2Mac 2:1 
It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet 
commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it 
hath been signified: 
 
2Mac 2:2 
And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged 
them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they 
should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver 
and gold, with their ornaments. 
 
2Mac 2:3 
And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law 
should not depart from their hearts. 
 
2Mac 2:4 
It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, 
being warned of God, commanded the tabernacle and the ark to go 
with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses 
climbed up, and saw the heritage of God. 
 
2Mac 2:5 
And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, 
wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of 
incense, and so stopped the door. 
 
2Mac 2:6 
And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but 
they could not find it. 
 
2Mac 2:7 
Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for 
that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather 
his people again together, and receive them unto mercy. 
 
2Mac 2:8 
Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of 
the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed 
under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be 
honourably sanctified. 
 
2Mac 2:9 
It was also declared, that he being wise offered the 
sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. 
 
2Mac 2:10 
And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down 
from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon 
also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt 
offerings. 
 
2Mac 2:11 
And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, 
it was consumed. 
 
2Mac 2:12 
So Solomon kept those eight days. 
 
2Mac 2:13 
The same things also were reported in the writings and 
commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered 
together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, 
and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. 
 
2Mac 2:14 
In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things 
that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with 
us, 
 
2Mac 2:15 
Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them 
unto you. 
 
2Mac 2:16 
Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we 
have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same 
days. 
 
2Mac 2:17 
We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, 
and gave them all an heritage, and the kingdom, and the 
priesthood, and the sanctuary, 
 
2Mac 2:18 
As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, 
and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the 
holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and 
hath purified the place. 
 
2Mac 2:19 
Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the 
purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the 
altar, 
 
2Mac 2:20 
And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his 
son, 
 
2Mac 2:21 
And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that 
behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so 
that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and 
chased barbarous multitudes, 
 
2Mac 2:22 
And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, 
and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, 
the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour: 
 
2Mac 2:23 
All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in 
five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume. 
 
2Mac 2:24 
For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which 
they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, 
for the variety of the matter, 
 
2Mac 2:25 
We have been careful, that they that will read may have 
delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory 
might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might 
have profit. 
 
2Mac 2:26 
Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour 
of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and 
watching; 
 
2Mac 2:27 
Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and 
seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we 
will undertake gladly this great pains; 
 
2Mac 2:28 
Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, 
and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement. 
 
2Mac 2:29 
For as the master builder of a new house must care for the 
whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint 
it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I 
think it is with us. 
 
2Mac 2:30 
To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and 
to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of 
the story: 
 
2Mac 2:31 
But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is 
to be granted to him that will make an abridgment. 
 
2Mac 2:32 
Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to 
that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a 
long prologue, and to be short in the story itself. 

Chapter 3

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