2Maccabees:11

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* Not long after the , Lysias the king 's protector and cousin , who also managed the affairs , took sore displeasure for the things that were done . * And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen , he came against the Jews , thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles , * And to make a gain of the temple , as of the other chapels of the heathen , and to set the high priesthood to sale every year : * Not at all considering the power of God but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen , and his thousands of horsemen , and his fourscore elephants . * So he came to Judea , and drew near to Bethsura , which was a strong town , but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs , and he laid sore siege unto it . * Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds , they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel . * Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons , exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren : so they went forth together with a willing mind . * And as they were at Jerusalem , there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing , shaking his armour of gold . * Then they praised the merciful God all together , and took heart , insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men , but with most cruel beasts , and to pierce through walls of iron . * Thus they marched forward in their armour , having an helper from heaven : for the Lord was merciful unto them * And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions , they slew eleven thousand footmen , and sixteen hundred horsemen , and put all the other to flight . * Many of them also being wounded escaped naked ; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully , and so escaped . * Who , as he was a man of understanding , casting with himself what loss he had had , and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome , because the Almighty God helped them , he sent unto them , * And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions , and promised that he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them . * Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired , being careful of the common good ; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews , the king granted it . * For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect : Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting : * John and Absolom , who were sent from you , delivered me the petition subscribed , and made request for the performance of the contents thereof . * Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king , I have declared them , and he hath granted as much as might be . * And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state , hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good . * But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me , to commune with you . * Fare ye well . The hundred and eight and fortieth year , the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius . * Now the king 's letter contained these words : King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting : * Since our father is translated unto the gods , our will is , that they that are in our realm live quietly , that every one may attend upon his own affairs . * We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father , for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles , but had rather keep their own manner of living : for the which cause they require of us , that we should suffer them to live after their own laws . * Wherefore our mind is , that this nation shall be in rest , and we have determined to restore them their temple , that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers . * Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them , and grant them peace , that when they are certified of our mind , they may be of good comfort , and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs . * And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner : King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council , and the rest of the Jews : * If ye fare well , we have our desire ; we are also in good health . * Menelaus declared unto us , that your desire was to return home , and to follow your own business : * Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security . * And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws , as before ; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done . * I have sent also Menelaus , that he may comfort you . * Fare ye well . In the hundred forty and eighth year , and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus . * The Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words : Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius , ambassadors of the Romans , send greeting unto the people of the Jews . * Whatsoever Lysias the king 's cousin hath granted , therewith we also are well pleased . * But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king , after ye have advised thereof , send one forthwith , that we may declare as it is convenient for you : for we are now going to Antioch . * Therefore send some with speed , that we may know what is your mind . * Farewell . This hundred and eight and fortieth year , the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus .

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