2 Maccabees

The Jewish people in Jerusalem and Judea sent greetings to their brothers in Egypt, expressing gratitude to God for his covenant and asking for his continued protection and guidance. The letter recounted the story of Nehemiah and the rekindling of the sacred fire, as well as the collection of sacred books and objects by Judas Maccabeus. The story then shifted to the false report of Simon, a temple official, which led to the attempted seizure of the temple treasury by Heliodorus, but God intervened, sending a horse and two youths to scourge Heliodorus. The high priest Onias was later accused of treason by Simon, and Jason, Onias' brother, became the high priest, but he was eventually forced to flee and was killed. Menelaus, the brother of Simon, usurped the high priesthood and had Onias killed, leading to widespread outrage and grief. Antiochus then invaded Jerusalem, desecrating the temple and taking its holy vessels and treasures, and the Jews were forced to abandon their laws and contaminate the temple. The Jews were also forced to sacrifice on the king's birthday, and those who refused were executed. An elderly scribe named Eleazar was forced to eat swine's flesh but chose to endure torments and death rather than disobey the sacred law. Seven brothers and their mother were also compelled to eat swine's flesh, but they refused, choosing to die instead. Judas Maccabeus then gathered 6,000 men and led a successful campaign against the Gentiles, overwhelming towns and cities, and his virtuous strength became renowned. The Jews, led by Maccabeus, recovered the temple and city, purified the temple, and offered sacrifices again after two years. They celebrated for eight days, decreeing that the purification be commemorated annually. The Jews then defeated various enemies, including Lysias, Gorgias, and Timothy, and the king eventually granted them permission to follow their own laws and customs. The Jews also avenged the cruel acts committed against them by the people of Joppa and Jamnia, and Judas and his men purified themselves and kept the Sabbath. They later defeated Timothy's forces and purified the city of Casphin, and Judas instructed the people to pray and prepare for battle against Antiochus Eupator. The Jews led a successful nighttime attack on the king's camp, killing 4,000 men, and Antiochus later attempted to take the fortified garrison of Bethzur but was repelled. After learning of a rebellion in Antioch, Antiochus begged the Jews for peace and made concessions, including appointing Judas as commander and leader. Alcimus, a former high priest, later defiled himself and went to King Demetrius, offering gifts and speaking against Judas Maccabeus, leading to Nicanor's attempt to capture Judas. However, Judas discovered Nicanor's plan and hid, and Nicanor was later defeated by the Jews, with God's help, and his head and hand were displayed in Jerusalem as a sign of God's assistance.