1One of our writings says that it was Jeremiah the prophet who ordered our people to hide some of the altar fire before we were forced to go to Persia, just as I have already told you.
2We also know from this writing that Jeremiah taught these Jews the Law of the Lord. He warned them never to forget the Lord's commands after they arrived in Persia, and he also begged our people not to be tricked into worshiping idols, even the ones decorated with gold and silver.
3He said many similar things, while urging them to always think about the teachings of the Law.
4 when Solomon asked him to make the holy temple glorious and acceptable as a place for worship.”
Solomon and MosesThe Letter Continues:9We also know that Solomon was wise and built our temple, then offered a sacrifice to make it completely acceptable.
10When Solomon prayed, some fire came down from heaven and burned up his sacrifices. This is the same thing that happened when Moses prayed,
11“I am offering a sacrifice for sin. So it must be completely burned, and none of it eaten.”
12Solomon's festival lasted for eight days.
Nehemiah Builds a LibraryThe Letter Continues:13You will find all this information in our record books as well as in the writings of Nehemiah, who built a library and filled it with the writings about prophets and kings. The books of King David and the letters that the kings wrote about offerings are also in his library.
14
18 wrote five books about Judas Maccabeus and his brothers in which he told how they made our great temple an acceptable place of worship once again and how they dedicated its altar. He also told us about the wars they fought against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator.
Jason described some visions these brave warriors were given from heaven as they defended our Jewish way of life. He also explained how our small army made raids across the whole country, forcing the cruel barbarians to run for their lives. And because of the Lord's kindness and mercy, our troops recaptured our world-famous temple. They also freed Jerusalem and put back into effect the laws that those barbarians had hoped to wipe out.
I will now try to summarize Jason's books in one volume.
24They are so full of facts and details that they discourage readers who want to learn about these events.
25My shorter version will please everyone—people who read for pleasure will enjoy it, and those who like to memorize things will find it easy to remember.
26-27Writing a short version of a long book is like trying to prepare a banquet for a crowd of people with different tastes. So I worked night and day and lost a lot of sleep. But that's all right, because I am glad to work hard in order to satisfy my readers.
28My story is merely a summary of the main events included in Jason's account.
29He was like a builder who had to know every detail about the new house he was constructing. I am simply a decorator whose only job is to make things look beautiful.
30Historians learn as much as possible about their subjects, then present every side of a story, without leaving out a thing.
31But writers who summarize books are allowed to be brief and to leave out many of the details.
32Enough said is enough said! Now is the time to begin the story itself. How foolish it would be to write such a long introduction that I would have to leave out part of the history.
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