1 Maccabees 3
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
The Early Victories of Judas
3 Then Judas his son, who was called Maccabe′us, took command in his place. 2 All his brothers and all who had joined his father helped him; they gladly fought for Israel.
3 He extended the glory of his people.
Like a giant he put on his breastplate;
he girded on his armor of war and waged battles,
protecting the host by his sword.
4 He was like a lion in his deeds,
like a lion’s cub roaring for prey.
5 He searched out and pursued the lawless;
he burned those who troubled his people.
6 Lawless men shrank back for fear of him;
all the evildoers were confounded;
and deliverance prospered by his hand.
7 He embittered many kings,
but he made Jacob glad by his deeds,
and his memory is blessed for ever.
8 He went through the cities of Judah;
he destroyed the ungodly out of the land;[a]
thus he turned away wrath from Israel.
9 He was renowned to the ends of the earth;
he gathered in those who were perishing.
10 But Apollo′nius gathered together Gentiles and a large force from Samar′ia to fight against Israel. 11 When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him, and he defeated and killed him. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled. 12 Then they seized their spoils; and Judas took the sword of Apollo′nius, and used it in battle the rest of his life.
13 Now when Seron, the commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful men who stayed with him and went out to battle, 14 he said, “I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom. I will make war on Judas and his companions, who scorn the king’s command.” 15 And again a strong army of ungodly men went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the sons of Israel.
16 When he approached the ascent of Beth-hor′on, Judas went out to meet him with a small company. 17 But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas, “How can we, few as we are, fight against so great and strong a multitude? And we are faint, for we have eaten nothing today.” 18 Judas replied, “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few. 19 It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven. 20 They come against us in great pride and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives and our children, and to despoil us; 21 but we fight for our lives and our laws. 22 He himself will crush them before us; as for you, do not be afraid of them.”
23 When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron and his army, and they were crushed before him. 24 They pursued them[b] down the descent of Beth-hor′on to the plain; eight hundred of them fell, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines. 25 Then Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and terror fell upon the Gentiles round about them. 26 His fame reached the king, and the Gentiles talked of the battles of Judas.
The Policy of Antiochus
27 When king Anti′ochus heard these reports, he was greatly angered; and he sent and gathered all the forces of his kingdom, a very strong army. 28 And he opened his coffers and gave a year’s pay to his forces, and ordered them to be ready for any need. 29 Then he saw that the money in the treasury was exhausted, and that the revenues from the country were small because of the dissension and disaster which he had caused in the land by abolishing the laws that had existed from the earliest days. 30 He feared that he might not have such funds as he had before for his expenses and for the gifts which he used to give more lavishly than preceding kings. 31 He was greatly perplexed in mind, and determined to go to Persia and collect the revenues from those regions and raise a large fund.
32 He left Lys′ias, a distinguished man of royal lineage, in charge of the king’s affairs from the river Euphra′tes to the borders of Egypt. 33 Lys′ias was also to take care of Anti′ochus his son until he returned. 34 And he turned over to Lys′ias[c] half of his troops and the elephants, and gave him orders about all that he wanted done. As for the residents of Judea and Jerusalem, 35 Lys′ias was to send a force against them to wipe out and destroy the strength of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem; he was to banish the memory of them from the place, 36 settle aliens in all their territory, and distribute their land. 37 Then the king took the remaining half of his troops and departed from Antioch his capital in the one hundred and forty-seventh year.[d] He crossed the Euphra′tes river and went through the upper provinces.
Preparations for Battle
38 Lys′ias chose Ptol′emy the son of Dorym′enes, and Nica′nor and Gor′gias, mighty men among the friends of the king, 39 and sent with them forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to go into the land of Judah and destroy it, as the king had commanded. 40 So they departed with their entire force, and when they arrived they encamped near Emma′us in the plain. 41 When the traders of the region heard what was said of them, they took silver and gold in immense amounts, and fetters,[e] and went to the camp to get the sons of Israel for slaves. And forces from Syria and the land of the Philistines joined with them.
42 Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction. 43 But they said to one another, “Let us repair the destruction of our people, and fight for our people and the sanctuary.” 44 And the congregation assembled to be ready for battle, and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.
45 Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness;
not one of her children went in or out.
The sanctuary was trampled down,
and the sons of aliens held the citadel;
it was a lodging place for the Gentiles.
Joy was taken from Jacob;
the flute and the harp ceased to play.
46 So they assembled and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah. 47 They fasted that day, put on sackcloth and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and rent their clothes. 48 And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the Gentiles were consulting the images of their idols. 49 They also brought the garments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the Naz′irites who had completed their days; 50 and they cried aloud to Heaven, saying,
“What shall we do with these?
Where shall we take them?
51 Thy sanctuary is trampled down and profaned,
and thy priests mourn in humiliation.
52 And behold, the Gentiles are assembled against us to destroy us;
thou knowest what they plot against us.
53 How will we be able to withstand them,
if thou dost not help us?”
54 Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. 55 After this Judas appointed leaders of the people, in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. 56 And he said to those who were building houses, or were betrothed, or were planting vineyards, or were fainthearted, that each should return to his home, according to the law. 57 Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emma′us.
58 And Judas said, “Gird yourselves and be valiant. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these Gentiles who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. 59 It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary. 60 But as his will in heaven may be, so he will do.”
Footnotes
- 1 Maccabees 3:8 Gk it
- 1 Maccabees 3:24 Other authorities read him
- 1 Maccabees 3:34 Gk him
- 1 Maccabees 3:37 165 b.c.
- 1 Maccabees 3:41 Syr: Gk slaves
Sirach 7-9
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Miscellaneous Advice
7 Do no evil, and evil will never befall you.
2 Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3 My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice,
and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4 Do not seek from the Lord the highest office,
nor the seat of honor from the king.
5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,
nor display your wisdom before the king.
6 Do not seek to become a judge,
lest you be unable to remove iniquity,
lest you be partial to a powerful man,
and thus put a blot on your integrity.
7 Do not offend against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8 Do not commit a sin twice;
even for one you will not go unpunished.
9 Do not say, “He will consider the multitude of my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it.”
10 Do not be fainthearted in your prayer,
nor neglect to give alms.
11 Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul,
for there is One who abases and exalts.
12 Do not devise[a] a lie against your brother,
nor do the like to a friend.
13 Refuse to utter any lie,
for the habit of lying serves no good.
14 Do not prattle in the assembly of the elders,
nor repeat yourself in your prayer.
15 Do not hate toilsome labor,
or farm work, which were created by the Most High.
16 Do not count yourself among the crowd of sinners;
remember that wrath does not delay.
17 Humble yourself greatly,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.[b]
Relations with Others
18 Do not exchange a friend for money,
or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.
19 Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife,
for her charm is worth more than gold.
20 Do not abuse a servant who performs his work faithfully,
or a hired laborer who devotes himself to you.
21 Let your soul love[c] an intelligent servant;
do not withhold from him his freedom.
22 Do you have cattle? Look after them;
if they are profitable to you, keep them.
23 Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient[d] from their youth.
24 Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,[e]
and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.
25 Give a daughter in marriage; you will have finished a great task.
But give her to a man of understanding.
26 If you have a wife who pleases you,[f] do not cast her out;
but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.
27 With all your heart honor your father,
and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.
28 Remember that through your parents[g] you were born;
and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?
29 With all your soul fear the Lord,
and honor his priests.
30 With all your might love your Maker,
and do not forsake his ministers.
31 Fear the Lord and honor the priest,
and give him his portion, as is commanded you:
the first fruits, the guilt offering, the gift of the shoulders,
the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.
32 Stretch forth your hand to the poor,
so that your blessing may be complete.
33 Give graciously to all the living,
and withhold not kindness from the dead.
34 Do not fail those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.
35 Do not shrink from visiting a sick man,
because for such deeds you will be loved.
36 In all you do, remember the end of your life,
and then you will never sin.
Prudence and Common Sense
8 Do not contend with a powerful man,
lest you fall into his hands.
2 Do not quarrel with a rich man,
lest his resources outweigh yours;
for gold has ruined many,
and has perverted the minds of kings.
3 Do not argue with a chatterer,
nor heap wood on his fire.
4 Do not jest with an ill-bred person,
lest your ancestors be disgraced.
5 Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin;
remember that we all deserve punishment.
6 Do not disdain a man when he is old,
for some of us are growing old.
7 Do not rejoice over any one’s death;
remember that we all must die.
8 Do not slight the discourse of the sages,
but busy yourself with their maxims;
because from them you will gain instruction
and learn how to serve great men.
9 Do not disregard the discourse of the aged,
for they themselves learned from their fathers;
because from them you will gain understanding
and learn how to give an answer in time of need.
10 Do not kindle the coals of a sinner,
lest you be burned in his flaming fire.
11 Do not get up and leave an insolent fellow,
lest he lie in ambush against your words.
12 Do not lend to a man who is stronger than you;
but if you do lend anything, be as one who has lost it.
13 Do not give surety beyond your means,
but if you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay.
14 Do not go to law against a judge,
for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
15 Do not travel on the road with a foolhardy fellow,
lest he be burdensome to you;
for he will act as he pleases,
and through his folly you will perish with him.
16 Do not fight with a wrathful man,
and do not cross the wilderness with him;
because blood is as nothing in his sight,
and where no help is at hand, he will strike you down.
17 Do not consult with a fool,
for he will not be able to keep a secret.
18 In the presence of a stranger do nothing that is to be kept secret,
for you do not know what he will divulge.[h]
19 Do not reveal your thoughts to every one,
lest you drive away your good luck.[i]
Advice Concerning Women
9 Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,
and do not teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.
2 Do not give yourself to a woman
so that she gains mastery over your strength.
3 Do not go to meet a loose woman,
lest you fall into her snares.
4 Do not associate with a woman singer,
lest you be caught in her intrigues.
5 Do not look intently at a virgin,
lest you stumble and incur penalties for her.
6 Do not give yourself to harlots
lest you lose your inheritance.
7 Do not look around in the streets of a city,
nor wander about in its deserted sections.
8 Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,
and do not look intently at beauty belonging to another;
many have been misled by a woman’s beauty,
and by it passion is kindled like a fire.
9 Never dine with another man’s wife,
nor revel with her at wine;
lest your heart turn aside to her,
and in blood[j] you be plunged into destruction.
Choice of Friends
10 Forsake not an old friend,
for a new one does not compare with him.
A new friend is like new wine;
when it has aged you will drink it with pleasure.
11 Do not envy the honors of a sinner,
for you do not know what his end will be.
12 Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;
remember that they will not be held guiltless as long as they live.
13 Keep far from a man who has the power to kill,
and you will not be worried by the fear of death.
But if you approach him, make no misstep,
lest he rob you of your life.
Know that you are walking in the midst of snares,
and that you are going about on the city battlements.
14 As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors,
and consult with the wise.
15 Let your conversation be with men of understanding,
and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High.
16 Let righteous men be your dinner companions,
and let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord.
Concerning Rulers
17 A work will be praised for the skill of the craftsmen;
so a people’s leader is proved wise by his words.
18 A babbler is feared in his city,
and the man who is reckless in speech will be hated.
Footnotes
- Sirach 7:12 Heb: Gk plow
- Sirach 7:17 The Hebrew text reads for the expectation of man is worms
- Sirach 7:21 The Hebrew text reads Love like yourself
- Sirach 7:23 Gk bend their necks
- Sirach 7:24 Gk body
- Sirach 7:26 Heb Syr omit who pleases you
- Sirach 7:28 Gk them
- Sirach 8:18 Or it will bring forth
- Sirach 8:19 Heb: Gk let him not return a favor to you
- Sirach 9:9 Heb: Gk by your spirit
Proverbs 22:5-8
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
he who guards himself will keep far from them.
6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.
7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
8 He who sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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