The Bible New Revised Standard Version Apocrypha pg. 343-513

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Simon elected high priest, military commander, and ruler

25 When the people heard these things they said, "How shall we thank
Simon and his sons? 26 For he and his brothers and the house of his
father have stood firm; they have fought and repulsed Israel's enemies
and established its freedom." 27 So they made a record on bronze
tablets and put it on pillars on Mount Zion.

This is a copy of what they wrote: "On the eighteenth day of Elul, in
the one hundred seventy-second year, which is the third year of the
great high priest Simon, 28 in Asaramel, in the great assembly of the
priests and the people and the rulers of the nation and the elders of
the country, the following was proclaimed to us:

29 "Since wars often occurred in the country, Simon son of Mattathias,
a priest of the sons of Joarib, and his brothers, exposed themselves to
danger and resisted the enemies of their nation, in order that their
sanctuary and the law might be preserved; and they brought great
glory to their nation. 30 Jonathan rallied the nation, became their high
priest, and was gathered to his people. 31 When their enemies decided
to invade their country and lay hands on their sanctuary, 32 then Simon
rose up and fought for his nation. He spent great sums of his own
money; he armed the soldiers of his nation and paid them wages. 33 He
fortified the towns of Judea, and Beth-zur on the borders of Judea,
where formerly the arms of the enemy had been stored, and he placed
there a garrison of Jews. 34 He also fortified Joppa, which is by the sea,
and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus, where the enemy
formerly lived. He settled Jews there, and provided in those towns
whatever was necessary for their restoration.

35 "The people saw Simon's faithfulness and the glory that he had
resolved to win for his nation, and they made him their leader and
high priest, because he had done all these things and because of the
justice and loyalty that he had maintained toward his nation. He
sought in every way to exalt his people. 36 In his days things prospered
in his hands, so that the Gentiles were put out of the country, as were
also those in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had built themselves a
citadel from which they used to sally forth and defile the environs of

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38 "In view of these things King Demetrius confirmed him in the high
priesthood, 39 made him one of his Friends, and paid him high honors.
40 For he had heard that the Jews were addressed by the Romans as
friends and allies and brothers, and that the Romans had received the
envoys of Simon with honor.

41 "The Jews and their priests have resolved that Simon should be their
leader and high priest forever, until a trustworthy prophet should
arise, 42 and that he should be governor over them and that he should
take charge of the sanctuary and appoint officials over its tasks and
over the country and the weapons and the strongholds, and that he
should take charge of the sanctuary, 43 and that he should be obeyed
by all, and that all contracts in the country should be written in his
name, and that he should be clothed in purple and wear gold.

44 "None of the people or priests shall be permitted to nullify any of
these decisions or to oppose what he says, or to convene an assembly
in the country without his permission, or to be clothed in purple or put
on a gold buckle. 45 Whoever acts contrary to these decisions or rejects
any of them shall be liable to punishment."

46 All the people agreed to grant Simon the right to act in accordance
with these decisions. 47 So Simon accepted and agreed to be high
priest, to be commander and ethnarch of the Jews and priests, and to
be protector of them all. 48 And they gave orders to inscribe this
decree on bronze tablets, to put them up in a conspicuous place in the
precincts of the sanctuary, 49 and to deposit copies of them in the
treasury, so that Simon and his sons might have them.

[1 Maccabees 15]
Arrival of Antiochus VII

1 Antiochus, son of King Demetrius, sent a letter from the islands of the
sea to Simon, the priest and ethnarch of the Jews, and to all the

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10 In the one hundred seventy-fourth year Antiochus set out and
invaded the land of his ancestors. All the troops rallied to him, so that
there were only a few with Trypho. 11 Antiochus pursued him, and
Trypho came in his flight to Dor, which is by the sea; 12 for he knew
that troubles had converged on him, and his troops had deserted him.
13 So Antiochus encamped against Dor, and with him were one
hundred twenty thousand warriors and eight thousand cavalry. 14 He
surrounded the town, and the ships joined battle from the sea; he
pressed the town hard from land and sea, and permitted no one to
leave or enter it.

Renewal of alliance with Rome

15 Then Numenius and his companions arrived from Rome, with letters
to the kings and countries, in which the following was written: 16
"Lucius, consul of the Romans, to King Ptolemy, greetings. 17 The
envoys of the Jews have come to us as our friends and allies to renew
our ancient friendship and alliance. They had been sent by the high

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22 The consul wrote the same thing to King Demetrius and to Attalus
and Ariarathes and Arsaces, 23 and to all the countries, and to
Sampsames, and to the Spartans, and to Delos, and to Myndos, and to
Sicyon, and to Caria, and to Samos, and to Pamphylia, and to Lycia, and
to Halicarnassus, and to Rhodes, and to Phaselis, and to Cos, and to
Side, and to Aradus and Gortyna and Cnidus and Cyprus and Cyrene. 24
They also sent a copy of these things to the high priest Simon.

War with Antiochus VII

25 King Antiochus besieged Dor for the second time, continually
throwing his forces against it and making engines of war; and he shut
Trypho up and kept him from going out or in. 26 And Simon sent to
Antiochus two thousand picked troops, to fight for him, and silver and
gold and a large amount of military equipment. 27 But he refused to
receive them, and broke all the agreements he formerly had made with
Simon, and became estranged from him. 28 He sent to him Athenobius,
one of his Friends, to confer with him, saying, "You hold control of
Joppa and Gazara and the citadel in Jerusalem; they are cities of my
kingdom. 29 You have devastated their territory, you have done great
damage in the land, and you have taken possession of many places in
my kingdom. 30 Now then, hand over the cities that you have seized
and the tribute money of the places that you have conquered outside
the borders of Judea; 31 or else pay me five hundred talents of silver
for the destruction that you have caused and five hundred talents
more for the tribute money of the cities. Otherwise we will come and
make war on you."

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Athenobius did not answer him a word, 36 but returned in wrath to
the king and reported to him these words, and also the splendor of
Simon and all that he had seen. And the king was very angry.

37 Meanwhile Trypho embarked on a ship and escaped to Orthosia. 38
Then the king made Cendebeus commander-in-chief of the coastal
country, and gave him troops of infantry and cavalry. 39 He
commanded him to encamp against Judea, to build up Kedron and
fortify its gates, and to make war on the people; but the king pursued
Trypho. 40 So Cendebeus came to Jamnia and began to provoke the
people and invade Judea and take the people captive and kill them. 41
He built up Kedron and stationed horsemen and troops there, so that
they might go out and make raids along the highways of Judea, as the
king had ordered him.

[1 Maccabees 16]
Death of Simon and accession of John Hyrcanus I


1 John went up from Gazara and reported to his father Simon what
Cendebeus had done. 2 And Simon called in his two eldest sons Judas
and John, and said to them: "My brothers and I and my father's house
have fought the wars of Israel from our youth until this day, and things
have prospered in our hands so that we have delivered Israel many
times. 3 But now I have grown old, and you by Heaven's mercy are
mature in years. Take my place and my brother's, and go out and fight

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4 So John chose out of the country twenty thousand warriors and
cavalry, and they marched against Cendebeus and camped for the
night in Modein. 5 Early in the morning they started out and marched
into the plain, where a large force of infantry and cavalry was coming
to meet them; and a stream lay between them. 6 Then he and his army
lined up against them. He saw that the soldiers were afraid to cross the
stream, so he crossed over first; and when his troops saw him, they
crossed over after him. 7 Then he divided the army and placed the
cavalry in the center of the infantry, for the cavalry of the enemy were
very numerous. 8 They sounded the trumpets, and Cendebeus and his
army were put to flight; many of them fell wounded and the rest fled
into the stronghold. 9 At that time Judas the brother of John was
wounded, but John pursued them until Cendebeus reached Kedron,
which he had built. 10 They also fled into the towers that were in the
fields of Azotus, and John burned it with fire, and about two thousand
of them fell. He then returned to Judea safely.

11 Now Ptolemy son of Abubus had been appointed governor over the
plain of Jericho; he had a large store of silver and gold, 12 for he was
son-in-law of the high priest. 13 His heart was lifted up; he determined
to get control of the country, and made treacherous plans against
Simon and his sons, to do away with them. 14 Now Simon was visiting
the towns of the country and attending to their needs, and he went
down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas, in the one
hundred seventy-seventh year, in the eleventh month, which is the
month of Shebat. 15 The son of Abubus received them treacherously in
the little stronghold called Dok, which he had built; he gave them a
great banquet, and hid men there. 16 When Simon and his sons were
drunk, Ptolemy and his men rose up, took their weapons, rushed in
against Simon in the banquet hall and killed him and his two sons, as
well as some of his servants. 17 So he committed an act of great
treachery and returned evil for good.

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23 The rest of the acts of John and his wars and the brave deeds that
he did, and the building of the walls that he completed, and his
achievements, 24 are written in the annals of his high priesthood, from
the time that he became high priest after his father.

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2 MACCABEES


Introduction

Second Maccabees narrates the story of the Maccabean revolt. Like 1
Maccabees and the book of Daniel, 2 Maccabees interprets the
religious persecution suffered by the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes
from 168 164 BCE. Each of the three books offers a different model of
faithfulness in response to persecution as well as distinctive theological
reflection on the sources of hope in times of crisis. First Maccabees
highlights the military activity of the Maccabees and the subsequent
establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty, taking the story down to the
third generation in 134 BCE. Second Maccabees, in contrast, keeps its
focus on the fate of the Temple in Jerusalem, ending its story when the
Temple is secure in 161 BCE.

The literary style is lively, relying on dramatic narration and vivid
portrayals of characters to evoke emotions in the reader. Following the
style of Greek historiography, the author composes substantive
speeches for his characters in order to entertain and instruct the
reader. Written in Greek sometime between 124 and 63 BCE, the work
skillfully combines Jewish theology with Greek stylistics. The author's
introduction (2.19-32), using conventions of Greek literature, highlights
his purposes and summarizes what is in store for the reader in the
pages ahead. He reveals that his work is an epitome, condensing the
five-volume history of Jason of Cyrene. The epitomist tells the reader
that his story will be about Judas Maccabeus and his battles to regain
the Temple from Antiochus, free Jerusalem and restore Jewish law to
Judea.

Prefixed to the introduction are two letters exhorting the Jews in Egypt
to observe the new festival of Hannukah, which had originated in
Judea just over forty years earlier (1.1-2.18). The second letter is of
particular interest because it includes stories about Jeremiah and

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The main body of the work (chs 3-15) recounts three successive attacks
on the Temple, heroically repelled by brave Jewish fighters who are
supported by heavenly warriors. Within this broad framework another,
more explicitly theological structure unfolds. The epitomist has
adopted the interpretation of history found in the biblical books of
Judges, Samuel, and Kings, clearly laid out in Judg 2.6-23. Israel's
history is a recurring cycle of blessing, when the people are faithful to
the Lord; sin, when they forsake the Law; punishment when foreign
enemies oppress Israel; and deliverance, when they cry out and the
Lord shows mercy by intervening to save them. In 2 Maccabees the
history of the Temple, reflecting the fortunes of the Jewish people,
follows this cycle.

The history begins with the blessings brought by the good priest Onias
(ch 3). The arresting story of the attack on the Temple treasury by
Heliodorus and the angelic intervention that saved it highlights the
importance of the Temple as the locus of the divine presence when the
people are faithful. The sins of the people are ominously introduced in
ch 4 with a description of the Hellenization that occurred under Jason,
the brother of Onias. The rich details of this chapter provide a useful
historical picture of the conflict in Jerusalem over accommodation to
Greek culture, as well as the strife over the high priesthood, during the
years before the persecutions of Antiochus. Modern historians have
been guided by this nuanced account to view the Maccabean revolt as
a mix of civil war and rebellion against a foreign tyrant. In chs 3 and 4,
as throughout the book, the epitomist shows that the attack of
Seleucid kings on Jerusalem was precipitated by the intrigues of
Hellenizers in Jerusalem.

The wrenching stories of the persecutions endured when Antiochus IV
swept into Jerusalem to quell civil unrest occupy chs 508, the
centerpiece of the book. So skilled a historian is the epitomist that the
reader that the reader understands the actions of Antiochus to be

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These stories of Jewish faithfulness are set in bold relief against the
impious deeds of the Hellenizers. As their abandoning the law for
Greek culture brought on the desecration of the Temple, so the prayers
of the martyrs make possible the next part of the epitomist's story, the
purification of the Temple. The book's theology is expressed in the last
words of the seventh brother (7.37-38) as he goes willingly to his death
"to bring to an end the wrath of the Almighty that has justly fallen on
our whole nation." The introduction of Judas Maccabeus is the sign
that God has heard the prayer of the martyrs and has seen their
faithfulness. The stunning account of the revolt of Judas Maccabeus,
his victory over Antiochus, and his purification of the Temple (8.1-10.9)
weaves military history together with the language of theology.
Similarly, the graphic account of Antiochus's death in ch 9 is designed
to illustrate divine justice and the vindication of the martyrs.

The final section makes use of diplomatic correspondence and
historical records to tell the history of Judea from 164 to 161 BCE under
the Seleucid kings Antiochus Eupator and Demetrius I. In spite of royal
permission for the Jews to live in peace according to their own laws,
local rulers of neighboring regions were constantly stirring up conflict.
As in earlier parts of the book, the epitomist frequently alludes to
Hellenizers as the initiators of the trouble. Woven throughout these

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A constellation of important theological ideas not found in the Hebrew
scriptures but important in Judaism and Christianity appears in 2
Maccabees. Chief among these are the two related ideas of the
creation of the world out of nothing ("creatio ex nihilo," 7.28) and the
resurrection of the dead (hinted at in Dan 12.2 but explicitly stated in 2
Macc 7). The relation between these two beliefs is clearly articulated in
the speeches of the mother and her seven sons (ch 7), which provide
the most closely reasoned arguments in the Bible about the
resurrection of the dead. This story of the mother encouraging her
seven sons to die for their faith in certain hope of resurrection,
together with the companion story of the aged Eleazar going willingly
to his death rather than eat food forbidden by the Torah (ch 6),
become the models for later authors writing Jewish and Christian
martyrologies. The intrinsic link between the ideas of resurrection and
martyrdom is evident as well in the story of Razis (13.37-45).

The belief in resurrection gives rise to the practice of praying for the
dead. When Judas Maccabeus discovers that his fallen companions are
wearing sacred tokens of the idols of Jamnia, he makes a sin offering
and prays that their sin might be blotted out (12.39-43a). The epitomist
interprets this as a prayer on behalf of the dead, justified by the hope
of the resurrection (12.43b-45). Related to the idea of resurrection is the
certainty that God's justice will punish the wicked as it rewards the
righteous (3.27-28; 9.28; 13.8; 15.32-33), expressed later in the rabbinic
principle of measure for measure. The deaths of Andronicus (4.30-38),
Menelaus (13.1-8), and Nicanor (15.1-28) are described with explicit
reference to divine justice. The story of the death of Antiochus (ch 9),
borrowing themes from Isa 14, provides the most expressive teaching of
this principle.

The theological idea that dominates the book is the assurance that the
history of Antiochene persecution and the Maccabean revolt reveals

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God's care for his people and the holy Temple. Through engaging
storytelling and instructive speeches by the characters, the authors
guides the reader to see the events of this history with the eyes of
faith.

[2 Maccabees 1]
Letter to the Jews in Egypt


1 The Jews in Jerusalem and those in the land of Judea,

To their Jewish kindred in Egypt,

Greetings and true peace.

2 May God do good to you, and may he remember his covenant with
Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, his faithful servants. 3 May he give you
all a heart to worship him and to do his will with a strong heart and a
willing spirit. 4 May he open your heart to his law and his
commandments, and may he bring peace. 5 May he hear your prayers
and be reconciled to you, and may he not forsake you in time of evil. 6
We are now praying for you here.

7 In the reign of Demetrius, in the one hundred sixty-ninth year, we
Jews wrote to you, in the critical distress that came upon us in those
years after Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the
kingdom 8 and burned the gate and shed innocent blood. We prayed
to the Lord and were heard, and we offered sacrifice and grain
offering, and we lit the lamps and set out the loaves. 9 And now see
that you keep the festival of booths in the month of Chislev, in the one
hundred eighty-eighth year.

Letter to Aristobulus

10 The people of Jerusalem and of Judea and the senate and Judas,
To Aristobulus, who is of the family of the anointed priests, teacher of
King Ptolemy, and to the Jews in Egypt,
Greetings and good health.


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18 Since on the twenty-fifth day of Chislev we shall celebrate the
purification of the temple, we thought it necessary to notify you, in
order that you also may celebrate the festival of booths and the
festival of the fire given when Nehemiah, who built the temple and
the altar, offered sacrifices.

19 For when our ancestors were being led captive to Persia, the pious
priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar and secretly hid it
in the hollow of a dry cistern, where they took such precautions that
the place was unknown to anyone. 20 But after many years had passed,
when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having been commissioned by the
king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the
fire to get it. And when they reported to us that they had not found
fire but only a thick liquid, he ordered them to dip it out and bring it.
21 When the materials for the sacrifices were presented, Nehemiah
ordered the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and on the
things laid upon it. 22 When this had been done and some time had
passed, and when the sun, which had been clouded over, shone out, a
great fire blazed up, so that all marveled. 23 And while the sacrifice
was being consumed, the priests offered prayer — the priests and
everyone. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemiah. 24
The prayer was to this effect:

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30 Then the priests sang the hymns. 31 After the materials of the
sacrifice had been consumed, Nehemiah ordered that the liquid that
was left should be poured on large stones. 32 When this was done, a
flame blazed up; but when the light from the altar shone back, it went
out. 33 When this matter became known, and it was reported to the
king of the Persians that, in the place where the exiled priests had
hidden the fire, the liquid had appeared with which Nehemiah and his
associates had burned the materials of the sacrifice, 34 the king
investigated the matter, and enclosed the place and made it sacred. 35
And with those persons whom the king favored he exchanged many
excellent gifts. 36 Nehemiah and his associates called this "nephthar,"
which means purification, but by most people it is called naphtha.

[2 Maccabees 2]

1 One finds in the records that the prophet Jeremiah ordered those
who were being deported to take some of the fire, as has been
mentioned, 2 and that the prophet, after giving them the law,
instructed those who were being deported not to forget the
commandments of the Lord, or to be led astray in their thoughts on
seeing the gold and silver statues and their adornment. 3 And with
other similar words he exhorted them that the law should not depart
from their hearts.

4 It was also in the same document that the prophet, having received
an oracle, ordered that the tent and the ark should follow with him,

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9 It was also made clear that being possessed of wisdom Solomon
offered sacrifice for the dedication and completion of the temple. 10
Just as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven and
consumed the sacrifices, so also Solomon prayed, and the fire came
down and consumed the whole burnt offerings. 11 And Moses said,
"They were consumed because the sin offering had not been eaten." 12
Likewise Solomon also kept the eight days.

13 The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of
Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books
about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of
kings about votive offerings. 14 In the same way Judas also collected all
the books that had been lost on account of the war that had come
upon us, and they are in our possession. 15 So if you have need of
them, send people to get them for you.

16 Since, therefore, we are about to celebrate the purification, we
write to you. Will you therefore please keep the days? 17 It is God who
has saved all his people, and has returned the inheritance to all, and
the kingship and the priesthood and the consecration, 18 as he
promised through the law. We have hope in God that he will soon
have mercy on us and will gather us from everywhere under heaven
into his holy place, for he has rescued us from great evils and has
purified the place.

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The epitomist's preface

19 The story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, and the purification
of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar, 20 and further the
wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator, 21 and the
appearances that came from heaven to those who fought bravely for
Judaism, so that though few in number they seized the whole land and
pursued the barbarian hordes, 22 and regained possession of the
temple famous throughout the world, and liberated the city, and reestablished
the laws that were about to be abolished, while the Lord
with great kindness became gracious to them — 23 all this, which has
been set forth by Jason of Cyrene in five volumes, we shall attempt to
condense into a single book. 24 For considering the flood of statistics
involved and the difficulty there is for those who wish to enter upon
the narratives of history because of the mass of material, 25 we have
aimed to please those who wish to read, to make it easy for those who
are inclined to memorize, and to profit all readers. 26 For us who have
undertaken the toil of abbreviating, it is no light matter but calls for
sweat and loss of sleep, 27 just as it is not easy for one who prepares a
banquet and seeks the benefit of others. Nevertheless, to secure the
gratitude of many we will gladly endure the uncomfortable toil, 28
leaving the responsibility for exact details to the compiler, while
devoting our effort to arriving at the outlines of the condensation. 29
For as the master builder of a new house must be concerned with the
whole construction, while the one who undertakes its painting and
decoration has to consider only what is suitable for its adornment, such
in my judgment is the case with us. 30 It is the duty of the original
historian to occupy the ground, to discuss matters from every side, and
to take trouble with details, 31 but the one who recasts the narrative
should be allowed to strive for brevity of expression and to forego
exhaustive treatment. 32 At this point therefore let us begin our
narrative, without adding any more to what has already been said; for
it would be foolish to lengthen the preface while cutting short the
history itself.

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[2 Maccabees 3]
Simon's plot against Onias

1 While the holy city was inhabited in unbroken peace and the laws
were strictly observed because of the piety of the high priest Onias and
his hatred of wickedness, 2 it came about that the kings themselves
honored the place and glorified the temple with the finest presents, 3
even to the extent that King Seleucus of Asia defrayed from his own
revenues all the expenses connected with the service of the sacrifices.

4 But a man named Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who had been
made captain of the temple, had a disagreement with the high priest
about the administration of the city market. 5 Since he could not
prevail over Onias, he went to Apollonius of Tarsus, who at that time
was governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, 6 and reported to him that
the treasury in Jerusalem was full of untold sums of money, so that the
amount of the funds could not be reckoned, and that they did not
belong to the account of the sacrifices, but that it was possible for
them to fall under the control of the king. 7 When Apollonius met the
king, he told him of the money about which he had been informed.
The king chose Heliodorus, who was in charge of his affairs, and sent
him with commands to effect the removal of the reported wealth. 8
Heliodorus at once set out on his journey, ostensibly to make a tour of
inspection of the cities of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, but in fact to carry
out the king's purpose.

9 When he had arrived at Jerusalem and had been kindly welcomed by
the high priest of the city, he told about the disclosure that had been
made and stated why he had come, and he inquired whether this really
was the situation. 10 The high priest explained that there were some
deposits belonging to widows and orphans, 11 and also some money of
Hyrcanus son of Tobias, a man of very prominent position, and that it
totaled in all four hundred talents of silver and two hundred of gold.
To such an extent the impious Simon had misrepresented the facts. 12
And he said that it was utterly impossible that wrong should be done
to those people who had trusted in the holiness of the place and in the
sanctity and inviolability of the temple that is honored throughout the
whole world.

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There was no little distress throughout the whole city. 15 The priests
prostrated themselves before the altar in their priestly vestments and
called toward heaven upon him who had given the law about deposits,
that he should keep them safe for those who had deposited them. 16
To see the appearance of the high priest was to be wounded at heart,
for his face and the change in his color disclosed the anguish of his
soul. 17 For terror and bodily trembling had come over the man, which
plainly showed to those who looked at him the pain lodged in his
heart. 18 People also hurried out of their houses in crowds to make a
general supplication because the holy place was about to be brought
into dishonor. 19 Women, girded with sackcloth under their breasts,
thronged the streets. Some of the young women who were kept
indoors ran together to the gates, and some to the walls, while others
peered out of the windows. 20 And holding up their hands to heaven,
they all made supplication. 21 There was something pitiable in the
prostration of the whole populace and the anxiety of the high priest in
his great anguish.

22 While they were calling upon the Almighty Lord that he would keep
what had been entrusted safe and secure for those who had entrusted
it, 23 Heliodorus went on with what had been decided. 24 But when he
arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard, then and there the
Sovereign of spirits and of all authority caused so great a manifestation
that all who had been so bold as to accompany him were astounded by
the power of God, and became faint with terror. 25 For there appeared
to them a magnificently caparisoned horse, with a rider of frightening
mien; it rushed furiously at Heliodorus and struck at him with its front
hoofs. Its rider was seen to have armor and weapons of gold. 26 Two
young men also appeared to him, remarkably strong, gloriously
beautiful and splendidly dressed, who stood on either side of him and
flogged him continuously, inflicting many blows on him. 27 When he
suddenly fell to the ground and deep darkness came over him, his men
took him up, put him on a stretcher, 28 and carried him away — this
man who had just entered the aforesaid treasury with a great retinue

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29 While he lay prostrate, speechless because of the divine intervention
and deprived of any hope of recovery, 30 they praised the Lord who
had acted marvelously for his own place. And the temple, which a little
while before was full of fear and disturbance, was filled with joy and
gladness, now that the Almighty Lord had appeared.

31 Some of Heliodorus's friends quickly begged Onias to call upon the
Most High to grant life to one who was lying quite at his last breath. 32
So the high priest, fearing that the king might get the notion that
some foul play had been perpetrated by the Jews with regard to
Heliodorus, offered sacrifice for the man's recovery. 33 While the high
priest was making an atonement, the same young men appeared again
to Heliodorus dressed in the same clothing, and they stood and said,
"Be very grateful to the high priest Onias, since for his sake the Lord
has granted you your life. 34 And see that you, who have been flogged
by heaven, report to all people the majestic power of God." Having
said this they vanished.

35 Then Heliodorus offered sacrifice to the Lord and made very great
vows to the Savior of his life, and having bidden Onias farewell, he
marched off with his forces to the king. 36 He bore testimony to all
concerning the deeds of the supreme God, which he had seen with his
own eyes. 37 When the king asked Heliodorus what sort of person
would be suitable to send on another mission to Jerusalem, he replied,
38 "If you have any enemy or plotter against your government, send
him there, for you will get him back thoroughly flogged, if he survives
at all; for there is certainly some power of God about the place. 39 For
he who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that place himself and
brings it aid, and he strikes and destroys those who come to do it
injury." 40 This was the outcome of the episode of Heliodorus and the
protection of the treasury.

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[2 Maccabees 4]

1 The previously mentioned Simon, who had informed about the
money against his own country, slandered Onias, saying that it was he
who had incited Heliodorus and had been the real cause of the
misfortune. 2 He dared to designate as a plotter against the
government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector
of his compatriots, and a zealot for the laws. 3 When his hatred
progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one
of Simon's approved agents, 4 Onias recognized that the rivalry was
serious and that Apollonius son of Menestheus, and governor of
Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was intensifying the malice of Simon. 5 So he
appealed to the king, not accusing his compatriots but having in view
the welfare, both public and private, of all the people. 6 For he saw
that without the king's attention public affairs could not again reach a
peaceful settlement, and that Simon would not stop his folly.

Jason as high priest

7 When Seleucus died and Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes,
succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the
high priesthood by corruption, 8 promising the king at an interview
three hundred sixty talents of silver, and from another source of
revenue eighty talents. 9 In addition to this he promised to pay one
hundred fifty more if permission were given to establish by his
authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enroll the
people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch. 10 When the king assented
and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his compatriots over to the
Greek way of life.

11 He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured
through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to
establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed
the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the
law. 12 He took delight in establishing a gymnasium right under the
citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men to wear the
Greek hat. 13 There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase
in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness

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2 MACCABEES 363

18 When the quadrennial games were being held at Tyre and the king
was present, 19 the vile Jason sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochian
citizens from Jerusalem, to carry three hundred silver drachmas for the
sacrifice to Hercules. Those who carried the money, however, thought
best not to use it for sacrifice, because that was inappropriate, but to
expend it for another purpose. 20 So this money was intended by the
sender for the sacrifice to Hercules, but by the decision of its carriers it
was applied to the construction of triremes.

21 When Apollonius son of Menestheus was sent to Egypt for the
coronation of Philometor as king, Antiochus learned that Philometor
had become hostile to his government, and he took measures for his
own security. Therefore upon arriving at Joppa he proceeded to
Jerusalem. 22 He was welcomed magnificently by Jason and the city,
and ushered in with a blaze of torches and with shouts. Then he
marched his army into Phoenicia.

Menelaus as high priest

23 After a period of three years Jason sent Menelaus, the brother of
the previously mentioned Simon, to carry the money to the king and to
complete the records of essential business. 24 But he, when presented
to the king, extolled him with an air of authority, and secured the high
priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of
silver. 25 After receiving the king's orders he returned, possessing no
qualification for the high priesthood, but having the hot temper of a
cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage wild beast. 26 So Jason, who after

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supplanting his own brother was supplanted by another man, was
driven as a fugitive into the land of Ammon. 27 Although Menelaus
continued to hold the office, he did not pay regularly any of the
money promised to the king. 28 When Sostratus the captain of the
citadel kept requesting payment — for the collection of the revenue
was his responsibility — the two of them were summoned by the king
on account of this issue. 29 Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus
as deputy in the high priesthood, while Sostratus left Crates, the
commander of the Cyprian troops.

30 While such was the state of affairs, it happened that the people of
Tarsus and of Mallus revolted because their cities had been given as a
present to Antiochis, the king's concubine. 31 So the king went
hurriedly to settle the trouble, leaving Andronicus, a man of high rank,
to act as his deputy. 32 But Menelaus, thinking he had obtained a
suitable opportunity, stole some of the gold vessels of the temple and
gave them to Andronicus; other vessels, as it happened, he had sold to
Tyre and the neighboring cities. 33 When Onias became fully aware of
these acts, he publicly exposed them, having first withdrawn to a place
of sanctuary at Daphne near Antioch. 34 Therefore Menelaus, taking
Andronicus aside, urged him to kill Onias. Andronicus came to Onias,
and resorting to treachery, offered him sworn pledges and gave him
his right hand; he persuaded him, though still suspicious, to come out
from the place of sanctuary; then, with no regard for justice, he
immediately put him out of the way.

35 For this reason not only Jews, but many also of other nations, were
grieved and displeased at the unjust murder of the man. 36 When the
king returned from the region of Cilicia, the Jews in the city appealed
to him with regard to the unreasonable murder of Onias, and the
Greeks shared their hatred of the crime. 37 Therefore Antiochus was
grieved at heart and filled with pity, and wept because of the
moderation and good conduct of the deceased. 38 Inflamed with
anger, he immediately stripped off the purple robe from Andronicus,
tore off his clothes, and led him around the whole city to that very
place where he had committed the outrage against Onias, and there
he dispatched the bloodthirsty fellow. The Lord thus repaid him with

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the punishment he deserved.

39 When many acts of sacrilege had been committed in the city by
Lysimachus with the connivance of Menelaus, and when report of them
had spread abroad, the populace gathered against Lysimachus, because
many of the gold vessels had already been stolen. 40 Since the crowds
were becoming aroused and filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about
three thousand men and launched an unjust attack, under the
leadership of a certain Auranus, a man advanced in years and no less
advanced in folly. 41 But when the Jews became aware that Lysimachus
was attacking them, some picked up stones, some blocks of wood, and
others took handfuls of the ashes that were lying around, and threw
them in wild confusion at Lysimachus and his men. 42 As a result, they
wounded many of them, and killed some, and put all the rest to flight;
the temple robber himself they killed close by the treasury.

43 Charges were brought against Menelaus about this incident. 44
When the king came to Tyre, three men sent by the senate presented
the case before him. 45 But Menelaus, already as good as beaten,
promised a substantial bribe to Ptolemy son of Dorymenes to win over
the king. 46 Therefore Ptolemy, taking the king aside into a colonnade
as if for refreshment, induced the king to change his mind. 47
Menelaus, the cause of all the trouble, he acquitted of the charges
against him, while he sentenced to death those unfortunate men, who
would have been freed uncondemned if they had pleaded even before
Scythians. 48 And so those who had spoken for the city and the villages
and the holy vessels quickly suffered the unjust penalty. 49 Therefore
even the Tyrians, showing their hatred of the crime, provided
magnificently for their funeral. 50 But Menelaus, because of the greed
of those in power, remained in office, growing in wickedness, having
become the chief plotter against his compatriots.

[2 Maccabees 5]
Antiochus IV desecrates the Temple


1 About this time Antiochus made his second invasion of Egypt. 2 And it
happened that, for almost forty days, there appeared over all the city
golden-clad cavalry charging through the air, in companies fully armed

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2 MACCABEES 366

5 When a false rumor arose that Antiochus was dead, Jason took no
fewer than a thousand men and suddenly made an assault on the city.
When the troops on the wall had been forced back and at last the city
was being taken, Menelaus took refuge in the citadel. 6 But Jason kept
relentlessly slaughtering his compatriots, not realizing that success at
the cost of one's kindred is the greatest misfortune, but imagining that
he was setting up trophies of victory over enemies and not over
compatriots. 7 He did not, however, gain control of the government; in
the end he got only disgrace from his conspiracy, and fled again into
the country of the Ammonites. 8 Finally he met a miserable end.
Accused before Aretas the ruler of the Arabs, fleeing from city to city,
pursued by everyone, hated as a rebel against the laws, and abhorred
as the executioner of his country and his compatriots, he was cast
ashore in Egypt. 9 There he who had driven many from their own
country into exile died in exile, having embarked to go to the
Lacedaemonians in hope of finding protection because of their kinship.
10 He who had cast out many to lie unburied had no one to mourn for
him; he had no funeral of any sort and no place in the tomb of his
ancestors.

11 When news of what had happened reached the king, he took it to
mean that Judea was in revolt. So, raging inwardly, he left Egypt and
took the city by storm. 12 He commanded his soldiers to cut down
relentlessly everyone they met and to kill those who went into their
houses. 13 Then there was massacre of young and old, destruction of
boys, women, and children, and slaughter of young girls and infants. 14
Within the total of three days eighty thousand were destroyed, forty
thousand in hand-to-hand fighting, and as many were sold into slavery
as were killed.

15 Not content with this, Antiochus dared to enter the most holy
temple in all the world, guided by Menelaus, who had become a traitor

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both to the laws and to his country. 16 He took the holy vessels with his
polluted hands, and swept away with profane hands the votive
offerings that other kings had made to enhance the glory and honor of
the place. 17 Antiochus was elated in spirit, and did not perceive that
the Lord was angered for a little while because of the sins of those
who lived in the city, and that this was the reason he was disregarding
the holy place. 18 But if it had not happened that they were involved in
many sins, this man would have been flogged and turned back from his
rash act as soon as he came forward, just as Heliodorus had been,
whom King Seleucus sent to inspect the treasury. 19 But the Lord did
not choose the nation for the sake of the holy place, but the place for
the sake of the nation. 20 Therefore the place itself shared in the
misfortunes that befell the nation and afterward participated in its
benefits; and what was forsaken in the wrath of the Almighty was
restored again in all its glory when the great Lord became reconciled.

21 So Antiochus carried off eighteen hundred talents from the temple,
and hurried away to Antioch, thinking in his arrogance that he could
sail on the land and walk on the sea, because his mind was elated. 22
He left governors to oppress the people: at Jerusalem, Philip, by birth a
Phrygian and in character more barbarous than the man who
appointed him; 23 and at Gerizim, Andronicus; and besides these
Menelaus, who lorded it over his compatriots worse than the others
did. In his malice toward the Jewish citizens, 24 Antiochus sent
Apollonius, the captain of the Mysians, with an army of twenty-two
thousand, and commanded him to kill all the grown men and to sell
the women and boys as slaves. 25 When this man arrived in Jerusalem,
he pretended to be peaceably disposed and waited until the holy
sabbath day; then, finding the Jews not at work, he ordered his troops
to parade under arms. 26 He put to the sword all those who came out
to see them, then rushed into the city with his armed warriors and
killed great numbers of people.

27 But Judas Maccabeus, with about nine others, got away to the
wilderness, and kept himself and his companions alive in the
mountains as wild animals do; they continued to live on what grew
wild, so that they might not share in the defilement.

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[2 Maccabees 6]
Campaign against Judaism

1 Not long after this, the king sent an Athenian senator to compel the
Jews to forsake the laws of their ancestors and no longer to live by the
laws of God; 2 also to pollute the temple in Jerusalem and to call it the
temple of Olympian Zeus, and to call the one in Gerizim the temple of
Zeus-the-Friend-of-Strangers, as did the people who lived in that place.

3 Harsh and utterly grievous was the onslaught of evil. 4 For the temple
was filled with debauchery and reveling by the Gentiles, who dallied
with prostitutes and had intercourse with women within the sacred
precincts, and besides brought in things for sacrifice that were unfit. 5
The altar was covered with abominable offerings that were forbidden
by the laws. 6 People could neither keep the sabbath, nor observe the
festivals of their ancestors, nor so much as confess themselves to be
Jews.

The first martyrdoms

7 On the monthly celebration of the king's birthday, the Jews were
taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when a
festival of Dionysus was celebrated, they were compelled to wear
wreaths of ivy and to walk in the procession in honor of Dionysus. 8 At
the suggestion of the people of Ptolemais a decree was issued to the
neighboring Greek cities that they should adopt the same policy
toward the Jews and make them partake of the sacrifices, 9 and should
kill those who did not choose to change over to Greek customs. One
could see, therefore, the misery that had come upon them. 10 For
example, two women were brought in for having circumcised their
children. They publicly paraded them around the city, with their babies
hanging at their breasts, and then hurled them down headlong from
the wall. 11 Others who had assembled in the caves nearby, in order to
observe the seventh day secretly, were betrayed to Philip and were all
burned together, because their piety kept them from defending
themselves, in view of their regard for that most holy day.

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2 MACCABEES 369

Martyrdom of Eleazar

18 Eleazar, one of the scribes in high position, a man now advanced in
age and of noble presence, was being forced to open his mouth to eat
swine's flesh. 19 But he, welcoming death with honor rather than life
with pollution, went up to the rack of his own accord, spitting out the
flesh, 20 as all ought to go who have the courage to refuse things that
it is not right to taste, even for the natural love of life.

21 Those who were in charge of that unlawful sacrifice took the man
aside because of their long acquaintance with him, and privately urged
him to bring meat of his own providing, proper for him to use, and to
pretend that he was eating the flesh of the sacrificial meal that had
been commanded by the king, 22 so that by doing this he might be
saved from death, and be treated kindly on account of his old
friendship with them. 23 But making a high resolve, worthy of his years
and the dignity of his old age and the gray hairs that he had reached
with distinction and his excellent life even from childhood, and
moreover according to the holy God-given law, he declared himself
quickly, telling them to send him to Hades.

24 "Such pretense is not worthy of our time of life," he said, "for many
of the young might suppose that Eleazar in his ninetieth year had gone
over to an alien religion, 25 and through my pretense, for the sake of
living a brief moment longer, they would be led astray because of me,

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2 MACCABEES 370

When he had said this, he went at once to the rack. 29 Those who a
little before had acted toward him with goodwill now changed to ill
will, because the words he had uttered were in their opinion sheer
madness. 30 When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned
aloud and said: "It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that,
though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible
sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to
suffer these things because I fear him."

31 So in this way he died, leaving in his death an example of nobility
and a memorial of courage, not only to the young but to the great
body of his nation.

[2 Maccabees 7]
Martyrdom of seven brothers and their mother


1 It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested
and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and
thongs, to partake of unlawful swine's flesh. 2 One of them, acting as
their spokesman, said, "What do you intend to ask and learn from us?
For we are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our
ancestors."

3 The king fell into a rage, and gave orders to have pans and caldrons
heated. 4 These were heated immediately, and he commanded that
the tongue of their spokesman be cut out and that they scalp him and
cut off his hands and feet, while the rest of the brothers and the
mother looked on. 5 When he was utterly helpless, the king ordered
them to take him to the fire, still breathing, and to fry him in a pan.
The smoke from the pan spread widely, but the brothers and their
mother encouraged one another to die nobly, saying, 6 "The Lord God

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2 MACCABEES 371

7 After the first brother had died in this way, they brought forward the
second for their sport. They tore off the skin of his head with the hair,
and asked him, "Will you eat rather than have your body punished
limb by limb?" 8 He replied in the language of his ancestors and said to
them, "No." Therefore he in turn underwent tortures as the first
brother had done. 9 And when he was at his last breath, he said, "You
accursed wretch, you dismiss us from this present life, but the King of
the universe will raise us up to an everlasting renewal of life, because
we have died for his laws."

10 After him, the third was the victim of their sport. When it was
demanded, he quickly put out his tongue and courageously stretched
forth his hands, 11 and said nobly, "I got these from Heaven, and
because of his laws I disdain them, and from him I hope to get them
back again." 12 As a result the king himself and those with him were
astonished at the young man's spirit, for he regarded his sufferings as
nothing.

13 After he too had died, they maltreated and tortured the fourth in
the same way. 14 When he was near death, he said, "One cannot but
choose to die at the hands of mortals and to cherish the hope God
gives of being raised again by him. But for you there will be no
resurrection to life!"

15 Next they brought forward the fifth and maltreated him. 16 But he
looked at the king, and said, "Because you have authority among
mortals, though you also are mortal, you do what you please. But do
not think that God has forsaken our people. 17 Keep on, and see how
his mighty power will torture you and your descendants!"

18 After him they brought forward the sixth. And when he was about
to die, he said, "Do not deceive yourself in vain. For we are suffering
these things on our own account, because of our sins against our own

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2 MACCABEES 372

20 The mother was especially admirable and worthy of honorable
memory. Although she saw her seven sons perish within a single day,
she bore it with good courage because of her hope in the Lord. 21 She
encouraged each of them in the language of their ancestors. Filled
with a noble spirit, she reinforced her woman's reasoning with a man's
courage, and said to them, 22 "I do not know how you came into being
in my womb. It was not I who gave you life and breath, nor I who set in
order the elements within each of you. 23 Therefore the Creator of the
world, who shaped the beginning of humankind and devised the
origin of all things, will in his mercy give life and breath back to you
again, since you now forget yourselves for the sake of his laws."

24 Antiochus felt that he was being treated with contempt, and he was
suspicious of her reproachful tone. The youngest brother being still
alive, Antiochus not only appealed to him in words, but promised with
oaths that he would make him rich and enviable if he would turn from
the ways of his ancestors, and that he would take him for his Friend
and entrust him with public affairs. 25 Since the young man would not
listen to him at all, the king called the mother to him and urged her to
advise the youth to save himself. 26 After much urging on his part, she
undertook to persuade her son. 27 But, leaning close to him, she spoke
in their native language as follows, deriding the cruel tyrant: "My son,
have pity on me. I carried you nine months in my womb, and nursed
you for three years, and have reared you and brought you up to this
point in your life, and have taken care of you. 28 I beg you, my child, to
look at the heaven and the earth and see everything that is in them,
and recognize that God did not make them out of things that existed.
And in the same way the human race came into being. 29 Do not fear
this butcher, but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death, so that
in God's mercy I may get you back again along with your brothers."

30 While she was still speaking, the young man said, "What are you
waiting for? I will not obey the king's command, but I obey the
command of the law that was given to our ancestors through Moses. 31
But you, who have contrived all sorts of evil against the Hebrews, will

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2 MACCABEES 373

39 The king fell into a rage, and handled him worse than the others,
being exasperated at his scorn. 40 So he died in his integrity, putting
his whole trust in the Lord.

41 Last of all, the mother died, after her sons.

42 Let this be enough, then, about the eating of sacrifices and the
extreme tortures.

[2 Maccabees 8]
Judas Maccabeus begins the revolt


1 Meanwhile Judas, who was also called Maccabeus, and his
companions secretly entered the villages and summoned their kindred
and enlisted those who had continued in the Jewish faith, and so they
gathered about six thousand. 2 They implored the Lord to look upon
the people who were oppressed by all; and to have pity on the temple
that had been profaned by the godless; 3 to have mercy on the city
that was being destroyed and about to be leveled to the ground; to
hearken to the blood that cried out to him; 4 to remember also the
lawless destruction of the innocent babies and the blasphemies
committed against his name; and to show his hatred of evil.

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2 MACCABEES 374

First victory over Nicanor

8 When Philip saw that the man was gaining ground little by little, and
that he was pushing ahead with more frequent successes, he wrote to
Ptolemy, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, to come to the aid
of the king's government. 9 Then Ptolemy promptly appointed Nicanor
son of Patroclus, one of the king's chief Friends, and sent him, in
command of no fewer than twenty thousand Gentiles of all nations, to
wipe out the whole race of Judea. He associated with him Gorgias, a
general and a man of experience in military service. 10 Nicanor
determined to make up for the king the tribute due to the Romans,
two thousand talents, by selling the captured Jews into slavery. 11 So he
immediately sent to the towns on the seacoast, inviting them to buy
Jewish slaves and promising to hand over ninety slaves for a talent, not
expecting the judgment from the Almighty that was about to overtake
him.

12 Word came to Judas concerning Nicanor's invasion; and when he
told his companions of the arrival of the army, 13 those who were
cowardly and distrustful of God's justice ran off and got away. 14
Others sold all their remaining property, and at the same time
implored the Lord to rescue those who had been sold by the ungodly
Nicanor before he ever met them, 15 if not for their own sake, then for
the sake of the covenants made with their ancestors, and because he
had called them by his holy and glorious name. 16 But Maccabeus
gathered his forces together, to the number six thousand, and
exhorted them not to be frightened by the enemy and not to fear the
great multitude of Gentiles who were wickedly coming against them,
but to fight nobly, 17 keeping before their eyes the lawless outrage
that the Gentiles had committed against the holy place, and the
torture of the derided city, and besides, the overthrow of their

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19 Moreover, he told them of the occasions when help came to their
ancestors; how, in the time of Sennacherib, when one hundred eighty-
five thousand perished, 20 and the time of the battle against the
Galatians that took place in Babylonia, when eight thousand Jews
fought along with four thousand Macedonians; yet when the
Macedonians were hard pressed, the eight thousand, by the help that
came to them from heaven, destroyed one hundred twenty thousand
Galatians and took a great amount of booty.

21 With these words he filled them with courage and made them ready
to die for their laws and their country; then he divided his army into
four parts. 22 He appointed his brothers also, Simon and Joseph and
Jonathan, each to command a division, putting fifteen hundred men
under each. 23 Besides, he appointed Eleazar to read aloud from the
holy book, and gave the watchword, "The help of God"; then, leading
the first division himself, he joined battle with Nicanor.

24 With the Almighty as their ally, they killed more than nine thousand
of the enemy, and wounded and disabled most of Nicanor's army, and
forced them all to flee. 25 They captured the money of those who had
come to buy them as slaves. After pursuing them for some distance,
they were obliged to return because the hour was late. 26 It was the
day before the sabbath, and for that reason they did not continue their
pursuit. 27 When they had collected the arms of the enemy and
stripped them of their spoils, they kept the sabbath, giving great praise
and thanks to the Lord, who had preserved them for that day and
allotted it to them as the beginning of mercy. 28 After the sabbath
they gave some of the spoils to those who had been tortured and to
the widows and orphans, and distributed the rest among themselves
and their children. 29 When they had done this, they made common
supplication and implored the merciful Lord to be wholly reconciled
with his servants.

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Other victories

30 In encounters with the forces of Timothy and Bacchides they killed
more than twenty thousand of them and got possession of some
exceedingly high strongholds, and they divided a very large amount of
plunder, giving to those who had been tortured and to the orphans
and widows, and also to the aged, shares equal to their own. 31 They
collected the arms of the enemy, and carefully stored all of them in
strategic places; the rest of the spoils they carried to Jerusalem. 32 They
killed the commander of Timothy's forces, a most wicked man, and one
who had greatly troubled the Jews. 33 While they were celebrating the
victory in the city of their ancestors, they burned those who had set fire
to the sacred gates, Callisthenes and some others, who had fled into
one little house; so these received the proper reward for their impiety.

34 The thrice-accursed Nicanor, who had brought the thousand
merchants to buy the Jews, 35 having been humbled with the help of
the Lord by opponents whom he regarded as of the least account, took
off his splendid uniform and made his way alone like a runaway slave
across the country until he reached Antioch, having succeeded chiefly
in the destruction of his own army! 36 So he who had undertaken to
secure tribute for the Romans by the capture of the people of
Jerusalem proclaimed that the Jews had a Defender, and that
therefore the Jews were invulnerable, because they followed the laws
ordained by him.

[2 Maccabees 9]
The illness of Antiochus

1 About that time, as it happened, Antiochus had retreated in disorder
from the region of Persia. 2 He had entered the city called Persepolis
and attempted to rob the temples and control the city. Therefore the
people rushed to the rescue with arms, and Antiochus and his army
were defeated, with the result that Antiochus was put to flight by the
inhabitants and beat a shameful retreat. 3 While he was in Ecbatana,
news came to him of what had happened to Nicanor and the forces of
Timothy. 4 Transported with rage, he conceived the idea of turning
upon the Jews the injury done by those who had put him to flight; so

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5 But the all-seeing Lord, the God of Israel, struck him with an
incurable and invisible blow. As soon as he stopped speaking he was
seized with a pain in his bowels, for which there was no relief, and
with sharp internal tortures — 6 and that very justly, for he had
tortured the bowels of others with many and strange inflictions. 7 Yet
he did not in any way stop his insolence, but was even more filled with
arrogance, breathing fire in his rage against the Jews, and giving
orders to drive even faster. And so it came about that he fell out of his
chariot as it was rushing along, and the fall was so hard as to torture
every limb of his body. 8 Thus he who only a little while before had
thought in his superhuman arrogance that he could command the
waves of the sea, and had imagined that he could weigh the high
mountains in a balance, was brought down to earth and carried in a
litter, making the power of God manifest to all. 9 And so the ungodly
man's body swarmed with worms, and while he was still living in
anguish and pain, his flesh rotted away, and because of the stench the
whole army felt revulsion at his decay. 10 Because of his intolerable
stench no one was able to carry the man who a little while before had
thought that he could touch the stars of heaven. 11 Then it was that,
broken in spirit, he began to lose much of his arrogance and to come
to his senses under the scourge of God, for he was tortured with pain
every moment. 12 And when he could not endure his own stench, he
uttered these words, "It is right to be subject to God; mortals should
not think that they are equal to God."

Repentance and death of Antiochus

13 Then the abominable fellow made a vow to the Lord, who would no
longer have mercy on him, stating 14 that the holy city, which he was
hurrying to level to the ground and to make a cemetery, he was now
declaring to be free; 15 and the Jews, whom he had not considered
worth burying but had planned to throw out with their children for
the wild animals and for the birds to eat, he would make, all of them,

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19 "To his worthy Jewish citizens, Antiochus their king and general
sends hearty greetings and good wishes for their health and prosperity.
20 If you and your children are well and your affairs are as you wish, I
am glad. As my hope is in heaven, 21 I remember with affection your
esteem and goodwill. On my way back from the region of Persia I
suffered an annoying illness, and I have deemed it necessary to take
thought for the general security of all. 22 I do not despair of my
condition, for I have good hope of recovering from my illness, 23 but I
observed that my father, on the occasions when he made expeditions
into the upper country, appointed his successor, 24 so that, if anything
unexpected happened or any unwelcome news came, the people
throughout the realm would not be troubled, for they would know to
whom the government was left. 25 Moreover, I understand how the
princes along the borders and the neighbors of my kingdom keep
watching for opportunities and waiting to see what will happen. So I
have appointed my son Antiochus to be king, whom I have often
entrusted and commended to most of you when I hurried off to the
upper provinces; and I have written to him what is written here. 26 I
therefore urge and beg you to remember the public and private
services rendered to you and to maintain your present goodwill, each
of you, toward me and my son. 27 For I am sure that he will follow my
policy and will treat you with moderation and kindness."

28 So the murderer and blasphemer, having endured the more intense
suffering, such as he had inflicted on others, came to the end of his life
by a most pitiable fate, among the mountains in a strange land. 29 And
Philip, one of his courtiers, took his body home; then, fearing the son
of Antiochus, he withdrew to Ptolemy Philometor in Egypt.

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[2 Maccabees 10]
Purification of the Temple

1 Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on,
recovered the temple and the city; 2 they tore down the altars that had
been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed
the sacred precincts. 3 They purified the sanctuary, and made another
altar of sacrifice; then, striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices,
after a lapse of two years, and they offered incense and lighted lamps
and set out the bread of the Presence. 4 When they had done this, they
fell prostrate and implored the Lord that they might never again fall
into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever sin, they might be
disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to
blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5 It happened that on the same
day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the
purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day
of the same month, which was Chislev. 6 They celebrated it for eight
days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival of booths,
remembering how not long before, during the festival of booths, they
had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. 7
Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and
also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who
had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8 They
decreed by public edict, ratified by vote, that the whole nation of the
Jews should observe these days every year.

9 Such then was the end of Antiochus, who was called Epiphanes.

Accession of Antiochus V Eupator and Ptolemy Macron

10 Now we will tell what took place under Antiochus Eupator, who was
the son of that ungodly man, and will give a brief summary of the
principal calamities of the wars. 11 This man, when he succeeded to the
kingdom, appointed one Lysias to have charge of the government and
to be chief governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia. 12 Ptolemy, who was
called Macron, took the lead in showing justice to the Jews because of
the wrong that had been done to them, and attempted to maintain
peaceful relations with them. 13 As a result he was accused before

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Attacks on the Idumeans

14 When Gorgias became governor of the region, he maintained a
force of mercenaries, and at every turn kept attacking the Jews. 15
Besides this, the Idumeans, who had control of important strongholds,
were harassing the Jews; they received those who were banished from
Jerusalem, and endeavored to keep up the war. 16 But Maccabeus and
his forces, after making solemn supplication and imploring God to
fight on their side, rushed to the strongholds of the Idumeans. 17
Attacking them vigorously, they gained possession of the places, and
beat off all who fought upon the wall, and slaughtered those whom
they encountered, killing no fewer than twenty thousand.

18 When at least nine thousand took refuge in two very strong towers
well equipped to withstand a siege, 19 Maccabeus left Simon and
Joseph, and also Zacchaeus and his troops, a force sufficient to besiege
them; and he himself set off for places where he was more urgently
needed. 20 But those with Simon, who were money-hungry, were
bribed by some of those who were in the towers, and on receiving
seventy thousand drachmas let some of them slip away. 21 When word
of what had happened came to Maccabeus, he gathered the leaders of
the people, and accused these men of having sold their kindred for
money by setting their enemies free to fight against them. 22 Then he
killed these men who had turned traitor, and immediately captured
the two towers. 23 Having success at arms in everything he undertook,
he destroyed more than twenty thousand in the two strongholds.

Victory over Timothy

24 Now Timothy, who had been defeated by the Jews before, gathered
a tremendous force of mercenaries and collected the cavalry from Asia
in no small number. He came on, intending to take Judea by storm. 25

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29 When the battle became fierce, there appeared to the enemy from
heaven five resplendent men on horses with golden bridles, and they
were leading the Jews. 30 Two of them took Maccabeus between
them, and shielding him with their own armor and weapons, they kept
him from being wounded. They showered arrows and thunderbolts on
the enemy, so that, confused and blinded, they were thrown into
disorder and cut to pieces. 31 Twenty thousand five hundred were
slaughtered, besides six hundred cavalry.

32 Timothy himself fled to a stronghold called Gazara, especially well
garrisoned, where Chaereas was commander. 33 Then Maccabeus and
his men were glad, and they besieged the fort for four days. 34 The
men within, relying on the strength of the place, kept blaspheming
terribly and uttering wicked words. 35 But at dawn of the fifth day,
twenty young men in the army of Maccabeus, fired with anger because
of the blasphemies, bravely stormed the wall and with savage fury cut
down everyone they met. 36 Others who came up in the same way
wheeled around against the defenders and set fire to the towers; they
kindled fires and burned the blasphemers alive. Others broke open the
gates and let in the rest of the force, and they occupied the city. 37
They killed Timothy, who was hiding in a cistern, and his brother
Chaereas, and Apollophanes. 38 When they had accomplished these
things, with hymns and thanksgivings they blessed the Lord who shows
great kindness to Israel and gives them the victory.

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[2 Maccabees 11]
Victory over Lysias at Beth-zur


1 Very soon after this, Lysias, the king's guardian and kinsman, who
was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened,
2 gathered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came
against the Jews. He intended to make the city a home for Greeks, 3
and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the
other nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year. 4
He took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated
with his ten thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and
his eighty elephants. 5 Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which
was a fortified place about five stadia from Jerusalem, and pressed it
hard.

6 When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias was besieging the
strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears,
prayed the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel. 7 Maccabeus
himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk
their lives with him to aid their kindred. Then they eagerly rushed off
together. 8 And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a
horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing
weapons of gold. 9 And together they all praised the merciful God,
and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only humans but
the wildest animals or walls of iron. 10 They advanced in battle order,
having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them. 11 They
hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, and laid low eleven
thousand of them and sixteen hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest
to flee. 12 Most of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lysias
himself escaped by disgraceful flight.

13 As he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat
that had befallen him, and realized that the Hebrews were invincible
because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sent to them 14
and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that
he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend. 15
Maccabeus, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that

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Lysias urged. For the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews
which Maccabeus delivered to Lysias in writing.

Letters of Lysias, Antiochus V, and the Romans

16 The letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect:

 "Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings. 17 John and Absalom,
who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and
have asked about the matters indicated in it. 18 I have informed the
king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has
agreed to what was possible. 19 If you will maintain your goodwill
toward the government, I will endeavor in the future to help promote
your welfare. 20 And concerning such matters and their details, I have
ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you. 21
Farewell. The one hundred forty-eighth year, Dioscorinthius twenty-
fourth."

22 The king's letter ran thus:

"King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings. 23 Now that our
father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the
kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs. 24 We have
heard that the Jews do not consent to our father's change to Greek
customs, but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own
customs be allowed them. 25 Accordingly, since we choose that this
nation also should be free from disturbance, our decision is that their
temple be restored to them and that they shall live according to the
customs of their ancestors. 26 You will do well, therefore, to send word
to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know
our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of
their own affairs."

27 To the nation the king's letter was as follows:

 "King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews,
greetings. 28 If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good
health. 29 Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and
look after your own affairs. 30 Therefore those who go home by the
thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full
permission 31 for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws, just as

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34 The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus:

"Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the
people of the Jews, greetings. 35 With regard to what Lysias the
kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent. 36 But as to
the matters that he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as
you have considered them, send some one promptly so that we may
make proposals appropriate for you. For we are on our way to Antioch.
37 Therefore make haste and send messengers so that we may have
your judgment. 38 Farewell. The one hundred forty-eighth year,
Xanthicus fifteenth."

[2 Maccabees 12]
Attacks on Joppa, Jamnia, and Caspin


1 When this agreement had been reached, Lysias returned to the king,
and the Jews went about their farming.

2 But some of the governors in various places, Timothy and Apollonius
son of Gennaeus, as well as Hieronymus and Demophon, and in
addition to these Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not let them
live quietly and in peace. 3 And the people of Joppa did so ungodly a
deed as this: they invited the Jews who lived among them to embark,
with their wives and children, on boats that they had provided, as
though there were no ill will to the Jews; 4 and this was done by public
vote of the city. When they accepted, because they wished to live
peaceably and suspected nothing, the people of Joppa took them out
to sea and drowned them, at least two hundred. 5 When Judas heard
of the cruelty visited on his compatriots, he gave orders to his men 6
and, calling upon God, the righteous judge, attacked the murderers of
his kindred. He set fire to the harbor by night, burned the boats, and
massacred those who had taken refuge there. 7 Then, because the
city's gates were closed, he withdrew, intending to come again and
root out the whole community of Joppa. 8 But learning that the

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10 When they had gone more than a mile from there, on their march
against Timothy, at least five thousand Arabs with five hundred cavalry
attacked them. 11 After a hard fight, Judas and his companions, with
God's help, were victorious. The defeated nomads begged Judas to
grant them pledges of friendship, promising to give him livestock and
to help his people in all other ways. 12 Judas, realizing that they might
indeed be useful in many ways, agreed to make peace with them; and
after receiving his pledges they went back to their tents.

13 He also attacked a certain town that was strongly fortified with
earthworks and walls, and inhabited by all sorts of Gentiles. Its name
was Caspin. 14 Those who were within, relying on the strength of the
walls and on their supply of provisions, behaved most insolently
toward Judas and his men, railing at them and even blaspheming and
saying unholy things. 15 But Judas and his men, calling upon the great
Sovereign of the world, who without battering rams or engines of war
overthrew Jericho in the days of Joshua, rushed furiously upon the
walls. 16 They took the town by the will of God, and slaughtered
untold numbers, so that the adjoining lake, a quarter of a mile wide,
appeared to be running over with blood.

Battles in the northeast

17 When they had gone ninety-five miles from there, they came to
Charax, to the Jews who are called Toubiani. 18 They did not find
Timothy in that region, for he had by then left there without
accomplishing anything, though in one place he had left a very strong
garrison. 19 Dositheus and Sosipater, who were captains under
Maccabeus, marched out and destroyed those whom Timothy had left
in the stronghold, more than ten thousand men. 20 But Maccabeus
arranged his army in divisions, set men in command of the divisions,
and hurried after Timothy, who had with him one hundred twenty
thousand infantry and two thousand five hundred cavalry. 21 When

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24 Timothy himself fell into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater and
their men. With great guile he begged them to let him go in safety,
because he held the parents of most of them, and the brothers of
some, to whom no consideration would be shown. 25 And when with
many words he had confirmed his solemn promise to restore them
unharmed, they let him go, for the sake of saving their kindred.

26 Then Judas marched against Carnaim and the temple of Atargatis,
and slaughtered twenty-five thousand people. 27 After the rout and
destruction of these, he marched also against Ephron, a fortified town
where Lysias lived with multitudes of people of all nationalities.
Stalwart young men took their stand before the walls and made a
vigorous defense; and great stores of war engines and missiles were
there. 28 But the Jews called upon the Sovereign who with power
shatters the might of his enemies, and they got the town into their
hands, and killed as many as twenty-five thousand of those who were
in it.

29 Setting out from there, they hastened to Scythopolis, which is
seventy-five miles from Jerusalem. 30 But when the Jews who lived
there bore witness to the goodwill that the people of Scythopolis had
shown them and their kind treatment of them in times of misfortune,
31 they thanked them and exhorted them to be well disposed to their
race in the future also. Then they went up to Jerusalem, as the festival
of weeks was close at hand.

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Battle with Gorgias

32 After the festival called Pentecost, they hurried against Gorgias, the
governor of Idumea, 33 who came out with three thousand infantry
and four hundred cavalry. 34 When they joined battle, it happened
that a few of the Jews fell. 35 But a certain Dositheus, one of Bacenor's
men, who was on horseback and was a strong man, caught hold of
Gorgias, and grasping his cloak was dragging him off by main strength,
wishing to take the accursed man alive, when one of the Thracian
cavalry bore down on him and cut off his arm; so Gorgias escaped and
reached Marisa.

36 As Esdris and his men had been fighting for a long time and were
weary, Judas called upon the Lord to show himself their ally and leader
in the battle. 37 In the language of their ancestors he raised the battle
cry, with hymns; then he charged against Gorgias's troops when they
were not expecting it, and put them to flight.

Prayers for the dead

38 Then Judas assembled his army and went to the city of Adullam. As
the seventh day was coming on, they purified themselves according to
the custom, and kept the sabbath there.

39 On the next day, as had now become necessary, Judas and his men
went to take up the bodies of the fallen and to bring them back to lie
with their kindred in the sepulchres of their ancestors. 40 Then under
the tunic of each one of the dead they found sacred tokens of the idols
of Jamnia, which the law forbids the Jews to wear. And it became clear
to all that this was the reason these men had fallen. 41 So they all
blessed the ways of the Lord, the righteous judge, who reveals the
things that are hidden; 42 and they turned to supplication, praying
that the sin that had been committed might be wholly blotted out. The
noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves free from sin, for
they had seen with their own eyes what had happened as the result of
the sin of those who had fallen. 43 He also took up a collection, man by
man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to
Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well

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[2 Maccabees 13]
Death of Menelaus

1 In the one hundred forty-ninth year word came to Judas and his men
that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a great army against Judea, 2
and with him Lysias, his guardian, who had charge of the government.
Each of them had a Greek force of one hundred ten thousand infantry,
five thousand three hundred cavalry, twenty-two elephants, and three
hundred chariots armed with scythes.

3 Menelaus also joined them and with utter hypocrisy urged Antiochus
on, not for the sake of his country's welfare, but because he thought
that he would be established in office. 4 But the King of kings aroused
the anger of Antiochus against the scoundrel; and when Lysias
informed him that this man was to blame for all the trouble, he
ordered them to take him to Beroea and to put him to death by the
method that is customary in that place. 5 For there is a tower there,
fifty cubits high, full of ashes, and it has a rim running around it that
on all sides inclines precipitously into the ashes. 6 There they all push to
destruction anyone guilty of sacrilege or notorious for other crimes. 7
By such a fate it came about that Menelaus the lawbreaker died,
without even burial in the earth. 8 And this was eminently just;
because he had committed many sins against the altar whose fire and
ashes were holy, he met his death in ashes.

Preliminary skirmish

9 The king with barbarous arrogance was coming to show the Jews
things far worse than those that had been done in his father's time. 10
But when Judas heard of this, he ordered the people to call upon the

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13 After consulting privately with the elders, he determined to march
out and decide the matter by the help of God before the king's army
could enter Judea and get possession of the city. 14 So, committing the
decision to the Creator of the world and exhorting his troops to fight
bravely to the death for the laws, temple, city, country, and
commonwealth, he pitched his camp near Modein. 15 He gave his
troops the watchword, "God's victory," and with a picked force of the
bravest young men, he attacked the king's pavilion at night and killed
as many as two thousand men in the camp. He stabbed the leading
elephant and its rider. 16 In the end they filled the camp with terror
and confusion and withdrew in triumph. 17 This happened, just as day
was dawning, because the LORD's help protected him.

Attack on Beth-zur

18 The king, having had a taste of the daring of the Jews, tried strategy
in attacking their positions. 19 He advanced against Beth-zur, a strong
fortress of the Jews, was turned back, attacked again, and was
defeated. 20 Judas sent in to the garrison whatever was necessary. 21
But Rhodocus, a man from the ranks of the Jews, gave secret
information to the enemy; he was sought for, caught, and put in
prison. 22 The king negotiated a second time with the people in Bethzur,
gave pledges, received theirs, withdrew, attacked Judas and his
men, was defeated; 23 he got word that Philip, who had been left in
charge of the government, had revolted in Antioch; he was dismayed,
called in the Jews, yielded and swore to observe all their rights, settled
with them and offered sacrifice, honored the sanctuary and showed
generosity to the holy place. 24 He received Maccabeus, left
Hegemonides as governor from Ptolemais to Gerar, 25 and went to
Ptolemais. The people of Ptolemais were indignant over the treaty; in

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[2 Maccabees 14]
Accession of Demtrius I

1 Three years later, word came to Judas and his men that Demetrius son
of Seleucus had sailed into the harbor of Tripolis with a strong army
and a fleet, 2 and had taken possession of the country, having made
away with Antiochus and his guardian Lysias.

3 Now a certain Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest but had
willfully defiled himself in the times of separation, realized that there
was no way for him to be safe or to have access again to the holy altar,
4 and went to King Demetrius in about the one hundred fifty-first year,
presenting to him a crown of gold and a palm, and besides these some
of the customary olive branches from the temple. During that day he
kept quiet. 5 But he found an opportunity that furthered his mad
purpose when he was invited by Demetrius to a meeting of the council
and was asked about the attitude and intentions of the Jews. He
answered:

6 "Those of the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose leader is Judas
Maccabeus, are keeping up war and stirring up sedition, and will not
let the kingdom attain tranquility. 7 Therefore I have laid aside my
ancestral glory — I mean the high priesthood — and have now come
here, 8 first because I am genuinely concerned for the interests of the
king, and second because I have regard also for my compatriots. For
through the folly of those whom I have mentioned our whole nation is
now in no small misfortune. 9 Since you are acquainted, O king, with
the details of this matter, may it please you to take thought for our
country and our hard-pressed nation with the gracious kindness that
you show to all. 10 For as long as Judas lives, it is impossible for the
government to find peace."

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Appointment of Nicanor and Alcimus

11 When he had said this, the rest of the king's Friends, who were
hostile to Judas, quickly inflamed Demetrius still more. 12 He
immediately chose Nicanor, who had been in command of the
elephants, appointed him governor of Judea, and sent him off 13 with
orders to kill Judas and scatter his troops, and to install Alcimus as high
priest of the great temple. 14 And the Gentiles throughout Judea, who
had fled before Judas, flocked to join Nicanor, thinking that the
misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would mean prosperity for
themselves.

Nicanor seeks friendship with Judas

15 When the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming and the gathering of the
Gentiles, they sprinkled dust on their heads and prayed to him who
established his own people forever and always upholds his own
heritage by manifesting himself. 16 At the command of the leader, they
set out from there immediately and engaged them in battle at a village
called Dessau. 17 Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered
Nicanor, but had been temporarily checked because of the sudden
consternation created by the enemy.

18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of Judas and his troops
and their courage in battle for their country, shrank from deciding the
issue by bloodshed. 19 Therefore he sent Posidonius, Theodotus, and
Mattathias to give and receive pledges of friendship. 20 When the
terms had been fully considered, and the leader had informed the
people, and it had appeared that they were of one mind, they agreed
to the covenant. 21 The leaders set a day on which to meet by
themselves. A chariot came forward from each army; seats of honor
were set in place; 22 Judas posted armed men in readiness at key places
to prevent sudden treachery on the part of the enemy; so they duly
held the consultation.

23 Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing out of the way, but
dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered. 24 And he kept Judas
always in his presence; he was warmly attached to the man. 25 He

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26 But when Alcimus noticed their goodwill for one another, he took
the covenant that had been made and went to Demetrius. He told him
that Nicanor was disloyal to the government, since he had appointed
that conspirator against the kingdom, Judas, to be his successor. 27 The
king became excited and, provoked by the false accusations of that
depraved man, wrote to Nicanor, stating that he was displeased with
the covenant and commanding him to send Maccabeus to Antioch as a
prisoner without delay.

28 When this message came to Nicanor, he was troubled and grieved
that he had to annul their agreement when the man had done no
wrong. 29 Since it was not possible to oppose the king, he watched for
an opportunity to accomplish this by a stratagem. 30 But Maccabeus,
noticing that Nicanor was more austere in his dealings with him and
was meeting him more rudely than had been his custom, concluded
that this austerity did not spring from the best motives. So he gathered
not a few of his men, and went into hiding from Nicanor. 31 When the
latter became aware that he had been cleverly outwitted by the man,
he went to the great and holy temple while the priests were offering
the customary sacrifices, and commanded them to hand the man over.
32 When they declared on oath that they did not know where the man
was whom he wanted, 33 he stretched out his right hand toward the
sanctuary, and swore this oath: "If you do not hand Judas over to me
as a prisoner, I will level this shrine of God to the ground and tear
down the altar, and build here a splendid temple to Dionysus."

34 Having said this, he went away. Then the priests stretched out their
hands toward heaven and called upon the constant Defender of our
nation, in these words: 35 "O Lord of all, though you have need of
nothing, you were pleased that there should be a temple for your
habitation among us; 36 so now, O holy One, Lord of all holiness, keep
undefiled forever this house that has been so recently purified."

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2 MACCABEES 393


Death of Razis

37 A certain Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, was denounced to
Nicanor as a man who loved his compatriots and was very well thought
of and for his goodwill was called father of the Jews. 38 In former
times, when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, he had been
accused of Judaism, and he had most zealously risked body and life for
Judaism. 39 Nicanor, wishing to exhibit the enmity that he had for the
Jews, sent more than five hundred soldiers to arrest him; 40 for he
thought that by arresting him he would do them an injury. 41 When
the troops were about to capture the tower and were forcing the door
of the courtyard, they ordered that fire be brought and the doors
burned. Being surrounded, Razis fell upon his own sword, 42 preferring
to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of sinners and suffer
outrages unworthy of his noble birth. 43 But in the heat of the struggle
he did not hit exactly, and the crowd was now rushing in through the
doors. He courageously ran up on the wall, and bravely threw himself
down into the crowd. 44 But as they quickly drew back, a space opened
and he fell in the middle of the empty space. 45 Still alive and aflame
with anger, he rose, and though his blood gushed forth and his
wounds were severe he ran through the crowd; and standing upon a
steep rock, 46 with his blood now completely drained from him, he
tore out his entrails, took them in both hands and hurled them at the
crowd, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to give them back to him
again. This was the manner of his death.

[2 Maccabees 15]
Death of Nicanor

1 When Nicanor heard that Judas and his troops were in the region of
Samaria, he made plans to attack them with complete safety on the
day of rest. 2 When the Jews who were compelled to follow him said,
"Do not destroy so savagely and barbarously, but show respect for the
day that he who sees all things has honored and hallowed above other
days," 3 the thrice-accursed wretch asked if there were a sovereign in
heaven who had commanded the keeping of the sabbath day. 4 When
they declared, "It is the living Lord himself, the Sovereign in heaven,
who ordered us to observe the seventh day," 5 he replied, "But I am a

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2 MACCABEES 394

6 This Nicanor in his utter boastfulness and arrogance had determined
to erect a public monument of victory over Judas and his forces. 7 But
Maccabeus did not cease to trust with all confidence that he would get
help from the Lord. 8 He exhorted his troops not to fear the attack of
the Gentiles, but to keep in mind the former times when help had
come to them from heaven, and so to look for the victory that the
Almighty would give them. 9 Encouraging them from the law and the
prophets, and reminding them also of the struggles they had won, he
made them the more eager. 10 When he had aroused their courage, he
issued his orders, at the same time pointing out the perfidy of the
Gentiles and their violation of oaths. 11 He armed each of them not so
much with confidence in shields and spears as with the inspiration of
brave words, and he cheered them all by relating a dream, a sort of
vision, which was worthy of belief.

12 What he saw was this: Onias, who had been high priest, a noble and
good man, of modest bearing and gentle manner, one who spoke
fittingly and had been trained from childhood in all that belongs to
excellence, was praying with outstretched hands for the whole body of
the Jews. 13 Then in the same fashion another appeared, distinguished
by his gray hair and dignity, and of marvelous majesty and authority. 14
And Onias spoke, saying, "This is a man who loves the family of Israel
and prays much for the people and the holy city — Jeremiah, the
prophet of God." 15 Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and gave to
Judas a golden sword, and as he gave it he addressed him thus: 16
"Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with which you will strike down
your adversaries."

17 Encouraged by the words of Judas, so noble and so effective in
arousing valor and awaking courage in the souls of the young, they
determined not to carry on a campaign but to attack bravely, and to
decide the matter by fighting hand to hand with all courage, because
the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger. 18 Their
concern for wives and children, and also for brothers and sisters and

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2 MACCABEES 395

20 When all were now looking forward to the coming issue, and the
enemy was already close at hand with their army drawn up for battle,
the elephants strategically stationed and the cavalry deployed on the
flanks, 21 Maccabeus, observing the masses that were in front of him
and the varied supply of arms and the savagery of the elephants,
stretched out his hands toward heaven and called upon the Lord who
works wonders; for he knew that it is not by arms, but as the Lord
decides, that he gains the victory for those who deserve it. 22 He called
upon him in these words: "O Lord, you sent your angel in the time of
King Hezekiah of Judea, and he killed fully one hundred eighty-five
thousand in the camp of Sennacherib. 23 So now, O Sovereign of the
heavens, send a good angel to spread terror and trembling before us.
24 By the might of your arm may these blasphemers who come against
your holy people be struck down." With these words he ended his
prayer.

25 Nicanor and his troops advanced with trumpets and battle songs, 26
but Judas and his troops met the enemy in battle with invocations to
God and prayers. 27 So, fighting with their hands and praying to God
in their hearts, they laid low at least thirty-five thousand, and were
greatly gladdened by God's manifestation.

28 When the action was over and they were returning with joy, they
recognized Nicanor, lying dead, in full armor. 29 Then there was
shouting and tumult, and they blessed the Sovereign Lord in the
language of their ancestors. 30 Then the man who was ever in body
and soul the defender of his people, the man who maintained his
youthful goodwill toward his compatriots, ordered them to cut off
Nicanor's head and arm and carry them to Jerusalem. 31 When he
arrived there and had called his compatriots together and stationed
the priests before the altar, he sent for those who were in the citadel.
32 He showed them the vile Nicanor's head and that profane man's
arm, which had been boastfully stretched out against the holy house of

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2 MACCABEES 396

Epilogue

37 This, then, is how matters turned out with Nicanor, and from that
time the city has been in the possession of the Hebrews. So I will here
end my story.

38 If it is well told and to the point, that is what I myself desired; if it is
poorly done and mediocre, that was the best I could do. 39 For just as it
is harmful to drink wine alone, or, again, to drink water alone, while
wine mixed with water is sweet and delicious and enhances one's
enjoyment, so also the style of the story delights the ears of those who
read the work. And here will be the end.

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1 ESDRAS


Introduction

NOTE: The books from 1 Esdras through 3 Maccabees are recognized as
Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Greek and Russian Orthodox
Churches. They are not so recognized by the Roman Catholic Church,
but 1 Esdras and the Prayer of Manasseh (together with 2 Esdras) are
placed in an appendix to the Latin Vulgate Bible.

First Esdras is one of several books bearing the name of Ezra (see Ezra-
Nehemiah). Known in the Apocrypha as 1 Esdras, the book is called 3
Esdras in the Latin Vulgate Bible where (since the Council of Trent) it
has been placed in an appendix after the New Testament. With one
significant exception, the book repeats, with minor variations, sections
from 2 Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah (see .
HTIntroduction to Chronicles.
TH
and .
HTIntroduction to Ezra-Nehemiah.
TH). First Esdras begins with King
Josiah's Passover celebration in Jerusalem in 622 BCE, reproducing the
substance of 2 Chr 35.1-36.21. It continues directly with Ezra 1-10 (all of
Ezra), followed with Nehemiah 8, which describes events that
ostensibly transpired in 458. The only material unique to 1 Esdras is the
story of the three young bodyguards in the court of King Darius (3.15.6).
Although the book is largely copied from earlier biblical books,
through its selection and organization of material, it offers a distinct
perspective on the history it recounts. It traces a trajectory between
two feasts (1.1-24 and 9.49-55), and thereby seems more upbeat than
Ezra-Nehemiah's longer report about the difficulties of the return to
the land and the restoration of worship and community.

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The divisions of the books are:

•
1.1-24: An ideal state of affairs: Josiah's Passover celebration
(=2 Chr 35.1-27)
•
1.25-58: Decline and destruction (=2 Chr 36.1-21)
•
2.1-9.55: Stages of return and restoration (=Ezra 1-10 and
Nehemiah 8)
The book begins and concludes with a feast in Jerusalem in front of the
Temple — suggesting that the Temple, significant in other postexilic
writings, is a central issue of 1 Esdras. The decline between the feasts is
brief, followed immediately with a gradual but effective restoration of
altar, Temple, and community. Whereas Ezra-Nehemiah highlights
disjunctions between the past and the return, 1 Esdras, like Chronicles,
underscores continuities, sometimes by conflating events.

First Esdras also contrasts with Ezra-Nehemiah in glorifying leaders,
especially the Davidic heir Zerubbabel, whose role it expands
significantly. In particular, the lengthy story of the three young men in
Darius's court focuses the book upon Zerubbabel's achievements. This
story portrays Zerubbabel as the wise hero who wins Darius's support
and initiates the construction of the Temple. Ezra the priest also rises
to a higher level, being called explicitly a high priest (Chief Priest may
refer to Ezra as well). Ezra's prominence is further increased by the
absence of collaboration with Nehemiah in the book. This enhances his
prominence in the restoration and the climax of the entire story (8.199.55).


This book has been preserved in Greek and reflects Hellenistic values
and vocabulary. Although the latest events it narrates are from the
mid-fifth century, it probably dates in its current form from the second
century BCE. It is unclear whether the book is a translation of an earlier
Hebrew or Aramaic version (possibly as ancient as Ezra-Nehemiah) or a
late adaptation of 2 Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah composed
originally in Greek. The work in Greek was used by Josephus in his
Antiquities, written around 90 CE.

Since the book closely parallels Ezra-Nehemiah, see those books for
more comments and parallel material.

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[1 Esdras 1]
An ideal state of affairs: Josiah's Passover celebration


1 Josiah kept the passover to his Lord in Jerusalem; he killed the
passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month, 2 having
placed the priests according to their divisions, arrayed in their
vestments, in the temple of the Lord. 3 He told the Levites, the temple
servants of Israel, that they should sanctify themselves to the Lord and
put the holy ark of the Lord in the house that King Solomon, son of
David, had built; 4 and he said, "You need no longer carry it on your
shoulders. Now worship the Lord your God and serve his people Israel;
prepare yourselves by your families and kindred, 5 in accordance with
the directions of King David of Israel and the magnificence of his son
Solomon. Stand in order in the temple according to the groupings of
the ancestral houses of you Levites, who minister before your kindred
the people of Israel, 6 and kill the passover lamb and prepare the
sacrifices for your kindred, and keep the passover according to the
commandment of the Lord that was given to Moses."

7 To the people who were present Josiah gave thirty thousand lambs
and kids, and three thousand calves; these were given from the king's
possessions, as he promised, to the people and the priests and Levites.
8 Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the chief officers of the temple, gave
to the priests for the passover two thousand six hundred sheep and
three hundred calves. 9 And Jeconiah and Shemaiah and his brother
Nethanel, and Hashabiah and Ochiel and Joram, captains over
thousands, gave the Levites for the passover five thousand sheep and
seven hundred calves.

10 This is what took place. The priests and the Levites, having the
unleavened bread, stood in proper order according to kindred 11 and
the grouping of the ancestral houses, before the people, to make the
offering to the Lord as it is written in the book of Moses; this they did
in the morning. 12 They roasted the passover lamb with fire, as
required; and they boiled the sacrifices in bronze pots and caldrons,
with a pleasing odor, 13 and carried them to all the people. Afterward
they prepared the passover for themselves and for their kindred the
priests, the sons of Aaron, 14 because the priests were offering the fat

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1 ESDRAS 400

17 So the things that had to do with the sacrifices to the Lord were
accomplished that day: the passover was kept 18 and the sacrifices
were offered on the altar of the Lord, according to the command of
King Josiah. 19 And the people of Israel who were present at that time
kept the passover and the festival of unleavened bread seven days. 20
No passover like it had been kept in Israel since the times of the
prophet Samuel; 21 none of the kings of Israel had kept such a passover
as was kept by Josiah and the priests and Levites and the people of
Judah and all of Israel who were living in Jerusalem. 22 In the
eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this passover was kept.

23 And the deeds of Josiah were upright in the sight of the Lord, for his
heart was full of godliness. 24 In ancient times the events of his reign
have been recorded — concerning those who sinned and acted
wickedly toward the Lord beyond any other people or kingdom, and
how they grieved the Lord deeply, so that the words of the Lord fell
upon Israel.

Decline and destruction

25 After all these acts of Josiah, it happened that Pharaoh, king of
Egypt, went to make war at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah
went out against him. 26 And the king of Egypt sent word to him
saying, "What have we to do with each other, O king of Judea? 27 I
was not sent against you by the Lord God, for my war is at the
Euphrates. And now the Lord is with me! The Lord is with me, urging
me on! Stand aside, and do not oppose the Lord."

28 Josiah, however, did not turn back to his chariot, but tried to fight
with him, and did not heed the words of the prophet Jeremiah from

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1 ESDRAS 401

32 In all Judea they mourned for Josiah. The prophet Jeremiah
lamented for Josiah, and the principal men, with the women, have
made lamentation for him to this day; it was ordained that this should
always be done throughout the whole nation of Israel. 33 These things
are written in the book of the histories of the kings of Judea; and every
one of the acts of Josiah, and his splendor, and his understanding of
the law of the Lord, and the things that he had done before, and these
that are now told, are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and
Judah.

The last kings of Judah

34 The men of the nation took Jeconiah son of Josiah, who was
twenty-three years old, and made him king in succession to his father
Josiah. 35 He reigned three months in Judah and Jerusalem. Then the
king of Egypt deposed him from reigning in Jerusalem, 36 and fined
the nation one hundred talents of silver and one talent of gold. 37 The
king of Egypt made his brother Jehoiakim king of Judea and Jerusalem.
38 Jehoiakim put the nobles in prison, and seized his brother Zarius
and brought him back from Egypt.

39 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign in
Judea and Jerusalem; he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 40
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up against him; he bound him
with a chain of bronze and took him away to Babylon. 41
Nebuchadnezzar also took some holy vessels of the Lord, and carried
them away, and stored them in his temple in Babylon. 42 But the
things that are reported about Jehoiakim, and his uncleanness and
impiety, are written in the annals of the kings.

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1 ESDRAS 402

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old, and he reigned eleven years. 47 He
also did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not heed the
words that were spoken by the prophet Jeremiah from the mouth of
the Lord. 48 Although King Nebuchadnezzar had made him swear by
the name of the Lord, he broke his oath and rebelled; he stiffened his
neck and hardened his heart and transgressed the laws of the Lord, the
God of Israel. 49 Even the leaders of the people and of the priests
committed many acts of sacrilege and lawlessness beyond all the
unclean deeds of all the nations, and polluted the temple of the Lord
in Jerusalem — the temple that God had made holy.

Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians

50 The God of their ancestors sent his messenger to call them back,
because he would have spared them and his dwelling place. 51 But they
mocked his messengers, and whenever the Lord spoke, they scoffed at
his prophets, 52 until in his anger against his people because of their
ungodly acts he gave command to bring against them the kings of the
Chaldeans. 53 These killed their young men with the sword around
their holy temple, and did not spare young man or young woman, old
man or child, for he gave them all into their hands. 54 They took all the
holy vessels of the Lord, great and small, the treasure chests of the
Lord, and the royal stores, and carried them away to Babylon. 55 They
burned the house of the Lord, broke down the walls of Jerusalem,
burned their towers with fire, 56 and utterly destroyed all its glorious
things. The survivors he led away to Babylon with the sword, 57 and
they were servants to him and to his sons until the Persians began to
reign, in fulfillment of the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah,
58 saying, "Until the land has enjoyed its sabbaths, it shall keep
sabbath all the time of its desolation until the completion of seventy
years."

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[1 Esdras 2]
Stages of return and restoration


1 In the first year of Cyrus as king of the Persians, so that the word of
the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished — 2 the
Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of the Persians, and he made a
proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:

3 "Thus says Cyrus king of the Persians: The Lord of Israel, the Lord
Most High, has made me king of the world, 4 and he has commanded
me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judea. 5 If any of
you, therefore, are of his people, may your Lord be with you; go up to
Jerusalem, which is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord of Israel

— he is the Lord who dwells in Jerusalem — 6 and let each of you,
wherever you may live, be helped by the people of your place with
gold and silver, 7 with gifts and with horses and cattle, besides the
other things added as votive offerings for the temple of the Lord that
is in Jerusalem."
8 Then arose the heads of families of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin,
and the priests and the Levites, and all whose spirit the Lord had stirred
to go up to build the house in Jerusalem for the Lord; 9 their neighbors
helped them with everything, with silver and gold, with horses and
cattle, and with a very great number of votive offerings from many
whose hearts were stirred.

10 King Cyrus also brought out the holy vessels of the Lord that
Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and stored in his
temple of idols. 11 When King Cyrus of the Persians brought these out,
he gave them to Mithridates, his treasurer, 12 and by him they were
given to Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judea. 13 The number of these
was: one thousand gold cups, one thousand silver cups, twenty-nine
silver censers, thirty gold bowls, two thousand four hundred ten silver
bowls, and one thousand other vessels. 14 All the vessels were handed
over, gold and silver, five thousand four hundred sixty-nine, 15 and
they were carried back by Sheshbazzar with the returning exiles from
Babylon to Jerusalem.

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1 ESDRAS 404

16 In the time of King Artaxerxes of the Persians, Bishlam, Mithridates,
Tabeel, Rehum, Beltethmus, the scribe Shimshai, and the rest of their
associates, living in Samaria and other places, wrote him the following
letter, against those who were living in Judea and Jerusalem:

17 "To King Artaxerxes our lord, your servants the recorder Rehum and
the scribe Shimshai and the other members of their council, and the
judges in Coelesyria and Phoenicia: 18 Let it now be known to our lord
the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to
Jerusalem and are building that rebellious and wicked city, repairing its
market places and walls and laying the foundations for a temple. 19
Now if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not only refuse
to pay tribute but will even resist kings. 20 Since the building of the
temple is now going on, we think it best not to neglect such a matter,
21 but to speak to our lord the king, in order that, if it seems good to
you, search may be made in the records of your ancestors. 22 You will
find in the annals what has been written about them, and will learn
that this city was rebellious, troubling both kings and other cities, 23
and that the Jews were rebels and kept setting up blockades in it from
of old. That is why this city was laid waste. 24 Therefore we now make
known to you, O lord and king, that if this city is built and its walls
finished, you will no longer have access to Coelesyria and Phoenicia."

25 Then the king, in reply to the recorder Rehum, Beltethmus, the
scribe Shimshai, and the others associated with them and living in
Samaria and Syria and Phoenicia, wrote as follows:

26 "I have read the letter that you sent me. So I ordered search to be
made, and it has been found that this city from of old has fought
against kings, 27 that the people in it were given to rebellion and war,
and that mighty and cruel kings ruled in Jerusalem and exacted tribute
from Coelesyria and Phoenicia. 28 Therefore I have now issued orders
to prevent these people from building the city and to take care that
nothing more be done 29 and that such wicked proceedings go no
further to the annoyance of kings."

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1 ESDRAS 405

[1 Esdras 3]
Return and restoration under Darius and Zerubbabel; The three young
bodyguards in the court of Darius; The contest planned

1 Now King Darius gave a great banquet for all that were under him,
all that were born in his house, and all the nobles of Media and Persia,
2 and all the satraps and generals and governors that were under him
in the hundred twenty-seven satrapies from India to Ethiopia. 3 They
ate and drank, and when they were satisfied they went away, and King
Darius went to his bedroom; he went to sleep, but woke up again.

4 Then the three young men of the bodyguard, who kept guard over
the person of the king, said to one another, 5 "Let each of us state
what one thing is strongest; and to the one whose statement seems
wisest, King Darius will give rich gifts and great honors of victory. 6 He
shall be clothed in purple, and drink from gold cups, and sleep on a
gold bed, and have a chariot with gold bridles, and a turban of fine
linen, and a necklace around his neck; 7 and because of his wisdom he
shall sit next to Darius and shall be called Kinsman of Darius."

8 Then each wrote his own statement, and they sealed them and put
them under the pillow of King Darius, 9 and said, "When the king
wakes, they will give him the writing; and to the one whose statement
the king and the three nobles of Persia judge to be wisest the victory
shall be given according to what is written." 10 The first wrote, "Wine
is strongest." 11 The second wrote, "The king is strongest." 12 The third
wrote, "Women are strongest, but above all things truth is victor."

13 When the king awoke, they took the writing and gave it to him, and
he read it. 14 Then he sent and summoned all the nobles of Persia and
Media and the satraps and generals and governors and prefects, 15 and
he took his seat in the council chamber, and the writing was read in

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their presence. 16 He said, "Call the young men, and they shall explain
their statements." So they were summoned, and came in. 17 They said
to them, "Explain to us what you have written."

In praise of the strength of wine

Then the first, who had spoken of the strength of wine, began and
said: 18 "Gentlemen, how is wine the strongest? It leads astray the
minds of all who drink it. 19 It makes equal the mind of the king and
the orphan, of the slave and the free, of the poor and the rich. 20 It
turns every thought to feasting and mirth, and forgets all sorrow and
debt. 21 It makes all hearts feel rich, forgets kings and satraps, and
makes everyone talk in millions. 22 When people drink they forget to
be friendly with friends and kindred, and before long they draw their
swords. 23 And when they recover from the wine, they do not
remember what they have done. 24 Gentlemen, is not wine the
strongest, since it forces people to do these things?" When he had said
this, he stopped speaking.

[1 Esdras 4]
In praise of the strength of kings


1 Then the second, who had spoken of the strength of the king, began
to speak: 2 "Gentlemen, are not men strongest, who rule over land and
sea and all that is in them? 3 But the king is stronger; he is their lord
and master, and whatever he says to them they obey. 4 If he tells them
to make war on one another, they do it; and if he sends them out
against the enemy, they go, and conquer mountains, walls, and towers.
5 They kill and are killed, and do not disobey the king's command; if
they win the victory, they bring everything to the king — whatever
spoil they take and everything else. 6 Likewise those who do not serve
in the army or make war but till the soil; whenever they sow and reap,
they bring some to the king; and they compel one another to pay taxes
to the king. 7 And yet he is only one man! If he tells them to kill, they
kill; if he tells them to release, they release; 8 if he tells them to attack,
they attack; if he tells them to lay waste, they lay waste; if he tells
them to build, they build; 9 if he tells them to cut down, they cut
down; if he tells them to plant, they plant. 10 All his people and his

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1 ESDRAS 407

In praise of the strength of women

13 Then the third, who had spoken of women and truth (and this was
Zerubbabel), began to speak: 14 "Gentlemen, is not the king great, and
are not men many, and is not wine strong? Who is it, then, that rules
them, or has the mastery over them? Is it not women? 15 Women gave
birth to the king and to every people that rules over sea and land. 16
From women they came; and women brought up the very men who
plant the vineyards from which comes wine. 17 Women make men's
clothes; they bring men glory; men cannot exist without women. 18 If
men gather gold and silver or any other beautiful thing, and then see a
woman lovely in appearance and beauty, 19 they let all those things
go, and gape at her, and with open mouths stare at her, and all prefer
her to gold or silver or any other beautiful thing. 20 A man leaves his
own father, who brought him up, and his own country, and clings to
his wife. 21 With his wife he ends his days, with no thought of his
father or his mother or his country. 22 Therefore you must realize that
women rule over you!

"Do you not labor and toil, and bring everything and give it to
women? 23 A man takes his sword, and goes out to travel and rob and
steal and to sail the sea and rivers; 24 he faces lions, and he walks in
darkness, and when he steals and robs and plunders, he brings it back
to the woman he loves. 25 A man loves his wife more than his father or
his mother. 26 Many men have lost their minds because of women, and
have become slaves because of them. 27 Many have perished, or
stumbled, or sinned because of women. 28 And now do you not
believe me?

"Is not the king great in his power? Do not all lands fear to touch him?
29 Yet I have seen him with Apame, the king's concubine, the daughter
of the illustrious Bartacus; she would sit at the king's right hand 30 and

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1 ESDRAS 408

In praise of the strength of truth

33 Then the king and the nobles looked at one another; and he began
to speak about truth: 34 "Gentlemen, are not women strong? The
earth is vast, and heaven is high, and the sun is swift in its course, for it
makes the circuit of the heavens and returns to its place in one day. 35
Is not the one who does these things great? But truth is great, and
stronger than all things. 36 The whole earth calls upon truth, and
heaven blesses it. All God's works quake and tremble, and with him
there is nothing unrighteous. 37 Wine is unrighteous, the king is
unrighteous, women are unrighteous, all human beings are
unrighteous, all their works are unrighteous, and all such things. There
is no truth in them and in their unrighteousness they will perish. 38 But
truth endures and is strong forever, and lives and prevails forever and
ever. 39 With it there is no partiality or preference, but it does what is
righteous instead of anything that is unrighteous or wicked. Everyone
approves its deeds, 40 and there is nothing unrighteous in its
judgment. To it belongs the strength and the kingship and the power
and the majesty of all the ages. Blessed be the God of truth!" 41 When
he stopped speaking, all the people shouted and said, "Great is truth,
and strongest of all!"

Zerubbabel's reward

42 Then the king said to him, "Ask what you wish, even beyond what is
written, and we will give it to you, for you have been found to be the
wisest. You shall sit next to me, and be called my Kinsman." 43 Then he
said to the king, "Remember the vow that you made on the day when
you became king, to build Jerusalem, 44 and to send back all the
vessels that were taken from Jerusalem, which Cyrus set apart when he
began to destroy Babylon, and vowed to send them back there. 45 You
also vowed to build the temple, which the Edomites burned when

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47 Then King Darius got up and kissed him, and wrote letters for him
to all the treasurers and governors and generals and satraps, that they
should give safe conduct to him and to all who were going up with
him to build Jerusalem. 48 And he wrote letters to all the governors in
Coelesyria and Phoenicia and to those in Lebanon, to bring cedar
timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem, and to help him build the city. 49
He wrote in behalf of all the Jews who were going up from his
kingdom to Judea, in the interest of their freedom, that no officer or
satrap or governor or treasurer should forcibly enter their doors; 50
that all the country that they would occupy should be theirs without
tribute; that the Idumeans should give up the villages of the Jews that
they held; 51 that twenty talents a year should be given for the
building of the temple until it was completed, 52 and an additional ten
talents a year for burnt offerings to be offered on the altar every day,
in accordance with the commandment to make seventeen offerings; 53
and that all who came from Babylonia to build the city should have
their freedom, they and their children and all the priests who came. 54
He wrote also concerning their support and the priests' vestments in
which they were to minister. 55 He wrote that the support for the
Levites should be provided until the day when the temple would be
finished and Jerusalem built. 56 He wrote that land and wages should
be provided for all who guarded the city. 57 And he sent back from
Babylon all the vessels that Cyrus had set apart; everything that Cyrus
had ordered to be done, he also commanded to be done and to be
sent to Jerusalem.

Zerubbabel's prayer

58 When the young man went out, he lifted up his face to heaven
toward Jerusalem, and praised the King of heaven, saying, 59 "From
you comes the victory; from you comes wisdom, and yours is the glory. I
am your servant. 60 Blessed are you, who have given me wisdom; I give
you thanks, O Lord of our ancestors."

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Preparations for the return

61 So he took the letters, and went to Babylon and told this to all his
kindred. 62 And they praised the God of their ancestors, because he
had given them release and permission 63 to go up and build
Jerusalem and the temple that is called by his name; and they feasted,
with music and rejoicing, for seven days.

[1 Esdras 5]

1 After this the heads of ancestral houses were chosen to go up,
according to their tribes, with their wives and sons and daughters, and
their male and female servants, and their livestock. 2 And Darius sent
with them a thousand cavalry to take them back to Jerusalem in safety,
with the music of drums and flutes; 3 all their kindred were making
merry. And he made them go up with them.

4 These are the names of the men who went up, according to their
ancestral houses in the tribes, over their groups: 5 the priests, the
descendants of Phinehas son of Aaron; Jeshua son of Jozadak son of
Seraiah and Joakim son of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, of the house of
David, of the lineage of Phares, of the tribe of Judah, 6 who spoke wise
words before King Darius of the Persians, in the second year of his
reign, in the month of Nisan, the first month.

A list of the returning exiles

7 These are the Judeans who came up out of their sojourn in exile,
whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away to Babylon 8
and who returned to Jerusalem and the rest of Judea, each to his own
town. They came with Zerubbabel and Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah,
Resaiah, Eneneus, Mordecai, Beelsarus, Aspharasus, Reeliah, Rehum,
and Baanah, their leaders.

9 The number of those of the nation and their leaders: the descendants
of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two. The descendants of
Shephatiah, four hundred seventy-two. 10 The descendants of Arah,
seven hundred fifty-six. 11 The descendants of Pahath-moab, of the

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descendants of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.
12 The descendants of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four. The
descendants of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five. The descendants of
Chorbe, seven hundred five. The descendants of Bani, six hundred
forty-eight. 13 The descendants of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three. The
descendants of Azgad, one thousand three hundred twenty-two. 14
The descendants of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-seven. The
descendants of Bigvai, two thousand sixty-six. The descendants of Adin,
four hundred fifty-four. 15 The descendants of Ater, namely of
Hezekiah, ninety-two. The descendants of Kilan and Azetas, sixty-
seven. The descendants of Azaru, four hundred thirty-two. 16 The
descendants of Annias, one hundred one. The descendants of Arom.
The descendants of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three. The
descendants of Arsiphurith, one hundred twelve. 17 The descendants of
Baiterus, three thousand five. The descendants of Bethlomon, one
hundred twenty-three. 18 Those from Netophah, fifty-five. Those from
Anathoth, one hundred fifty-eight. Those from Bethasmoth, forty-two.
19 Those from Kiriatharim, twenty-five. Those from Chephirah and
Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three. 20 The Chadiasans and
Ammidians, four hundred twenty-two. Those from Kirama and Geba,
six hundred twenty-one. 21 Those from Macalon, one hundred twenty-
two. Those from Betolio, fifty-two. The descendants of Niphish, one
hundred fifty-six. 22 The descendants of the other Calamolalus and
Ono, seven hundred twenty-five. The descendants of Jerechus, three
hundred forty-five. 23 The descendants of Senaah, three thousand
three hundred thirty.

24 The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah son of Jeshua, of the
descendants of Anasib, nine hundred seventy-two. The descendants of
Immer, one thousand and fifty-two. 25 The descendants of Pashhur,
one thousand two hundred forty-seven. The descendants of Charme,
one thousand seventeen.

26 The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel and Bannas and
Sudias, seventy-four. 27 The temple singers: the descendants of Asaph,
one hundred twenty-eight. 28 The gatekeepers: the descendants of
Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the

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descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, the descendants of
Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.

29 The temple servants: the descendants of Esau, the descendants of
Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth, the descendants of Keros, the
descendants of Sua, the descendants of Padon, the descendants of
Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, 30 the descendants of Akkub,
the descendants of Uthai, the descendants of Ketab, the descendants
of Hagab, the descendants of Subai, the descendants of Hana, the
descendants of Cathua, the descendants of Geddur, 31 the descendants
of Jairus, the descendants of Daisan, the descendants of Noeba, the
descendants of Chezib, the descendants of Gazera, the descendants of
Uzza, the descendants of Phinoe, the descendants of Hasrah, the
descendants of Basthai, the descendants of Asnah, the descendants of
Maani, the descendants of Nephisim, the descendants of Acuph, the
descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Asur, the descendants of
Pharakim, the descendants of Bazluth, 32 the descendants of Mehida,
the descendants of Cutha, the descendants of Charea, the descendants
of Barkos, the descendants of Serar, the descendants of Temah, the
descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha.

33 The descendants of Solomon's servants: the descendants of
Assaphioth, the descendants of Peruda, the descendants of Jaalah, the
descendants of Lozon, the descendants of Isdael, the descendants of
Shephatiah, 34 the descendants of Agia, the descendants of Pocherethhazzebaim,
the descendants of Sarothie, the descendants of Masiah,
the descendants of Gas, the descendants of Addus, the descendants of
Subas, the descendants of Apherra, the descendants of Barodis, the
descendants of Shaphat, the descendants of Allon.

35 All the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants
were three hundred seventy-two.

36 The following are those who came up from Tel-melah and Telharsha,
under the leadership of Cherub, Addan, and Immer, 37 though
they could not prove by their ancestral houses or lineage that they
belonged to Israel: the descendants of Delaiah son of Tobiah, and the
descendants of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.

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41 All those of Israel, twelve or more years of age, besides male and
female servants, were forty-two thousand three hundred sixty; 42 their
male and female servants were seven thousand three hundred thirty-
seven; there were two hundred forty-five musicians and singers. 43
There were four hundred thirty-five camels, and seven thousand thirty-
six horses, two hundred forty-five mules, and five thousand five
hundred twenty-five donkeys.

44 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the temple of
God that is in Jerusalem, vowed that, to the best of their ability, they
would erect the house on its site, 45 and that they would give to the
sacred treasury for the work a thousand minas of gold, five thousand
minas of silver, and one hundred priests' vestments.

46 The priests, the Levites, and some of the people settled in Jerusalem
and its vicinity; and the temple singers, the gatekeepers, and all Israel
in their towns.

Work on the Temple commences and is interrupted; Building the altar
and resumption of sacrifices

47 When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were all in their
own homes, they gathered with a single purpose in the square before
the first gate toward the east. 48 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his
fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, with his kinsmen, took
their places and prepared the altar of the God of Israel, 49 to offer
burnt offerings upon it, in accordance with the directions in the book
of Moses the man of God. 50 And some joined them from the other
peoples of the land. And they erected the altar in its place, for all the

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The Temple's foundation is laid

56 In the second year after their coming to the temple of God in
Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and
Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with their kindred
and the levitical priests and all who had come back to Jerusalem from
exile; 57 and they laid the foundation of the temple of God on the new
moon of the second month in the second year after they came to Judea
and Jerusalem. 58 They appointed the Levites who were twenty or
more years of age to have charge of the work of the Lord. And Jeshua
arose, and his sons and kindred and his brother Kadmiel and the sons
of Jeshua Emadabun and the sons of Joda son of Iliadun, with their
sons and kindred, all the Levites, pressing forward the work on the
house of God with a single purpose.

So the builders built the temple of the Lord. 59 And the priests stood
arrayed in their vestments, with musical instruments and trumpets, and
the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, 60 praising the Lord and
blessing him, according to the directions of King David of Israel; 61 they
sang hymns, giving thanks to the Lord, "For his goodness and his glory
are forever upon all Israel." 62 And all the people sounded trumpets
and shouted with a great shout, praising the Lord for the erection of
the house of the Lord. 63 Some of the levitical priests and heads of
ancestral houses, old men who had seen the former house, came to the

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building of this one with outcries and loud weeping, 64 while many
came with trumpets and a joyful noise, 65 so that the people could not
hear the trumpets because of the weeping of the people.

Enemies interrupt the work of the returned exiles

For the multitude sounded the trumpets loudly, so that the sound was
heard far away; 66 and when the enemies of the tribe of Judah and
Benjamin heard it, they came to find out what the sound of the
trumpets meant. 67 They learned that those who had returned from
exile were building the temple for the Lord God of Israel. 68 So they
approached Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the heads of the ancestral
houses and said to them, "We will build with you. 69 For we obey your
Lord just as you do and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the
days of King Esar-haddon of the Assyrians, who brought us here." 70
But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the heads of the ancestral houses in
Israel said to them, "You have nothing to do with us in building the
house for the Lord our God, 71 for we alone will build it for the Lord of
Israel, as Cyrus, the king of the Persians, has commanded us." 72 But
the peoples of the land pressed hard upon those in Judea, cut off their
supplies, and hindered their building; 73 and by plots and
demagoguery and uprisings they prevented the completion of the
building as long as King Cyrus lived. They were kept from building for
two years, until the reign of Darius.

[1 Esdras 6]
Temple work resumes

1 Now in the second year of the reign of Darius, the prophets Haggai
and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judea
and Jerusalem; they prophesied to them in the name of the Lord God
of Israel. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak
began to build the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, with the help
of the prophets of the Lord who were with them.

3 At the same time Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia and
Sathrabuzanes and their associates came to them and said, 4 "By
whose order are you building this house and this roof and finishing all

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7 A copy of the letter that Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia,
and Sathrabuzanes, and their associates the local rulers in Syria and
Phoenicia, wrote and sent to Darius:

8 "To King Darius, greetings. Let it be fully known to our lord the king
that, when we went to the country of Judea and entered the city of
Jerusalem, we found the elders of the Jews, who had been in exile, 9
building in the city of Jerusalem a great new house for the Lord, of
hewn stone, with costly timber laid in the walls. 10 These operations
are going on rapidly, and the work is prospering in their hands and
being completed with all splendor and care. 11 Then we asked these
elders, 'At whose command are you building this house and laying the
foundations of this structure?' 12 In order that we might inform you in
writing who the leaders are, we questioned them and asked them for a
list of the names of those who are at their head. 13 They answered us,
'We are the servants of the Lord who created the heaven and the
earth. 14 The house was built many years ago by a king of Israel who
was great and strong, and it was finished. 15 But when our ancestors
sinned against the Lord of Israel who is in heaven, and provoked him,
he gave them over into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,
king of the Chaldeans; 16 and they pulled down the house, and burned
it, and carried the people away captive to Babylon. 17 But in the first
year that Cyrus reigned over the country of Babylonia, King Cyrus
wrote that this house should be rebuilt. 18 And the holy vessels of gold
and of silver, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the house in
Jerusalem and stored in his own temple, these King Cyrus took out
again from the temple in Babylon, and they were delivered to
Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar the governor 19 with the command that
he should take all these vessels back and put them in the temple at
Jerusalem, and that this temple of the Lord should be rebuilt on its site.
20 Then this Sheshbazzar, after coming here, laid the foundations of
the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem. Although it has been in

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process of construction from that time until now, it has not yet reached
completion.' 21 Now therefore, O king, if it seems wise to do so, let
search be made in the royal archives of our lord the king that are in
Babylon; 22 if it is found that the building of the house of the Lord in
Jerusalem was done with the consent of King Cyrus, and if it is
approved by our lord the king, let him send us directions concerning
these things."

23 Then Darius commanded that search be made in the royal archives
that were deposited in Babylon. And in Ecbatana, the fortress that is in
the country of Media, a scroll was found in which this was recorded: 24
"In the first year of the reign of King Cyrus, he ordered the building of
the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, where they sacrifice with perpetual
fire; 25 its height to be sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, with three
courses of hewn stone and one course of new native timber; the cost to
be paid from the treasury of King Cyrus; 26 and that the holy vessels of
the house of the Lord, both of gold and of silver, which
Nebuchadnezzar took out of the house in Jerusalem and carried away
to Babylon, should be restored to the house in Jerusalem, to be placed
where they had been."

27 So Darius commanded Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia,
and Sathrabuzanes, and their associates, and those who were
appointed as local rulers in Syria and Phoenicia, to keep away from the
place, and to permit Zerubbabel, the servant of the Lord and governor
of Judea, and the elders of the Jews to build this house of the Lord on
its site. 28 "And I command that it be built completely, and that full
effort be made to help those who have returned from the exile of
Judea, until the house of the Lord is finished; 29 and that out of the
tribute of Coelesyria and Phoenicia a portion be scrupulously given to
these men, that is, to Zerubbabel the governor, for sacrifices to the
Lord, for bulls and rams and lambs, 30 and likewise wheat and salt and
wine and oil, regularly every year, without quibbling, for daily use as
the priests in Jerusalem may indicate, 31 in order that libations may be
made to the Most High God for the king and his children, and prayers
be offered for their lives."

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33 "Therefore may the Lord, whose name is there called upon, destroy
every king and nation that shall stretch out their hands to hinder or
damage that house of the Lord in Jerusalem.

34 "I, King Darius, have decreed that it be done with all diligence as
here prescribed."

[1 Esdras 7]
The Temple completed

1 Then Sisinnes the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, and
Sathrabuzanes, and their associates, following the orders of King
Darius, 2 supervised the holy work with very great care, assisting the
elders of the Jews and the chief officers of the temple. 3 The holy work
prospered, while the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied; 4 and
they completed it by the command of the Lord God of Israel. So with
the consent of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of the Persians, 5
the holy house was finished by the twenty-third day of the month of
Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius. 6 And the people of Israel, the
priests, the Levites, and the rest of those who returned from exile who
joined them, did according to what was written in the book of Moses.
7 They offered at the dedication of the temple of the Lord one
hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, 8 and twelve
male goats for the sin of all Israel, according to the number of the
twelve leaders of the tribes of Israel; 9 and the priests and the Levites
stood arrayed in their vestments, according to kindred, for the services
of the Lord God of Israel in accordance with the book of Moses; and
the gatekeepers were at each gate.

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The Passover celebration

10 The people of Israel who came from exile kept the passover on the
fourteenth day of the first month, after the priests and the Levites
were purified together. 11 Not all of the returned captives were
purified, but the Levites were all purified together, 12 and they
sacrificed the passover lamb for all the returned captives and for their
kindred the priests and for themselves. 13 The people of Israel who had
returned from exile ate it, all those who had separated themselves
from the abominations of the peoples of the land and sought the Lord.
14 They also kept the festival of unleavened bread seven days, rejoicing
before the Lord, 15 because he had changed the will of the king of the
Assyrians concerning them, to strengthen their hands for the service of
the Lord God of Israel.

[1 Esdras 8 ]
Final return and restoration under Ezra; Ezra's credentials and mission


1 After these things, when Artaxerxes, the king of the Persians, was
reigning, Ezra came, the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
son of Shallum, 2 son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of
Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phineas, son of Eleazar, son
of Aaron the high priest. 3 This Ezra came up from Babylon as a scribe
skilled in the law of Moses, which was given by the God of Israel; 4 and
the king showed him honor, for he found favor before the king in all
his requests. 5 There came up with him to Jerusalem some of the
people of Israel and some of the priests and Levites and temple singers
and gatekeepers and temple servants, 6 in the seventh year of the
reign of Artaxerxes, in the fifth month (this was the king's seventh
year); for they left Babylon on the new moon of the first month and
arrived in Jerusalem on the new moon of the fifth month, by the
prosperous journey that the Lord gave them. 7 For Ezra possessed great
knowledge, so that he omitted nothing from the law of the Lord or the
commandments, but taught all Israel all the ordinances and judgments.

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The letter of Artaxerxes authorizing Ezra

8 The following is a copy of the written commission from King
Artaxerxes that was delivered to Ezra the priest and reader of the law
of the Lord:

9 "King Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the Lord,
greeting. 10 In accordance with my gracious decision, I have given
orders that those of the Jewish nation and of the priests and Levites
and others in our realm, those who freely choose to do so, may go with
you to Jerusalem. 11 Let as many as are so disposed, therefore, leave
with you, just as I and the seven Friends who are my counselors have
decided, 12 in order to look into matters in Judea and Jerusalem, in
accordance with what is in the law of the Lord, 13 and to carry to
Jerusalem the gifts for the Lord of Israel that I and my Friends have
vowed, and to collect for the Lord in Jerusalem all the gold and silver
that may be found in the country of Babylonia, 14 together with what
is given by the nation for the temple of their Lord that is in Jerusalem,
both gold and silver for bulls and rams and lambs and what goes with
them, 15 so as to offer sacrifices on the altar of their Lord that is in
Jerusalem. 16 Whatever you and your kindred are minded to do with
the gold and silver, perform it in accordance with the will of your God;
17 deliver the holy vessels of the Lord that are given you for the use of
the temple of your God that is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatever else
occurs to you as necessary for the temple of your God, you may provide
out of the royal treasury.

19 "I, King Artaxerxes, have commanded the treasurers of Syria and
Phoenicia that whatever Ezra the priest and reader of the law of the
Most High God sends for, they shall take care to give him, 20 up to a
hundred talents of silver, and likewise up to a hundred cors of wheat, a
hundred baths of wine, and salt in abundance. 21 Let all things
prescribed in the law of God be scrupulously fulfilled for the Most High
God, so that wrath may not come upon the kingdom of the king and
his sons. 22 You are also informed that no tribute or any other tax is to
be laid on any of the priests or Levites or temple singers or gatekeepers
or temple servants or persons employed in this temple, and that no one
has authority to impose any tax on them.

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Ezra report: leading the exiles to Jerusalem

25 Then Ezra the scribe said, "Blessed be the Lord alone, who put this
into the heart of the king, to glorify his house that is in Jerusalem, 26
and who honored me in the sight of the king and his counselors and all
his Friends and nobles. 27 I was encouraged by the help of the Lord my
God, and I gathered men from Israel to go up with me."

28 These are the leaders, according to their ancestral houses and their
groups, who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of King
Artaxerxes: 29 Of the descendants of Phineas, Gershom. Of the
descendants of Ithamar, Gamael. Of the descendants of David, Hattush
son of Shecaniah. 30 Of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with
him a hundred fifty men enrolled. 31 Of the descendants of Pahathmoab,
Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred men. 32
Of the descendants of Zattu, Shecaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him
three hundred men. Of the descendants of Adin, Obed son of
Jonathan, and with him two hundred fifty men. 33 Of the descendants
of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Gotholiah, and with him seventy men. 34 Of
the descendants of Shephatiah, Zeraiah son of Michael, and with him
seventy men. 35 Of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel,
and with him two hundred twelve men. 36 Of the descendants of Bani,
Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him a hundred sixty men. 37 Of
the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him
twenty-eight men. 38 Of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of
Hakkatan, and with him a hundred ten men. 39 Of the descendants of
Adonikam, the last ones, their names being Eliphelet, Jeuel, and
Shemaiah, and with them seventy men. 40 Of the descendants of
Bigvai, Uthai son of Istalcurus, and with him seventy men.

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50 There I proclaimed a fast for the young men before our Lord, to
seek from him a prosperous journey for ourselves and for our children
and the livestock that were with us. 51 For I was ashamed to ask the
king for foot soldiers and cavalry and an escort to keep us safe from
our adversaries; 52 for we had said to the king, "The power of our Lord
will be with those who seek him, and will support them in every way."
53 And again we prayed to our Lord about these things, and we found
him very merciful.

54 Then I set apart twelve of the leaders of the priests, Sherebiah and
Hashabiah, and ten of their kinsmen with them; 55 and I weighed out
to them the silver and the gold and the holy vessels of the house of our
Lord, which the king himself and his counselors and the nobles and all
Israel had given. 56 I weighed and gave to them six hundred fifty
talents of silver, and silver vessels worth a hundred talents, and a
hundred talents of gold, 57 and twenty golden bowls, and twelve
bronze vessels of fine bronze that glittered like gold. 58 And I said to
them, "You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy, and the silver
and the gold are vowed to the Lord, the Lord of our ancestors. 59 Be
watchful and on guard until you deliver them to the leaders of the
priests and the Levites, and to the heads of the ancestral houses of

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Arrival in Jerusalem

61 We left the river Theras on the twelfth day of the first month; and
we arrived in Jerusalem by the mighty hand of our Lord, which was
upon us; he delivered us from every enemy on the way, and so we
came to Jerusalem. 62 When we had been there three days, the silver
and the gold were weighed and delivered in the house of our Lord to
the priest Meremoth son of Uriah; 63 with him was Eleazar son of
Phinehas, and with them were Jozabad son of Jeshua and Moeth son
of Binnui, the Levites. 64 The whole was counted and weighed, and the
weight of everything was recorded at that very time. 65 And those
who had returned from exile offered sacrifices to the Lord, the God of
Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, 66 seventy-two lambs,
and as a thank offering twelve male goats — all as a sacrifice to the
Lord. 67 They delivered the king's orders to the royal stewards and to
the governors of Coelesyria and Phoenicia; and these officials honored
the people and the temple of the Lord.

The crisis of mixed marriages in Judah

68 After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said,
69 "The people of Israel and the rulers and the priests and the Levites
have not put away from themselves the alien peoples of the land and
their pollutions, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the
Jebusites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Edomites. 70 For they
and their descendants have married the daughters of these people,
and the holy race has been mixed with the alien peoples of the land;
and from the beginning of this matter the leaders and the nobles have
been sharing in this iniquity."

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Ezra's response to the crisis: mourning and prayer

71 As soon as I heard these things I tore my garments and my holy
mantle, and pulled out hair from my head and beard, and sat down in
anxiety and grief. 72 And all who were ever moved at the word of the
Lord of Israel gathered around me, as I mourned over this iniquity, and
I sat grief-stricken until the evening sacrifice. 73 Then I rose from my
fast, with my garments and my holy mantle torn, and kneeling down
and stretching out my hands to the Lord 74 I said,

"O Lord, I am ashamed and confused before your face. 75 For our sins
have risen higher than our heads, and our mistakes have mounted up
to heaven 76 from the times of our ancestors, and we are in great sin
to this day. 77 Because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors, we
with our kindred and our kings and our priests were given over to the
kings of the earth, to the sword and exile and plundering, in shame
until this day. 78 And now in some measure mercy has come to us from
you, O Lord, to leave to us a root and a name in your holy place, 79 and
to uncover a light for us in the house of the Lord our God, and to give
us food in the time of our servitude. 80 Even in our bondage we were
not forsaken by our Lord, but he brought us into favor with the kings
of the Persians, so that they have given us food 81 and glorified the
temple of our Lord, and raised Zion from desolation, to give us a
stronghold in Judea and Jerusalem.

82 "And now, O Lord, what shall we say, when we have these things?
For we have transgressed your commandments, which you gave by
your servants the prophets, saying, 83 'The land that you are entering
to take possession of is a land polluted with the pollution of the aliens
of the land, and they have filled it with their uncleanness. 84 Therefore
do not give your daughters in marriage to their descendants, and do
not take their daughters for your descendants; 85 do not seek ever to
have peace with them, so that you may be strong and eat the good
things of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children
forever.' 86 And all that has happened to us has come about because
of our evil deeds and our great sins. For you, O Lord, lifted the burden
of our sins 87 and gave us such a root as this; but we turned back again
to transgress your law by mixing with the uncleanness of the peoples

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The people repent and dismiss their foreign wives

91 While Ezra was praying and making his confession, weeping and
lying on the ground before the temple, there gathered around him a
very great crowd of men and women and youths from Jerusalem; for
there was great weeping among the multitude. 92 Then Shecaniah son
of Jehiel, one of the men of Israel, called out, and said to Ezra, "We
have sinned against the Lord, and have married foreign women from
the peoples of the land; but even now there is hope for Israel. 93 Let us
take an oath to the Lord about this, that we will put away all our
foreign wives, with their children, 94 as seems good to you and to all
who obey the law of the Lord. 95 Rise up and take action, for it is your
task, and we are with you to take strong measures." 96 Then Ezra rose
up and made the leaders of the priests and Levites of all Israel swear
that they would do this. And they swore to it.

[1 Esdras 9]

1 Then Ezra set out and went from the court of the temple to the
chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, 2 and spent the night there; and
he did not eat bread or drink water, for he was mourning over the
great iniquities of the multitude. 3 And a proclamation was made
throughout Judea and Jerusalem to all who had returned from exile
that they should assemble at Jerusalem, 4 and that if any did not meet
there within two or three days, in accordance with the decision of the
ruling elders, their livestock would be seized for sacrifice and the men
themselves expelled from the multitude of those who had returned
from the captivity.

5 Then the men of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin assembled at
Jerusalem within three days; this was the ninth month, on the
twentieth day of the month. 6 All the multitude sat in the open square

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10 Then all the multitude shouted and said with a loud voice, "We will
do as you have said. 11 But the multitude is great and it is winter, and
we are not able to stand in the open air. This is not a work we can do
in one day or two, for we have sinned too much in these things. 12 So
let the leaders of the multitude stay, and let all those in our
settlements who have foreign wives come at the time appointed, 13
with the elders and judges of each place, until we are freed from the
wrath of the Lord over this matter."

14 Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah undertook the
matter on these terms, and Meshullam and Levi and Shabbethai served
with them as judges. 15 And those who had returned from exile acted
in accordance with all this.

16 Ezra the priest chose for himself the leading men of their ancestral
houses, all of them by name; and on the new moon of the tenth month
they began their sessions to investigate the matter. 17 And the cases of
the men who had foreign wives were brought to an end by the new
moon of the first month.

18 Of the priests, those who were brought in and found to have
foreign wives were: 19 of the descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak
and his kindred, Maaseiah, Eliezar, Jarib, and Jodan. 20 They pledged
themselves to put away their wives, and to offer rams in expiation of
their error. 21 Of the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah and
Maaseiah and Shemaiah and Jehiel and Azariah. 22 Of the descendants
of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, and Nathanael, and Gedaliah,
and Salthas.

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23 And of the Levites: Jozabad and Shimei and Kelaiah, who was Kelita,
and Pethahiah and Judah and Jonah. 24 Of the temple singers: Eliashib
and Zaccur. 25 Of the gatekeepers: Shallum and Telem.

26 Of Israel: of the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah,
Mijamin, and Eleazar, and Asibias, and Benaiah. 27 Of the descendants
of Elam: Mattaniah and Zechariah, Jezrielus and Abdi, and Jeremoth
and Elijah. 28 Of the descendants of Zamoth: Eliadas, Eliashib,
Othoniah, Jeremoth, and Zabad and Zerdaiah. 29 Of the descendants
of Bebai: Jehohanan and Hananiah and Zabbai and Emathis. 30 Of the
descendants of Mani: Olamus, Mamuchus, Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal
and Jeremoth. 31 Of the descendants of Addi: Naathus and Moossias,
Laccunus and Naidus, and Bescaspasmys and Sesthel, and Belnuus and
Manasseas. 32 Of the descendants of Annan, Elionas and Asaias and
Melchias and Sabbaias and Simon Chosamaeus. 33 Of the descendants
of Hashum: Mattenai and Mattattah and Zabad and Eliphelet and
Manasseh and Shimei. 34 Of the descendants of Bani: Jeremai,
Momdius, Maerus, Joel, Mamdai and Bedeiah and Vaniah, Carabasion
and Eliashib and Mamitanemus, Eliasis, Binnui, Elialis, Shimei,
Shelemiah, Nethaniah. Of the descendants of Ezora: Shashai, Azarel,
Azael, Samatus, Zambris, Joseph. 35 Of the descendants of Nooma:
Mazitias, Zabad, Iddo, Joel, Benaiah. 36 All these had married foreign
women, and they put them away together with their children.

The restoration is complete: Ezra public reading of the law

37 The priests and the Levites and the Israelites settled in Jerusalem and
in the country. On the new moon of the seventh month, when the
people of Israel were in their settlements, 38 the whole multitude
gathered with one accord in the open square before the east gate of
the temple; 39 they told Ezra the chief priest and reader to bring the
law of Moses that had been given by the Lord God of Israel. 40 So Ezra
the chief priest brought the law, for all the multitude, men and
women, and all the priests to hear the law, on the new moon of the
seventh month. 41 He read aloud in the open square before the gate of
the temple from early morning until midday, in the presence of both
men and women; and all the multitude gave attention to the law. 42
Ezra the priest and reader of the law stood on the wooden platform

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The concluding celebration

49 Then Attharates said to Ezra the chief priest and reader, and to the
Levites who were teaching the multitude, and to all, 50 "This day is
holy to the Lord" — now they were all weeping as they heard the law

— 51 "so go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send
portions to those who have none; 52 for the day is holy to the Lord;
and do not be sorrowful, for the Lord will exalt you." 53 The Levites
commanded all the people, saying, "This day is holy; do not be
sorrowful." 54 Then they all went their way, to eat and drink and enjoy
themselves, and to give portions to those who had none, and to make
great rejoicing; 55 because they were inspired by the words which they
had been taught. And they came together.
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PRAYER OF MANASSEH 429


PRAYER OF MANASSEH


Introduction

The Prayer of Manasseh is a pseudepigraphical prayer characteristic of
Second Temple Judaism. An anthological composition (i.e., mosaic of
biblical phrases and allusions), it is formally an individual lament for
personal sin, with a petition for forgiveness. Similar to the "Penitential
Psalms" in the Psalter, especially Ps 51, it differs from them in that an
acknowledgment of divine justice and a confession of sin replace the
complaint about God's inaction. Its closest biblical parallels are a
number of late penitential prayers: Ezra 9.1-15; Neh 1.4-11; 9.6-37; Dan
9.4-19; Ps 106; Bar 1.15-3.8 (and cf. 1 Kings 8.48-52).

It is found in the Didascalia Apostolorum, a third-century CE Syriac
translation of an original Greek work, and in the Apostolic
Constitutions (fourth century, Greek). In the Codex Alexandrius, it is
one of the fourteen canticles appended to the Psalter. A composition
of a Palestinian Jew, its original language may have been either Greek
or Semitic (Hebrew or Aramaic). It is probably a work of the second or
first century BCE. For the Easter Orthodox churches, it is a
deuterocanonical work.

Its title recalls the story of King Manasseh in 2 Chr 33; because of his
idolatry (vv. 2-5), the Lord brought the Assyrians against Judah, and
Manasseh was taken off, a captive in chains, to Babylon (10-11). In vv.
12-13 (and in 18-19) the Chronicler states that Manasseh prayed in his
distress. The Prayer of Manasseh was composed with 2 Chr 33 in mind
(cf. Pr Man 10 and 2 Chr 33.10; Pr Man 9b-10 and 2 Chr 33.11; Pr Man 1, 11
and 2 Chr 33.12) to fill a gap in 2 Chr, which lacks Manasseh's prayer.
The major themes of the Prayer are the mercy that God extends even
to the worst of sinners (see the sins of Manasseh in 2 Kings 21.2-17; 2
Chr 33.2-9, 19) and the effectiveness of sincere contrition and
repentance. It is a tripartite poem, consisting of an acknowledgment of

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PRAYER OF MANASSEH 430


God's infinite power, shown in his role as creator (vv. 1-4); a confession
of sin, including divine mercy to repentant sinners (vv. 5-8) and a
prayer for forgiveness (vv. 9-13); and a final petition for salvation and
concluding doxology (vv. 14-15).

Prayer of Manasseh
Invocation and praise of the creator

1 O Lord Almighty,
God of our ancestors,
of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob
and of their righteous offspring;

2 you who made heaven and earth
with all their order;

3 who shackled the sea by your word of command,
who confined the deep
and sealed it with your terrible and glorious name;

4 at whom all things shudder,
and tremble before your power,

5 for your glorious splendor cannot be borne,
and the wrath of your threat to sinners is unendurable;

6 yet immeasurable and unsearchable
is your promised mercy,

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PRAYER OF MANASSEH 431


7 for you are the Lord Most High,

of great compassion, long-suffering, and very merciful,

and you relent at human suffering.

O Lord, according to your great goodness

you have promised repentance and forgiveness

to those who have sinned against you,

and in the multitude of your mercies

you have appointed repentance for sinners,

so that they may be saved.

8 Therefore you, O Lord, God of the righteous,

have not appointed repentance for the righteous,

for Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, who did not sin against you,

but you have appointed repentance for me, who am a sinner.

Confession of Sins

9 For the sins I have committed are more in number than the sand of

the sea;

my transgressions are multiplied, O Lord, they are multiplied!

I am not worthy to look up and see the height of heaven

because of the multitude of my iniquities.

10 I am weighted down with many an iron fetter,

so that I am rejected because of my sins,

and I have no relief;

for I have provoked your wrath

and have done what is evil in your sight,

setting up abominations and multiplying offenses.

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PRAYER OF MANASSEH 432


Supplication for Pardon

11 And now I bend the knee of my heart,
imploring you for your kindness.

12 I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,
and I acknowledge my transgressions.

13 I earnestly implore you,
forgive me, O Lord, forgive me!
Do not destroy me with my transgressions!
Do not be angry with me forever or store up evil for me;
do not condemn me to the depths of the earth.
For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent,

14 and in me you will manifest your goodness;
for, unworthy as I am, you will save me according to your great
mercy,

15 and I will praise you continually all the days of my life.
For all the host of heaven sings your praise,
and yours is the glory forever. Amen.

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PSALM 151 433


PSALM 151


Introduction

To the traditional Hebrew Psalter, the Septuagint (LXX) adds Ps 151,
with a superscript describing it as "outside the number" (i.e., of the 150
Psalms); this is the basis of the NRSV translation. It is found in the
fourth-century CE Greek Codex Sinaiticus with a different
superscription and in the sixth-century Codex Alexandrius (with a
superscription, "The 151 Psalms of David"). In Syriac, Ps 151 is is the first
of a series of psalms (Ps 151-155) about the heroic exploits of David in 1
Sam 16-17.

A Hebrew version of psalm is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls (11 QPs).
This Hebrew version is made up of two distinct psalms: Ps 151A (=LXX Ps

151) is a poem based on 1 Sam 16.1-13, about David the shepherd
becoming Israel's king, with a superscription; this psalm is truncated in
the Greek and Syriac versions. Ps 151B is the fragmentary beginning of
another psalm, also with a superscription, that must have followed Ps
151A in the original scroll; it apparently deals with David's contest with
Goliath (1 Sam 17), a story that is also the subject of LXX Ps 151.6-7.
In form, Ps 151A is not a hymn or a petition, but a narrative (cf. Ps 78),
an autobiographical poem in which David, the youngest of his
brothers, speaks of his shepherding care for his father's flocks, of his
psalms praising God, and of his anointment as Israel's king. The
superscription of the Hebrew poem ("A Hallelujah of David the son of
Jesse") is similar to the superscriptions of Ps 145 ("Praise. Of David")
and the introductory "Hallelujah" of Ps 111-113, 146-150, and thus serves
to integrate this psalm into the end of Psalms.

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PSALM 151 434


Psalm 151

This psalm is ascribed to David as his own composition (though it is
outside the number), after he had fought in single combat with
Goliath.

1 I was small among my brothers,
and the youngest in my father's house;
I tended my father's sheep.

2 My hands made a harp;
my fingers fashioned a lyre.

3 And who will tell my Lord?
The Lord himself; it is he who hears.

4 It was he who sent his messenger
and took me from my father's sheep,
and anointed me with his anointing oil.

5 My brothers were handsome and tall,
but the Lord was not pleased with them.

6 I went out to meet the Philistine,
and he cursed me by his idols.

7 But I drew his own sword;
I beheaded him, and took away disgrace from
the people of Israel.

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3 MACCABEES 435


3 MACCABEES


Introduction

The of the book known as 3 Maccabees is a misnomer, for it is not a
historical account of the Maccabees, but a fictional story about
Egyptian Jews under Ptolemy IV Philopator (221-204 BCE), half a
century before the Maccabean period. The book is preserved in the
Greek Septuagint and the Syriac Peshitta, as well as in most
manuscripts of the Armenian Bible. It is not, however, included in the
Latin Vulgate. This may explain it was not included in the canon of the
Roman Catholic Church or in the traditional Protestant apocrypha. It is
included in the canon of the Eastern Orthodox churches.

Third Maccabees begins with a brief account of how Ptolemy was saved
from assassination at the battle of Raphia by the intervention of a Jew
(1.1-5). This brief story of Jewish loyalty provides a foil against which
the king's hostility to the Jews must be seen. The second episode (1.6


2.24) tells of the king's unsuccessful attempt to enter the holy of holies
in the Jerusalem Temple. The desecration is averted by divine
intervention in response to the prayer of the high priest Simon. The
third episode, which takes up most of the book, describes the
persecution of the Jews in Egypt. Upon his return there, the king
determines to take vengeance upon the Jews for his humiliation in
Jerusalem. He radically alters their legal status and attempts to force
them to worship the Greek god Dionysus, promising to those who
comply full citizenship in Alexandria (2.25-33). The vast majority of Jews
resists, and with great cruelty they are herded together to be
registered, tortured, and put to death. Again divine intervention averts
disaster, as after forty days the writing materials have been exhausted
and the registration cannot be completed (3.1-4.21). Finally the king
decrees that drugged elephants be turned upon the Jews, who have
been detained in the city's arena. Twice this is providentially delayed,
and the third miracle occurs in answer to the prayer of the aged priest
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3 MACCABEES 436

Third Maccabees belongs to a narrative genre that was especially
popular among Jews who lived in the Diaspora, outside the land of
Israel. Other examples are found in Esther and in Daniel 2-6. These
stories tell of some great danger that threatens the Jewish community,
which is then averted, either through heroic action (Esther) or, more
typically, through divine intervention. Such stories provided both
entertainment and edification, allowing the Jewish readers to indulge
their fears of destruction and then allaying those fears by the happy
ending.

The work was originally written in Greek by an unknown Alexandrian
Jew. The change in the status of the Jews, and the promise of
Alexandrian citizenship to those who abandoned their religion, reflect
the situation of the Alexandrian Jews after Rome conquered Egypt in
30 BCE. Non-Jews were subjected to a new tax, called the "laographia"
(the word used in connection with the change of status in 3 Macc 2.28).
Citizenship normally required the worship of other gods, and so was
unacceptable to most Jews. The book was most probably composed in
the early first century CE, although it does depict some earlier historical
events, such as the battle of Raphia, known from other sources.

Although the book is written in a rather bombastic style, it provides a
colorful drama of danger and deliverance. It also conveys a strict
message of the need for solidarity in the Jewish community and the
contemptible nature of apostasy.

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3 MACCABEES 437


[3 Maccabees 1]
The battle of Raphia

1 When Philopator learned from those who returned that the regions
that he had controlled had been seized by Antiochus, he gave orders to
all his forces, both infantry and cavalry, took with him his sister
Arsinoë, and marched out to the region near Raphia, where the army
of Antiochus was encamped. 2 But a certain Theodotus, determined to
carry out the plot he had devised, took with him the best of the
Ptolemaic arms that had been previously issued to him, and crossed
over by night to the tent of Ptolemy, intending single-handed to kill
him and thereby end the war. 3 But Dositheus, known as the son of
Drimylus, a Jew by birth who later changed his religion and
apostatized from the ancestral traditions, had led the king away and
arranged that a certain insignificant man should sleep in the tent; and
so it turned out that this man incurred the vengeance meant for the
king. 4 When a bitter fight resulted, and matters were turning out
rather in favor of Antiochus, Arsinoë went to the troops with wailing
and tears, her locks all disheveled, and exhorted them to defend
themselves and their children and wives bravely, promising to give
them each two minas of gold if they won the battle. 5 And so it came
about that the enemy was routed in the action, and many captives also
were taken. 6 Now that he had foiled the plot, Ptolemy decided to visit
the neighboring cities and encourage them. 7 By doing this, and by
endowing their sacred enclosures with gifts, he strengthened the
morale of his subjects.

Ptolemy attempts to enter the sanctuary at Jerusalem

8 Since the Jews had sent some of their council and elders to greet him,
to bring him gifts of welcome, and to congratulate him on what had
happened, he was all the more eager to visit them as soon as possible.
9 After he had arrived in Jerusalem, he offered sacrifice to the supreme
God and made thank offerings and did what was fitting for the holy
place. Then, upon entering the place and being impressed by its
excellence and its beauty, 10 he marveled at the good order of the
temple, and conceived a desire to enter the sanctuary. 11 When they
said that this was not permitted, because not even members of their

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3 MACCABEES 438

Jewish reaction to Ptolemy's determination to enter the sanctuary

16 Then the priests in all their vestments prostrated themselves and
entreated the supreme God to aid in the present situation and to avert
the violence of this evil design, and they filled the temple with cries
and tears; 17 those who remained behind in the city were agitated and
hurried out, supposing that something mysterious was occurring. 18
Young women who had been secluded in their chambers rushed out
with their mothers, sprinkled their hair with dust, and filled the streets
with groans and lamentations. 19 Those women who had recently been
arrayed for marriage abandoned the bridal chambers prepared for
wedded union, and, neglecting proper modesty, in a disorderly rush
flocked together in the city. 20 Mothers and nurses abandoned even
newborn children here and there, some in houses and some in the
streets, and without a backward look they crowded together at the
most high temple. 21 Various were the supplications of those gathered
there because of what the king was profanely plotting. 22 In addition,
the bolder of the citizens would not tolerate the completion of his
plans or the fulfillment of his intended purpose. 23 They shouted to
their compatriots to take arms and die courageously for the ancestral
law, and created a considerable disturbance in the holy place; and
being barely restrained by the old men and the elders, they resorted to
the same posture of supplication as the others. 24 Meanwhile the
crowd, as before, was engaged in prayer, 25 while the elders near the
king tried in various ways to change his arrogant mind from the plan
that he had conceived. 26 But he, in his arrogance, took heed of
nothing, and began now to approach, determined to bring the

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3 MACCABEES 439

[3 Maccabees 2]
The prayer of Simon, the high priest


1 Then the high priest Simon, facing the sanctuary, bending his knees
and extending his hands with calm dignity, prayed as follows: 2 "Lord,
Lord, king of the heavens, and sovereign of all creation, holy among
the holy ones, the only ruler, almighty, give attention to us who are
suffering grievously from an impious and profane man, puffed up in
his audacity and power. 3 For you, the creator of all things and the
governor of all, are a just Ruler, and you judge those who have done
anything in insolence and arrogance. 4 You destroyed those who in the
past committed injustice, among whom were even giants who trusted
in their strength and boldness, whom you destroyed by bringing on
them a boundless flood. 5 You consumed with fire and sulfur the
people of Sodom who acted arrogantly, who were notorious for their
vices; and you made them an example to those who should come
afterward. 6 You made known your mighty power by inflicting many
and varied punishments on the audacious Pharaoh who had enslaved
your holy people Israel. 7 And when he pursued them with chariots and
a mass of troops, you overwhelmed him in the depths of the sea, but
carried through safely those who had put their confidence in you, the
Ruler over the whole creation. 8 And when they had seen works of
your hands, they praised you, the Almighty. 9 You, O King, when you
had created the boundless and immeasurable earth, chose this city and
sanctified this place for your name, though you have no need of
anything; and when you had glorified it by your magnificent
manifestation, you made it a firm foundation for the glory of your
great and honored name. 10 And because you love the house of Israel,
you promised that if we should have reverses and tribulation should

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3 MACCABEES 440

The punishment of Ptolemy

21 Thereupon God, who oversees all things, the first Father of all, holy
among the holy ones, having heard the lawful supplication, scourged
him who had exalted himself in insolence and audacity. 22 He shook
him on this side and that as a reed is shaken by the wind, so that he lay
helpless on the ground and, besides being paralyzed in his limbs, was
unable even to speak, since he was smitten by a righteous judgment. 23
Then both friends and bodyguards, seeing the severe punishment that
had overtaken him, and fearing that he would lose his life, quickly
dragged him out, panic-stricken in their exceedingly great fear. 24
After a while he recovered, and though he had been punished, he by
no means repented, but went away uttering bitter threats.

Hostile Measures against the Jews of Alexandria

25 When he arrived in Egypt, he increased in his deeds of malice,
abetted by the previously mentioned drinking companions and

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3 MACCABEES 441

31 Now some, however, with an obvious abhorrence of the price to be
exacted for maintaining the religion of their city, readily gave
themselves up, since they expected to enhance their reputation by
their future association with the king. 32 But the majority acted firmly
with a courageous spirit and did not abandon their religion; and by
paying money in exchange for life they confidently attempted to save
themselves from the registration. 33 They remained resolutely hopeful
of obtaining help, and they abhorred those who separated themselves
from them, considering them to be enemies of the Jewish nation, and
depriving them of companionship and mutual help.

[3 Maccabees 3]
The Jews and their neighbors


1 When the impious king comprehended this situation, he became so
infuriated that not only was he enraged against those Jews who lived
in Alexandria, but was still more bitterly hostile toward those in the
countryside; and he ordered that all should promptly be gathered into
one place, and put to death by the most cruel means. 2 While these
matters were being arranged, a hostile rumor was circulated against
the Jewish nation by some who conspired to do them ill, a pretext

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3 MACCABEES 442

8 The Greeks in the city, though wronged in no way, when they saw an
unexpected tumult around these people and the crowds that suddenly
were forming, were not strong enough to help them, for they lived
under tyranny. They did try to console them, being grieved at the
situation, and expected that matters would change; 9 for such a great
community ought not be left to its fate when it had committed no
offense. 10 And already some of their neighbors and friends and
business associates had taken some of them aside privately and were
pledging to protect them and to exert more earnest efforts for their
assistance.

Ptolemy orders the arrest of all Jews in his kingdom

11 Then the king, boastful of his present good fortune, and not
considering the might of the supreme God, but assuming that he
would persevere constantly in his same purpose, wrote this letter
against them:

12 "King Ptolemy Philopator to his generals and soldiers in Egypt and
all its districts, greetings and good health:

13 "I myself and our government are faring well. 14 When our
expedition took place in Asia, as you yourselves know, it was brought
to conclusion, according to plan, by the gods' deliberate alliance with

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3 MACCABEES 443

3 MACCABEES 443

20 "But we, when we arrived in Egypt victorious, accommodated
ourselves to their folly and did as was proper, since we treat all nations
with benevolence. 21 Among other things, we made known to all our
amnesty toward their compatriots here, both because of their alliance
with us and the myriad affairs liberally entrusted to them from the
beginning; and we ventured to make a change, by deciding both to
deem them worthy of Alexandrian citizenship and to make them
participants in our regular religious rites. 22 But in their innate malice
they took this in a contrary spirit, and disdained what is good. Since
they incline constantly to evil, 23 they not only spurn the priceless
citizenship, but also both by speech and by silence they abominate
those few among them who are sincerely disposed toward us; in every
situation, in accordance with their infamous way of life, they secretly
suspect that we may soon alter our policy. 24 Therefore, fully convinced
by these indications that they are ill-disposed toward us in every way,
we have taken precautions so that, if a sudden disorder later arises
against us, we shall not have these impious people behind our backs as
traitors and barbarous enemies. 25 Therefore we have given orders
that, as soon as this letter arrives, you are to send to us those who live
among you, together with their wives and children, with insulting and
harsh treatment, and bound securely with iron fetters, to suffer the
sure and shameful death that befits enemies. 26 For when all of these

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[3 Maccabees 4]
The Jews brought to Alexandria and imprisoned


1 In every place, then, where this decree arrived, a feast at public
expense was arranged for the Gentiles with shouts and gladness, for
the inveterate enmity that had long ago been in their minds was now
made evident and outspoken. 2 But among the Jews there was
incessant mourning, lamentation, and tearful cries; everywhere their
hearts were burning, and they groaned because of the unexpected
destruction that had suddenly been decreed for them. 3 What district
or city, or what habitable place at all, or what streets were not filled
with mourning and wailing for them? 4 For with such a harsh and
ruthless spirit were they being sent off, all together, by the generals in
the several cities, that at the sight of their unusual punishments, even
some of their enemies, perceiving the common object of pity before
their eyes, reflected on the uncertainty of life and shed tears at the
most miserable expulsion of these people. 5 For a multitude of gray-
headed old men, sluggish and bent with age, was being led away,
forced to march at a swift pace by the violence with which they were
driven in such a shameful manner. 6 And young women who had just
entered the bridal chamber to share married life exchanged joy for
wailing, their myrrh-perfumed hair sprinkled with ashes, and were
carried away unveiled, all together raising a lament instead of a
wedding song, as they were torn by the harsh treatment of the
heathen. 7 In bonds and in public view they were violently dragged
along as far as the place of embarkation. 8 Their husbands, in the

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11 When these people had been brought to the place called Schedia,
and the voyage was concluded as the king had decreed, he
commanded that they should be enclosed in the hippodrome that had
been built with a monstrous perimeter wall in front of the city, and
that was well suited to make them an obvious spectacle to all coming
back into the city and to those from the city going out into the
country, so that they could neither communicate with the king's forces
nor in any way claim to be inside the circuit of the city. 12 And when
this had happened, the king, hearing that the Jews' compatriots from
the city frequently went out in secret to lament bitterly the ignoble
misfortune of their kindred, 13 ordered in his rage that these people be
dealt with in precisely the same fashion as the others, not omitting any
detail of their punishment. 14 The entire race was to be registered
individually, not for the hard labor that has been briefly mentioned
before, but to be tortured with the outrages that he had ordered, and
at the end to be destroyed in the space of a single day. 15 The
registration of these people was therefore conducted with bitter haste
and zealous intensity from the rising of the sun until its setting, coming
to an end after forty days but still uncompleted.

16 The king was greatly and continually filled with joy, organizing
feasts in honor of all his idols, with a mind alienated from truth and
with a profane mouth, praising speechless things that are not able
even to communicate or to come to one's help, and uttering improper
words against the supreme God. 17 But after the previously mentioned
interval of time the scribes declared to the king that they were no
longer able to take the census of the Jews because of their immense
number, 18 though most of them were still in the country, some still

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[3 Maccabees 5]
Ptolemy orders the execution of the Jews, but is thwarted


1 Then the king, completely inflexible, was filled with overpowering
anger and wrath; so he summoned Hermon, keeper of the elephants, 2
and ordered him on the following day to drug all the elephants — five
hundred in number — with large handfuls of frankincense and plenty
of unmixed wine, and to drive them in, maddened by the lavish
abundance of drink, so that the Jews might meet their doom. 3 When
he had given these orders he returned to his feasting, together with
those of his Friends and of the army who were especially hostile
toward the Jews. 4 And Hermon, keeper of the elephants, proceeded
faithfully to carry out the orders. 5 The servants in charge of the Jews
went out in the evening and bound the hands of the wretched people
and arranged for their continued custody through the night, convinced
that the whole nation would experience its final destruction. 6 For to
the Gentiles it appeared that the Jews were left without any aid, 7
because in their bonds they were forcibly confined on every side. But
with tears and a voice hard to silence they all called upon the Almighty
Lord and Ruler of all power, their merciful God and Father, praying 8
that he avert with vengeance the evil plot against them and in a
glorious manifestation rescue them from the fate now prepared for
them. 9 So their entreaty ascended fervently to heaven.

10 Hermon, however, when he had drugged the pitiless elephants until
they had been filled with a great abundance of wine and satiated with
frankincense, presented himself at the courtyard early in the morning
to report to the king about these preparations. 11 But the Lord sent
upon the king a portion of sleep, that beneficence that from the
beginning, night and day, is bestowed by him who grants it to

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14 But now, since it was nearly the middle of the tenth hour, the
person who was in charge of the invitations, seeing that the guests
were assembled, approached the king and nudged him. 15 And when
he had with difficulty roused him, he pointed out that the hour of the
banquet was already slipping by, and he gave him an account of the
situation. 16 The king, after considering this, returned to his drinking,
and ordered those present for the banquet to recline opposite him. 17
When this was done he urged them to give themselves over to revelry
and to make the present portion of the banquet joyful by celebrating
all the more. 18 After the party had been going on for some time, the
king summoned Hermon and with sharp threats demanded to know
why the Jews had been allowed to remain alive through the present
day. 19 But when he, with the corroboration of the king's Friends,
pointed out that while it was still night he had carried out completely
the order given him, 20 the king, possessed by a savagery worse than
that of Phalaris, said that the Jews were benefited by today's sleep,
"but," he added, "tomorrow without delay prepare the elephants in
the same way for the destruction of the lawless Jews!" 21 When the
king had spoken, all those present readily and joyfully with one accord
gave their approval, and all went to their own homes. 22 But they did
not so much employ the duration of the night in sleep as in devising all
sorts of insults for those they thought to be doomed.

23 Then, as soon as the cock had crowed in the early morning, Hermon,
having equipped the animals, began to move them along in the great
colonnade. 24 The crowds of the city had been assembled for this most
pitiful spectacle and they were eagerly waiting for daybreak. 25 But
the Jews, at their last gasp — since the time had run out — stretched
their hands toward heaven and with most tearful supplication and
mournful dirges implored the supreme God to help them again at
once. 26 The rays of the sun were not yet shed abroad, and while the

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king was receiving his Friends, Hermon arrived and invited him to come
out, indicating that what the king desired was ready for action. 27 But
he, on receiving the report and being struck by the unusual invitation
to come out — since he had been completely overcome by
incomprehension — inquired what the matter was for which this had
been so zealously completed for him. 28 This was the act of God who
rules over all things, for he had implanted in the king's mind a
forgetfulness of the things he had previously devised. 29 Then Hermon
and all the king's Friends pointed out that the animals and the armed
forces were ready, "O king, according to your eager purpose." 30 But
at these words he was filled with an overpowering wrath, because by
the providence of God his whole mind had been deranged concerning
these matters; and with a threatening look he said, 31 "If your parents
or children were present, I would have prepared them to be a rich feast
for the savage animals instead of the Jews, who give me no ground for
complaint and have exhibited to an extraordinary degree a full and
firm loyalty to my ancestors. 32 In fact you would have been deprived
of life instead of these, if it were not for an affection arising from our
nurture in common and your usefulness." 33 So Hermon suffered an
unexpected and dangerous threat, and his eyes wavered and his face
fell. 34 The king's Friends one by one sullenly slipped away and
dismissed the assembled people to their own occupations. 35 Then the
Jews, on hearing what the king had said, praised the manifest Lord
God, King of kings, since this also was his aid that they had received.

36 The king, however, reconvened the party in the same manner and
urged the guests to return to their celebrating. 37 After summoning
Hermon he said in a threatening tone, "How many times, you poor
wretch, must I give you orders about these things? 38 Equip the
elephants now once more for the destruction of the Jews tomorrow!"
39 But the officials who were at table with him, wondering at his
instability of mind, remonstrated as follows: 40 "O king, how long will
you put us to the test, as though we are idiots, ordering now for a
third time that they be destroyed, and again revoking your decree in
the matter? 41 As a result the city is in a tumult because of its
expectation; it is crowded with masses of people, and also in constant
danger of being plundered."

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42 At this the king, a Phalaris in everything and filled with madness,
took no account of the changes of mind that had come about within
him for the protection of the Jews, and he firmly swore an irrevocable
oath that he would send them to death without delay, mangled by the
knees and feet of the animals, 43 and would also march against Judea
and rapidly level it to the ground with fire and spear, and by burning
to the ground the temple inaccessible to him would quickly render it
forever empty of those who offered sacrifices there. 44 Then the
Friends and officers departed with great joy, and they confidently
posted the armed forces at the places in the city most favorable for
keeping guard.

45 Now when the animals had been brought virtually to a state of
madness, so to speak, by the very fragrant draughts of wine mixed
with frankincense and had been equipped with frightful devices, the
elephant keeper 46 entered at about dawn into the courtyard — the
city now being filled with countless masses of people crowding their
way into the hippodrome — and urged the king on to the matter at
hand. 47 So he, when he had filled his impious mind with a deep rage,
rushed out in full force along with the animals, wishing to witness,
with invulnerable heart and with his own eyes, the grievous and pitiful
destruction of the aforementioned people.

48 When the Jews saw the dust raised by the elephants going out at
the gate and by the following armed forces, as well as by the trampling
of the crowd, and heard the loud and tumultuous noise, 49 they
thought that this was their last moment of life, the end of their most
miserable suspense, and giving way to lamentation and groans they
kissed each other, embracing relatives and falling into one another's
arms — parents and children, mothers and daughters, and others with
babies at their breasts who were drawing their last milk. 50 Not only
this, but when they considered the help that they had received before
from heaven, they prostrated themselves with one accord on the
ground, removing the babies from their breasts, 51 and cried out in a
very loud voice, imploring the Ruler over every power to manifest
himself and be merciful to them, as they stood now at the gates of
death.

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[3 Maccabees 6]
The prayer of Eleazar

1 Then a certain Eleazar, famous among the priests of the country, who
had attained a ripe old age and throughout his life had been adorned
with every virtue, directed the elders around him to stop calling upon
the holy God, and he prayed as follows: 2 "King of great power,
Almighty God Most High, governing all creation with mercy, 3 look
upon the descendants of Abraham, O Father, upon the children of the
sainted Jacob, a people of your consecrated portion who are perishing
as foreigners in a foreign land. 4 Pharaoh with his abundance of
chariots, the former ruler of this Egypt, exalted with lawless insolence
and boastful tongue, you destroyed together with his arrogant army
by drowning them in the sea, manifesting the light of your mercy on
the nation of Israel. 5 Sennacherib exulting in his countless forces,
oppressive king of the Assyrians, who had already gained control of
the whole world by the spear and was lifted up against your holy city,
speaking grievous words with boasting and insolence, you, O Lord,
broke in pieces, showing your power to many nations. 6 The three
companions in Babylon who had voluntarily surrendered their lives to
the flames so as not to serve vain things, you rescued unharmed, even
to a hair, moistening the fiery furnace with dew and turning the flame
against all their enemies. 7 Daniel, who through envious slanders was
thrown down into the ground to lions as food for wild animals, you
brought up to the light unharmed. 8 And Jonah, wasting away in the
belly of a huge, sea-born monster, you, Father, watched over and
restored unharmed to all his family. 9 And now, you who hate
insolence, all-merciful and protector of all, reveal yourself quickly to
those of the nation of Israel — who are being outrageously treated by
the abominable and lawless Gentiles.

10 "Even if our lives have become entangled in impieties in our exile,
rescue us from the hand of the enemy, and destroy us, Lord, by
whatever fate you choose. 11 Let not the vain-minded praise their
vanities at the destruction of your beloved people, saying, 'Not even
their god has rescued them.' 12 But you, O Eternal One, who have all
might and all power, watch over us now and have mercy on us who by
the senseless insolence of the lawless are being deprived of life in the

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The Jews are delivered, and the king now favors them

16 Just as Eleazar was ending his prayer, the king arrived at the
hippodrome with the animals and all the arrogance of his forces. 17
And when the Jews observed this they raised great cries to heaven so
that even the nearby valleys resounded with them and brought an
uncontrollable terror upon the army. 18 Then the most glorious,
almighty, and true God revealed his holy face and opened the heavenly
gates, from which two glorious angels of fearful aspect descended,
visible to all but the Jews. 19 They opposed the forces of the enemy
and filled them with confusion and terror, binding them with
immovable shackles. 20 Even the king began to shudder bodily, and he
forgot his sullen insolence. 21 The animals turned back upon the armed
forces following them and began trampling and destroying them.

22 Then the king's anger was turned to pity and tears because of the
things that he had devised beforehand. 23 For when he heard the
shouting and saw them all fallen headlong to destruction, he wept and
angrily threatened his Friends, saying, 24 "You are committing treason
and surpassing tyrants in cruelty; and even me, your benefactor, you
are now attempting to deprive of dominion and life by secretly
devising acts of no advantage to the kingdom. 25 Who has driven from
their homes those who faithfully kept our country's fortresses, and
foolishly gathered every one of them here? 26 Who is it that has so
lawlessly encompassed with outrageous treatment those who from the
beginning differed from all nations in their goodwill toward us and
often have accepted willingly the worst of human dangers? 27 Loose
and untie their unjust bonds! Send them back to their homes in peace,
begging pardon for your former actions! 28 Release the children of the
almighty and living God of heaven, who from the time of our ancestors

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30 Then the king, when he had returned to the city, summoned the
official in charge of the revenues and ordered him to provide to the
Jews both wines and everything else needed for a festival of seven
days, deciding that they should celebrate their rescue with all
joyfulness in that same place in which they had expected to meet their
destruction. 31 Accordingly those disgracefully treated and near to
death, or rather, who stood at its gates, arranged for a banquet of
deliverance instead of a bitter and lamentable death, and full of joy
they apportioned to celebrants the place that had been prepared for
their destruction and burial. 32 They stopped their chanting of dirges
and took up the song of their ancestors, praising God, their Savior and
worker of wonders. Putting an end to all mourning and wailing, they
formed choruses as a sign of peaceful joy. 33 Likewise also the king,
after convening a great banquet to celebrate these events, gave thanks
to heaven unceasingly and lavishly for the unexpected rescue that he
had experienced. 34 Those who had previously believed that the Jews
would be destroyed and become food for birds, and had joyfully
registered them, groaned as they themselves were overcome by
disgrace, and their fire-breathing boldness was ignominiously
quenched.

35 The Jews, as we have said before, arranged the aforementioned
choral group and passed the time in feasting to the accompaniment of
joyous thanksgiving and psalms. 36 And when they had ordained a
public rite for these things in their whole community and for their
descendants, they instituted the observance of the aforesaid days as a
festival, not for drinking and gluttony, but because of the deliverance
that had come to them through God. 37 Then they petitioned the king,
asking for dismissal to their homes. 38 So their registration was carried
out from the twenty-fifth of Pachon to the fourth of Epeiph, for forty
days; and their destruction was set for the fifth to the seventh of
Epeiph, the three days 39 on which the Lord of all most gloriously
revealed his mercy and rescued them all together and unharmed. 40

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[3 Maccabees 7]
Ptolemy's letter on behalf of the Jews


1 "King Ptolemy Philopator to the generals in Egypt and all in authority
in his government, greetings and good health:

2 "We ourselves and our children are faring well, the great God
guiding our affairs according to our desire. 3 Certain of our friends,
frequently urging us with malicious intent, persuaded us to gather
together the Jews of the kingdom in a body and to punish them with
barbarous penalties as traitors; 4 for they declared that our
government would never be firmly established until this was
accomplished, because of the ill-will that these people had toward all
nations. 5 They also led them out with harsh treatment as slaves, or
rather as traitors, and, girding themselves with a cruelty more savage
than that of Scythian custom, they tried without any inquiry or
examination to put them to death. 6 But we very severely threatened
them for these acts, and in accordance with the clemency that we have
toward all people we barely spared their lives. Since we have come to
realize that the God of heaven surely defends the Jews, always taking
their part as a father does for his children, 7 and since we have taken
into account the friendly and firm goodwill that they had toward us
and our ancestors, we justly have acquitted them of every charge of
whatever kind. 8 We also have ordered all people to return to their
own homes, with no one in any place doing them harm at all or
reproaching them for the irrational things that have happened. 9 For
you should know that if we devise any evil against them or cause them
any grief at all, we always shall have not a mortal but the Ruler over
every power, the Most High God, in everything and inescapably as an
antagonist to avenge such acts. Farewell."

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The Jews punish the renegades and return home

10 On receiving this letter the Jews did not immediately hurry to make
their departure, but they requested of the king that at their own hands
those of the Jewish nation who had willfully transgressed against the
holy God and the law of God should receive the punishment they
deserved. 11 They declared that those who for the belly's sake had
transgressed the divine commandments would never be favorably
disposed toward the king's government. 12 The king then, admitting
and approving the truth of what they said, granted them a general
license so that freely, and without royal authority or supervision, they
might destroy those everywhere in his kingdom who had transgressed
the law of God. 13 When they had applauded him in fitting manner,
their priests and the whole multitude shouted the Hallelujah and
joyfully departed. 14 And so on their way they punished and put to a
public and shameful death any whom they met of their compatriots
who had become defiled. 15 In that day they put to death more than
three hundred men; and they kept the day as a joyful festival, since
they had destroyed the profaners. 16 But those who had held fast to
God even to death and had received the full enjoyment of deliverance
began their departure from the city, crowned with all sorts of very
fragrant flowers, joyfully and loudly giving thanks to the one God of
their ancestors, the eternal Savior of Israel, in words of praise and all
kinds of melodious songs.

17 When they had arrived at Ptolemais, called "rose-bearing" because
of a characteristic of the place, the fleet waited for them, in
accordance with the common desire, for seven days. 18 There they
celebrated their deliverance, for the king had generously provided all
things to them for their journey until all of them arrived at their own
houses. 19 And when they had all landed in peace with appropriate
thanksgiving, there too in like manner they decided to observe these
days as a joyous festival during the time of their stay. 20 Then, after
inscribing them as holy on a pillar and dedicating a place of prayer at
the site of the festival, they departed unharmed, free, and overjoyed,
since at the king's command they had all of them been brought safely
by land and sea and river to their own homes. 21 They also possessed
greater prestige among their enemies, being held in honor and awe;

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2 ESDRAS


Introduction

The book known as 2 Esdras is actually a composite work made up of
three separate writings: 5 Ezra (chs 1-2), 4 Ezra (chs 3-14), and 6 Ezra
(chs 15-16).

Fourth Ezra, the longest and most complex of the three, is also the
earliest. Written in Hebrew by an anonymous Jew in Israel near the end
of the first century CE, it sets forth its author's anguished reflections on
the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Romans in 70 CE.
The author adopts the pseudonym of Ezra, whom he presents as living
after the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE,
and also refers to Rome by a pseudonym, "Babylon." Thus he writes on
two levels, comparing his own situation with that of his eponymous
biblical hero. The book's central concern is the issue of theodicy: How
could a just God allow such misfortunes to happen to God's chosen
people?

The author of 4 Ezra is a deeply reflective and highly imaginative
thinker, who is moreover skilled and sophisticated enough to present
divergent theological viewpoints in different parts of the book. In the
first three of the book's seven "visions," Ezra, the book's spirited and
loquacious hero, argues persuasively a profoundly humanistic
viewpoint that stresses the ideals of God's mercy, justice, and care for
humanity, especially Israel. Ezra is rebuffed time and again, however,
by his angelic interlocutor, who emphasizes the limitations of human
reasoning.

In a fourth vision, the book's central and pivotal section, Ezra
experiences a profound psychological shift (a "conversion" experience)
from his previous attitude to a state of unquestioning acceptance of
God's will. As a sign of this transition he receives a mystical vision of

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2 ESDRAS 457

In the course of the second century CE, 4 Ezra was translated into
Greek; from Greek it was rendered into a plethora of other languages.
Although the Hebrew and Greek texts have been lost with time, the
book is attested today in no less than eight versions: Latin, Syriac,
Ethiopic, Georgian, Armenian, two independent Arabic versions, and a
fragmentary Coptic version. This large number of translations is
evidence of the book's immense popularity in the various Christian
churches of the early Middle Ages.

Fifth Ezra, a Christian writing of the second or third century CE, is also
pseudonymously ascribed to Ezra. It was composed in either Greek or
Latin; its place of composition is uncertain. Fifth Ezra reflects the
growing tension between Christian and Jewish communities. It indicts
the people of Israel for their sins and "predicts" the coming of a new
people (the Christians) who will inherit Israel's patrimony.

Sixth Ezra is a Christian composition of the third century CE, probably
from Asia Minor. In it an anonymous prophet predicts terrible
catastrophes that will afflict the whole earth as a result of human
iniquity and warns God's "elect" to abstain from sin if they wish to
escape the calamities. The book reflects a situation in which its
Christian community was experiencing persecution and strives to
convince its audience to stand firm. Although 6 Ezra survives in full
only in Latin, a fourth-century Greek parchment fragment of 15.57-59

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2 ESDRAS 458

[2 Esdras 1]
(Chs 1-2 comprise a separate literary composition also known as 5
Ezra.)
Ascription


1 The book of the prophet Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of
Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 2 son of Ahijah,
son of Phinehas, son of Eli, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of
Meraimoth, son of Arna, son of Uzzi, son of Borith, son of Abishua, son
of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, 3 son of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, who
was a captive in the country of the Medes in the reign of Artaxerxes,
king of the Persians.

A prophetic indictment against Israel; Prophetic historical recital of
God's benefits during the Exodus

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 "Go, declare to my
people their evil deeds, and to their children the iniquities that they
have committed against me, so that they may tell their children's
children 6 that the sins of their parents have increased in them, for
they have forgotten me and have offered sacrifices to strange gods. 7
Was it not I who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the
house of bondage? But they have angered me and despised my
counsels. 8 Now you, pull out the hair of your head and hurl all evils
upon them, for they have not obeyed my law — they are a rebellious
people. 9 How long shall I endure them, on whom I have bestowed
such great benefits? 10 For their sake I have overthrown many kings; I

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2 ESDRAS 459

12 "But speak to them and say, Thus says the Lord: 13 Surely it was I
who brought you through the sea, and made safe highways for you
where there was no road; I gave you Moses as leader and Aaron as
priest; 14 I provided light for you from a pillar of fire, and did great
wonders among you. Yet you have forgotten me, says the Lord.

15 "Thus says the Lord Almighty: The quails were a sign to you; I gave
you camps for your protection, and in them you complained. 16 You
have not exulted in my name at the destruction of your enemies, but
to this day you still complain. 17 Where are the benefits that I
bestowed on you? When you were hungry and thirsty in the
wilderness, did you not cry out to me, 18 saying, 'Why have you led us
into this wilderness to kill us? It would have been better for us to serve
the Egyptians than to die in this wilderness.' 19 I pitied your groanings
and gave you manna for food; you ate the bread of angels. 20 When
you were thirsty, did I not split the rock so that waters flowed in
abundance? Because of the heat I clothed you with the leaves of trees.
21 I divided fertile lands among you; I drove out the Canaanites, the
Perizzites, and the Philistines before you. What more can I do for you?
says the Lord. 22 Thus says the Lord Almighty: When you were in the
wilderness, at the bitter stream, thirsty and blaspheming my name, 23 I
did not send fire on you for your blasphemies, but threw a tree into
the water and made the stream sweet.

Pronouncement of judgment against Israel

24 "What shall I do to you, O Jacob? You, Judah, would not obey me. I
will turn to other nations and will give them my name, so that they
may keep my statutes. 25 Because you have forsaken me, I also will
forsake you. When you beg mercy of me, I will show you no mercy. 26
When you call to me, I will not listen to you; for you have defiled your
hands with blood, and your feet are swift to commit murder. 27 It is
not as though you had forsaken me; you have forsaken yourselves, says
the Lord.

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2 ESDRAS 460

33 "Thus says the Lord Almighty: Your house is desolate; I will drive you
out as the wind drives straw; 34 and your sons will have no children,
because with you they have neglected my commandment and have
done what is evil in my sight. 35 I will give your houses to a people that
will come, who without having heard me will believe. Those to whom I
have shown no signs will do what I have commanded. 36 They have
seen no prophets, yet will recall their former state. 37 I call to witness
the gratitude of the people that is to come, whose children rejoice
with gladness; though they do not see me with bodily eyes, yet with
the spirit they will believe the things I have said.

Vision of the coming people

38 "And now, father, look with pride and see the people coming from
the east; 39 to them I will give as leaders Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
and Hosea and Amos and Micah and Joel and Obadiah and Jonah 40
and Nahum and Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi,
who is also called the messenger of the Lord.

[2 Esdras 2]
Further pronouncement of judgment


1 "Thus says the Lord: I brought this people out of bondage, and I gave
them commandments through my servants the prophets; but they
would not listen to them, and made my counsels void. 2 The mother
who bore them says to them, 'Go, my children, because I am a widow

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2 ESDRAS 461

2 ESDRAS 461

8 "Woe to you, Assyria, who conceal the unrighteous within you! O
wicked nation, remember what I did to Sodom and Gomorrah, 9 whose
land lies in lumps of pitch and heaps of ashes. That is what I will do to
those who have not listened to me, says the Lord Almighty."

Prophetic exhortation of the new people; Blessing and instruction

10 Thus says the Lord to Ezra: "Tell my people that I will give them the
kingdom of Jerusalem, which I was going to give to Israel. 11 Moreover,
I will take back to myself their glory, and will give to these others the
everlasting habitations, which I had prepared for Israel. 12 The tree of
life shall give them fragrant perfume, and they shall neither toil nor
become weary. 13 Go and you will receive; pray that your days may be
few, that they may be shortened. The kingdom is already prepared for
you; be on the watch! 14 Call, O call heaven and earth to witness: I set
aside evil and created good; for I am the Living One, says the Lord.

Exhortation of the mother

15 "Mother, embrace your children; bring them up with gladness, as
does a dove; strengthen their feet, because I have chosen you, says the
Lord. 16 And I will raise up the dead from their places, and bring them
out from their tombs, because I recognize my name in them. 17 Do not
fear, mother of children, for I have chosen you, says the Lord. 18 I will
send you help, my servants Isaiah and Jeremiah. According to their
counsel I have consecrated and prepared for you twelve trees loaded
with various fruits, 19 and the same number of springs flowing with

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2 ESDRAS 462

2 ESDRAS 462

20 "Guard the rights of the widow, secure justice for the ward, give to
the needy, defend the orphan, clothe the naked, 21 care for the injured
and the weak, do not ridicule the lame, protect the maimed, and let
the blind have a vision of my splendor. 22 Protect the old and the
young within your walls. 23 When you find any who are dead, commit
them to the grave and mark it, and I will give you the first place in my
resurrection. 24 Pause and be quiet, my people, because your rest will
come.

25 "Good nurse, nourish your children; strengthen their feet. 26 Not
one of the servants whom I have given you will perish, for I will require
them from among your number. 27 Do not be anxious, for when the
day of tribulation and anguish comes, others shall weep and be
sorrowful, but you shall rejoice and have abundance. 28 The nations
shall envy you, but they shall not be able to do anything against you,
says the Lord. 29 My power will protect you, so that your children may
not see hell.

30 "Rejoice, O mother, with your children, because I will deliver you,
says the Lord. 31 Remember your children that sleep, because I will
bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and will show mercy
to them; for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty. 32 Embrace your
children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them; because my springs
run over, and my grace will not fail."

Encouragement of the "nations"

33 I, Ezra, received a command from the Lord on Mount Horeb to go to
Israel. When I came to them they rejected me and refused the LORD's
commandment. 34 Therefore I say to you, O nations that hear and
understand, "Wait for your shepherd; he will give you everlasting rest,
because he who will come at the end of the age is close at hand. 35 Be
ready for the rewards of the kingdom, because perpetual light will
shine on you forevermore. 36 Flee from the shadow of this age, receive
the joy of your glory; I publicly call on my savior to witness. 37 Receive

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2 ESDRAS 463

2 ESDRAS 463

Ezra's vision of a great multitude

42 I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not
number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. 43 In their
midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others,
and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more
exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. 44 Then I asked an
angel, "Who are these, my lord?" 45 He answered and said to me,
"These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the
immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are being
crowned, and receive palms." 46 Then I said to the angel, "Who is that
young man who is placing crowns on them and putting palms in their
hands?" 47 He answered and said to me, "He is the Son of God, whom
they confessed in the world." So I began to praise those who had stood
valiantly for the name of the Lord. 48 Then the angel said to me, "Go,
tell my people how great and how many are the wonders of the Lord
God that you have seen."

[2 Esdras 3]
(Chs 3-14 comprise a separate literary composition also known as 4
Ezra.)
The first vision; Introduction


1 In the thirtieth year after the destruction of the city, I was in Babylon

— I, Salathiel, who am also called Ezra. I was troubled as I lay on my
bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart, 2 because I saw the
desolation of Zion and the wealth of those who lived in Babylon. 3 My
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2 ESDRAS 464


spirit was greatly agitated, and I began to speak anxious words to the
Most High, and said,

Addressing God, the author raises perplexing questions

4 "O sovereign Lord, did you not speak at the beginning when you
planted the earth — and that without help — and commanded the
dust 5 and it gave you Adam, a lifeless body? Yet he was the creation
of your hands, and you breathed into him the breath of life, and he
was made alive in your presence. 6 And you led him into the garden
that your right hand had planted before the earth appeared. 7 And
you laid upon him one commandment of yours; but he transgressed it,
and immediately you appointed death for him and for his descendants.
From him there sprang nations and tribes, peoples and clans without
number. 8 And every nation walked after its own will; they did
ungodly things in your sight and rejected your commands, and you did
not hinder them. 9 But again, in its time you brought the flood upon
the inhabitants of the world and destroyed them. 10 And the same fate
befell all of them: just as death came upon Adam, so the flood upon
them. 11 But you left one of them, Noah with his household, and all the
righteous who have descended from him.

12 "When those who lived on earth began to multiply, they produced
children and peoples and many nations, and again they began to be
more ungodly than were their ancestors. 13 And when they were
committing iniquity in your sight, you chose for yourself one of them,
whose name was Abraham; 14 you loved him, and to him alone you
revealed the end of the times, secretly by night. 15 You made an
everlasting covenant with him, and promised him that you would
never forsake his descendants; and you gave him Isaac, and to Isaac you
gave Jacob and Esau. 16 You set apart Jacob for yourself, but Esau you
rejected; and Jacob became a great multitude. 17 And when you led his
descendants out of Egypt, you brought them to Mount Sinai. 18 You
bent down the heavens and shook the earth, and moved the world,
and caused the depths to tremble, and troubled the times. 19 Your
glory passed through the four gates of fire and earthquake and wind
and ice, to give the law to the descendants of Jacob, and your
commandment to the posterity of Israel.

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2 ESDRAS 465

2 ESDRAS 465

28 "Then I said in my heart, Are the deeds of those who inhabit
Babylon any better? Is that why it has gained dominion over Zion? 29
For when I came here I saw ungodly deeds without number, and my
soul has seen many sinners during these thirty years. And my heart
failed me, 30 because I have seen how you endure those who sin, and
have spared those who act wickedly, and have destroyed your people,
and protected your enemies, 31 and have not shown to anyone how
your way may be comprehended. Are the deeds of Babylon better than
those of Zion? 32 Or has another nation known you besides Israel? Or
what tribes have so believed the covenants as these tribes of Jacob? 33
Yet their reward has not appeared and their labor has borne no fruit.
For I have traveled widely among the nations and have seen that they
abound in wealth, though they are unmindful of your commandments.
34 Now therefore weigh in a balance our iniquities and those of the
inhabitants of the world; and it will be found which way the turn of
the scale will incline. 35 When have the inhabitants of the earth not
sinned in your sight? Or what nation has kept your commandments so
well? 36 You may indeed find individuals who have kept your
commandments, but nations you will not find."

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2 ESDRAS 466


[2 Esdras 4]
Dialogic dispute between Ezra and the angel Uriel


1 Then the angel that had been sent to me, whose name was Uriel,
answered 2 and said to me, "Your understanding has utterly failed
regarding this world, and do you think you can comprehend the way
of the Most High?" 3 Then I said, "Yes, my lord." And he replied to me,
"I have been sent to show you three ways, and to put before you three
problems. 4 If you can solve one of them for me, then I will show you
the way you desire to see, and will teach you why the heart is evil."

5 I said, "Speak, my lord."

And he said to me, "Go, weigh for me the weight of fire, or measure
for me a blast of wind, or call back for me the day that is past."

6 I answered and said, "Who of those that have been born can do that,
that you should ask me about such things?"

7 And he said to me, "If I had asked you, 'How many dwellings are in
the heart of the sea, or how many streams are at the source of the
deep, or how many streams are above the firmament, or which are the
exits of Hades, or which are the entrances of paradise?' 8 perhaps you
would have said to me, 'I never went down into the deep, nor as yet
into Hades, neither did I ever ascend into heaven.' 9 But now I have
asked you only about fire and wind and the day — things that you
have experienced and from which you cannot be separated, and you
have given me no answer about them." 10 He said to me, "You cannot
understand the things with which you have grown up; 11 how then can
your mind comprehend the way of the Most High? And how can one
who is already worn out by the corrupt world understand
incorruption?" When I heard this, I fell on my face 12 and said to him,
"It would have been better for us not to be here than to come here
and live in ungodliness, and to suffer and not understand why."

13 He answered me and said, "I went into a forest of trees of the plain,
and they made a plan 14 and said, 'Come, let us go and make war
against the sea, so that it may recede before us and so that we may

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2 ESDRAS 467

2 ESDRAS 467

19 I answered and said, "Each made a foolish plan, for the land has
been assigned to the forest, and the locale of the sea a place to carry
its waves."

20 He answered me and said, "You have judged rightly, but why have
you not judged so in your own case? 21 For as the land has been
assigned to the forest and the sea to its waves, so also those who
inhabit the earth can understand only what is on the earth, and he
who is above the heavens can understand what is above the height of
the heavens."

22 Then I answered and said, "I implore you, my lord, why have I been
endowed with the power of understanding? 23 For I did not wish to
inquire about the ways above, but about those things that we daily
experience: why Israel has been given over to the Gentiles in disgrace;
why the people whom you loved has been given over to godless tribes,
and the law of our ancestors has been brought to destruction and the
written covenants no longer exist. 24 We pass from the world like
locusts, and our life is like a mist, and we are not worthy to obtain
mercy. 25 But what will he do for his name that is invoked over us? It is
about these things that I have asked."

Dialogic prediction regarding the future

26 He answered me and said, "If you are alive, you will see, and if you
live long, you will often marvel, because the age is hurrying swiftly to
its end. 27 It will not be able to bring the things that have been
promised to the righteous in their appointed times, because this age is
full of sadness and infirmities. 28 For the evil about which you ask me

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2 ESDRAS 468

2 ESDRAS 468

33 Then I answered and said, "How long? When will these things be?
Why are our years few and evil?" 34 He answered me and said, "Do not
be in a greater hurry than the Most High. You, indeed, are in a hurry
for yourself, but the Highest is in a hurry on behalf of many. 35 Did not
the souls of the righteous in their chambers ask about these matters,
saying, 'How long are we to remain here? And when will the harvest of
our reward come?' 36 And the archangel Jeremiel answered and said,
'When the number of those like yourselves is completed; for he has
weighed the age in the balance, 37 and measured the times by
measure, and numbered the times by number; and he will not move or
arouse them until that measure is fulfilled.'"

38 Then I answered and said, "But, O sovereign Lord, all of us also are
full of ungodliness. 39 It is perhaps on account of us that the time of
threshing is delayed for the righteous — on account of the sins of
those who inhabit the earth."

40 He answered me and said, "Go and ask a pregnant woman whether,
when her nine months have been completed, her womb can keep the
fetus within her any longer."

41 And I said, "No, lord, it cannot."

He said to me, "In Hades the chambers of the souls are like the
womb. 42 For just as a woman who is in labor makes haste to escape
the pangs of birth, so also do these places hasten to give back those
things that were committed to them from the beginning. 43 Then the
things that you desire to see will be disclosed to you."

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2 ESDRAS 469

2 ESDRAS 469

47 And he said to me, "Stand at my right side, and I will show you the
interpretation of a parable."

48 So I stood and looked, and lo, a flaming furnace passed by before
me, and when the flame had gone by I looked, and lo, the smoke
remained. 49 And after this a cloud full of water passed before me and
poured down a heavy and violent rain, and when the violent rainstorm
had passed, drops still remained in the cloud.

50 He said to me, "Consider it for yourself; for just as the rain is more
than the drops, and the fire is greater than the smoke, so the quantity
that passed was far greater; but drops and smoke remained."

51 Then I prayed and said, "Do you think that I shall live until those
days? Or who will be alive in those days?"

52 He answered me and said, "Concerning the signs about which you
ask me, I can tell you in part; but I was not sent to tell you concerning
your life, for I do not know.

[2 Esdras 5]
Direct prediction of the future by the angel


1 "Now concerning the signs: lo, the days are coming when those who
inhabit the earth shall be seized with great terror, and the way of truth
shall be hidden, and the land shall be barren of faith. 2
Unrighteousness shall be increased beyond what you yourself see, and
beyond what you heard of formerly. 3 And the land that you now see
ruling shall be a trackless waste, and people shall see it desolate. 4 But
if the Most High grants that you live, you shall see it thrown into
confusion after the third period;

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2 ESDRAS 470


and the sun shall suddenly begin to shine at night,
and the moon during the day.
5 Blood shall drip from wood,
and the stone shall utter its voice;
the peoples shall be troubled,
and the stars shall fall.

6 And one shall reign whom those who inhabit the earth do not
expect, and the birds shall fly away together; 7 and the Dead Sea shall
cast up fish; and one whom the many do not know shall make his voice
heard by night, and all shall hear his voice. 8 There shall be chaos also
in many places, fire shall often break out, the wild animals shall roam
beyond their haunts, and menstruous women shall bring forth
monsters. 9 Salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all friends shall
conquer one another; then shall reason hide itself, and wisdom shall
withdraw into its chamber, 10 and it shall be sought by many but shall
not be found, and unrighteousness and unrestraint shall increase on
earth. 11 One country shall ask its neighbor, 'Has righteousness, or
anyone who does right, passed through you?' And it will answer, 'No.'
12 At that time people shall hope but not obtain; they shall labor, but
their ways shall not prosper. 13 These are the signs that I am permitted
to tell you, and if you pray again, and weep as you do now, and fast
for seven days, you shall hear yet greater things than these."

Conclusion of the vision

14 Then I woke up, and my body shuddered violently, and my soul was
so troubled that it fainted. 15 But the angel who had come and talked
with me held me and strengthened me and set me on my feet.

16 Now on the second night Phaltiel, a chief of the people, came to me
and said, "Where have you been? And why is your face sad? 17 Or do
you not know that Israel has been entrusted to you in the land of their
exile? 18 Rise therefore and eat some bread, and do not forsake us, like
a shepherd who leaves the flock in the power of savage wolves."

19 Then I said to him, "Go away from me and do not come near me for
seven days; then you may come to me."

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2 ESDRAS 471


He heard what I said and left me. 20 So I fasted seven days, mourning
and weeping, as the angel Uriel had commanded me.

The second vision; Introduction

21 After seven days the thoughts of my heart were very grievous to me
again. 22 Then my soul recovered the spirit of understanding, and I
began once more to speak words in the presence of the Most High.

Addressing God, the seer reiterates his complaints of divine injustice in
dealing with Israel

23 I said, "O sovereign Lord, from every forest of the earth and from all
its trees you have chosen one vine, 24 and from all the lands of the
world you have chosen for yourself one region, and from all the
flowers of the world you have chosen for yourself one lily, 25 and from
all the depths of the sea you have filled for yourself one river, and
from all the cities that have been built you have consecrated Zion for
yourself, 26 and from all the birds that have been created you have
named for yourself one dove, and from all the flocks that have been
made you have provided for yourself one sheep, 27 and from all the
multitude of peoples you have gotten for yourself one people; and to
this people, whom you have loved, you have given the law that is
approved by all. 28 And now, O Lord, why have you handed the one
over to the many, and dishonored the one root beyond the others, and
scattered your only one among the many? 29 And those who opposed
your promises have trampled on those who believed your covenants. 30
If you really hate your people, they should be punished at your own
hands."

Dialogic dispute with the angel

31 When I had spoken these words, the angel who had come to me on
a previous night was sent to me. 32 He said to me, "Listen to me, and I
will instruct you; pay attention to me, and I will tell you more."

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2 ESDRAS 472

2 ESDRAS 472

34 I said, "No, my lord, but because of my grief I have spoken; for every
hour I suffer agonies of heart, while I strive to understand the way of
the Most High and to search out some part of his judgment."

35 He said to me, "You cannot." And I said, "Why not, my lord? Why
then was I born? Or why did not my mother's womb become my grave,
so that I would not see the travail of Jacob and the exhaustion of the
people of Israel?"

36 He said to me, "Count up for me those who have not yet come, and
gather for me the scattered raindrops, and make the withered flowers
bloom again for me; 37 open for me the closed chambers, and bring
out for me the winds shut up in them, or show me the picture of a
voice; and then I will explain to you the travail that you ask to
understand."

38 I said, "O sovereign Lord, who is able to know these things except
him whose dwelling is not with mortals? 39 As for me, I am without
wisdom, and how can I speak concerning the things that you have
asked me?"

40 He said to me, "Just as you cannot do one of the things that were
mentioned, so you cannot discover my judgment, or the goal of the
love that I have promised to my people."

Dialogic prediction concerning the future

41 I said, "Yet, O Lord, you have charge of those who are alive at the
end, but what will those do who lived before me, or we, ourselves, or
those who come after us?"

42 He said to me, "I shall liken my judgment to a circle; just as for those
who are last there is no slowness, so for those who are first there is no
haste."

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2 ESDRAS 473

2 ESDRAS 473

44 He replied to me and said, "The creation cannot move faster than
the Creator, nor can the world hold at one time those who have been
created in it."

45 I said, "How have you said to your servant that you will certainly
give life at one time to your creation? If therefore all creatures will live
at one time and the creation will sustain them, it might even now be
able to support all of them present at one time."

46 He said to me, "Ask a woman's womb, and say to it, 'If you bear ten
children, why one after another?' Request it therefore to produce ten
at one time."

47 I said, "Of course it cannot, but only each in its own time."

48 He said to me, "Even so I have given the womb of the earth to those
who from time to time are sown in it. 49 For as an infant does not
bring forth, and a woman who has become old does not bring forth
any longer, so I have made the same rule for the world that I created."

50 Then I inquired and said, "Since you have now given me the
opportunity, let me speak before you. Is our mother, of whom you
have told me, still young? Or is she now approaching old age?"

51 He replied to me, "Ask a woman who bears children, and she will
tell you. 52 Say to her, 'Why are those whom you have borne recently
not like those whom you bore before, but smaller in stature?' 53 And
she herself will answer you, 'Those born in the strength of youth are
different from those born during the time of old age, when the womb
is failing.' 54 Therefore you also should consider that you and your
contemporaries are smaller in stature than those who were before you,
55 and those who come after you will be smaller than you, as born of a
creation that already is aging and passing the strength of youth."

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2 ESDRAS 474


56 I said, "I implore you, O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight,
show your servant through whom you will visit your creation."

[2 Esdras 6]

1 He said to me, "At the beginning of the circle of the earth, before the
portals of the world were in place, and before the assembled winds
blew, 2 and before the rumblings of thunder sounded, and before the
flashes of lightning shone, and before the foundations of paradise
were laid, 3 and before the beautiful flowers were seen, and before
the powers of movements were established, and before the
innumerable hosts of angels were gathered together, 4 and before the
heights of the air were lifted up, and before the measures of the
firmaments were named, and before the footstool of Zion was
established, 5 and before the present years were reckoned and before
the imaginations of those who now sin were estranged, and before
those who stored up treasures of faith were sealed — 6 then I planned
these things, and they were made through me alone and not through
another; just as the end shall come through me alone and not through
another."

7 I answered and said, "What will be the dividing of the times? Or
when will be the end of the first age and the beginning of the age that
follows?"

8 He said to me, "From Abraham to Isaac, because from him were born
Jacob and Esau, for Jacob's hand held Esau's heel from the beginning.
9 Now Esau is the end of this age, and Jacob is the beginning of the
age that follows. 10 The beginning of a person is the hand, and the end
of a person is the heel; seek for nothing else, Ezra, between the heel
and the hand, Ezra!"

Direct prediction of the future

11 I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in your
sight, 12 show your servant the last of your signs of which you showed
me a part on a previous night."

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2 ESDRAS 475

2 ESDRAS 475

17 When I heard this, I got to my feet and listened; a voice was
speaking, and its sound was like the sound of mighty waters. 18 It said,
"The days are coming when I draw near to visit the inhabitants of the
earth, 19 and when I require from the doers of iniquity the penalty of
their iniquity, and when the humiliation of Zion is complete. 20 When
the seal is placed upon the age that is about to pass away, then I will
show these signs: the books shall be opened before the face of the
firmament, and all shall see my judgment together. 21 Children a year
old shall speak with their voices, and pregnant women shall give birth
to premature children at three and four months, and these shall live
and leap about. 22 Sown places shall suddenly appear unsown, and full
storehouses shall suddenly be found to be empty; 23 the trumpet shall
sound aloud, and when all hear it, they shall suddenly be terrified. 24
At that time friends shall make war on friends like enemies, the earth
and those who inhabit it shall be terrified, and the springs of the
fountains shall stand still, so that for three hours they shall not flow.

25 "It shall be that whoever remains after all that I have foretold to
you shall be saved and shall see my salvation and the end of my world.
26 And they shall see those who were taken up, who from their birth
have not tasted death; and the heart of the earth's inhabitants shall be
changed and converted to a different spirit. 27 For evil shall be blotted
out, and deceit shall be quenched; 28 faithfulness shall flourish, and
corruption shall be overcome, and the truth, which has been so long
without fruit, shall be revealed."

The conclusion of the vision

29 While he spoke to me, little by little the place where I was standing
began to rock to and fro. 30 And he said to me, "I have come to show
you these things this night. 31 If therefore you will pray again and fast

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2 ESDRAS 476

2 ESDRAS 476

The third vision

35 Now after this I wept again and fasted seven days in the same way
as before, in order to complete the three weeks that had been
prescribed for me. 36 Then on the eighth night my heart was troubled
within me again, and I began to speak in the presence of the Most
High. 37 My spirit was greatly aroused, and my soul was in distress.

Addressing God, the seer recounts God's work in six days of creation

38 I said, "O Lord, you spoke at the beginning of creation, and said on
the first day, 'Let heaven and earth be made,' and your word
accomplished the work. 39 Then the spirit was blowing, and darkness
and silence embraced everything; the sound of human voices was not
yet there. 40 Then you commanded a ray of light to be brought out
from your store-chambers, so that your works could be seen.

41 "Again, on the second day, you created the spirit of the firmament,
and commanded it to divide and separate the waters, so that one part
might move upward and the other part remain beneath.

42 "On the third day you commanded the waters to be gathered
together in a seventh part of the earth; six parts you dried up and kept
so that some of them might be planted and cultivated and be of
service before you. 43 For your word went forth, and at once the work
was done. 44 Immediately fruit came forth in endless abundance and
of varied appeal to the taste, and flowers of inimitable color, and
odors of inexpressible fragrance. These were made on the third day.

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2 ESDRAS 477

2 ESDRAS 477

47 "On the fifth day you commanded the seventh part, where the
water had been gathered together, to bring forth living creatures,
birds, and fishes; and so it was done. 48 The dumb and lifeless water
produced living creatures, as it was commanded, so that therefore the
nations might declare your wondrous works.

49 "Then you kept in existence two living creatures; the one you called
Behemoth and the name of the other Leviathan. 50 And you separated
one from the other, for the seventh part where the water had been
gathered together could not hold them both. 51 And you gave
Behemoth one of the parts that had been dried up on the third day, to
live in it, where there are a thousand mountains; 52 but to Leviathan
you gave the seventh part, the watery part; and you have kept them to
be eaten by whom you wish, and when you wish.

53 "On the sixth day you commanded the earth to bring forth before
you cattle, wild animals, and creeping things; 54 and over these you
placed Adam, as ruler over all the works that you had made; and from
him we have all come, the people whom you have chosen.

55 "All this I have spoken before you, O Lord, because you have said
that it was for us that you created this world. 56 As for the other
nations that have descended from Adam, you have said that they are
nothing, and that they are like spittle, and you have compared their
abundance to a drop from a bucket. 57 And now, O Lord, these
nations, which are reputed to be as nothing, domineer over us and
devour us. 58 But we your people, whom you have called your
firstborn, only begotten, zealous for you, and most dear, have been
given into their hands. 59 If the world has indeed been created for us,
why do we not possess our world as an inheritance? How long will this
be so?"

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2 ESDRAS 478


[2 Esdras 7]
Dispute between Ezra and the angel


1 When I had finished speaking these words, the angel who had been
sent to me on the former nights was sent to me again. 2 He said to me,
"Rise, Ezra, and listen to the words that I have come to speak to you."

3 I said, "Speak, my lord." And he said to me, "There is a sea set in a
wide expanse so that it is deep and vast, 4 but it has an entrance set in
a narrow place, so that it is like a river. 5 If there are those who wish to
reach the sea, to look at it or to navigate it, how can they come to the
broad part unless they pass through the narrow part? 6 Another
example: There is a city built and set on a plain, and it is full of all good
things; 7 but the entrance to it is narrow and set in a precipitous place,
so that there is fire on the right hand and deep water on the left. 8
There is only one path lying between them, that is, between the fire
and the water, so that only one person can walk on the path. 9 If now
the city is given to someone as an inheritance, how will the heir receive
the inheritance unless by passing through the appointed danger?"

10 I said, "That is right, lord." He said to me, "So also is Israel's portion.
11 For I made the world for their sake, and when Adam transgressed my
statutes, what had been made was judged. 12 And so the entrances of
this world were made narrow and sorrowful and toilsome; they are
few and evil, full of dangers and involved in great hardships. 13 But the
entrances of the greater world are broad and safe, and yield the fruit
of immortality. 14 Therefore unless the living pass through the difficult
and futile experiences, they can never receive those things that have
been reserved for them. 15 Now therefore why are you disturbed,
seeing that you are to perish? Why are you moved, seeing that you are
mortal? 16 Why have you not considered in your mind what is to come,
rather than what is now present?"

17 Then I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, you have ordained in
your law that the righteous shall inherit these things, but that the
ungodly shall perish. 18 The righteous, therefore, can endure difficult
circumstances while hoping for easier ones; but those who have done

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2 ESDRAS 479

2 ESDRAS 479

19 He said to me, "You are not a better judge than the Lord, or wiser
than the Most High! 20 Let many perish who are now living, rather
than that the law of God that is set before them be disregarded! 21 For
the Lord strictly commanded those who came into the world, when
they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe
to avoid punishment. 22 Nevertheless they were not obedient, and
spoke against him;

 they devised for themselves vain thoughts,
23 and proposed to themselves wicked frauds;
they even declared that the Most High does not exist,
and they ignored his ways.
24 They scorned his law,
and denied his covenants;
they have been unfaithful to his statutes,

and have not performed his works.
25 That is the reason, Ezra, that empty things are for the empty, and
full things are for the full.

Direct prediction of the future by the angel

26 "For indeed the time will come, when the signs that I have foretold
to you will come to pass, that the city that now is not seen shall
appear, and the land that now is hidden shall be disclosed. 27 Everyone
who has been delivered from the evils that I have foretold shall see my
wonders. 28 For my son the Messiah shall be revealed with those who
are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years.
29 After those years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw
human breath. 30 Then the world shall be turned back to primeval
silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings, so that no one
shall be left. 31 After seven days the world that is not yet awake shall
be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish. 32 The earth shall
give up those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who rest there in
silence; and the chambers shall give up the souls that have been
committed to them. 33 The Most High shall be revealed on the seat of
judgment, and compassion shall pass away, and patience shall be

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2 ESDRAS 480

2 ESDRAS 480

The second section of the third vision

45 I answered and said, "O sovereign Lord, I said then and I say now:
Blessed are those who are alive and keep your commandments! 46 But
what of those for whom I prayed? For who among the living is there
that has not sinned, or who is there among mortals that has not
transgressed your covenant? 47 And now I see that the world to come
will bring delight to few, but torments to many. 48 For an evil heart
has grown up in us, which has alienated us from God, and has brought
us into corruption and the ways of death, and has shown us the paths
of perdition and removed us far from life — and that not merely for a
few but for almost all who have been created."

49 He answered me and said, "Listen to me, Ezra, and I will instruct
you, and will admonish you once more. 50 For this reason the Most
High has made not one world but two. 51 Inasmuch as you have said
that the righteous are not many but few, while the ungodly abound,
hear the explanation for this.

480



2 ESDRAS 481

2 ESDRAS 481

58 I said, "O sovereign Lord, what is plentiful is of less worth, for what
is more rare is more precious."

59 He answered me and said, "Consider within yourself what you have
thought, for the person who has what is hard to get rejoices more than
the person who has what is plentiful. 60 So also will be the judgment
that I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few who shall be saved,
because it is they who have made my glory to prevail now, and
through them my name has now been honored. 61 I will not grieve
over the great number of those who perish; for it is they who are now
like a mist, and are similar to a flame and smoke — they are set on fire
and burn hotly, and are extinguished."

62 I replied and said, "O earth, what have you brought forth, if the
mind is made out of the dust like the other created things? 63 For it
would have been better if the dust itself had not been born, so that
the mind might not have been made from it. 64 But now the mind
grows with us, and therefore we are tormented, because we perish and
we know it. 65 Let the human race lament, but let the wild animals of
the field be glad; let all who have been born lament, but let the cattle
and the flocks rejoice. 66 It is much better with them than with us; for
they do not look for a judgment, and they do not know of any torment
or salvation promised to them after death. 67 What does it profit us
that we shall be preserved alive but cruelly tormented? 68 For all who
have been born are entangled in iniquities, and are full of sins and
burdened with transgressions. 69 And if after death we were not to
come into judgment, perhaps it would have been better for us."

481



2 ESDRAS 482

2 ESDRAS 482

Dialogic prediction of the future

75 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O Lord,
show this also to your servant: whether after death, as soon as
everyone of us yields up the soul, we shall be kept in rest until those
times come when you will renew the creation, or whether we shall be
tormented at once?"

76 He answered me and said, "I will show you that also, but do not
include yourself with those who have shown scorn, or number yourself
among those who are tormented. 77 For you have a treasure of works
stored up with the Most High, but it will not be shown to you until the
last times. 78 Now concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive
decree has gone out from the Most High that a person shall die, as the
spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it
adores the glory of the Most High. 79 If it is one of those who have
shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, who have
despised his law and hated those who fear God — 80 such spirits shall
not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in
torments, always grieving and sad, in seven ways. 81 The first way,
because they have scorned the law of the Most High. 82 The second
way, because they cannot now make a good repentance so that they
may live. 83 The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those
who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. 84 The fourth way,

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2 ESDRAS 483

2 ESDRAS 483

88 "Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most
High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. 89 During
the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High,
and withstood danger every hour so that they might keep the law of
the Lawgiver perfectly. 90 Therefore this is the teaching concerning
them: 91 First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who
receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. 92 The first
order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil
thought that was formed with them, so that it might not lead them
astray from life into death. 93 The second order, because they see the
perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander and the
punishment that awaits them. 94 The third order, they see the witness
that he who formed them bears concerning them, that throughout
their life they kept the law with which they were entrusted. 95 The
fourth order, they understand the rest that they now enjoy, being
gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound
quiet, and the glory waiting for them in the last days. 96 The fifth
order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible and
shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil
from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty that
they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. 97 The sixth order, when
it is shown them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they
are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then
on. 98 The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been
mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be
confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they
press forward to see the face of him whom they served in life and from
whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. 99 This is the

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2 ESDRAS 484

2 ESDRAS 484

100 Then I answered and said, "Will time therefore be given to the
souls, after they have been separated from the bodies, to see what you
have described to me?"

101 He said to me, "They shall have freedom for seven days, so that
during these seven days they may see the things of which you have
been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered in their habitations."

Dispute between Ezra and the angel

102 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, show
further to me, your servant, whether on the day of judgment the
righteous will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to entreat the
Most High for them — 103 fathers for sons or sons for parents, brothers
for brothers, relatives for their kindred, or friends for those who are
most dear."

104 He answered me and said, "Since you have found favor in my sight,
I will show you this also. The day of judgment is decisive and displays to
all the seal of truth. Just as now a father does not send his son, or a son
his father, or a master his servant, or a friend his dearest friend, to be
ill or sleep or eat or be healed in his place, 105 so no one shall ever pray
for another on that day, neither shall anyone lay a burden on another;
for then all shall bear their own righteousness and unrighteousness."

[NOTE: At v. 106 we come to the continuation of ch 7 as preserved in
the standard editions of the Latin Vulgate; NRSV resumes the Latin
numbering here, designating verses 106-140 as 36-70, but with the
numbers 106-140 added as well.]

36 106 I answered and said, "How then do we find that first Abraham
prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for our ancestors who
sinned in the desert, 37 107 and Joshua after him for Israel in the days
of Achan, 38 108 and Samuel in the days of Saul, and David for the

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2 ESDRAS 485

2 ESDRAS 485

42 112 He answered me and said, "This present world is not the end; the
full glory does not remain in it; therefore those who were strong
prayed for the weak. 43 113 But the day of judgment will be the end of
this age and the beginning of the immortal age to come, in which
corruption has passed away, 44 114 sinful indulgence has come to an
end, unbelief has been cut off, and righteousness has increased and
truth has appeared. 45 115 Therefore no one will then be able to have
mercy on someone who has been condemned in the judgment, or to
harm someone who is victorious."

46 116 I answered and said, "This is my first and last comment: it would
have been better if the earth had not produced Adam, or else, when it
had produced him, had restrained him from sinning. 47 117 For what
good is it to all that they live in sorrow now and expect punishment
after death? 48 118 O Adam, what have you done? For though it was
you who sinned, the fall was not yours alone, but ours also who are
your descendants. 49 119 For what good is it to us, if an immortal time
has been promised to us, but we have done deeds that bring death? 50
120 And what good is it that an everlasting hope has been promised to
us, but we have miserably failed? 51 121 Or that safe and healthful
habitations have been reserved for us, but we have lived wickedly? 52
122 Or that the glory of the Most High will defend those who have led
a pure life, but we have walked in the most wicked ways? 53 123 Or
that a paradise shall be revealed, whose fruit remains unspoiled and in
which are abundance and healing, but we shall not enter it 54 124
because we have lived in perverse ways? 55 125 Or that the faces of
those who practiced self-control shall shine more than the stars, but
our faces shall be blacker than darkness? 56 126 For while we lived and
committed iniquity we did not consider what we should suffer after
death."

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2 ESDRAS 486

2 ESDRAS 486

62 132 I answered and said, "I know, O Lord, that the Most High is now
called merciful, because he has mercy on those who have not yet come
into the world; 63 133 and gracious, because he is gracious to those
who turn in repentance to his law; 64 134 and patient, because he
shows patience toward those who have sinned, since they are his own
creatures; 65 135 and bountiful, because he would rather give than
take away; 66 136 and abundant in compassion, because he makes his
compassions abound more and more to those now living and to those
who are gone and to those yet to come — 67 137 for if he did not make
them abound, the world with those who inhabit it would not have life

— 68 138 and he is called the giver, because if he did not give out of his
goodness so that those who have committed iniquities might be
relieved of them, not one ten-thousandth of humankind could have
life; 69 139 and the judge, because if he did not pardon those who
were created by his word and blot out the multitude of their sins, 70
140 there would probably be left only very few of the innumerable
multitude."
[2 Esdras 8]

1 He answered me and said, "The Most High made this world for the
sake of many, but the world to come for the sake of only a few. 2 But I
tell you a parable, Ezra. Just as, when you ask the earth, it will tell you
that it provides a large amount of clay from which earthenware is
made, but only a little dust from which gold comes, so is the course of
the present world. 3 Many have been created, but only a few shall be
saved."

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2 ESDRAS 487


The third section of the third vision; Monologue of Ezra

4 I answered and said, "Then drink your fill of understanding, O my
soul, and drink wisdom, O my heart. 5 For not of your own will did you
come into the world, and against your will you depart, for you have
been given only a short time to live. 6 O Lord above us, grant to your
servant that we may pray before you, and give us a seed for our heart
and cultivation of our understanding so that fruit may be produced, by
which every mortal who bears the likeness of a human being may be
able to live. 7 For you alone exist, and we are a work of your hands, as
you have declared. 8 And because you give life to the body that is now
fashioned in the womb, and furnish it with members, what you have
created is preserved amid fire and water, and for nine months the
womb endures your creature that has been created in it. 9 But that
which keeps and that which is kept shall both be kept by your keeping.
And when the womb gives up again what has been created in it, 10 you
have commanded that from the members themselves (that is, from the
breasts) milk, the fruit of the breasts, should be supplied, 11 so that
what has been fashioned may be nourished for a time; and afterwards
you will still guide it in your mercy. 12 You have nurtured it in your
righteousness, and instructed it in your law, and reproved it in your
wisdom. 13 You put it to death as your creation, and make it live as
your work. 14 If then you will suddenly and quickly destroy what with
so great labor was fashioned by your command, to what purpose was it
made? 15 And now I will speak out: About all humankind you know
best; but I will speak about your people, for whom I am grieved, 16 and
about your inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom
I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled. 17
Therefore I will pray before you for myself and for them, for I see the
failings of us who inhabit the earth; 18 and now also I have heard of
the swiftness of the judgment that is to come. 19 Therefore hear my
voice and understand my words, and I will speak before you."

Ezra's Prayer

The beginning of the words of Ezra's prayer, before he was taken up.
He said: 20 "O Lord, you who inhabit eternity, whose eyes are exalted
and whose upper chambers are in the air, 21 whose throne is beyond

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2 ESDRAS 488

2 ESDRAS 488

Dispute between Ezra and the angel

37 He answered me and said, "Some things you have spoken rightly,
and it will turn out according to your words. 38 For indeed I will not
concern myself about the fashioning of those who have sinned, or
about their death, their judgment, or their destruction; 39 but I will
rejoice over the creation of the righteous, over their pilgrimage also,

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2 ESDRAS 489

2 ESDRAS 489

41 "For just as the farmer sows many seeds in the ground and plants a
multitude of seedlings, and yet not all that have been sown will come
up in due season, and not all that were planted will take root; so also
those who have been sown in the world will not all be saved."

42 I answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, let me
speak. 43 If the farmer's seed does not come up, because it has not
received your rain in due season, or if it has been ruined by too much
rain, it perishes. 44 But people, who have been formed by your hands
and are called your own image because they are made like you, and for
whose sake you have formed all things — have you also made them
like the farmer's seed? 45 Surely not, O Lord above! But spare your
people and have mercy on your inheritance, for you have mercy on
your own creation."

46 He answered me and said, "Things that are present are for those
who live now, and things that are future are for those who will live
hereafter. 47 For you come far short of being able to love my creation
more than I love it. But you have often compared yourself to the
unrighteous. Never do so! 48 But even in this respect you will be
praiseworthy before the Most High, 49 because you have humbled
yourself, as is becoming for you, and have not considered yourself to
be among the righteous. You will receive the greatest glory, 50 for
many miseries will affect those who inhabit the world in the last times,
because they have walked in great pride. 51 But think of your own
case, and inquire concerning the glory of those who are like yourself,
52 because it is for you that paradise is opened, the tree of life is
planted, the age to come is prepared, plenty is provided, a city is built,
rest is appointed, goodness is established and wisdom perfected
beforehand. 53 The root of evil is sealed up from you, illness is
banished from you, and death is hidden; Hades has fled and corruption
has been forgotten; 54 sorrows have passed away, and in the end the
treasure of immortality is made manifest. 55 Therefore do not ask any
more questions about the great number of those who perish. 56 For
when they had opportunity to choose, they despised the Most High,

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2 ESDRAS 490

2 ESDRAS 490

Direct prediction of the future by the angel

Then I answered and said, 63 "O Lord, you have already shown me a
great number of the signs that you will do in the last times, but you
have not shown me when you will do them."

[2 Esdras 9]

1 He answered me and said, "Measure carefully in your mind, and
when you see that some of the predicted signs have occurred, 2 then
you will know that it is the very time when the Most High is about to
visit the world that he has made. 3 So when there shall appear in the
world earthquakes, tumult of peoples, intrigues of nations, wavering
of leaders, confusion of princes, 4 then you will know that it was of
these that the Most High spoke from the days that were of old, from
the beginning. 5 For just as with everything that has occurred in the
world, the beginning is evident, and the end manifest; 6 so also are the
times of the Most High: the beginnings are manifest in wonders and
mighty works, and the end in penalties and in signs.

7 "It shall be that all who will be saved and will be able to escape on
account of their works, or on account of the faith by which they have
believed, 8 will survive the dangers that have been predicted, and will
see my salvation in my land and within my borders, which I have
sanctified for myself from the beginning. 9 Then those who have now
abused my ways shall be amazed, and those who have rejected them
with contempt shall live in torments. 10 For as many as did not

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2 ESDRAS 491

2 ESDRAS 491

14 I answered and said, 15 "I said before, and I say now, and will say it
again: there are more who perish than those who will be saved, 16 as a
wave is greater than a drop of water."

17 He answered me and said, "As is the field, so is the seed; and as are
the flowers, so are the colors; and as is the work, so is the product; and
as is the farmer, so is the threshing floor. 18 For there was a time in this
age when I was preparing for those who now exist, before the world
was made for them to live in, and no one opposed me then, for no one
existed; 19 but now those who have been created in this world, which
is supplied both with an unfailing table and an inexhaustible pasture,
have become corrupt in their ways. 20 So I considered my world, and
saw that it was lost. I saw that my earth was in peril because of the
devices of those who had come into it. 21 And I saw and spared some
with great difficulty, and saved for myself one grape out of a cluster,
and one plant out of a great forest. 22 So let the multitude perish that
has been born in vain, but let my grape and my plant be saved,
because with much labor I have perfected them.

Conclusion and injunctions

23 "Now, if you will let seven days more pass — do not, however, fast
during them, 24 but go into a field of flowers where no house has
been built, and eat only of the flowers of the field, and taste no meat
and drink no wine, but eat only flowers — 25 and pray to the Most
High continually, then I will come and talk with you."

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2 ESDRAS 492


The fourth vision; Introduction

26 So I went, as he directed me, into the field that is called Ardat; there
I sat among the flowers and ate of the plants of the field, and the
nourishment they afforded satisfied me. 27 After seven days, while I lay
on the grass, my heart was troubled again as it was before. 28 Then my
mouth was opened, and I began to speak before the Most High, and
said,

Ezra's address

29 "O Lord, you showed yourself among us, to our ancestors in the
wilderness when they came out from Egypt and when they came into
the untrodden and unfruitful wilderness; 30 and you said, 'Hear me, O
Israel, and give heed to my words, O descendants of Jacob. 31 For I sow
my law in you, and it shall bring forth fruit in you, and you shall be
glorified through it forever.' 32 But though our ancestors received the
law, they did not keep it and did not observe the statutes; yet the fruit
of the law did not perish — for it could not, because it was yours. 33
Yet those who received it perished, because they did not keep what
had been sown in them. 34 Now this is the general rule that, when the
ground has received seed, or the sea a ship, or any dish food or drink,
and when it comes about that what was sown or what was launched or
what was put in is destroyed, 35 they are destroyed, but the things that
held them remain; yet with us it has not been so. 36 For we who have
received the law and sinned will perish, as well as our hearts that
received it; 37 the law, however, does not perish but survives in its
glory."

The first part of the vision

38 When I said these things in my heart, I looked around, and on my
right I saw a woman; she was mourning and weeping with a loud
voice, and was deeply grieved at heart; her clothes were torn, and
there were ashes on her head. 39 Then I dismissed the thoughts with
which I had been engaged, and turned to her 40 and said to her, "Why
are you weeping, and why are you grieved at heart?"

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2 ESDRAS 493


41 She said to me, "Let me alone, my lord, so that I may weep for
myself and continue to mourn, for I am greatly embittered in spirit and
deeply distressed."

42 I said to her, "What has happened to you? Tell me."

43 And she said to me, "Your servant was barren and had no child,
though I lived with my husband for thirty years. 44 Every hour and
every day during those thirty years I prayed to the Most High, night
and day. 45 And after thirty years God heard your servant, and looked
upon my low estate, and considered my distress, and gave me a son. I
rejoiced greatly over him, I and my husband and all my neighbors; and
we gave great glory to the Mighty One. 46 And I brought him up with
much care. 47 So when he grew up and I came to take a wife for him, I
set a day for the marriage feast.

[2 Esdras 10]

1 "But it happened that when my son entered his wedding chamber, he
fell down and died. 2 So all of us put out our lamps, and all my
neighbors attempted to console me; I remained quiet until the evening
of the second day. 3 But when all of them had stopped consoling me,
encouraging me to be quiet, I got up in the night and fled, and I came
to this field, as you see. 4 And now I intend not to return to the town,
but to stay here; I will neither eat nor drink, but will mourn and fast
continually until I die."

The second part of the vision

5 Then I broke off the reflections with which I was still engaged, and
answered her in anger and said, 6 "You most foolish of women, do you
not see our mourning, and what has happened to us? 7 For Zion, the
mother of us all, is in deep grief and great distress. 8 It is most
appropriate to mourn now, because we are all mourning, and to be
sorrowful, because we are all sorrowing; you are sorrowing for one
son, but we, the whole world, for our mother. 9 Now ask the earth,
and she will tell you that it is she who ought to mourn over so many
who have come into being upon her. 10 From the beginning all have

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2 ESDRAS 494


been born of her, and others will come; and, lo, almost all go to
perdition, and a multitude of them will come to doom. 11 Who then
ought to mourn the more, she who lost so great a multitude, or you
who are grieving for one alone? 12 But if you say to me, 'My
lamentation is not like the earth's, for I have lost the fruit of my womb,
which I brought forth in pain and bore in sorrow; 13 but it is with the
earth according to the way of the earth — the multitude that is now in
it goes as it came'; 14 then I say to you, 'Just as you brought forth in
sorrow, so the earth also has from the beginning given her fruit, that
is, humankind, to him who made her.' 15 Now, therefore, keep your
sorrow to yourself, and bear bravely the troubles that have come upon
you. 16 For if you acknowledge the decree of God to be just, you will
receive your son back in due time, and will be praised among women.
17 Therefore go into the town to your husband."

18 She said to me, "I will not do so; I will not go into the city, but I will
die here."

19 So I spoke again to her, and said, 20 "Do not do that, but let
yourself be persuaded — for how many are the adversities of Zion? —
and be consoled because of the sorrow of Jerusalem. 21 For you see
how our sanctuary has been laid waste, our altar thrown down, our
temple destroyed; 22 our harp has been laid low, our song has been
silenced, and our rejoicing has been ended; the light of our lampstand
has been put out, the ark of our covenant has been plundered, our
holy things have been polluted, and the name by which we are called
has been almost profaned; our children have suffered abuse, our
priests have been burned to death, our Levites have gone into exile,
our virgins have been defiled, and our wives have been ravished; our
righteous men have been carried off, our little ones have been cast
out, our young men have been enslaved and our strong men made
powerless. 23 And, worst of all, the seal of Zion has been deprived of
its glory, and given over into the hands of those that hate us. 24
Therefore shake off your great sadness and lay aside your many
sorrows, so that the Mighty One may be merciful to you again, and the
Most High may give you rest, a respite from your troubles."

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2 ESDRAS 495


A vision of the transformed Jerusalem

25 While I was talking to her, her face suddenly began to shine
exceedingly; her countenance flashed like lightning, so that I was too
frightened to approach her, and my heart was terrified. While I was
wondering what this meant, 26 she suddenly uttered a loud and fearful
cry, so that the earth shook at the sound. 27 When I looked up, the
woman was no longer visible to me, but a city was being built, and a
place of huge foundations showed itself.

The appearance of the angel

I was afraid, and cried with a loud voice and said, 28 "Where is the
angel Uriel, who came to me at first? For it was he who brought me
into this overpowering bewilderment; my end has become corruption,
and my prayer a reproach."

29 While I was speaking these words, the angel who had come to me at
first came to me, and when he saw me 30 lying there like a corpse,
deprived of my understanding, he grasped my right hand and
strengthened me and set me on my feet, and said to me, 31 "What is
the matter with you? And why are you troubled? And why are your
understanding and the thoughts of your mind troubled?"

32 I said, "It was because you abandoned me. I did as you directed, and
went out into the field, and lo, what I have seen and can still see, I am
unable to explain."

33 He said to me, "Stand up like a man, and I will instruct you."

34 I said, "Speak, my lord; only do not forsake me, so that I may not die
before my time. 35 For I have seen what I did not know, and I hear
what I do not understand 36 — or is my mind deceived, and my soul
dreaming? 37 Now therefore I beg you to give your servant an
explanation of this bewildering vision."

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2 ESDRAS 496


Interpretation of the vision

38 He answered me and said, "Listen to me, and I will teach you, and
tell you about the things that you fear; for the Most High has revealed
many secrets to you. 39 He has seen your righteous conduct, and that
you have sorrowed continually for your people and mourned greatly
over Zion. 40 This therefore is the meaning of the vision. 41 The
woman who appeared to you a little while ago, whom you saw
mourning and whom you began to console 42 (you do not now see the
form of a woman, but there appeared to you a city being built) 43 and
who told you about the misfortune of her son — this is the
interpretation: 44 The woman whom you saw is Zion, which you now
behold as a city being built. 45 And as for her telling you that she was
barren for thirty years, the reason is that there were three thousand
years in the world before any offering was offered in it. 46 And after
three thousand years Solomon built the city, and offered offerings;
then it was that the barren woman bore a son. 47 And as for her telling
you that she brought him up with much care, that was the period of
residence in Jerusalem. 48 And as for her saying to you, 'My son died as
he entered his wedding chamber,' and that misfortune had overtaken
her, this was the destruction that befell Jerusalem. 49 So you saw her
likeness, how she mourned for her son, and you began to console her
for what had happened. 50 For now the Most High, seeing that you are
sincerely grieved and profoundly distressed for her, has shown you the
brilliance of her glory, and the loveliness of her beauty. 51 Therefore I
told you to remain in the field where no house had been built, 52 for I
knew that the Most High would reveal these things to you. 53
Therefore I told you to go into the field where there was no
foundation of any building, 54 because no work of human construction
could endure in a place where the city of the Most High was to be
revealed.

Conclusion and injunctions

55 "Therefore do not be afraid, and do not let your heart be terrified;
but go in and see the splendor or the vastness of the building, as far as
it is possible for your eyes to see it, 56 and afterward you will hear as
much as your ears can hear. 57 For you are more blessed than many,

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2 ESDRAS 497

2 ESDRAS 497

So I slept that night and the following one, as he had told me.

[2 Esdras 11]
The fifth vision; description of the vision


1 On the second night I had a dream: I saw rising from the sea an eagle
that had twelve feathered wings and three heads. 2 I saw it spread its
wings over the whole earth, and all the winds of heaven blew upon it,
and the clouds were gathered around it. 3 I saw that out of its wings
there grew opposing wings; but they became little, puny wings. 4 But
its heads were at rest; the middle head was larger than the other
heads, but it too was at rest with them. 5 Then I saw that the eagle
flew with its wings, and it reigned over the earth and over those who
inhabit it. 6 And I saw how all things under heaven were subjected to
it, and no one spoke against it — not a single creature that was on the
earth. 7 Then I saw the eagle rise upon its talons, and it uttered a cry to
its wings, saying, 8 "Do not all watch at the same time; let each sleep
in its own place, and watch in its turn; 9 but let the heads be reserved
for the last."

10 I looked again and saw that the voice did not come from its heads,
but from the middle of its body. 11 I counted its rival wings, and there
were eight of them. 12 As I watched, one wing on the right side rose
up, and it reigned over all the earth. 13 And after a time its reign came
to an end, and it disappeared, so that even its place was no longer
visible. Then the next wing rose up and reigned, and it continued to
reign a long time. 14 While it was reigning its end came also, so that it
disappeared like the first. 15 And a voice sounded, saying to it, 16
"Listen to me, you who have ruled the earth all this time; I announce
this to you before you disappear. 17 After you no one shall rule as long
as you have ruled, not even half as long."

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2 ESDRAS 498

2 ESDRAS 498

22 And after this I looked and saw that the twelve wings and the two
little wings had disappeared, 23 and nothing remained on the eagle's
body except the three heads that were at rest and six little wings.

24 As I kept looking I saw that two little wings separated from the six
and remained under the head that was on the right side; but four
remained in their place. 25 Then I saw that these little wings planned
to set themselves up and hold the rule. 26 As I kept looking, one was
set up, but suddenly disappeared; 27 a second also, and this
disappeared more quickly than the first. 28 While I continued to look
the two that remained were planning between themselves to reign
together; 29 and while they were planning, one of the heads that were
at rest (the one that was in the middle) suddenly awoke; it was greater
than the other two heads. 30 And I saw how it allied the two heads
with itself, 31 and how the head turned with those that were with it
and devoured the two little wings that were planning to reign. 32
Moreover this head gained control of the whole earth, and with much
oppression dominated its inhabitants; it had greater power over the
world than all the wings that had gone before.

33 After this I looked again and saw the head in the middle suddenly
disappear, just as the wings had done. 34 But the two heads remained,
which also in like manner ruled over the earth and its inhabitants. 35
And while I looked, I saw the head on the right side devour the one on
the left.

36 Then I heard a voice saying to me, "Look in front of you and
consider what you see." 37 When I looked, I saw what seemed to be a
lion roused from the forest, roaring; and I heard how it uttered a
human voice to the eagle, and spoke, saying, 38 "Listen and I will

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2 ESDRAS 499

2 ESDRAS 499

[2 Esdras 12]

1 While the lion was saying these words to the eagle, I looked 2 and
saw that the remaining head had disappeared. The two wings that had
gone over to it rose up and set themselves up to reign, and their reign
was brief and full of tumult. 3 When I looked again, they were already
vanishing. The whole body of the eagle was burned, and the earth was
exceedingly terrified.

The seer's response

Then I woke up in great perplexity of mind and great fear, and I said to
my spirit, 4 "You have brought this upon me, because you search out
the ways of the Most High. 5 I am still weary in mind and very weak in
my spirit, and not even a little strength is left in me, because of the
great fear with which I have been terrified tonight. 6 Therefore I will
now entreat the Most High that he may strengthen me to the end."

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2 ESDRAS 500

2 ESDRAS 500

The interpretation

10 He said to me, "This is the interpretation of this vision that you have
seen: 11 The eagle that you saw coming up from the sea is the fourth
kingdom that appeared in a vision to your brother Daniel. 12 But it was
not explained to him as I now explain to you or have explained it. 13
The days are coming when a kingdom shall rise on earth, and it shall be
more terrifying than all the kingdoms that have been before it. 14 And
twelve kings shall reign in it, one after another. 15 But the second that
is to reign shall hold sway for a longer time than any other one of the
twelve. 16 This is the interpretation of the twelve wings that you saw.

17 "As for your hearing a voice that spoke, coming not from the eagle's
heads but from the midst of its body, this is the interpretation: 18 In
the midst of the time of that kingdom great struggles shall arise, and it
shall be in danger of falling; nevertheless it shall not fall then, but shall
regain its former power. 19 As for your seeing eight little wings
clinging to its wings, this is the interpretation: 20 Eight kings shall arise
in it, whose times shall be short and their years swift; 21 two of them
shall perish when the middle of its time draws near; and four shall be
kept for the time when its end approaches, but two shall be kept until
the end.

22 "As for your seeing three heads at rest, this is the interpretation: 23
In its last days the Most High will raise up three kings, and they shall
renew many things in it, and shall rule the earth 24 and its inhabitants
more oppressively than all who were before them. Therefore they are
called the heads of the eagle, 25 because it is they who shall sum up his
wickedness and perform his last actions. 26 As for your seeing that the
large head disappeared, one of the kings shall die in his bed, but in

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2 ESDRAS 501

2 ESDRAS 501

29 "As for your seeing two little wings passing over to the head which
was on the right side, 30 this is the interpretation: It is these whom the
Most High has kept for the eagle's end; this was the reign which was
brief and full of tumult, as you have seen.

31 "And as for the lion whom you saw rousing up out of the forest and
roaring and speaking to the eagle and reproving him for his
unrighteousness, and as for all his words that you have heard, 32 this is
the Messiah whom the Most High has kept until the end of days, who
will arise from the offspring of David, and will come and speak with
them. He will denounce them for their ungodliness and for their
wickedness, and will display before them their contemptuous dealings.
33 For first he will bring them alive before his judgment seat, and when
he has reproved them, then he will destroy them. 34 But in mercy he
will set free the remnant of my people, those who have been saved
throughout my borders, and he will make them joyful until the end
comes, the day of judgment, of which I spoke to you at the beginning.
35 This is the dream that you saw, and this is its interpretation. 36 And
you alone were worthy to learn this secret of the Most High.

Conclusion and injunctions

37 Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, put it
in a hidden place; 38 and you shall teach them to the wise among your
people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep
these secrets. 39 But as for you, wait here seven days more, so that you
may be shown whatever it pleases the Most High to show you." Then
he left me.

The seer comforts those who were grieved because of his absence

40 When all the people heard that the seven days were past and I had
not returned to the city, they all gathered together, from the least to
the greatest, and came to me and spoke to me, saying, 41 "How have

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2 ESDRAS 502

2 ESDRAS 502

Then I answered them and said, 46 "Take courage, O Israel; and do not
be sorrowful, O house of Jacob; 47 for the Most High has you in
remembrance, and the Mighty One has not forgotten you in your
struggle. 48 As for me, I have neither forsaken you nor withdrawn
from you; but I have come to this place to pray on account of the
desolation of Zion, and to seek mercy on account of the humiliation of
our sanctuary. 49 Now go to your homes, every one of you, and after
these days I will come to you." 50 So the people went into the city, as I
told them to do. 51 But I sat in the field seven days, as the angel had
commanded me; and I ate only of the flowers of the field, and my food
was of plants during those days.

[2 Esdras 13]
The sixth vision; description of the vision


1 After seven days I dreamed a dream in the night. 2 And lo, a wind
arose from the sea and stirred up all its waves. 3 As I kept looking the
wind made something like the figure of a man come up out of the
heart of the sea. And I saw that this man flew with the clouds of
heaven; and wherever he turned his face to look, everything under his
gaze trembled, 4 and whenever his voice issued from his mouth, all
who heard his voice melted as wax melts when it feels the fire.

5 After this I looked and saw that an innumerable multitude of people
were gathered together from the four winds of heaven to make war
against the man who came up out of the sea. 6 And I looked and saw
that he carved out for himself a great mountain, and flew up on to it. 7
And I tried to see the region or place from which the mountain was
carved, but I could not.

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2 ESDRAS 503

2 ESDRAS 503

12 After this I saw the same man come down from the mountain and
call to himself another multitude that was peaceable. 13 Then many
people came to him, some of whom were joyful and some sorrowful;
some of them were bound, and some were bringing others as
offerings.

The seer prays that God will interpret the vision to him

Then I woke up in great terror, and prayed to the Most High, and said,
14 "From the beginning you have shown your servant these wonders,
and have deemed me worthy to have my prayer heard by you; 15 now
show me the interpretation of this dream also. 16 For as I consider it in
my mind, alas for those who will be left in those days! And still more,
alas for those who are not left! 17 For those who are not left will be
sad 18 because they understand the things that are reserved for the last
days, but cannot attain them. 19 But alas for those also who are left,
and for that very reason! For they shall see great dangers and much
distress, as these dreams show. 20 Yet it is better to come into these
things, though incurring peril, than to pass from the world like a cloud,
and not to see what will happen in the last days."

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2 ESDRAS 504


The interpretation

He answered me and said, 21 "I will tell you the interpretation of the
vision, and I will also explain to you the things that you have
mentioned. 22 As for what you said about those who survive, and
concerning those who do not survive, this is the interpretation: 23 The
one who brings the peril at that time will protect those who fall into
peril, who have works and faith toward the Almighty. 24 Understand
therefore that those who are left are more blessed than those who
have died.

25 "This is the interpretation of the vision: As for your seeing a man
come up from the heart of the sea, 26 this is he whom the Most High
has been keeping for many ages, who will himself deliver his creation;
and he will direct those who are left. 27 And as for your seeing wind
and fire and a storm coming out of his mouth, 28 and as for his not
holding a spear or weapon of war, yet destroying the onrushing
multitude that came to conquer him, this is the interpretation: 29 The
days are coming when the Most High will deliver those who are on the
earth. 30 And bewilderment of mind shall come over those who inhabit
the earth. 31 They shall plan to make war against one another, city
against city, place against place, people against people, and kingdom
against kingdom. 32 When these things take place and the signs occur
that I showed you before, then my Son will be revealed, whom you saw
as a man coming up from the sea.

33 "Then, when all the nations hear his voice, all the nations shall leave
their own lands and the warfare that they have against one another;
34 and an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as you
saw, wishing to come and conquer him. 35 But he shall stand on the
top of Mount Zion. 36 And Zion shall come and be made manifest to all
people, prepared and built, as you saw the mountain carved out
without hands. 37 Then he, my Son, will reprove the assembled nations
for their ungodliness (this was symbolized by the storm), 38 and will
reproach them to their face with their evil thoughts and the torments
with which they are to be tortured (which were symbolized by the
flames), and will destroy them without effort by means of the law
(which was symbolized by the fire).

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2 ESDRAS 505

2 ESDRAS 505

46 "Then they lived there until the last times; and now, when they are
about to come again, 47 the Most High will stop the channels of the
river again, so that they may be able to cross over. Therefore you saw
the multitude gathered together in peace. 48 But those who are left of
your people, who are found within my holy borders, shall be saved. 49
Therefore when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are
gathered together, he will defend the people who remain. 50 And
then he will show them very many wonders."

51 I said, "O sovereign Lord, explain this to me: Why did I see the man
coming up from the heart of the sea?"

52 He said to me, "Just as no one can explore or know what is in the
depths of the sea, so no one on earth can see my Son or those who are
with him, except in the time of his day. 53 This is the interpretation of
the dream that you saw. And you alone have been enlightened about
this, 54 because you have forsaken your own ways and have applied
yourself to mine, and have searched out my law; 55 for you have
devoted your life to wisdom, and called understanding your mother.

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2 ESDRAS 506


Conclusion and injunctions

56 Therefore I have shown you these things; for there is a reward laid
up with the Most High. For it will be that after three more days I will
tell you other things, and explain weighty and wondrous matters to
you."

57 Then I got up and walked in the field, giving great glory and praise
to the Most High for the wonders that he does from time to time, 58
and because he governs the times and whatever things come to pass in
their seasons. And I stayed there three days.

[2 Esdras 14]
The seventh vision

1 On the third day, while I was sitting under an oak, suddenly a voice
came out of a bush opposite me and said, "Ezra, Ezra!" 2 And I
answered, "Here I am, Lord," and I rose to my feet. 3 Then he said to
me, "I revealed myself in a bush and spoke to Moses when my people
were in bondage in Egypt; 4 and I sent him and led my people out of
Egypt; and I led him up on Mount Sinai, where I kept him with me
many days. 5 I told him many wondrous things, and showed him the
secrets of the times and declared to him the end of the times. Then I
commanded him, saying, 6 'These words you shall publish openly, and
these you shall keep secret.' 7 And now I say to you: 8 Lay up in your
heart the signs that I have shown you, the dreams that you have seen,
and the interpretations that you have heard; 9 for you shall be taken
up from among humankind, and henceforth you shall live with my Son
and with those who are like you, until the times are ended. 10 The age
has lost its youth, and the times begin to grow old. 11 For the age is
divided into twelve parts, and nine of its parts have already passed, 12
as well as half of the tenth part; so two of its parts remain, besides half
of the tenth part. 13 Now therefore, set your house in order, and
reprove your people; comfort the lowly among them, and instruct
those that are wise. And now renounce the life that is corruptible, 14
and put away from you mortal thoughts; cast away from you the
burdens of humankind, and divest yourself now of your weak nature;
15 lay to one side the thoughts that are most grievous to you, and

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2 ESDRAS 507

2 ESDRAS 507

Ezra's prayer for inspiration to restore the holy scriptures is granted

19 Then I answered and said, "Let me speak in your presence, Lord. 20
For I will go, as you have commanded me, and I will reprove the people
who are now living; but who will warn those who will be born
hereafter? For the world lies in darkness, and its inhabitants are
without light. 21 For your law has been burned, and so no one knows
the things which have been done or will be done by you. 22 If then I
have found favor with you, send the holy spirit into me, and I will write
everything that has happened in the world from the beginning, the
things that were written in your law, so that people may be able to
find the path, and that those who want to live in the last days may do
so."

23 He answered me and said, "Go and gather the people, and tell them
not to seek you for forty days. 24 But prepare for yourself many writing
tablets, and take with you Sarea, Dabria, Selemia, Ethanus, and Asiel —
these five, who are trained to write rapidly; 25 and you shall come
here, and I will light in your heart the lamp of understanding, which
shall not be put out until what you are about to write is finished. 26
And when you have finished, some things you shall make public, and
some you shall deliver in secret to the wise; tomorrow at this hour you
shall begin to write."

Ezra reproves the people

27 Then I went as he commanded me, and I gathered all the people
together, and said, 28 "Hear these words, O Israel. 29 At first our
ancestors lived as aliens in Egypt, and they were liberated from there
30 and received the law of life, which they did not keep, which you
also have transgressed after them. 31 Then land was given to you for a

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2 ESDRAS 508

2 ESDRAS 508

The revelation of scriptures

37 So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we proceeded to
the field, and remained there. 38 And on the next day a voice called
me, saying, "Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to
drink." 39 So I opened my mouth, and a full cup was offered to me; it
was full of something like water, but its color was like fire. 40 I took it
and drank; and when I had drunk it, my heart poured forth
understanding, and wisdom increased in my breast, for my spirit
retained its memory, 41 and my mouth was opened and was no longer
closed. 42 Moreover, the Most High gave understanding to the five
men, and by turns they wrote what was dictated, using characters that
they did not know. They sat forty days; they wrote during the daytime,
and ate their bread at night. 43 But as for me, I spoke in the daytime
and was not silent at night. 44 So during the forty days, ninety-four
books were written. 45 And when the forty days were ended, the Most
High spoke to me, saying, "Make public the twenty-four books that
you wrote first, and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; 46
but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to
the wise among your people. 47 For in them is the spring of
understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge."
48 And I did so.

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2 ESDRAS 509


[2 Esdras 15]
(Chs 15-16 comprise a separate literary composition also known as 6
Ezra.)
The commissioning of the prophet


1 Speak in the ears of my people the words of the prophecy that I will
put in your mouth, says the Lord, 2 and cause them to be written on
paper; for they are trustworthy and true. 3 Do not fear the plots
against you, and do not be troubled by the unbelief of those who
oppose you. 4 For all unbelievers shall die in their unbelief.

Prediction of worldwide catastrophes

5 Beware, says the Lord, I am bringing evils upon the world, the sword
and famine, death and destruction, 6 because iniquity has spread
throughout every land, and their harmful doings have reached their
limit. 7 Therefore, says the Lord, 8 I will be silent no longer concerning
their ungodly acts that they impiously commit, neither will I tolerate
their wicked practices. Innocent and righteous blood cries out to me,
and the souls of the righteous cry out continually. 9 I will surely avenge
them, says the Lord, and will receive to myself all the innocent blood
from among them. 10 See, my people are being led like a flock to the
slaughter; I will not allow them to live any longer in the land of Egypt,
11 but I will bring them out with a mighty hand and with an uplifted
arm, and will strike Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all
its land.

12 Let Egypt mourn, and its foundations, because of the plague of
chastisement and castigation that the Lord will bring upon it. 13 Let the
farmers that till the ground mourn, because their seed shall fail to
grow and their trees shall be ruined by blight and hail and by a terrible
tempest. 14 Alas for the world and for those who live in it! 15 For the
sword and misery draw near them, and nation shall rise up to fight
against nation, with swords in their hands. 16 For there shall be unrest
among people; growing strong against one another, they shall in their
might have no respect for their king or the chief of their leaders. 17 For
a person will desire to go into a city, and shall not be able to do so. 18
Because of their pride the cities shall be in confusion, the houses shall

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2 ESDRAS 510

2 ESDRAS 510

20 See how I am calling together all the kings of the earth to turn to
me, says God, from the rising sun and from the south, from the east
and from Lebanon; to turn and repay what they have given them. 21
Just as they have done to my elect until this day, so I will do, and will
repay into their bosom. Thus says the Lord God: 22 My right hand will
not spare the sinners, and my sword will not cease from those who
shed innocent blood on earth. 23 And a fire went forth from his wrath,
and consumed the foundations of the earth and the sinners, like burnt
straw. 24 Alas for those who sin and do not observe my
commandments, says the Lord; 25 I will not spare them. Depart, you
faithless children! Do not pollute my sanctuary. 26 For God knows all
who sin against him; therefore he will hand them over to death and
slaughter. 27 Already calamities have come upon the whole earth, and
you shall remain in them; God will not deliver you, because you have
sinned against him.

A vision of warfare in the east

28 What a terrifying sight, appearing from the east! 29 The nations of
the dragons of Arabia shall come out with many chariots, and from the
day that they set out, their hissing shall spread over the earth, so that
all who hear them will fear and tremble. 30 Also the Carmonians,
raging in wrath, shall go forth like wild boars from the forest, and with
great power they shall come and engage them in battle, and with their
tusks they shall devastate a portion of the land of the Assyrians with
their teeth. 31 And then the dragons, remembering their origin, shall
become still stronger; and if they combine in great power and turn to
pursue them, 32 then these shall be disorganized and silenced by their
power, and shall turn and flee. 33 And from the land of the Assyrians
an enemy in ambush shall attack them and destroy one of them, and
fear and trembling shall come upon their army, and indecision upon
their kings.

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2 ESDRAS 511


A vision of destructive storm clouds

34 See the clouds from the east, and from the north to the south! Their
appearance is exceedingly threatening, full of wrath and storm. 35
They shall clash against one another and shall pour out a heavy
tempest on the earth, and their own tempest; and there shall be blood
from the sword as high as a horse's belly 36 and a man's thigh and a
camel's hock. 37 And there shall be fear and great trembling on the
earth; those who see that wrath shall be horror-stricken, and they shall
be seized with trembling. 38 After that, heavy storm clouds shall be
stirred up from the south, and from the north, and another part from
the west. 39 But the winds from the east shall prevail over the cloud
that was raised in wrath, and shall dispel it; and the tempest that was
to cause destruction by the east wind shall be driven violently toward
the south and west. 40 Great and mighty clouds, full of wrath and
tempest, shall rise and destroy all the earth and its inhabitants, and
shall pour out upon every high and lofty place a terrible tempest, 41
fire and hail and flying swords and floods of water, so that all the
fields and all the streams shall be filled with the abundance of those
waters. 42 They shall destroy cities and walls, mountains and hills, trees
of the forests, and grass of the meadows, and their grain. 43 They shall
go on steadily to Babylon and blot it out. 44 They shall come to it and
surround it; they shall pour out on it the tempest and all its fury; then
the dust and smoke shall reach the sky, and all who are around it shall
mourn for it. 45 And those who survive shall serve those who have
destroyed it.

46 And you, Asia, who share in the splendor of Babylon and the glory
of her person — 47 woe to you, miserable wretch! For you have made
yourself like her; you have decked out your daughters for prostitution
to please and glory in your lovers, who have always lusted after you. 48
You have imitated that hateful one in all her deeds and devices.
Therefore God says, 49 I will send evils upon you: widowhood, poverty,
famine, sword, and pestilence, bringing ruin to your houses, bringing
destruction and death. 50 And the glory of your strength shall wither
like a flower when the heat shall rise that is sent upon you. 51 You shall
be weakened like a wretched woman who is beaten and wounded, so
that you cannot receive your mighty lovers. 52 Would I have dealt with

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2 ESDRAS 512

2 ESDRAS 512

54 Beautify your face! 55 The reward of a prostitute is in your lap;
therefore you shall receive your recompense. 56 As you will do to my
chosen people, says the Lord, so God will do to you, and will hand you
over to adversities. 57 Your children shall die of hunger, and you shall
fall by the sword; your cities shall be wiped out, and all your people
who are in the open country shall fall by the sword. 58 Those who are
in the mountains and highlands shall perish of hunger, and they shall
eat their own flesh in hunger for bread and drink their own blood in
thirst for water. 59 Unhappy above all others, you shall come and
suffer fresh miseries. 60 As they pass by they shall crush the hateful
city, and shall destroy a part of your land and abolish a portion of your
glory, when they return from devastated Babylon. 61 You shall be
broken down by them like stubble, and they shall be like fire to you. 62
They shall devour you and your cities, your land and your mountains;
they shall burn with fire all your forests and your fruitful trees. 63 They
shall carry your children away captive, plunder your wealth, and mar
the glory of your countenance.

[2 Esdras 16]
The inevitability of God's judgment


1 Woe to you, Babylon and Asia! Woe to you, Egypt and Syria! 2 Bind
on sackcloth and cloth of goats' hair, and wail for your children, and
lament for them; for your destruction is at hand. 3 The sword has been
sent upon you, and who is there to turn it back? 4 A fire has been sent
upon you, and who is there to quench it? 5 Calamities have been sent
upon you, and who is there to drive them away? 6 Can one drive off a
hungry lion in the forest, or quench a fire in the stubble once it has
started to burn? 7 Can one turn back an arrow shot by a strong archer?
8 The Lord God sends calamities, and who will drive them away? 9 Fire
will go forth from his wrath, and who is there to quench it? 10 He will
flash lightning, and who will not be afraid? He will thunder, and who
will not be terrified? 11 The Lord will threaten, and who will not be
utterly shattered at his presence? 12 The earth and its foundations

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2 ESDRAS 513

Prediction of desolation on the earth

18 The beginning of sorrows, when there shall be much lamentation;
the beginning of famine, when many shall perish; the beginning of
wars, when the powers shall be terrified; the beginning of calamities,
when all shall tremble. What shall they do, when the calamities come?
19 Famine and plague, tribulation and anguish are sent as scourges for
the correction of humankind. 20 Yet for all this they will not turn from
their iniquities, or ever be mindful of the scourges. 21 Indeed,
provisions will be so cheap upon earth that people will imagine that
peace is assured for them, and then calamities shall spring up on the
earth — the sword, famine, and great confusion. 22 For many of those
who live on the earth shall perish by famine; and those who survive the
famine shall die by the sword. 23 And the dead shall be thrown out like
dung, and there shall be no one to console them; for the earth shall be
left desolate, and its cities shall be demolished. 24 No one shall be left
to cultivate the earth or to sow it. 25 The trees shall bear fruit, but who
will gather it? 26 The grapes shall ripen, but who will tread them? For
in all places there shall be great solitude; 27 a person will long to see
another human being, or even to hear a human voice. 28 For ten shall
be left out of a city; and two, out of the field, those who have hidden
themselves in thick groves and clefts in the rocks. 29 Just as in an olive
orchard three or four olives may be left on every tree, 30 or just as,
when a vineyard is gathered, some clusters may be left by those who
search carefully through the vineyard, 31 so in those days three or four
shall be left by those who search their houses with the sword. 32 The
earth shall be left desolate, and its fields shall be plowed up, and its

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