: and he
apprehended the men that came to kill him, and he put them to death: for
he knew that they sought to make him away.

16:23. And as concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and
the worthy deeds, which he bravely achieved, and the building of the
walls, which he made, and the things that he did:

16:24. Behold, these are written in the book of the days of his
priesthood, from the time that he was made high priest after his father.

THE SECOND BOOK OF MACHABEES

This second book of MACHABEES is not a continuation of the history
contained in the first: nor does is come down so low as the first does:
but relates many of the same facts more at large, and adds other
remarkable particulars, omitted in the first book, relating to the state
of the Jews, as well before as under the persecution of ANTIOCHUS. The
author, who is not the same with that of the first book, has given (as
we learn from chap. 2.20, etc.) a short abstract of what JASON of Cyrene
had written in the five volumes, concerning JUDAS and his brethren. He
wrote in Greek, and begins with two letters, sent by the Jews of
Jerusalem to their brethren in Egypt.

2 Machabees Chapter 1

Letters of the Jews of Jerusalem to them that were in Egypt. They give
thanks for their delivery from Antiochus: and exhort their brethren to
keep the feast of the dedication of the altar, and of the miraculous
fire.

1:1. To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt; the brethren,
the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health
and good peace.

1:2. May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made
with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:

1:3. And give you all a heart to worship him, and to do his will with a
great heart, and a willing mind.

1:4. May he open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and
send you peace.

1:5. May he hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never
forsake you in the evil time.

1:6. And now here we are praying for you.

1:7. When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we
Jews wrote to you in the trouble and violence that came upon us in those
years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the
kingdom.

1:8. They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the
Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and
lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.