1 Not long after this, the king sent out an old man of Athens to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and not to live by the laws of God, (WEB) 2 and also to pollute the sanctuary in Jerusalem and to call it by the name of Olympian Zeus, and to call the sanctuary in Gerizim by the name of Zeus the Protector of foreigners, even as the people who lived in that place did. (WEB) 3 The visitation of this evil was harsh and utterly grievous. (WEB) 4 For the temple was filled with debauchery and reveling by the heathen, who dallied with prostitutes, and had intercourse with women within the sacred precincts, and moreover brought inside things that were not appropriate. (WEB) 5 The altar was filled with those abominable things which had been prohibited by the laws. (WEB) 6 A man could neither keep the Sabbath, nor observe the feasts of their ancestors, nor so much as confess himself to be a Jew. (WEB) 7 On the day of the king’s birth every month, they were led along with bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices. When the feast of Dionysia came, they were compelled to go in procession in honor of Dionysus, wearing wreaths of ivy. (WEB) 8 A decree went out to the neighboring Greek cities, by the suggestion of Ptolemy, that they should observe the same conduct against the Jews, and should make them eat of the sacrifices, (WEB) 9 and that they should kill those who didn’t choose to go over to the Greek rites. So the present misery was for all to see. (WEB) 10 For example, two women were brought in for having circumcised their children. These, when they had led them publicly around the city with the babes hung from their breasts, they threw down headlong from the wall. (WEB) 11 Others who had run together into the caves nearby to keep the seventh day secretly, were betrayed to Philip and were all burned together, because their piety kept them from defending themselves, in view of the honor of that most solemn day. (WEB) 12 I urge those who read this book to not be discouraged because of the calamities, but recognize that these punishments were not for the destruction, but for the chastening of our race. (WEB) 13 For indeed it is a sign of great kindness that those who act impiously are not let alone for a long time, but immediately meet with retribution. (WEB) 14 For in the case of the other nations, the Sovereign Lord waits patiently to punish them until they have attained to the full measure of their sins; but not with us, (WEB) 15 that he may not take vengeance on us afterward, when we have come to the height of our sins. (WEB) 16 Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us; but though he chastens with calamity, he doesn’t forsake his own people. (WEB) 17 However let this that we have spok… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 6:1–31
Semantically similar passages
4 Maccabees 6:20–22
20 It would be disgraceful if we would live on some short time, and that scorned by all men for cowardice, (WEB) 21 and be condemned by the tyrant for cowardice by not contending to the death for our divine law. (WEB) 22 Therefore you, O children of Abraham, die nobly for your reli… (WEB)
1 Maccabees 1:62–64
62 Many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat unclean things. (WEB) 63 They chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the food, and that they might not profane the holy covenant; and they died. (WEB) 64 Exceedingly great wrath came upon Israel. (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 12:22–24
22 Therefore while you chasten us, you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more, to the intent that we may ponder your goodness when we judge, and when we are judged may look for mercy. (WEB) 23 Therefore also the unrighteous that lived in a life of folly, you tormente… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 8:1–2
1 then, indeed, vehemently swayed with emotion, he commanded to bring others of the adult Hebrews, and if they would eat of the unclean thing, to let them go when they had eaten; but if they objected, to torment them more grievously. (WEB) 2 The tyrant having given this… (WEB)
Judith 8:20–22
20 But we know no other god beside him. Therefore we hope that he will not despise us, nor any of our race. (WEB) 21 For if we are captured, all Judea will be captured and our sanctuary will be plundered; and he will require our blood for profaning it. (WEB) 22 The slaughter of our… (WEB)
2 Maccabees 4:47–49
47 He who was the cause of all the evil, Menelaus, he discharged from the accusations; but these hapless men, who, if they had pleaded even before Scythians, would have been discharged uncondemned, them he sentenced to death. (WEB) 48 Those who were spokesmen for the city… (WEB)
2 Esdras 7:121–123
121 And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, but we have lived wickedly? (WEB) 122 And 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 of all? (WEB) 123 And that a paradise will be revealed, wh… (WEB)
4 Maccabees 17:9–11
9 “Here an aged priest, an aged woman, and seven sons, are buried through the violence of a tyrant, who wished to destroy the society of the Hebrews. (WEB) 10 These also avenged their nation, looking to God, and enduring torments to death.” (WEB) 11 For it was truly a divine conte… (WEB)
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