d innocent, were
condemned to death.

4:48. Thus they that persecuted the cause for the city, and for the
people, and the sacred vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment.

4:49. Wherefore even the Tyrians, being moved with indignation, were
very liberal towards their burial.

4:50. And so through the covetousness of them that were in power,
Menelaus continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying
of the citizens.

2 Machabees Chapter 5

Wonderful signs are seen in the air. Jason's wickedness and end.
Antiochus takes Jerusalem, and plunders the temple.

5:1. At the same time Antiochus prepared for a second journey into
Egypt.

5:2. And it came to pass, that through the whole city of Jerusalem, for
the space of forty days, there were seen horsemen running in the air, in
gilded raiment, and armed with spears, like bands of soldiers.

5:3. And horses set in order by ranks, running one against another, with
the shakings of shields, and a multitude of men in helmets, with drawn
swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden armour, and of
harnesses of all sorts.

5:4. Wherefore all men prayed that these prodigies might turn to good.

5:5. Now when there was gone forth a false rumour as though Antiochus
had been dead, Jason taking with him no fewer than a thousand men,
suddenly assaulted the city: and though the citizens ran together to the
wall, the city at length was taken, and Menelaus fled into the castle.

5:6. But Jason slew his countrymen without mercy, not considering that
prosperity against one's own kindred is a very great evil, thinking they
had been enemies, and not citizens, whom he conquered.

5:7. Yet he did not get the principality, but received confusion at the
end, for the reward of his treachery, and fled again into the country of
the Ammonites.

5:8. At the last, having been shut up by Aretas, the king of the
Arabians, in order for his destruction, flying from city to city, hated
by all men, as a forsaker of the laws and execrable, as an enemy of his
country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt:

5:9. And he that had driven many out of their country perished in a
strange land, going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have
refuge there:

5:10. But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth
both unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being
partaker of the sepulchre of his fathers.

5:11. Now when these things