The Second Book of Maccabees
Chapter 4
¹ The previously mentioned Simon, who had informed about the money against his own country, slandered Onias, saying that it was he who had incited Heliodorus and had been the real cause of the misfortune.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 1)
Oh God my Father, brothers and sisters, protect us against all who try to cause harm in the Roman Catholic Church and also in the other churches, Amen Please protect us against the forces of evil who try to create chaos and divisions within. Amen.
² He dared to designate as a plotter against the government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector of his compatriots, and a zealot for the laws.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 2)² He dared to designate as a plotter against the government the man who was the benefactor of the city, the protector of his compatriots, and a zealot for the laws.
Oh God my Father, this year 2019 has been a turbulent one full of corruption and instability, people of trust ended up in awkward situations that compromised their integrity. I pray for such people and I also pray that You make Malta a united island as before Amen both socially and more spiritually Amen.
³ When his hatred progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one of Simon's approved agents, ⁴ Onias recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollonius son of Menestheus, and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia was intensifying the malice of Simon.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4)
Oh, brothers and sisters, hatred drives us crazy. It affects how we think and behave, and takes control of our real self. I pray that when we are in such a deep state of sin You save us, my God and Father Amen.
⁵ So he appealed to the king, not accusing his compatriots but having in view the welfare, both public and private of all the people.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 5)
Oh God my Father this should be our attitude and course of action when in confrontation with others. We are not to be judgemental towards others but consider the other's welfare instead of doing or saying something that might cause harm on them or they're well being Amen.
⁶ For he saw that without the king's attention public affairs could not again reach a peaceful settlement and that Simon would not stop his folly.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 6)
Oh God my Father even though You are invisible to our human eyes, in You and by means of You all order is found and all fulfilment that has Your blessing and approval is found Amen. I pray that all rulers of this earth base their rules and regulations on a Christian foundation as supported by the Word of God amen and as upheld by the Roman Catholic Church and also by other churches.
⁷ When Seleucus died and Antiochus who was called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption, ⁸ promising the king at an interview three hundred sixty talents of silver, and from another source of revenue eighty talents.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 7 to 8)
Money oh God can buy many things that are of this world, however, it has no strength against spiritual issues for such cannot be purchased with money. I pray that the Roman Catholic Church and other churches be cleansed from any possible traces of corruption Amen.
⁹ In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enroll the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 9)
Oh God my Father I pray that You bring to an end this wave of corruption that is destroying the world making it prone and vulnerable to sin. Help us realise that by using money we cannot make what is wrong appear as if it is good and healthy Amen.
¹⁰ When the king assented and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his compatriots over to the Greek way of life.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 10)
Dear God I pray that world leaders do not use their political power in order to influence or in some way discourage our faith in You Amen.
¹¹ He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the law.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 11)
Oh God, my Father, this is politics. It is a never-ending story, one Prime Minister succeeds another and new laws are introduced such as abortion, and the right of adoption for people with gay tendencies, The structure of the nuclear family that we have been accustomed to is slowly disintegrating Amen.
¹² He took delight in establishing a gymnasium right under the citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 12)
Oh God my Father I pray that all governments respect our faith and cease from introducing means and ways that are contrary to our belief in You and that disrupt the social order as You meant it to be. Amen.
¹³ There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, who was ungodly and no true high priest, ¹⁴ that the priests were no longer intent upon their service at the altar. Despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hurried to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the signal for the discus-throwing, ¹⁵ disdaining the honors prized by their ancestors and putting the highest value upon Greek forms of prestige.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 13 to 15)
Oh God my Father these verses are a fair warning for those priests who are participating in the material world as in sports and television programmes. I pray that such people do not lack in their spiritual obligations but pursue on the pathway of holiness and servitude towards the Church and us the laity Amen.
¹⁶ For this reason heavy disaster overtook them, and those whose ways of living they admired and wished to imitate completely became their enemies and punished them.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 16)
Oh God my Father it is for this reason that we are experiencing this new virus that is claiming the lives of many people. We have become worldly and we are imitating the ways of the world instead of the ways of the kingdom. We are following the lifestyles of our worldly idols which lead to our ruin instead of to our glory as You wish us to be in Amen.
¹⁷ It is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws-a fact that later events will make clear.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 17)
Oh God, my Father today we are taking spiritual things lightly even though You are making us more aware that our spiritual relationship with You is what really matters both in this life and much more after we depart from this world Amen.
¹⁸ When the quadrennial games were being held at Tyre and the king was present, ¹⁹ the vile Jason sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochian citizens from Jerusalem, to carry three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules. Those who carried the money, however, thought best not to use it for sacrifice, because that was inappropriate.²⁰ So this money was intended by the sender for the sacrifice to Hercules, but by the decision of its carriers, it was applied to the construction of triremes.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 18 to 20)
Oh God what is invested in sin will be reaped in sin, however what is invested in goodness will also be reaped in goodness. As in the case, the primary intentions were negative and the reached end was even worse because the money which was intended to build the profane statue of Hercules was stolen or misappropriated in order to construct the ships, the triremes.
²¹ When Apollonius son of Menestheus was sent to Egypt for the coronation of Philometor as king, Antiochus learned that Philometor had become hostile to his government, and he took measures for his own security. Therefore upon arriving at Joppa he proceeded to Jerusalem. ²² He was welcomed magnificently by Jason and the city, and ushered in with a blaze of torches and with shouts. Then he marched his army into Phoenicia.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God my Father as You know there are people who give personal interest and well being a priority over the well-being of others. As humans, we have a strong tendency to be selfish. On the other hand, we need to be aware that we might aim to grow in our spiritual relationship with God on a personal level however at the same time disregarding the needs and well-being of others.
I pray oh God that my relationship with You will never be self-centred. I wish to keep on sharing these posts with others so that together we can keep on growing as one body of Christ Amen.
²³ After a period of three years Jason sent Menelaus, the brother of the previously mentioned Simon, to carry the money to the king and to complete the records of essential business. ²⁴ But he, when presented to the king, extolled him with an air of authority, and secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 23 to 24)
Oh God my Father the issue of power was always present in the history of the world. It has been used and abused many times. I pray for leaders who are just and transparent in their administration, who have and apply Your values during their reign or administration Amen.
²⁵After receiving the king's orders he returned, possessing no qualification for the high priesthood, but having the hot temper of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage wild beast.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 25)
As You Yourself told us many times my God and Father, there are good shepherds such as Yourself and their are also impostors, who preach theology and philosophy have many good arguments but little faith and spirituality Amen.
³ When his hatred progressed to such a degree that even murders were committed by one of Simon's approved agents, ⁴ Onias recognized that the rivalry was serious and that Apollonius son of Menestheus, and governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia was intensifying the malice of Simon.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 3 to 4)
Oh, brothers and sisters, hatred drives us crazy. It affects how we think and behave, and takes control of our real self. I pray that when we are in such a deep state of sin You save us, my God and Father Amen.
⁵ So he appealed to the king, not accusing his compatriots but having in view the welfare, both public and private of all the people.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 5)
Oh God my Father this should be our attitude and course of action when in confrontation with others. We are not to be judgemental towards others but consider the other's welfare instead of doing or saying something that might cause harm on them or they're well being Amen.
⁶ For he saw that without the king's attention public affairs could not again reach a peaceful settlement and that Simon would not stop his folly.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 6)
Oh God my Father even though You are invisible to our human eyes, in You and by means of You all order is found and all fulfilment that has Your blessing and approval is found Amen. I pray that all rulers of this earth base their rules and regulations on a Christian foundation as supported by the Word of God amen and as upheld by the Roman Catholic Church and also by other churches.
⁷ When Seleucus died and Antiochus who was called Epiphanes, succeeded to the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias obtained the high priesthood by corruption, ⁸ promising the king at an interview three hundred sixty talents of silver, and from another source of revenue eighty talents.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 7 to 8)
Money oh God can buy many things that are of this world, however, it has no strength against spiritual issues for such cannot be purchased with money. I pray that the Roman Catholic Church and other churches be cleansed from any possible traces of corruption Amen.
⁹ In addition to this he promised to pay one hundred fifty more if permission were given to establish by his authority a gymnasium and a body of youth for it, and to enroll the people of Jerusalem as citizens of Antioch.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 9)
Oh God my Father I pray that You bring to an end this wave of corruption that is destroying the world making it prone and vulnerable to sin. Help us realise that by using money we cannot make what is wrong appear as if it is good and healthy Amen.
¹⁰ When the king assented and Jason came to office, he at once shifted his compatriots over to the Greek way of life.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 10)
Dear God I pray that world leaders do not use their political power in order to influence or in some way discourage our faith in You Amen.
¹¹ He set aside the existing royal concessions to the Jews, secured through John the father of Eupolemus, who went on the mission to establish friendship and alliance with the Romans; and he destroyed the lawful ways of living and introduced new customs contrary to the law.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 11)
Oh God, my Father, this is politics. It is a never-ending story, one Prime Minister succeeds another and new laws are introduced such as abortion, and the right of adoption for people with gay tendencies, The structure of the nuclear family that we have been accustomed to is slowly disintegrating Amen.
¹² He took delight in establishing a gymnasium right under the citadel, and he induced the noblest of the young men to wear the Greek hat.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 12)
Oh God my Father I pray that all governments respect our faith and cease from introducing means and ways that are contrary to our belief in You and that disrupt the social order as You meant it to be. Amen.
¹³ There was such an extreme of Hellenization and increase in the adoption of foreign ways because of the surpassing wickedness of Jason, who was ungodly and no true high priest, ¹⁴ that the priests were no longer intent upon their service at the altar. Despising the sanctuary and neglecting the sacrifices, they hurried to take part in the unlawful proceedings in the wrestling arena after the signal for the discus-throwing, ¹⁵ disdaining the honors prized by their ancestors and putting the highest value upon Greek forms of prestige.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 13 to 15)
Oh God my Father these verses are a fair warning for those priests who are participating in the material world as in sports and television programmes. I pray that such people do not lack in their spiritual obligations but pursue on the pathway of holiness and servitude towards the Church and us the laity Amen.
¹⁶ For this reason heavy disaster overtook them, and those whose ways of living they admired and wished to imitate completely became their enemies and punished them.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 16)
Oh God my Father it is for this reason that we are experiencing this new virus that is claiming the lives of many people. We have become worldly and we are imitating the ways of the world instead of the ways of the kingdom. We are following the lifestyles of our worldly idols which lead to our ruin instead of to our glory as You wish us to be in Amen.
¹⁷ It is no light thing to show irreverence to the divine laws-a fact that later events will make clear.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 17)
Oh God, my Father today we are taking spiritual things lightly even though You are making us more aware that our spiritual relationship with You is what really matters both in this life and much more after we depart from this world Amen.
¹⁸ When the quadrennial games were being held at Tyre and the king was present, ¹⁹ the vile Jason sent envoys, chosen as being Antiochian citizens from Jerusalem, to carry three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules. Those who carried the money, however, thought best not to use it for sacrifice, because that was inappropriate.²⁰ So this money was intended by the sender for the sacrifice to Hercules, but by the decision of its carriers, it was applied to the construction of triremes.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 18 to 20)
Oh God what is invested in sin will be reaped in sin, however what is invested in goodness will also be reaped in goodness. As in the case, the primary intentions were negative and the reached end was even worse because the money which was intended to build the profane statue of Hercules was stolen or misappropriated in order to construct the ships, the triremes.
²¹ When Apollonius son of Menestheus was sent to Egypt for the coronation of Philometor as king, Antiochus learned that Philometor had become hostile to his government, and he took measures for his own security. Therefore upon arriving at Joppa he proceeded to Jerusalem. ²² He was welcomed magnificently by Jason and the city, and ushered in with a blaze of torches and with shouts. Then he marched his army into Phoenicia.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 21 to 22)
Oh God my Father as You know there are people who give personal interest and well being a priority over the well-being of others. As humans, we have a strong tendency to be selfish. On the other hand, we need to be aware that we might aim to grow in our spiritual relationship with God on a personal level however at the same time disregarding the needs and well-being of others.
I pray oh God that my relationship with You will never be self-centred. I wish to keep on sharing these posts with others so that together we can keep on growing as one body of Christ Amen.
²³ After a period of three years Jason sent Menelaus, the brother of the previously mentioned Simon, to carry the money to the king and to complete the records of essential business. ²⁴ But he, when presented to the king, extolled him with an air of authority, and secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verses 23 to 24)
Oh God my Father the issue of power was always present in the history of the world. It has been used and abused many times. I pray for leaders who are just and transparent in their administration, who have and apply Your values during their reign or administration Amen.
²⁵After receiving the king's orders he returned, possessing no qualification for the high priesthood, but having the hot temper of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a savage wild beast.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 25)
As You Yourself told us many times my God and Father, there are good shepherds such as Yourself and their are also impostors, who preach theology and philosophy have many good arguments but little faith and spirituality Amen.
²⁶ So Jason, who after supplanting his own brother was supplanted by another man, was driven as a fugitive into the land of Ammon.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 26)
Oh God my Father I thank You for being our judge who acts in justice unlike human beings. I thank You for taking my situations into Your hands and turning them for my advantage in a just way, Amen.
²⁷ Although Menelaus continued to hold the office, he did not pay regularly any of the money promised to the king.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 27)
Oh God my Father I pray that we give to You what is due to You and to the world what is due to the world. I pray that we strike a balance and not give priority to the World Amen.
²⁸ When Sostratus the captain of the citadel kept requesting payment-for the collection of the revenue was his responsibility-the two of them were summoned by the king on account of this issue.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 28)
Oh God my Father I pray that when I am summoned to appear before You or anybody else I will be found true and reliable Amen.
²⁹ Menelaus left his own brother Lysimachus as deputy in the high priesthood, while Sostratus left Crates, the commander of the Cyprian troops.
(The Second Book of Maccabees Chapter 4 verse 29)
Oh God my Father this is a time for many changes in hierarchy both in the political sector and in the private. I pray for all the new leaders or prospective leaders to be given the gift to carry out their new roles Amen.
