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Likewise Solomon also kept the eight days.
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The same things are reported in the records and in the memoirs of Nehemiah, and also that he founded a library and collected the books about the kings and prophets, and the writings of David, and letters of kings about votive offerings.
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In the same way Judas also collected all the books that had been lost on account of the war which had come upon us, and they are in our possession.
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So if you have need of them, send people to get them for you.
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Since, therefore, we are about to celebrate the purification, we write to you. Will you therefore please keep the days?
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It is God who has saved all his people, and has returned the inheritance to all, and the kingship and priesthood and consecration,
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as he promised through the law. For we have hope in God that he will soon have mercy upon us and will gather us from everywhere under heaven into his holy place, for he has rescued us from great evils and has purified the place.
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The story of Judas Maccabeus and his brothers, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar,
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and further the wars against Antiochus Epiphanes and his son Eupator,
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and the appearances which came from heaven to those who strove zealously on behalf of Judaism, so that though few in number they seized the whole land and pursued the barbarian hordes,
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and recovered the temple famous throughout the world and freed the city and restored the laws that were about to be abolished, while the Lord with great kindness became gracious to them --