2 Maccabees 2:25-27

Common English Bible

²⁵ We aimed, therefore, to provide something amusing for those who want to read, to make it easy for those inclined to commit facts to memory, and to offer something useful to all those who happen to pick up the scroll. ²⁶ For those of us who engage in the strenuous task of abbreviation, it isn’t easy but involves sweat and loss of sleep, ²⁷ just as it isn’t easy to prepare a banquet for the enjoyment of others. Nevertheless, in order to gain the praise of many, we endure the task cheerfully.