1 Maccabees 7
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Expedition of Bacchides and Alcimus
7 In the one hundred and fifty-first year[a] Deme′trius the son of Seleu′cus set forth from Rome, sailed with a few men to a city by the sea, and there began to reign. 2 As he was entering the royal palace of his fathers, the army seized Anti′ochus and Lys′ias to bring them to him. 3 But when this act became known to him, he said, “Do not let me see their faces!” 4 So the army killed them, and Deme′trius took his seat upon the throne of his kingdom.
5 Then there came to him all the lawless and ungodly men of Israel; they were led by Al′cimus, who wanted to be high priest. 6 And they brought to the king this accusation against the people: “Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your friends, and have driven us out of our land. 7 Now then send a man whom you trust; let him go and see all the ruin which Judas[b] has brought upon us and upon the land of the king, and let him punish them and all who help them.”
8 So the king chose Bac′chides, one of the king’s friends, governor of the province Beyond the River; he was a great man in the kingdom and was faithful to the king. 9 And he sent him, and with him the ungodly Al′cimus, whom he made high priest; and he commanded him to take vengeance on the sons of Israel. 10 So they marched away and came with a large force into the land of Judah; and he sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with peaceable but treacherous words. 11 But they paid no attention to their words, for they saw that they had come with a large force.
12 Then a group of scribes appeared in a body before Al′cimus and Bac′chides to ask for just terms. 13 The Haside′ans were first among the sons of Israel to seek peace from them, 14 for they said, “A priest of the line of Aaron has come with the army, and he will not harm us.” 15 And he spoke peaceable words to them and swore this oath to them, “We will not seek to injure you or your friends.” 16 So they trusted him; but he seized sixty of them and killed them in one day, in accordance with the word which was written,
17 “The flesh of thy saints and their blood
they poured out round about Jerusalem,
and there was none to bury them.”
18 Then the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, for they said, “There is no truth or justice in them, for they have violated the agreement and the oath which they swore.”
19 Then Bac′chides departed from Jerusalem and encamped in Beth-zaith. And he sent and seized many of the men who had deserted to him,[c] and some of the people, and killed them and threw them into the great pit. 20 He placed Al′cimus in charge of the country and left with him a force to help him; then Bac′chides went back to the king.
21 Al′cimus strove for the high priesthood, 22 and all who were troubling their people joined him. They gained control of the land of Judah and did great damage in Israel. 23 And Judas saw all the evil that Al′cimus and those with him had done among the sons of Israel; it was more than the Gentiles had done. 24 So Judas[d] went out into all the surrounding parts of Judea, and took vengeance on the men who had deserted, and he prevented those in the city[e] from going out into the country. 25 When Al′cimus saw that Judas and those with him had grown strong, and realized that he could not withstand them, he returned to the king and brought wicked charges against them.
Nicanor in Judea
26 Then the king sent Nica′nor, one of his honored princes, who hated and detested Israel, and he commanded him to destroy the people. 27 So Nica′nor came to Jerusalem with a large force, and treacherously sent to Judas and his brothers this peaceable message, 28 “Let there be no fighting between me and you; I shall come with a few men to see you face to face in peace.” 29 So he came to Judas, and they greeted one another peaceably. But the enemy were ready to seize Judas. 30 It became known to Judas that Nica′nor[f] had come to him with treacherous intent, and he was afraid of him and would not meet him again. 31 When Nica′nor learned that his plan had been disclosed, he went out to meet Judas in battle near Capharsal′ama. 32 About five hundred men of the army of Nica′nor fell, and the rest[g] fled into the city of David.
Nicanor Threatens the Temple
33 After these events Nica′nor went up to Mount Zion. Some of the priests came out of the sanctuary, and some of the elders of the people, to greet him peaceably and to show him the burnt offering that was being offered for the king. 34 But he mocked them and derided them and defiled them and spoke arrogantly, 35 and in anger he swore this oath, “Unless Judas and his army are delivered into my hands this time, then if I return safely I will burn up this house.” And he went out in great anger. 36 Then the priests went in and stood before the altar and the temple, and they wept and said,
37 “Thou didst choose this house to be called by thy name,
and to be for thy people a house of prayer and supplication.
38 Take vengeance on this man and on his army,
and let them fall by the sword;
remember their blasphemies,
and let them live no longer.”
The Death of Nicanor
39 Now Nica′nor went out from Jerusalem and encamped in Beth-hor′on, and the Syrian army joined him. 40 And Judas encamped in Ad′asa with three thousand men. Then Judas prayed and said, 41 “When the messengers from the king spoke blasphemy, thy angel went forth and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand of the Assyrians.[h] 42 So also crush this army before us today; let the rest learn that Nica′nor[i] has spoken wickedly against thy sanctuary, and judge him according to this wickedness.” 43 So the armies met in battle on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. The army of Nica′nor was crushed, and he himself was the first to fall in the battle. 44 When his army saw that Nica′nor had fallen, they threw down their arms and fled. 45 The Jews[j] pursued them a day’s journey, from Ad′asa as far as Gazar′a, and as they followed kept sounding the battle call on the trumpets. 46 And men came out of all the villages of Judea round about, and they out-flanked the enemy[k] and drove them back to their pursuers,[l] so that they all fell by the sword; not even one of them was left. 47 Then the Jews[m] seized the spoils and the plunder, and they cut off Nica′nor’s head and the right hand which he had so arrogantly stretched out, and brought them and displayed them just outside Jerusalem. 48 The people rejoiced greatly and celebrated that day as a day of great gladness. 49 And they decreed that this day should be celebrated each year on the thirteenth day of Adar. 50 So the land of Judah had rest for a few days.
Footnotes
- 1 Maccabees 7:1 161 b.c.
- 1 Maccabees 7:7 Gk he
- 1 Maccabees 7:19 Or many of his men who had deserted
- 1 Maccabees 7:24 Gk he
- 1 Maccabees 7:24 Gk they were prevented
- 1 Maccabees 7:30 Gk he
- 1 Maccabees 7:32 Gk they
- 1 Maccabees 7:41 Gk of them
- 1 Maccabees 7:42 Gk he
- 1 Maccabees 7:45 Gk they
- 1 Maccabees 7:46 Gk them
- 1 Maccabees 7:46 Gk these
- 1 Maccabees 7:47 Gk they
Sirach 19-21
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
19 A workman who is a drunkard will not become rich;
he who despises small things will fail little by little.
2 Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
and the man who consorts with harlots is very reckless.
3 Decay and worms will inherit him,
and the reckless soul will be snatched away.
Against Loose Talk
4 One who trusts others too quickly is lightminded,
and one who sins does wrong to himself.
5 One who rejoices in wickedness[a] will be condemned,[b]
6 and for one who hates gossip evil is lessened.
7 Never repeat a conversation,
and you will lose nothing at all.
8 With friend or foe do not report it,
and unless it would be a sin for you, do not disclose it;
9 for some one has heard you and watched you,
and when the time comes he will hate you.
10 Have you heard a word? Let it die with you.
Be brave! It will not make you burst!
11 With such a word a fool will suffer pangs
like a woman in labor with a child.
12 Like an arrow stuck in the flesh of the thigh,
so is a word inside a fool.
13 Question a friend, perhaps he did not do it;
but if he did anything, so that he may do it no more.
14 Question a neighbor, perhaps he did not say it;
but if he said it, so that he may not say it again.
15 Question a friend, for often it is slander;
so do not believe everything you hear.
16 A person may make a slip without intending it.
Who has never sinned with his tongue?
17 Question your neighbor before you threaten him;
and let the law of the Most High take its course.[c]
True and False Wisdom
20 All wisdom is the fear of the Lord,
and in all wisdom there is the fulfilment of the law.[d]
22 But the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,
nor is there prudence where sinners take counsel.
23 There is a cleverness which is abominable,
but there is a fool who merely lacks wisdom.
24 Better is the God-fearing man who lacks intelligence,
than the highly prudent man who transgresses the law.
25 There is a cleverness which is scrupulous but unjust,
and there are people who distort kindness to gain a verdict.
26 There is a rascal bowed down in mourning,[e]
but inwardly he is full of deceit.
27 He hides his face and pretends not to hear;
but where no one notices, he will forestall you.
28 And if by lack of strength he is prevented from sinning,
he will do evil when he finds an opportunity.
29 A man is known by his appearance,
and a sensible man is known by his face, when you meet him.
30 A man’s attire and open-mouthed laughter,
and a man’s manner of walking, show what he is.
Silence and Speech
20 There is a reproof which is not timely;
and there is a man who keeps silent but is wise.
2 How much better it is to reprove than to stay angry!
And the one who confesses his fault will be kept from loss.[f]
4 Like a eunuch’s desire to violate a maiden
is a man who executes judgments by violence.
5 There is one who by keeping silent is found wise,
while another is detested for being too talkative.
6 There is one who keeps silent because he has no answer,
while another keeps silent because he knows when to speak.
7 A wise man will be silent until the right moment,
but a braggart and fool goes beyond the right moment.
8 Whoever uses too many words will be loathed,
and whoever usurps the right to speak will be hated.
Paradoxes
9 There may be good fortune for a man in adversity,
and a windfall may result in a loss.
10 There is a gift that profits you nothing,
and there is a gift that brings a double return.
11 There are losses because of glory,
and there are men who have raised their heads from humble circumstances.
12 There is a man who buys much for a little,
but pays for it seven times over.
13 The wise man makes himself beloved through his words,
but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14 A fool’s gift will profit you nothing,
for he has many eyes instead of one.
15 He gives little and upbraids much,
he opens his mouth like a herald;
today he lends and tomorrow he asks it back;
such a one is a hateful man.
16 A fool will say, “I have no friend,
and there is no gratitude for my good deeds;
those who eat my bread speak unkindly.”
17 How many will ridicule him, and how often!
Inappropriate Speech
18 A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue;
so the downfall of the wicked will occur speedily.
19 An ungracious man is like a story told at the wrong time,
which is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20 A proverb from a fool’s lips will be rejected,
for he does not tell it at its proper time.
21 A man may be prevented from sinning by his poverty,
so when he rests he feels no remorse.
22 A man may lose his life through shame,
or lose it because of his foolish look.
23 A man may for shame make promises to a friend,
and needlessly make him an enemy.
Lying
24 A lie is an ugly blot on a man;
it is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
25 A thief is preferable to a habitual liar,
but the lot of both is ruin.
26 The disposition of a liar brings disgrace,
and his shame is ever with him.
27 He who speaks wisely will advance himself,
and a sensible man will please great men.
28 Whoever cultivates the soil will heap up his harvest,
and whoever pleases great men will atone for injustice.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise;
like a muzzle on the mouth they avert reproofs.
30 Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure,
what advantage is there in either of them?
31 Better is the man who hides his folly
than the man who hides his wisdom.[g]
Various Sins
21 Have you sinned, my son? Do so no more,
but pray about your former sins.
2 Flee from sin as from a snake;
for if you approach sin, it will bite you.
Its teeth are lion’s teeth,
and destroy the souls of men.
3 All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword;
there is no healing for its wound.
4 Terror and violence will lay waste riches;
thus the house of the proud will be laid waste.
5 The prayer of a poor man goes from his lips to the ears of God,[h]
and his judgment comes speedily.
6 Whoever hates reproof walks in the steps of the sinner,
but he that fears the Lord will repent in his heart.
7 He who is mighty in speech is known from afar;
but the sensible man, when he slips, is aware of it.
8 A man who builds his house with other people’s money
is like one who gathers stones for his burial mound.[i]
9 An assembly of the wicked is like tow gathered together,
and their end is a flame of fire.
10 The way of sinners is smoothly paved with stones,
but at its end is the pit of Hades.
Wisdom and Foolishness
11 Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts,
and wisdom is the fulfilment of the fear of the Lord.
12 He who is not clever cannot be taught,
but there is a cleverness which increases bitterness.
13 The knowledge of a wise man will increase like a flood,
and his counsel like a flowing spring.
14 The mind of a fool is like a broken jar;
it will hold no knowledge.
15 When a man of understanding hears a wise saying,
he will praise it and add to it;
when a reveler hears it, he dislikes it
and casts it behind his back.
16 A fool’s narration is like a burden on a journey,
but delight will be found in the speech of the intelligent.
17 The utterance of a sensible man will be sought in the assembly,
and they will ponder his words in their minds.
18 Like a house that has vanished, so is wisdom to a fool;
and the knowledge of the ignorant is unexamined talk.
19 To a senseless man education is fetters on his feet,
and like manacles on his right hand.
20 A fool raises his voice when he laughs,
but a clever man smiles quietly.
21 To a sensible man education is like a golden ornament,
and like a bracelet on the right arm.
22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house,
but a man of experience stands respectfully before it.
23 A boor peers into the house from the door,
but a cultivated man remains outside.
24 It is ill-mannered for a man to listen at a door,
and a discreet man is grieved by the disgrace.
25 The lips of strangers will speak of these things,[j]
but the words of the prudent will be weighed in the balance.
26 The mind of fools is in their mouth,
but the mouth of wise men is in[k] their mind.
27 When an ungodly man curses his adversary,[l]
he curses his own soul.
28 A whisperer defiles his own soul
and is hated in his neighborhood.
Footnotes
- Sirach 19:5 Other authorities read heart
- Sirach 19:5 Other authorities add but he who withstands pleasures crowns his life. 6 He who controls his tongue will live without strife,
- Sirach 19:17 Other authorities add and do not be angry. 18 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance, and wisdom obtains his love. 19 The knowledge of the Lord’s commandments is life-giving discipline; and those who do what is pleasing to him enjoy the fruit of the tree of immortality.
- Sirach 19:20 Other authorities add and the knowledge of his omnipotence. 21 When a servant says to his master, “I will not act as you wish,” even if later he does it, he angers the one who supports him.
- Sirach 19:26 Gk blackness
- Sirach 20:2 Other authorities add 3 How good it is to show repentance when you are reproved, for so you will escape deliberate sin!
- Sirach 20:31 Other authorities add 32 Unwearied patience in seeking the Lord is better than a masterless charioteer of one’s own life.
- Sirach 21:5 Gk his ears
- Sirach 21:8 Other authorities read for the winter
- Sirach 21:25 The Greek text of this line is uncertain
- Sirach 21:26 Other authorities omit in
- Sirach 21:27 Or curses Satan
Proverbs 22:22-25
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
22 Do not rob the poor, because he is poor,
or crush the afflicted at the gate;
23 for the Lord will plead their cause
and despoil of life those who despoil them.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
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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