2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees 1

The chapter contains letters from the Jewish community in Jerusalem and Judea to their brethren in Egypt, wishing them peace and health. The letters also mention the purification of the temple on the twenty-fifth day of the month Casleu, which is celebrated as a feast of tabernacles and fire. A famous story within this chapter is the miraculous appearance of water that was used to purify sacrifices.

2 Maccabees 2

The prophet Jeremiah commands the Israelites who were taken captive to take fire from the altar, warning them not to forget God's commandments. The chapter also recounts how Jeremiah hid the tabernacle, ark, and altar of incense in a cave, which would remain hidden until God gathers his people again. The chapter concludes with a mention of Judas Maccabeus' purification of the temple.

2 Maccabees 3

The high priest Onias is accused by Simon of mismanaging temple funds, but when King Seleucus' treasurer Heliodorus arrives to seize the money, a divine apparition appears, driving him away and leaving him severely injured. The king's men are forced to acknowledge the power of God in the temple. In the aftermath, Heliodorus returns to the king, bearing witness to the miraculous intervention.

2 Maccabees 4

Jason, the high priest, promises King Antiochus III 300 talents of silver for his position, but instead uses it to introduce Greek customs and traditions into Jerusalem. He also sends money to the sacrifice of Hercules in Tyrus, which is actually used to build ships. Meanwhile, Menelaus, Jason's brother, takes over as high priest and steals temple vessels, leading to Onias' murder.

2 Maccabees 5

Antiochus prepares to invade Egypt, but first, a false rumor spreads that he has died. Jason takes advantage of this and attacks Jerusalem, killing many citizens. Antiochus returns to Judea, kills thousands, and desecrates the Temple by taking its treasures and destroying its sacred vessels.

2 Maccabees 6

The king sends an old man from Athens to force the Jews to abandon their laws and traditions. The temple in Jerusalem is desecrated by Gentiles who engage in riotous behavior, including prostitution and animal sacrifices. Eleazar, a 90-year-old scribe, is forced to choose between eating swine's flesh or facing death, and he chooses martyrdom.

2 Maccabees 7

Seven brothers and their mother are tortured by King Antiochus for refusing to eat swine's flesh, according to Jewish law. The brothers endure various gruesome torments, including being maimed, burned alive, and fried in a pan, while their mother encourages them to remain faithful to God. In the end, all eight are martyred.

2 Maccabees 8

Judas Maccabeus secretly gathers a force of six thousand men who are loyal to the Jewish faith. He exhorts his troops to stand strong against Nicanor's army and reminds them of their ancestors' victories, including the battle against Sennacherib's forces in Babylon. Judas then leads his troops into battle, where they defeat Nicanor's host and capture a large sum of money.

2 Maccabees 9

King Antiochus is humbled and punished by God after he is afflicted with a painful and incurable disease. Despite his initial pride and arrogance, he eventually vows to make amends for his past actions against the Jews and even offers to become one of them. However, his promises are too little, too late, and he ultimately dies in agony.

2 Maccabees 10

Maccabeus and his company recover the temple and city from the heathens after a period of desecration. They cleanse the temple and rebuild an altar, offering sacrifices and incense. Meanwhile, Maccabeus' brother Judas (also known as Maccabeus) leads a successful campaign against the Idumeans, defeating them in battle and taking their strongholds.

2 Maccabees 11

Lysias, the king's protector, leads an army against Jerusalem with the intention of capturing it and selling the high priesthood to the highest bidder. However, Maccabeus and his men, aided by a divine intervention, defeat Lysias' forces in battle. The chapter concludes with letters from King Antiochus and the Romans offering concessions to the Jews.

2 Maccabees 12

Judas responds to the cruelty of Timotheus' men in Joppa by burning their haven and killing those who fled there. He then goes on to defeat the Jamnites and their allies, including a large force led by Timotheus. Judas also captures the strong city of Caspis and kills many of its defenders.

2 Maccabees 13

Judas learns that King Antiochus Eupator is approaching Judea with a large army, led by Lysias and Menelaus. The king orders Menelaus' execution for his treachery, but Judas prepares the Jewish forces to defend against the invasion. Judas launches a surprise attack on the enemy camp at night, killing over 4,000 soldiers and an elephant.

2 Maccabees 14

Alcimus, a former high priest, informs King Demetrius about Judas Maccabeus' activities and convinces him to send Nicanor to capture or kill Judas. However, Nicanor is impressed by Judas' bravery and decides to make peace with the Jews instead. Alcimus later accuses Nicanor of being too friendly towards Judas and having made a covenant with him.

2 Maccabees 15

Nicanor, a Seleucid general, attacks Judas Maccabeus and his company on the Sabbath day in Samaria. Despite being outnumbered, Judas and his men are encouraged by a vision from Jeremiah, who gives them a golden sword to defeat their enemies. The Israelites emerge victorious, killing 35,000 soldiers and beheading Nicanor.