T H E F O U R T H B O O K O F T H E

MACCA BE E S
THIS book i s l ike a fearful peal of thunder echoi ng out of the di m
horrors of anci ent tyranny. It i s a chapter based on persecuti on by
Anti ochus, the tyrant of Syri a, whom some call ed Epiphanes, The
Madman. Roman hi story of the rst centuri es records two such
tyrants!the other, "ali gul a, the Second #ril l i ant Madman.
The form of thi s wri ti ng i s that of an orati on. So carefull y ti med are
the ri si ngs and fall i ngs of the speech$ so de%astati ng are i ts
arguments$ so unfal teri ng i s i ts l ogi c$ so deep i ts thrusts$ so cool i ts
reasoning!that i t takes i ts pl ace as a sample of the sheerest
el o&uence.
The keynote i s!"ourage. The wri ter begins wi th an i mpassi oned
statement of the 'hi l osophy of Inspi red Reason. (e l ike to thi nk of
thi s twenti eth "entury as the Age of Reason and contrast it wi th the
Age of Myths!yet a wri ti ng such as thi s i s a chal l enge to such an
assumpti on. (e nd a wri ter who probabl y bel onged to the rst
century before the "hri sti an Era stati ng a clear)cut phil osophy of
Reason that i s * ust as potent today as it was two thousand years
ago.
The setti ng of the obser%ati ons in the torture chambers i s
unrel enti ng. +n our modern ears attuned to gentler thi ngs i t stri kes
appal l ingl y. The detai l ,s of the successi %e tortures -suggesti ng the
i nstruments of the Spani sh In&ui si ti on centuri es l ater. are
el aborated i n a way shocki ng to our taste. E%en the emergence of
the stoi cal characters of the +l d man, the Se%en #rothers, and the
Mother, does nothi ng to soften the feroci ty wi th whi ch thi s orator
con* ures "ourage.
The anci ent /athers of the "hri sti an "hurch carefull y preser%ed
thi s book -we ha%e i t from a Syri an transl ati on. as a work of high
moral %al ue and teaching, and i t was undoubtedl y fami li ar to many
of the earl y "hri sti an martyrs, who were aroused to the pi tch of
martyrdom by reading i t.
CHAP. I.
An outline of philosophy from
ancient times concerning
Inspired Reason. "i%ili0ation
has ne%er achie%ed higher
thought. A discussion of
1Repressions.1 2erse 34 sums
up the whole 'hilosophy of
mankind.
PHILOSOPHICAL in the
highest degree is the
question I propose to disuss!
n"#e$% &hether the Inspired
Re"son is supre#e ru$er o'er
the p"ssions( "nd to the
phi$osoph% o) it I &ou$d
1
* M A C C A B E E S
serious$% entre"t %our e"rnest
"ttention.
2 For not on$% is the su+,et
gener"$$% neess"r% "s "
+r"nh o) -no&$edge! +ut it
in$udes the pr"ise o) the
gre"test o) 'irtues! &here+% I
#e"n se$).ontro$.
3 Th"t is to s"%! i) Re"son is
pro'ed to ontro$ the p"ssions
"d'erse to te#per"ne!
g$utton% "nd $ust! it is "$so
$e"r$% sho&n to +e $ord o'er
the p"ssions! $i-e
#"$e'o$ene! opposed to
,ustie! "nd o'er those
opposed to #"n$iness! n"#e$%
r"ge "nd p"in "nd )e"r.
4 But! so#e #"% "s-! i) the
Re"son is #"ster o) the
p"ssions! &h% does it not
ontro$ )orget)u$ness "nd
ignor"ne/ their o+,et +eing
to "st ridiu$e.
5 The "ns&er is th"t Re"son
is not #"ster o'er de)ets
inhering in the #ind itse$)!
+ut o'er the p"ssions or
#or"$ de)ets th"t "re
"d'erse to ,ustie "nd
#"n$iness "nd te#per"ne
"nd ,udge#ent( "nd its "tion
in their "se is not to
e0tirp"te the p"ssions! +ut to
en"+$e us to resist the#
suess)u$$%.
6 I ou$d +ring +e)ore %ou
#"n% e0"#p$es! dr"&n )ro#
'"rious soures! &here
Re"son h"s pro'ed itse$)
#"ster o'er the p"ssions! +ut
the +est inst"ne +% )"r th"t I
"n gi'e is the no+$e ondut
o) those &ho died )or the s"-e
o) 'irtue! E$e"1"r! "nd the
Se'en Brethren "nd the
Mother.
7 For these "$$ +% their
onte#pt o) p"ins! %e"! e'en
unto de"th! pro'ed th"t
Re"son rises superior to the
p"ssions.
8 I #ight en$"rge here in
pr"ise o) their 'irtues! the%!
the #en &ith the Mother!
d%ing on this d"% &e
e$e+r"te )or the $o'e o)
#or"$ +e"ut% "nd goodness!
+ut r"ther &ou$d I )e$iit"te
the# on the honours the%
h"'e "tt"ined.
9 For the "d#ir"tion )e$t )or
their our"ge "nd endur"ne!
not on$% +% the &or$d "t $"rge
+ut +% their 'er%
e0eutioners! #"de the# the
"uthors o) the do&n)"$$ o) the
t%r"nn% under &hih our
n"tion $"%! the% de)e"ting the
t%r"nt +% their endur"ne! so
th"t through the# &"s their
ountr% puri2ed.
10 But I sh"$$ present$% t"-e
opportunit% to disuss this!
")ter &e h"'e +egun &ith the
gener"$ theor%! "s I "# in the
h"+it o) doing! "nd I &i$$ then
proeed to their stor%! gi'ing
g$or% to the "$$.&ise 3od.
11 Our enquir%! then! is
&hether the Re"son is
supre#e #"ster o'er the
p"ssions.
12 But &e #ust de2ne ,ust
&h"t the Re"son is "nd &h"t
p"ssion is! "nd ho& #"n%
)or#s o) p"ssion there "re!
"nd &hether the Re"son is
supre#e o'er "$$ o) the#.
13 Re"son I t"-e to +e the
#ind pre)erring &ith $e"r
de$i+er"tion the $i)e o)
2
* M A C C A B E E S
&isdo#.
14 4isdo# I t"-e to +e the
-no&$edge o) things! di'ine
"nd hu#"n! "nd o) their
"uses.
15 This I t"-e to +e the
u$ture "quired under the
L"&! through &hih &e $e"rn
&ith due re'erene the things
o) 3od "nd )or our &or$d$%
pro2t the things o) #"n.
16 5o& &isdo# is
#"ni)ested under the )or#s o)
,udge#ent "nd ,ustie! "nd
our"ge! "nd te#per"ne.
17 But ,udge#ent or se$).
ontro$ is the one th"t
do#in"tes the# "$$! )or
through it! in truth! Re"son
"sserts its "uthorit% o'er the
p"ssions.
18 But o) the p"ssions there
"re t&o o#prehensi'e
soures! n"#e$%! p$e"sure
"nd p"in! "nd either +e$ongs
essenti"$$% "$so to the sou$ "s
&e$$ "s to the +od%.
19 And &ith respet +oth to
p$e"sure "nd p"in there "re
#"n% "ses &here the
p"ssions h"'e ert"in
sequenes.
20 Thus &hi$e desire goes
+e)ore p$e"sure! s"tis)"tion
)o$$o&s ")ter! "nd &hi$e )e"r
goes +e)ore p"in! ")ter p"in
o#es sorro&.
21 Anger! "g"in! i) " #"n &i$$
retr"e the ourse o) his
)ee$ings! is " p"ssion in &hih
"re +$ended +oth p$e"sure
"nd p"in.
22 Under p$e"sure! "$so!
o#es th"t #or"$ de+"se#ent
&hih
e0hi+its the &idest '"riet% o)
the p"ssions.
23 It #"ni)ests itse$) in the
sou$ "s ostent"tion! "nd
o'etousness! "nd '"in.g$or%!
"nd ontentiousness! "nd
+"-+iting! "nd in the +od% "s
e"ting o) str"nge #e"t! "nd
g$utton%! "nd gor#"ndi1ing in
seret.
24 5o& p$e"sure "nd p"in
+eing "s it &ere t&o trees!
gro&ing )ro# +od% "nd sou$!
#"n% o6shoots o) these
p"ssions sprout up( "nd e"h
#"n7s Re"son "s #"ster.
g"rdener! &eeding "nd
pruning "nd +inding up! "nd
turning on the &"ter "nd
direting it hither "nd thither!
+rings the thi-et o)
dispositions "nd p"ssions
under do#esti"tion.
25 For &hi$e Re"son is the
guide o) the 'irtues it is
#"ster o) the p"ssions.
26 O+ser'e! no&! in the 2rst
p$"e! th"t Re"son +eo#es
supre#e o'er the p"ssions in
'irtue o) the inhi+itor% "tion
o) te#per"ne.
27 Te#per"ne! I t"-e it! is
the repression o) the desires(
+ut o) the desires so#e "re
#ent"$ "nd so#e ph%si"$!
"nd +oth -inds "re $e"r$%
ontro$$ed +% Re"son( &hen
&e "re te#pted to&"rds
)or+idden #e"ts! ho& do &e
o#e to re$inquish the
p$e"sures to +e deri'ed )ro#
the#/
28 Is it not th"t Re"son h"s
po&er to repress the
"ppetites/ In #% opinion it is
so.
29 Aording$% &hen &e )ee$
3
* M A C C A B E E S
" desire to e"t &"ter."ni#"$s
"nd +irds "nd +e"sts "nd
#e"ts o) e'er% desription
)or+idden to us under the
L"&! &e "+st"in through the
predo#in"ne o) Re"son.
30 For the propensions o) our
"ppetites "re he-ed "nd
inhi+ited +% the te#per"te
#ind! "nd "$$ the #o'e#ents
o) the +od% o+e% the +rid$e o)
Re"son.
31 And &h"t is there to +e
surprised "t i) the n"tur"$
desire
o) the sou$ to en,o% the
)ruition o) +e"ut% is
quenhed/
32 This! ert"in$%! is &h% &e
pr"ise the 'irtuous 8oseph!
+e"use +% his Re"son! &ith "
#ent"$ e6ort! he he-ed the
"rn"$ i#pu$se. For he! "
%oung #"n "t the "ge &hen
ph%si"$ desire is strong! +%
his Re"son quenhed the
i#pu$se o) his p"ssions.
33 And Re"son is pro'ed to
su+due the i#pu$se not on$%
o) se0u"$ desire! +ut o) "$$
sorts o) o'etings.
34 For the L"& s"%s! 7Thou
sh"$t not o'et th%
neigh+our7s &i)e! nor
"n%thing th"t is th%
neigh+our7s.7
35 9eri$%! &hen the L"&
orders us not to o'et! it
shou$d! I thin-! on2r#
strong$% the "rgu#ent th"t
the Re"son is "p"+$e o)
ontro$$ing o'etous desires!
e'en "s it does the p"ssions
th"t #i$it"te "g"inst ,ustie.
36 Ho& e$se! "n " #"n!
n"tur"$$% gor#"ndi1ing "nd
greed% "nd drun-en! +e
t"ught to h"nge his n"ture!
i) the Re"son +e not
#"ni)est$% the #"ster o) the
p"ssions/
37 Cert"in$%! "s soon "s "
#"n orders his $i)e "ording
to the L"&! i) he is #iser$% he
"ts ontr"r% to his n"ture!
"nd $ends #one% to the need%
&ithout interest! "nd "t the
se'enth.%e"r periods "ne$s
the de+t.
38 And i) he is p"rsi#onious!
he is o'erru$ed +% the L"&
through the "tion o) Re"son!
"nd re)r"ins )ro# g$e"ning his
stu++$es or pi-ing the $"st
gr"pes )ro# his 'ine%"rds.
39 And &ith reg"rd to "$$ the
rest &e "n reogni1e th"t
Re"son is in the position o)
#"ster o'er the p"ssions or
"6etions.
40 For the L"& r"n-s "+o'e
"6etion )or p"rents! so th"t
" #"n #"% not )or their s"-es
surrender his 'irtue! "nd it
o'errides $o'e )or " &i)e! so
th"t i) she tr"nsgress " #"n
shou$d re+u-e her! "nd it
go'erns $o'e )or hi$dren! so
th"t i) the% "re n"ught% "
#"n shou$d punish the#! "nd
it ontro$s the $"i#s o)
)riendship! so th"t " #"n
shou$d repro'e his )riends i)
the% do e'i$.
41 And do not thin- it "
p"r"do0i"$ thing &hen
Re"son through the L"& is
"+$e to o'ero#e e'en
h"tred! so th"t " #"n re)r"ins
)ro# utting do&n the
ene#%7s orh"rds! "nd
protets the propert% o) the
4
* M A C C A B E E S
ene#% )ro# the spoi$ers! "nd
g"thers up their goods th"t
h"'e +een s"ttered.
42 And the ru$e o) Re"son is
$i-e&ise pro'ed to e0tend
through the #ore "ggressi'e
p"ssions or 'ies! "#+ition!
'"nit%! ostent"tion! pride!
"nd +"-+iting.
43 For the te#per"te #ind
repe$s "$$ these de+"sed
p"ssions! e'en "s it does
"nger! )or it onquers e'en
this.
44 :e"! Moses &hen he &"s
"ngered "g"inst ;"th"n "nd
A+ir"# did not gi'e )ree
ourse to his &r"th! +ut
go'erned his "nger +% his
Re"son.
45 For the te#per"te #ind is
"+$e! "s I s"id! to &in the
'itor% o'er the p"ssions!
#odi)%ing so#e! &hi$e
rushing others "+so$ute$%.
46 4h% e$se did our &ise
)"ther 8"o+ +$"#e the houses
o) Si#eon "nd Le'i )or their
unre"soning s$"ughter o) the
tri+e o) the Shehe#ites!
s"%ing! 7Aursed +e their
"nger<7
47 For h"d not Re"son
possessed the po&er to
restr"in their "nger he &ou$d
not h"'e spo-en thus.
48 For in the d"% &hen 3od
re"ted #"n! he i#p$"nted in
hi# his p"ssions "nd
in$in"tions! "nd "$so! "t the
'er% s"#e ti#e! set the #ind
on " throne "#idst the senses
to +e his s"red guide in "$$
things( "nd to the #ind he
g"'e the L"&! +% the &hih i)
" #"n order hi#se$)! he sh"$$
reign o'er " -ingdo# th"t is
te#per"te! "nd ,ust! "nd
'irtuous! "nd +r"'e.
CHAP. II.
The ruling of 5esire and
Anger. The story of 5a%id,s
thirst. Stirring chapters of
ancient history. Sa%age
attempts to make the 6ews
eat swine. Interesting
references to an ancient bank
-2erse 78..
4ELL then! so#eone #"%
"s-! i) Re"son is #"ster o) the
p"ssions &h% is it not #"ster
o) )orget)u$ness "nd
ignor"ne/
2 But the "rgu#ent is
supre#e$% ridiu$ous. For
Re"son is not sho&n to +e
#"ster o'er p"ssions or
de)ets in itse$)! +ut o'er
those o) the +od%.
3 For e0"#p$e! none o) %ou is
"+$e to e0tirp"te our n"tur"$
desire! +ut the Re"son "n
en"+$e hi# to es"pe +eing
#"de " s$"'e +% desire.
4 5one o) %ou is "+$e to
e0tirp"te "nger )ro# the sou$!
+ut it is possi+$e )or the
Re"son to o#e to his "id
"g"inst "nger.
5 5one o) %ou "n e0tirp"te
" #"$e'o$ent disposition! +ut
Re"son "n +e his po&er)u$
"$$% "g"inst +eing s&"%ed +%
#"$e'o$ene.
6 Re"son is not the e0tirp"te
o) the p"ssions! +ut their
"nt"gonist.
7 The "se o) the thirst o)
King ;"'id #"% ser'e "t $e"st
to #"-e this $e"rer.
8 For &hen ;"'id h"d )ought
5
* M A C C A B E E S
the $i'e.$ong d"% "g"inst the
Phi$istines! "nd +% the he$p o)
our ountr%7s &"rriors h"d
s$"in #"n% o) the#! he "#e
"t e'entide! "$$ )ordone &ith
s&e"t "nd toi$! to the ro%"$
tent! "round &hih &"s
en"#ped the &ho$e "r#% o)
our "nestors.
9 So "$$ the host )e$$ to their
e'ening #e"$( +ut the -ing!
+eing onsu#ed &ith "n
intense thirst! though he h"d
"+und"ne o) &"ter! &"s
un"+$e to s$"-e it.
10 Inste"d! "n irr"tion"$
desire )or the &"ter th"t &"s
in the possession o) the
ene#% &ith gro&ing intensit%
+urned hi# up "nd un#"nned
"nd onsu#ed hi#.
11 Then &hen his +od%.gu"rd
#ur#ured "g"inst the r"'ing
o) the -ing! t&o %ouths!
#ight% &"rriors! "sh"#ed
th"t their -ing shou$d $"- his
desire! put on "$$ their
"r#our! "nd too- " &"ter.
'esse$! "nd s"$ed the
ene#%7s r"#p"rts( "nd
ste"$ing undeteted p"st the
gu"rds "t the g"te! the%
se"rhed through "$$ the
ene#%7s "#p.
12 And the% +r"'e$% )ound
the spring! "nd dre& )ro# it "
dr"ught )or the -ing.
13 But ;"'id! though sti$$
+urning &ith the thirst!
onsidered th"t suh "
dr"ught! re-oned "s
equi'"$ent to +$ood! &"s "
grie'ous d"nger to his sou$.
14 There)ore! opposing his
Re"son to his desire! he
poured out the &"ter "s "n
o6ering to 3od.
15 For the te#per"te #ind is
"+$e to onquer the dit"tes
o) the p"ssions! "nd to
quenh the 2res o) desire!
"nd to &rest$e 'itorious$%
&ith the p"ngs o) our +odies
though the% +e e0eeding
strong! "nd +% the #or"$
+e"ut% "nd goodness o)
Re"son to de)% &ith sorn "$$
the do#in"tion o) the
p"ssions.
16 And no& the o"sion
"$$s us to set )orth the stor%
o) the se$).ontro$$ed Re"son.
17 At " ti#e &hen our
)"thers en,o%ed gre"t pe"e
through the due o+ser'"ne
o) the L"&! "nd &ere in h"pp%
"se! so th"t Se$euus
5i"nor! the -ing o) Asi"!
s"ntioned the t"0 )or the
te#p$e.ser'ie! "nd
reogni1ed our po$it%!
preise$% then! ert"in #en!
"ting )"tious$% "g"inst the
gener"$ onord! in'o$'ed us
in #"n% "nd '"rious
"$"#ities.
18 Oni"s! " #"n o) the
highest h"r"ter! +eing then
high priest "nd h"'ing the
o=e )or his $i)e! " ert"in
Si#on r"ised " )"tion "g"inst
hi#! +ut sine despite e'er%
-ind o) s$"nder he )"i$ed to
in,ure hi# on "ount o) the
peop$e! he >ed "+ro"d &ith
intent to +etr"% his ountr%.
19 So he "#e to Apo$$onius!
the go'ernor o) S%ri" "nd
Phoenii" "nd Ci$ii"! "nd
s"id! 7Being $o%"$ to the -ing!
I "# here to in)or# %ou th"t
in the tre"suries o) 8erus"$e#
6
* M A C C A B E E S
"re stored #"n% thous"nds o)
pri'"te deposits! not
+e$onging to the te#p$e
"ount! "nd right)u$$% the
propert% o) King Se$euus.7
20 Apo$$onius h"'ing #"de
inquir% into the det"i$s o) the
#"tter! pr"ised Si#on )or his
$o%"$ ser'ie to the -ing! "nd
h"stening to the ourt o)
Se$euus! dis$osed to hi#
the '"$u"+$e tre"sure( then!
")ter reei'ing "uthorit% to
de"$ &ith the #"tter! he
pro#pt$% #"rhed into our
ountr%! "o#p"nied +% the
"ursed Si#on "nd " 'er%
po&er)u$ "r#%! "nd
"nnouned th"t he &"s there
+% the -ing7s o##"nd to
t"-e possession o) the pri'"te
deposits in the tre"sur%.
21 Our peop$e &ere deep$%
"ngered +% this
"nnoune#ent! "nd protested
strong$%! onsidering it! "n
outr"geous thing )or those
&ho h"d entrusted their
deposits to the te#p$e
tre"sur% to +e ro++ed o)
the#! "nd the% thre& "$$
possi+$e o+st"$es in his &"%.
22 Apo$$onius! ho&e'er! &ith
thre"ts! #"de his &"% into
the te#p$e.
23 Then the priests in the
te#p$e "nd the &o#en "nd
hi$dren +esought 3od to
o#e to the resue o) his
Ho$% P$"e th"t &"s +eing
'io$"ted( "nd &hen Apo$$onius
&ith his "r#ed host #"rhed
in to sei1e the #one%s! there
"ppe"red )ro# he"'en
"nge$s! riding upon horses!
&ith $ightning >"shing )ro#
their "r#s! "nd "st gre"t
)e"r "nd tre#+$ing upon
the#.
24 And Apo$$onius )e$$ do&n
h"$).de"d in the Court o) the
3enti$es! "nd strethed out
his h"nds to he"'en! "nd &ith
te"rs he entre"ted the
He+re&s th"t the% &ou$d
#"-e interession )or hi# "nd
st"% the &r"th o) the
he"'en$% host.
25 For he s"id th"t he h"d
sinned "nd &"s &orth% e'en
o) de"th! "nd th"t i) he &ere
gi'en his $i)e he &ou$d $"ud to
"$$ #en the +$essedness o)
the Ho$% P$"e.
26 Mo'ed +% these &ords!
Oni"s! the high.priest!
"$though #ost srupu$ous in
other "ses! #"de
interession )or hi# $est -ing
Se$euus shou$d possi+$%
thin- th"t Apo$$onius h"d
+een o'erthro&n +% " hu#"n
de'ie "nd not +% di'ine
,ustie.
27 Apo$$onius! "ording$%!
")ter his "stonishing
de$i'er"ne dep"rted to
report to the -ing the things
th"t h"d +e)"$$en hi#.
28 But Se$euus d%ing! his
suessor on the throne &"s
his son Antiohus Epiph"nes!
"n o'er&eening terri+$e #"n(
&ho dis#issed Oni"s )ro# his
s"red o=e! "nd #"de his
+rother 8"son high.priest
inste"d! the ondition +eing
th"t in return )or the
"ppoint#ent 8"son shou$d p"%
hi# three thous"nd si0
hundred "nd si0t% t"$ents
%e"r$%.
7
* M A C C A B E E S
29 So he "ppointed 8"son
high.priest "nd #"de hi#
hie) ru$er o'er the peop$e.
30 And he ?8"son@ introdued
to our peop$e " ne& &"% o)
$i)e "nd " ne& onstitution in
utter de2"ne o) the L"&( so
th"t not on$% did he $"% out "
g%#n"siu# on the Mount o)
our )"thers! +ut he "tu"$$%
"+o$ished the ser'ie o) the
te#p$e.
31 4here)ore the di'ine
,ustie &"s -ind$ed to "nger
"nd +rought Antiohus
hi#se$) "s "n ene#% "g"inst
us.
32 For &hen. +e &"s "rr%ing
on &"r &ith Pto$e#% in Eg%pt
"nd he"rd th"t the peop$e o)
8erus"$e# h"d re,oied
e0eeding$% o'er " report o)
his de"th! he i##edi"te$%
#"rhed +"- "g"inst the#.
33 And &hen he h"d
p$undered the it% he #"de "
deree denouning the
pen"$t% o) de"th upon "n%
&ho shou$d +e seen to $i'e
")ter the $"& o) our )"thers.
34 But he )ound "$$ his
derees o) no "'"i$ to +re"-
do&n the onst"n% o) our
peop$e to the L"&! "nd he
+ehe$d "$$ his thre"ts "nd
pen"$ties utter$% despised! so
th"t e'en &o#en )or
iru#ising their sons!
though the% -ne& +e)oreh"nd
&h"t &ou$d +e their )"te!
&ere >ung! together &ith
their o6spring! he"d$ong )ro#
the ro-s.
35 4hen there)ore his
derees ontinued to +e
onte#ned +% the #"ss o) the
peop$e! he person"$$% tried to
)ore +% tortures e"h #"n
sep"r"te$% to e"t un$e"n
#e"ts "nd thus "+,ure the
8e&ish re$igion.
36 Aording$%! the t%r"nt
Antiohus! "o#p"nied +%
his ouni$$ors! s"t in
,udge#ent on " ert"in high
p$"e &ith his troops dr"&n
up "round hi# in )u$$ "r#our!
"nd he ordered his gu"rds to
dr"g there e'er% sing$e #"n
o) the He+re&s "nd o#pe$
the# to e"t s&ine7s >esh "nd
things o6ered to ido$s( +ut i)
"n% shou$d re)use to de2$e
the#se$'es &ith the un$e"n
things! the% &ere to he
tortured "nd put to de"th.
37 And &hen #"n% h"d +een
t"-en +% )ore! one #"n 2rst
)ro# "#ong the o#p"n% &"s
+rought +e)ore Antiohus! "
He+re& &hose n"#e &"s
E$e"1"r! " priest +% +irth!
tr"ined in -no&$edge o) the
$"&! " #"n "d'"ned in %e"rs
"nd &e$$ -no&n to #"n% o)
the t%r"nt7s ourt )or his
phi$osoph%.
38 And Antiohus! $oo-ing on
hi#! s"idA 7Be)ore I "$$o& the
tortures to
+egin )or %ou! O 'ener"+$e
#"n! I &ou$d gi'e %ou this
ounse$! th"t %ou shou$d e"t
o) the >esh o) the s&ine "nd
s"'e %our $i)e( )or I respet
%our "ge "nd %our gre% h"irs!
"$though to h"'e &orn the#
so $ong " ti#e! "nd sti$$ to
$ing to the 8e&ish re$igion!
#"-es #e thin- %ou no
phi$osopher.
39 For #ost e0e$$ent is the
8
* M A C C A B E E S
#e"t o) this "ni#"$ &hih
5"ture h"s gr"ious$%
+esto&ed upon us! "nd &h%
shou$d %ou "+o#in"te it/
Tru$% it is )o$$% not to en,o%
innoent p$e"sures! "nd it is
&rong to re,et 5"ture7s
)"'ours.
40 But it &i$$ +e sti$$ gre"ter
)o$$%! I thin-! on %our p"rt i)
&ith id$e '"pouring "+out
truth %ou sh"$$ proeed to
de)% e'en #e to %our o&n
punish#ent.
41 4i$$ %ou not "&"-e )ro#
%our preposterous
phi$osoph%/ 4i$$ %ou not >ing
"side the nonsense o) %our
"$u$"tions "nd! "dopting
"nother )r"#e o) #ind
+e2tting %our #"ture %e"rs!
$e"rn the true phi$osoph% o)
e0pedien%! "nd ho& to #%
h"rit"+$e ounse$! "nd h"'e
pit% on %our o&n 'ener"+$e
"ge/
42 For onsider this! too!
th"t e'en i) there +e so#e
Po&er &hose e%e is upon this
re$igion o) %ours! he &i$$
"$&"%s p"rdon %ou )or "
tr"nsgression done under
o#pu$sion.7
43 +us urged +% the t%r"nt to
the un$"&)u$ e"ting o)
un$e"n #e"t! E$e"1"r "s-ed
per#ission to spe"-( "nd
reei'ing it! he +eg"n his
speeh +e)ore the ourt "s
)o$$o&sA
44 74e! O Antiohus! h"'ing
"epted the ;i'ine L"& "s
the L"& o) our ountr%! do not
+e$ie'e "n% stronger
neessit% is $"id upon us th"n
th"t o) our o+ediene to the
L"&.
45 There)ore &e do sure$%
dee# it right not. in "n% &"%
&h"tsoe'er to tr"nsgress the
L"&.
46 And %et! &ere our L"&! "s
%ou suggest! not tru$% di'ine!
&hi$e &e '"in$% +e$ie'ed it to
+e di'ine! not e'en so &ou$d
it +e right )or us to destro%
our reput"tion )or piet%.
47 Thin- it not! then! " s#"$$
sin )or us to e"t the un$e"n
thing! )or the tr"nsgression o)
the L"&! +e it in s#"$$ things
or in gre"t! is equ"$$%
heinous( )or in either "se
equ"$$% the L"& is despised.
48 And %ou so6 "t our
phi$osoph%! "s i) under it &e
&ere $i'ing in " #"nner
ontr"r% to re"son.
49 5ot so! )or the L"&
te"hes us se$).ontro$! so
th"t &e "re #"sters o) "$$ our
p$e"sures "nd desires "nd "re
thorough$% tr"ined in
#"n$iness so "s to endure "$$
p"in &ith re"diness( "nd it
te"hes ,ustie! so th"t &ith
"$$ our '"rious dispositions &e
"t )"ir$%! "nd it te"hes
righteousness! so th"t &ith
due re'erene &e &orship
on$% the 3od &ho is.
50 There)ore do &e e"t no
un$e"n #e"t( )or +e$ie'ing
our L"& to +e gi'en +% 3od!
&e -no& "$so th"t the Cre"tor
o) the &or$d! "s " L"&gi'er!
)ee$s )or us "ording to our
n"ture.
51 He h"s o##"nded us to
e"t the things th"t &i$$ +e
on'enient )or our sou$s! "nd
he h"s )or+idden us to e"t
9
* M A C C A B E E S
#e"ts th"t &ou$d +e the
ontr"r%.
52 But it is the "t o) "
t%r"nt th"t %ou shou$d o#pe$
us not on$% to tr"nsgress the
L"&! +ut shou$d "$so #"-e us
e"t in suh #"nner th"t %ou
#"% #o- "t7 this de2$e#ent
so utter$% "+o#in"+$e to us.
53 But %ou sh"$$ not #o- "t
#e thus! neither &i$$ I +re"-
the s"red o"ths o) #%
"nestors to -eep the L"&!
not e'en though %ou te"r out
#ine e%es "nd +u# out #ine
entr"i$s.
54 I "# not so un#"nned +%
o$d "ge +ut th"t &hen
righteousness is "t st"-e the
strength o) %outh returns to
#% Re"son.
55 So t&ist h"rd %our r"-s
"nd +$o& %our )urn"e hotter.
I do not so pit% #ine o$d "ge
"s to +re"- the L"& o) #%
)"thers in #ine o&n person.
56 I &i$$ not +e$ie thee! O
L"& th"t &"st #% te"her( I
&i$$ not desert thee! O
+e$o'ed se$).ontro$( I &i$$ not
put thee to sh"#e! O &isdo#.
$o'ing Re"son! nor &i$$ I den%
%e! O 'ener"ted priesthood
"nd -no&$edge o) the L"&.
57 5either sh"$t thou su$$%
the pure #outh o) #ine o$d
"ge "nd #% $i)e$ong
onst"n% to the L"&. C$e"n
sh"$$ #% )"thers reei'e #e!
un")r"id o) th% tor#ents e'en
to the de"th.
58 For thou indeed #"%est
+e t%r"nt o'er unrighteous
#en! +ut thou sh"$t not $ord it
o'er #% reso$ution in the
#"tter o) righteousness
either +% th% &ords or
through th% deeds.7
CHAP. III.
Elea0ar, the gentle spirited
old man, shows such fortitude
that e%en as we read these
words 7999 years later, they
seem like an ine:tinguishable
re.
BUT &hen E$e"1"r rep$ied
thus e$oquent$% to the
e0hort"tions o) the t%r"nts!
the gu"rds "round hi#
dr"gged hi# rough$% to the
torturing p$"e.
2 And 2rst the% un$othed
the o$d #"n! &ho &"s
"dorned &ith the +e"ut% o)
ho$iness.
3 Then +inding his "r#s on
either side the% sourged
hi#! " her"$d st"nding "nd
shouting out o'er "g"inst
hi#! 7O+e% the orders o) the
-ing<7
4 But the gre"t.sou$ed "nd
no+$e #"n! "n E$e"1"r in 'er%
truth! &"s no #ore #o'ed in
his #ind th"n i) he &ere
+eing tor#ented in " dre"#(
%e"! the o$d #"n -eeping his
e%es ste"d)"st$% r"ised to
he"'en su6ered his >esh to
+e to# +% the sourges ti$$ he
&"s +"thed in +$ood "nd his
sides +e"#e " #"ss o)
&ounds( "nd e'en &hen he
)e$$ to the ground +e"use his
+od% ou$d no $onger support
the p"in he sti$$ -ept his
Re"son eret "nd in>e0i+$e.
5 4ith his )oot then one o)
the ruet gu"rds "s he )e$$
-i-ed hi# s"'"ge$% in the
side to #"-e hi# get up.
10
* M A C C A B E E S
6 But he endured the
"nguish! "nd despised the
o#pu$sion! "nd +ore up
under the tor#ents! "nd $i-e "
+r"'e "th$ete t"-ing
punish#ent! the o$d #"n
out&ore his tor#entors.
7 The s&e"t stood on his
+ro&! "nd he dre& his +re"th
in h"rd g"sps! ti$$ his no+i$it%
o) sou$ e0torted the
"d#ir"tion o) his tor#entors
the#se$'es.
8 Hereupon! p"rt$% in pit% )or
his o$d "ge! p"rt$% in
s%#p"th% )or their )riend!
p"rt$% in "d#ir"tion o) his
our"ge! so#e o) the
ourtiers o) the -ing &ent tip
to hi# "nd s"idA
9 74h%! O E$e"1"r! dost thou
#"d$% destro% th%se$) in this
#iser%/ 4e &i$$ +ring to thee
o) the seethed #e"ts! +ut do
thou )eign on$% to p"rt"-e o)
the s&ine7s >esh! "nd so s"'e
th%se$).7
10 And E$e"1"r! "s i) their
ounse$ did +ut "dd to his
tortures! ried $oud$%A 75o.
M"% &e sons o) A+r"h"#
ne'er h"'e so e'i$ " thought
"s &ith )"int he"rt to
ounter)eit " p"rt unsee#$%
to us.
11 Contr"r% to Re"son!
indeed! &ere it )or us! ")ter
$i'ing unto the truth ti$$ o$d
"ge! "nd gu"rding in $"&)u$
guise the repute o) so $i'ing!
no& to h"nge "nd +eo#e in
our o&n persons " p"ttern to
the %oung o) i#piet%! to the
end th"t &e shou$d enour"ge
the# to e"t un$e"n #e"t.
12 Sh"#e &ere it i) &e
shou$d $i'e on " $itt$e $onger!
during th"t $itt$e +eing
#o-ed o) "$$ #en )or
o&"rdie! "nd &hi$e despised
+% the t%r"nt "s un#"n$%
shou$d )"i$ to de)end the
;i'ine L"& unto the de"th.
13 There)ore! O sons o)
A+r"h"#! do %e die no+$% )or
righteousness7 s"-e( +ut "s
)or %ou! O #inions o) the
t%r"nt! &h% p"use %e in %our
&or-/7
14 So the%! seeing hi# thus
triu#ph"nt o'er the tortures
"nd un#o'ed e'en +% the
pit% o) his e0eutioners!
dr"gged hi# to the 2re.
15 There the% "st hi# on it!
+urning hi# &ith rue$$%
unning de'ies! "nd the%
poured +roth o) e'i$ odour
into his nostri$s.
16 But &hen the 2re "$re"d%
re"hed to his +ones "nd he
&"s "+out to gi'e up the
ghost! he $i)ted up his e%es to
3od "nd s"idA
17 7Thou! O 3od! -no&est
th"t though I #ight s"'e
#%se$) I "# d%ing +% 2er%
tor#ents )or th% L"&. Be
#eri)u$ unto th% peop$e! "nd
$et our punish#ent +e "
s"tis)"tion in their +eh"$).
M"-e #% +$ood their
puri2"tion! "nd t"-e #% sou$
to r"nso# their sou$s!!
18 And &ith these &ords the
ho$% #"n no+$% %ie$ded up his
spirit under the torture I "nd
)or the s"-e o) the L"& he$d
out +% his Re"son e'en
"g"inst the tor#ents unto
de"th.
19 Be%ond question! then!
11
* M A C C A B E E S
the Inspired Re"son is #"ster
o'er the p"ssions( )or i) his
p"ssions or su6erings h"d
pre'"i$ed o'er his Re"son &e
shou$d h"'e redited the#
&ith this e'idene o) their
superior po&er.
20 But no& his Re"son
h"'ing onquered his
p"ssions! &e proper$%
"ttri+ute to it the po&er o)
o##"nding the#.
21 And it is right th"t &e
shou$d "d#it th"t the #"ster%
$ies &ith Re"son! in "ses "t
$e"st &here it onquers p"ins
th"t o#e )ro# outside
ourse$'es( )or it &ere
ridiu$ous to den% it.
22 And #% proo) o'ers not
on$% the superiorit% o) Re"son
to p"ins! +ut its superiorit% to
p$e"sures "$so( neither does it
surrender to the#.
CHAP. I9.
This so called 1Age of
Reason1 may in this chapter
read that the 'hilosophy of
Reason is 7999 years old. The
story of se%en sons and their
mother.
FOR the Re"son o) our )"ther
E$e"1"r! $i-e " 2ne steers#"n
steering the ship o) s"ntit%
on the se" o) the p"ssions!
though +u6eted +% the
thre"ts o) the t%r"nt "nd
s&ept +% the s&e$$ing &"'es
o) the tortures! ne'er shi)ted
)or one #o#ent the he$# o)
s"ntit% unti$ he s"i$ed into
the h"'en o) 'itor% o'er
de"th.
2 5o it% +esieged &ith #"n%
"nd unning engines e'er
de)ended itse$) so &e$$ "s did
th"t ho$% #"n &hen his
s"red sou$ &"s "tt"-ed &ith
sourge "nd r"- "nd >"#e!
"nd he #o'ed the# &ho &ere
$"%ing siege to his sou$
through his Re"son th"t &"s
the shie$d o) s"ntit%.
3 For our )"ther E$e"1"r!
setting his #ind 2$# "s "
+eet$ing se".$i6! +ro-e the
#"d onset o) the surges o)
the p"ssions.
4 O priest &orth% o) th%
priesthood! thou didst not
de2$e th% ho$% teeth! nor
didst thou +e)ou$ &ith un$e"n
#e"t th% +e$$% th"t h"d roo#
on$% )or piet% "nd purit%.
5 O on)essor o) the L"& "nd
phi$osopher o) the ;i'ine $i)e<
Suh shou$d those +e &hose
o=e is to ser'e the L"& "nd
de)end it &ith their o&n +$ood
"nd honour"+$e s&e"t in the
)"e o) su6erings to the
de"th.
6 Thou! O )"ther! didst )orti)%
our 2de$it% to the L"&
through th% ste"d)"stness
unto g$or%( "nd h"'ing spo-en
in honour o) ho$iness thou
didst not +e$ie th% speeh!
"nd didst on2r# the &ords
o) di'ine phi$osoph% +% th%
deeds! O "ged #"n th"t &"st
#ore )ore)u$ th"n the
tortures.
7 O re'erend e$der th"t &"st
tenser.strung th"n the >"#e!
thou gre"t -ing o'er the
p"ssions! E$e"1"r.
8 For "s our )"ther A"ron!
"r#ed &ith the enser! r"n
through the #"ssed
ongreg"tion "g"inst the 2er%
12
* M A C C A B E E S
"nge$ "nd o'er"#e hi#! so
the son o) A"ron! E$e"1"r!
+eing onsu#ed +% the
#e$ting he"t o) the 2re!
re#"ined unsh"-en in his
Re"son.
9 And %et #ost &onder)u$ o)
"$$! he! +eing "n o$d #"n!
&ith the sine&s o) his +od%
unstrung "nd his #us$es
re$"0ed "nd his ner'es
&e"-ened! gre& " %oung #"n
"g"in in the spirit o) his
Re"son "nd &ith Is"".$i-e
Re"son turned the h%dr".
he"ded torture to i#potene.
10 O +$essed "ge! O
re'erend gre% he"d! O $i)e
)"ith)u$ to the L"& "nd
per)eted +% the se"$ o)
de"th<
11 Assured$%! then! i) "n o$d
#"n despised the tor#ents
unto de"th )or righteousness7
s"-e it #ust +e "d#itted th"t
the Inspired Re"son is "+$e to
guide the p"ssions.
12 But so#e perh"ps #"%
"ns&er th"t not "$$ #en "re
#"sters o) the p"ssions
+e"use not "$$ #en h"'e
their Re"son en$ightened.
13 But "s #"n% "s &ith their
&ho$e he"rt #"-e
righteousness their 2rst
thought! these "$one "re "+$e
to #"ster the &e"-ness o) the
>esh! +e$ie'ing th"t unto 3od
the% die not! "s our
p"tri"rhs! A+r"h"# "nd
Is"" "nd 8"o+! died not! +ut
th"t the% $i'e unto 3od.
14 There)ore there is.nothing
ontr"ditor% in ert"in
persons "ppe"ring to +e
s$"'es to p"ssion in
onsequene o) the &e"-ness
o) their Re"son.
15 For &ho is there th"t
+eing " phi$osopher )o$$o&ing
righteous$% the &ho$e ru$e o)
phi$osoph%! "nd h"'ing put
his trust in 3od! "nd -no&ing
th"t it is " +$essed thing to
endure "$$ h"rdness )or the
s"-e o) 'irtue! &ou$d not
onquer his p"ssions )or the
s"-e o) righteousness/
16 For the &ise "nd se$).
ontro$$ed #"n "$one is the
+r"'e ru$er o) the p"ssions.
17 :e"! +% this #e"ns e'en
%oung +o%s! +eing
phi$osophers +% 'irtue o) the
Re"son &hih is "ording to
righteousness! h"'e
triu#phed o'er %et #ore
grie'ous tortures.
18 For &hen the t%r"nt )ound
hi#se$) not"+$% de)e"ted in
his 2rst "tte#pt! "nd
i#potent to o#pe$ "n o$d
#"n to e"t un$e"n #e"t!
then tru$% in 'io$ent r"ge he
ordered the gu"rds to +ring
others o) the %oung #en o)
the He+re&s! "nd i) the%
&ou$d e"t un$e"n #e"t to
re$e"se the# ")ter e"ting it!
+ut i) the% re)used! to torture
the# %et #ore s"'"ge$%.
19 And under these orders o)
the t%r"nt se'en +rethren
together &ith their "ged
#other &ere +rought
prisoners +e)ore hi#! "$$
h"ndso#e! "nd #odest! "nd
&e$$.+orn!B"nd gener"$$%
"ttr"ti'e.
20 And &hen the t%r"nt s"&
the# there! st"nding "s i)
the% &ere " )est"$ hoir &ith
13
* M A C C A B E E S
their #other in the #idst! he
too- notie o) the#! "nd
stru- +% their no+$e "nd
distinguished +e"ring he
s#i$ed "t the#! "nd "$$ing
the# ne"rer s"idA
21 7O %oung #en! I &ish &e$$
to e"h one o) %ou! "nd
"d#ire %our +e"ut%! "nd
honour high$% so $"rge " +"nd
o) +rothers( so not on$% do I
"d'ise %ou not to persist in
the #"dness o) th"t o$d #"n
&ho h"s "$re"d% su6ered! +ut
I e'en entre"t o) %ou to %ie$d
to #e "nd +eo#e p"rt"-ers
in #% )riendship.
22 For! "s I "# "+$e to
punish those &ho diso+e% #%
orders! so "# I "+$e to
"d'"ne those &ho do o+e%
#e.
23 Be "ssured then th"t %ou
sh"$$ +e gi'en positions o)
i#port"ne "nd "uthorit% in
#% ser'ie i) %ou &i$$ re,et
the "nestr"$ $"& o) %our
po$it%.
24 Sh"re in the He$$eni $i)e!
"nd &"$- in " ne& &"%! "nd
t"-e so#e p$e"sure in %our
%outh( )or i) %ou dri'e #e to
"nger &ith %our diso+ediene
%ou &i$$ o#pe$ #e to resort
to terri+$e pen"$ties "nd put
e'er% sing$e one o) %ou to
de"th +% torture.
25 H"'e pit% then on
%ourse$'es! &ho# e'en I!
%our opponent! pit% )or %our
%outh "nd %our +e"ut%.
26 4i$$ %ou not onsider &ith
%ourse$'es this thing! th"t i)
%ou diso+e% #e there is
nothing +e)ore %ou +ut de"th
in tor#ents/7
27 4ith these &ords he
ordered the instru#ents o)
torture to +e +rought )or&"rd
in order to persu"de the# +%
)e"r to e"t un$e"n #e"t.
28 But &hen the gu"rds h"d
produed &hee$s! "nd ,oint.
dis$o"tors! "nd r"-s! "nd
+one.rushers! "nd "t"pu$ts!
"nd "u$drons! "nd +r"1iers!
"nd thu#+.sre&s! "nd iron
$"&s! "nd &edges! "nd
+r"nding irons! the t%r"nt
spo-e "g"in "nd s"idA
29 7:ou h"d +etter )ee$ )e"r!
#% $"ds! "nd the ,ustie %ou
&orship &i$$ p"rdon %our
un&i$$ing tr"nsgression.7
30 But the%! he"ring his
persu"sions! "nd seeing his
dre"d)u$ engines! not on$%
sho&ed no )e"r +ut "tu"$$%
"rr"%ed their phi$osoph% in
opposition to the t%r"nt! "nd
+% their right Re"son did
"+"se his t%r"nn%.
31 And %et onsider(
supposing so#e "#ongst
the# to h"'e +een )"int.
he"rted "nd o&"rd$%! &h"t
sort o) $"ngu"ge &ou$d the%
h"'e used/ &ou$d it not h"'e
+een to this e6et/
32 7A$"s< #iser"+$e re"tures
th"t &e "re "nd )oo$ish "+o'e
#e"sure< 4hen the -ing
in'ites us "nd "ppe"$s to us
on ter#s o) -ind tre"t#ent
sh"$$ &e not o+e% hi#/
33 4h% do &e enour"ge
ourse$'es &ith '"in desires
"nd d"re " diso+ediene th"t
is to ost us our $i'es/ Sh"$$
&e not! O #en #% +rothers!
)e"r the dre"d instru#ents
"nd &eigh &e$$ his thre"ts o)
14
* M A C C A B E E S
the tortures! "nd "+"ndon
these e#pt% '"unts "nd this
)"t"$ +r"gging/
34 Let us t"-e pit% on our
o&n %outh "nd h"'e
o#p"ssion on our #other7s
"ge( "nd $et us $"% to he"rt
th"t i) &e diso+e% &e sh"$$
die.
35 And e'en the di'ine
,ustie &i$$ h"'e #er% on us!
i) o#pe$$ed +% neessit% &e
%ie$d to the -ing in )e"r. 4h%
shou$d &e "st "&"% )ro# us
this de"r $i)e "nd ro+
ourse$'es o) this s&eet &or$d/
36 Let us not stri'e "g"inst
neessit% nor &ith '"in
on2dene in'ite our torture.
37 E'en the L"& itse$) does
not &i$$ing$% onde#n us to
de"th! &e +eing in terror o)
the instru#ents o) torture.
38 4h% does suh
ontentiousness in>"#e us
"nd " )"t"$ o+stin"% 2nd
)"'our &ith us! &hen &e
#ight h"'e " pe"e)u$ $i)e +%
o+e%ing the -ing/7
39 But no suh &ords
es"ped these %oung #en "t
the prospet o) the torture!
nor did suh thoughts enter
into their #inds.
40 For the% &ere despisers o)
the p"ssions "nd #"sters
o'er p"in.
CHAP. 9.
A chapter of horror and
torture re%ealing ancient
tyranny at its utmost
sa%agery. 2erse 7; is
profound truth.
A5; thus no sooner did the
t%r"nt on$ude his urging o)
the# to e"t un$e"n #e"t
th"n "$$ &ith one 'oie
together! "nd "s &ith one
sou$! s"id to hi#A
2 74h% dost thou de$"%! O
t%r"nt/ 4e "re re"d% to die
r"ther th"n tr"nsgress the
o##"nd#ents o) our
)"thers.
3 For &e shou$d +e putting
our "nestors "$so to sh"#e!
i) &e did not &"$- in
o+ediene to the L"& "nd
t"-e Moses "s our ounse$$or.
4 O t%r"nt th"t ounse$$est
us to tr"nsgress the L"&! do
not! h"ting us! pit% us +e%ond
ourse$'es.
5 For &e estee# th% #er%!
gi'ing. us our $i)e in return )or
" +re"h o) the L"&! " thing
h"rder to +e"r th"n de"th
itse$).
6 Thou &ou$dst terri)% us
&ith th% thre"ts o) de"th
under torture! "s i) " $itt$e
&hi$e "go thou h"dst $e"rned
nothing )ro# E$e"1"r.
7 But i) the o$d #en o) the
He+re&s endured the tortures
)or righteousness7 s"-e! %e"!
unti$ the% died! #ore
+e2tting$% &i$$ &e %oung #en
die despising the tor#ents o)
th% o#pu$sion! o'er &hih
he our "ged te"her "$so
triu#phed.
8 M"-e tri"$ there)ore! O
t%r"nt. And i) thou t"-est our
$i'es )or the s"-e o)
righteousness! thin- not th"t
thou hurtest us &ith th%
tortures.
9 For &e through this our e'i$
entre"t#ent "nd our
endur"ne o) it sh"$$ &in the
15
* M A C C A B E E S
pri1e o) 'irtue( +ut thou )or
our rue$ #urder sh"$t su6er
"t the h"nds o) di'ine ,ustie
su=ient tor#ent +% 2re )or
e'er.7
10 These &ords o) the %ouths
redou+$ed the &r"th o) the
t%r"nt! not "t their
diso+ediene on$% +ut "t &h"t
he onsidered their
ingr"titude.
11 So +% his orders the
sourgers +rought )or&"rd the
e$dest o) the# "nd stripped
hi# o) his g"r#ent "nd +ound
his h"nds "nd "r#s on either
side &ith thongs.
12 But &hen the% h"d
sourged hi# ti$$ the% &ere
&e"r%! "nd g"ined nothing
there+%! the% "st hi# upon
the &hee$.
13 And on it the no+$e %outh
&"s r"-ed ti$$ his +ones &ere
out o) ,oint. And "s ,oint ")ter
,oint g"'e &"%! he denouned
the t%r"nt in these &ordsA
14 7O thou #ost "+o#in"+$e
t%r"nt! thou ene#% o) the
,ustie o) he"'en "nd +$ood%.
#inded! thou dost tor#ent
#e in this )"shion not )or
#"ns$"%ing nor )or i#piet%
+ut )or de)ending the L"& o)
3od.7
15 And &hen the gu"rds s"id
to hi#! 7Consent to e"t! th"t
so %ou #"% +e re$e"sed )ro#
%our tortures!7 he s"id to
the#! 7:our #ethod! O
#iser"+$e #inions! is not
strong enough to $e"d "pti'e
#% Re"son. Cut o6 #% $i#+s!
"nd +urn #% >esh! "nd t&ist
#% ,oints( through "$$ the
tor#ents I &i$$ sho& %ou th"t
in +eh"$) o) 'irtue the sons o)
the He+re&s "$one "re
unonquer"+$e.7
16 As he thus sp"-e the% set
hot o"$s upon hi# +esides!
"nd intensi)%ing the torture
str"ined hi# %et tighter on
the &hee$.
17 And "$$ the &hee$ &"s
+es#e"red &ith his +$ood!
"nd the he"ped o"$s &ere
quenhed +% the hu#ours o)
his +od% dropping do&n! "nd
the rent >esh r"n round the
"0$es o) the #"hine.
18 And &ith his +odi$% )r"#e
"$re"d% in disso$ution this
gre"t.sou$ed %outh! $i-e " true
son o) A+r"h"#! gro"ned not
"t "$$( +ut "s i) he &ere
su6ering " h"nge +% 2re to
inorruption! he no+$%
endured the tor#ent! s"%ingA
19 7Fo$$o& #% e0"#p$e! O
+rothers. ;o not )or e'er
desert #e! "nd )ors&e"r not
our +rotherhood in no+i$it% o)
sou$.
20 4"r " ho$% "nd
honour"+$e &"r)"re on +eh"$)
o) righteousness! through
&hih #"% the ,ust
Pro'idene th"t &"thed o'er
our )"thers +eo#e #eri)u$
unto his peop$e "nd t"-e
'enge"ne on the "ursed
t%r"nt.7
21 And &ith these &ords the
ho$% %outh %ie$ded up the
ghost.
22 But &hi$e "$$ &ere
&ondering "t his onst"n% o)
sou$! the gu"rds +rought
)or&"rd the seond in "ge o)
the. sons! "nd gr"pp$ing hi#
&ith sh"rp.$"&ed h"nds o)
16
* M A C C A B E E S
iron the% )"stened hi# to the
engines "nd the "t"pu$t.
23 But &hen the% he"rd his
no+$e reso$'e in "ns&er to
their question! 74ou$d he e"t
r"ther th"n he tortured/7
these p"nther.$i-e +e"sts tore
"t his sine&s &ith $"&s o)
iron! "nd rent "&"% "$$ the
>esh )ro# his hee-s! "nd
tore o6 the s-in )ro# his
he"d.
24 But he ste"d)"st$%
enduring this "gon% s"id!
7Ho& s&eet is e'er% )or# o)
de"th )or the s"-e o) the
righteousness o) our )"thers<7
25 And to the t%r"nt he s"id!
7O #ost ruth$ess o) t%r"nts!
doth not it see# to thee th"t
"t this #o#ent thou th%se$)
su6erest tortures &orse th"n
#ine in seeing th% t%r"nn%7s
"rrog"nt intention o'ero#e
+% #% endur"ne )or
righteousness7 s"-e/
26 For I "# supported under
p"in +% the ,o%s th"t o#e
through 'irtue! &here"s thou
"rt in tor#ent &hi$st g$or%ing
in th% i#piet%( neither sh"$t
thou es"pe! O #ost
"+o#in"+$e t%r"nt! the
pen"$ties o) the di'ine &r"th.7
27 And &hen he h"d +r"'e$%
#et his g$orious de"th! the
third son &"s +rought )or&"rd
"nd &"s e"rnest$% entre"ted
+% #"n% to t"ste "nd so to
s"'e hi#se$).
28 But he "ns&ered in " $oud
'oie! 7Are %e ignor"nt th"t
the s"#e )"ther +eg"t #e "nd
#% +rothers th"t "re de"d!
"nd the s"#e #other g"'e us
+irth! "nd in the s"#e
dotrines &"s I +rought up/
29 I do not )ors&e"r the
no+$e +ond o) +rotherhood.
30 There)ore i) %e h"'e "n%
engine o) tor#ent! "pp$% it to
this +od% o) #ine( )or #% sou$
%e "nnot re"h! not i) %e
&ou$d.7
31 But the% &ere gre"t$%
"ngered "t the +o$d speeh o)
the #"n! "nd the% dis$o"ted
his h"nds "nd his )eet &ith
their dis$o"ting engines! "nd
&renhed his $i#+s out o)
their so-ets! "nd unstrung
the#( "nd the% t&isted round
his 2ngers! "nd his "r#s! "nd
his $egs! "nd his e$+o&.,oints.
32 And in no &ise +eing "+$e
to str"ng$e his spirit the%
stripped o6 his s-in! t"-ing
the points o) the 2ngers &ith
it! "nd tore in S%thi"n
)"shion the s"$p )ro# his
he"d! "nd str"ight&"%
+rought hi# to the &hee$.
33 And on this the% t&isted
his spine ti$$ he s"& his o&n
>esh h"nging in strips "nd
gre"t gouts o) +$ood pouring
do&n )ro# his entr"i$s.
34 And "t the point o) de"th
he s"id! 74e! O #ost
"+o#in"+$e t%r"nt! su6er
thus )or our up+ringing "nd
our 'irtue th"t "re o) 3od( +ut
thou )or th% i#piet% "nd th%
rue$t% sh"$$ endure tor#ents
&ithout end.7
35 And &hen7 this #"n h"d
died &orthi$% o) his +rothers!
the% +rought up the )ourth!
"nd s"id to hi#! 7Be not thou
"$so #"d &ith the s"#e
#"dness "s th% +rethren! +ut
o+e% the -ing "nd s"'e
17
* M A C C A B E E S
th%se$).7
36 But he s"id unto the#!
7For #e %e h"'e no 2re so
e0eeding hot "s to #"-e #e
" o&"rd.
37 B% the +$essed de"th o)
#% +rethren! +% the etern"$
doo# o) the t%r"nt! "nd +%
the g$orious $i)e o) the
righteous! I &i$$ not den% #%
no+$e +rotherhood.
38 In'ent tortures! O t%r"nt!
in order th"t thou #"%est
$e"rn there+% th"t I "#
+rother o) those &ho h"'e
+een "$re"d% tortured.7
39 4hen he he"rd this the
+$oodthirst%! #urderous! "nd
utter$% "+o#in"+$e Antiohus
+"de the# ut out his tongue.
40 But he s"id! 7E'en i) thou
dost re#o'e #% org"n o)
speeh! 3od is " he"rer "$so
o) the speeh$ess.
41 Lo! I put out #% tongue
re"d%A ut it out! )or thou
sh"$t not there+% si$ene #%
Re"son.
42 3$"d$% do &e gi'e our
+odi$% #e#+ers to +e
#uti$"ted )or the "use o)
3od.
43 But 3od &i$$ speedi$%
pursue ")ter thee( )or thou
uttest out the tongue th"t
s"ng songs o) pr"ise unto
hi#.7
44 But &hen this #"n "$so
&"s put to " de"th o) "gon%
&ith the tortures! the 2)th
spr"ng )or&"rd s"%ing! 7I
shrin- not! O t%r"nt! )ro#
de#"nding the torture )or
'irtue7s s"-e.
45 :e"! o) #%se$) I o#e
)or&"rd! in order th"t! s$"%ing
#e "$so! thou #"%est +% %et
#ore #isdeeds inre"se the
pen"$t% thou o&est to the
,ustie o) He"'en.
46 O ene#% o) 'irtue "nd
ene#% o) #"n! )or &h"t ri#e
dost thou destro% us in this
&"%/
47 ;oth it see# e'i$ to thee
th"t &e &orship the Cre"tor
o) "$$ "nd $i'e "ording to his
'irtuous L"&/
48 But these things "re
&orth% o) honours not o)
tortures! i) thou didst
underst"nd hu#"n "spir"tions
"nd h"dst hope o) s"$'"tion
+e)ore 3od.
49 Lo! no& thou "rt 3od7s
ene#% "nd #"-est &"r on
those th"t &orship 3od.7
50 As he sp"-e thus the
gu"rds +ound hi# "nd
+rought hi# +e)ore the
"t"pu$t( "nd the% tied hi#
thereto on his -nees! "nd!
)"stening the# there &ith
iron $"#ps! the% &renhed
his $oins o'er the ro$$ing
7&edge7 so th"t he &"s
o#p$ete$% ur$ed +"- $i-e "
sorpion "nd e'er% ,oint &"s
dis,ointed.
51 And thus in grie'ous
str"it )or +re"th "nd "nguish
o) +od% he e0$"i#ed!
73$orious! O t%r"nt! g$orious
"g"inst th% &i$$ "re the +oons
th"t thou +esto&est on #e!
en"+$ing #e to sho& #%
2de$it% to the L"& through
%et #ore honour"+$e
tortures.7
52 And &hen this #"n "$so
&"s de"d! the si0th &"s
+rought! " #ere +o%! &ho in
18
* M A C C A B E E S
"ns&er to the t%r"nt7s inquir%
&hether he &"s &i$$ing to e"t
"nd +e re$e"sed! s"idA
53 7I "# not so o$d in %e"rs
"s #% +rethren! +ut I "# "s
o$d in #ind. For &e &ere +orn
"nd re"red )or the s"#e
purpose "nd "re equ"$$%
+ound "$so to die )or the
s"#e "use( so i) thou
hooseth to torture us )or not
e"ting un$e"n #e"t! torture.7
54 As he sp"-e these &ords
the% +rought hi# to the
&hee$! "nd &ith "re the%
strethed hi# out "nd
dis$o"ted the +ones o) his
+"- "nd set 2re under hi#.
55 And the% #"de sh"rp
s-e&ers red.hot "nd r"n the#
into his +"-! "nd piering
through his sides the% +urned
"&"% his entr"i$s "$so.
56 But he in the #idst o) his
tortures e0$"i#ed! 7O ontest
&orth% o) s"ints! &herein so
#"n% o) us +rethren! in the
"use o) righteousness! h"'e
+een entered )or "
o#petition in tor#ents! "nd
h"'e not +een onquered<
57 For the righteous
underst"nding! O t%r"nt! is
unonquer"+$e.
58 In the "r#our o) 'irtue I
go to ,oin #% +rothers in
de"th! "nd to "dd in #%se$)
one strong "'enger #ore to
punish thee! O de'iser o) the
tortures "nd ene#% o) the
tru$% righteous.
59 4e si0 %ouths h"'e
o'erthro&n th% t%r"nn%. 7For
is not thine i#potene to
"$ter our Re"son or )ore us
to e"t un$e"n #e"t "n
o'erthro& )or thee/
60 Th% 2re is oo$ )or us! th%
engines o) torture tor#ent
not! "nd th% 'io$ene is
i#potent.
61 For the gu"rds h"'e +een
o=ers )or us! not o) " t%r"nt!
+ut o) the ;i'ine L"&( "nd
there)ore h"'e &e our Re"son
%et unonquered.7
CHAP. 9I.
#rotherly bonds and a
mother,s lo%e.
A5; &hen this one "$so died
" +$essed de"th! +eing "st
into the "u$dron! the se'enth
son! the %oungest o) the# "$$!
"#e )or&"rd.
2 But the t%r"nt! "$though
2ere$% e0"sper"ted +% his
+rethren! )e$t pit% )or the +o%!
"nd seeing hi# there "$re"d%
+ound he h"d hi# +rought
ne"r! "nd sought to persu"de
hi#! s"%ingA 7Thou seest the
end o) the )o$$% o) th%
+rethren( )or through their
diso+ediene the% h"'e +een
r"-ed to de"th. Thou! too! i)
thou dost not o+e%! &i$t
th%se$) "$so +e #iser"+$%
tortured "nd put to de"th
+e)ore th% ti#e( +ut i) thou
dost o+e% thou sh"$t +e #%
)riend! "nd thou sh"$t +e
"d'"ned to high o=e in the
+usiness o) the -ingdo#.7
4 And &hi$e thus "ppe"$ing
to hi# he sent )or the +o%7s
#other! in order th"t in her
sorro& )or the $oss o) so #"n%
sons she #ight urge the
sur'i'or to o+e% "nd +e
s"'ed.
5 But the #other! spe"-ing
19
* M A C C A B E E S
in the He+re& tongue! "s I
sh"$$ te$$ $"ter on! enour"ged
the +o%! "nd he s"id to the
gu"rds! 7Loose #e! th"t I #"%
spe"- to the -ing "nd to "$$
his )riends &ith hi#.7
6 And the%! re,oiing "t the
+o%7s request! #"de h"ste to
$oose hi#.
7 And running up to the red.
hot +r"1ier! 7O i#pious
t%r"nt!7 he ried! 7"nd #ost
ungod$% o) "$$ sinners! "rt
thou not "sh"#ed to t"-e th%
+$essings "nd th% -ingship "t
the h"nds o) 3od! "nd to s$"%
his ser'"nts "nd torture the
)o$$o&ers o) righteousness/
8 For &hih things the di'ine
,ustie de$i'ers thee unto "
#ore r"pid "nd "n etern"$ 2re
"nd tor#ents &hih sh"$$ not
$e"'e ho$d on thee to "$$
eternit%.
9 Art thou not "sh"#ed!
+eing " #"n! O &reth &ith
the he"rt o) " &i$d +e"st! to
t"-e #en o) $i-e )ee$ings &ith
th%se$)! #"de )ro# the s"#e
e$e#ents! "nd te"r out their
tongues! "nd sourge "nd
torture the# in this #"nner/
10 But &hi$e the% h"'e
)u$2$$ed their righteousness
to&"rds 3od in their no+$e
de"ths! thou sh"$t #iser"+$%
r% C4oe is #etC )or th%
un,ust s$"%ing o) the
h"#pions o) 'irtue.7
11 And then st"nding on the
+rin- o) de"th he s"id! 7I "#
no reneg"de to the &itness
+orne +% #% +rethren.
12 And I "$$ upon the 3od o)
#% )"thers to +e #eri)u$
unto #% n"tion.
13 And thee &i$$ he Punish
+oth in this present $i)e "nd
")ter th"t thou "rt de"d.7
14 And &ith this pr"%er he
"st hi#se$) into the red.hot
+r"1ier! "nd so g"'e up the
ghost.
15 I) there)ore the se'en
+rethren despised the
tortures e'en to the de"th! it
is uni'ers"$$% pro'ed th"t the
Inspired Re"son is supre#e
$ord o'er the p"ssions.
16 For i) the% h"d %ie$ded to
their p"ssions or su6erings
"nd e"ten un$e"n #e"t &e
shou$d h"'e s"id th"t the%
h"d +een onquered there+%.
17 But in this "# it &"s not
so( on the ontr"r% +% their
Re"son! &hih &"s
o##ended in the sight o)
3od! the% rose superior to
their p"ssions.
18 And it is i#possi+$e to
den% the supre#"% o) the
#ind( )or the% &on the 'itor%
o'er their p"ssions "nd their
p"ins.
19 Ho& "n &e do other&ise
th"n "d#it right Re"son7s
#"ster% o'er p"ssion &ith
these #en &ho shr"n- not
+e)ore the "gonies o)
+urning/
20 For e'en "s to&ers on
h"r+our.#o$es repu$se the
"ss"u$ts o) the &"'es "nd
o6er " "$# entr"ne to those
entering the h"'en! so the
se'en.to&ered right Re"son
o) the %ouths de)ended the
h"'en o) righteousness "nd
repu$sed the
te#pestuousness o) the
p"ssions.
20
* M A C C A B E E S
21 The% )or#ed " ho$% hoir
o) righteousness "s the%
heered one "nother on!
s"%ingA
22 7Let us die $i-e +rothers!
O +rethren! )or the L"&.
23 Let us i#it"te the Three
Chi$dren "t the Ass%ri"n ourt
&ho despised this s"#e
orde"$ o) the )urn"e.
24 Let us not turn r"'ens
+e)ore the proo) o)
righteousness.7
25 And one s"id! 7Brother! +e
o) good heer!7 "nd "nother!
7Be"r it out no+$%7( "nd
"nother re"$$ing the p"st!
7Re#e#+er o) &h"t sto- %e
"re! "nd "t &hose )"ther$%
h"nd Is"" )or righteousness7
s"-e %ie$ded hi#se$) to +e "
s"ri2e.7
26 And e"h "nd "$$ o) the#
together! $oo-ing "t e"h
other +right$% "nd 'er%
+o$d$%! s"id! 74ith " &ho$e
he"rt &i$$ &e onser"te
ourse$'es unto 3od &ho g"'e
us our sou$s! "nd $et us $end
our +odies to the -eeping o)
the L"&.
27 Let us not )e"r hi# &ho
thin-eth he -i$$s( )or " gre"t
strugg$e "nd peri$ o) the sou$
"&"its in etern"$ tor#ent
those &ho tr"nsgress the
ordin"ne o) 3od.
28 Let us then "r# ourse$'es
&ith di'ine Re"son7s #"ster%
o) the p"ssions.
29 A)ter this our p"ssion!
A+r"h"#! Is""! "nd 8"o+
sh"$$ reei'e us! "nd "$$ our
)ore)"thers sh"$$ pr"ise us.7
30 And to e"h sep"r"te one
o) the +rothers! "s the% &ere
dr"gged o6! those &hose turn
&"s %et to o#e s"id! 7;o not
disgr"e us! +rother! nor +e
)"$se to our +rethren "$re"d%
de"d.7
31 :ou "re not ignor"nt o)
the $o'e o) +rethren! &hereo)
the di'ine "nd "$$.&ise
Pro'idene h"s gi'en "n
inherit"ne to those &ho "re
+egotten though their )"thers!
i#p$"nting it in the# e'en
through the #other7s &o#+(
&herein +rethren do d&e$$ the
$i-e period! "nd t"-e their
)or# during the s"#e ti#e!
"nd "re nourished )ro# the
s"#e +$ood! "nd "re
qui-ened &ith the s"#e sou$!
"nd "re +rought into the
&or$d ")ter the s"#e sp"e!
"nd the% dr"& #i$- )ro# the
s"#e )ounts! &here+% their
)r"tern"$ sou$s "re nursed
together in "r#s "t the
+re"st( "nd the% "re -nit %et
$oser through " o##on
nurture "nd d"i$%
o#p"nionship "nd other
edu"tion! "nd through our
disip$ine under the L"& o)
3od.
32 The )ee$ing o) +rother$%
$o'e +eing thus n"tur"$$%
strong! the se'en +rethren
h"d their #utu"$ onord
#"de %et stronger. For
tr"ined in the s"#e L"&! "nd
disip$ined in the s"#e
'irtues! "nd +rought up
together in the upright $i)e!
the% $o'ed one "nother the
#ore "+und"nt$%. Their
o##on 1e"$ )or #or"$
+e"ut% "nd goodness
heightened their #utu"$
21
* M A C C A B E E S
onord! )or in on,untion
&ith their piet% it rendered
their +rother$% $o'e #ore
)er'ent.
33 But though n"ture!
o#p"nionship! "nd their
'irtuous disposition inre"sed
the "rdour o) their +rother$%
$o'e! ne'erthe$ess the
sur'i'ing sons through their
re$igion supported the sight o)
their +rethren! &ho &ere on
the r"-! +eing tortured to
de"th( n"% #ore! the% e'en
enour"ged the# to )"e the
"gon%! so "s not on$% to
despise their o&n tortures!
+ut "$so to onquer their
p"ssion o) +rother$% "6etion
)or their +rethren.
34 O Re"soning #inds! #ore
-ing$% th"n -ings! th"n
)ree#en #ore )ree! o) the
h"r#on% o) the se'en
+rethren! ho$% "nd &e$$
"ttuned to the -e%note o)
piet%<
35 5one o) the se'en %ouths
turned o&"rd! none shrun-
in the )"e o) de"th! +ut "$$
h"stened to the de"th +%
torture "s i) running the ro"d
to i##ort"$it%.
36 For "s h"nds "nd )eet
#o'e in h"r#on% &ith the
pro#ptings o) the sou$! so
those ho$% %ouths! "s i)
pro#pted +% the i##ort"$
sou$ o) re$igion! &ent in
h"r#on% to de"th )or its s"-e.
37 O "$$.ho$% se'en)o$d
o#p"nionship o) +rethren in
h"r#on%<
38 For "s the se'en d"%s o)
the re"tion o) the &or$d do
enring re$igion! so did the
%ouths hoir.$i-e enring their
se'en)o$d o#p"nionship! "nd
#"de the terror o) the
tortures o) no "ount.
39 4e no& shudder &hen &e
he"r o) the su6ering o) those
%ouths( +ut the%! not on$%
seeing it &ith their e%es! nor
#ere$% he"ring the spo-en!
i##inent thre"t! +ut "tu"$$%
)ee$ing the p"ng! endured it
through( "nd th"t in the
torture +% 2re! th"n &hih
&h"t gre"ter "gon% "n +e
)ound/
40 For sh"rp "nd stringent is
the po&er o) 2re! "nd s&i)t$%
did it +ring their +odies to
disso$ution.
41 And thin- it not &onder)u$
i) &ith those #en Re"son
triu#phed o'er the tortures!
&hen e'en " &o#"n7s sou$
despised " %et gre"ter
di'ersit% o) p"ins( )or the
#other o) the se'en %ouths
endured the tor#ents
in>ited on e"h se'er"$ one
o) her hi$dren.
42 But onsider ho&
#"ni)o$d "re the %e"rnings o)
" #other7s he"rt! so th"t her
)ee$ing )or her o6spring
+eo#es the entre o) her
&ho$e &or$d( "nd indeed!
here! e'en the irr"tion"$
"ni#"$s h"'e )or their %oung
"n "6etion "nd $o'e si#i$"r
to #en7s.
43 For e0"#p$e! "#ong the
+irds! the t"#e ones
she$tering under our roo)s
de)end their nest$ings( "nd
those th"t nest upon the
#ount"in tops! "nd in the
ro- $e)ts! "nd in the ho$es
22
* M A C C A B E E S
o) trees! "nd in the +r"nhes!
"nd h"th their %oung there!
do "$so dri'e "&"% the
intruder.
44 And then! i) the% +e
un"+$e to dri'e hi# "&"%!
the% >utter "round the
nest$ings in " p"ssion o) $o'e!
"$$ing to the# in their o&n
speeh! "nd the% gi'e
suour to their %oung ones
in &h"te'er )"shion the% "n.
45 And &h"t need h"'e &e o)
e0"#p$es o) the $o'e o)
o6spring "#ong irr"tion"$
"ni#"$s! &hen e'en the +ees!
"+out the se"son o) the
#"-ing o) the o#+! )end o6
intruders! "nd st"+ &ith their
sting! "s &ith " s&ord! those
&ho "ppro"h their +rood!
"nd do +"tt$e "g"inst the#
e'en to the de"th/
46 But she! the #other o)
those %oung #en! &ith " sou$
$i-e A+r"h"#! &"s not #o'ed
)ro# her purpose +% her
"6etion )or her hi$dren.
CHAP. 9II.
A comparison of a mother,s
and father,s a<ections, in this
chapter are some mountain
peaks of elo&uence.
REASO5 o) the sons! $ord
o'er the p"ssions< O re$igion!
th"t &"st de"rer to the
#other th"n her hi$dren<
2 The #other! h"'ing t&o
hoies +e)ore her! re$igion
"nd the present s"'ing "$i'e
o) her se'en sons "ording
to the t%r"nt7s pro#ise! $o'ed
r"ther re$igion! &hih s"'eth
unto etern"$ $i)e "ording to
3od.
3 O ho& #"% I e0press the
p"ssion"te $o'e o) p"rents )or
hi$dren/ 4e st"#p "
#"r'e$$ous $i-eness o) our
sou$ "nd o) our sh"pe on the
tender n"ture o) the hi$d!
"nd #ost o) "$$ through the
#other7s s%#p"th% &ith her
hi$dren +eing deeper th"n
the )"ther7s.
4 For &o#en "re so)ter o)
sou$ th"n #en! "nd the #ore
hi$dren the% +e"r the #ore
do the% "+ound in $o'e )or
the#.
5 But! o) "$$ #others! she o)
the se'en sons "+ounded in
$o'e +e%ond the rest! seeing
th"t! h"'ing in se'en hi$d.
+e"rings )e$t #"tern"$
tenderness )or the )ruit o) her
&o#+! "nd h"'ing +een
onstr"ined +e"use o) the
#"n% p"ngs in &hih she +ore
e"h to " $ose "6etion! she
ne'erthe$ess through the )e"r
o) 3od re,eted the present
s")et% o) her hi$dren.
6 A%! "nd #ore th"n th"t!
through the #or"$ +e"ut% "nd
goodness o) her sons "nd
their o+ediene to the L"&!
her #"tern"$ $o'e )or the#
&"s #"de stronger.
7 For the% &ere ,ust! "nd
te#per"te! "nd +r"'e "nd
gre"t.sou$ed! "nd $o'ers o)
e"h other "nd o) their
#other in suh #"nner th"t
the% o+e%ed her in the
-eeping o) the L"& e'en unto
de"th.
8 But ne'erthe$ess! though
she h"d so #"n% te#pt"tions
to %ie$d to her #"tern"$
instints! in no sing$e
23
* M A C C A B E E S
inst"ne did the dre"d)u$
'"riet% o) tortures h"'e
po&er to "$ter her Re"son(
+ut the #other urged e"h
son sep"r"te$%! "nd "$$
together! to die )or their
re$igion.
9 O ho$% n"ture! "nd p"rent"$
$o'e! "nd %e"rning o) p"rents
)or o6spring! "nd &"ges o)
nursing! "nd unonquer"+$e
"6etion o) #others<
10 The #other! seeing the#
one +% one r"-ed "nd
+urned! re#"ined unsh"-en in
sou$ )or re$igion7s s"-e.
11 She s"& the >esh o) her
sons +eing onsu#ed in the
2re! "nd the e0tre#ities o)
their h"nds "nd )eet s"ttered
on the ground! "nd the >esh.
o'ering! torn o6 )ro# their
he"ds right to their hee-s!
stre&n "+out $i-e #"s-s.
12 O #other! &ho no& -ne&
sh"rper p"ngs th"n the p"ngs
o) $"+our< O &o#"n! "$one
"#ong &o#en! the )ruit o)
&hose &o#+ &"s per)et
re$igion<
13 Th% 2rst+orn! gi'ing up
the ghost! did not "$ter th%
reso$ution! nor th% seond!
$oo-ing &ith e%es o) pit% on
thee under his tortures! nor
th% third! +re"thing out his
spirit.
14 5either didst thou &eep
&hen thou +ehe$dest the e%es
o) e"h "#id the tor#ents
$oo-ing +o$d$% on the s"#e
"nguish! "nd s"&est in their
qui'ering nostri$s the signs o)
"ppro"hing de"th.
15 4hen thou s"&est the
>esh o) one son +eing
se'ered ")ter the >esh o)
"nother! "nd h"nd ")ter h"nd
+eing ut o6! "nd he"d ")ter
he"d +eing >"%ed! "nd orpse
"st upon orpse! "nd the
p$"e ro&ded &ith spet"tors
on "ount o) the tortures o)
th% hi$dren! thou sheddest
not " te"r.
16 5ot the #e$odies o) the
sirens nor the songs o) s&"ns
&ith s&eet sound do so h"r#
the he"rer7s e"rs! "s sounded
the 'oies o) the sons!
spe"-ing to the #other )ro#
"#id the tor#ents.
17 Ho& #"n% "nd ho& gre"t
&ere the tortures &ith &hih
the #other &"s tor#ented
&hi$e her sons &ere +eing
tortured &ith tor#ents o) r"-
"nd 2re<
18 But Inspired Re"son $ent
her he"rt " #"n7s strength
under her p"ssion o)
su6ering! "nd e0"$ted her to
#"-e no "ount o) the
present %e"rnings o) #other.
$o'e.
19 And "$though she s"& the
destrution o) her se'en
hi$dren "nd the #"n% "nd
'"ried )or#s o) their
tor#ents! the no+$e #other
&i$$ing$% surrendered the#
through )"ith in 3od.
20 For she +ehe$d in her o&n
#ind! e'en "s it h"d +een
unning "d'o"tes in "
ouni$.h"#+er! n"ture! "nd
p"renthood! "nd #other.$o'e!
"nd her hi$dren on the r"-!
"nd it &"s "s i) she! the
#other! h"'ing the hoie
+et&een t&o 'otes in the
"se o) her hi$dren! one )or
24
* M A C C A B E E S
their de"th "nd one to s"'e
the# "$i'e! thereupon
reg"rded not the s"'ing o)
her se'en sons )or " $itt$e
ti#e! +ut! "s " true d"ughter
o) A+r"h"#! "$$ed to #ind
his 3od.)e"ring our"ge.
21 O #other o) the r"e!
'indi"tor o) our L"&!
de)ender o) our re$igion! "nd
&inner o) the pri1e in the
strugg$e &ithin th%se$)<
22 O &o#"n! no+$er to resist
th"n #en! "nd +r"'er th"n
&"rriors to endure<
23 For "s the Ar- o) 5o"h!
&ith the &ho$e $i'ing &or$d )or
her +urden in the &or$d.
&he$#ing ;e$uge! did
&ithst"nd the #ight% surges!
so thou! the -eeper o) the
L"&! +e"ten upon e'er% side
+% the surging &"'es o) the
p"ssions! "nd str"ined "s &ith
strong +$"sts +% the tortures
o) th% sons! didst no+$%
&e"ther the stor#s th"t
"ss"i$ed thee )or re$igion7s
s"-e.
24 Thus then! i) one +oth "
&o#"n "nd "d'"ned in
%e"rs! "nd the #other o)
se'en sons! endured the sight
o) her hi$dren +eing tortured
to de"th! the Inspired Re"son
#ust on)essed$% +e supre#e
ru$er o'er the p"ssions.
25 I h"'e pro'ed!
"ording$%! th"t not on$%
h"'e #en triu#phed o'er
their su6erings! +ut th"t "
&o#"n "$so h"s despised the
#ost dre"d)u$ tortures.
26 And not so 2ere &ere the
$ions "round ;"nie$! not so
hot &"s the +urning 2er%
)urn"e o) Mish"e$! "s +urned
in her the instint o)
#otherhood "t the sight o)
her se'en sons +eing
tortured.
27 But +% her re$igion.guided
Re"son the #other quenhed
her p"ssions! #"n% "nd
strong "s the% &ere.
28 For there is this "$so to
onsider! th"t h"d the &o#"n
+een &e"- o) spirit! despite
her #otherhood! she #ight
h"'e &ept o'er the#! "nd
perh"ne spo-en thusA
29 7Ah! thrie &rethed #e!
"nd #ore th"n thrie
&rethed< Se'en hi$dren
h"'e I +orne "nd "# $e)t
hi$d$ess<
30 In '"in &"s I se'en ti#es
&ith hi$d! "nd to no pro2t
&"s #% ten #onths7 +urden
se'en ti#es +orne! "nd
)ruit$ess h"'e +een #%
nursings! "nd sorro&)u$ #%
su-$ings.
31 In '"in )or %ou! O #%
sons! did I endure the #"n%
p"ngs o) $"+our! "nd the #ore
di=u$t "res o) %our
up+ringing.
32 A$"s! )or #% sons! th"t
so#e &ere %et un&ed! "nd
those th"t &ere &edded h"d
+egotten no hi$dren( I sh"$$
ne'er see hi$dren o) %ours!
nor sh"$$ I +e "$$ed +% the
n"#e o) gr"ndp"rent.
33 Ah #e! th"t h"d #"n%
+e"uti)u$ hi$dren! "nd "# "
&ido& "nd deso$"te in #%
&oe< 5either &i$$ there +e "n%
son to +ur% #e &hen I "#
de"d<7
34 But the ho$% "nd 3od.
25
* M A C C A B E E S
)e"ring #other &"i$ed not
&ith this $"#ent"tion o'er
"n% one o) the#! neither
+esought she "n% to es"pe
de"th! nor $"#ented o'er
the# "s d%ing #en( +ut! "s
though she h"d " sou$ o)
"d"#"nt "nd &ere +ringing
)orth the nu#+er o) her sons!
)or " seond ti#e! into
i##ort"$ $i)e! she +esought
r"ther "nd entre"ted o) the#
th"t the% shou$d die )or
re$igion7s s"-e.
35 O #other! &"rrior o) 3od
in the "use o) re$igion! o$d
"nd " &o#"n! thou didst +oth
de)e"t the t%r"nt +% th%
endur"ne! "nd &"st )ound
stronger th"n " #"n! in deeds
"s &e$$ "s &ords.
36 For 'eri$% &hen thou &"st
put in +onds &ith th% sons!
thou stoodest there seeing
E$e"1"r +eing tortured! "nd
thou sp"-est to th% sons in
the He+re& tongueA
37 7M% sons! no+$e is the
2ght( "nd do %e! +eing "$$ed
thereto to +e"r &itness )or
our n"tion! 2ght therein
1e"$ous$% on +eh"$) o) the L"&
o) our )"thers.
38 For it &ou$d +e sh"#e)u$
i)! &hi$e this "ged #"n
endured the "gon% )or
re$igion7s s"-e! %ou th"t "re
%oung #en shr"n- +e)ore the
p"in.
39 Re#e#+er th"t )or the
s"-e o) 3od %e h"'e o#e
into the &or$d! "nd h"'e
en,o%ed $i)e! "nd th"t
there)ore %e o&e it to 3od to
endure "$$ p"in )or his s"-e(
)or &ho# "$so our )"ther
A+r"h"# #"de h"ste to
s"ri2e his son Is""! the
"nestor o) our n"tion( "nd
Is""! seeing his )"ther7s
h"nd $i)ting the -ni)e "g"inst
hi#! did not shrin-.
40 And ;"nie$! the ,ust #"n!
&"s "st to the $ions! "nd
An"ni"s! A1"ri"s! "nd Mish"e$
&ere >ung into the )urn"e o)
2re! "nd the% endured )or
3od7s s"-e.
41 And %e "$so! h"'ing the
s"#e )"ith unto 3od! +e not
trou+$ed( )or it &ere "g"inst
Re"son th"t %e! -no&ing
righteousness! shou$d not
&ithst"nd the p"ins.7
42 4ith these &ords the
#other o) the se'en
enour"ged e'er% sing$e one
o) her sons to die r"ther th"n
tr"nsgress the ordin"ne o)
3od( the% the#se$'es "$so
-no&ing &e$$ th"t #en d%ing
)or 3od $i'e unto 3od! "s $i'e
A+r"h"#! "nd Is""! "nd
8"o+! "nd "$$ the p"tri"rhs.
CHAP. 9III.
The famous 1Athletes of
Righteousness.1 =ere ends
the story of courage called
the /ourth #ook of
Maccabees.
SOME o) the gu"rds de$"red
th"t &hen she "$so &"s "+out
to +e sei1ed "nd put to de"th!
she "st herse$) on the p%re
in order th"t no #"n #ight
touh her +od%.
2 O #other! th"t together
&ith th% se'en sons didst
+re"- the t%r"nt7s )ore! "nd
+ring to nought his e'i$
de'ies! "nd g"'est "n
26
* M A C C A B E E S
e0"#p$e o) the no+$eness o)
)"ith.
3 Thou &ert no+$% set "s "
roo) upon th% sons "s pi$$"rs!
"nd the e"rthqu"-e o) the
tor#ents shoo- thee not "t
"$$.
4 Re,oie there)ore! pure.
sou$ed #other! h"'ing the
hope o) th% endur"ne ert"in
"t the h"nd o) 3od.
5 5ot so #",esti st"nds the
#oon "#id the st"rs in
he"'en "s thou! h"'ing $it the
p"th o) th% se'en st"r$i-e
sons unto righteousness!
st"ndest in honour &ith 3od(
"nd thou "rt set in he"'en
&ith the#.
6 For th% hi$d.+e"ring &"s
)ro# the son o) A+r"h"#.
7 And h"d it +een $"&)u$ )or
us to p"int! "s #ight so#e
"rtist! the t"$e o) th% piet%!
&ou$d not the spet"tors h"'e
shuddered "t the #other o)
se'en sons su6ering )or
righteousness7 s"-e
#u$titudinous tortures e'en
unto de"th/
8 And indeed it &ere 2tting
to insri+e these &ords o'er
their resting.p$"e! spe"-ing
)or " #e#ori"$ to )uture
gener"tions o) our peop$eA
HERE LIE A5 A3E; PRI EST A5; A
4OMA5 FULL OF :EARS A5; HER
SE9E5 SO5S THROU3H THE
9I OLE5CE OF A T:RA5T ;ESI RI 53
TO ;ESTRO: THE HEBRE4 5ATIO5.
THE: 9I 5;I CATE; THE RI 3HTS OF
OUR PEOPLE LOOKI 53 U5TO 3O;
A5; E5;URI 53 THE TORME5TS
E9E5 U5TO ;EATH.
9 For tru$% it &"s " ho$% &"r
&hih &"s )ought +% the#.
For on th"t d"% 'irtue!
pro'ing the#
through endur"ne! set
+e)ore the# the pri1e o)
'itor% in inorruption in
e'er$"sting $i)e.
10 But the 2rst in the 2ght
&"s E$e"1"r! "nd the #other
o) the se'en sons p$"%ed her
p"rt! "nd the +rethren )ought.
11 The t%r"nt &"s their
"d'ers"r% "nd the &or$d "nd
the $i)e o) #"n &ere the
spet"tors.
12 And righteousness &on
the 'itor "nd g"'e the ro&n
to her "th$etes. 4ho +ut
&ondered "t the "th$etes o)
the true L"&/
13 4ho &ere not "#"1ed "t
the#/ The t%r"nt hi#se$) "nd
his &ho$e ouni$ "d#ired
their endur"ne! &here+%
the% no& do +oth St"nd
+eside the throne o) 3od "nd
$i'e the +$essed "ge.
14 For Moses s"%s! 7A$$ "$so
&ho h"'e s"nti2ed
the#se$'es "re under th%
h"nds.7
15 And these #en! there)ore!
h"'ing s"nti2ed the#se$'es
)or 3od7s s"-e! not on$% h"'e
reei'ed this honour! +ut "$so
the honour th"t through the#
the ene#% h"d no #ore
po&er o'er our peop$e! "nd
the t%r"nt su6ered
punish#ent! "nd our ountr%
&"s puri2ed! the% h"'ing "s it
&ere +eo#e " r"nso# )or
our n"tion7s sin( "nd through
the +$ood o) these righteous
#en "nd the propiti"tion o)
their de"th! the di'ine
Pro'idene de$i'ered Isr"e$
th"t +e)ore &"s e'i$
27
* M A C C A B E E S
entre"ted.
16 For &hen the t%r"nt
Antiohus s"& the herois# o)
their 'irtue! "nd their
endur"ne under the tortures!
he pu+$i$% he$d up their
endur"ne to his so$diers "s
"n e0"#p$e( "nd he thus
inspired his #en &ith " sense
o) honour "nd herois# on the
2e$d o) +"tt$e "nd in the
$"+ours o) +esieging! so th"t
he p$undered "nd o'erthre&
"$$ his ene#ies.
17 O Isr"e$ites! hi$dren +orn
o) the seed o) A+r"h"#! o+e%
this L"&! "nd +e righteous in
"$$ &"%s! reogni1ing th"t
Inspired Re"son is $ord o'er
the p"ssions! "nd o'er p"ins!
not on$% )ro# &ithin! +ut )ro#
&ithout ourse$'es( +% &hih
#e"ns those #en! de$i'ering
up their +odies to the torture
)or righteousness7 s"-e! not
on$% &on the "d#ir"tion o)
#"n-ind! +ut &ere dee#ed
&orth% o) " di'ine
inherit"ne.
18 And through the# the
n"tion o+t"ined pe"e "nd
restoring the o+ser'"ne o)
the L"& in our ountr% h"th
"ptured the it% )ro# the
ene#%.
19 And 'enge"ne h"th
pursued the t%r"nt Antiohus
upon e"rth! "nd in de"th he
su6ers punish#ent.
20 For &hen he )"i$ed utter$%
to onstr"in the peop$e o)
8erus"$e# to $i'e $i-e 3enti$es
"nd "+"ndon the usto#s o)
our )"thers! he thereupon $e)t
8erus"$e# "nd #"rhed "&"%
"g"inst the Persi"ns.
21 5o& these "re the &ords
th"t the #other o) the se'en
sons! the righteous &o#"n!
sp"-e to her hi$drenA
22 7I &"s " pure #"iden! "nd
I str"%ed not )ro# #% )"ther7s
house! "nd I -ept gu"rd o'er
the ri+ th"t &"s +ui$ded into
E'e.
23 5o seduer o) the desert!
no deei'er in the 2e$d!
orrupted #e( nor did the
)"$se! +egui$ing Serpent su$$%
the purit% o) #% #"idenhood(
I $i'ed &ith #% hus+"nd "$$
the d"%s o) #% %outh( +ut
&hen these #% sons &ere
gro&n up! their )"ther died.
24 H"pp% &"s he( )or he
$i'ed " $i)e +$essed &ith
hi$dren! "nd he ne'er -ne&
the p"in o) their $oss.
25 4ho! &hi$e he &"s %et
&ith us! t"ught %ou the L"&
"nd the prophets. He re"d to
us o) A+e$ &ho &"s s$"in +%
C"in! "nd o) Is"" &ho &"s
o6ered "s " +urnt.o6ering!
"nd o) 8oseph in the prison.
26 And he sp"-e to us o)
Phine"s! the 1e"$ous priest!
"nd he t"ught %ou the song o)
An"ni"s! A1"ri"s! "nd Mish"e$
in the 2re.
27 And he g$ori2ed "$so
;"nie$ in the den o) $ions! "nd
+$essed hi#( "nd he "$$ed to
%our #inds the s"%ing o)
Is"i"h!
28 C:e" e'en though thou
p"ss through the 2re! the
>"#e sh"$$ not hurt thee.C
29 He s"ng to us the &ords
o) ;"'id the ps"$#ist! CM"n%
"re the "Ditions o) the ,ust.C
30 He quoted to us the
28
* M A C C A B E E S
pro'er+ o) So$o#on! CHe is "
tree o) $i)e to "$$ the# th"t do
his &i$$.C
31 He on2r#ed the &ords o)
E1e-ie$! CSh"$$ these dr%
+ones $i'e/C For he )org"t not
the song th"t Moses t"ught!
&hih te"hes! CI &i$$ s$"% "nd
I &i$$ #"-e "$i'e. This is %our
$i)e "nd the +$essedness o)
%our d"%s.C7
32 Ah! rue$ &"s the d"%!
"nd %et not rue$! &hen the
rue$ t%r"nt o) the 3ree-s set
the 2re +$"1ing )or his
+"r+"rous +r"1iers! "nd &ith
his p"ssions +oi$ing +rought
to the "t"pu$t "nd +"-
"g"in to his tortures the
se'en sons o) the d"ughter o)
A+r"h"#! "nd +$inded the
e%e+"$$s o) their e%es! "nd ut
out their tongues! "nd s$e&
the# &ith #"n% -inds o)
tor#ent.
33 For &hih "use the
,udge#ent o) 3od pursued!
"nd sh"$$ pursue! the
"ursed &reth.
34 But the sons o) A+r"h"#!
&ith their 'itorious #other!
"re g"thered together unto
the p$"e o) their "nestors!
h"'ing reei'ed pure "nd
i##ort"$ sou$s )ro# 3od! to
&ho# +e g$or% )or e'er "nd
e'er.
29