23 But doubtless the Creator of the
world, who formed the generation of man,
and found out the beginning of all things,
will also of his own mercy give you breath
and life again, as ye now regard not your
own selves for his laws' fake.
24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself de spised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers j and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.
25 But when the young man would in no cafe hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.
26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that (he would counsel her son.
27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner ; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee fuck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.
28 I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is there in, and consider that b God made them of things that were not ; and so was mankind made likewise.
29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death, that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.
30 While she was yet speaking these - words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for ? I will not obey the king's commandment : but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.
31 And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not eseape the hands of God.
32 For we suffer because of our sins.
33 And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet (hall he be at one again with his servants.
34 But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up with out a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God :
35 For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who feeth all things,
36 For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of everlasting life : but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.
37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation ;' and that L thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is God
38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon all our nation, may cease.
39 Then the king, being in a rage, hand led him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.
40 So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.
41 Last ofall after the sons the mother died.
42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.
CHAP. VIII.
THEN Judas Maccabeus, and they that «r. m, were with him, went privily into the towns, and called their kinsfolks together, and took unto them all such as continued in the Jews' religion, and assembled about six thousand men.
2 And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon the people that was trodden down of all; and also pity the temple profaned of ungodly men ;
3 And that he would have compassion upon the city, sore defaced, and ready to be made even with the ground ; and hear the blood that cried unto him,
4 And remember the wicked slaughter of harmless infants, and the blasphemies committed against his name; and that he would shew his hatred against the wicked.
5 Now when Maccabeus had his com pany about him, he could not be with stood by the heathen : for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy.
6 Therefore he came at unawares, and burnt up towns and cities, and got into his hands the most commodious places, and overcame and put to flight no small number of his enemies.
7 But specially took he advantage of the
