Chapter XII: Part 12

4:1 This is the book of the commandments of God, and the law that endureth for ever: all they that keep it shall come to life; but such as leave it shall die.

4:2 Turn thee, O Jacob, and take hold of it: walk in the presence of the light thereof, that thou mayest be illuminated.

4:3 Give not thine honour to another, nor the things that are profitable unto thee to a strange nation.

4:4 O Israel, happy are we: for things that are pleasing to God are made known unto us.

4:5 Be of good cheer, my people, the memorial of Israel.

4:6 Ye were sold to the nations, not for [your] destruction: but because ye moved God to wrath, ye were delivered unto the enemies.

4:7 For ye provoked him that made you by sacrificing unto devils, and not to God.

4:8 Ye have forgotten the everlasting God, that brought you up; and ye have grieved Jerusalem, that nursed you.

4:9 For when she saw the wrath of God coming upon you, she said, Hearken, O ye that dwell about Sion: God hath brought upon me great mourning;

4:10 For I saw the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting brought upon them.

4:11 With joy did I nourish them; but sent them away with weeping and mourning.

4:12 Let no man rejoice over me, a widow, and forsaken of many, who for the sins of my children am left desolate; because they departed from the law of God.

4:13 They knew not his statutes, nor walked in the ways of his commandments, nor trod in the paths of discipline in his righteousness.

4:14 Let them that dwell about Sion come, and remember ye the captivity of my sons and daughters, which the Everlasting hath brought upon them.

4:15 For he hath brought a nation upon them from far, a shameless nation, and of a strange language, who neither reverenced old man, nor pitied child.

4:16 These have carried away the dear beloved children of the widow, and left her that was alone desolate without daughters.

4:17 But what can I help you?

4:18 For he that brought these plagues upon you will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.

4:19 Go your way, O my children, go your way: for I am left desolate.

4:20 I have put off the clothing of peace, and put upon me the sackcloth of my prayer: I will cry unto the Everlasting in my days.

4:21 Be of good cheer, O my children, cry unto the Lord, and he will deliver you from the power and hand of the enemies.

4:22 For my hope is in the Everlasting, that he will save you; and joy is come unto me from the Holy One, because of the mercy which shall soon come unto you from the Everlasting our Saviour.

4:23 For I sent you out with mourning and weeping: but God will give you to me again with joy and gladness for ever.

4:24 Like as now the neighbours of Sion have seen your captivity: so shall they see shortly your salvation from our God which shall come upon you with great glory, and brightness of the Everlasting.

4:25 My children, suffer patiently the wrath that is come upon you from God: for thine enemy hath persecuted thee; but shortly thou shalt see his destruction, and shalt tread upon his neck.

4:26 My delicate ones have gone rough ways, and were taken away as a flock caught of the enemies.

4:27 Be of good comfort, O my children, and cry unto God: for ye shall be remembered of him that brought these things upon you.

4:28 For as it was your mind to go astray from God: so, being returned, seek him ten times more.

4:29 For he that hath brought these plagues upon you shall bring you everlasting joy with your salvation.

4:30 Take a good heart, O Jerusalem: for he that gave thee that name will comfort thee.

4:31 Miserable are they that afflicted thee, and rejoiced at thy fall.

4:32 Miserable are the cities which thy children served: miserable is she that received thy sons.

4:33 For as she rejoiced at thy ruin, and was glad of thy fall: so shall she be grieved for her own desolation.

4:34 For I will take away the rejoicing of her great multitude, and her pride shall be turned into mourning.

4:35 For fire shall come upon her from the Everlasting, long to endure; and she shall be inhabited of devils for a great time.

4:36 O Jerusalem, look about thee toward the east, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from God.

4:37 Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.

5:1 Put off, O Jerusalem, the garment of mourning and affliction, and put on the comeliness of the glory that cometh from God for ever.

5:2 Cast about thee a double garment of the righteousness which cometh from God; and set a diadem on thine head of the glory of the Everlasting.

5:3 For God will shew thy brightness unto every country under heaven.

5:4 For thy name shall be called of God for ever The peace of righteousness, and The glory of God’s worship.

5:5 Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and look about toward the east, and behold thy children gathered from the west unto the east by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the remembrance of God.

5:6 For they departed from thee on foot, and were led away of their enemies: but God bringeth them unto thee exalted with glory, as children of the kingdom.

5:7 For God hath appointed that every high hill, and banks of long continuance, should be cast down, and valleys filled up, to make even the ground, that Israel may go safely in the glory of God,

5:8 Moreover even the woods and every sweetsmelling tree shall overshadow Israel by the commandment of God.

5:9 For God shall lead Israel with joy in the light of his glory with the mercy and righteousness that cometh from him.

The Epistle [or Letter] of Jeremiah [Jeremy] [The Epistle of Jeremy [sometimes Chapter Six of Baruch]]

6:1 A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.

6:2 Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

6:3 So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.

6:4 Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.

6:5 Beware therefore that ye in no wise be like to strangers, neither be ye afraid of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.

6:6 But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.

6:7 For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.

6:8 As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.

6:9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.

6:10 Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.

6:11 Yea, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, [being] gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.

6:12 Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.

6:13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.

6:14 And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.

6:15 He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an ax: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.

6:16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.

6:17 For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.

6:18 And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.

6:19 They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.

6:20 They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.

6:21 Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.

6:22 Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.

6:23 By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.

6:24 Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.

6:25 The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.

6:26 They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.

6:27 They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as unto dead men.

6:28 As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.

6:29 Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.

6:30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.

6:31 And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.

6:32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.

6:33 The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.

6:34 Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.

6:35 In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will not require it.

6:36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.

6:37 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.

6:38 They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.

6:39 Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.

6:40 How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?

6:41 Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.

6:42 Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.

6:43 The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.

6:44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?

6:45 They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.

6:46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?

6:47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.

6:48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.

6:49 How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?

6:50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:

6:51 And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

6:52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?

6:53 For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.

6:54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.

6:55 Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.

6:56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

6:57 Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.

6:58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong do take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.

6:59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods, or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.

6:60 For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.

6:61 In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.

6:62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.

6:63 And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.

6:64 Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.

6:65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,

6:66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

6:67 Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

6:68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.

6:69 It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

6:70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.

6:71 And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast into the dark.

6:72 And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.

6:73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.

The Song of the Three Holy Children

Which followeth in the third Chapter of DANIEL after this place,—_fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace_.—Verse 23. That which followeth is not in the Hebrew, to wit, _And they walked_—unto these words. _Then Nebuchadnezzar_—verse 24.

1 And they walked in the midst of the fire, praising God, and blessing the Lord.

2 Then Azarias stood up, and prayed on this manner; and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire said,

3 Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore:

4 For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done to us: yea, true are all thy works, thy ways are right, and all thy judgments truth.

5 In all the things that thou hast brought upon us, and upon the holy city of our fathers, even Jerusalem, thou hast executed true judgment: for according to truth and judgment didst thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins.

6 For we have sinned and committed iniquity, departing from thee.

7 In all things have we trespassed, and not obeyed thy commandments, nor kept them, neither done as thou hast commanded us, that it might go well with us.

8 Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us, and every thing that thou hast done to us, thou hast done in true judgment.

9 And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies, most hateful forsakers of God, and to an unjust king, and the most wicked in all the world.

10 And now we cannot open our mouths, we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants, and to them that worship thee.

11 Yet deliver us not up wholly, for thy name’s sake, neither disannul thou thy covenant:

12 And cause not thy mercy to depart from us, for thy beloved Abraham’s sake, for thy servant Isaac’s sake, and for thy holy Israel’s sake;

13 To whom thou hast spoken and promised, that thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that lieth upon the seashore.

14 For we, O Lord, are become less than any nation, and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins.

15 Neither is there at this time prince, or prophet, or leader, or burnt offering, or sacrifice, or oblation, or incense, or place to sacrifice before thee, and to find mercy.

16 Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted.

17 Like as in the burnt offerings of rams and bullocks, and like as in ten thousands of fat lambs: so let our sacrifice be in thy sight this day, and grant that we may wholly go after thee: for they shall not be confounded that put their trust in thee.

18 And now we follow thee with all our heart, we fear thee, and seek thy face.

19 Put us not to shame: but deal with us after thy lovingkindness, and according to the multitude of thy mercies.

20 Deliver us also according to thy marvellous works, and give glory to thy name, O Lord: and let all them that do thy servants hurt be ashamed;

21 And let them be confounded in all their power and might, and let their strength be broken;

22 And let them know that thou art Lord, the only God, and glorious over the whole world.

23 And the king’s servants, that put them in, ceased not to make the oven hot with rosin, pitch, tow, and small wood;

24 So that the flame streamed forth above the furnace forty and nine cubits.

25 And it passed through, and burned those Chaldeans it found about the furnace.

26 But the angel of the Lord came down into the oven together with Azarias and his fellows, and smote the flame of the fire out of the oven;

27 And made the midst of the furnace as it had been a moist whistling wind, so that the fire touched them not at all, neither hurt nor troubled them.

28 Then the three, as out of one mouth, praised, glorified, and blessed, God in the furnace, saying,

29 Blessed art thou, O Lord God of our fathers: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

30 And blessed is thy glorious and holy name: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

31 Blessed art thou in the temple of thine holy glory: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.

32 Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and sittest upon the cherubims: and to be praised and exalted above all for ever.

33 Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy kingdom: and to be praised and glorified above all for ever.

34 Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: and above all to be praised and glorified for ever.

35 O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

36 O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

37 O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

38 O all ye waters that be above the heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

39 O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

40 O ye sun and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

41 O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

42 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

43 O all ye winds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

44 O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

45 O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

46 O ye dews and storms of snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

47 O ye nights and days, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

48 O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

49 O ye ice and cold, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

50 O ye frost and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

51 O ye lightnings and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

52 O let the earth bless the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

53 O ye mountains and little hills, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

54 O all ye things that grow on the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

55 O ye fountains, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

56 O ye seas and rivers, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

57 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

58 O all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

59 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

60 O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

61 O Israel, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

62 O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

63 O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

64 O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

65 O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever.

66 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise and exalt him above all for ever: for he hath delivered us from hell, and saved us from the hand of death, and delivered us out of the midst of the furnace and burning flame: even out of the midst of the fire hath he delivered us.

67 O give thanks unto the Lord, because he is gracious: for his mercy endureth for ever.

68 O all ye that worship the Lord bless the God of gods, praise him, and give him thanks: for his mercy endureth for ever.

The Book of Susanna [in Daniel] [The History of Susanna [in Daniel]]

Set apart from the beginning of Daniel, because it is not in the Hebrew, as neither the Narration of Bel and the Dragon.

1:1 There dwelt a man in Babylon, called Joacim:

1:2 And he took a wife, whose name was Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, a very fair woman, and one that feared the Lord.

1:3 Her parents also were righteous, and taught their daughter according to the law of Moses.

1:4 Now Joacim was a great rich man, and had a fair garden joining unto his house: and to him resorted the Jews; because he was more honourable than all others.

1:5 The same year were appointed two of the ancients of the people to be judges, such as the Lord spake of, that wickedness came from Babylon from ancient judges, who seemed to govern the people.

1:6 These kept much at Joacim’s house: and all that had any suits in law came unto them.

1:7 Now when the people departed away at noon, Susanna went into her husband’s garden to walk.

1:8 And the two elders saw her going in every day, and walking; so that their lust was inflamed toward her.

1:9 And they perverted their own mind, and turned away their eyes, that they might not look unto heaven, nor remember just judgments.

1:10 And albeit they both were wounded with her love, yet durst not one shew another his grief.

1:11 For they were ashamed to declare their lust, that they desired to have to do with her.

1:12 Yet they watched diligently from day to day to see her.

1:13 And the one said to the other, Let us now go home: for it is dinner time.

1:14 So when they were gone out, they parted the one from the other, and turning back again they came to the same place; and after that they had asked one another the cause, they acknowledged their lust: then appointed they a time both together, when they might find her alone.

1:15 And it fell out, as they watched a fit time, she went in as before with two maids only, and she was desirous to wash herself in the garden: for it was hot.

1:16 And there was no body there save the two elders, that had hid themselves, and watched her.

1:17 Then she said to her maids, Bring me oil and washing balls, and shut the garden doors, that I may wash me.

1:18 And they did as she bade them, and shut the garden doors, and went out themselves at privy doors to fetch the things that she had commanded them: but they saw not the elders, because they were hid.

1:19 Now when the maids were gone forth, the two elders rose up, and ran unto her, saying,

1:20 Behold, the garden doors are shut, that no man can see us, and we are in love with thee; therefore consent unto us, and lie with us.

1:21 If thou wilt not, we will bear witness against thee, that a young man was with thee: and therefore thou didst send away thy maids from thee.

1:22 Then Susanna sighed, and said, I am straitened on every side: for if I do this thing, it is death unto me: and if I do it not I cannot escape your hands.

1:23 It is better for me to fall into your hands, and not do it, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.

1:24 With that Susanna cried with a loud voice: and the two elders cried out against her.

1:25 Then ran the one, and opened the garden door.

1:26 So when the servants of the house heard the cry in the garden, they rushed in at the privy door, to see what was done unto her.

1:27 But when the elders had declared their matter, the servants were greatly ashamed: for there was never such a report made of Susanna.

1:28 And it came to pass the next day, when the people were assembled to her husband Joacim, the two elders came also full of mischievous imagination against Susanna to put her to death;

1:29 And said before the people, Send for Susanna, the daughter of Chelcias, Joacim’s wife. And so they sent.

1:30 So she came with her father and mother, her children, and all her kindred.

1:31 Now Susanna was a very delicate woman, and beauteous to behold.

1:32 And these wicked men commanded to uncover her face, (for she was covered) that they might be filled with her beauty.

1:33 Therefore her friends and all that saw her wept.

1:34 Then the two elders stood up in the midst of the people, and laid their hands upon her head.

1:35 And she weeping looked up toward heaven: for her heart trusted in the Lord.

1:36 And the elders said, As we walked in the garden alone, this woman came in with two maids, and shut the garden doors, and sent the maids away.

1:37 Then a young man, who there was hid, came unto her, and lay with her.

1:38 Then we that stood in a corner of the garden, seeing this wickedness, ran unto them.

1:39 And when we saw them together, the man we could not hold: for he was stronger than we, and opened the door, and leaped out.

1:40 But having taken this woman, we asked who the young man was, but she would not tell us: these things do we testify.

1:41 Then the assembly believed them as those that were the elders and judges of the people: so they condemned her to death.

1:42 Then Susanna cried out with a loud voice, and said, O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be:

1:43 Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me, and, behold, I must die; whereas I never did such things as these men have maliciously invented against me.

1:44 And the Lord heard her voice.

1:45 Therefore when she was led to be put to death, the Lord raised up the holy spirit of a young youth whose name was Daniel:

1:46 Who cried with a loud voice, I am clear from the blood of this woman.

1:47 Then all the people turned them toward him, and said, What mean these words that thou hast spoken?

1:48 So he standing in the midst of them said, Are ye such fools, ye sons of Israel, that without examination or knowledge of the truth ye have condemned a daughter of Israel?

1:49 Return again to the place of judgment: for they have borne false witness against her.

1:50 Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the elders said unto him, Come, sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an elder.

1:51 Then said Daniel unto them, Put these two aside one far from another, and I will examine them.

1:52 So when they were put asunder one from another, he called one of them, and said unto him, O thou that art waxen old in wickedness, now thy sins which thou hast committed aforetime are come to light.

1:53 For thou hast pronounced false judgment and hast condemned the innocent and hast let the guilty go free; albeit the Lord saith, The innocent and righteous shalt thou not slay.

1:54 Now then, if thou hast seen her, tell me, Under what tree sawest thou them companying together? Who answered, Under a mastick tree.

1:55 And Daniel said, Very well; thou hast lied against thine own head; for even now the angel of God hath received the sentence of God to cut thee in two.

1:56 So he put him aside, and commanded to bring the other, and said unto him, O thou seed of Chanaan, and not of Juda, beauty hath deceived thee, and lust hath perverted thine heart.

1:57 Thus have ye dealt with the daughters of Israel, and they for fear companied with you: but the daughter of Juda would not abide your wickedness.

1:58 Now therefore tell me, Under what tree didst thou take them companying together? Who answered, Under an holm tree.

1:59 Then said Daniel unto him, Well; thou hast also lied against thine own head: for the angel of God waiteth with the sword to cut thee in two, that he may destroy you.

1:60 With that all the assembly cried out with a loud voice, and praised God, who saveth them that trust in him.

1:61 And they arose against the two elders, for Daniel had convicted them of false witness by their own mouth:

1:62 And according to the law of Moses they did unto them in such sort as they maliciously intended to do to their neighbour: and they put them to death. Thus the innocent blood was saved the same day.

1:63 Therefore Chelcias and his wife praised God for their daughter Susanna, with Joacim her husband, and all the kindred, because there was no dishonesty found in her.

1:64 From that day forth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people.

The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon

Cut off from the end of Daniel.

1:1 And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of Persia received his kingdom.

1:2 And Daniel conversed with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.

1:3 Now the Babylons had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine.

1:4 And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why dost not thou worship Bel?

1:5 Who answered and said, Because I may not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth, and hath sovereignty over all flesh.

1:6 Then said the king unto him, Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living God? seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day?

1:7 Then Daniel smiled, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass without, and did never eat or drink any thing.

1:8 So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expences, ye shall die.

1:9 But if ye can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to thy word.

1:10 Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten, beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel.

1:11 So Bel’s priests said, Lo, we go out: but thou, O king, set on the meat, and make ready the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with thine own signet;

1:12 And to morrow when thou comest in, if thou findest not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us.

1:13 And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.

1:14 So when they were gone forth, the king set meats before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed throughout all the temple in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king’s signet, and so departed.

1:15 Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drinck up all.

1:16 In the morning betime the king arose, and Daniel with him.

1:17 And the king said, Daniel, are the seals whole? And he said, Yea, O king, they be whole.

1:18 And as soon as he had opened the dour, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee is no deceit at all.

1:19 Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these.

1:20 And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry,

1:21 And took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table.

1:22 Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel’s power, who destroyed him and his temple.

1:23 And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped.

1:24 And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.

1:25 Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God.

1:26 But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave.

1:27 Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon’s mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.

1:28 When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death.

1:29 So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.

1:30 Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, he delivered Daniel unto them:

1:31 Who cast him into the lions’ den: where he was six days.

1:32 And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.

1:33 Now there was in Jewry a prophet, called Habbacuc, who had made pottage, and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers.

1:34 But the angel of the Lord said unto Habbacuc, Go, carry the dinner that thou hast into Babylon unto Daniel, who is in the lions’ den.

1:35 And Habbacuc said, Lord, I never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is.

1:36 Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and bare him by the hair of his head, and through the vehemency of his spirit set him in Babylon over the den.

1:37 And Habbacuc cried, saying, O Daniel, Daniel, take the dinner which God hath sent thee.

1:38 And Daniel said, Thou hast remembered me, O God: neither hast thou forsaken them that seek thee and love thee.

1:39 So Daniel arose, and did eat: and the angel of the Lord set Habbacuc in his own place again immediately.

1:40 Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting.

1:41 Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art Lord God of Daniel, and there is none other beside thee.

1:42 And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face.

The Prayer of Manasses King of Judah

O Lord, Almighty God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of their righteous seed; who hast made heaven and earth, with all the ornament thereof; who hast bound the sea by the word of thy commandment; who hast shut up the deep, and sealed it by thy terrible and glorious name; whom all men fear, and tremble before thy power; for the majesty of thy glory cannot be borne, and thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable: but thy merciful promise is unmeasurable and unsearchable; for thou art the most high Lord, of great compassion, longsuffering, very merciful, and repentest of the evils of men. Thou, O Lord, according to thy great goodness hast promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against thee: and of thine infinite mercies hast appointed repentance unto sinners, that they may be saved. Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against thee; but thou hast appointed repentance unto me that am a sinner: for I have sinned above the number of the sands of the sea. My transgressions, O Lord, are multiplied: my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and see the height of heaven for the multitude of mine iniquities. I am bowed down with many iron bands, that I cannot life up mine head, neither have any release: for I have provoked thy wrath, and done evil before thee: I did not thy will, neither kept I thy commandments: I have set up abominations, and have multiplied offences. Now therefore I bow the knee of mine heart, beseeching thee of grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge mine iniquities: wherefore, I humbly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with mine iniquites. Be not angry with me for ever, by reserving evil for me; neither condemn me to the lower parts of the earth. For thou art the God, even the God of them that repent; and in me thou wilt shew all thy goodness: for thou wilt save me, that am unworthy, according to thy great mercy. Therefore I will praise thee for ever all the days of my life: for all the powers of the heavens do praise thee, and thine is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The First Book of the Maccabees

1:1 And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,

1:2 And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,

1:3 And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.

1:4 And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

1:5 And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.

1:6 Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

1:7 So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.

1:8 And his servants bare rule every one in his place.

1:9 And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth.

1:10 And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

1:11 In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.

1:12 So this device pleased them well.

1:13 Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:

1:14 Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:

1:15 And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.

1:16 Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.

1:17 Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,

1:18 And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.

1:19 Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.

1:20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,

1:21 And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,

1:22 And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.

1:23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.

1:24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.

1:25 Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;

1:26 So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.

1:27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,

1:28 The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.

1:29 And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,

1:30 And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel.

1:31 And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side.

1:32 But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.

1:33 Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them.

1:34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.

1:35 They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:

1:36 For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.

1:37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:

1:38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her.

1:39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt.

1:40 As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.

1:41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,

1:42 And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king.

1:43 Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.

1:44 For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land,

1:45 And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:

1:46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:

1:47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts:

1:48 That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation:

1:49 To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.

1:50 And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.

1:51 In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city.

1:52 Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land;

1:53 And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.

1:54 Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side;

1:55 And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.

1:56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.

1:57 And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any consented to the law, the king’s commandment was, that they should put him to death.

1:58 Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities.

1:59 Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.

1:60 At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised.

1:61 And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.

1:62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.

1:63 Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died.

1:64 And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

2:1 In those days arose Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.

2:2 And he had five sons, Joannan, called Caddis:

2:3 Simon; called Thassi:

2:4 Judas, who was called Maccabeus:

2:5 Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.

2:6 And when he saw the blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,

2:7 He said, Woe is me! wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the sanctuary into the hand of strangers?

2:8 Her temple is become as a man without glory.