1 Maccabees 14

How to read these pages: the text itself comes first, verse by verse, in the volume's own translation. Beneath each verse stands its Meaning — a rendering of what the passage's terms name in the inner life, drawn from the correspondences the text itself uses. The text is never altered; the meaning is offered, not imposed.

King James Version

1Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphone.

Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphone: in the hundred threescore and twelfth year — the date exact — Demetrius gathers his forces and goes into Media to get help against Tryphon.

2But when Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive:

But when Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive: Arsaces, king of Persia and Media, hearing Demetrius has entered his borders, sends one of his princes to take him alive.

3Who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward.

Who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward: the prince strikes Demetrius' host, takes him, and brings him to Arsaces, by whom he is put in ward — the king who sought help taken captive by the power he petitioned.

4As for the land of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well.

As for the land of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well: the land of Judea is quiet all the days of Simon, for he sought his nation's good in such wise that his authority and honour evermore pleased them well — rule that seeks the governed state's good, and is welcomed for it.

5And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea,

And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea: honourable in all his acts, in this also: he took Joppa for a haven and made an entrance to the isles of the sea — the house opened to the gathered reservoir of thought beyond it.

6And enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country,

And enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country: he enlarged his nation's bounds and recovered the country — consciousness regaining its full extent.

7And gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleaness, neither was there any that resisted him.

And gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleaness, neither was there any that resisted him: he gathered a great number of captives — faculties carried away, now brought home — and held dominion of Gazera, Bethsura, and the tower, out of which he took all uncleanness; neither was there any that resisted him.

8Then did they till their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit.

Then did they till their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit: then they till their ground in peace — the ground of consciousness worked at rest — and the earth gives her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit: the outer life answering ordered rule with produce.

9The ancient men sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel.

The ancient men sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel: the ancient men sit in the streets, communing together of good things — the elder states in counsel — and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel: vigour clothed for a defence it does not presently need.

10He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world.

He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world: he provides victuals for the cities and all manner of munition in them, so that his honourable name is renowned unto the end of the world — the outer world's farthest reach of consciousness.

11He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy:

He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy: he made peace — rest within the order — in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy.

12For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them:

For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them: every man sat under his vine — his cultivated spiritual life — and his fig tree — the state known by its fruit in season — and none made them afraid: peace pictured as each state abiding in its own fruitfulness, unafraid.

13Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days.

Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days: none was left in the land to fight against them; the kings themselves — the foreign ruling states — were overthrown in those days.

14Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away.

Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away: he strengthened all of his people that were brought low — the humbled states raised — searched out the law, and removed every contemner of the law and wicked person.

15He beautified the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple.

He beautified the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple: he beautified the sanctuary and multiplied the vessels of the temple — the established sanctuary-state adorned and its instruments increased.

16Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very sorry.

Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very sorry: when it is heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta — the Lacedemonians — that Jonathan is dead, they are very sorry: the grief of allies at a distance.

17But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein:

But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein: but as soon as they hear his brother Simon is made high priest in his stead, and rules the country and its cities, grief turns to action.

18They wrote unto him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren:

They wrote unto him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren: they write to him in tables of brass — enduring metal, a record meant to outlast states — to renew the friendship and league made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren.

19Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem.

Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem: the writings are read before the congregation at Jerusalem — the gathered faculties hearing the league renewed in the center itself.

20And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent; The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting:

And this is the copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent; The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting: the copy kept exact: The rulers of the Lacedemonians, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting.

21The ambassadors that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour: wherefore we were glad of their coming,

The ambassadors that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour: wherefore we were glad of their coming: the ambassadors sent to our people certified us of your glory and honour; wherefore we were glad of their coming.

22And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews’ ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us.

And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews’ ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us: and we registered what they spoke in the council of the people in this manner: Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews' ambassadors, came to us to renew the friendship they had with us.

23And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage in publick records, to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof: furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the high priest.

And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage in publick records, to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof: furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the high priest: it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably and put the copy of their embassy in public records, that the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof; and a copy is written to Simon the high priest.

24After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight to confirm the league with them.

After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight to confirm the league with them: Simon sends Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight — the weight exact — to confirm the league: a defensive furnishing of gold, pure good, as the league's pledge.

25Whereof when the people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons?

Whereof when the people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons?: when the people hear, they say: What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons? — gratitude seeking its form.

26For he and his brethren and the house of his father have established Israel, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty.

For he and his brethren and the house of his father have established Israel, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty: for he and his brethren and his father's house have established Israel, chased their enemies from them in fight, and confirmed their liberty.

27So then they wrote it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest,

So then they wrote it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest: they write it in tables of brass, set upon pillars in mount Sion — the love-height of consciousness — and this is the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest: date and era exact.

28At Saramel in the great congregation of the priests, and people, and rulers of the nation, and elders of the country, were these things notified unto us.

At Saramel in the great congregation of the priests, and people, and rulers of the nation, and elders of the country, were these things notified unto us: at Saramel, in the great congregation of the priests and people and rulers of the nation and elders of the country, these things were notified to us.

29Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary, and the law, Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honour:

Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary, and the law, Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honour: the decree's reason: oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary and the law — the written order of the divine life — Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting their nation's enemies did their nation great honour.

30(For after that Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was added to his people,

(For after that Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was added to his people: the parenthesis of the decree: after Jonathan, having gathered his nation together and been their high priest, was added to his people — gathered to the former states.

31Their enemies prepared to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the sanctuary:

Their enemies prepared to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the sanctuary: their enemies prepared to invade their country, to destroy it and lay hands on the sanctuary.

32At which time Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages,

At which time Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages: at which time Simon rose and fought for his nation, spent much of his own substance, armed the valiant men of his nation, and gave them wages.

33And fortified the cities of Judea, together with Bethsura, that lieth upon the borders of Judea, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Jews there:

And fortified the cities of Judea, together with Bethsura, that lieth upon the borders of Judea, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Jews there: and fortified the cities of Judea, with Bethsura on Judea's borders, where the enemies' armour had been before — but he set a garrison of Jews there: the enemy's stronghold become the house's own.

34Moreover he fortified Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gazera, that bordereth upon Azotus, where the enemies had dwelt before: but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof.)

Moreover he fortified Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gazera, that bordereth upon Azotus, where the enemies had dwelt before: but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof.) he fortified Joppa on the sea, and Gazera bordering on Azotus, where the enemies had dwelt before; he placed Jews there and furnished them with all things convenient for their reparation.

35The people therefore seeing the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people.

The people therefore seeing the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people: the people, seeing Simon's acts and the glory to which he sought to bring his nation, make him their governor and chief priest — for all these things, for the justice and faith he kept to his nation, and for seeking by all means to exalt his people: the decree grounds rule in proved righteousness and faith.

36For in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the sanctuary, and did much hurt in the holy place:

For in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the sanctuary, and did much hurt in the holy place: in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country, and those also in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a tower from which they issued and polluted all about the sanctuary and did much hurt in the holy place — the defiling hold of chapters 9 to 13 remembered in the decree.

37But he placed Jews therein, and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and raised up the walls of Jerusalem.

But he placed Jews therein, and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and raised up the walls of Jerusalem: but he placed Jews therein, fortified it for the safety of country and city, and raised up the walls of Jerusalem.

38King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things,

King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things: king Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things.

39And made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour.

And made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour: and made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour.

40For he had heard say, that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren; and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Simon honourably;

For he had heard say, that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren; and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Simon honourably: for he had heard that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren, and had entertained Simon's ambassadors honourably.

41Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;

Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet: also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet — the forth-telling faculty in its faithful form: the settlement is perpetual, yet open to the Source's future word.

42Moreover that he should be their captain, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the fortresses, that, I say, he should take charge of the sanctuary;

Moreover that he should be their captain, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the fortresses, that, I say, he should take charge of the sanctuary: moreover that he should be their captain and take charge of the sanctuary — setting men over their works, the country, the armour, and the fortresses — that he should take charge of the sanctuary: the charge repeated, the sanctuary at its center.

43Beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold:

Beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold: beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, all writings in the country made in his name, and that he be clothed in purple and wear gold — the acknowledged ruling state's signs.

44Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold;

Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold: also that it be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or gainsay his words, or gather an assembly in the country without him, or be clothed in purple or wear a buckle of gold.

45And whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished.

And whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished: and whosoever does otherwise, or breaks any of these things, shall be punished.

46Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as hath been said.

Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as hath been said: thus it pleased all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as has been said — consent, not compulsion, seals the decree.

47Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all.

Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all: Simon accepts, well pleased to be high priest, captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all.

48So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place;

So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place: they command this writing put in tables of brass and set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place — the decree housed in the sanctuary itself, as Demetrius' letter was set on the holy mount.

49Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them.

Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them: and copies laid up in the treasury, that Simon and his sons might have them — the record preserved for the states that follow.

Companion volume to The Why Bible — the King James Apocrypha, rendered in its spiritual meanings. First final edition, October 2026.