2 Maccabees 2

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

1It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified:

It is also found in the records, that Jeremy the prophet — the forth-telling faculty — commanded them that were carried away to take of the fire, as it hath been signified — to carry the altar-fire, the zeal of consecration, into captivity with them.

2And how that the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments.

And how the prophet, having given them the law, charged them not to forget the commandments of the indwelling LORD, and that they should not err in their minds when they see images of silver and gold, with their ornaments — formed images of lesser goods, not to be worshipped in the Source's place.

3And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.

And with other such speeches exhorted he them, that the law should not depart from their hearts.

4It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of God, commanded the 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.

It was also contained in the same writing, that the prophet, being warned of the Source, commanded the tabernacle — the structured dwelling of the Presence — and the ark — the heart-shrine carrying the tablets of the law — to go with him, as he went forth into the mountain — the exalted state — where Moses climbed up and saw the heritage of God.

5And when Jeremy came thither, he found an hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door.

And when Jeremy came thither, he found a hollow cave, wherein he laid the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door — the sanctuary's treasures hidden in the deep until their season.

6And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.

And some of those that followed him came to mark the way, but they could not find it.

7Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying, As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that God gather his people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

Which when Jeremy perceived, he blamed them, saying: As for that place, it shall be unknown until the time that the Source gather His people again together, and receive them unto mercy.

8Then shall the Lord shew them these things, and the glory of the Lord shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.

Then shall the indwelling LORD shew them these things, and the glory of the LORD — the manifested weight of the Presence — shall appear, and the cloud also, as it was shewed under Moses, and as when Solomon — Wisdom in its fullness — desired that the place might be honourably sanctified.

9It was also declared, that he being wise offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.

It was also declared, that he, being wise, offered the sacrifice of dedication, and of the finishing of the temple.

10And as when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offerings.

And as when Moses prayed unto the indwelling LORD, the fire came down from heaven — the inner realm — and consumed the sacrifices: even so prayed Solomon also, and the fire came down and consumed the burnt offerings — the whole state yielded up, nothing kept back.

11And Moses said, Because the sin offering was not to be eaten, it was consumed.

And Moses said: Because the sin offering — the faculty yielded for its error — was not to be eaten, it was consumed.

12So Solomon kept those eight days.

So Solomon kept those eight days.

13The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he founding a library gathered together the acts of the kings, and the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.

The same things also were reported in the writings and commentaries of Neemias; and how he, founding a library, gathered together the acts of the kings and the prophets, and of David — Love enthroned — and the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts.

14In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war we had, and they remain with us,

In like manner also Judas gathered together all those things that were lost by reason of the war — the conflict of the true idea with opposing states — and they remain with us.

15Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.

Wherefore if ye have need thereof, send some to fetch them unto you.

16Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.

Whereas we then are about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you, and ye shall do well, if ye keep the same days.

17We 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,

We hope also, that the God that delivered all His people, and gave them all a heritage, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,

18As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for he hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.

As He promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and gather us together out of every land under heaven into the holy place: for He hath delivered us out of great troubles, and hath purified the place.

19Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,

Now as concerning Judas Maccabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,

20And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son,

And the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes, and Eupator his son — the ruling states that set themselves against the order, their conflict rendered as the striving of consciousness.

21And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes,

And the manifest signs that came from heaven unto those that behaved themselves manfully to their honour for Judaism: so that, being but a few, they overcame the whole country, and chased barbarous multitudes — a work in the outer signifying a greater work in the inner.

22And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the Lord being gracious unto them with all favour:

And recovered again the temple renowned all the world over, and freed the city, and upheld the laws which were going down, the indwelling LORD being gracious unto them with all favour.

23All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.

All these things, I say, being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books, we will assay to abridge in one volume.

24For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,

For considering the infinite number, and the difficulty which they find that desire to look into the narrations of the story, for the variety of the matter,

25We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.

We have been careful, that they that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit.

26Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching;

Therefore to us, that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching.

27Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains;

Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others: yet for the pleasuring of many we will undertake gladly this great pains.

28Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

Leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an abridgement.

29For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.

For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof: even so I think it is with us.

30To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story:

To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story.

31But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgment.

But to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an abridgement.

32Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

Here then will we begin the story: only adding thus much to that which hath been said, that it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself.

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