Esnoga Bet Emunah

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Triennial Cycle (Triennial Torah Cycle) / Septennial Cycle (Septennial Torah Cycle)

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings	First Year of the Reading Cycle
Kislev 25 – Tebet 02, 5769 – December 21-29, 2008	First Year of the Shmita Cycle

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We wish you and loved ones together with all of our most noble and beloved people/nation of Yisrael, a very happy Chanukah with many miracles as were done to our forefathers at this season, amen ve amen!

Roll of Honor:

This Torah Lectionary for the Festival of Chanukah comes to you courtesy of:

His Honor Rosh Paqid Adon Hillel ben David and

beloved wife HH Giberet Batsehva bat Sarah,

His Honor Paqid Adon Mikha ben Hillel

His Honor Paqid Adon David ben Abraham,

Her Excellency Giberet Sarai bat Sarah and

beloved family,

His Excellency Adon Barth Lindemann and

beloved family,

His Excellency Adon John Batchelor and

beloved wife,

His Excellency Adon Ezra ben Abraham and

beloved wife HE Giberet Karmela bat Sarah,

Her Excellency Giberet Sandra Grenier

His Excellency Adon Stephen Legge and

beloved wife HE Giberet Angela Legge

For their regular and sacrificial giving, providing the best oil for the lamps, we pray that G-d’s richest blessings be upon their lives and those of their loved ones, together with all Yisrael and her Torah Scholars, amen ve amen!

Also a great thank you amd great blessings be upon all who send comments to the list about the contents and commentary of the weekly Torah Seder and allied topics.

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For further study on this Festival of Chanukah please see:

http://www.betemunah.org/lapin.html; http://www.betemunah.org/connection.html; and

http://www.betemunah.org/chanukah.html

Lectionary for Chanukah 5769 – Part II

Sixth Day of Chanukah – Kislev 30

Shabbat Chanukah & Shabbat Mevar’chim HaChodesh Tebet

Sabbath of Chanukah & Proclamation of the New Moon for the month of Tebet

Evening Friday December 26 – Evening Saturday December 27

Torah Reading: B’Midbar (Numbers) 7:1-59

(1) 7:1-11

(2) 7:12-23

(3) 7:24-29

(4) 7:30-35

(5) 7:36-41

(6) 7:42-47

(7) 7:48-59

(M) Numbers 28:9-15

Rashi’s Translation	Targum Pseudo-Jonathan
1. It came to pass, on the day Moshe finished erecting the Mishkon, and he anointed it and consecrated it and all of its utensils, and the Altar and all its utensils, and he anointed them and consecrated them.	1. And it was on the day which begins the month of Nisan, when Mosheh had finished to uprear the tabernacle, he took it not in pieces again, but anointed and consecrated it and all its vessels, the altar and all the vessels thereof, and he anointed them and hallowed them;
2. The leaders of Israel brought, [those who were] the heads of their fathers' houses; they were the leaders of the tribes, they stood by during the counting.	2. then the leaders of Israel, who were the chiefs of the house of their fathers, brought their offerings. These were they who had been appointed in Mizraim chiefs over the numbered,
3. They brought their offerings before Ad-noy; six covered wagons and twelve oxen; a wagon for each two leaders and an ox for each individual, and they placed them before the Mishkon.	3. and they brought their offering before the Lord; six waggons covered and fitted up, and twelve oxen; one waggon for two princes and one ox for each. [JERUSALEM. Six waggons yoked.] But Mosheh was not willing to receive them, and they brought them before the tabernacle.
4. Ad-noy said to Moshe, saying:	4. And the Lord spake with Mosheh, saying:
5. Take [the offering] from them, and let them be used for the service of the Tent of Meeting. Give them to the Levites, each man according to his work.	5. Take them, and let them be used for the need of the appointed (work), and let the oxen and the waggons be for the work of the service of the tabernacle of ordinance, and give them to the Levites, to each according to the measure of his work.
6. Moshe took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites.	6. And Mosheh took the waggons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites.
7. Two [of the] wagons and four [of the] oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their work.	7. Two waggons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to the amount of their service,
8. Four [of the] wagons and eight [of the] oxen he gave to the sons of Merori. According to their work they were in the charge of Isamar the son of Aharon the kohein.	8. and four waggons and eight oxen gave be to the sons of Merari, according to the measure of their service, by the band of Ithamar bar Aharon the priest.
9. He did not give any to the sons of Kehos because the sacred work was [incumbent] upon them, which they had to carry on their shoulders.	9. But to the sons of Kehath he gave neither waggons nor oxen, because on them was laid the service of the sanctuary, to be carried on their shoulders.
10. The leaders brought forward the [offerings for] the consecration of the altar on the day it was anointed. The leaders placed their offering before the altar.	10. And the princes offered at the dedication of the altar by anointing, on the day that he anointed it did the princes present their oblations before the altar.
11. Ad-noy said to Moshe: One leader each day, one leader each day, they shall bring forth their offering, for the dedication of the altar.	11. And the Lord said unto Mosheh, Let the princes offer each, one prince on one day, their oblations at the dedication of the altar by anointing.
12. The one that brought his offering on the first day [was] Nachshon the son of Aminadav, of the tribe of Yehudah.	12. He who on the first day presented his oblation was Nachshon bar Amminadab, prince of the house of the fathers of the tribe Jehudah:
13. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	13. and his oblation which he offered was one silver bowl, thickly embossed, (or, crusted,) in weight one hundred and thirty shekels, in shekels of the sanctuary; one silver vase, slightly embossed, of seventy shekels, in shekels of the sanctuary; both of these vessels he brought filled with flour of the separation, sprinkled with olive oil for a mincha; [JERUSALEM. And the oblation which he offered was one silver dish, &c., in the same words as above.]
14. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	14. one pan (censer) weighing ten silver shekels, but it was itself of good gold; and he brought it full of good sweet incense of the separation;
15. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	15. one young bullock of three years, one ram of two years, and one lamb of the year. These three did the chief of the tribe Jehudah bring for a burnt offering;
16. [And] one he-goat, for a sin-offering.	16. one kid of the goats he brought for a sin offering;
17. For the peace-offering, two oxen, five rams, five kids, and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Nachshon the son of Aminadav.	17. and for consecrated victims, two oxen, five rams, five goats, lambs of the year five: this is the order of the oblation which Nachshon bar Amminadab offered of his wealth.
18. On the second day, [he that] brought [was] Nesanel the son of Tzu'ar, the leader of Yissachar.	18. On the second day, Nethanel bar Zuar, chief of the house of the fathers of the tribe Issakar,
19. He brought forward his offering, one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty [shekolim]; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	19. brought his oblation. He brought his oblation after Jehudah by commandment of the Holy: one silver dish thickly embossed, one hundred and thirty shekels, & etc., as the first
20. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim] filled with incense.	20.
21. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	21.
22. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	22.
23. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids, and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Nesanel the son of Tzu'ar.	23.
24. On the third day, the leader of the sons of Zevulun, Eliav the son of Cheilon.	24. On the third day, Eliab bar Helon, prince of the Bene Zebulon, offered.
25. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	25.
26. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	26.
27. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	27.
28. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	28.
29. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of of Eliav the son of Cheilon.	29.
30. On the fourth day, the leader of the sons of Reuven, Elitzur the son of Shdeiur.	30. On the fourth, Elizur bar Shedeur, prince of the Bene Reuben;
31. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	31.
32. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	32.
33. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	33.
34. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	34.
35. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Elitzur the son of Shdeiur.	35.
36. On the fifth day, the leader of the sons of Shimon, Shlumiel the son of Tzurishadai.	36. on the fifth, Shelumiel bar Zurishaddai, prince of Shimeon;
37. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	37.
38. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	38.
39. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	39.
40. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	40.
41. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Shlumiel the son of Tzurishadai.	41.
42. On the sixth day, the leader of the sons of Gad, Elyasaf the son of Deu'el.	42. on the sixth, Eljasaph bar Dehuel, prince of the Bene Gad;
43. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	43.
44. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	44.
45. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	45.
46. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	46.
47. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Elyasaf the son of Deu'el.	47.
48. On the seventh day, the leader of the sons of Ephraim, Elishamah the son of Amihud.	48. on the seventh, Elishama bar Ammihud, prince of the Bene Ephraim;
49. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	49.
50. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	50.
51. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	51.
52. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	52.
53. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Elishamah the son of Amihud.	53.
54. On the eighth day, the leader of the sons of Menashe, Gamliel the son of Pedahtzur.	54. on the eighth, Gamaliel bar Pedazur, prince of Menasheh;
55. His offering was one silver tray, its weight was one hundred thirty shekolim; one silver bowl [that weighed] seventy shekolim according to sanctuary weights. Both were filled with fine flour kneaded with [olive] oil, for a meal-offering.	55.
56. One spoon of ten gold [shekolim], filled with incense.	56.
57. One young bull, one ram, and one yearling sheep for a burnt-offering.	57.
58. [And] one he-goat for a sin-offering.	58.
59. For the peace-offering sacrifice, two oxen, five rams, five kids and five yearling sheep. This was the offering of Gamliel the son of Pedahtzur.	59.

Numbers 28:9-15

Rashi’s Translation	Targum Pseudo-Jonathan
9. On the Shabbat day [the offering will be] two yearling lambs without blemish, and two tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering, mixed with [olive] oil, and its libation.	9. On the day of Shabbat two lambs of the year without blemish, and two‑tenths of flour mixed with olive oil for the Mincha and its libation.
10. This is the burnt-offering on its Shabbat, in addition to the constant (daily) burnt-offering and its libation.	10. On the Sabbath you will make a Sabbath burnt sacrifice in addition to the perpetual burnt sacrifice and its libation.
11. At the beginning of your months you will bring a burnt-offering to Adonai, two young bulls, one ram, seven yearling lambs, [all] without blemish.	11. And at the beginning of your months you will offer a burnt sacrifice before the LORD; two young bullocks, without mixture, one ram, lambs of the year seven, unblemished;
12. And three tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil for each bull, two tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering, mixed with the [olive] oil for the one ram,	12. and three tenths of flour mingled with oil for the Mincha for one bullock; two tenths of flour with olive oil for the Mincha of the one ram;
13. And one tenth [of an ephah] of fine flour as a meal-offering mixed with the [olive] oil for each lamb. A burnt-offering of pleasing aroma, a fire-offering to Adonai.	13. And one tenth of flour with olive oil for the Mincha for each lamb of the burnt offering, an oblation to be received with favour before the LORD.
14. Their libations [will be], one half of a hin for (a) bull, one third of a hin for the ram, and one fourth of a hin for (the) lamb, of wine. This is the burnt-offering of each [Rosh] Chodesh, at its renewal throughout the months of the year.	14. And for their libation to be offered with them, the half of a bin for a bullock, the third of a bin for the ram, and the fourth of a hin for a lamb, of the wine of grapes. This burnt sacrifice will be offered at the beginning of every month in the time of the removal of the beginning of every month in the year;
15. And [You will also bring] one he-goat for a sin offering to Adonai, in addition to the constant (daily) burnt-offering it will be done, and its libation.	15. and one kid of the goats, for a sin offering before the LORD at the disappearing (failure) of the moon, with the perpetual burnt sacrifice will you perform with its libation.

Ahlamatah: Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7

1 Samuel 20:18,42

Isaiah 66:1,23

Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7

14. ‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and I will dwell/tabernacle in the midst of you, says the LORD.

15. And many Gentiles will join themselves to the LORD in that day, and will be My people, and I will dwell/tabernacle in the midst of you’; and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me unto you.

16. And the LORD will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will choose Jerusalem again.

17. Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused out of His holy habitation.

1. And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

2. And the LORD said unto Satan: ‘The LORD rebuke you, O Satan, yea, the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you; is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire?’

3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

4. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying: ‘Take the filthy garments from off him.’ And unto him he said: ‘Behold, I cause your iniquity/Lawlessness to pass from you, and I will clothe you with robes.’

5. And I said: ‘Let them set a fair mitre upon his head.’ So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments; and the angel of the LORD stood by.

6. And the angel of the LORD forewarned Joshua, saying:

7. ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in My ways, and if you wilt keep My charge, and will also judge My house, and will also keep My courts, then I will give you free access among these that stand by.

8. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows that sit before you; for they are men that are a sign; for, behold, I will bring forth My servant the Shoot (Heb. צֶמַח Tsemach/Branch).

9. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone are seven faces; behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, says the LORD of hosts: And I will remove the iniquity/Lawlesness of that land in one day.

10. In that day, says the LORD of Hosts, will you call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig-tree.

1. And the angel that spoke with me returned, and awoke me, as a man that is awoken out of his sleep.

2. And he said unto me: ‘What do you see?’ And I said: ‘I have seen, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes, yea, seven, to the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;

3. and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.’

4. And I answered and spoke to the angel that spoke with me, saying: ‘What are these, my lord?’

5. Then the angel that spoke with me answered and said unto me: ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said: ‘No, my lord.’

6. Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying: ‘This is the Word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying: Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

7. Who are you, O great mountain before Zerubbabel? You will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.’

1 Samuel 20:18,42

18. And Jonathan said unto him: ‘Tomorrow is the new moon; and you will be missed, your seat will be empty.’

42. And Jonathan said to David: ‘Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying: The LORD will be between me and you, and between my seed and your seed, forever.’ And he arose and departed; and Jonathan went into the city.

Isaiah 66:1,23

1. Thus says the LORD: The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; where is the house that you may build unto Me? And where is the place that may be My resting-place?

23. And it will come to pass, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, will all flesh come to worship before Me, says the LORD.

Ketubim: Psalm 30

Proverbs 7:1-27

Psalm 30

1. A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication (Heb. חֲנֻכַּת – Chanukhat) of the House; of David.

2. I will extol You, O LORD, for You have raised me up, and have not suffered my enemies to rejoice over me.

3. O LORD my God, I cried unto You, and You have healed me;

4. O LORD, You brought up my soul from the nether-world (Heb. Sheol); You did keep me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

5. Sing praise unto the LORD, O you His godly ones (Heb. Chasidim - saints), and give thanks to to the memory of His Holiness.

6. For His anger is only for a moment, His favour is for a life-time; weeping may endure for the [whole] night [of the exile], but joy comes in the morning [of the Messianic Age].

7. Now I said in my security/prosperity: ‘I will never be moved [forever].’

8. O LORD, in Your favour You have made my strong mountain [government] to stand; You hid Your face; I was frightened.

9. Unto You, O LORD, did I call, and unto the LORD I made supplication:

10. ‘What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth [i.e. Your Torah]?

11. Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto me; LORD, be You my helper.’

12. You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth, and have clothed me with gladness;

13. So that my glory may sing praise to You, and not be quiet; O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto You forever!

Proverbs 7:1-27

1. My son, keep my words and store up my commandments within you.

2. Keep my commandments and live, and my Law as the pupil of your eye.

3. Tie them on your fingers; write them on the tablets of your heart (mind).

4. Say to wisdom (i.e. Torah), ‘You are my sister, and call understanding your relative’,

5. So that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner with her flattering words.

6. For I looked through my lattice, at the window of my house,

7. And I saw among the simple ones, I observed among the sons a young man lacking understanding,

8. Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and darkness of night.

10. And, behold, a woman came to meet him, with a harlot's dress, and a guarded heart (mind);

11. She is loud and stubborn; her feet do not rest in her own house.

12. At this time she is outside, now in the streets, and she lies in wait at every corner;

13. And she seizes him and kisses him; she hardens her face and says to him,

14. Sacrifices of peace offerings are by me, today I have completed my vows;

15. So I came out to meet you, earnestly to seek your face, and I have found you.

16. I have spread my couch with coverings, with striped cloths of Egyptian linen.

17. I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

18. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning, let us delight ourselves with caresses.

19. For my husband is not at his house; he is gone on a trip, far away.

20. He has taken a bag of silver in his hand; and at the day of the new moon he will enter his house.

21. With the sum of her persuasion she turned him aside; with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22. He goes after her immediately, as an ox goes to the slaughter; or as one in fetters goes to the correction of a fool,

23. Until an arrow strikes through his liver, as a bird hastens to the snare, and not knowing that it is for his soul.

24. Now, then, listen to me, O sons, and attend to the words of my mouth:

25. Do not let your heart (mind) turn aside to her ways; do not go astray in her paths.

26. For many are the wounded she has caused to fall; and plentiful all her slain ones.

27. The ways of Sheol are in her house, leading down to the rooms of death.

Yehudit (Judith) 11:1 – 12:20

Jdt 11:1 Then said Holofernes unto her, Woman, be of good comfort, fear not in your heart: for I never hurt anyone that was willing to serve Nabuchodonosor, the king of all the earth.

2. Now therefore, if your people that dwell in the mountains had not set light by me, I would not have lifted up my spear against them: but they have done these things to themselves.

3. But now tell me wherefore you have fled from them, and have come unto us: for you have come for safeguard; be of good comfort, you will live this night, and hereafter:

4. For none will hurt you, but will treat you well, as they do the servants of king Nabuchodonosor my lord.

5. Then Judith said unto him, ‘Receive the words of your servant, and suffer your handmaid to speak in your presence, and I will declare no lie to my lord this night.

6. And if you will follow the words of your handmaid, God will bring the thing perfectly to pass by you; and my lord will not fail of his purposes.

7. As Nabuchodonosor king of all the earth lives, and as his power lives, who has sent you for the upholding of every living thing: for not only men will serve him by you, but also the beasts of the field, and the cattle, and the fowls of the air, will live by thy power under Nabuchodonosor and all his house.

8. For we have heard of your wisdom and your policies, and it is reported in all the land, that you only are excellent in all the kingdom, and mighty in knowledge, and wonderful in feats of war.

9. Now as concerning the matter, which Achior did speak in your council, we have heard his words; for the men of Bethulia saved him, and he declared unto them all that he had spoken unto you.

10. Therefore, O lord and governor, reject not his word; but lay it up in your heart, for it is true: for our nation will not be punished, neither can sword prevail against them, except they sin against their God.

11. And now, that my lord be not defeated and frustrated of his purpose, even death is now fallen upon them, and their sin has overtaken them, wherewith they will provoke their God to anger whensoever they will do that which is not fit to be done:

12. For their food fails them, and all their water is scant, and they have determined to lay hands upon their cattle, and purposed to consume all those things, that God has forbidden them to eat by His Laws:

13. And are resolved to spend the first-fruits and the tenths of wine and oil, which they had sanctified, and reserved for the priests that serve in Jerusalem before the face of our God; the which things it is not lawful for any of our people so much as to touch with their hands.

14. For they have sent some to Jerusalem, because they also that dwell there have done the like, to bring them a licence from the senate (Sanhedrin).

15. Now when they will bring them word, they will forthwith do it, and they will be given to you to be destroyed the same day.

16. Wherefore I your handmaid, knowing all this, am fled from their presence; and God has sent me to work things with you, whereat all the land will be astonished, and whosoever will hear it.

17. For your servant is religious, and serves the God of heaven day and night: now therefore, my lord, I will remain with you, and your servant will go out by night into the valley, and I will pray unto God, and He will tell me when they have committed their sins:

18. And I will come and show it unto you: then you will go forth with all your army, and there will be none of them that will resist you.

19. And I will lead you through the midst of Judea, until you come before Jerusalem; and I will set your throne in the midst thereof; and you will drive them as sheep that have no shepherd, and a dog will not so much as open his mouth at you: for these things were told me according to my foreknowledge, and they were declared unto me, and I am sent to tell them to you.’

20. Then her words pleased Holofernes and all his servants; and they marvelled at her wisdom, and said,

21. There is not such a woman from one end of the land to the other, both for beauty of face, and wisdom of words.

22. Likewise Holofernes said unto her. ‘God has done well to send you before the people, that strength might be in our hands and destruction upon them that lightly regard my lord.

23. And now you are both beautiful in your countenance, and witty in your words: surely if you do as you have spoken your God will be my God, and you will dwell in the house of king Nabuchodonosor, and will be renowned through the whole earth.’

Jdt 12:1 Then he commanded to bring her in where his plate was set; and bid that they should prepare for her of his own foods, and that she should drink of his own wine.

2. And Judith said, I will not eat thereof, lest there be an offence: but provision will be made for me of the things that I have brought.

3. Then Holofernes said unto her, ‘If your provision should fail, how should we give you the like? For there be none with us of your nation.’

4. Then said Judith unto him ‘As your soul lives, my lord, your handmaid will not spend those things that I have, before the LORD work by my hand the things that he has determined.’

5. Then the servants of Holofernes brought her into the tent, and she slept till midnight, and she arose when it was toward the morning watch,

6. And sent to Holofernes, saving, ‘Let my lord now command that your handmaid may go forth unto prayer.’

7. Then Holofernes commanded his guard that they should not prevent her: thus she abode in the camp three days, and went out in the night into the valley of Bethulia, and washed herself in a fountain of water by the camp.

8. And when she came out, she besought the Lord God of Israel to direct her way to the raising up of the children of her people.

9. So she came in clean, and remained in the tent, until she did eat her food at evening.

10. And in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants only, and called none of the officers to the banquet.

11. Then said he to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, ‘Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman which is with you, that she come unto us, and eat and drink with us.

12. For, lo, it will be a shame for our person, if we will let such a woman go, not having had her company; for if we draw her not unto us, she will laugh us to scorn.’

13. Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes, and came to her, and he said, ‘Let not this fair damsel fear to come to my lord, and to be honoured in his presence, and drink wine, and be merry with us and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, which serve in the house of Nabuchodonosor.’

14. Then said Judith unto him, ‘Who am I now, that I should offend my lord? Surely whatsoever pleases him I will do speedily, and it will be my joy unto the day of my death.’

15. So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman's attire, and her maid went and laid soft skins on the ground for her over against Holofernes, which she had received of Bagoas for her daily use, that she might sit and eat upon them.

16. Now when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes his heart was ravished with her, and his mind was moved, and he desired greatly her company; for he waited a time to deceive her, from the day that he had seen her.

17. Then said Holofernes unto her, ‘Drink now, and be merry with us.’

18. So Judith said, ‘I will drink now, my lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born.’

19. Then she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared.

20. And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank more wine than he had drunk at any time in one day since he was born.

1 Maccabees 10:33 – 11:59

1Ma 10:32 And as for the tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the High Priest, that he may set in it such men as he will choose to keep it.

33. Moreover I freely set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit the tributes even of their cattle.

34. Furthermore I will that all the Festivals, and Sabbaths, and New Moons, and Solemn Days, and the three days before the Festival, and the three days after the Festival will be all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.

35. Also no man will have authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any matter.

36. I will further, that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of the Jews, unto whom pay will be given, as belongs to all king's forces.

37. And of them some will be placed in the king's strongholds, of whom also some will be set over the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own Laws, even as the king has commanded in the land of Judea.

38. And concerning the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound to obey other authority than the High Priest's.

39. As for Ptolemais, and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for the necessary expenses of the sanctuary.

40. Moreover I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts from the places appertaining.

41. And all the overplus, which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth will be given toward the works of the Temple.

42. And beside this, the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple out of the accounts year by year, even those things will be released, because they appertain to the Priests that minister.

43. And whosoever they be that flee unto the Temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties thereof, being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty, and all that they have in my realm.

44. For the building also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary expenses will be given of the king's accounts.

45. Yes, and for the building of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, expenses will be given out of the king's accounts, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.

46. Now when Jonathan and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel; for he had afflicted them very sore.

47. But with Alexander they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true peace with them, and they were confederate with him always.

48. Then gathered king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius.

49. And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius’ host fled: but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them.

50. And he continued the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.

51. Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect:

52. ‘Forasmuch as I am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have taken the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country;

53. For after I had joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that we sit in the throne of his kingdom:

54. Now therefore let us make a league of amity together, and give me now your daughter to wife: and I will be your son-in-law, and will give both you and her as according to your dignity.’

55. Then Ptolemee the king gave answer, saying, ‘Happy be the day wherein you did return into the land of your fathers, and sat in the throne of their kingdom.

56. And now will I do to you, as you have written: meet me therefore at Ptolemais, that we may see one another; for I will marry my daughter to you according to your desire.’

57. So Ptolemee went out of Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the hundred threescore and second year:

58. Wherefore king Alexander on meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais with great glory, as the manner of kings is.

59. Now king Alexander had written unto Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.

60. Who thereupon went honourably to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings, and gave them and their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their sight.

61. At that time certain pestilent fellows of Israel, men of a wicked/Lawless life, assembled themselves against him, to accuse him: but the king would not hear them.

62. Yes more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple: and they did so.

63. And he made him sit by himself, and said to his princes, ‘Go with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.’

64. Now when his accusers saw that he was honoured according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all away.

65. So the king honoured him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his dominion.

66. Afterward Jonathan returned to Jerusalem with peace and gladness.

67. Furthermore in the hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the land of his fathers:

68. Whereof when king Alexander heard, he was very sorry, and returned into Antioch.

69. Then Demetrius made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest, saying,

70. ‘You alone lift up yourself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for your sake, and reproached: and why do you vaunt your power against us in the mountains?

71. Now therefore, if you trust in your own strength, come down to us into the plain field, and there let us try the matter together: for with me is the power of the cities.

72. Ask and learn who I am, and the rest that take our part, and they will tell you that your feet is not able to flight (run) in their own land.

73. Wherefore now you will not be able to abide the horsemen and so great a power in the plain, where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto.’

74. So when Jonathan heard these words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and choosing ten thousand men he went out of Jerusalem, where Simon his brother met him to help him.

75. And he pitched his tents against Joppa: but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison there.

76. Then Jonathan laid siege unto it: whereupon they of the city let him in for fear: and so Jonathan won Joppa.

77. Whereof when Apollonius heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain. because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.

78. Then Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, where the armies joined battle.

79. Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.

80. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him; for they had compassed in his host, and cast darts at the people, from morning till evening.

81. But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so the enemies' horses were tired.

82. Then brought Simon forth his host, and set them against the footmen, (for the horsemen were spent) who were discomfited by him, and fled.

83. The horsemen also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their idol's temple, for safety.

84. But Jonathan set fire on Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the temple of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire.

85. Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well near eight thousand men.

86. And from thence Jonathan removed his host, and camped against Ascalon, where the men of the city came forth, and met him with great pomp.

87. After this returned Jonathan and his host unto Jerusalem, having many spoils.

88. Now when king Alexander heard these things, he honoured Jonathan yet more.

89. And sent him a buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king's blood: he gave him also Accron with the borders thereof in possession.

1Ma 11:1 And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lies upon the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander's kingdom, and join it to his own.

2. Whereupon he took his journey into Spain in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened unto him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his brother in law.

3. Now as Ptolemee entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it.

4. And when he came near to Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad and them that had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass.

5. Also they told the king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the king held his peace.

6. Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.

7. Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem.

8. King Ptolemee therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked/Lawless counsels against Alexander.

9. Whereupon he sent ambassadors unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league betwixt us, and I will give you my daughter whom Alexander has, and you will reign in your father's kingdom:

10. For I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me.

11. Thus did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.

12. Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known.

13. Then Ptolemee entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.

14. In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.

15. But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemee brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.

16. So Alexander fled into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted:

17. For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemee.

18. King Ptolemee also died the third day after, and they that were in the strongholds were slain one of another.

19. By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year.

20. At the same time Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea to take the tower that was in Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.

21. Then came ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower,

22. Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.

23. Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;

24. And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.

25. And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,

26. Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,

27. And confirmed him in the High Priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him pre-eminence among his chief friends.

28. Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.

29. So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:

30. ‘King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sends greetings:

31. We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that you might see it.

32. ‘King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sends greetings:

33. We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.

34. Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly beforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.

35. And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.

36. And nothing hereof will be revoked from this time forth forever.

37. Now therefore see that you make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.’

38. After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

39. Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,

40. And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.

41. In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.

42. So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for you and your people, but I will greatly honour you and your nation, if opportunity presents.

43. Now therefore you will do well, if you send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.

44. Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

45. Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.

46. Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.

47. Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.

48. Also they set fire on the city, and took many spoils that day, and delivered the king.

49. So when they of the city saw that the Jews had taken the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,

50. Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.

51. With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.

52. So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.

53. Nevertheless he dissembled in all that he ever spoke, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.

54. After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.

55. Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.

56. Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.

57. At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm you in the High Priesthood, and appoint you ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's friends.

58. Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.

59. His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt.

Nazareans add in their private study and discussions:

3 John 1-14

1. The Elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in the truth (i.e. Torah)!

2. Beloved, concerning all things I desire you to prosper, and to be in health, even as your soul does prosper,

3. For I rejoiced exceedingly, brethren coming and testifying of the truth (i.e. Torah – cf. Psalm 119:142) in you, even as you in truth (i.e. according to the Torah) do walk;

4. Greater than these things I have no joy, that I may hear of my children in truth (i.e. according to Torah) walking.

5. Beloved, faithfully do you do whatever you may work/support for the [Jewish] brethren and to the strangers (i.e. foreigners = Gentiles),

6. Who have testified of your loving-kindness before the congregation, whom you will do well, having sent [them] forward [in a manner] of G-d worthy,

7. Because for His (G-d’s) name/authority they went forth, nothing receiving from the Gentiles;

8. We, then, ought to support such, that we may become fellow-workers of the truth (i.e. of the Torah).

9. I did write to the congregation, but he who is loving the pre-eminence among them, Diotrephes, does not receive/support us;

10. Because of this, if I may come, I will cause him to remember his works that he does, with wicked/Lawless words talking against us; and not content with these, neither does he himself receive/support the [Jewish] brethren, and those [Jewish brethren] intending [to visit him] he does forbid, and out of the congregation he casts [them] away.

11. Beloved, be not you following [after] that which is evil (empty/vain), but [after] that which is good (beneficial); he who is doing good (beneficence), of G-d he is, and he who is doing evil (emptiness/vanity) has not seen G-d (i.e. discerned who G-d really is);

12. Of Demetrius [good] testimony has been given by all, and by the truth (i.e. Torah) itself, and we also, we do testify [to be so], and you have known that our testimony is true.

13. Many things I had to write, but I do not desire with ink and pen to write to you,

14. And I [rather] hope straightway to see you, and face to face we will speak. Shalom [be] with you! The friends do salute you; salute the friends by name.

2 John 1-13)

1. The Elder to Kyria (Lady) the chosen one (i.e. Jewess), and to her children, whom I love in [the] truth (i.e. Torah, cf. Psalm 119:142), and not I only, but also all those having known the truth (Torah),

2. Because of the truth (Torah) that is remaining/tabernacling in us, and with us will be forever,

3. [May] there be with you grace, loving-kindness, [and] Shalom, from G-d the Father, and from the Master Yeshua the Messiah, the Son (King) of the Father, in truth and love (truth and love are synonyms for Torah).

4. I rejoiced exceedingly that I have found your children walking in [the] truth (Torah), even as we did receive command [in this respect] from the Father;

5. And now I beseech you, Kyria, not as writing to you a new commandment, but which [that] we had from the beginning (i.e. Genesis 1:1ff.), that we may love one another,

6. And this is the love, that we may walk according to His (G-d’s) commandments; this is the commandment, even as you did hear from the beginning (i.e. Gen. 1:1ff.), that in it you may walk,

7. Because many leading astray did enter into the world, who are not confessing [that] Yeshua the Messiah came in the flesh [nor to obey the commandments of the Torah as he did]; this one is he who is leading astray, and the anti-Messiah.

8. See to yourselves that you may not lose the things that we worked for, but a full reward may [we] receive;

9. Everyone who is transgressing [the commandments of the Torah], and is not remaining in the teaching of the Messiah, has not G-d; he who is remaining in the [observance of the commandments of the Torah and in the] teaching of the Messiah, this one has both the Father [G-d] and the Son [King];

10. If anyone does come unto you, and this teaching does not bear, receive him not into the house, and say not to him, ‘Greetings!’

11. For he who is saying to him, ‘Greetings,’ has fellowship with [partakes of] his evil/Lawless works.

12. Many things [I] have to write to you, I do not intend through paper and ink, but I hope to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full;

13. The children of your chosen (i.e. Jewish) sister do salute you. Amen.

Seventh Day of Chanukah – Tebet 01

Rosh Chodesh Tebet – New Moon of the Month of Tebet

Evening Saturday December 27 – Evening Sunday December 28

Torah Reading: B’Midbar (Numbers) 28:1-15 + 7:48-53

(1) Num. 28:1-5

(2) Num. 28:6-10

(3) Num. 28:11-15

(4) Num. 7:48-53

Num 28:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:

2. Command the children of Israel, and say unto them: My food which is presented unto Me for offerings made by fire, of a sweet savour unto Me, will you observe to offer unto Me in its due season.

3. And you will say unto them: This is the offering made by fire which you will bring unto the LORD: he-lambs of the first year without blemish, two day by day, for a continual burnt-offering.

4. The one lamb will you offer in the morning, and the other lamb will you offer at dusk;

5. And the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil.

6. It is a continual burnt-offering, which was offered in Mount Sinai, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

7. And the drink-offering thereof will be the fourth part of a hin for the one lamb; in the holy place will you pour out a drink-offering of strong drink unto the LORD.

8. And the other lamb will you present at dusk; as the meal-offering of the morning, and as the drink-offering thereof, you will present it, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

9. And on the Sabbath day two he-lambs of the first year without blemish, and two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, and the drink-offering thereof.

10. This is the burnt-offering of every Sabbath, beside the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.

11. And in your New Moons you will present a burnt-offering unto the LORD: two young bullocks, and one ram, seven he-lambs of the first year without blemish;

12. And three tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for each bullock; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal-offering, mingled with oil, for the one ram;

13. And a several tenth part of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering unto every lamb; for a burnt-offering of a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

14. And their drink-offerings will be half a hin of wine for a bullock, and the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt-offering of every New Moon throughout the months of the year.

15. And one he-goat for a sin-offering unto the LORD; it will be offered beside the continual burnt-offering, and the drink-offering thereof.

Num 7:48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim:

49. His offering was one silver dish, the weight thereof was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver basin of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal-offering;

50. One golden pan of ten shekels, full of incense;

51. One young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering;

52. One male of the goats for a sin-offering;

53. And for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five he-lambs of the first year. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Yehudit (Judith) 13:1 – 14:18

Jdt 13:1 And when it was quite late, his servants made haste to their lodgings, and Vagao shut the chamber doors, and went his way.

2. And they were all overcharged with wine.

3. And Judith was alone in the chamber.

4. But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk.

5. And Judith spoke to her maid to stand without before the chamber, and to watch:

6. And Judith stood before the bed praying with tears, and the motion of her lips in silence,

7. Saying: ‘Strengthen me, O LORD God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as You have promised, You may raise up Jerusalem Your city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by You.

8. And when she had said this, she went to the pillar that was at his bed's head, and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it.

9. And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O LORD God, at this hour.

10. And she struck twice upon his neck, and cut off his head, and took off his canopy from the pillars, and rolled away his headless body.

11. And after a while she went out, and delivered the head of Holofernes to her maid, and bade her put it into her bag.

12. And they two went out according to their custom, as it were to prayer, and they passed the camp, and having compassed the valley, they came to the gate of the city.

13. And Judith from afar off cried to the watchmen upon the walls: Open the gates for God is with us, who has shown his power in Israel.

14. And it came to pass, when the men had heard her voice, that they called the elders of the city.

15 And all ran to meet her from the least to the greatest: for they now had no hopes that she would come.

16. And lighting up lights they all gathered round about her: and she went up to a higher place, and commanded silence to be made. And when all had held their peace,

17. Judith said: ‘Praise you the LORD our God, who has not forsaken them that hope in Him.

18. And by me His handmaid He has fulfilled His mercy, which He promised to the house of Israel: and He has killed the enemy of His people by my hand this night.’

19. Then she brought forth the head of Holofernes out of the bag, and showed it them, saying: ‘Behold the head of Holofernes the general of the army of the Assyrians, and behold his canopy, wherein he lay in his drunkenness, where the LORD our God slew him by the hand of a woman.’

20. But as the same LORD lives, His angel has been my keeper both going from here, and abiding there, and returning from there to here: and the LORD has not suffered me His handmaid to be defiled, but has brought me back to you without pollution of sin, rejoicing for His victory, for my escape, and for Your deliverance.

21. Give all of You glory to Him, because He is good, because His mercy endures forever.’

22. And they all worshiped the LORD, and said to her: ‘The LORD has blessed you by His power, because by you He has brought our enemies to nothing.’

23. And Ozias the prince of the people of Israel, said to her: ‘Blessed are you, O daughter, by the LORD the Most High God, above all women upon the land.

24. Blessed be the LORD who made heaven and earth, who has directed you to the cutting off the head of the prince of our enemies.

25. Because He has so magnified your name this day, that your praise will not depart out of the mouth of men who will be mindful of the power of the LORD forever, for that you have not spared your life, by reason of the distress and tribulation of your people, but has prevented our ruin in the presence of our God.’

26. And all the people said: ‘Amen Ve (and) Amen!’

27. And Achior being called for came, and Judith said to him: ‘The God of Israel, to whom you gave testimony, that He revenges Himself of His enemies, He has cut off the head of all the unbelievers this night by my hand.

28. And that you may find that it is so, behold the head of Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel: and threatened them with death, saying: When the people of Israel will be taken, I will command your sides to be pierced with a sword.’

29. Then Achior seeing the head of Holofernes, being seized with a great fear he fell on his face upon the earth, and his soul swooned away.

30. But after he had recovered his spirits he fell down at her feet, and reverenced her, and said:

31. ‘Blessed are you by your God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation which will hear your name, the God of Israel will be magnified on occasion of you.

Jdt 14:1 And Judith said to all the people: ‘Hear me, my brethren, hang you up this head upon our walls.

2. And as soon as the sun will rise, let every man take his arms, and rush you out, not as going down beneath, but as making an assault.

3. Then the watchmen must needs run to awake their prince for the battle.

4. And when the captains of them will run to the tent of Holofernes, and will find him without his head wallowing in his blood, fear will fall upon them.

5. And when you will know that they are fleeing, go after them securely, for the LORD will destroy them under your feet.

6. Then Achior seeing the power that the God of Israel had wrought, leaving the religion of the Gentiles, he believed God, and circumcised the flesh of his foreskin, and was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred until this present day.

7. And immediately at break of day, they hung up the head of Holofernes upon the walls, and every man took his arms, and they went out with a great noise and shouting.

8. And the watchmen seeing this, ran to the tent of Holofernes.

9. And they that were in the tent came, and made a noise, before the door of the chamber to awake him, endeavouring by art to break his rest, that Holofernes might awake, not by their calling him, but by their noise.

10. For no man dared knock, or open and go into the chamber of the general of the Assyrians.

11. But when his captains and tribunes were come, and all the chiefs of the army of the king of the Assyrians, they said to the chamberlains:

12. Go in, and awake him, for the mice, coming out of their holes, have presumed to challenge us to fight.

13. Then Vagao going into his chamber, stood before the curtain, and made a clapping with his hands: for he thought that he was sleeping with Judith.

14. But when with hearkening, he perceived no motion of one lying, he came near to the curtain, and lifting it up, and seeing the body of Holofernes, lying upon the ground, without the head, weltering in his blood, he cried out with a loud voice, with weeping, and rent his garments.

15. And he went into the tent of Judith, and not finding her, he ran out to the people,

16. And said: One Hebrew woman has made confusion in the house of king Nabuchodonosor: for behold Holofernes lies upon the ground, and his head is not upon him.

17. Now when the chiefs of the army of the Assyrians had heard this, they all rent their garments, and an intolerable fear and dread fell upon them, and their minds were troubled exceedingly.

18. And there was a very great cry in the midst of their camp.

1 Maccabees 11:60 – 13:47

1Ma 11:57 And young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying: I confirm you in the High Priesthood, and I appoint you ruler over the four cities, and to be one of the king's friends.

58. And he sent him vessels of gold for his service, and he gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle:

59. And he made his brother, Simon, governor, from the borders of Tyre even to the confines of Egypt.

60. Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the river, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him to help him, and he came to Ascalon, and they met him honourably out of the city.

61. And he went from there to Gaza: and they that were in Gaza shut him out: and he besieged it, and burnt all the suburbs round about, and took the spoils.

62. And the men of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan, and he gave them the right hand: and he took their sons for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem: and he went through the country, as far as Damascus.

63. And Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come treacherously to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great army, purposing to remove him from the affairs of the kingdom.

64. And he went against them: but left his brother, Simon, in the country.

65. And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and assaulted it many days, and shut them up.

66. And they desired him to make peace, and he granted it to them: and he cast them out from there, and took the city, and placed a garrison in it.

67. And Jonathan and his army encamped by the water of Genesar, and before it was light they were ready in the plain of Asor.

68. And behold the army of the strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains: but he went out against them.

69. And they that lay in ambush rose out of their places, and joined battle.

70. And all that were on Jonathan's side fled, and none was left of them, but Mathathias, the son of Absalom, and Judas, the son of Calphi, chief captain of the army.

71. And Jonathan rent his garments, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.

72. And Jonathan turned again to them to battle, and he put them to flight, and they fought.

73. And they of his part that fled saw this, and they turned again to him, and they all with him pursued the enemies, even to Cades, to their own camp, and they came even forward.

74. And there fell of the aliens in that day three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

1Ma 12:1 And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:

2. And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form.

3. And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: ‘Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance, as it was before.’

4. And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.

5. And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

6. ‘Jonathan, the High Priest, and the Elders of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greetings.

7. There were letters sent long ago to Onias the High Priest, from Arius, who reigned then among you to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten does specify.

8. And Onias received the ambassador with honour and received the letters, wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.

9. We, though we needed none of these things having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,

10. Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become stranger to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.

11. We, therefore, at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet and becoming to remember brethren.

12. And we rejoice at yonr glory.

13. But we have had many troubles and wars on every side; and the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

14. But we would not be troublesome to you, nor to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars.

15. For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.

16. We have chosen, therefore, Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance.

17. And we have commanded them to go also to you, and salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

18. And now you will do well to give us an answer hereto.’

19. And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:

20. ‘Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the High Priest, greetings.

21. It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.

22. And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.

23. And we also have written back to you, That our cattle, and our possessions, are yours: and yours, ours. We, therefore, have commanded that these things should be told to you.’

24. Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.

25. So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.

26. And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back, and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.

27. And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.

28. And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle: and they were struck with fear and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.

29. But Jonathan, and they that were with him, knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

30. And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.

31. And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians, that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.

32. And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.

33. Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,

34. (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius) and he put a garrison there to keep it.

35. And Jonathan came back, and called together the Elders of the people; and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,

36. And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.

37. And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook, towards the east, was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:

38. And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.

39. Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:

40. Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.

41. And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.

42. Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him.

43. But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.

44. And he said to Jonathan: Why have you troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?

45. Now, therefore, send them back to their own houses: and choose yourself a few men that may be with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to you, and the rest of the strongholds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.

46. And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:

47. But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

48. Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.

49. Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

50. But they, when they understood that Jonathan, and all that were with him, were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.

51. Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.

52. Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda and they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.

53. Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:

54. They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore, let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst men.

1. Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy it.

2. And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,

3. And exhorted them, saying: You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the Law, and the sanctuary, and the distresses that we have seen:

4. By reason whereof all my brethren have lost their lives for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.

5. And now far be it from me to spare my life in any time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.

6. I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered together to destroy us out of mere malice.’

7. And the spirit of the people was enkindled as soon as they heard these words:

8. And they answered with a loud voice, saying: ‘You are our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, your brother:

9. Fight you our battles, and we will do whatsoever you will say to us.’

10. So gathering together all the men of war, he made haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.

11. And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with him a new army, into Joppe, and he cast out them that were in it, and himself remained there.

12. And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great army, to invade the land of Juda, and Jonathan was with him in custody.

13. But Simon pitched in Addus, over against the plain.

14. And when Tryphon understood that Simon was risen up in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers to him,

15, Saying: ‘We have detained your brother, Jonathan, for the money that he owed in the king's account, by reason of the affairs which he had the management of.

16. But now send a hundred talents of silver, and his two sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will release him.

17. Now Simon knew that he spoke deceitfully to him; nevertheless, he ordered the money and the children to be sent, lest he should bring upon himself a great hatred of the people of Israel, who might have said:

18. ‘Because he sent not the money and the children therefore is he lost.’

19. So he sent the children and the hundred talents and he lied, and did not let Jonathan go.

20. And after this, Tryphon entered within the country, to destroy it: and they went about by the way that leads to Ador: and Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever they went.

21. And they that were in the castle, sent messengers to Tryphon, that he should make haste to come through the desert, and send them victuals.

22. And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night; but there fell a very great snow, and he came not into the country of Galaad.

23. And when he approached to Bascama, he slew Jonathan and his sons there.

24. And Tryphon returned, and went into his own country.

25. And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan, his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.

26. And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation: and they mourned for him many days.

27. And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished stone, behind and before:

28. And he set up seven mausoleums, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren:

29. And round about these he set great pillars; and upon the pillars, arms, for a perpetual memory; and by the arms, ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the sea.

30. This is the sepulchre that he made in Modin, even unto this day.

31. But Tryphon, when he was upon a journey with the young king, Antiochus, treacherously slew him.

32. And he reigned in his place, and put on the crown of Asia: and brought great evils upon the land.

33. And Simon built up the strongholds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the fortresses.

34. And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.

35. And king Demetrius, in answer to this request, wrote a letter in this manner:

36. ‘King Demetrius to Simon, the High Priest, and friend of kings, and to the Elders, and to the nation of the Jews, greetings:

37. The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.

38. For all that we have decreed in your favour will stand in force. The strongholds that you have built, will be your own.

39. And as for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it: and the crown which you owed: and if any other thing were taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.

40. And if any of you be fit to be enrolled among ours, let them be enrolled, and let there be peace between us.’

41. In the year one hundred and seventy, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken off from Israel.

42. And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon, the High Priest, the great captain, and prince of the Jews.

43. In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city, and he struck one tower, and took it.

44. And they that were within the engine leapt into the city: and there was a great uproar in the city.

45. And they that were in the city went up, with their wives and children, upon the wall, with their garments rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.

46. And they said: Deal not with us according to our evil deeds, but according to your mercy.

47. And Simon being moved, did not destroy them but yet he cast them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein there had been idols, and then he entered into it with hymns, blessing the Lord: