13. And these same things were set down in the memoirs and commentaries of Nehemias: and how he made a library, and gathered together out of the countries, the books both of the prophets, and of David, and the epistles of the kings, and concerning the holy gifts.
14. And in like manner Judas also gathered together all such things as were lost by the war we had, and they are in our possession.
15. Wherefore if you want these things, send some that may fetch them to you.
16. As we are then about to celebrate the purification, we have written unto you: and you shall do well, if you keep the same days.
17. And we hope that God who hath delivered his people, and hath rendered to all the inheritance, and the kingdom, and the priesthood, and the sanctuary,
18. As he promised in the law, will shortly have mercy upon us, and will gather us together from every land under heaven into the holy place.
19. For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed the place.
20. Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication o the altar:
21. As also the wars against Antioch the Illustrious, and his son Eupator:
22. And the manifestations that from heaven to them, that behaved themselves manfully on the behalf of the Jews, so that, being but a few, they made themselves masters of the whole country, and put to flight; the barbarous multitude:
23. And recovered again the most renowned temple in all the world, and delivered the city, and restored the laws that were abolished, the Lord with all clemency shewing mercy to them.
24. And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book.
25. For considering the multitude of books, and the difficulty that they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of the matter,
26. We have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read, that it might be a pleasure of mind: and for the studious, that they may more easily commit to memory: and that all that read might receive profit.
27. And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of abridging, we have taken in hand no easy task, yea rather a business full of watching and sweat.