2 Maccabees 1:1-9

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

1 To the brethren the Jews that are throughout Egypt, the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health, and good peace.

² May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:

³ And give you all a heart to worship him, and to do his will with a great heart, and a willing mind.

⁴ May he open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and send you peace.

⁵ May he hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never forsake you in the evil time.

⁶ And now here we are praying for you.

⁷ When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we Jews wrote to you, in the trouble, and violence, that came upon us in those years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the kingdom.

⁸ They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.

⁹ And now celebrate ye the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu.