The Jews in Jerusalem write to the Jews in Egypt, 7. signifying that they had writ before of many afflictions past: 9. and now write again, rendering thanks to God for their deliverance from Antiochus: 18. exhorting their brethren to keep the feast of Scenopegia: reciting the miracle of water returning into fire: 24. when Nehemias prayed: 33. and that the king built a temple in memory thereof.The Iewes in Ierusalem write to the Iewes in Ægypt, 7. signifying that they had writte before of manie afflictions past: 9. and now write againe, rendering thankes to God for their deliuerie from Antiochus: 18. exhorting their bretheren to kepe the feast of Scenopegia: reciting the miracle of water returning into fire: 24. when Nehemias prayed: 33. and that the king built a temple in memorie therof.✦
To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt, the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and that are in the country of Jurie, send health, and good peace.TO THE bretheren, the Iewes that are through out Ægypt, the bretheren, the Iewes that are in Ierusalem, and that are in the countrie of Iurie, send health, and good peace.✦Fratribus qui sunt per Ægyptum Judæis, salutem dicunt fratres qui sunt in Jerosolymis Judæi, et qui in regione Judææ, et pacem bonam.
2God do good to you, and remember his testament, that he spake to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants:God doe good to you, and remember his testament, that he spake to Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, his faithful seruantes:Benefaciat vobis Deus, et meminerit testamenti sui, quod locutus est ad Abraham, et Isaac, et Jacob servorum suorum fidelium :
3and give he unto you all an heart to worship him, and to do his will with a great heart, and a willing mind.and geue he vnto you al an hart to worshippe him, and to doe his wil with a great hart, and a willing minde.et det vobis cor omnibus ut colatis eum, et faciatis ejus voluntatem, corde magno et animo volenti.
4Open he your heart in his law, and in his precepts, and make peace.Open he your hart in his law, and in his precepts, and make peace.✦Adaperiat cor vestrum in lege sua, et in præceptis suis, et faciat pacem.
5Hear he your prayers, and be he reconciled unto you, neither forsake he you in the evil time.Heare he your prayers, and be he reconciled vnto you, neither forsake he you in the euil time.Exaudiat orationes vestras, et reconcilietur vobis, nec vos deserat in tempore malo.
6And now here we are praying for you.And now here we are praying for you.Et nunc hic sumus orantes pro vobis.
7When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundredth sixty nine, we Jews wrote unto you in the tribulation, and violence, that came upon us in these years, since Jason revolted from the holy land, and from the kingdom.When Demetrius reigned, in the yeare one hundreth sixtie nine, we Iewes wrote vnto you in the tribulation, and violence, that came vpon vs in these yeares, since Iason reuolted from the holie land, and from the kingdom.✦Regnante Demetrio, anno centesimo sexagesimo nono, nos Judæi scripsimus vobis in tribulatione et impetu qui supervenit nobis in istis annis, ex quo recessit Jason a sancta terra, et a regno.
8They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: and we prayed to our Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifice, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth their breads.They burnt the gate, and shed innocent bloud: and we prayed to our Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifice, and fine floore, and lighted the lampes, and setforth there breades.✦Portam succenderunt, et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem : et oravimus ad Dominum, et exauditi sumus, et obtulimus sacrificium et similaginem, et accendimus lucernas, et proposuimus panes.
9And now celebrate ye the days of scenopegiæ: the feast of Tabernacles / booths of the month Cesleu.And now celebrate ye the dayes of Scenopegia of the moneth Cesleu.✦Et nunc frequentate dies scenopegiæ mensis Casleu.
10In the year one hundredth eighty eight, the people that is at Jerusalem, and in Jurie, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus the master of Ptolemee the king, who is of the stock of the anointed priests, and to those Jews, that are in Egypt health, and welfare.In the yeare one hundreth eightie eight, the people that is at Ierusalem, and in Iurie, and the senate, and Iudas, to Aristobolus the maister of Ptolomee the king, who is of the stocke of the annointed priestes, and to those Iewes, that are in Ægypt health, and welfare.✦Anno centesimo octogesimo octavo, populus qui est Jerosolymis et in Judæa, senatusque et Judas, Aristobolo magistro Ptolemæi regis, qui est de genere christorum sacerdotum, et his qui in Ægypto sunt Judæis, salutem et sanitatem.
11Being delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him thanks magnifice: with magnificence / grandly, as who have fought against such a king.Being deliuered by God out of great dangers, we geue him thankes magnifically, as who haue fought against such a king.✦De magnis periculis a Deo liberati, magnifice gratias agimus ipsi, utpote qui adversus talem regem dimicavimus.
12For he made them ebullire: gush / boil forth out of Persis, that have fought against us, and the holy city.For he made them swarme out of Persis, that haue fought against vs, and the holie citie.✦Ipse enim ebullire fecit de Perside eos qui pugnaverunt contra nos et sanctam civitatem.
13For when he was captain in Persis, and with him a very great army, he fell in the temple of Nania, being deceived by the counsel of Naneas' priests.For when he was captaine in Persis, & with him a very great armie, he fel in the temple of Nania, being deceiued by the counsel of Naneaes priestes.✦Nam cum in Perside esset dux ipse, et cum ipso immensus exercitus, cecidit in templo Naneæ, consilio deceptus sacerdotum Naneæ.
14For Antiochus, and his friends came to the place as to dwell with her, and that he might receive much money under the title of a dowry.For Antiochus, & his freindes came to the place as to dwel with her, & that he might receiue much money vnder the title of a dowrie.✦Etenim cum ea habitaturus venit ad locum Antiochus et amici ejus, et ut acciperet pecunias multas dotis nomine.
15And when Naneas' priests had laid it forth, and he with a few was entered within the compass of the temple, they shut the temple,And when Naneaes priestes had layde it forth, and he with a few was entered within the compasse of the temple, they shut the temple,✦Cumque proposuissent eas sacerdotes Naneæ, et ipse cum paucis ingressus esset intra ambitum fani, clauserunt templum,
16when Antiochus was entered in: and a secret entrance of the temple being opened, casting stones they percusserunt: struck / smote the ducem: leader / commander, not a nobleman, and them that were with him, and divided them in pieces, and cutting of their heads they threw them forth.when Antiochus was entered in : & a secrete entrance of the temple being opened, casting stones they stroke the duke, and them that were with him, and diuided them in peeces, and cutting of their heades they threw them forth.✦cum intrasset Antiochus : apertoque occulto aditu templi, mittentes lapides percusserunt ducem et eos qui cum eo erant : et diviserunt membratim, et capitibus amputatis foras projecerunt.
17Blessed be the God in all things, who hath delivered up the impious.Blessed be the God in al thinges, who hath deliuered vp the impious.Per omnia benedictus Deus, qui tradidit impios.
18We therefore meaning to keep the purification of the temple the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, thought it necessary to signify unto you: that you also may keep the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemias, after the temple was built and the altar, offered sacrifice.We therefore meaning to keepe the purification of the temple the fiue and twentith day of the moneth Casleu, thought it necessary to signifie vnto you: that you also may kepe the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was geuen when Nehemias, after the temple was built and the altar, offered sacrifice.✦Facturi igitur quinta et vigesima die mensis Casleu purificationem templi, necessarium duximus significare vobis : ut et vos quoque agatis diem scenopegiæ, et diem ignis, qui datus est quando Nehemias ædificato templo et altari obtulit sacrificia.
19For when our fathers were carried into Persis, the priests that then were the worshippers of God, taking the fire from the altar, hid it secretly in a valley where there was a pit deep, and dry, and therein they saved it, so that the place was unknown to all men.For when our fathers were caryed into Persis, the priestes that then were the worshippers of God, taking the fire from the altar, hid it secretly in a valley where there was a pitte deepe, and dry, and therin they saued it, so that the place was vnknowne to al men.✦Nam cum in Persidem ducerentur patres nostri, sacerdotes qui tunc cultores Dei erant, acceptum ignem de altari occulte absconderunt in valle, ubi erat puteus altus et siccus, et in eo contutati sunt eum, ita ut omnibus ignotus esset locus.
20But when many years had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent of the king of Persis: he sent the nepotes: grandsons / descendants, not brothers' sons of those priests, that had hid it, to seek out the fire: and as they told us, they found not fire, but thick water.But when manie yeares had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent of the king of Persis: he sent the nephewes of those priestes, that had hid it, to seeke out the fire: and as they told vs, they found not fire, but thicke water.✦Cum autem præterissent anni multi, et placuit Deo ut mitteretur Nehemias a rege Persidis, nepotes sacerdotum illorum qui absconderant, misit ad requirendum ignem : et sicut narraverunt nobis, non invenerunt ignem, sed aquam crassam.
21And he bade them draw, and bring unto him: and the sacrifices, that were laid on, the priest Nehemias commanded to be sprinkled with the same water, and the wood, and the things that were laid thereupon.And he bad them draw, & bring vnto him: and the sacrifices, that were layd on, the priest Nehemias commanded to be sprinckled with the same water, and the wood, and the thinges that were layde therupon.✦Et jussit eos haurire, et afferre sibi : et sacrificia quæ imposita erant, jussit sacerdos Nehemias aspergi ipsa aqua : et ligna, et quæ erant superposita.
22And as this was done, and the time was come that the sun shone forth, which before was in a cloud, there was kindled a great fire, so that all marvelled.And as this was done, & the time was come that the sunne shone forth, which before was in a cloude, there was kindled a great fire, so that al merueiled.✦Utque hoc factum est, et tempus affuit quo sol refulsit, qui prius erat in nubilo, accensus est ignis magnus, ita ut omnes mirarentur.
23And all the priests made prayer, whiles the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathas beginning, and the rest answering.And al the priestes made prayer, whiles the sacrifice was consuming, Ionathas beginning, and the rest answering.✦Orationem autem faciebant omnes sacerdotes, dum consummaretur sacrificium, Jonatha inchoante, ceteris autem respondentibus.
24And the prayer of Nehemias was in this manner: O Lord God creator of all, dreadful, and strong, just, and merciful, which only art the good king,And the prayer of Nehemias was in this maner: O LORD God creatour of al, dreadful, and strong, iust, and merciful, which only art the good king,Et Nehemiæ erat oratio hunc habens modum : Domine Deus omnium creator, terribilis et fortis, justus et misericors, qui solus est bonus rex,
25only giver, only just, and omnipotent, and eternal, which deliverest Israel from all evil, which madest the fathers elect, and didst sanctify them.only giuer, only iust, and omnipotent, and eternal, which deliuerest Israel from al euil, which madest the fathers elect, and didst sanctifie them.solus præstans, solus justus et omnipotens et æternus, qui liberas Israël de omni malo ; qui fecisti patres electos, et sanctificasti eos :
26Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and keep thy part, and sanctify it.Receiue the sacrifice for al thy people Israel, and kepe thy part, and sanctifie it.accipe sacrificium pro universo populo tuo Israël, et custodi partem tuam, et sanctifica.
27Gather together our dispersion, deliver them, that serve the Gentiles, and regard the contemned and abhorred: that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God.Gather together our dispersion, deliuer them, that serue the Gentils, and regard the contemned & abhorred: that the Gentils may know that thou art our God.Congrega dispersionem nostram, libera eos qui serviunt gentibus, et contemptos et abominatos respice, ut sciant gentes quia tu es Deus noster.
28Afflict them that oppress us, and that do contumeliam: insolent reproach / abuse in pride.Afflict them that oppresse vs, and that doe contumelie in pride.Afflige opprimentes nos, et contumeliam facientes in superbia.
29Place thy people in thy holy place, as Moyses said.Place thy people in thy holie place, as Moyses sayd.Constitue populum tuum in loco sancto tuo, sicut dixit Moyses.
30And the priests sang hymns, till the sacrifice was consumed.And the priestes sang hymnes, til the sacrifice was consumed.Sacerdotes autem psallebant hymnos usquequo consumptum esset sacrificium.
31And when the sacrifice was consumed, of the rest of the water Nehemias commanded the greater stones to be throughly washed.And when the sacrifice was consumed, of the rest of the water Nehemias comanded the greater stones to be throughly washed.✦Cum autem consumptum esset sacrificium, ex residua aqua Nehemias jussit lapides majores perfundi.
32Which thing as it was done, out of them was kindled a flame: but by light also, that shined from the altar, it was consumed.Which thing as it was done, out of them was kindled a flame: but by light also, that shined from the altar, it was consumed.✦Quod ut factum est, ex eis flamma accensa est : sed ex lumine quod refulsit ab altari, consumpta est.
33And as the thing was made manifest, it was told the king of the Persians, that in the place, wherein those priests that were translati: carried away / deported, not delighted, had hid fire, there appeared water, with the which Nehemias, and they that were with him, purified the sacrifices.And as the thing was made manifest, it was told the king of the Persians, that in the place, wherin those priestes that were transported, had hid fire, there appeared water, with the which Nehemias, and they that were with him, purified the sacrifices.✦Ut vero manifestata est res, renuntiatum est regi Persarum quod in loco in quo ignem absconderant hi qui translati fuerant sacerdotes, aqua apparuit, de qua Nehemias, et qui cum eo erant, purificaverunt sacrificia.
34And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might approve that which was done.And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might approue that which was done.✦Considerans autem rex, et rem diligenter examinans, fecit ei templum, ut probaret quod factum erat :
35And when he had approved it, he gave to the priests many good things, and diverse gifts, and taking them with his own hand, he gave to them.And when he had approued it, he gaue to the priestes manie good thinges, and diuerse giftes, and taking them with his owne hand, he gaue to them.et cum probasset, sacerdotibus donavit multa bona, et alia atque alia munera : et accipiens manu sua, tribuebat eis.
36And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But it is called with many Nephi.And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But it is called with manie Nephi.✦Appellavit autem Nehemias hunc locum Nephthar, quod interpretatur Purificatio : vocatur autem apud plures Nephi.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.