now, to-day, he is highminded, and tomorrow be shall not be,
he returneth to earth, and his thought perisheth.
Your brother Simon is wise and prudent,
he shall be your father; follow ye his counsels.
Judas Machabeus is mighty and strong,
let him be your elder in every fight;
and gather to yourselves them who love God's law,
and avenge your folk on the foul heathen,
and hold God's law in good services.'
He blessed then his sons, and so departed from life,
and his body was buried in his own city,
and Israel wept for him, in the ancient wise.
§ III. I Macc. iii. 1-26.
III. Moreover, Judas Machabeus mightily arose
in his father's stead, and withstood his enemies,
and his four brothers supported him with one accord,
and all they who were dwelling with his father,
and fought then with joy, and defeated the heathen.
Judas then girt himself with his shining breast-plate,
even as an immense giant, and completely armed himself,
and guarded his host against the foes with his sword.
He became then like a lion in his strifes and deeds,
and pursued the heathen and cleared his country.
His enemies then fled (being) afraid of him,
and all the evil-workers were driven away.
And safety then prospered in Judas' hands,
and he made his kin joyful, that was named Jacob;
and his glory then extended to the uttermost lands.
Then gathered Apollonius, a wrathful leader,
from the city of Samaria, an immense army,
