2 Maccabees 1 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

2 Maccabees 1A Letter to the Jews in Egypt

1The Jews in Jerusalem and those in the land of Judea,

To their Jewish kindred in Egypt,

Greetings and true peace.

2 in the month of Chislev, in the one hundred eighty-eighth year.

A Letter to Aristobulus

10

12 Nanea.

14 and the fire given when Nehemiah, who built the temple and the altar, offered sacrifices.

19 2 Macc 2.1 For when our ancestors were being led captive to Persia, the pious priests of that time took some of the fire of the altar and secretly hid it in the hollow of a dry cistern, where they took such precautions that the place was unknown to anyone.

20Neh 2.6But after many years had passed, when it pleased God, Nehemiah, having been commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to get it. And when they reported to us that they had not found fire but only a thick liquid, he ordered them to dip it out and bring it.

211 Kings 18.33–35When the materials for the sacrifices were presented, Nehemiah ordered the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and on the things laid upon it.

22When this had been done and some time had passed, and when the sun, which had been clouded over, shone out, a great fire blazed up, so that all marveled.

23And while the sacrifice was being consumed, the priests offered prayer—the priests and everyone. Jonathan led, and the rest responded, as did Nehemiah.

24Sir 24.8; 2 Macc 7.23; 13.14The prayer was to this effect:

“O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, you are awe-inspiring and strong and just and merciful; you alone are king and are kind;

25Mt 19.17; Mk 10.18; Lk 18.19you alone are bountiful; you alone are just and almighty and eternal. You rescue Israel from every evil; you chose the ancestors and consecrated them.

26Deut 32.9; Sir 17.17; 2 Macc 14.15Accept this sacrifice on behalf of all your people Israel and preserve your portion and make it holy.

27Deut 30.3–5; Ps 106.47; Song of Thr 22; Jn 7.35Gather together our scattered people; set free those who are slaves among the nations; look on those who are rejected and despised; and let the nations know that you are our God.

28Punish those who oppress and are insolent with pride.

292 Macc 2.18; 8.17Plant your people in your holy place, as Moses promised.”

30Then the priests sang the hymns.

31After the materials of the sacrifice had been consumed, Nehemiah ordered that the liquid that was left should be poured on large stones.

32When this was done, a flame blazed up, but when the light from the altar shone back, it went out.

33When this matter became known and it was reported to the king of the Persians that, in the place where the exiled priests had hidden the fire, the liquid had appeared with which Nehemiah and his associates had burned the materials of the sacrifice,

34the king investigated the matter and enclosed the place and made it sacred.

35And with those persons whom the king favored he exchanged many excellent gifts.

36Nehemiah and his associates called this “nephthar,” which means purification, but by most people it is called “naphtha.”