ully to their honour for Judaism: so
that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and
chased barbarous multitudes,

2 Mac 2:22
And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over,
and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down,
the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:

2 Mac 2:23
All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in
five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.

2 Mac 2:24
For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which
they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story,
for the variety of the matter,

2 Mac 2:25
We have been careful, that they that will read may have
delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory
might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might
have profit.

2 Mac 2:26
Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour
of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and
watching;

2 Mac 2:27
Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and
seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we
will undertake gladly this great pains;

2 Mac 2:28
Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular,
and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

2 Mac 2:29
For as the master builder of a new house must care for the
whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint
it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I
think it is with us.

2 Mac 2:30
To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and
to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of
the story:

2 Mac 2:31
But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is
to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.

2 Mac 2:32
Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to
that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a
long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

2 Mac 3:1
Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the
laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the
high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,

2 Mac 3:2
It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the
place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;

2 Mac 3:3
Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all
the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.

2 Mac 3:4
But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was mad