For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed the place. 20Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar: 21As also the wars against Antiochus, the Illustrious, and his son, Eupator: 22And the manifestations that came 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: 23And 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. 24And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason, of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book. 25For 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, 26We 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. 27And 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. 28But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour. 29Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be brief. 30For as the master builder of a new house must have care of the whole building: but he that taketh care to paint it, must seek out fit things for the adorning of it: so must it be judged of us. 31For to collect all that is to be known, to put the discourse in order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of the author of a history: 32But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment.