Saint Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor

10There came out of them a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the one hundred thirty seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 11In those days transgressors of the law came out of Israel and persuaded many, saying, “Let’s go make a covenant with the Gentiles around us; for since we were separated from them many evils have befallen us.” 12That proposal was good in their eyes. 13Some of the people eagerly went to the king, and he authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. 14So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the laws of the Gentiles. 15They made themselves uncircumcised, forsook the holy covenant, joined themselves to the Gentiles, and sold themselves to do evil.

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41King Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, 42and that each should forsake his own laws. All the nations agreed according to the word of the king. 43Many of Israel consented to his worship, sacrificed to the idols, and profaned the Sabbath.

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54On the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty fifth year, they built an abomination of desolation upon the altar, and in the cities of Judah on every side they built idol altars. 55At the doors of the houses and in the streets they burned incense. 56They tore up the books of the law which they found and set them on fire. 57Anyone who was found with any book of the covenant, and if any consented to the law, the king’s sentence delivered him to death.

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62Many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat unclean things. 63They chose to die, that they might not be defiled with the food, and that they might not profane the holy covenant; and they died.

53Indignation has taken hold on me,

because of the wicked who forsake your law.

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61The ropes of the wicked bind me,

but I won’t forget your law.

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134Redeem me from the oppression of man,

so I will observe your precepts.

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150They draw near who follow after wickedness.

They are far from your law.

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155Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they don’t seek your statutes.

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158I look at the faithless with loathing,

because they don’t observe your word.

35As he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging. 36Hearing a multitude going by, he asked what this meant. 37They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38He cried out, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 39Those who led the way rebuked him, that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Standing still, Jesus commanded him to be brought to him. When he had come near, he asked him, 41“What do you want me to do?” He said, “Lord, that I may see again.” 42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.