Jeremiah Hides the Text
2 Maccabees 2, verse 1. “One finds in the records, as it is noted, that Jeremiah the prophet ordered those migrating to take some of the fire. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 2. The prophet also gave the law to those migrating and commanded them not to forget the Lord's ordinances, nor be led astray in their thoughts when they happened to see the gold and silver statues and their adornment. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 3. He also spoke other such words and urged them not to depart from the law in their hearts. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 4. “It was also written that the prophet received an oracle and ordered that the tabernacle and the ark should accompany him when he went to the mountain where Moses had gone up and had seen the inheritance of God. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 5. So when Jeremiah went there and found a cave, he brought the tabernacle, the ark, and the altar of incense, and then sealed up the entrance. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 6. Some who followed him came to mark the way, but they were unable to find it. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 7. Now when Jeremiah learned of this, he rebuked them and said, ‘The place shall be unknown until God gathers His people again and shows His mercy. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 8. Then the Lord will disclose these things, and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will be seen, as they were shown to Moses, and as Solomon deemed it worthy that the place should be specially consecrated.’ 2 Maccabees 2, verse 9. “It was also made clear that Solomon in his wisdom offered sacrifice for the consecration and completion of the temple. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 10. Just as Moses prayed to the Lord and fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, so Solomon also prayed, and the fire came down and consumed the whole burnt offerings. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 11. Moses said, ‘They were consumed because the sin offering had not been eaten.’ 2 Maccabees 2, verse 12. Likewise Solomon also celebrated the eight days.
Memoirs of Nehemiah
2 Maccabees 2, verse 13. “The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and gathered books about the kings and the prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about votive offerings. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 14. Likewise Judas also collected all the books, lost on account of the war that came upon us; so they are in our possession. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 15. Thus if you have need of them, send people to bring them to you. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 16. “Since then we are about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. Therefore you will do well to celebrate the days. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 17. For it is God who saved all His people, and gave back the inheritance to all, and the kingdom, the priesthood, and the consecration, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 18. as He promised through the law. For we hope in God that He will have mercy upon us soon and gather us from everywhere under heaven into His holy place; for He delivered us from great evils and has purified the place.”
Author's Introduction
2 Maccabees 2, verse 19. Now the account of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, the purification of the great temple, and the consecration of the altar, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 20. and moreover, the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 21. and the interventions that came from heaven to those who behaved courageously on behalf of Judaism, who although few in number plundered the whole country and pursued the barbarian multitudes, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 22. and recovered control of the temple famous throughout the world, freed the city, and restored the laws that were about to be dissolved, while the Lord with great goodness was merciful to them— 2 Maccabees 2, verse 23. all this, which was made clear by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we shall attempt to abridge into a single book. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 24. We realize that a confused mass of material and subject matter makes it too hard on most people who wish to plunge into the narrative of history. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 25. Thus we have aimed to help those who wish to read with delight, to make it easy for those who are inclined to memorize, and to appeal to those who read for profit. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 26. Therefore for us who have undertaken the difficult task of brevity, this is no easy matter, but one demanding sweat and loss of sleep, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 27. as is the case with one who prepares a banquet seeking the benefit of others. All the same, for the sake of the gratitude of many we will gladly endure the uncomfortable toil, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 28. leaving the intricate examination of exact details to the compiler, while devoting our labor to arriving at the outlines of the abridgement. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 29. Just as the architect of a new house must be concerned with the whole construction, while the one who decorates it and paints it needs to consider only what is suitable for its adornment, so it seems to me is the case with us. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 30. It is fitting for the originator of a history to enter into a thorough discussion of words and be inquisitive about every detail, 2 Maccabees 2, verse 31. but one who pursues brevity of narrative must be permitted to forgo exhaustive treatment. 2 Maccabees 2, verse 32. Therefore from hereon let us begin our narrative, adding only so much to what has already been said; for it is foolish to lengthen the preface of a history, but cut short the history itself.