears at their miserable expulsion."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"A multitude of aged hoary-haired old men were driven along with halting bending feet, urged onward by the impulse of a violent, shameless force to quick speed."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Girls who had entered the bridal chamber quite lately, to enjoy the partnership of marriage, exchanged pleasure for misery; and with dust scattered upon their myrrh-anointed heads, were hurried along unveiled; and, in the midst of outlandish insults, set up with one accord a lamentable cry instead of the marriage hymn."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"Bound and exposed to public gaze, they were hurried violently on board ship."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"The husbands of these, in the prime of their youthful vigor, instead of crowns, wore ropes round their necks. Instead of feasting and youthful celebration, they spent the rest of their nuptial days in wailing, and saw only the grave at hand."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"They were dragged along by unyielding chains, like wild animals. Of these, some had their necks thrust into the benches of the rowers, while the feet of others were enclosed in hard fetters."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"The planks of the deck above them blocked out the light and shut out the day on every side, so that they might be treated like traitors during the whole voyage."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"They were carried like this in this vessel, and at the end of it arrived at Schedia. The king had ordered them to be cast into the vast hippodrome, which was built in front of the city. This place was well adapted by its situation to expose them to the gaze of all comers into the city, and of those who went from the city into the country. Thus they could hold no communication with his forces. They weren’t deemed worthy of any civilized accommodation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"When this was done, the king, hearing that their kindred in the city often went out and lamented the melancholy distress of these victims,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"was full of rage, and commanded that they should be carefully subjected to the same—and not one bit milder—treatment."},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"The whole nation was now to be registered. Every individual was to be specified by name, not for that hard servitude of labor which we have a little before mentioned, but that he might expose them to the before-mentioned tortures; and finally, in the short space of a day, might exterminate them by his cruelties."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"The registering of these men was carried on cruelly, zealously, assiduously, from the rising of the sun to its going down, and was not brought to an end in forty days."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"The king was filled with great and constant joy, and celebrated banquets before the temple idols. His erring heart, far from the truth, and his profane mouth gave glory to idols, which are deaf and incapable of speaking or aiding, and uttered unworthy speech against the Greatest God."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"At the end of the above-mentioned interval of time, the registrars brought word to the king that the multitude of the Jews was too great for registration,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"inasmuch as there were many still left in the land, of whom some were in inhabited houses, and others were scattered about in various places, so that all the commanders in Egypt were insufficient for the work."},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"The king threatened them, and charged them with taking bribes, in order to contrive the escape of the Jews, but was clearly convinced of the truth of what had been said."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"They said, and proved, that paper and pens had failed them for the carrying out of their purpose."},{"chapter":4,"verse":21,"text":"Now this was an active interference of the unconquerable Providence which assisted the Jews from heaven."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Then he called Hermon, who had charge of the elephants. Full of rage, altogether fixed in his furious design,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"he commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine with handfuls of incense infused, to drug the elephants early on the following day. These five hundred elephants were, when infuriated by the copious drinks of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Jews."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"The king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, and gathered together all those of his friends and of the army who hated the Jews the most."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"The master of the elephants, Hermon, fulfilled his commission punctually."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"The servants appointed for the purpose went out about evening and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security at night, thinking that the whole race would perish together."},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"The heathen believed the Jews to be destitute of all protection, for chains bound them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"They invoked the Almighty Lord, and ceaselessly implored with tears their merciful God and Father, Ruler of all, Lord of every power,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"to overthrow the evil purpose which had gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Their earnest entreaty went up to heaven."},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"Then Hermon, who had filled his merciless elephants with copious drinks of mixed wine and frankincense, came early to the palace to report on these preparations."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"He, however, who has sent sleep to his good creatures from the beginning, by night or by day, thus gratifying whom he wills, gave a portion of it now to the king."},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"By this sweet and profound influence of the Lord, he was held fast, and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"But the Jews, having escaped the hour which had been fixed, praised their holy God, and again prayed him who is easily reconciled to display the power of his powerful hand to the arrogant Gentiles."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"The middle of the tenth hour had nearly arrived, when the person who sent invitations, seeing the guests who were invited present, came and shook the king."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"He gained his attention with difficulty, and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"The king listened to this, and then turning aside to his drinking, commanded the guests to sit down before him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"This done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Conversation grew on, and the king sent for Hermon, and inquired of him, with fierce denunciations, why the Jews had been allowed to outlive that day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Hermon explained that he had done his bidding over night; and in this he was confirmed by his friends."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, “They might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"When the king said this, the company present were glad, and approved. Then each man went to his own home."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"They didn’t employ the night in sleep, but in contriving cruel mockeries for those deemed miserable."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"The morning cock had just crowed, and Hermon, having harnessed the brutes, was stimulating them in the great colonnade."},{"chapter":5,"verse":24,"text":"The city crowds were collected together to see the hideous spectacle, and waited impatiently for the dawn."},{"chapter":5,"verse":25,"text":"The Jews, breathless with momentary suspense, stretched out their hands and prayed the Greatest God, in mournful strains, again to help them speedily."},{"chapter":5,"verse":26,"text":"The sun’s rays were not yet shining and the king was waiting for his friends when Hermon came to him, calling him out, and saying that his desires could now be realized."},{"chapter":5,"verse":27,"text":"The king, receiving him, was astonished at his unusual invitation. Overwhelmed with a spirit of oblivion about everything, inquired about the object of this earnest preparation."},{"chapter":5,"verse":28,"text":"But this was the working of that Almighty God who had made him forget all his purpose."},{"chapter":5,"verse":29,"text":"Hermon and all his friends pointed out the preparation of the animals. They are ready, O king, according to your own strict injunction."},{"chapter":5,"verse":30,"text":"The king was filled with fierce anger at these words, for, by the Providence of God regarding these things, his mind had become entirely confused. He looked hard at Hermon, and threatened him as follows:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":31,"text":"“Your parents, or your children, were they here, would have given a large meal to these wild animals, not these innocent Jews, who have loyally served me and my forefathers."},{"chapter":5,"verse":32,"text":"Had it not been for familiar friendship, and the claims of your office, your life should have gone for theirs.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":33,"text":"Hermon, being threatened in this unexpected and alarming manner, was troubled in his eyes, and his face fell."},{"chapter":5,"verse":34,"text":"The friends, too, stole out one by one, and dismissed the assembled multitudes to their respective occupations."},{"chapter":5,"verse":35,"text":"The Jews, having heard of these events, praised the glorious God and King of kings, because they had obtained this help, too, from him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":36,"text":"Now the king arranged another banquet in the same way, and proclaimed an invitation to mirth."},{"chapter":5,"verse":37,"text":"He summoned Hermon to his presence, and said, with threats, “How often, O wretch, must I repeat my orders to you about these same persons?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":38,"text":"Once more, arm the elephants for the extermination of the Jews tomorrow!”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":39,"text":"His kinsmen, who were reclining with him, wondered at his instability, and thus expressed themselves:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":40,"text":"“O king, how long do you test us, as of men bereft of reason? This is the third time that you have ordered their destruction. When the thing is to be done, you change your mind, and recall your instructions."},{"chapter":5,"verse":41,"text":"Because of this, the feeling of expectation causes tumult in the city. It swarms with factions, and is continually on the point of being plundered.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":42,"text":"The king, just like another Phalaris, a prey to thoughtlessness, made no account of the changes which his own mind had undergone, issuing in the deliverance of the Jews. He swore a fruitless oath, and determined immediately to send them to hades, crushed by the knees and feet of the elephants."},{"chapter":5,"verse":43,"text":"He would also invade Judea, level its towns with fire and the sword, destroy that temple which the heathen might not enter, and prevent sacrifices ever after being offered up there."},{"chapter":5,"verse":44,"text":"Joyfully his friends broke up, together with his kinsmen; and, trusting in his determination, arranged their forces in guard at the most convenient places of the city."},{"chapter":5,"verse":45,"text":"The master of the elephants urged the animals into an almost maniacal state, drenched them with incense and wine, and decked them with frightful devices."},{"chapter":5,"verse":46,"text":"About early morning, when the city was filled with an immense number of people at the hippodrome, he entered the palace and called the king to the business in hand."},{"chapter":5,"verse":47,"text":"The king’s heart teemed with impious rage; and he rushed forth with the mass, along with the elephants. With unsoftened feelings and pitiless eyes, he longed to gaze at the hard and wretched doom of the previously mentioned Jews."},{"chapter":5,"verse":48,"text":"The elephants went out at the gate, followed by the armed force. When the Jews saw the dust raised by the throng, and heard the loud cries of the crowd,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":49,"text":"they thought that they had come to the last moment of their lives, to the end that they had tremblingly expected. They gave way, therefore, to lamentations and moans. They kissed each other. Those nearest of kin to each other hung around one another’s necks—fathers hugging their sons and mothers their daughters. Other women held their infants to their breasts, which drew what seemed their last milk."},{"chapter":5,"verse":50,"text":"Nevertheless, when they reflected upon the help previously granted them from heaven, they prostrated themselves with one accord, removed even the sucking children from the breasts, and"},{"chapter":5,"verse":51,"text":"sent up an exceedingly great cry asking the Lord of all power to reveal himself, and have mercy upon those who now lay at the gates of hades."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Then Eleazar, an illustrious priest of the country, who had attained to length of days, and whose life had been adorned with virtue, caused the elders who were around him to cease to cry out to the holy God, and prayed this:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"“O king, mighty in power, most high, Almighty God, who regulates the whole creation with your tender mercy,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"look at the seed of Abraham, at the children of the sanctified Jacob, your sanctified inheritance, O Father, now being wrongfully destroyed as foreigners in a foreign land."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"You destroyed Pharaoh with his army of chariots when that lord of this same Egypt was uplifted with lawless daring and loud-sounding tongue. Shedding the beams of your mercy upon the race of Israel, you overwhelmed him and his proud army."},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"When Sennacherim, the grievous king of the Assyrians, exulting in his countless army, had subdued the whole land with his spear and was lifting himself against your holy city with boastings grievous to be endured, you, O Lord, demolished him and displayed your might to many nations."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"When the three friends in the land of Babylon of their own will exposed their lives to the fire rather than serve vain things, you sent a moist coolness through the fiery furnace, and brought the fire on all their adversaries."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"It was you who, when Daniel was hurled, through slander and envy, as a prey to lions down below, brought him back again unharmed to light."},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"When Jonah was pining away in the belly of the sea-born monster, you looked at him, O Father, and recovered him to the sight of his own."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Now, you who hate insolence, you who abound in mercy, you who are the protector of all things, appear quickly to those of the race of Israel, who are insulted by abhorred, lawless Gentiles."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"If our life during our exile has been stained with iniquity, deliver us from the hand of the enemy, and destroy us, O Lord, by the death which you prefer."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Don’t let the vain-minded congratulate vain idols at the destruction of your beloved, saying, ‘Their god didn’t deliver them.’"},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"You who are All-powerful and Almighty, O Eternal One, behold! Have mercy on us who are being withdrawn from life, like traitors, by the unreasoning insolence of lawless men."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"Let the heathen cower before your invincible might today, O glorious One, you who have all power to save the race of Jacob."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"The whole band of infants and their parents ask you with tears."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"Let it be shown to all the nations that you are with us, O Lord, and have not turned your face away from us, but as you said that you would not forget them even in the land of their enemies, so fulfill this saying, O Lord.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"Now, at the time that Eleazar had ended his prayer, the king came along to the hippodrome with the wild animals, and with his tumultuous power."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"When the Jews saw this, they uttered a loud cry to heaven so that the adjacent valleys resounded and caused an irrepressible lamentation throughout the army."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"Then the all-glorious, all-powerful, and true God, displayed his holy countenance, and opened the gates of heaven, from which two angels, dreadful of form, came down and were visible to all but the Jews."},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"They stood opposite, and filled the enemies’ army with confusion and cowardice, and bound them with immoveable shackles."},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"A cold shudder came over the person of the king, and oblivion paralyzed the vehemence of his spirit."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"They turned back the animals on the armed forces who followed them; and the animals trampled them and destroyed them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"The king’s wrath was converted into compassion; and he wept at the things he had devised."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"For when he heard the cry, and saw them all on the verge of destruction, with tears he angrily threatened his friends, saying,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"“You have governed badly, and have exceeded tyrants in cruelty. You have labored to deprive me, your benefactor, at once of my dominion and my life, by secretly devising measures injurious to the kingdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Who has gathered here, unreasonably removing each from his home, those who, in fidelity to us, had held the fortresses of the country?"},{"chapter":6,"verse":26,"text":"Who has consigned to unmerited punishments those who in good will toward us from the beginning have in all things surpassed all nations, and who often have engaged in the most dangerous undertakings?"},{"chapter":6,"verse":27,"text":"Loose, loose the unjust bonds! Send them to their homes in peace, begging pardon for what has been done."},{"chapter":6,"verse":28,"text":"Release the sons of the almighty living God of heaven, who from our ancestors’ times until now has granted a glorious and uninterrupted prosperity to our affairs.”"},{"chapter":6,"verse":29,"text":"He said these things, and they, released the same moment, having now escaped death, praised God their holy Savior."},{"chapter":6,"verse":30,"text":"The king then departed to the city, and called his financier to himself, and asked him to provide a seven days’ quantity of wine and other materials for feasting for the Jews. He decided that they should keep a cheerful festival of deliverance in the very place in which they expected to meet with their destruction."},{"chapter":6,"verse":31,"text":"Then they who were before despised and near to hades, yes, rather advanced into it, partook of the cup of salvation, instead of a grievous and lamentable death. Full of exultation, they apportioned the place intended for their fall and burial into banqueting booths."},{"chapter":6,"verse":32,"text":"Ceasing their miserable strain of woe, they took up the subject of their fatherland, singing in praise to God their wonder-working Savior. All groans and all wailing were laid aside. They formed dances as a sign of peaceful joy."},{"chapter":6,"verse":33,"text":"So the king also collected a number of guests for the occasion, and returned unceasing thanks with much magnificence for the unexpected deliverance afforded him."},{"chapter":6,"verse":34,"text":"Those who had marked them out as for death and for carrion, and had registered them with joy, howled aloud, and were clothed with shame, and had the fire of their rage ingloriously put out."},{"chapter":6,"verse":35,"text":"But the Jews, as we just said, instituted a dance, and then gave themselves up to feasting, glad thanksgiving, and psalms."},{"chapter":6,"verse":36,"text":"They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners. They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":37,"text":"They requested the king to send them back to their homes."},{"chapter":6,"verse":38,"text":"They were being enrolled from the twenty-fifth of Pachon to the fourth of Epiphi, a period of forty days. The measures taken for their destruction lasted from the fifth of Epiphi till the seventh, that is, three days."},{"chapter":6,"verse":39,"text":"The Ruler over all during this time manifested his mercy gloriously, and delivered them all together unharmed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":40,"text":"They feasted upon the king’s provision up to the fourteenth day, then asked to be sent away."},{"chapter":6,"verse":41,"text":"The king commended them, and wrote the following letter, of magnanimous import for them, to the commanders of every city:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"“King Ptolemy Philopator to the commanders throughout Egypt, and to all who are set over affairs, joy and strength."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"We, too, and our children are well. God has directed our affairs as we wish."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"Certain of our friends out of malice vehemently urged us to punish the Jews of our realm in a body, with the infliction of a monstrous punishment."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"They pretended that our affairs would never be in a good state till this took place. Such, they said, was the hatred borne by the Jews to all other people."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"They brought them fettered in grievous chains as slaves, no, as traitors. Without enquiry or examination they endeavored to annihilate them. They buckled themselves with a savage cruelty, worse than Scythian custom."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"For this cause we severely threatened them; yet, with the clemency which we usually extend to all men, we at length permitted them to live. Finding that the God of heaven cast a shield of protection over the Jews so as to preserve them, and that he fought for them as a father always fights for his sons,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"and taking into consideration their constancy and fidelity toward us and toward our ancestors, we have, as we ought, acquitted them of every sort of charge."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"We have dismissed them to their several homes, telling all men everywhere to do them no wrong, or unrighteously revile them about the past."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"For know this, that should we conceive any evil design, or in any way aggrieve them, we shall ever have as our adversary, not man, but the highest God, the ruler of all might. From Him there will be no escape, as the avenger of such deeds. Farewell.”"},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"When they had received this letter, they didn’t hurry to depart immediately. They petitioned the king to be allowed to inflict fitting punishment upon those of their race who had willingly transgressed the holy god, and the law of God."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"They alleged that men who had for their bellies’ sake transgressed the ordinances of God, would never be faithful to the interests of the king."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"The king admitted the truth of this reasoning, and commended them. Full power was given them, without warrant or special commission, to destroy those who had transgressed the law of God boldly in every part of the king’s dominions."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"Their priests, then, as it was appropriate, saluted him with good wishes, and all the people echoed with the “Hallelujah!” Then they joyfully departed."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"Then they punished and shamefully destroyed every polluted Jew that fell in their way,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"slaying this way, in that day, more than three hundred men, and esteeming this destruction of the wicked a season of joy."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"They themselves having held closely to their God to death, and having enjoyed a full deliverance, departed from the city garlanded with sweet-flowered wreaths of every kind. Uttering exclamations of joy, with songs of praise, and melodious hymns, they thanked the God of their fathers, the eternal Savior of Israel."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"Having arrived at Ptolemais, called from the specialty of that district “Rose-bearing”, where the fleet, in accordance with the general wish, waited for them seven days,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"they partook of a banquet of deliverance, for the king generously granted them all the means of securing a return home."},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"They were accordingly brought back in peace, while they gave utterance to appropriate thanks; and they determined to observe these days during their sojourn as days of joyfulness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"These they registered as sacred upon a pillar, when they had dedicated the place of their festivity to be one of prayer. They departed unharmed, free, abundant in joy, preserved by the king’s command, by land, by sea, and by river, each to his own home."},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"They had more weight than before among their enemies, and were honored and feared. No one in any way robbed them of their goods."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"Every man received back his own, according to inventory, those who had obtained their goods, giving them up with the greatest terror. For the greatest God made perfect wonders for their salvation."},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"Blessed be the Redeemer of Israel forever! Amen."}]},{"code":"BRENTON","name":"Brenton's Septuagint (1851)","language":"en","source":"Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton, The Septuagint with Apocrypha (1851), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Now Philopater, on learning from those who came back that Antiochus had made himself master of the places which belonged to himself, sent orders to all his footmen and horsemen, took with him his sister Arsinoe, and marched out as far as the parts of Raphia, where Antiochus and his forces encamped."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"And one Theodotus, intending to carry out his design, took with him the bravest of the armed men who had been before committed to his trust by Ptolemy, and got through at night to the tent of Ptolemy, to kill him on his own responsibility, and so to end the war."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"But Dositheus, called the son of Drimulus, by birth a Jew, afterward a renegade from the laws and observances of his country, conveyed Ptolemy away, and made an obscure person lie down in his stead in the tent. It befel this man to receive the fate which was meant for the other."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"A fierce battle then took place; and the men of Antiochus prevailing, Arsinoe continually went up and down the ranks, and with dishevelled hair, with tears and entreaties, begged the soldiers to fight manfully for themselves, their children, and wives; and promised that if they proved conquerors, she would give them two minæ of gold apiece."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"It thus fell out that their enemies were defeated in hand-to-hand encounter, and that many of them were taken prisoners."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"Having vanquished this attempt, the king then decided to proceed to the neighbouring cities, and encourage them."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"By doing this, and by making donations to their temples, he inspired his subjects with confidence."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"The Jews also sent some of their council and of their elders to him. The greetings, guest-gifts, and congratulations on the past, bestowed by them, filled him with the greater eagerness to visit their city."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"Having arrived at Jerusalem, sacrificed, and offered thank-offerings to the Greatest God, and done whatever else was suitable to the sanctity of the place, and entered the inner court,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"he was so struck with the exact magnificence of the place, and so wondered at the orderly arrangements of the temple, that he conceived the purpose of entering the sanctuary itself."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"And when they told him that this was not permissible, none of the nation, no, nor even the priests in general, but only the supreme high priest of all, and he only once in a year, being allowed to go in, he would by no means give way."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Then they read the law to him; but he persisted in obtruding himself, exclaiming, that he ought to be allowed: and saying, Be it that they were deprived of this honour, I ought not to be."},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"And he put the question, Why, when he entered all temples, none of the priests who were present forbad him?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"He was thoughtlessly answered by some one, That he did wrong to boast of this."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"Well; since I have done this, said he, be the cause what it may, shall I not enter with or without your consent?"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"And when the priests fell down in their sacred vestments imploring the Greatest God to come and help in time of need, and to avert the violence of the fierce aggressor, and when they filled the temple with lamentations and tears,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":17,"text":"then those who had been left behind in the city were scared, and rushed forth, uncertain of the event."},{"chapter":1,"verse":18,"text":"Virgins, who had been shut up within their chambers, came out with their mothers, scattering dust and ashes on their heads, and filling the streets with outcries."},{"chapter":1,"verse":19,"text":"Women, but recently separated off, left their bridal chambers, left the reserve that befitted them, and ran about the city in a disorderly manner."},{"chapter":1,"verse":20,"text":"Newborn babes were deserted by the mothers or nurses who waited upon them; some here, some there, in houses, or in fields; these now, with an ardour which could not be checked, swarmed into the Most High temple."},{"chapter":1,"verse":21,"text":"Various were the prayers offered up by those who assembled in this place, on account of the unholy attempt of the king."},{"chapter":1,"verse":22,"text":"Along with these there were some of the citizens who took courage, and would not submit to his obstinacy, and his intention of carrying out his purpose."},{"chapter":1,"verse":23,"text":"Calling out to arms, and to die bravely in defence of the law of their fathers, they created a great uproar in the place, and were with difficulty brought back by the aged and the elders to the station of prayer which they had occupied before."},{"chapter":1,"verse":24,"text":"During this time the multitude kept on praying."},{"chapter":1,"verse":25,"text":"The elders who surrounded the king strove in many ways to divert his haughty mind from the design which he had formed."},{"chapter":1,"verse":26,"text":"He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onwards, with the view of carrying out this design."},{"chapter":1,"verse":27,"text":"Yet even his own officers, when they saw this, joined the Jews in an appeal to Him who has all power, to aid in the present crisis, and not wink at such overweening lawlessness."},{"chapter":1,"verse":28,"text":"Such was the frequency and the vehemence of the cry of the assembled crowd, that an indescribable noise ensued."},{"chapter":1,"verse":29,"text":"Not the men only, the very walls and floor seemed to sound forth; all things preferring dissolution rather than to see the place defiled."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"Now was it that the high priest Simon bowed his knees over against the holy place, and spread out his hands in reverent form, and uttered the following supplication:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"O Lord, Lord, King of the heavens, and Ruler of the whole creation, Holy among the holy, sole Governor, Almighty, give ear to us who are oppressed by a wicked and profane one, who exulteth in his confidence and strength."},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"It is thou, the Creator of all, the Lord of the universe, who art a righteous Governor, and judgest all who act with pride and insolence."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"It was thou who didst destroy the former workers of unrighteousness, among whom were the giants, who trusted in their strength and hardihood, by covering them with a measureless flood."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"It was thou who didst make the Sodomites, those workers of exceeding iniquity, men notorious for their vices, an example to after generations, when thou didst consume them with fire and brimstone."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"Thou didst make known thy power when thou causedst the bold Pharaoh, the enslaver of thy people, to pass through the ordeal of many and diverse inflictions."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"And thou rolledst the depths of the sea over him, when he made pursuit with chariots, and with a multitude of followers, and gavest a safe passage to those who put their trust in thee, the Lord of the whole creation."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"These saw and felt the works of thine hands, and praised thee the Almighty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Thou, O King, when thou createdst the illimitable and measureless earth, didst choose out this city: thou didst make this place sacred to thy name, albeit thou needest nothing: thou didst glorify it with thy illustrious presence, after constructing it to the glory of thy great and honourable name."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"And thou didst promise, out of love to the house of Israel, that should we fall away from thee, and become afflicted, and then come to this house and pray, thou wouldest hear our prayer."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Verily thou art faithful and true."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"And whereas thou didst often aid our fathers when hard pressed, and in low estate, and deliveredst them out of great dangers,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"see now, holy King, how through our many and great sins we are borne down, and made subject to our enemies, and are become weak and powerless."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"We being in this low condition, this bold and profane man seeks to dishonour this thy holy place, consecrated out of the earth to the name of thy Majesty."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"Thy dwelling-place, the heaven of heavens, is indeed unapproachable to men."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"But since it seemed good to thee to exhibit thy glory among thy people Israel, thou didst sanctify this place."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Punish us not by means of the uncleanness of their men, nor chastise us by means of their profanity; lest the lawless ones should boast in their rage, and exult in exuberant pride of speech, and say,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"We have trampled upon the holy house, as idolatrous houses are trampled upon."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Blot out our iniquities, and do away with our errors, and shew forth thy compassion in this hour."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Let thy mercies quickly go before us. Grant us peace, that the cast down and broken hearted may praise thee with their mouth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"At that time God, who seeth all things, who is beyond all Holy among the holy, heard that prayer, so suitable; and scourged the man greatly uplifted with scorn and insolence."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"Shaking him to and fro as a reed is shaken with the wind, he cast him upon the pavement, powerless, with limbs paralyzed; by a righteous judgment deprived of the faculty of speech."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"His friends and body-guards, beholding the swift recompense which had suddenly overtaken him, struck with exceeding terror, and fearing that he would die, speedily removed him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"When in course of time he had come to himself, this severe check caused no repentance within him, but he departed with bitter threatenings."},{"chapter":2,"verse":25,"text":"He proceeded to Egypt, grew worse in wickedness through his beforementioned companions in wine, who were lost to all goodness;"},{"chapter":2,"verse":26,"text":"and not satisfied with countless acts of impiety, his audacity so increased that he raised evil reports there, and many of his friends, watching his purpose attentively, joined in furthering his will."},{"chapter":2,"verse":27,"text":"His purpose was to inflict a public stigma upon our race; wherefore he erected a pillar at the tower-porch, and caused the following inscription to be engraven upon it:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":28,"text":"That entrance to their own temple was to be refused to all those who would not sacrifice; that all the Jews were to be registered among the common people; that those who resisted were to be forcibly seized and put to death;"},{"chapter":2,"verse":29,"text":"that those who were thus registered, were to be marked on their persons by the ivy-leaf symbol of Dionysus, and to be set apart with these limited rights."},{"chapter":2,"verse":30,"text":"To do away with the appearance of hating them all, he had it written underneath, that if any of them should elect to enter the community of those initiated in the rites, these should have equal rights with the Alexandrians."},{"chapter":2,"verse":31,"text":"Some of those who were over the city, therefore, abhorring any approach to the city of piety, unhesitatingly gave in to the king, and expected to derive some great honour from a future connection with him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":32,"text":"A nobler spirit, however, prompted the majority to cling to their religious observances, and by paying money that they might live unmolested, these sought to escape the registration:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":33,"text":"cheerfully looking forward to future aid, they abhorred their own apostates, considering them to be national foes, and debarring them from the common usages of social intercourse."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"On discovering this, so incensed was the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the [Jews] in Alexandria. Laying his hand more heavily upon those who lived in the country, he gave orders that they should be quickly collected into one place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"While this was going on, an invidious rumour was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure the Jewish race. The purport of their charge was, that the Jews kept them away from the ordinances of the law."},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"Now, while the Jews always maintained a feeling of unswerving loyalty towards the kings,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"yet, as they worshipped God, and observed his law, they made certain distinctions, and avoided certain things. Hence some persons held them in odium;"},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"although, as they adorned their conversation with works of righteousness, they had established themselves in the good opinion of the world."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"What all the rest of mankind said, was, however, made of no account by the foreigners;"},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"who said much of the exclusiveness of the Jews with regard to their worship and meats; they alleged that they were men unsociable, hostile to the king's interests, refusing to associate with him or his troops. By this way of speaking, they brought much odium upon them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"Nor was this unexpected uproar and sudden conflux of people unobserved by the Greeks who lived in the city, concerning men who had never harmed them: yet to aid them was not in their power, since all was oppression around; but they encouraged the Jews by sympathizing with them in their troubles, and expected a favourable turn of affairs:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"He who knoweth all things, will not, [said they], disregard so great a people."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"Some of the neighbours, friends, and fellow dealers of the Jews, even called them secretly to an interview, pledged them their assistance, and promised to do their very utmost for them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Now the king, elated with his prosperous fortune, and not regarding the superior power of God, but thinking to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the prejudice of the Jews."},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"King Ptolemy Philopater, to the commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all places, health and happiness!"},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"I am right well; and so, too, are my affairs."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars of which ye know, and which by the aid of the gods, not lightly given, and by our own vigour, has been brought to a successful issue according to our expectation,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"we resolved, not with strength of spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the inhabitants of Cœle-Syria and Phœnicia, and to be their willing benefactors."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"So, having bestowed considerable sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far as Jerusalem; and went up to honour the temple of these wretched beings who never cease from their folly."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"To outward appearance they received us willingly; but belied that appearance by their deeds. When we were eager to enter their temple, and to honour it with the most beautiful and exquisite gifts,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"they were so carried away by their old arrogance, as to forbid us the entrance; while we, out of our forbearance toward all men, refrained from exercising our power upon them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"And thus, exhibiting their enmity against us, they alone among the nations lift up their heads against kings and benefactors, as men unwilling to submit to any thing reasonable."},{"chapter":3,"verse":20,"text":"We then, having endeavoured to make allowance for the madness of these persons, and on our victorious return treating all people in Egypt courteously, acted in a manner which was befitting."},{"chapter":3,"verse":21,"text":"Accordingly, bearing no ill-will against their kinsmen [at Jerusalem], but rather remembering our connection with them, and the numerous matters with sincere heart from a remote period entrusted to them, we wished to venture a total alteration of their state, by bestowing upon them the rights of citizens of Alexandria, and to admit them to the everlasting rites of our solemnities."},{"chapter":3,"verse":22,"text":"All this, however, they have taken in a very different spirit. With their innate malignity, they have spurned the fair offer; and constantly inclining to evil,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":23,"text":"have rejected the inestimable rights. Not only so, but by using speech, and by refraining from speech, they abhor the few among them who are heartily disposed towards us; ever deeming that their ignoble course of procedure will force us to do away with our reform."},{"chapter":3,"verse":24,"text":"Having then, received certain proofs that these [Jews] bear us every sort of ill-will, we must look forward to the possibility of some sudden tumult among ourselves, when these impious men may turn traitors and barbarous enemies."},{"chapter":3,"verse":25,"text":"As soon, therefore, as the contents of this letter become known to you, in that same hour we order those [Jews] who dwell among you, with wives and children, to be sent to us, vilified and abused, in chains of iron, to undergo a death, cruel and ignominious, suitable to men disaffected."},{"chapter":3,"verse":26,"text":"For by the punishment of them in one body we perceive that we have found the only means of establishing our affairs for the future on a firm and satisfactory basis."},{"chapter":3,"verse":27,"text":"Whoever shall shield a Jew, whether it be old man, child, or suckling, shall with his whole house be tortured to death."},{"chapter":3,"verse":28,"text":"Whoever shall inform against the [Jews], besides receiving the property of the person charged, shall be presented with two thousand drachmæ from the royal treasury, shall be made free, and shall be crowned."},{"chapter":3,"verse":29,"text":"Whatever place shall shelter a Jew, shall, when he is hunted forth, be put under the ban of fire, and be for ever rendered useless to every living being for all time to come."},{"chapter":3,"verse":30,"text":"Such was the purport of the king's letter."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Wherever this decree was received, the people kept up a revelry of joy and shouting; as if their long-pent-up, hardened hatred, were now to shew itself openly."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"The Jews suffered great throes of sorrow, and wept much; while their hearts, all things around being lamentable, were set on fire as they bewailed the sudden destruction which was decreed against them."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"What home, or city, or place at all inhabited, or what streets were there, which their condition did not fill with wailing and lamentation?"},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"They were sent out unanimously by the generals in the several cities, with such stern and pitiless feeling, that the exceptional nature of the infliction moved even some of their enemies. These, influenced by sentiments of common humanity, and reflecting upon the uncertain issue of life, shed tears at this their miserable expulsion."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"A multitude of aged hoary-haired men, were driven along with halting bending feet, urged onward by the impulse of a violent, shameless force to quick speed."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Girls who had entered the bridal chamber quite lately, to enjoy the partnership of marriage, exchanged pleasure for misery; and with dust scattered upon their myrrh-anointed heads, were hurried along unveiled, and, in the midst of outlandish insults, set up with one accord a lamentable cry in lieu of the marriage hymn."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"Bound, and exposed to public gaze, they were hurried violently on board ship."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"The husbands of these, in the prime of their youthful vigour, instead of crowns wore halters round their necks; instead of feasting and youthful jollity, spent the rest of their nuptial days in wailings, and saw only the grave at hand."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"They were dragged along by unyielding chains, like wild beasts: of these, some had their necks thrust into the benches of the rowers; while the feet of others were enclosed in hard fetters."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"The planks of the deck above them barred out the light, and shut out the day on every side, so that they might be treated like traitors during the whole voyage."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"They were conveyed accordingly in this vessel, and at the end of it arrived at Schedia. The king had ordered them to be cast into the vast hippodrome, which was built in front of the city. This place was well adapted by its situation to expose them to the gaze of all comers into the city, and of those who went from the city into the country. Thus they could hold no communication with his forces; nay, were deemed unworthy of any civilized accommodation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"When this was done, the king, hearing that their brethren in the city often went out and lamented the melancholy distress of these victims,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"was full of rage, and commanded that they should be carefully subjected to the same (and not one whit milder) treatment."},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"The whole nation was now to be registered. Every individual was to be specified by name; not for that hard servitude of labour which we have a little before mentioned, but that he might expose them to the before-mentioned tortures; and finally, in the short space of a day, might extirpate them by his cruelties."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"The registering of these men was carried on cruelly, zealously, assiduously, from the rising of the sun to its going down, and was not brought to an end in forty days."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"The king was filled with great and constant joy, and celebrated banquets before the temple idols. His erring heart, far from the truth, and his profane mouth, gave glory to idols, deaf and incapable of speaking or aiding, and uttered unworthy speech against the Greatest God."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"At the end of the above-mentioned interval of time, the registrars brought word to the king that the multitude of the Jews was too great for registration,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"inasmuch as there were many still left in the land, of whom some were in inhabited houses, and others were scattered about in various places; so that all the commanders in Egypt were insufficient for the work."},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"The king threatened them, and charged them with taking bribes, in order to contrive the escape of the [Jews]: but was clearly convinced of the truth of what had been said."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"They said, and proved, that paper and pens had failed them for the carrying out of their purpose."},{"chapter":4,"verse":21,"text":"Now this was the active interference of the unconquerable Providence which assisted the Jews from heaven."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Then he called Hermon, who had charge of the elephants. Full of rage, altogether fixed in his furious design,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"he commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine and handfuls of incense [infused] to drug the elephants early on the following day. These five hundred elephants were, when infuriated by the copious draughts of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Jews."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"The king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, and gathered together all those of his friends and of the army who hated the Jews the most."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"The master of the elephants, Hermon, fulfilled his commission punctually."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"The underlings appointed for the purpose went out about eventide and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security at night, thinking that the whole race would perish together."},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"The heathen believed the Jews to be destitute of all protection; for chains fettered them about."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"They invoked the Almighty Lord, and ceaselessly besought with tears their merciful God and Father, Ruler of all, Lord of every power,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"to overthrow the evil purpose which was gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Their litany so earnest went up to heaven."},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"Then Hermon, who had filled his merciless elephants with copious draughts of mingled wine and frankincense, came early to the palace to certify the king thereof."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"He, however, who has sent his good creature sleep from all time, by night or by day thus gratifying whom he wills, diffused a portion thereof [now] upon the king."},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"By this sweet and profound influence of the Lord he was held fast, and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"But the Jews, having escaped the hour which had been fixed, praised their holy God, and again prayed him who is easily reconciled to display the power of his powerful hand to the overweening Gentiles."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"The middle of the tenth hour had well nigh arrived, when the master-bidder, seeing the guests who were bidden collected, came and shook the king."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"He gained his attention with difficulty, and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"The king listened to this, and then turning aside to his potations, commanded the guests to sit down before him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"This done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Conversation grew on, and the king sent for Hermon, and enquired of him, with fierce denunciations, why the Jews had been allowed to outlive that day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Hermon explained that he had done his bidding over night; and in this he was confirmed by his friends."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, That they might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against to-morrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"When the king said this, the company present were glad, and approved; and then each man went to his own home."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"Nor did they employ the night in sleep, so much as in contriving cruel mockeries for those deemed miserable."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"The morning cock had just crowed, and Hermon, having harnessed the brutes, was stimulating them in the great colonnade."},{"chapter":5,"verse":24,"text":"The city crowds were collected together to see the hideous spectacle, and waited impatiently for the dawn."},{"chapter":5,"verse":25,"text":"The Jews, breathless with momentary suspense, stretched forth their hands, and prayed the Greatest God, in mournful strains, again to help them speedily."},{"chapter":5,"verse":26,"text":"The sun's rays were not yet shed abroad, and the king was waiting for his friends, when Hermon came to him, calling him out, and saying, That his desires could now be realized."},{"chapter":5,"verse":27,"text":"The king, receiving him, was astonished at his unwonted exit; and, overwhelmed with a spirit of oblivion about everything, enquired the object of this earnest preparation."},{"chapter":5,"verse":28,"text":"But this was the working of that Almighty God who had made him forget all his purpose."},{"chapter":5,"verse":29,"text":"Hermon, and all his friends, pointed out the preparation of the animals. They are ready, O king, according to your own strict injunction."},{"chapter":5,"verse":30,"text":"The king was filled with fierce anger at these words; for, by the Providence of God regarding these things, his mind had become entirely confused. He looked hard at Hermon, and threatened him as follows:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":31,"text":"Your parents, or your children, were they here, to these wild beasts a large repast they should have furnished; not these innocent Jews, who me and my forefathers loyally have served."},{"chapter":5,"verse":32,"text":"Had it not been for familiar friendship, and the claims of your office, your life should have gone for theirs."},{"chapter":5,"verse":33,"text":"Hermon, being threatened in this unexpected and alarming manner, was troubled in visage, and depressed in countenance."},{"chapter":5,"verse":34,"text":"The friends, too, stole out one by one, and dismissed the assembled multitudes to their occupations."},{"chapter":5,"verse":35,"text":"The Jews, having heard of these events, praised the glorious God and King of kings, because they had obtained this help, too, from him."},{"chapter":5,"verse":36,"text":"Now the king arranged another banquet after the same manner, and proclaimed an invitation to mirth."},{"chapter":5,"verse":37,"text":"And he summoned Hermon to his presence, and said, with threats, How often, O wretch, must I repeat my orders to thee about these same persons?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":38,"text":"Once more, arm the elephants against the morrow for the extermination of the Jews."},{"chapter":5,"verse":39,"text":"His kinsmen, who were reclining with him, wondered at his instability, and thus expressed themselves:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":40,"text":"O king, how long dost thou make trial of us, as of men bereft of reason? This is the third time that thou hast ordered their destruction. When the thing is to be done, thou changest thy mind, and recallest thy instructions."},{"chapter":5,"verse":41,"text":"For this cause the feeling of expectation causes tumult in the city: it swarms with factions; and is continually on the point of being plundered."},{"chapter":5,"verse":42,"text":"The king, just like another Phalaris, a prey to thoughtlessness, made no account of the changes which his own mind had undergone, issuing in the deliverance of the Jews. He swore a fruitless oath, and determined forthwith to send them to Hades, crushed by the knees and feet of the elephants."},{"chapter":5,"verse":43,"text":"He would also invade Judea, and level its towns with fire and the sword; and destroy that temple which the heathen might not enter, and prevent sacrifices ever after being offered up there."},{"chapter":5,"verse":44,"text":"Joyfully his friends broke up, together with his kinsmen; and, trusting in his determination, arranged their forces in guard at the most convenient places of the city."},{"chapter":5,"verse":45,"text":"And the master of the elephants urged the beasts into an almost maniacal state, drenched them with incense and wine, and decked them with frightful instruments."},{"chapter":5,"verse":46,"text":"About early morning, when the city was now filled with an immense number of people at the hippodrome, he entered the palace, and called the king to the business in hand."},{"chapter":5,"verse":47,"text":"The king's heart teemed with impious rage; and he rushed forth with the mass, along with the elephants. With feelings unsoftened, and eyes pitiless, he longed to gaze at the hard and wretched doom of the above-mentioned [Jews]."},{"chapter":5,"verse":48,"text":"But the [Jews], when the elephants went out at the gate, followed by the armed force; and when they saw the dust raised by the throng, and heard the loud cries of the crowd,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":49,"text":"thought that they had come to the last moment of their lives, to the end of what they had tremblingly expected. They gave way, therefore, to lamentations and moans: they kissed each other: those nearest of kin to each other hung about one another's necks: fathers about their sons, mothers their daughters: other women held their infants to their breasts, which drew what seemed their last milk."},{"chapter":5,"verse":50,"text":"Nevertheless, when they reflected upon the succour before granted them from heaven, they prostrated themselves with one accord; removed even the sucking children from the breast, and"},{"chapter":5,"verse":51,"text":"sent up an exceeding great cry, entreating the Lord of all power to reveal himself, and have mercy upon those who now lay at the gates of Hades."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"And Eleazar, an illustrious priest of the country, who had attained to length of days, and whose life had been adorned with virtue, caused the presbyters who were about him to cease to cry out to the holy God, and prayed thus:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"O King, mighty in power, most high, Almighty God, who regulatest the whole creation with thy tender mercy,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"look upon the seed of Abraham, upon the children of the sanctified Jacob, thy sanctified inheritance, O Father, now being wrongfully destroyed as strangers in a strange land."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Thou destroyedst Pharaoh, with his host of chariots, when that lord of this same Egypt was uplifted with lawless hardihood and loud-sounding tongue. Shedding the beams of thy mercy upon the race of Israel, thou didst overwhelm him with his proud army."},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"When Sennacherim, the grievous king of the Assyrians, glorying in his countless hosts, had subdued the whole land with his spear, and was lifting himself against thy holy city, with boastings grievous to be endured, thou, O Lord, didst demolish him and didst shew forth thy might to many nations."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"When the three friends in the land of Babylon of their own will exposed their lives to the fire rather than serve vain things, thou didst send a dewy coolness through the fiery furnace, and bring the fire upon all their adversaries."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"It was thou who, when Daniel was hurled, through slander and envy, as a prey to lions down below, didst bring him back again unhurt to light."},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"When Jonah was pining away in the belly of the sea-bred monster, thou didst look upon him, O Father, and recover him to the sight of his own."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"And now, thou who hatest insolence; thou who dost abound in mercy; thou who art the protector of all things; appear quickly to those of the race of Israel, who are insulted by abhorred, lawless Gentiles."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"If our life has during our exile been stained with iniquity, deliver us from the hand of the enemy, and destroy us, O Lord, by the death which thou preferrest."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Let not the vain-minded congratulate vain idols at the destruction of thy beloved, saying, Neither did their God deliver them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Thou who art All-powerful and Almighty, O Eternal One, behold! have mercy upon us who are being withdrawn from life, like traitors, by the unreasoning insolence of lawless men."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"Let the heathen cower before thy invincible might to-day, O glorious One, who hast all power to save the race of Jacob."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"The whole band of infants and their parents with tears beseech thee."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"Let it be shewn to all the nations that thou art with us, O Lord, and hast not turned thy face away from us; but as thou saidst that thou wouldst not forget them even in the land of their enemies, so do thou fulfil this saying, O Lord."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"Now, at the time that Eleazar had ended his prayer, the king came along to the hippodrome, with the wild beasts, and with his tumultuous power."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"When the Jews saw this, they uttered a loud cry to heaven, so that the adjacent valleys resounded, and caused an irrepressible lamentation throughout the army."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"Then the all-glorious, all-powerful, and true God, displayed his holy countenance, and opened the gates of heaven, from which two angels, dreadful of form, came down, and were visible to all but the Jews."},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"And they stood opposite, and filled the enemies' host with confusion and cowardice; and bound them with immoveable fetters."},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"And a cold shudder came over the person of the king, and oblivion paralysed the vehemence of his spirit."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"They turned back the animals upon the armed forces which followed them; and the animals trod them down, and destroyed them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"The king's wrath was converted into compassion; and he wept at his own machinations."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"For when he heard the cry, and saw them all on the verge of destruction, with tears he angrily threatened his friends, saying,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"Ye have governed badly; and have exceeded tyrants in cruelty; and me your benefactor ye have laboured to deprive at once of my dominion and my life, by secretly devising measures injurious to the kingdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Who has gathered here, unreasonably removing each from his home, those who, in fidelity to us, had held the fortresses of the country?"},{"chapter":6,"verse":26,"text":"Who has thus consigned to unmerited punishments those who in good will towards us from the beginning have in all things surpassed all nations, and who often have engaged in the most dangerous undertakings?"},{"chapter":6,"verse":27,"text":"Loose, loose the unjust bonds; send them to their homes in peace, and deprecate what has been done."},{"chapter":6,"verse":28,"text":"Release the sons of the almighty living God of heaven, who from our ancestors' times until now has granted a glorious and uninterrupted prosperity to our affairs."},{"chapter":6,"verse":29,"text":"These things he said: and they, released the same moment, having now escaped death, praised God their holy Saviour."},{"chapter":6,"verse":30,"text":"The king then departed to the city, and called his financier to him, and bade him provide a seven days' quantity of wine and other materials for feasting for the Jews. He decided that they should keep a gladsome festival of deliverance in the very place in which they expected to meet with their destruction."},{"chapter":6,"verse":31,"text":"Then they who were before despised and nigh unto Hades, yea, rather advanced into it, partook of the cup of salvation, instead of a grievous and lamentable death. Full of exultation, they parted out the place intended for their fall and burial into banqueting booths."},{"chapter":6,"verse":32,"text":"Ceasing their miserable strain of woe, they took up the subject of their fatherland, hymning in praise God their wonder-working Saviour. All groans, all wailing, were laid aside: they formed dances in token of serene joy."},{"chapter":6,"verse":33,"text":"So, also, the king collected a number of guests for the occasion, and returned unceasing thanks with much magnificence for the unexpected deliverance afforded him."},{"chapter":6,"verse":34,"text":"Those who had marked them out as for death and for carrion, and had registered them with joy, howled aloud, and were clothed with shame, and had the fire of their rage ingloriously put out."},{"chapter":6,"verse":35,"text":"But the Jews, as we just said, instituted a dance, and then gave themselves up to feasting, glad thanksgivings, and psalms."},{"chapter":6,"verse":36,"text":"They made a public ordinance to commemorate these things for generations to come, as long as they should be sojourners. They thus established these days as days of mirth, not for the purpose of drinking or luxury, but because God had saved them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":37,"text":"They requested the king to send them back to their homes."},{"chapter":6,"verse":38,"text":"They were being enrolled from the twenty-fifth of Pachon to the fourth of Epiphi, a period of forty days: the measures taken for their destruction lasted from the fifth of Epiphi till the seventh, that is, three days."},{"chapter":6,"verse":39,"text":"The Ruler over all did during this time manifest forth his mercy gloriously, and did deliver them all together unharmed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":40,"text":"They feasted upon the king's provision up to the fourteenth day, and then asked to be sent away."},{"chapter":6,"verse":41,"text":"The king commended them, and wrote the subjoined letter, of magnanimous import for them, to the commanders of every city."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"King Ptolemy Philopator to the commanders throughout Egypt, and to all who are set over affairs, joy and strength."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"We, too, and our children are well; and God has directed our affairs as we wish."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"Certain of our friends did of malice vehemently urge us to punish the Jews of our realm in a body, with the infliction of a monstrous punishment."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"They pretended that our affairs would never be in a good state till this took place. Such, they said, was the hatred borne by the Jews to all other people."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"They brought them fettered in grievous chains as slaves, nay, as traitors. Without enquiry or examination they endeavoured to annihilate them. They buckled themselves with a savage cruelty, worse than Scythian custom."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"For this cause we severely threatened them; yet, with the clemency which we are wont to extend to all men, we at length permitted them to live. Finding that the God of heaven cast a shield of protection over the Jews so as to preserve them, and that he fought for them as a father always fights for his sons;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"and taking into consideration their constancy and fidelity towards us and towards our ancestors, we have, as we ought, acquitted them of every sort of charge."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"And we have dismissed them to their several homes; bidding all men everywhere to do them no wrong, or unrighteously revile them about the past."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"For know ye, that should we conceive any evil design against, or in any manner aggrieve them, we shall ever have as our opposite, not man, but the highest God, the ruler of all might. From Him there will be no escape, as the avenger of such deeds. Fare ye well."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"When they had received this letter, they were not forward to depart immediately. They petitioned the king to be allowed to inflict fitting punishment upon those of their race who had willingly transgressed the holy God, and the law of God."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"They alleged that men who had for their bellies' sake transgressed the ordinances of God, would never be faithful to the interests of the king."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"The king admitted the truth of this reasoning, and commended them. Full power was given them, without warrant or special commission, to destroy those who had transgressed the law of God boldly in every part of the king's dominions."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"Their priests, then, as it was meet, saluted him with good wishes, and all the people echoed with the Hallelujah. They then joyfully departed."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"Then they punished and destroyed with ignominy every polluted Jew that fell in their way;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"slaying thus, in that day, above three hundred men, and esteeming this destruction of the wicked a season of joy."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"They themselves having held fast their God unto death, and having enjoyed a full deliverance, departed from the city garlanded with sweet-flowered wreaths of every kind. Uttering exclamations of joy, with songs of praise, and melodious hymns they thanked the God of their fathers, the eternal Saviour of Israel."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"Having arrived at Ptolemais, called from the specialty of that district Rose-bearing, where the fleet, in accordance with the general wish, waited for them seven days,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"they partook of a banquet of deliverance, for the king generously granted them severally the means of securing a return home."},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"They were accordingly brought back in peace, while they gave utterance to becoming thanks; and they determined to keep these days during their sojourn as days of joyfulness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"These they registered as sacred upon a pillar, when they had dedicated the place of their festivity to be one of prayer. They departed unharmed, free, abundant in joy, preserved by the king's command, by land, by sea, and by river, each to his own home."},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"They had more weight than before among their enemies; and were honoured and feared, and no one in any way robbed them of their goods."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"Every man received back his own, according to inventory; those who had obtained their goods, giving them up with the greatest terror. For the greatest God wrought with perfectness wonders for their salvation."},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"Blessed be the Redeemer of Israel unto everlasting. Amen."}]},{"code":"LXX","name":"Septuagint (Greek)","language":"grc","source":"Greek Septuagint as printed by Brenton (1851), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Ὁ ΔΕ Φιλοπάτωρ μαθὼν παρὰ τῶν ἀνακομισθέντων τὴν γενομένην τῶν ἐπʼ αὐτοῦ κρατουμένων τόπων ἀφαίρεσιν ὑπὸ Ἀντιόχου, παραγγείλας ταῖς πάσαις δυνάμεσι πεζικαῖς τε καὶ ἱππικαῖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὴν ἀδελφὴν Ἀρσινόην συμπαραλαβὼν, ἐξώρμησε μέχρι τῶν κατὰ Ῥαφίαν τόπων, ὅπου παρεμβεβλήκεισαν οἱ περὶ Ἀντίοχον."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"Θεόδοτος δέ τις ἐκπληρῶσαι τὴν ἐπιβουλὴν διανοηθεὶς, παραλαβὼν τῶν προϋποτεταγμένων αὐτῷ ὅπλων Πτολεμαϊκῶν τὰ κράτιστα, διεκομίσθη νύκτωρ ἐπὶ τὴν τοῦ Πτολεμαίου σκηνὴν, ὡς μόνος κτεῖναι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ διαλῦσαι τὸν πόλεμον."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"Τοῦτον δὲ διαγαγὼν Δωσίθεος ὁ Δριμύλου λεγόμενος, τὸ γένος Ἰουδαῖος, ὕστερον δὲ μεταβαλὼν τὰ νόμιμα, καὶ τῶν πατρίων δογμάτων ἀπηλλοτριωμένος, ἄσημόν τινα κατέκλινεν ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ, ὃν συνέβη κομίσασθαι τὴν ἐκείνου κόλασιν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"Γενομένης δὲ καρτερᾶς μάχης, καὶ τῶν πραγμάτων μᾶλλον ἐῤῥωμένων τῷ Ἀντιόχῳ, ἱκανῶς ἡ Ἀρσινόη ἐπιπορευσαμένη τὰς δυνάμεις παρεκάλει, μετὰ οἴκτου καὶ δακρύων, τοὺς πλοκάμους λελυμένη, βοηθεῖν ἑαυτοῖς τε καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις καὶ γυναιξὶ θαῤῥαλέως, ἐπαγγελλομένη δώσειν νικήσασιν ἑκάστῳ δύο μνᾶς χρυσίου."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"Καὶ οὕτω συνέβη τοὺς ἀντιπάλους ἐν χειρονομίαις διαφθαρῆναι, πολλοὺς δὲ καὶ δορυαλώτους συλληφθῆναι"},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"Κατακρατήσας δὲ τῆς ἐπιβουλῆς ἔκρινε τὰς πλησίον πόλεις ἐπελθὼν παρακαλέσαι."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"Ποιήσας δὲ τοῦτο, καὶ τοῖς τεμένεσι δωρεὰς ἀπονείμας, εὐθαρσεῖς τοὺς ὑποτεταγμένους κατέστησε."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Τῶν δὲ Ἰουδαίων διαπεμψαμένων πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γερουσίας καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοὺς ἀσπασομένους αὐτὸν. Καὶ ξένια κομιοῦντας, καὶ ἐπὶ τοῖς συμβεβηκόσι συγχαρησομένους, συνέβη μᾶλλον αὐτὸν προθυμηθῆναι ὡς τάχιστα πρὸς αὐτοὺς παραγενέσθαι."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"Διακομισθεὶς δὲ εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, καὶ θύσας τῷ μεγίστῳ Θεῷ, καὶ χάριτας ἀποδιδοὺς, καὶ τῶν ἑξῆς τι τῷ τόπῳ ποιήσας, καὶ δὴ παραγενόμενος εἰς τὸν τόπον, καὶ τῇ σπουδαιότητι καὶ εὐπρεπείᾳ καταπλαγείς,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"θαυμάσας δὲ καὶ τὴν τοῦ ἱεροῦ εὐταξίαν, ἐνεθυμήθη βουλεύσασθαι εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν ναόν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"Τῶν δὲ εἰπόντων μὴ καθήκειν γίνεσθαι τοῦτο, διὰ τὸ μηδὲ τοῖς ἐκ τοῦ ἔθνους ἐξεῖναι εἰσιέναι, μηδὲ πᾶσι τοῖς ἱερεῦσιν, ἀλλʼ ἢ μονῳ τῷ προηγουμένῳ πάντων ἀρχιερεῖ, καὶ τούτῳ ἅπαξ κατʼ ἐνιαυτὸν, οὐδαμῶς ἠβούλετο πείθεσθαι."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Τοῦ τε νόμου παραναγνωσθέντος, οὐδαμῶς ἀπέλιπε προφερόμενος ἑαυτὸν, δεῖν εἰσελθεῖν, λέγων, καὶ εἰ ἐκεῖνοι ἐστέρηνται ταύτης τῆς τιμῆς, ἐμὲ οὺ δεῖ."},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"Καὶ ἐπυνθάνετο, διὰ τίνα αἰτίαν εἰσερχόμενον αὐτὸν εἰς πᾶν τέμενος, οὐθεὶς ἐλώλυσε τῶν παρόντων."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"Καί τις ἀπρονοήτως ἔφη κακῶς αὐτὸ τοῦτο τερατεύεσθαι."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"Γενομένου δέ φησι τούτου διά τινα αἰτίαν, οὐχὶ πάντως εἰσελεύσεσθαι καὶ θελόντων αὐτῶν καὶ μή;"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"Τῶν δὲ ἱερέων ἐν ταῖς ἁγίαις ἐσθήσεσι προπεσόντων, καὶ δεομένων τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ βοηθεῖν τῇ ἐνεστώσῃ ἀνάγκῃ, καί τὴν ὁρμὴν τοῦ κακῶς ἐπιβαλλομένου μεταθεῖναι, κραυγῆς τε μετὰ δακρύων τὸ ἱερὸν ἐμπλησάνων,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":17,"text":"οἱ κατὰ τὴν πόλιν ἀπολιπόμενοι, ταραχθέντες ἐξεπήδησαν, ἄδηλον τιθέμενοι τὸ γινόμενον."},{"chapter":1,"verse":18,"text":"Αἵ τε κατάκλειστοι παρθένοι ἐν θαλάμοις σὺν ταῖς τεκούσαις ἐξώρμησαν· καὶ σποδῷ καὶ κόνει τὰς κεφαλὰς πασάμεναι, γόων τε καὶ στεναγμῶν τὰς πλατείας ἐνεπίμπλων."},{"chapter":1,"verse":19,"text":"Αἱ δὲ καὶ προσαρτίως ἐσταλμέναι, τοὺς πρὸς ἀπάντησιν διατεταγμένους παστοὺς, καὶ τὴν ἁρμόζουσαν αἰδὼ παραλείπουσαι, δρόμον ἄτακτον ἐν τῇ πόλει συνίσταντο."},{"chapter":1,"verse":20,"text":"Τὰ δὲ νεογνὰ τῶν τέκνων, αἵ τε πρὸς τούτοις μητέρες καὶ τιθηνοὶ παραλιποῦσαι ἄλλως καὶ ἄλλως, αἱ μὲν κατʼ οἴκους, αἱ δὲ κατὰ τὰς ἀγυιὰς ἀνεπιτρέπτως εἰς τὸ πανυπέρτατον ἱερὸν ἠθροίζοντο."},{"chapter":1,"verse":21,"text":"Ποικίλη δὲ ἦν τῶν εἰς τοῦτο συλλεγομένων ἡ δέησις ἐπὶ τοῖς ἀνοσίως ὑπʼ ἐκείνου κατεγχειρουμένοις."},{"chapter":1,"verse":22,"text":"Σύν τε τούτοις οἱ τῶν πολιτῶν θρασυνθέντες οὐκ ἠνείχοντο τέλεον αὐτοῦ ἐπικειμένου, καὶ τὸ τῆς προθέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐκπληροῦν διανοουμένου."},{"chapter":1,"verse":23,"text":"Θωνήσαντες δὲ τὴν ὁρμὴν ἐπὶ τὰ ὅπλα ποιήσασθαι, καὶ θαῤῥαλέως ὑπὲρ τοῦ πατρῴου νόμου τελευτᾷν, ἱκανὴν ἐποίησαν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τραχύτητα, μόλις τε ὑπό τε τῶν γεραιῶν καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων ἀποτραπέντες ἐπὶ τὴν αὐτὴν τῆς δεήσεως ἔστησαν στάσιν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":24,"text":"Καὶ τὸ μὲν πλῆθος, ὡς ἔμπροσθεν, ἐν τούτοις ἀνεστρέφετο δεόμενον."},{"chapter":1,"verse":25,"text":"Οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν βασιλέα πρεσβύτεροι πολλαχῶς ἐπειρῶντο τὸν ἀγέρωχον αὐτοῦ νοῦν ἐξιστάνειν τῆς ἐντεθυμημένης βουλῆς."},{"chapter":1,"verse":26,"text":"Θρασυνθεὶς δὲ καὶ πάντα παραπέμψας, ἤδη καὶ πρόσβασιν ἀποιεῖτο, τέλος ἐπιθήσειν δοκῶν τῷ προειρημένῳ."},{"chapter":1,"verse":27,"text":"Ταῦτʼ οὖν καὶ οἱ περὶ αὐτὸν ὄντες θεωροῦντες, ἐτράπησαν εἰς τὸ σὺν τοῖς ἡμετέροις ἐπικαλεῖσθαι τὸν πᾶν κράτος ἔχοντα, τοῖς παροῦσιν ἐπαμῦναι, μὴ περιδόντα τὴν ἄνομον καὶ ὑπερήφανον πρᾶξιν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":28,"text":"Ἐκ δὲ τῆς πυκνοτάτης τε καὶ ἐμπόνου τῶν ὄχλων συναγομένης κραυγῆς, ἀνείκαστός τις ἦν βοή."},{"chapter":1,"verse":29,"text":"Δοκεῖν γὰρ ἦν μὴ μόνον τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ τείχη καὶ τὸ πᾶν ἔδαφος ἠχεῖν, ἅτε δὴ τῶν πάντων τότε θάνατον ἀλλασσομένων ἀντὶ τῆς τοῦ τόπου βεβηλώσεως."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"Ὁ μὲν οὖν ἀρχιερεὺς Σίμων ἐξεναντίας τοῦ ναοῦ κάμψας τὰ γόνατα, καί τὰς χεῖρας προτείνας εὐτάκτως, ἐποιήσατο τὴν δέησιν τοιαύτην·"},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"Κύριε Κύριε βασιλεῦ τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ Δέσποτα πάσης κτίσεως, ἅγιε ἐν ἁγίοις, μόναρχε, παντοκράτωρ, πρόσχες ἡμῖν καταπονουμένοις ὑπὸ ἀνοσίου καὶ βεβήλου θράσει καὶ σθένει πεφρυαγμένου."},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"Σὺ γὰρ ὁ κτίσας τὰ πάντα καὶ τῶν ὅλων ἐπικρατῶν δυνάστης δίκαιος εἶ, καὶ τοὺς ὕβρει καὶ ἀγερωχίᾳ πράσσοντάς τι κρίνεις."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"Σὺ τοὺς ἔμπροσθεν ἀδικίαν ποιήσαντας, ἐν οἷς καὶ γίγαντες ἦσαν ῥώμῃ καὶ θράσει πεποιθότες, διέφθειρας, ἐπαγαγὼν αὐτοῖς ἀμέτρητον ὕδωρ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"Σὺ τοὺς ὑπερηφανίαν ἐργαζομένους Σοδομίτας, αιαδήλους ταῖς κακίαις γενομένους, πυρὶ καὶ θείῳ κατέφλεξας, παράδειγμα τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις καταστήσας."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"Σὺ τὸν θρασὺν Φαραὼ καταδουλωσάμενον τὸν λαόν σου τὸν ἅγιον Ἰσραὴλ, ποικίλαις καὶ πολλαῖς δοκιμάσας τιμωρίαις, ἐγνώρισας τὴν σὴν δυναστείαν· ἐφʼ αἷς ἐγνώρισας τὸ μέγα σου κράτος."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Καὶ ἐπιδιώξαντα αὐτὸν σὺν ἅρμασι καὶ ὄχλων πλήθει, ἐπέκλυσας βάθει θαλάσσης, τοὺς δὲ ἐνπιστεύσαντας ἐπὶ σοὶ τῷ τῆς ἁπάσης κτίσεως δυναστεύοντι, σώους διεκόμισας."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Οἳ καὶ συνειδότες ἔργα σῆς χειρός, ᾔνεσάν σε τὸν παντοκράτορα."},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Σὺ, βασιλεῦ, κτίσας τὴν ἀπέραντον καὶ ἀμέτρητον γῆν, ἐξελέξω τὴν πόλιν ταύτην, καὶ ἁγιάσας τὸν τόπον τοῦτον εἰς ὄνομά σοι τῷ τῶν ἁπάντων ἀπροσδεεῖ, καὶ παρεδόξασας ἐν ἐπιφανείᾳ μεγαλοπρεπεῖ, σύστασιν ποιησάμενος αὐτοῦ πρὸς δόξαν τοῦ μεγάλου καὶ ἐντίμου ὀνόματός σου."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Καὶ ἀγαπῶν τὸν οἶκον τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, ἐπηγγείλω δὴ ὃτι ἐὰν γένηται ἡμῶν ἀποστροφὴ, καὶ καταλάβῃ ἡμᾶς στενοχωρία, καὶ ἐλθόντες εἰς τὸν τόπον τοῦτου δεηθῶμεν, εἰσακούσῃ τῆς δεήσεως ἡμῶν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Καὶ δὴ πιστὸς εἶ καὶ ἀληθινός."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"Ἐπεὶ δὲ πλεονάκις θλιβέντων τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν ἐβοήθησας αὐτοῖς ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει, καὶ ἐῤῥύσω αὐτοὺς ἐκ μεγάλων κινδύνων,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"ἰδοὺ δὴ νῦν, ἅγιε βασιλεῦ, διὰ τὰς πολλὰς καὶ μεγάλας ἡμῶν ἁμαρτίας καταπονούμεθα, καὶ ὑπετάγημεν τοῖς ἐχθροῖς ἡμῶν, καὶ παρείμεθα ἐν ἀδυναμίαις."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"Ἐν δὲ τῇ ἡμετέρᾳ καταπτώσει ὁ θρασὺς καὶ βέβηλος οὗτος ἐπιτηδεύει καθυβρίσαι τὸν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀναδεδειγμένον τῷ ὀνόματι τῆς δόξης σου ἅγιον τόπον."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"Τὸ μὲν γὰρ οἰκητήριόν σου οὐρανὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀνέφικτος ἀνθρώποις ἐστίν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"Ἀλλαʼ ἐπεὶ εὐδόκησας τὴν δόξαν σου ἐν τῷ λαῷ σου Ἰσραὴλ, ἡγίασας τὸν τόπον τοῦτον."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Μὴ ἐκδικήσῃς ἡμᾶς ἐν τῇ τούτων ἀκαθαρσίᾳ, μηδὲ εὐθύνῃς ἡμᾶς ἐν βεβηλώσει· ἵνα μὴ καυχήσωνται οἱ παράνομοι ἐν θυμῷ αὐτῶν, μηδὲ ἀγαλλιάσωνται ἐν ὑπερηφανίᾳ γλώσσης αὐτῶν, λέγοντες,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"ἡμεῖς κατεπατήσαμεν τὸν οἶκον τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ, ὡς καταπατοῦνται οἱ οἶκοι τῶν προσοχθισμάτων."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Ἀπάλειψον τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν, καὶ διασκέδασον τὰς ἀμπλακίας ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐπίφανον τὸ ἔλεός σου κατὰ τὴν ὥραν ταύτην."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Ταχὺ προκαταλαβέτωσαν ἡμᾶς οἱ οἰκτιρμοί σου· καὶ δὸς αἰνέσεις ἐν στόματι τῶν καταπεπτωκότων καὶ συντετριμμένων τὰς ψυχὰς, ποιήσας ἡμῖν εἰρήνην."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Ἐνταῦθα ὁ πάντων ἐπόπτης Θεὸς, καὶ πρὸ πάντωρ ἅγιος ἐν ἁγίοις, εἰσακούσας τῆς ἐνθέσμου λιτανείας, τὸν ὕβρει καὶ θράσει μεγάλως ἐπηρμένον ἐμάστιξεν αὐτόν,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν κραδάνας αὐτὸν ὡς κάλαμον ὑπὸ ἀνέμου, ὥστε κατʼ ἐδάφους ἄπρακτον ἔτι καὶ τοῖς μέλεσι παραλελυμένον, μηδὲ φωνῆσαι δύνασθαι δικαίᾳ περιπεπλεγμένον κρίσει."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"Ὅθεν οἵ τε φίλοι καὶ οἱ σωματοφύλακες αὐτοῦ ταχεῖαν καὶ ὀξεῖαν ἰδόντες τὴν καταλαβοῦσαν αὐτὸν εὐθύναν, φοβούμενοι μὴ καὶ τὸ ζῇν ἐκλείπῃ, ταχέως αὐτὸν ἐξείλκυσαν ὑπερβάλλοντι καταπεπληγμένοι φόβῳ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Ἐν χρόνῳ δὲ ὕστερον ἀναλεξάμενος ἑαυτὸν, οὐδαμῶς εἰς μετάμελον ἦλθεν ἐπιτιμηθεὶς, μετʼ ἀπειλῆς δὲ πικρᾶς ἀνέλυσε."},{"chapter":2,"verse":25,"text":"Διακομισθεὶς δὲ εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον, καὶ τὰ τῆς κακίας ἐπαύξων, διά δὲ τῶν προαποδεδιγμένων συμποτῶν καὶ ἑταίρων τοῦ παντὸς δικαίου κεχωρισμένων,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":26,"text":"οὐ μόνον ταῖς ἀναριθμήτοις ἀσελγείαις διηρκέσθη, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον θράσους προῆλθεν, ὥστε δυσφημίας ἐν τοῖς τόποις συνίστασθαι, καὶ πολλοὺς τῶν φίλων ἀτενίζοντας εἰς τὴν τοῦ βασιλέως πρόθεσιν καὶ αὐτοὺς ἕπεσθαι τῇ ἐκείνου θελήσει."},{"chapter":2,"verse":27,"text":"Προέθετο δὲ δημοσίᾳ κατὰ τοῦ ἔθνους διαδοῦναι ψόγον· καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ κατὰ τὴν αὐλὴν πύργου στήλην ἀναστήσας, ἐξεκόλαψε γραφήν,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":28,"text":"μηδένα τῶν μὴ θυόντων εἰς τὰ ἱερὰ αὐτῶν εἰσιέναι, πάντας δὲ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους εἰς λαογραφίαν καὶ οἰκετικὴν διάθεσιν ἀχθῆναι, τοὺς δὲ ἀντιλέγοντας βίᾳ φερομένους τοῦ ζῇν μεταστῆσαι,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":29,"text":"τούτους τε ἀπογραφομένους χαράσσεσθαι καὶ διὰ πυρὸς εἰς τὸ σῶμα παρασήμῳ Διονύσου κισσοφύλλῳ, οὓς καὶ καταχωρίσαι εἰς τὴν προσυνεσταλμένην αὐθεντίαν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":30,"text":"Ἵνα δὲ μὴ τοῖς πᾶσιν ἀπεχθόμενος φαίνηται, ὑπέγραψεν, ἐὰν δέ τινες ἐξ αὐτῶν προαιρῶνται ἐν τοῖς κατὰ τὰς τελετὰς μεμυημένοις ἀναστρέφεσθαι, τούτους ἰσοπολίτας Ἀλεξανδρεῦσιν εἶναι."},{"chapter":2,"verse":31,"text":"Ἔνιοι μὲν οὖν ἐπι πολεως τὰς τῆς πόλεως εὐσεβείας ἐπιβάθρας στυγοῦντες, εὐχερῶς ἑαυτοὺς ἐδίδοσαν, ὡς μεγάλης τινὸς κοινωνήσοντες εὐκλείας ἀπὸ τῆς ἐσομένης τῷ βασιλεῖ συναναστροφῆς."},{"chapter":2,"verse":32,"text":"Οἱ δὲ πλεῖστοι γενναίᾳ ψυχῇ ἐνίσχυσαν καὶ οὐ διέστησαν τῆς εὐσεβείας· τά τε χρήματα περὶ τοῦ ζῇν ἀντικαταλλασσομενοι, ἀδεῶς ἐπειρῶντο ἑαυτοὺς ῥύσασθαι ἐκ τῶν ἀπογραφῶν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":33,"text":"Εὐέλπιδές δὲ καθειστήκεισαν ἀντιλήμψεως τεύξεασθαι, καὶ τοὺς ἀποχωροῦντας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἐβδελύσσοντο, καὶ ὡς πολεμίους τοῦ ἔθνους ἔκρινον, καὶ τῆς κοινῆς συναναστροφῆς καὶ εὐχρηστίας ἐστέρουν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"Ἃ καὶ μεταλαμβάνων ὁ δυσσεβὴς ἐπι τοσοῦτον ἐχόλησεν, ὥστε οὐ μόνον τοῖς κατʼ Ἀλεξάνδρειαν διοργίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ βαρυτέρως ἐναντιωθῆναι, καὶ προστάξαι σπεύσαντας συναγαγεῖν πάντας ἐπιτοαυτὸ, καὶ χειρίστῳ μόρῳ τοῦ ζῇν μεταστῆσαι."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"Τούτων δὲ οἰκονομουμένων, φήμη δυσμενὴς ἐξηχεῖτο κατὰ τοῦ γένους ἀνθρώποις συμφρονοῦσιν εἰς κακοποίησιν, ἀφορμῆς διδομένης εἰς διάθεσιν, ὡς ἂν ἀπὸ τῶν νομίμων αὐτοὺς κωλυόντων."},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"Οἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι τὴν μὲν πρὸς τοὺς βασιλεῖς εὔνοιαν καὶ πίστιν ἀδιάστροφον ἦσαν διαφυλάσσοντες·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"σεβόμενοι δὲ τὸν Θεόν καὶ τῷ τούτου νόμῳ πολιτευόμενοι, χωρισμὸν ἐποίουν ἐπὶ τινων καὶ καταστροφάς διʼ ἣν αἰτίαν ἔνιος ἀπεχθεῖς ἐφαίνοντο·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"Τῇ δὲ τῶν δικαίων εὐπραξίᾳ κοσμοῦντες τὴν συναναστροφήν, ἅπασιν ἀνθρώποις εὐδόκιμοι καθειστήκεισαν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"Τὴν μὲν οὖν περὶ τοῦ γένους ἐν πᾶσι θρυλλουμένην εὐπραξίαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι οὐδαμῶς διηριθμήσαντο."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"Τὴν δὲ περὶ τῶν προσκυνήσεων καὶ τροφῶν διάστασιν ἐθρύλλουν, φάσκοντες μήτε τῷ βασιλεῖ μήτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν ὁμοσπόνδους τοὺς ἀνθρώπους γενέσθαι, δυσμενεῖς δὲ εἶναι καὶ μέγα τι τοῖς πράγμασιν ἐναντιουμένους· καὶ οὐ τῷ τυχόντι περιήψαν ψόγῳ."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"Οἱ δὲ κατὰ τὴν πόλιν Ἕλληνες οὐδὲν ἠδικημένοι, ταραχὴν ἀπροσδόκητον περὶ τοὺς ἄνθρώπους θεωροῦντες, καὶ συνδρομὰς ἀπροσκόπους γινομένας βοηθεῖν μὲν οὐκ ἔσθενον· τυραννικὴ γὰρ ἦν ἡ διάθεσις· παρεκάλουν δὲ καὶ δυσφόρως εἶχον, καὶ μεταπεσεῖσθαι ταῦτα ὑπελάμβανον·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"Μὴ γὰρ οὕτως παροραθήσεται τηλικοῦτο σύστεημα μηδὲν ἠγνοηκώς."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"Ἤδη δὲ καί τινες γείτονές τε καὶ φίλοι καὶ συμπραγματευόμενοι, μυστικῶς τινας ἐπισπώμενοι, πίστεις ἐδίδουν συνασπιεῖν, καὶ πᾶν ἐκτενὲς προσοίσεσθαι πρὸς ἀντίληψιν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Ἐκεῖνος μὲν οὖν τῇ κατὰ τὸ παρὸν εὐημερίᾳ γεγαυρωμένος, καὶ οὐ καθορῶν τὸ τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ κράτος, ὑπολαμβάνων δὲ διηνεκῶς ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ διαμένειν βουλῇ, ἔγραψε κατʼ αὐτῶν ἐπιστολὴν τήνδε"},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"Βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ τοῖς κατʼ Αἴγυπτον, καὶ κατὰ τόπον στρατηγοῖς καὶ στρατιώταις, χαίρειν καὶ ἐῤῥῶσθαι."},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Ἔῤῥωμαι δὲ καὶ ἐγὼ αὐτὸς καὶ τὰ πράγματα ἡμῶν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"Ἐκ τῆς εἰς τὴν Ἀσίαν γενομένης ἡμῖν ἐπιστρατίας, ἧς ἴστε καὶ αὐτοί, τῇ τῶν θεῶν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπροπτώτῳ συμμαχίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἡμετέρᾳ δὲ ῥώμῃ κατὰ λόγον ἐπʼ ἄριστον τέλος ἀχθείσης,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"ἡγησάμεθα μὴ βίᾳ δόρατος, ἐπιεικείᾳ δὲ καὶ πολλῇ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τιθηνήσασθαι τὰ κατοικοῦντα κοίλην Συρίαν καὶ Φοινίκην ἔθνη, εὖ ποιήσαί τε ἀσμένως."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"Καὶ τοῖς κατὰ πόλεσιν ἱεροῖς ἀπονείμαντες προσόδους πλείστας, προήχθημεν καὶ εἰς τὰ Ἰεροσόλυμα, ἀναβάντες τιμῆσαι τὸ ἱερὸν τῶν ἀλιτηρίων καὶ μηδέποτε ληγόντων τῆς ἀνοίας."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"Οἱ δὲ λόγῳ μὲν τὴν ἡμετέραν ἀποδεξάμενοι παρουσίαν, τῷ δὲ πράγματι νόθως, προθυμηθέντων ἡμῶν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν ναὸν αὐτῶν, καὶ τοῖς ἐκπρεπέσιν καὶ καλλίστοις ἀναθήμασι τιμῆσαι,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"τύφοις φερόμενοι παλαιοτέροις εἶρξαν ἡμᾶς τῆς εἰσόδου, ἀπολειπόμενοι τῆς ἡμετέρας ἀλκῆς, διʼ ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς ἅπαντας ἀνθρώπους φιλανθρωπίαν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"Τὴν δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς ἡμᾶς δυσμενειαν ἔκδηλον καθιστάντες, ὡς μονώτατοι τῶν ἐθνῶν βασιλεῦσι καὶ τοῖς ἑαυτῶν εὐεργέταις ὑψαυχενοῦντες οὐδὲν γνήσιον βούλονται φέρειν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":20,"text":"Ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ τούτων ἀνοίᾳ συμπεριενεχθέντες, καὶ μετὰ νίκης διακομισθέντες, καὶ εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον τοῖς πᾶσιν ἔθνεσιν φιλανθρώπως ἀπαντήσαντες, καθὼς ἔπρεπεν ἐποιήσαμεν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":21,"text":"ἐν δὲ τούτοις πρὸς τοὺς ὁμοφύλους αὐτῶν ἀμνησικακίαν ἅπασιν γνωρίζοντες, διά τε τὴν συμμαχίαν καὶ τὰ πεπιστευμένα μετὰ ἁπλότητος αὐτοῖς ἀρχῆθεν μύρια πράγματα, ἐξαλλοιῶσαι, ἐβουλήθημεν καὶ πολιτείας αὐτοὺς Ἀλεξανδρέων καταξιῶσαι, καὶ μετόχους τῶν ἀεὶ ἱερέων καταστῆσαι."},{"chapter":3,"verse":22,"text":"Οἱ δὲ τοὐναντίον ἐκδεχόμενοι, καὶ τῇ συμφύτῳ κακοηθείᾳ τὸ καλὸν ἀπωσάμενοι, διηνεκῶς δὲ εἰς τὸ φαῦλον ἐκνεύοντες,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":23,"text":"οὐ μόνον ἀπεστρέψαντο τὴν ἀτίμητον πολιτείαν, ἀλλὰ καὶ βδελύσσονται λόγῳ τε καὶ σιγῇ τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς ὀλίγους πρὸς ἡμᾶς γνησίως διακειμένους, παρέκαστα ὑφορώμενοι διὰ τῆς δυσκλεεστάτης ἐμβιώσεως διὰ τάχους ἡμᾶς καταστρέψαι τὰ κατορθώματα."},{"chapter":3,"verse":24,"text":"Διὸ καὶ τεκμηρίοις καλῶς πεπεισμένοι τούτους κατὰ πάντα δυσνοεῖν ἡμῖν τρόπον, καὶ προνοούμενοι μήποτε αἰφνιδίου μετέπειτα ταραχῆς ἐνστάσης ἡμῖν, τοὺς δυσσεβεῖς τούτους κατὰ νώτου προδότας καὶ βαρβάρους ἔχωμεν πολεμίους."},{"chapter":3,"verse":25,"text":"Προστετάχαμεν ἅμα τῷ προσπεσεῖν τὴν ἐπιστολὴν τήνδε, αὐθωρὶ τοὺς ἐννεμομένους σὺν γυναιξὶ καὶ τέκνοις μετὰ ὕβρεων καὶ σκυλμῶν ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐνδεσμοῖς σιδηροῖς πάντοθεν κατακεκλεισμένους, εἰς ἀνήκεστον καὶ δυσκλεῆ πρέποντα δυσμενέσι φόνον."},{"chapter":3,"verse":26,"text":"Τούτων γὰρ ὁμοῦ κολασθέντων, διειλήφαμεν εἰς τὸν ἐπίλοιπον χρόνον τελείως ἡμῖν τὰ πράγματα ἐν εὐσταθείᾳ καὶ βελτίστῃ διαθέσει κατασταθήσεσθαι."},{"chapter":3,"verse":27,"text":"Ὅς δʼ ἂν σκεπάσῃ τινὰ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀπὸ γεραιοῦ μέχρι νηπίου μέχρι τῶν ὑπομασθίων, αἰσχίστοις βασάνοις ἀποτυμπανισθήσεται πανοικί."},{"chapter":3,"verse":28,"text":"Μηνύειν δέ τὸν βουλόμενον, ἐφʼ ᾧ τὴν οὐσίαν τοῦ ἐμπίπτοντος ὑπὸ τὴν εὐθύναν λήψεται, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ βασιλικοῦ ἀργυρίου δραχμὰς δισχιλίας, καὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίας τεύξεται καὶ στεφανωθήσεται."},{"chapter":3,"verse":29,"text":"Πᾶς δὲ τὸπος οὗ ἐὰν φωραθῇ τὸ σύνοκον σκεπαζόμενος Ἰουδαῖος, ἄβατος καὶ πυριφλεγὴς γινέσθω, καὶ πάσῃ θνητῇ φύσει κατὰ πάντα ἄχρηστος φανήσεται εἰς τὸν ἀεὶ χρόνον."},{"chapter":3,"verse":30,"text":"Καὶ ὁ μὲν τῆς ἐπιστολῆς τύπος οὕτως ἐγέγραπτο."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Παντῇ δὲ ὅπου προσέπιπτε τοῦτο τὸ πρόσταγμα, δημοτελὴς συνίστατο τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐωχία μετὰ ἀλαλαγμῶν καὶ χαρᾶς, ὡς ἄν τῆς προκατεσκιῤῥωμένης αὐτοῖς πάλαι κατὰ διάνοιαν, μετὰ παῤῥησίας συνεκφαινομένης ἀπεχθείας."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"Τοῖς δὲ Ἰουδαίοις ἀνήκεστον πένθος ἦν καὶ πανόδυρτος μετὰ δακρύων βοὴ, στεναγμοῖς πεπυρωμένης τῆς αὐτῶν πάντοθεν καρδίας, ὀλοφυρομένων τὴν ἀπροσδόκητον ἐξαίφνης ἐπικριθεῖσαν αὐτοῖς ὀλεθρίαν."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"Τίς νομὸς ἢ πόλις, ἢ τίς τὸ σύνολον οἰκητὸς τὸπος, ἢ τίνες ἀγυιαὶ κοπετοῦ καὶ γόων ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς οὐκ ἐμπιπλῶντο;"},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"Οὕτω γὰρ μετὰ πικρᾶς καὶ ἀνοίκτου ψυχῆς ὑπὸ τῶν κατὰ πόλιν στρατηγῶν ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐξαπεστέλλοντο, ὥστε ἐπὶ ταῖς ἐξάλλοις τιμωρίαις καί τινας τῶν ἐχθρῶν, λαμβάνοντας πρὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμὼν τὸν κοινὸν ἔλεον, καὶ λογιζομένους τὴν ἄδηλον τοῦ βίου καταστροφὴν, δακρύειν αὐτῶν τρισάθλιον ἐξαποστολήν."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"Ἤγετο γὰρ γεραιῶν πλῆθος πολιᾷ πεπυκασμένων, τὴν ἐκ τοῦ γήρως νωθρότητα ποδῶν ἐπικύφων, ἀνατροπῆς ὁρμῇ βιαίας, ἁπάσης αἰδοῦς ἄνευ πρὸς ὀξείαν καταχρωμένων πορείαν."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Αἱ δὲ ἄρτι πρὸς βίου κοινωνίαν γαμικὸν ὑπεληλυθυῖαι παστὸν νεάνιδες, ἀντὶ τέρψεως μεταλαβοῦσαι γόους, καὶ κόνει τὴν μυροβραχῆ πεφυρμέναι κόμην, ἀκαλύπτως δὲ ἀγόμεναι, θρῆνον ἀνθʼ ὑμεναίων ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἐξῆρχον, ὡς ἐσπαραγμέναι σκυλμοῖς ἀλλοεθνέσι."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"Δέσμιαι δέ δημόσιαι μέχρι τῆς εἰς τὸ πλοῖον ἐμβολῆς εἵλκοντο μετὰ βίας."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"Οἵ τε τούτων συζυγεῖς βρόχοις ἀντὶ στεφέων τοὺς αὐχένας περιπεπλεγμένοι μετὰ ἀκμαίας καὶ νεανικῆς ἡλικίας, ἀντὶ εὐωχίας καὶ νεωτερικῆς ῥαθυμίας τὰς ἐπιλοίπους τῶν γάμων ἡμέρας ἐν θρήνοις διῆγον, παρὰ πόδας ἤδη τὸν ᾅδην ὁρῶντες κείμενον."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"Κατήχθησαν δὲ θηρίων τρόπον ἀγόμενοι σιδηροδέσμοις ἀνάγκαις· οἱ μὲν τοῖς ζυγοῖς τῶν πλοίων προσηλωμένοι τοὺς τραχήλους, οἱ δὲ τοὺς πόδας ἀῤῥήκτοις κατησθφαλισμένοι πέδαις,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"ἔτι καὶ τῷ καθύπερθε πυκνῷ σανιδώματι διακειμένῳ τὸ φέγγος ἀποκλειόμενοι, ὅπως πάντοθεν ἐσκοτισμένοι τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς, ἀγωγὴν ἐπιβούλων ἐν παντὶ τῷ κατάπλῳ λαμβάνωσι."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"Τούτων δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν λεγομένην Σχεδὶαν ἀχθέντων, καὶ τοῦ παράπλου περανθέντος, καθὼς ἦν δεδογματισμένον τῷ βασιλεῖ, προσέταξεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ πρὸ τῆς πόλεως ἱπποδρόμῳ παρεμβαλεῖν ἀπλέτῳ καθεστῶτι περιμέτρῳ, καὶ πρὸς παραδειγματισμὸν ἄγαν εὐκαιροτάτῳ καθεστῶτι πᾶσι τοῖς καταπορευομένοις εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ τοῖς ἐκ τούτων εἰς τὴν χώραν στελλομένοις πρὸς ἐκδημίαν· πρὸς τὸ μηδὲ ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτοῦ κοινωνεῖν, μηδὲ τὸ σύνολον καταξιῶσαι περιβόλων."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"Ὡς δὲ τοῦτο ἐγενήθη, ἀκούσας τοὺς ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ὁμοεθνεῖς κρυβῇ ἐκπορευομένους πυκνότερον ἀποδύρεσθαι τὴν ἀκλεᾶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ταλαιπωρίαν,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"διοργισθεὶς προσέταξε καὶ τούτοις ὁμοῦ τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον ἐπιμελῶς ὡς ἐκείνοις ποιῆσαι, μὴ λειπομένοις κατὰ μηδένα τρόπον τῆς ἐκείνων τιμωρίας, Ἀπογραφῆναι δὲ πᾶν τὸ φῦλον ἐξ ὀνόματος·"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"οὐ γὰρ τὴν ἔμπροσθε βραχεῖ προδεδηλωμένην τῶν ἔργων κατὰπονον λατρείαν, στρεβλωθέντας δὲ ταῖς παρηγγελμέναις αἰκίαις τὸ τέλος ἀφανίσαι μιᾶς ὑπὸ καιρὸν ἡμέρας."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"Ἐγίνετο μὲν οὖν ἡ τοὺτων ἀπογραφὴ μετὰ πικρᾶς σπουδῆς καὶ φιλοτίμου προσεδρίας ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου μέχρι δυσμῶν, ἀνήνυτον λαμβάνουσα τὸ τέλος επὶ ἡμέρας τεσσαράκοντα."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"Μεγάλως δὲ καὶ διηνεκῶς ὁ βασιλεὺς χαρᾷ πεπληρωμένος, συμπόσια ἐπὶ πάντων τῶν εἰδώλων συνιστάμενος, πεπλανημένῃ, πόῤῥω τῆς ἀληθείας φρενὶ καὶ βεβήλῳ στόματι, τὰ μὲν κωφὰ καὶ μὴ δυνάμενα αὐτοῖς λαλεῖν ἢ ἀρήγειν, ἐπαινῶν, εἰς δὲ τὸν μέγιστον Θεὸν τὰ μὴ καθήκοντα λαλῶν."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"Μετὰ δὲ τὸ προειρημένον τοῦ χρόνου διάστημα προσηνέγκαντο οἱ γραμματεῖς τῷ βασιλεῖ, μηκέτι ἰσχύειν τὴν τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀπογραφὴν ποιεῖσθαι διὰ τὴν ἀμέτρητον αὐτῶν πληθὺν, καί περ ὄντων κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἔτι τῶν πλειόνων,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"τῶν μὲν κατὰ τὰς οἰκίας ἔτι συνεστηκότων, τῶν δὲ καὶ κατὰ τὸπον, ὡς ἀδυνάτου καθεστῶτος πᾶσι τοῖς ἐπʼ Αἴγυπτον στρατηγοῖς,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"ἀπειλήσαντος δὲ αὐτοῖς σκληρότερον ὡς δεδωροκοπημένοις εἰς μηχανὴν τῆς ἐκφυγῆς, συνέβη σαφῶς αὐτὸν περὶ τούτου πεισθῆναι,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"λεγόντων μετὰ ἀποδείξεως, καὶ τὴν χαρτηρίαν ἤδη καὶ τοὺς γραφικοὺς καλάμους ἐν οἷς ἐχρῶντο ἐκλελοιπέναι."},{"chapter":4,"verse":21,"text":"Τοῦτο δὲ ἦν ἐνέργεια τῆς τοῦ βοηθοῦντος τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐξ οὐρανοῦ προνοίας ἀνικήτου."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Τότε προσκαλεσάμενος Ἕρμωνα τὸν πρὸς τῇ τῶν ἐλεφάντων ἐπιμελείᾳ, βαρείᾳ μεμεστωμένος ὀργῇ καὶ χόλῳ κατὰ πᾶν ἀμετάθετος,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"ἐκέλευσεν ὑπὸ τὴν ἐπερχομένην ἡμέραν δαψιλέσι δράκεσι λιβανωτοῦ καὶ οἴνῳ πλείονι ἀκράτῳ ἅπαντας τοὺς ἐλέφαντας ποτίσαι, ὄντας τὸν ἀριθμὸν πεντακοσίους, καὶ ἀγριωθέντας τῇ τοῦ πόματος ἀφθόνῳ χορηγίᾳ, εἰσαγαγεῖν πρὸς συνάντησιν τοῦ μόρου τῶν Ἰουδαίων."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"Ὁ μὲν τάδε προστάσσων, ἐτρέπετο πρὸς τὴν εὐωχίαν, συναγαγὼν τοὺς μάλιστα τῶν φίλων καὶ τῆς στρατιᾶς ἀπεχθῶς ἔχοντας πρὸς τοὺς Ἰουδαίους."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"Ὁ δὲ ἐλεφαντάρχης τὸ προσταγὲν ἀραρότως Ἕρμων συνετέλει."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"Οἵ τε πρὸς τούτοις λειτουργοὶ κατὰ τὴν ἑσπέραν ἐξιόντες τὰς τῶν ταλαιπώρων ἐδέσμευον χεῖρας, τήν τε λοιπὴν ἐμηχανῶντο περὶ αὐτοὺς ἀσφάλειαν, ἔννυχον δόξαντες ὁμοῦ λήψεσθαι τὸ φῦλον πέρας τῆς ὀλεθρίας."},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"Οἱ δὲ πάσης σκέπης ἔρημοι δοκοῦντες εἶναι τοῖς ἔθνεσιν Ἰουδαῖοι, διὰ τὴν πάντοθεν περιέχουσαν αὐτοὺς μετὰ δεσμῶν ἀνάγκην,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"τὸν παντοκράτορα Κύριον καὶ πάσης δυνάμεως δυναστεύοντα, ἐλεήμονα Θεὸν αὐτῶν καὶ πατέρα, δυσκαταπαύστῳ βοῇ πάντες μετὰ δακρύων ἐπεκαλέσαντο δεόμενοι,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"τὴν κατʼ αὐτῶν μεταστρέψαι βουλὴν ἀνοσίαν, καὶ ῥύσασθαι αὐτοὺς μετὰ μεγαλομεροῦς ἐπιφανείας ἐκ τοῦ παρὰ πόδας ἐν ἑτοίμῳ μόρου."},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Τούτων μὲν οὖν ἐκτενῶς ἡ λιτανεία ἀνέβαινεν εἰς οὐρανόν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"Ὁ δὲ Ἕρμων τοὺς ἀνηλεεῖς ἐλέφαντας ποτίσας πεπληρωμένους τῆς τοῦ οἴνου πολλῆς χορηγίας, καὶ τοῦ λιβάνου μεμεστωμένους, ὄρθριος ἐπὶ τὴν αὐλὴν παρῆν περὶ τούτων προσαγγεῖλαι τῷ βασιλεῖ."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"Τοῦτο δʼ ἀπʼ αἰῶνος χρόνου κτίσμα καλὸν ἐν νυκτὶ καὶ ἡμέρᾳ ἐπιβαλλόμενον ὑπὸ τοῦ χαριζομένου πᾶσιν οἷς ἂν αὐτὸς θελήσῃ, ὕπνου μέρος ἀπέστειλε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα."},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"Καὶ ἡδίστῳ καὶ βαθεῖ κατεσχέθη τῇ ἐνεργείᾳ τοῦ Δεσπότου, τῆς ἀθέσμου μὲν προθέσεως πολὺ διεσφαλμένος, τοῦ δὲ ἀμεταθέτου λογισμοῦ μεγάως διεψευσμένος."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"Οἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι τὴν προσημανθεῖσαν ὥραν διαφυγόντες, τὸν ἅγιον ᾔνουν Θεὸν αὐτῶν· καὶ πάλιν ἠξίουν τὸν εὐκατάλλακτον, δεῖξαι μεγαλοσθενοῦς αὐτοῦ χειρὸς κράτος ἔθνεσιν ὑπερηφάνοις."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"Μεσούσης δὲ ἤδη τῆς δεκάτης ὥρας σχεδὸν, ὁ πρὸς ταῖς κλήσεσι τεταγμένος, ἀθρόους τοὺς κλητοὺς ἰδὼν, ἔνυξε προσελθὼν τὸν βασιλέα."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"Καὶ μόλις διεγείρας, ὑπέδειξε τὸν τῆς συμποσίας καιρὸν ἤδη παρατρέχοντα, τὸν περὶ τούτων λόγον ποιοῦμενος."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"Ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς λογισάμενος, καὶ τραπεὶς εἰς τὸν πότον, ἐκέλευσε τοὺς παραγεγονότας εἰς τὴν συμποσίαν ἄντικρυς ἀνακλιθῆναι αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"Οὗ καὶ γενομένου, παρῄνει εἰς εὐωχίαν δόντας ἑαυτοὺς, τὸ παρὸν τῆς συμποσίας ἐπιπολὺ γεραιρομένους εἰς εὐφροσύνην καταθέσθαι μέρος."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Ἐπιπλεῖον δὲ προβαινούσης τῆς ὁμιλίας, τὸν Ἕρμωνα μεταπεμψάμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, μετὰ πικρὰς ἀπειλῆς ἐπυνθάνετο, τίνος ἕνεκεν αἰτίας εἰάθησαν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι τὴν περοῦσαν ἡμέραν περιβεβιωκότες."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Τοῦ δὲ ὑποδείξαντος νυκτὸς τὸ προσταγὲν ἐπὶ τέλος ἠγηοχέναι, καὶ τῶν φίλων αὐτῷ προσμαρτυρησάντων,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"τὴν ὠμότητα χείρονα Φαλάριδος ἐσχηκὼς ἔφη, τῷ τῆς σήμερον ὕπνῳ χάριν ἔχειν αὐτούς· ἀνυπερθέτως δὲ εἰς τὴν ἐπιτέλλουσαν ἡμέραν κατὰ τὸ ὅμοιον ἑτοίμασον τοὺς ἐλέφαντας ἐπὶ τὸν τῶν ἀθεμίτων Ἰουδαίων ἀφανισμόν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"Εἰπόντος δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως, ἀσμένως πάντες μετὰ χαρᾶς οἱ παρόντες ὁμοῦ συναινέσαντες, εἰς τὸν ἴδιον οἶκον ἕκαστος ἀνέλυσε."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"Καὶ οὐχ οὕτως εἰς ὕπνον κατεχρήσαντο τὸν χρόνον τῆς νυκτὸς, ὡς εἰς τὸ παντοίους μηχανᾶσθαι τοῖς ταλαιπώροις δοκοῦσιν ἐμπαιγμούς."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"Ἄρτι δὲ ἀλεκτρυὼν ἐκεκράγει ὄρθριος, καὶ τὰ θηρία καθωπλικὼς ὁ Ἕρμων ἐν τῷ μεγάλῳ περιστύλῳ διεκίνει."},{"chapter":5,"verse":24,"text":"Τὰ δὲ κατὰ τὴν πόλιν πλήθη συνήθροιστο πρὸς τὴν οἰκτροτάτην θεωρίαν, προσδοκῶντα τὴν πρωίαν μετὰ σπουδῆς."},{"chapter":5,"verse":25,"text":"Οἱ δὲ Ἰουδαῖοι κατὰ τὸν ἀμερῆ ψυχουλκούμενοι χρόνον, πολυδάκρυον ἱκετίαν ἐν μέλεσι γοεροῖς τείνοντες τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, ἐδέοντο τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ, πάλιν αὐτοῖς βοηθῆσαι συντόμως."},{"chapter":5,"verse":26,"text":"Οὔπω δὲ ἡλίου βολαὶ κατεσπείροντο, καὶ τοῦ βασιλέως τοὺς φίλους ἐκδεχομένου, ὁ Ἕρμων παραστὰς, ἐκάλει πρὸς τὴν ἔξοδον, ὑποδεικνύων τὸ πρόθυμον τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν ἑτοίμῳ κεῖσθαι."},{"chapter":5,"verse":27,"text":"Τοῦ δὲ ἀποδεξαμένου καὶ καταπλαγέντος ἐπὶ τῇ παρανόμῳ ἐξόδῳ, κατὰ πᾶν ἀγνωσίᾳ κεκρατημένος ἐπυνθάνετο, τί τὸ πρᾶγμα ἐφʼ οὗ τοῦτο αὐτῳ μετὰ σπουδῆς τετέλεσται."},{"chapter":5,"verse":28,"text":"Τοῦτο δὲ ἦν ἡ ἐνέργεια τοῦ πάντα δεσποτεύοντος Θεοῦ, τῶν πρὶν αὐτῷ μεμηχανημένων λήθην κατὰ διάνοιαν ἐντεθεικότος."},{"chapter":5,"verse":29,"text":"Ὁ δὲ Ἕρμων ὑπεδείκνυε καὶ πάντες οἱ φίλοι, τὰ θηρία καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις ἡτοιμάσθαι, βασιλεῦ, κατὰ τὴν σὴν ἐκτενῆ πρόθεσιν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":30,"text":"Ὁ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῖς ῥηθεῖσι πληρωθεὶς βαρεῖ χόλῳ, διὰ τὸ περὶ τούτων προνοίᾳ Θεοῦ διεσκεδᾶσθαι πᾶν αὐτοῦ τὸ νόημα, ἐνατενίσας μετὰ ἀπειλῆς εἶπεν,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":31,"text":"εἴ σαι γονεῖς παρῆσαν ἢ παίδων γοναὶ, τήνδε θηρσὶν ἀγρίοις ἐσκεύασαν δαψιλῆ θοῖναν, ἀντὶ τῶν ἀνεγκλήτων ἐμοὶ καὶ προγόνοις ἐμοῖς ἀποδεδειγμένων ὁλοσχερῆ βεβαίαν πίστιν ἐξόχως, Ἰουδαίων."},{"chapter":5,"verse":32,"text":"Καί περ εἰ μὴ διὰ τὴν τῆς συστροφίας στοργὴν καὶ τῆς χρείας, τὸ ζῇν ἀντὶ τούτων ἐστερήθης."},{"chapter":5,"verse":33,"text":"Οὕτως ὁ Ἕρμων ἀπροσδόκητον ἐπικίνδυνον ὑπήνεγκεν ἀπειλὴν, καὶ τῇ ὁράσει καὶ τῷ προσώπῳ συνεστάλη."},{"chapter":5,"verse":34,"text":"Ὁ καθεὶς δὲ τῶν φίλων σκυθρωπῶς ὑπεκρέων, τοὺς συνηθροισμένους ἀπέλυσαν ἕκαστον ἐπὶ τὴν ἰδίαν ἀσχολίαν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":35,"text":"Οἵ τε Ἰουδαῖοι τὰ παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀκούσαντες, τὸν ἐπιφανῆ Θεὸν καὶ βασιλέα τῶν βασιλέων ᾔνουν, καὶ τῆσδε τῆς βοηθείας αὐτοῦ τετευχότες."},{"chapter":5,"verse":36,"text":"Κατὰ δὲ τούτους τοὺς νόμους ὁ βασιλεὺς συστησάμενος πάλιν τὸ συμπόσιον, εἰς εὐφροσύνην τραπῆναι παρεκάλει."},{"chapter":5,"verse":37,"text":"Τὸν δὲ Ἕρμωνα προσκαλεσάμενος μετὰ ἀπειλῆς εἶπε, ποσάκις σοι δὲ περὶ τούτων αὐτῶν προστάττειν, ἀθλιώτατε;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":38,"text":"Τοὺς ἐλέφαντας ἔτι καὶ νῦν καθόπλισον εἰς τὴν αὔριον ἐπὶ τὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀφανισμόν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":39,"text":"Οἱ δὲ συνανακείμενοι συγγενεῖς τὴν ἄστατον διάνοιαν αὐτοῦ θαυμάζοντες, προεφέροντο τάδε"},{"chapter":5,"verse":40,"text":"βασιλεῦ, μέχρι τίνος ὡς ἀλόγους ἡμᾶς διαπειράζεις, προστάσσων ἤδη τρίτον αὐτοὺς ἀφανίσαι, καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων ἐκ μεταβολῆς ἀναλύων τὰ σοὶ δεδογμένα;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":41,"text":"Ὧν χάριν ἡ πόλις διὰ τὴν προσδοκίαν ὀχλεῖ· καὶ πληθύουσα συστροφαῖς, ἤδη καὶ κινδυνεύει πολλάκις διαρπασθῆναι."},{"chapter":5,"verse":42,"text":"Ὅθεν ὁ κατὰ πάντα Φάλαρις βασιλεὺς ἐμπληθυνθεὶς ἀλογιστίας, καὶ τὰς γινομένας πρὸς ἐπισκοπὴν τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐν αὐτῷ μεταβολὰς τῆς ψυχῆς παρʼ οὐδὲν ἡγούμενος, ἀτελέστατον ἐβεβαίωσεν ὅρκον, ὁρισάμενος τούτους μὲν ἀνυπερθέτως πέμψειν εἰς ᾅδην, ἐν γόνασι καὶ ποσὶ θηρίων ᾐκισμένους,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":43,"text":"ἐπιστρατεύσαντα δὲ ἐπὶ τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, ἰσόπεδον πυρὶ καὶ δόρατι θήσεσθαι διατάχους, καὶ τὸν ἄβατον αὐτῶν ἡμῖν ναὸν πυρὶ πρηνέα ἐν τάχει, καὶ τῶν συντελούντων ἐκεῖ θυσίας ἔρημον τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον καταστήσειν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":44,"text":"Τότε περιχαρεῖς ἀναλύσαντες οἱ φίλοι καὶ συγγενεῖς, μετὰ πίστεως διέτασσον τὰς δυνάμεις ἐπὶ τοὺς εὐκαιροτάτους τόπους τῆς πόλεως πρὸς τήρησιν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":45,"text":"Ὁ δὲ ἐλεφαντάρχης, τὰ θηρία σχεδὸν εἰπεῖν εἰς κατάστημα μανιῶδες ἀγηοχὼς, εὐωδεστάτοις πόμασιν οἴνῳ λελιβανωμένου φοβεραῖς κατεσκευασμένα σκευαῖς."},{"chapter":5,"verse":46,"text":"Περὶ τὴν ἕω, τῆς πόλεως ἤδη πλήθεσιν ἀναριθμήτοις κατὰ τοῦ ἱπποδρόμου καταμεμεστωμένης, εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν, ἐπὶ τὸ προκείμενον ὤτρυνε τὸν βασιλέα."},{"chapter":5,"verse":47,"text":"Ὁ δὲ ὀργῇ βαρείᾳ γεμίσας δυσσεβῆ φρένα, παντὶ τῷ βάρει σὺν τοῖς θηρίοις ἐξώρμησε, βουλόμενος ἀτρώτῳ καρδίᾳ καὶ κόραις ὀφθαλμῶν θεάσασθαι τὴν ἐπίπονον καὶ ταλαίπωρον τῶν προσεσημαμμένων καταστροφήν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":48,"text":"Ὡς δὲ τῶν ἐλεφάντων ἐξιόντων περὶ πύλην, καὶ τῆς συνεπομένης ἐνόπλου δυνάμεως, τῆς τε τοῦ πλήθους πορείας κονιορτὸν ἰδόντες, καὶ βαρυηχῆ θόρυβον ἀκούσαντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":49,"text":"ὑστάτην βίου ῥοπὴν αὐτοῖς ἐκείνην δόξαντες εἶναι τὸ τέλος τῆς ἀθλιωτάτης προσδοκίας, εἰς οἶκτον καὶ γόους τραπέντες, κατεφίλουν ἀλλήλους περιπλεκόμενοι τοῖς συγγενέσιν ἐπὶ τοὺς τραχήλους ἐπιπίπτοντες, γονεῖς παισὶ καὶ μητέρες νεάνισιν, ἕτεραι δὲ νεογνὰ πρὸς μαστοὺς ἔχουσαι βρέφη τελευταῖον ἕλκοντα γάλα."},{"chapter":5,"verse":50,"text":"Οὐ μὴν δὲ ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰς ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν γεγενημένας ἀντιλήψεις ἐξ οὐρανοῦ συνιδόντες, πρηνεῖς ὁμοθυμαδὸν ῥίψαντες ἑαυτοὺς καὶ τὰ νήπια χωρίσαντες τῶν μαστῶν,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":51,"text":"ἀνεβόησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ σφόδρα, τὸν τῆς ἁπάσης δυνάστην ἱκετεύοντες, οἰκτεῖραι μετὰ ἐπιφανείας αὐτοὺς ἤδη πρὸς πύλαις ᾅδου καθεστῶτας."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Ἐλεαζάρος δέ τις ἀνὴρ ἐπίσημος τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς χώρας ἱερέων, ἐν πρεσβείῳ τὴν ἡλικίαν ἤδη λελογχὼς, καὶ πάσῃ τῇ κατὰ τὸν βίον ἀρετῇ κεκοσμημένος, τοὺς περὶ αὐτὸν καταστείλας πρεσβυτέρους ἐπικαλεῖσθαι τὸν ἅγιον Θεὸν προσηύξατο τάδε·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Βασιλεῦ μεγαλοκράτωρ, ὕψιστε, παντοκράτωρ Θεὲ, τὴν πᾶσαν διακυβερνῶν ἐν οἰκτιρμοῖς κτίσιν,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"ἔπιδε ἐπὶ Ἀβραὰμ σπέρμα, ἐπὶ ἡγιασμένου τέκνα Ἰακὼβ, μερίδος ἡγιασμένης σου λαὸν ἐν ξένῃ γῇ ξένον ἀδίκως ἀπολλύμενον, πάτερ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Σὺ Φαραὼ πληθύνοντα ἅρμασι, τὸ πρὶν Αἰγύπτου ταύτης δυνάστην, ἐπαρθέντα ἀνόμῳ θράσει καὶ γλώσσῃ μεγαλοῤῥήμονι, σὺν τῇ ὑπερηφάνῳ στρατιᾷ ποντοβρόχους ἀπώλεσας, φέγγος ἐπιφάνας ἐλέους Ἰσραὴλ γένει."},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"Σὺ τὸν ἀναριθμήτοις δυνάμεσι γαυρωθέντα Σενναχηρεὶμ βαρὺν Ἀσσυρίων βασιλέα, δόρατι τὴν πᾶσαν ὑποχείριον ἤδη λαβόντα γῆν, καὶ μετεωρισθέντα ἐπὶ τὴν ἁγίαν σου πόλιν, βαρέα λαλοῦντα κόμπῳ καὶ θράσει, Δέσποτα, ἔθραυσας, ἔκδηλον δεικνὺς ἐθνεσι πολλοῖς τὸ σὸν κράτος."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"Σὺ τοὺς κατὰ τὴν Βαβυλωνίαν τρεῖς ἑταίρους πυρὶ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐθαιρέτως δεδωκότας εἰς τὸ μὴ λατρεῦσαι τοῖς κενοῖς, διάπυρον δροσίσας κάμινον, ἐῤῥύσω μέχρι τριχὸς ἀπημάντους, φλόγα πᾶσιν ἐπιπέμψας τοῖς ὑπεναντίοις."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"Σὺ τὸν διαβολαῖς φθόνου λέουσι κατὰ γῆς ῥιφέντα θηρσὶν βορὰν Δανιὴλ εἰς φῶς ἀνήγαγες ἀσινῆ·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"Τόν τε βυθοτρεφοῦς ἐν γαστρὶ κήτους Ἰωνᾶν τηκόμενον ἀφιδῶς, ἀπήμαντον πᾶσιν οἰκείοις ἀναδειξας, πάτερ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Καὶ νῦν μισούβρι, πολυέλεε, τῶν ὅλων σκεπαστά, τὸ τάχος ἐπιφάνηθι τοῖς ἀπὸ Ἰσραὴλ γένους, ὑπὸ δὲ ἐβδελυγμένων ἀνόμων ἐθνῶν ὑβριζομένοις."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"Εἰ δὲ ἀσεβείαις κατὰ τὴν ἀποικίαν ὁ βίος ἡμῶν ἐνέσχηται, ῥυσάμενος ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ ἐχθρῶν χειρός, ὡς προαιρῇ, Δέσποτα, ἀπόλεσον ἡμᾶς μόρῳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Μὴ τοῖς ματαίοις οἱ ματαιόφρονες εὐλογησάτωσαν ἐπὶ τῇ τῶν ἠγαπημένων σου ἀπωλείᾳ, λέγοντες, οὐδὲ ὁ Θεὸς αὐτῶν ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτούς."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Σὺ δὲ ὁ πᾶσαν ἀλκὴν καὶ δυναστείαν ἔχων ἅπασαν, αἰώνιε, νῦν ἔπιδε· ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς τοὺς καθʼ ὕβριν ἀνόμων ἀλόγιστον ἐκ τοῦ ζῇν μεθισταμένους ἐν ἐπιβούλων τρόπῳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"Πτηξάτω δὲ ἔθνη σὴν δύναμιν ἀνίκητον σήμερον, ἔντιμε, δυνάμιν ἔχων, ἐπὶ σωτηρία Ἰακὼβ γένους."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"Ἱκετεύει σε τὸ πᾶν πλῆθος τῶν νηπίων καὶ οἱ τούτων γονεῖς μετὰ δακρύων."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"Δειχθήτω πᾶσιν ἔθνεσιν, ὅτι μεθʼ ἡμῶν εἶ Κύριε, καὶ οὐκ ἀπέστρεψας τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀφʼ ἡμῶν· ἀλλὰ καθὼς εἶπας, ὅτι οὐδʼ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν ὄντων ὑπέριδον αὐτούς, οὕτως ἐπιτέλεσον, Κύριε."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"Τοῦ δὲ Ἐλεαζάρου λήγοντος ἄρτι τῆς προσευχῆς, ὁ βασιλεὺς σὺν τοῖς θηρίοις καὶ παντὶ τῷ τῆς δυνάμεως φρυάγματι κατὰ τὸν ἱππόδρομον παρῆγεν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"Καὶ θεωρήσαντες οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, μέγα εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀνέκραξαν, ὥστε καὶ τοὺς παρακειμένους αὐλῶνας συνηχήσαντας, ἀκατάσχετον οἰμωγὴν ποιῆσαι παντὶ τῷ στρατοπέδῳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"Τότε ὁ μεγαλόδοξος παντοκράτωρ καὶ ἀληθινὸς Θεός, ἐπιφάνας τὸ ἅγιον αὐτοῦ πρόσωπον, ἠνέῳξε τὰς οὐρανίους πύλας, ἐξ ὧν δεδοξασμένοι δύο φοβεροειδεῖς ἄγγελοι κατέβησαν φανεροὶ πᾶσι πλὴν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"καὶ ἀντέστησαν, καὶ τὴν δύναμιν τῶν ὑπεναντίων ἐπλήρωσαν ταραχῆς καὶ δειλίας, καὶ ἀκινήτοις ἔδησαν πέδαις."},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"Καὶ ὑπόφρικον καὶ τὸ τοῦ βασιλέως σῶμα ἐγενήθη, καὶ λήθη τὸ θράσος αὐτοῦ τὸ βαρύθυμον ἔλαβε."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"Καὶ ἀπέστρεψαν τὰ θηρία ἐπὶ τὰς συνεπομένας ἐνόπλους δυνάμεις, καὶ κατεπάτουν αὐτοὺς καὶ ὠλόθρευον."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"Καὶ μετεστράφη τοῦ βασιλέως ἡ ὀργὴ εἰς οἶκτον καὶ δάκρυα ὑπὲρ τῶν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῷ μεμηχανευμένων."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"Ἀκούσας γὰρ τῆς κραυγῆς, καὶ συνιδὼν πρηνεῖς ἅπαντας εἰς τὴν ἀπώλειαν, δακρύσας μετὰ ὀργῆς τοῖς φίλοις διηπειλεῖτο, λέγων,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"Παραβασιλεύετε, καὶ τυράννους ὑπερβεβήκατε ὠμότητι· καὶ ἐμὲ αὐτὸν τὸν ὑμῶν εὐεργέτην ἐπιχειρεῖτε τῆς ἀρχῆς ἤδη καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος μεθιστᾷν, λάθρα μηχανώμενοι τὰ μὴ συμφέροντα τῇ βασιλείᾳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Τίς τοὺς κρατήσαντας ἡμῶν ἐν πίστει τὰ τῆς χώρας ὀχυρώματα, τῆς οἰκίας ἀποστήσας ἕκαστον ἀλόγως ἤθροισεν ἐνθάδε;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":26,"text":"Τίς τοὺς ἐξαρχῆς εὐνοίᾳ πρὸς ἡμᾶς κατὰ πάντα διαφέροντας πάντων ἐθνῶν, καὶ τοὺς χειρίστους πλεονάκις ἀνθρώπων ἐπιδεδεγμένους κινδύνους, οὕτως ἀθέσμοις περιέβαλεν αἰκίαις;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":27,"text":"Λύσατε, ἐκλύσατε ἄδικα δεσμά· εἰς τὰ ἴδια μετʼ εἰρήνης ἐξαποστείλατε, τὰ προπεπραγμένα παραιτησάμενοι."},{"chapter":6,"verse":28,"text":"Ἀπολύσατε τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐπουρανίου Θεοῦ ζῶντος, ὃς ἀφʼ ἡμετέρων μέχρι τοῦ νῦν προγόνων ἀπαραπόδιστον μετὰ δόξης εὐστάθειαν παρέχει τοῖς ἡμετέροις πράγμασιν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":29,"text":"Ὁ μὲν οὖν ταῦτα ἔλεξεν· οἱ δὲ ἐν ἀμερεῖ χρόνῳ λυθέντες, τὸν ἅγιον σωτῆρα Θεὸν αὐτῶν εὐλόγουν, ἄρτι τὸν θάνατον ἐκπεφευγότες."},{"chapter":6,"verse":30,"text":"Εἶτα ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς τὴν πόλιν ἀπαλλαγεὶς, τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν προσόδων προσκαλεσάμενος, ἐκέλευσεν οἴνους τε καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ πρὸς εὐωχίαν ἐπιτήδεια τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις χορηγεῖν ἐπὶ ἡμέρας ἑπτὰ, κρίνας αὐτοὺς ἐν ᾧ τόπῳ ἔδοξαν τὸν ὄλεθρον ἀναλαμβάνειν, ἐν τούτῳ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ πάσῃ σωτήρια ἄγειν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":31,"text":"Τότε οἱ πρὶν ἐπονείδιστοι καὶ πλησίον τοῦ ᾅδου, μᾶλλον δὲ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ βεβηκότες, ἀντὶ πικροῦ καὶ δυσαιάκτου μόρου, κώθωνα σωτήριον συστησάμενοι, τὸν εἰς πτῶσιν αὐτοῖς καὶ τάφον ἡτοιμασμένον τόπον κλισίαις κατεμέρισαν πλήρεις χαρμονῆς."},{"chapter":6,"verse":32,"text":"Καταλήξαντες δὲ θρήνου πανόδυρτον μέλος, ἀνέλαβον ᾠδὴν πάτριον, τὸν σωτῆρα καὶ τερατοποιὸν αἰνοῦντες Θεόν· οἰμωγήν τε πᾶσαν καὶ κωκυτὸν ἀπωσάμενοι, χοροὺς συνίσταντο εὐφροσύνης εἰρηνικῆς σημεῖον."},{"chapter":6,"verse":33,"text":"Ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς περὶ τούτων συμπόσιον βαρὺ συναγαγὼν, ἀδιαλείπτως εἰς οὐρανὸν ἀνθωμολογεῖτο μεγαλομερῶς ἐπὶ τῇ παραδόξῳ γενηθείσῃ αὐτῷ σωτηρίᾳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":34,"text":"Οἵ τε πρὶν εἰς ὄλεθρον καὶ οἰωνοβρώτους αὐτοὺς ἔσεσθαι τιθέμενοι, μετὰ χαρᾶς ἀπογραψάμενοι, κατεστέναξαν, αἰσχύνην ἐφʼ ἑαυτοῖς περιβαλλόμενοι, καὶ τὴν πυρίπνουν τόλμαν ἀκλεῶς ἐσβεσμένοι."},{"chapter":6,"verse":35,"text":"Οἵ τε Ἰουδαῖοι, καθὼς προειρήκαμεν, συστησάμενοι τὸν προειρημένον χορὸν, μετʼ εὐωχίας ἐν ἐξομολογήσεσιν ἱλαραῖς καὶ ψαλμοῖς διῆγον."},{"chapter":6,"verse":36,"text":"καὶ κοινὸν ὁρισάμενοι περὶ τούτων θεσμὸν ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν παροικίαν αὐτῶν εἰς γενεὰς, τὰς προειρημένας ἡμέρας ἄγειν ἔστησαν εὐφροσύνους, οὐ πότου χάριν καὶ λιχνείας, σωτηρίας δὲ τῆς διὰ Θεὸν γενομένης αὐτοῖς."},{"chapter":6,"verse":37,"text":"Ἐνέτυχον δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ, τὴν ἀπόλυσιν αὐτῶν εἰς τὰ ἴδια αἰτούμενοι."},{"chapter":6,"verse":38,"text":"Ἀπογράφονται δὲ αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ πέμπτης καὶ εἰκάδος τοῦ Παχὼν ἕως τῆς τετάρτης τοῦ Ἐπιφὶ, ἐπὶ ἡμέρας τεσσαράκοντα· συνίστανται δὲ αὐτῶν τὴν ἀπώλειαν ἀπὸ πέμπτης τοῦ Ἐπιφὶ ἕως ἑβδόμης, ἡμέραις τρισίν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":39,"text":"Ἐν αἷς καὶ μεγαλοδόξως ἐπιφάνας τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ὁ τῶν ὅλων δυνάστης, ἀπταίστους αὐτοὺς ἐῤῥύσατο ὁμοθυμαδόν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":40,"text":"Εὐωχοῦντο δὲ πάνθʼ ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως χορηγούμενοι μέχρι τῆς τεσσαρεσκαιδεκάτης, ἐν ᾗ καὶ τὴν ἐντυχίαν ἐποιήσαντο περὶ τῆς ἀπολύσεως αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":41,"text":"Συναινέσας τε αὐτοὺς ὁ βασιλεὺς, ἔγραψεν αὐτοῖς τὴν ὑπογεγραμμένην ἐπιστολὴν πρὸς τοὺς κατὰ πόλιν στρατηγοὺς μεγαλοψύχως τὴν ἐκτενίαν ἔχουσαν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"Βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος ὁ Φιλοπάτωρ τοῖς κατʼ Αἴγυπτον στρατηγοῖς καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς τεταγμένοις ἐπὶ πραγμάτων, χαίρειν καὶ ἐῤῥῶσθαι."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"Ἐῤῥώμεθα δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ καὶ τὰ τέκνα ἡμῶν, κατευθύναντος ἡμῖν τοῦ μεγάλου Θεοῦ τὰ πράγματα καθὼς προαιρούμεθα."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"Τῶν φίλων τινὲς κακοηθείᾳ πυκνότερον ἡμῖν παρακείμενοι, συνέπεισαν ἡμᾶς εἰς τὸ τοὺς ὑπὸ τὴν βασιλείαν Ἰουδαίους, συναθροίσαντας σύστημα, κολάσασθαι ξενιζούσαις ἀποστατῶν τιμωρίαις,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"προσφερόμενοι μήποτε εὐσταθήσειν τὰ πράγματα ἡμῶν, διʼ ἣν ἔχουσιν οὗτοι πρὸς πάντα τὰ ἔθνη δυσμένειαν, μέχρις ἂν συντελεσθῇ τοῦτο."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"Οἳ καὶ δεσμίους καταγαγόντες αὐτοὺς μετὰ σκυλμῶν ὡς ἀνδράποδα, μᾶλλον δὲ ὡς ἐπιβούλους, ἄνευ πάσης ἀνακρίσεως καὶ ἐξετάσεως ἐπεχείρησαν ἀνελεῖν, νόμου Σκυθῶν ἀγριωτέραν ἐμπεπορπημένοι ὠμότητα."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"Ἡμεῖς δὲ ἐπὶ τούτοις σκληρότερον διαπειλησάμενοι, καθʼ ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς ἅπαντας ἀνθρώπους ἐπιείκειαν, μόγις τὸ ζῇν αὐτοῖς χαρισάμενοι, καὶ τὸν ἐπουράνιον Θεὸν ἐγνωκότες ἀσφαλῶς ὑπερησπικότα τῶν Ἰουδαίων, ὡς πατέρα ὑπὲρ υἱῶν διαπαντὸς ὑπερμαχοῦντα,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"τήν τε τοῦ φίλου ἣν ἔχουσι πρὸς ἡμᾶς βεβαίαν καὶ τοὺς προγόνους ἡμῶν εὔνοιαν ἀναλογισάμενοι, δικαίως ἀπολελύκαμεν πάσης καθʼ ὁντινοῦν αἰτίας τρόπον·"},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"καὶ προστετάχαμεν ἑκάστῳ πάντας εἰς τὰ ἴδια ἐπιστρέφειν, ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ μηθενὸς αὐτοὺς τὸ σύνολον καταβλάπτοντος, μήτε ὀνειδίζειν περὶ τῶν γεγενημένων παρὰ λόγον."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"Γινώσκετε γὰρ ὅτι κατὰ τούτων ἐάν τι κακοτεχνήσωμεν πονηρόν, ἢ ἐπιλυπήσωμεν αὐτοὺς τὸ σύνολον, οὐκ ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλὰ τὸν πάσης δεσπόζοντα δυνάμεως Θεὸν ὕψιστον ἀντικείμενον ἡμῖν ἐπʼ ἐκδικήσει τῶν πραγμάτων κατὰ πᾶν ἀφεύκτως δια παντὸς ἕξομεν· ἔῤῥωσθε."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"Λαβόντες δὲ τὴν ἐπιστολὴν ταύτην, οὐκ ἐσπούδασαν εὐθέως γενέσθαι περὶ τὴν ἄφοδον, ἀλλὰ τὸν βασιλέα προσηξίωσαν τοὺς ἐκ τοῦ γένους τῶν Ἰουδαίων τὸν ἅγιον Θεὸν αὐθαιρέτως παραβεβηκότας καὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν νόμον, τυχεῖν διʼ αὐτῶν τῆς ὀφειλομένης κολάσεως,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"προφερόμενοι τοὺς γαστρὸς ἕνεκεν τὰ θεῖα παραβεβηκότας προστάγματα, μηδέποτε εὐνοήσειν μηδὲ τοῖς τοῦ βασιλέως πράγμασιν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"Ὁ δὲ τἀληθὲς αὐτοὺς λέγειν παραδεξάμενος καὶ συναινέσας, ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἄδειαν πάντων, ὅπως τοὺς παραβεβηκότας τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸν νόμον ἐξολοθρεύσωσι κατὰ πάντα τὸν ὑπὸ τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ τόπον μετὰ παῤῥησίας ἄνευ πάσης βασιλικῆς ἐξουσίας ἢ ἐπισκέψεως."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"Τότε κατευφημήσαντες αὐτόν, ὡς πρέπον ἦν, οἱ τούτων ἱερεῖς, καὶ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος ἐπιφωνήσαντες τὸ ἁλληλούϊα, μετὰ χαρᾶς ἀνέλυσαν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"Τότε τὸν ἐμπεσόντα τῶν μεμιασμένων ὁμοεθνῆ κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν ἐκολάζοντο, καὶ μετὰ παραδειγματισμῶν ἀνῄρουν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"Ἐκείνῃ δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἀνεῖλον ὑπὲρ τοὺς τριακοσίους ἄνδρας, καὶ ἤγαγον εὐφροσύνην μετὰ χαρᾶς τοὺς βεβήλους χειρωσάμενοι."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"Αὐτοὶ δὲ οἱ μέχρι θανάτου τὸν Θεὸν ἐσχηκότες, παντελῆ σωτηρίας ἀπόλαυσιν εἰληφότες; ἀνέζευξαν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως παντοίοις εὐωδεστάτοις ἄνθεσι κατεστεμμένοι μετʼ εὐφροσύνης καὶ βοῆς, ἐν αἴνοις καὶ παμμέλεσιν ὕμνοις εὐχαριστοῦντες τῷ Θεῷ τῶν πατέρων αὐτῶν αἰωνίῳ σωτῆρι τοῦ Ἰσραήλ."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"Παραγενηθέντες δὲ εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα τὴν ὀνομαζομένην διὰ τὴν τοῦ τόπου ἰδιότητα ῥοδοφόρον, ἐν ᾗ προσέμεινεν αὐτοὺς ὁ στόλος κατὰ κοινὴν αὐτῶν βουλὴν ἡμέρας ἑπτὰ,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"ἐκεῖ ἐποίησαν πότον σωτήριον, τοῦ βασιλέως χορηγήσαντος αὐτοῖς εὐψύχως τὰ πρὸς τὴν ἄφιξιν πάντα ἑκάστῳ ἕως εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν οἰκίαν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"Καταχθέντες δὲ μετʼ εἰρήνης ἐν ταῖς πρεπούσαις ἐξομολογήσεσιν, ὡσαύτως κᾀκεῖ ἔστησαν καὶ ταύτας ἄγειν τὰς ἡμέρας ἐπὶ τὸν τῆς παροικίας αὐτῶν χρόνον εὐφροσύνους."},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"Ἃς καὶ ἀνιερώσαντες ἐν στήλῃ κατὰ τὸν τῆς συμποσίας τόπον προσευχῆς καθιδρύσαντες, ἀνέλυσαν ἀσινεῖς, ἐλεύθεροι, ὑπερχαρεῖς, διά τε γῆς καὶ θαλάσσης καὶ ποταμοῦ ἀνασωζόμενοι τῇ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιταγῇ, ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν ἰδίαν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"Καὶ πλείστην ἢ ἔμπροσθεν ἐν τοῖς ἐχθροῖς ἐξουσίαν ἐσχηκότες μετὰ δόκης καὶ φόβου, τὸ σύνολον ὑπὸ μηδενὸς διασεισθέντες τῶν ὑπαρχόντων."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"Καὶ πάντα τὰ ἑαυτῶν πάντες ἐκομίσαντο ἐξ ἀπογραφῆς, ὥστε τοὺς ἔχοντάς τι, μετὰ φόβου μεγίστου ἀποδοῦναι αὐτοῖς, τὰ μεγαλεῖα τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ ποιήσαντος τελείως ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"Εὐλογητὸς ὁ ῥύστης Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τοὺς ἀεὶ χρόνους. Ἀμήν."}]}]}