2 Maccabees 15:39 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

³⁹ For just as it is harmful to drink wine alone or, again, to drink water alone, while wine already mixed with water is delicious and enhances one’s enjoyment, so also the style of the story delights the ears of those who read the work. And here will be the end. (b) The books from 1 Esdras through 3 Maccabees are recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Greek and the Russian Orthodox Churches. They are not so recognized by the Roman Catholic Church, but 1 Esdras and the Prayer of Manasseh (together with 2 Esdras) are placed in an appendix to the Latin Vulgate Bible.

More versions

Common English Bible

³⁹ Just as it is harmful to drink wine or water alone while wine mixed with water is delightful and produces joy, so also may the writing of this story delight the ears of those who encounter this work. The end.

Catholic Public Domain Version

³⁹ And, indeed, if I have done well, so as to have made an adequate history, this also is what I wanted. But if it is less than worthy, may it be permitted me.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

³⁹ Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.

Good News Translation (US Version)

³⁹ We know it is unhealthy to drink wine or water alone, whereas wine mixed with water makes a delightfully tasty drink. So also a good story skillfully written gives pleasure to those who read it. With this I conclude.

World English Bible - American English Edition - without Strong's Numbers

³⁹ For as it is distasteful to drink wine alone and likewise to drink water alone, while the mingling of wine with water at once gives full pleasantness to the flavor; so also the fashioning of the language delights the ears of those who read the story. Here is the end.

2 Maccabees 15:39 Cross References