2 Maccabees 1:1-6

Common English Bible

The first letter

1 To our Jewish brothers and sisters in Egypt.

Greetings! Your Jewish brothers and sisters in Jerusalem and in the country of Judea wish you prosperous peace.

²May God do good for you and remember the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants.

³May God give to all of you the passion to worship him and to do his will with a whole heart and a willing spirit.

⁴May God open your heart to his Law and commands, and give you peace.

⁵May God listen to your prayers and be reconciled with you and not abandon you in an evil time. ⁶We are praying for you here.

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2 Maccabees 1:24-29

Common English Bible

²⁴The prayer went like this:

Lord, Lord God, creator of all,
    you are fearsome, mighty,
    just, and merciful.
    You are the only king
    and only generous one.
²⁵You are the only provider,
    the only just, almighty, and eternal one.
    You save Israel from all evil.
You chose the patriarchs
and made them holy.

²⁶Receive this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel. Guard your portion and make it holy.

²⁷Gather together our scattered people, free the ones enslaved among the nations, watch over those who are despised and loathed, and let the nations know that you are our God. ²⁸Punish the oppressors and those who commit arrogant acts of violence. ²⁹Plant your people in your holy place, just as Moses said.^[a]

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