2 Macc 2 | EngLXX | STEP | It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carriedaway to take of the fire, as it has been signified:

‏ 2 Maccabees 2

1 It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carriedaway to take of the fire, as it has been signified: 2 And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandmentsof the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, withtheir ornaments. 3 And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from theirhearts. 4 It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commandedthe tabernacle and the ark to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain, where Moses climbed up,and saw the heritage of God. 5 And when Jeremy came there, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, andthe ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door. 6 And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it. 7 Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknownuntil the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them to mercy. 8 Then shall the Lord show them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, andthe cloud also, as it was showed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honorablysanctified. 9 It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of thefinishing of the temple. 10 And as when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed thesacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings. 11 And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed. 12 So Solomon kept those eight days. 13 The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and howhe founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and theepistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts. 14 In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reasonof the war we had, and they remain with us, 15 Wherefore if you⌃ have need thereof, send some to fetch them to you. 16 Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written to you, andyou⌃ shall do well, if you⌃ keep the same days. 17 We hope also, that the God, that delivered all his people, and gave them all an heritage,and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary, 18 As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together outof every land under heaven into the holy place: for he has delivered us out of great troubles, and haspurified the place. 19 Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the greattemple, and the dedication of the altar, 20 And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son, 21 And the manifest signs that came from heaven to those that behaved themselves manfullyto their honor for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarousmultitudes, 22 And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheldthe laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious to them with all favor: 23 All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assayto abridge in one volume. 24 For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire tolook into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter, 25 We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that aredesirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit. 26 Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labor of abridging, it was noteasy, but a matter of sweat and watching; 27 Even as it is no ease to him that prepares a banquet, and seeks the benefit of others:yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains; 28 Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and laboring to followthe rules of an abridgement. 29 For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he thatundertakes to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I thinkit is with us. 30 To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars,belongs to the first author of the story: 31 But to use brevity, and avoid much laboring of the work, is to be granted to him thatwill make an abridgment. 32 Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which has been said,that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.