Now Nicanor, having heard that Judas’ men were in the region of Samaria, purposed to set upon them on the Sabbath day without hazarding battle to that end. And this is the vision I saw: I beheld Onias, the High Priest, a man of goodness and righteousness, of venerable aspect, gentle in manner, of excellent discourse, who from a child had practised all virtues, stretching forth his hands and praying for the whole congregation of the Jews.

Then said the Jews who reluctantly followed him, “Do not treat these people with such cruelty and harshness, but rather respect the sanctity of a day which the Guardian of all things hath honoured and sanctified.” And while all were awaiting the outcome, and the enemy drew nigh, and the army was arrayed, and the elephants placed in their stations, and the cavalry arranged on both wings, Maccabeus scrutinized the multitude of the armies and the abundance of diverse weapons and the fierceness of the elephants. Then he lifted his hands to heaven and called upon the Lord, the Guardian, the Worker of miracles, knowing that victory cometh not by strength of arms, but by His decree He granteth victory to whom He pleaseth. Then arose a great cry and shouts of joy, and they praised the great King with the tongues of their fathers. Then Judas, who ever remained at the forefront of his countrymen, offering his body and soul, and caring for the children of his nation with the affection that he had borne them from his youth, ordered the head of Nicanor and his hand with his shoulder to be cut off and carried to Jerusalem.

And that wicked man asked, “Is there a Mighty One in heaven who hath commanded to keep the Sabbath day?” And all were blessing the Lord in heaven, who was present to deliver them, saying, “Blessed be He who hath preserved His place from all defilement.” Furthermore, as to drink wine alone, or water alone, is harmful, but wine mingled with water is pleasant and yieldeth delight and cheer, so also the embellishment of speech in this manner delighteth the ears of those who peruse the work. The End. Extracted images (33): - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_1.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_10.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_11.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_12.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_13.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_14.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_15.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_16.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_17.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_18.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_19.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_2.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_20.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_21.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_22.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_23.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_24.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_25.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_26.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_27.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_28.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_29.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_3.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_30.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_31.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_32.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_33.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_4.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_5.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_6.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_7.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_8.jpg` - `parsed-documents://20260601-010855-492190/46-2Maccabees.pdf/images/page_9.jpg`

But they answered, saying, “In heaven is the living Lord, the Almighty, who Himself commanded us to keep the seventh day.”

Then said the man, “And I also am mighty on earth,” and he commanded to take up arms and to carry out the king’s orders. But he could not accomplish his wicked purpose.

And Nicanor, in his pride and arrogance, intended to set up a monument to commemorate his victories over the men of Judas.

But Maccabeus did not cease to trust with full assurance that the Lord would grant him victory.

So he exhorted his men not to be dismayed by the assault of the Gentiles, but to remember the deliverances which they had so often received from heaven, and to await the triumph and victory which they should receive from the Almighty.

Then he spoke to them concerning the Law and the prophets, and recounted to them the battles they had fought, so that he inflamed their ardour.

And after he had strengthened their resolve, he explained to them how the Gentiles had broken their covenants and violated their oaths.

And he armed each of them with the comfort of his good words, more than with shields and spears, then he recounted to them a certain vision that had appeared to him in a dream, by which he cheered the hearts of all of them.

Then there appeared unto me a man of noble old age, eminent in glory, upon whom was a wonderful and exalted majesty.

Then Onias answered and said, “This is the lover of the brethren, who prayeth much for the people and the holy city, even Jeremiah, the prophet of God.”

Then Jeremiah stretched forth his right hand and gave Judas a golden sword, and said,

“Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with which thou shalt smite down the adversaries.”

And their hearts rejoiced at the good words of Judas, which by their power stirred up their zeal and aroused the spirits of the young men, and they resolved not to encamp, but to attack boldly and fight valiantly until the matter was decided, for the city and the holy places and the temple were in danger.

And their concern for their wives and children, siblings and kin, was of lesser import than their fear for the holy temple, which was the greatest and primary fear.

And those who remained in the city were in great distress before the battle, which they expected to take place in the open field.

And he prayed saying, “Thou, O Lord, didst send Thine angel in the time of Hezekiah, king of Judah, and he smote of the army of Sennacherib one hundred fourscore and five thousand.

And now, O King of the heavens, send a good angel before us, to bring dread and trembling, and by the might of Thine arm let those be terrified who have come against Thy holy people with blasphemy.” And Judas thus prayed.

And the men of Nicanor advanced with trumpets and songs.

But the men of Judas encountered them with supplication and prayers.

And while they fought with their hands, they prayed to God in their hearts, so they slew five and thirty thousand, being full of joy at the presence of God and His deliverance.

And when they had ceased from the struggle and returned rejoicing, they found Nicanor with his armour, fallen dead.

And when he came there, he called together his countrymen and the priests, and stood before the altar, and sent for those who were in the fortress.

And he showed them the insolent head of Nicanor, and the hand of that wicked man, which he had stretched out defiantly against the holy house of the Almighty.

Then he cut off the tongue of the impious Nicanor and commanded that it be cut into pieces and cast to the birds, and that the hand of that fool be hung up opposite the temple.

And he fastened Nicanor’s head on the citadel, for a clear and evident token of God’s victory.

Then all by common decree resolved that that day should not be passed over without celebration, but should be a feast, even the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, called Adar in the Aramaic tongue, one day before Mordecai’s day.

Thus came to pass the matter concerning Nicanor; and from those days the city returned to the possession of the Hebrews. And here also I make an end of my discourse.

For if I have composed well and achieved my purpose, that is what I desired; but if I have been weak and lacking, I have done my utmost.