3 Maccabees 3 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible

🚧 This feature is in beta. You may encounter issues as we continue to improve it. 🚧

Versions
Versions
World English Bible Classic
[1] On discovering this, so incensed was the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the Jews in Alexandria. Laying his hand more heavily upon those who lived in the country, he gave orders that they should be quickly collected into one place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives. [2] While this was going on, a hostile rumor was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure the Jewish race. The pretext of their charge was that the Jews kept them away from the ordinances of the law. [3] Now the Jews always maintained a feeling of unwavering loyalty toward the kings, [4] yet, as they worshiped God and observed his law, they made certain distinctions, and avoided certain things. Hence they appeared hateful to some people, [5] although, as they adorned their conversation with works of righteousness, they had established themselves in the good opinion of the world. [6] What all the rest of mankind said was, however, disregarded by the foreigners, [7] who said much of the exclusiveness of the Jews with regard to their worship and meats. They alleged that they were unsociable men, hostile to the king’s interests, refusing to associate with him or his troops. By this way of speaking, they brought much hatred on them. [8] This unexpected uproar and sudden gathering of people was observed by the Greeks who lived in the city, concerning men who had never harmed them. Yet to aid them was not in their power, since all was oppression around, but they encouraged them in their troubles, and expected a favorable turn of affairs. [9] He who knows all things will not, they said, disregard so great a people. [10] Some of the neighbors, friends, and business associates of the Jews even called them secretly to an interview, pledged them their assistance, and promised to do their very utmost for them. [11] Now the king, elated with his prosperous fortune, and not regarding the superior power of God, but thinking to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the prejudice of the Jews: [12] “King Ptolemy Philopater, to the commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all places, health and happiness! [13] I am doing well, and so, too, are my affairs. [14] Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars of which you know, and which by the aid of the gods, not lightly given, and by our own vigor, has been brought to a successful conclusion according to our expectation, [15] we resolved, not with strength of spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the inhabitants of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and to be their willing benefactors. [16] So, having bestowed considerable sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far as Jerusalem, and went up to honor the temple of these wretched beings who never cease from their folly. [17] To outward appearance they received us willingly, but belied that appearance by their deeds. When we were eager to enter their temple, and to honor it with the most beautiful and exquisite gifts, [18] they were so carried away by their old arrogance as to forbid us the entrance, while we, out of our forbearance toward all men, refrained from exercising our power upon them. [19] Thus, exhibiting their enmity against us, they alone among the nations lift up their heads against kings and benefactors, as men unwilling to submit to any reasonable thing. [20] We then, having endeavored to make allowance for the madness of these people, and on our victorious return treating all people in Egypt courteously, acted in a manner which was befitting. [21] Accordingly, bearing no ill will against their kinsmen, but rather remembering our connection with them, and the numerous matters with sincere heart from a remote period entrusted to them, we wished to venture a total alteration of their state, by giving them the rights of citizens of Alexandria, and to admit them to the everlasting rites of our solemnities. [22] All this, however, they have taken in a very different spirit. With their innate malignity, they have spurned the fair offer, and constantly inclining to evil, [23] have rejected the inestimable rights. Not only so, but by using speech, and by refraining from speech, they abhor the few among them who are heartily disposed toward us, ever deeming that their infamous way of life will force us to do away with our reform. [24] Having then received certain proofs that these Jews bear us every sort of ill will, we must look forward to the possibility of some sudden tumult among ourselves when these impious men may turn traitors and barbarous enemies. [25] Therefore, as soon as the contents of this letter become known to you, in that same hour we order those Jews who dwell among you, with wives and children, to be sent to us, vilified and abused, in chains of iron, to undergo a cruel and shameful death, suitable to enemies. [26] For by the punishment of them in one body we perceive that we have found the only means of establishing our affairs for the future on a firm and satisfactory basis. [27] Whoever protects a Jew, whether it be old man, child, or nursing baby, shall with his whole house be tortured to death. [28] Whoever informs against the Jews, besides receiving the property of the person charged, shall be presented with two thousand drachmasⓘ from the royal treasury, shall be made free, and shall be crowned. [29] Whatever place shelters a Jew shall be made unapproachable and shall be put under the ban of fire, and be forever rendered useless to every living being for all time to come.” [30] The king’s letter was written in the above form.

Footnotes

  1. ⓘ 3:28 A drachma was about a day’s pay for an agricultural laborer
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
[1] Ἃ G3739 καὶ G2532 μεταλαμβάνων G3335 ὁ G3588 δυσσεβὴς ἐπὶ G1909 τοσοῦτον G5118 ἐξεχόλησεν ὥστε G5620 οὐ G3756 μόνον G3440 τοῖς G3588 κατὰ G2596 Ἀλεξάνδρειαν διοργίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ G235 καὶ G2532 τοῖς G3588 ἐν G1722 τῇ G3588 χώρᾳ G5561 βαρυτέρως ἐναντιωθῆναι καὶ G2532 προστάξαι G4367 σπεύσαντας G4692 συναγαγεῖν G4863 πάντας G3956 ἐπὶ G1909 τὸ G3588 αὐτὸ G846 καὶ G2532 χειρίστῳ G5501 μόρῳ τοῦ G3588 ζῆν G2198 μεταστῆσαι. G3179 [2] Τούτων G5130 δὲ G1161 οἰκονομουμένων G3621 φήμη G5345 δυσμενὴς ἐξηχεῖτο G1837 κατὰ G2596 τοῦ G3588 γένους G1085 ἀνθρώποις G444 συμφρονοῦσιν εἰς G1519 κακοποίησιν ἀφορμῆς G874 διδομένης G1325 εἰς G1519 διάθεσιν ὡς G5613 ἂν G302 ἀπὸ G575 τῶν G3588 νομίμων αὐτοὺς G846 κωλυόντων. G2967 [3] Οἱ G3588 δὲ G1161 Ιουδαῖοι G2453 τὴν G3588 μὲν G3303 πρὸς G4314 τοὺς G3588 βασιλεῖς G935 εὔνοιαν G2133 καὶ G2532 πίστιν G4102 ἀδιάστροφον ἦσαν G2258 φυλάσσοντες, G5442 [4] σεβόμενοι G4576 δὲ G1161 τὸν G3588 θεὸν G2316 καὶ G2532 τῷ G3588 τούτου G5127 νόμῳ G3551 πολιτευόμενοι G4176 χωρισμὸν ἐποίουν G4160 ἐπὶ G1909 τῷ G3588 κατὰ G2596 τὰς G3588 τροφάς, G5160 δι’ G1223 ἣν G3739 αἰτίαν G156 ἐνίοις ἀπεχθεῖς ἐφαίνοντο. G5316 [5] Τῇ G3588 δὲ G1161 τῶν G3588 δικαίων G1342 εὐπραξίᾳ κοσμοῦντες G2885 τὴν G3588 συναναστροφὴν ἅπασιν G537 ἀνθρώποις G444 εὐδόκιμοι καθειστήκεισαν. G2525 [6] Τὴν G3588 μὲν G3303 οὖν G3767 περὶ G4012 τοῦ G3588 γένους G1085 ἐν G1722 πᾶσιν G3956 θρυλουμένην εὐπραξίαν οἱ G3588 ἀλλόφυλοι G246 οὐδαμῶς G3760 διηριθμήσαντο, [7] τὴν G3588 δὲ G1161 περὶ G4012 τῶν G3588 προσκυνήσεων καὶ G2532 τροφῶν G5162 διάστασιν ἐθρύλουν φάσκοντες G5335 μήτε G3383 τῷ G3588 βασιλεῖ G935 μήτε G3383 ταῖς G3588 δυνάμεσιν G1411 ὁμοσπόνδους τοὺς G3588 ἀνθρώπους G444 γίνεσθαι, G1096 δυσμενεῖς δὲ G1161 εἶναι G1511 καὶ G2532 μέγα G3173 τι G5100 τοῖς G3588 πράγμασιν G4229 ἐναντιουμένους· καὶ G2532 οὐ G3756 τῷ G3588 τυχόντι G5177 περιῆψαν ψόγῳ. [8] Οἱ G3588 δὲ G1161 κατὰ G2596 τὴν G3588 πόλιν G4172 Ἕλληνες G1672 οὐδὲν G3762 ἠδικημένοι G91 ταραχὴν G5016 ἀπροσδόκητον περὶ G4012 τοὺς G3588 ἀνθρώπους G444 θεωροῦντες G2334 καὶ G2532 συνδρομὰς G4890 ἀπροσκόπους G677 γινομένας G1096 βοηθεῖν G997 μὲν G3303 οὐκ G3756 ἔσθενον, τυραννικὴ γὰρ G1063 ἦν G2258 ἡ G3588 διάθεσις, παρεκάλουν G3870 δὲ G1161 καὶ G2532 δυσφόρως εἶχον G2192 καὶ G2532 μεταπεσεῖσθαι ταῦτα G5023 ὑπελάμβανον· G5274 [9] μὴ G3361 γὰρ G1063 οὕτω G3779 παροραθήσεσθαι τηλικοῦτο G5082 σύστεμα μηδὲν G3367 ἠγνοηκός. G50 [10] Ἤδη G2235 δὲ G1161 καί G2532 τινες G5100 γείτονές G1069 τε G5037 καὶ G2532 φίλοι G5384 καὶ G2532 συμπραγματευόμενοι μυστικῶς τινας G5100 ἐπισπώμενοι G1986 πίστεις G4102 ἐδίδουν G1325 συνασπιεῖν καὶ G2532 πᾶν G3956 ἐκτενὲς G1618 προσοίσεσθαι G4374 πρὸς G4314 ἀντίλημψιν. G484 [11] Ἐκεῖνος G1565 μὲν G3303 οὖν G3767 τῇ G3588 κατὰ G2596 τὸ G3588 παρὸν G3918 εὐημερίᾳ γεγαυρωμένος καὶ G2532 οὐ G3756 καθορῶν G2529 τὸ G3588 τοῦ G3588 μεγίστου G3176 θεοῦ G2316 κράτος, G2904 ὑπολαμβάνων G5274 δὲ G1161 διηνεκῶς ἐν G1722 τῇ G3588 αὐτῇ G846 διαμενεῖν G1265 βουλῇ, G1012 ἔγραψεν G1125 κατ’ G2596 αὐτῶν G846 ἐπιστολὴν G1992 τήνδε G3592 [12] Βασιλεὺς G935 Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ τοῖς G3588 κατ’ G2596 Αἴγυπτον G125 καὶ G2532 κατὰ G2596 τόπον G5117 στρατηγοῖς G4755 καὶ G2532 στρατιώταις G4757 χαίρειν G5463 καὶ G2532 ἐρρῶσθαι· G4517 [13] ἔρρωμαι G4517 δὲ G1161 καὶ G2532 αὐτὸς G846 ἐγὼ G1473 καὶ G2532 τὰ G3588 πράγματα G4229 ἡμῶν. G2257 [14] Τῆς G3588 εἰς G1519 τὴν G3588 Ἀσίαν G773 γενομένης G1096 ἡμῖν G2254 ἐπιστρατείας, ἧς G3739 ἴστε G2467 καὶ G2532 αὐτοί, G846 τῇ G3588 τῶν G3588 θεῶν G2316 ἀπροπτώτῳ συμμαχίᾳ κατὰ G2596 λόγον G3056 ἐπὶ G1909 τέλος G5056 ἀχθείσης G71 [15] ἡγησάμεθα G2233 μὴ G3361 βίᾳ G970 δόρατος, ἐπιεικείᾳ G1932 δὲ G1161 καὶ G2532 πολλῇ G4183 φιλανθρωπίᾳ G5363 τιθηνήσασθαι τὰ G3588 κατοικοῦντα G2730 Κοίλην Συρίαν G4947 καὶ G2532 Φοινίκην G5403 ἔθνη G1484 εὖ G2095 ποιῆσαί G4160 τε G5037 ἀσμένως. G780 [16] Καὶ G2532 τοῖς G3588 κατὰ G2596 πόλιν G4172 ἱεροῖς G2413 ἀπονείμαντες G632 προσόδους πλείστας G4118 προήχθημεν G4254 καὶ G2532 εἰς G1519 τὰ G3588 Ιεροσόλυμα G2414 ἀναβάντες G305 τιμῆσαι G5091 τὸ G3588 ἱερὸν G2413 τῶν G3588 ἀλιτηρίων καὶ G2532 μηδέποτε G3368 ληγόντων τῆς G3588 ἀνοίας. G454 [17] Οἱ G3588 δὲ G1161 λόγῳ G3056 μὲν G3303 τὴν G3588 ἡμετέραν G2251 ἀποδεξάμενοι G588 παρουσίαν, G3952 τῷ G3588 δὲ G1161 πράγματι G4229 νόθως, προθυμηθέντων ἡμῶν G2257 εἰσελθεῖν G1525 εἰς G1519 τὸν G3588 ναὸν G3485 αὐτῶν G846 καὶ G2532 τοῖς G3588 ἐκπρεπέσιν καὶ G2532 καλλίστοις ἀναθήμασιν G334 τιμῆσαι G5091 [18] τύφοις φερόμενοι G5342 παλαιοτέροις G3820 εἶρξαν ἡμᾶς G2248 τῆς G3588 εἰσόδου G1529 λειπόμενοι G3007 τῆς G3588 ἡμετέρας G2251 ἀλκῆς δι’ G1223 ἣν G3739 ἔχομεν G2192 πρὸς G4314 ἅπαντας G537 ἀνθρώπους G444 φιλανθρωπίαν. G5363 [19] Τὴν G3588 δὲ G1161 αὐτῶν G846 εἰς G1519 ἡμᾶς G2248 δυσμένειαν ἔκδηλον G1552 καθιστάντες G2525 ὡς G5613 μονώτατοι G3441 τῶν G3588 ἐθνῶν G1484 βασιλεῦσιν G935 καὶ G2532 τοῖς G3588 ἑαυτῶν G1438 εὐεργέταις G2110 ὑψαυχενοῦντες οὐδὲν G3762 γνήσιον G1103 βούλονται G1014 φέρειν. G5342 [20] Ἡμεῖς G2249 δὲ G1161 τῇ G3588 τούτων G5130 ἀνοίᾳ G454 συμπεριενεχθέντες καὶ G2532 μετὰ G3326 νίκης G3529 διακομισθέντες εἰς G1519 τὴν G3588 Αἴγυπτον G125 τοῖς G3588 πᾶσιν G3956 ἔθνεσιν G1484 φιλανθρώπως G5364 ἀπαντήσαντες G528 καθὼς G2531 ἔπρεπεν G4241 ἐποιήσαμεν, G4160 [21] ἐν G1722 δὲ G1161 τούτοις G5125 πρὸς G4314 τοὺς G3588 ὁμοφύλους αὐτῶν G846 ἀμνησικακίαν ἅπασιν G537 γνωρίζοντες· G1107 διά G1223 τε G5037 τὴν G3588 συμμαχίαν καὶ G2532 τὰ G3588 πεπιστευμένα G4100 μετὰ G3326 ἁπλότητος G572 αὐτοῖς G846 ἀρχῆθεν μύρια G3463 πράγματα G4229 τολμήσαντες G5111 ἐξαλλοιῶσαι ἐβουλήθημεν G1014 καὶ G2532 πολιτείας G4174 αὐτοὺς G846 Ἀλεξανδρέων G221 καταξιῶσαι G2661 καὶ G2532 μετόχους G3353 τῶν G3588 ἀεὶ G104 ἱερῶν G2413 καταστῆσαι. G2525 [22] Οἱ G3588 δὲ G1161 τοὐναντίον G5121 ἐκδεχόμενοι G1551 καὶ G2532 τῇ G3588 συμφύτῳ G4854 κακοηθείᾳ G2550 τὸ G3588 καλὸν G2570 ἀπωσάμενοι, G683 διηνεκῶς δὲ G1161 εἰς G1519 τὸ G3588 φαῦλον G5337 ἐκνεύοντες G1593 [23] οὐ G3756 μόνον G3440 ἀπεστρέψαντο G654 τὴν G3588 ἀτίμητον πολιτείαν, G4174 ἀλλὰ G235 καὶ G2532 βδελύσσονται G948 λόγῳ G3056 τε G5037 καὶ G2532 σιγῇ G4602 τοὺς G3588 ἐν G1722 αὐτοῖς G846 ὀλίγους G3641 πρὸς G4314 ἡμᾶς G2248 γνησίως G1104 διακειμένους παρ’ G3844 ἕκαστα G1538 ὑφορώμενοι μετὰ G3326 τῆς G3588 δυσκλεεστάτης ἐμβιώσεως διὰ G1223 τάχους G5034 ἡμᾶς G2248 καταστρέψαι G2690 τὰ G3588 πράγματα. G4229 [24] Διὸ G1352 καὶ G2532 τεκμηρίοις G5039 καλῶς G2573 πεπεισμένοι G3982 τούτους G5128 κατὰ G2596 πάντα G3956 δυσνοεῖν ἡμῖν G2254 τρόπον G5158 καὶ G2532 προνοούμενοι G4306 μήποτε G3379 αἰφνιδίου G160 μετέπειτα G3347 ταραχῆς G5016 ἐνστάσης G1764 ἡμῖν G2254 τοὺς G3588 δυσσεβεῖς τούτους G5128 κατὰ G2596 νώτου G3577 προδότας G4273 καὶ G2532 βαρβάρους G915 ἔχωμεν G2192 πολεμίους [25] προστετάχαμεν G4367 ἅμα G260 τῷ G3588 προσπεσεῖν G4363 τὴν G3588 ἐπιστολὴν G1992 τήνδε G3592 αὐθωρὶ τοὺς G3588 ἐννεμομένους σὺν G4862 γυναιξὶ G1135 καὶ G2532 τέκνοις G5043 μετὰ G3326 ὕβρεων G5196 καὶ G2532 σκυλμῶν ἀποστεῖλαι G649 πρὸς G4314 ἡμᾶς G2248 ἐν G1722 δεσμοῖς G1199 σιδηροῖς G4603 πάντοθεν G3840 κατακεκλεισμένους, G2623 εἰς G1519 ἀνήκεστον καὶ G2532 δυσκλεῆ πρέποντα G4241 δυσμενέσι φόνον. G5408 [26] Τούτων G5130 γὰρ G1063 ὁμοῦ G3674 κολασθέντων G2849 διειλήφαμεν εἰς G1519 τὸν G3588 ἐπίλοιπον G1954 χρόνον G5550 τελείως G5049 ἡμῖν G2254 τὰ G3588 πράγματα G4229 ἐν G1722 εὐσταθείᾳ καὶ G2532 τῇ G3588 βελτίστῃ G957 διαθέσει κατασταθήσεσθαι. G2525 [27] Ὃς G3739 δ’ G1161 ἂν G302 σκεπάσῃ τινὰ G5100 τῶν G3588 Ιουδαίων G2453 ἀπὸ G575 γεραιοῦ μέχρι G3360 νηπίου G3516 καὶ G2532 μέχρι G3360 τῶν G3588 ὑπομαστιδίων, αἰσχίσταις G150 βασάνοις G931 ἀποτυμπανισθήσεται πανοικίᾳ. [28] Μηνύειν G3377 δὲ G1161 τὸν G3588 βουλόμενον, G1014 ἐφ’ G1909 ᾧ G3739 τὴν G3588 οὐσίαν G3776 τοῦ G3588 ἐμπίπτοντος G1706 ὑπὸ G5259 τὴν G3588 εὔθυναν λήμψεται G2983 καὶ G2532 ἐκ G1537 τοῦ G3588 βασιλικοῦ G937 ἀργυρίου G694 δραχμὰς G1406 δισχιλίας G1367 καὶ G2532 τῇ G3588 ἐλευθερίᾳ G1657 στεφανωθήσεται. G4737 [29] Πᾶς G3956 δὲ G1161 τόπος, G5117 οὗ G3757 ἐὰν G1437 φωραθῇ τὸ G3588 σύνολον σκεπαζόμενος Ιουδαῖος, G2453 ἄβατος καὶ G2532 πυριφλεγὴς γινέσθω G1096 καὶ G2532 πάσῃ G3956 θνητῇ G2349 φύσει G5449 καθ’ G2596 ἅπαν G537 ἄχρηστος G890 φανήσεται G5316 εἰς G1519 τὸν G3588 ἀεὶ G104 χρόνον. G5550 [30] Καὶ G2532 ὁ G3588 μὲν G3303 τῆς G3588 ἐπιστολῆς G1992 τύπος G5179 οὕτως G3779 ἐγέγραπτο. G1125
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament