5
The altar also was filled with profane things, which the law forbiddeth.
6
Neither was it lawful for a man to keep Sabbath days or ancient feasts, or to profess himself at all to be a Jew.
7
And on the day of the king's birth, every month they were brought under bitter constraint to eat of the sacrifices; and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, the Jews were compelled to go in procession to Bacchus, carrying ivy.
8
Moreover, by the suggestion of Ptolemy, there went out a decree to the neighboring cities of the heathen against the Jews: that they should observe the same customs and be partakers of their sacrifices;
9
and whoso would not conform themselves to the manners of the Gentiles should be put to death. Then might a man have seen the present misery.
10
For there were two women brought who had circumcised their children; and when they had been openly led round about the city with the babes hanging at their breasts, they cast them down headlong from the wall.
11
And others who had run together into caves near by to keep the Sabbath day secretly, being discovered by Philip, were all burned together, because they had a conscience against helping themselves because of the honor of the most sacred day.
12
Now I beseech those who read this book that they be not discouraged by these calamities, but that they judge those punishments not to be for destruction, but as a chastening of our nation.
13
For it is a token of His great goodness when wicked doers are not suffered any long time, but forthwith punished.
14
For as with other nations, whom the Lord patiently forbeareth to punish till they have come to the fullness of their sins, so He dealeth not with us,
15
lest that, having come to the height of sin, afterwards He should take vengeance on us.