| Latin from "Nova Vulgata" |
Liber II Maccabaeorum
Chapter 1 |
English: King James |
|
Chapter 1 | |
| 1 Fratribus, qui sunt per Aegyptum, Iudaeis salutem dicunt fratres, qui sunt in Hierosolymis Iudaei et qui in regione Iudaeae, pacem bonam. | 1:1. To the brethren, the Jews that are throughout Egypt; the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the land of Judea, send health and good peace. |
| 2 Et benefaciat vobis Deus et meminerit testamenti sui, quod locutus est ad Abraham et Isaac et Iacob servorum suorum fidelium; | 1:2. May God be gracious to you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants: |
| 3 et det vobis cor omnibus, ut colatis eum et faciatis eius voluntatem corde magno et animo volenti; | 1:3. And give you all a heart to worship him, and to do his will with a great heart, and a willing mind. |
| 4 et adaperiat cor vestrum in lege sua et in praeceptis suis et faciat pacem; | 1:4. May he open your heart in his law, and in his commandments, and send you peace. |
| 5 et exaudiat orationes vestras et reconcilietur vobis nec vos deserat in tempore malo. | 1:5. May he hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never forsake you in the evil time. |
| 6 Et nunc hic sumus orantes pro vobis. | 1:6. And now here we are praying for you. |
| 7 Regnante Demetrio, anno centesimo sexagesimo nono, nos Iudaei scripsimus vobis in tribulatione et impetu, qui supervenit nobis in istis annis, ex quo recessit Iason et, qui cum eo erant, a sancta terra et a regno | 1:7. When Demetrius reigned, in the year one hundred and sixty-nine, we Jews wrote to you in the trouble and violence that came upon us in those years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy land, and from the kingdom. |
| 8 et portam succenderunt et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem; et oravimus ad Dominum et exauditi sumus et obtulimus sacrificia et similaginem et accendimus lucernas et proposuimus panes. | 1:8. They burnt the gate, and shed innocent blood: then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard, and we offered sacrifices, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves. |
| 9 Et nunc ut frequentetis dies Scenopegiae mensis Casleu, | 1:9. And now celebrate ye the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu. Scenopegia... Viz., the Encenia, or feast of the dedication of the altar, called here Scenopegia, or feast of tabernacles, from being celebrated with the like solemnity. |
| 10 anno centesimo octogesimo octavo. Qui sunt Hierosolymis et in Iudaea, senatusque et Iudas Aristobulo magistro Ptolemaei regis, qui est de genere christorum sacerdotum, et his, qui in Aegypto sunt, Iudaeis salutem et sanitatem. | 1:10. In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people that is at Jerusalem, and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the preceptor of king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews that are in Egypt, health and welfare. |
| 11 De magnis periculis a Deo liberati magnifice gratias agimus ipsi, utpote qui adversus regem dimicavimus; | 1:11. Having been delivered by God out of great dangers, we give him great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in war with such a king. Such a king... Viz., Antiochus Sidetes, who began to make war upon the Jews, whilst Simon was yet alive. 1 Mac. 15.39. And afterwards besieged Jerusalem under John Hircanus. So that the Judas here mentioned, ver. 10, is not Judas Machabeus, who was dead long before the year 188 of the kingdom of the Greeks, for he died in the year 146 of that epoch, (see above 1 Mac. chap. 2., ver. 70, also the note on chap. 1, ver. 2,) but either Judas the eldest son of John Hircanus, or Judas the Essene, renowned for the gift of prophecy, who flourished about that time. |
| 12 ipse enim effervere fecit eos, qui pugnaverunt contra sanctam civitatem. | 1:12. For he made numbers of men swarm out of Persia, that have fought against us, and the holy city. |
| 13 Nam cum in Perside esset dux ipse et qui cum ipso videbatur esse intolerabilis exercitus, concisi sunt in templo Naneae, fraude utentibus sacerdotibus Naneae. | 1:13. For when the leader himself was in Persia, and with him a very great army, he fell in the temple of Nanea, being deceived by the counsel of the priests of Nanea. Nanea... A Persian goddess, which some have taken for Diana, others for Venus. |
| 14 Etenim quasi cum ea habitaturus venit ad locum Antiochus et, qui cum ipso erant, amici, ut acciperet pecunias multas dotis nomine. | 1:14. For Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he would marry her, and that he might receive great sums of money under the title of a dowry. |
| 15 Cumque proposuissent eas sacerdotes Naneae, et ipse cum paucis ingressus esset intra ambitum fani, clauserunt templum; cum intrasset Antiochus, | 1:15. And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a small company had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple, |
| 16 aperto occulto aditu laquearis, mittentes lapides percusserunt ducem et diviserunt membratim et, capitibus amputatis, foras proiecerunt. | 1:16. When Antiochus was come in: and opening a secret entrance of the temple, they cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with him, and hewed them in pieces; and cutting off their heads, they threw them forth. |
| 17 Per omnia benedictus Deus, qui tradidi | 1:17. Blessed be God in all things, who hath delivered up the wicked. |
| 18 Facturi igitur quinta et vicesima die mensis Casleu purificationem templi, necessarium duximus significare vobis, ut et vos quoque agatis diem Scenopegiae et ignis, qui datus est, quando Nehemias, aedificato templo et altari, obtulit sacrificia. | 1:18. Therefore, whereas we purpose to keep the purification of the temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu, we thought it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when Nehemias offered sacrifice, after the temple and the altar was built. |
| 19 Nam cum in Persidem ducerentur patres nostri, sacerdotes, qui tunc cultores Dei erant, acceptum ignem de altari occulte absconderunt in cavo putei situm habentis siccum, in quo contutati sunt eum, ita ut omnibus ignotus esset locus. | 1:19. For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that then were worshippers of God, took privately the fire from the altar, and hid it in a valley where there was a deep pit without water, and there they kept it safe, so that the place was unknown to all men. Persia ... Babylonia, called here Persia, from being afterwards a part of the Persian empire. |
| 20 Cum autem praeterissent anni multi, et placuit Deo, ut mitteretur Nehemias a rege Persidis, nepotes sacerdotum illorum, qui absconderant, misit ad ignem. | 1:20. But when many years had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent by the king of Persia, he sent some of the posterity of those priests that had hid it, to seek for the fire: and as they told us, they found no fire, but thick water. |
| 21 Sicut narraverunt nobis, non invenerunt ignem sed aquam crassam. Et iussit eos haurire et afferre. Utque imposita sunt sacrificia, iussit sacerdotes Nehemias aspergere aqua et ligna et, quae erant superposita. | 1:21. Then he bade them draw it up, and bring it to him: and the priest, Nehemias, commanded the sacrifices that were laid on, to be sprinkled with the same water, both the wood, and the things that were laid upon it. |
| 22 Utque hoc factum est, et tempus transiit, et sol refulsit, qui prius erat in nubilo, accensus est ignis magnus, ita ut omnes mirarentur. | 1:22. And when this was done, and the time came that the sun shone out, which before was in a cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that all wondered. |
| 23 Orationem autem faciebant sacerdotes, dum consummaretur sacrificium: et sacerdotes et omnes, Ionatha inchoante, ceteris autem respondentibus ut Nehemias. | 1:23. And all the priests made prayer, while the sacrifice was consuming, Jonathan beginning, and the rest answering. |
| 24 Erat autem oratio hunc habens modum: " Domine, Domine Deus, omnium creator, terribilis et fortis, iustus et misericors, qui solus es rex et bonus, | 1:24. And the prayer of Nehemias was after this manner: O Lord God, Creator of all things, dreadful and strong, just and merciful, who alone art the good king, |
| 25 solus praestans, solus iustus et omnipotens et aeternus; qui liberas Israel de omni malo, qui fecisti patres electos et sanctificasti eos, | 1:25. Who alone art gracious, who alone art just, and almighty, and eternal, who deliverest Israel from all evil, who didst choose the fathers, and didst sanctify them: |
| 26 accipe sacrificium pro universo populo tuo Israel et custodi partem tuam et sanctifica. | 1:26. Receive the sacrifice for all thy people Israel, and preserve thy own portion, and sanctify it. |
| 27 Congrega dispersionem nostram, libera eos, qui serviunt gentibus, et contemptos et abominatos respice, ut sciant gentes quia tu es Deus noster. | 1:27. Gather together our scattered people, deliver them that are slaves to the Gentiles, and look upon them that are despised and abhorred: that the Gentiles may know that thou art our God |
| 28 Afflige opprimentes nos et contumeliam facientes in superbia. | 1:28. Punish them that oppress us, and that treat us injuriously with pride. |
| 29 Constitue populum tuum in loco sancto tuo, sicut dixit Moyses ". | 1:29. Establish thy people in thy holy place, as Moses hath spoken. |
| 30 Sacerdotes autem psallebant hymnos. | 1:30. And the priests sung hymns till the sacrifice was consumed. |
| 31 Cum autem consumptum esset sacrificium, ex residua aqua Nehemias iussit lapides maiores perfundi | 1:31 .And when the sacrifice was consumed, Nehemias commanded the water that was left to be poured out upon the great stones. |
| 32 quod ut factum est, flamma accensa est, sed a lumine, quod refulsit ex altari, consumpta est. | 1:32. Which being done, there was kindled a flame from them: but it was consumed by the light that shined from the altar. |
| 33 Ut vero manifestata est res, et renuntiatum est regi Persarum quod in loco, in quo ignem absconderant hi, qui translati fuerant, sacerdotes, aqua apparuit, de qua Nehemias et, qui cum eo erant, purificaverunt ea, quae essent sacrificii, | 1:33. And when this matter became public, it was told to the king of Persia, that in the place where the priests that were led away, had hid the fire, there appeared water, with which Nehemias and they that were with him had purified the sacrifices. |
| 34 circumsaepiens autem rex et rem diligenter examinans, templum fecit. | 1:34. And the king considering, and diligently examining the matter, made a temple for it, that he might prove what had happened. A temple... That is, an enclosure, or a wall round about the place where the fire was hid, to separate it from profane uses, to the end that it might be respected as a holy place. |
| 35 Et quibus gratificabatur rex, multa dona accipiebat et tribuebat. | 1:35. And when he had proved it, he gave the priests many goods, and divers presents, and he took and distributed them to them with his own hand. |
| 36 Appellaverunt autem, qui cum Nehemia erant, hunc locum Nephthar, quod interpretatur Purificatio; vocatur autem apud plures Nephthai. | 1:36. And Nehemias called this place Nephthar, which is interpreted purification. But many call it Nephi. |
|
Chapter 2 1 Invenitur autem in descriptionibus quod Ieremias propheta iussit eos ignem accipere, qui transmigrabant, ut significatum est, |
Return to Top of Book 2:1.Now it is found in the descriptions of Jeremias, the prophet, that he commanded them that went into captivity, to take the fire, as it hath been signified, and how he gave charge to them that were carried away into captivity. The descriptions... That is, the records or memoirs of Jeremias, a work that is now lost. |
| 2 et ut mandavit propheta transmigratis dans illis legem, ne obliviscerentur praecepta Domini et ut non exerrarent mentibus videntes simulacra aurea et argentea et ornamenta eorum. | 2:2. And how he gave them the law, that they should not forget the commandments of the Lord, and that they should not err in their minds, seeing the idols of gold, and silver, and the ornaments of them. |
| 3 Et alia huiusmodi dicens hortabatur, ne legem amoverent a corde suo. | 2:3. And with other such like speeches, he exhorted them that they would not remove the law from their heart. |
| 4 Erat autem in ipsa scriptura quomodo tabernaculum et arcam iussit propheta, divino responso ad se facto, comitari secum, usquequo exiit in montem, in quo Moyses ascendit et vidit Dei hereditatem. | 2:4. It was also contained in the same writing, how the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle and the ark should accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where Moses went up, and saw the inheritance of God. |
| 5 Et veniens Ieremias invenit domum speluncae; et tabernaculum et arcam et altare incensi intulit illuc et ostium obstruxit. | 2:5. And when Jeremias came thither he found a hollow cave: and he carried in thither the tabernacle, and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door. |
| 6 Et accesserunt quidam ex his, qui simul sequebantur, ut notarent viam, et non potuerunt invenire. | 2:6 .Then some of them that followed him, came up to mark the place: but they could not find it. |
| 7 Ut autem cognovit Ieremias, culpans illos dixit quod ignotus erit locus, donec congreget Deus congregationem populi et misericordia fiat; | 2:7. And when Jeremias perceived it, he blamed them, saying: The place shall be unknown, till God gather together the congregation of the people, and receive them to mercy. |
| 8 et tunc Dominus ostendet haec, et apparebit maiestas Domini, et nubes erit, sicut et sub Moyse manifestabatur, sicut et Salomon petiit, ut locus sanctificaretur magnifice. | 2:8. And then the Lord will shew these things, and the majesty of the Lord shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shewed to Moses, and he shewed it when Solomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God. |
| 9 Manifestabatur autem et ut sapientiam habens obtulit sacrificium dedicationis et consummationis templi. | 2:9. For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise man, he offered the sacrifice of thc dedication, and of the finishing of the temple. |
| 10 Sicut et Moyses orabat ad Dominum, et descendit ignis de caelo et consumpsit sacrificia, sic et Salomon oravit, et descendit ignis de caelo et consumpsit holocausta. | 2:10. And as Moses prayed to the Lord, and fire came down from heaven, and consumed the holocaust: so Solomon also prayed, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the holocaust. |
| 11 Et dixit Moyses: " Eo quod non sit comestum, quod erat pro peccato, consumptum est ". | 2:11. And Moses said: Because the sin offering was not eaten, it was consumed. |
| 12 Similiter et Salomon octo dies celebravit. | 2:12. So Solomon also celebrated the dedication eight days. |
| 13 Inferebantur autem in descriptionibus et commentariis secundum Nehemiam haec eadem, et ut construens bibliothecam congregavit libros de regibus et prophetis et libros David et epistulas regum de donariis. | 2:13. 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 Similiter autem et Iudas ea, quae deciderant per bellum, quod nobis acciderat, congregavit omnia, et sunt apud nos. | 2:14. 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 Si ergo desideratis haec, mittite, qui perferant vobis. | 2:15. Wherefore, if you want these things, send some that may fetch them to you. |
| 16 Acturi itaque purificationem, scripsimus vobis; bene ergo facietis, si egeritis hos dies. | 2:16. 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. The purification... That is, the feast of the purifying or cleansing of the temple. |
| 17 Deus autem, qui liberavit universum populum suum et reddidit hereditatem omnibus et regnum et sacerdotium et sanctificationem, | 2:17. 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 sicut promisit in lege. Speramus enim in Deo quod cito nostri miserebitur et congregabit de sub caelo in locum sanctum; eripuit enim nos de magnis periculis et locum purgavit. | 2:18. 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. For he hath delivered us out of great perils, and hath cleansed the place. |
| 19 De Iuda vero Maccabaeo et fratribus eius et de templi magni purificatione et de arae dedicatione, | 2:20. Now as concerning Judas Machabeus, and his brethren, and the purification of the great temple, and the dedication of the altar: |
| 20 sed et de proeliis, quae pertinent ad Antiochum Epiphanem et filium eius Eupatorem, | 2:21. As also the wars against Antiochus, the Illustrious, and his son, Eupator: |
| 21 et de illuminationibus, quae de caelo factae sunt ad eos, qui generose pro Iudaismo fortiter fecerunt, ita ut universam regionem, cum pauci essent, vindicarent et barbaram multitudinem fugarent | 2:22. And 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: |
| 22 et famosissimum in toto orbe templum recuperarent et civitatem liberarent et leges, quae futurum erat ut abolerentur, restituerentur, Domino cum omni clementia propitio facto illis, | 2:23. And recovered again thc 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. |
| 23 quae omnia ab Iasone Cyrenaeo quinque libris declarata sunt, tentavimus nos uno volumine breviare. | 2:24. And all such things as have been comprised in five books by Jason, of Cyrene, we have attempted to abridge in one book. |
| 24 Considerantes enim multitudinem numerorum et difficultatem, quae adest volentibus aggredi narrationes historiarum propter multitudinem rerum, | 2:25. 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, |
| 25 curavimus volentibus quidem legere, ut esset animi oblectatio, studiosis vero, ut facilius possint memoriae commendare, omnibus autem legentibus utilitas conferatur. | 2:26. 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. |
| 26 Et nobis quidem ipsis, qui hoc opus breviandi causa suscepimus, non facilem laborem, immo vero negotium plenum vigiliarum et sudoris assumpsimus. | 2:27. 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. No easy task, etc... The spirit of God, that assists the sacred penmen, does not exempt them from labour in seeking out the matter which they are to treat of, and the order and manner in which they are to deliver it. So St. Luke writ the gospel having diligently attained to all things. Luke 1. ver. 3. |
| 27 Sicut praeparanti convivium et quaerenti aliorum utilitatem non facile est, tamen propter multorum gratiam libenter laborem sustinebimus, | 2:28. But as they that prepare a feast, and seek to satisfy the will of others: for the sake of many, we willingly undergo the labour. |
| 28 accurate quidem de singulis elaborare auctori concedentes, ipsi autem persequi datam formam brevitati studentes. | 2:29. Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and as for ourselves, according to the plan proposed, studying to be brief. |
| 29 Sicut enim novae domus architecto de universa structura curandum est, ei vero, qui inurere et pingere curat, quae apta sunt ad ornatum exquirenda sunt, ita aestimo et in nobis. | 2:30. For 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. |
| 30 Inire quidem et deambulacrum facere verborum et curiosius partes singulas quasque disquirere historiae congruit auctori; | 2:31. For 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: |
| 31 brevitatem vero dictionis sectari et exsecutionem rerum vitare brevianti concedendum est. | 2:32. But to pursue brevity of speech, and to avoid nice declarations of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgment. |
| 32 Hinc ergo narrationem incipiemus, praedictis tantulo subiuncto; stultum etenim est ante historiam efffluere, ipsam autem historiam concidere. | 2:33. Here then we will begin the narration: let this be enough by way of a preface: for it is a foolish thing to make a long prologue, and to be short in the story itself. |
|
Chapter 3 1 Cum sancta civitas habitaretur cum omni pace, et leges quam optime custodirentur propter Oniae pontificis pietatem et odium malitiae, |
Return to Top of Book 3:1. Therefore, when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept, because of the godliness of Onias, the high priest and the hatred his soul had of evil, |
| 2 fiebat ut et ipsi reges locum honorarent et templum maximis muneribus illustrarent, | 3:2. It came to pass that even the kings themselves and the princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the temple with very great gifts: |
| 3 ita ut Seleucus quoque Asiae rex de redditibus suis praestaret omnes sumptus ad ministeria sacrificiorum pertinentes. | 3:3. So that Seleucus, king of Asia, allowed out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the sacrifices. Seleucus... Son of Antiochus the Great, and elder brother of Antiochus Epiphanes. |
| 4 Simon autem de tribu Belgae praepositus templi constitutus dissentiebat a principe sacerdotum de dispensatione in civitate. | 3:4. But one Simon, of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring about some unjust thing in the city. |
| 5 Et cum vincere Oniam non posset, venit ad Apollonium Tharseae filium, qui eo tempore erat dux Coelesyriae et Phoenicis, | 3:5. And when he could not overcome Onias, he went to Apollonius, the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria, and Phenicia: |
| 6 et nuntiavit pecuniis inenarrabilibus plenum esse aerarium Hierosolymis, ita ut multitudo vectigalium innumerabilis esset et ea non pertinere ad rationem sacrificiorum; esse autem possibile sub potestate regis haec cadere. | 3:6. And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hands. |
| 7 Collocutus autem Apollonius cum rege, de indicatis sibi pecuniis aperuit; at ille vocans Heliodorum, qui erat super negotia, misit datis mandatis, ut praedictam pecuniam transportaret. | 3:7. Now when Apollonius had given the king notice concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the foresaid money. |
| 8 Statimque Heliodorus iter est aggressus, specie quidem quasi per Coelesyriam et Phoenicen civitates esset peragraturus, re vera autem regis propositum perfecturus. | 3:8. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under a colour of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose. |
| 9 Sed cum venisset Hierosolymam et benigne a summo sacerdote civitatis esset exceptus, narravit de dato indicio, et cuius rei gratia adesset aperuit; interrogabat autem, si vere haec ita essent. | 3:9. And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed. |
| 10 Tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse viduarum et pupillorum; | 3:10. Then the high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the subsistence of the widows and the fatherless: |
| 11 quaedam vero esse Hircani Thobiae, viri valde eminentis, non sicut detulerat obtrectans impius Simon; universa autem argenti talenta esse quadringenta et auri ducenta; | 3:11. And that some part of that which wicked Simon had given intelligence of belonged to Hircanus, son of Tobias, a man of great dignity; and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold. |
| 12 decipi vero eos, qui credidissent loci sanctitati et honorati per universum mundum templi venerationi inviolabili tutelae, omnino impossibile esse. | 3:12. But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place and temple which is honoured throughout the whole world, for the reverence and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done. |
| 13 At ille, pro his, quae habebat, mandatis a rege, omnino dicebat in regium fiscum ea esse deferenda. | 3:13. But he, by reason of the orders he had received from the king, said, that by all means the money must be carried to the king. |
| 14 Constituta autem die, intrabat de his visitationem ordinaturus. Non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio. | 3:14. So on the day he had appointed, Heliodorus entered in to order this matter. But there was no small terror throughout the whole city. |
| 15 Sacerdotes autem ante altare cum stolis sacerdotalibus iactaverunt se et invocabant in caelum eum, qui de deposito legem posuit, ut his, qui deposuerant, ea salva custodiret. | 3:15. And the priests prostrated themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, and called upon him from heaven, who made the law concerning things given to be kept, that he would preserve them safe, for them that had deposited them. |
| 16 Erat autem, ut qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum, mente vulneraretur; facies enim et color immutatus declarabat internum animi dolorem. | 3:16. Now whosoever saw the countenance of the high priest, was wounded in heart: for his face, and the changing of his colour, declared the inward sorrow of his mind. |
| 17 Circumfusus enim erat metus quidam viro, et horror corporis, unde manifestus aspicientibus dolor instans cordi efficiebatur. | 3:17. For the man was so compassed with sadness and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that beheld him, what sorrow he had in his heart. |
| 18 Alii autem de domibus gregatim prosiliebant ad publicam supplicationem, pro eo quod in contemptum locus esset venturus. | 3:18. Others also came flocking together out of their houses, praying and making public supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt. |
| 19 Accinctaeque mulieres ciliciis sub mammis per vias confluebant; sed et virgines, quae conclusae erant, aliae quidem procurrebant ad ianuas, aliae autem ad muros, quaedam vero per fenestras aspiciebant; | 3:19. And the women, girded with haircloth about their breasts, came together in the streets. And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows. |
| 20 universae autem protendentes manus in caelum deprecabantur. | 3:20. And all holding up their hands towards heaven made supplication. |
| 21 Erat enim misereri commixtae multitudinis prostrationem et summi sacerdotis in magna agonia constituti exspectationem. | 3:21. For the expectation of the mixed multitude, and of the high priest, who was in an agony, would have moved any one to pity. |
| 22 Et hi quidem invocabant omnipotentem Dominum, ut credita salva his, qui crediderant, conservaret cum omni tutela. | 3:22. And these indeed called upon almighty God, to preserve the things that had been committed to them safe and sure for those that had committed them. |
| 23 Heliodorus autem, quod fuerat decretum, perficiebat. | 3:23. But Heliodorus executed that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with his guard about the treasury. |
| 24 Eodem loco, ipso cum satellitibus circa aerarium praesente, spirituum et omnis potestatis Dominus magnam fecit ostensionem, ita ut omnes, qui ausi fuerant convenire, perterriti virtute Dei in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur. | 3:24. But the spirit of the Almighty God gave a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him, falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread. |
| 25 Apparuit enim illis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem et optimo operimento adornatus; isque cum impetu invectus Heliodoro priores calces impegit; qui autem supersedebat, videbatur arma habere aurea. | 3:25. For there appeared to them a horse, with a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him seemed to have armour of gold. |
| 26 Alii etiam apparuerunt duo iuvenes virtute decori, optimi gloria speciosique amictu, qui etiam circumsteterunt eum et ex utraque parte flagellabant sine intermissione multas inferentes ei plagas. | 3:26. Moreover there appeared two other young men, beautiful and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes. |
| 27 Subito autem concidit in terram; eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapuerunt atque in sellam gestatoriam imposuerunt; | 3:27. And Heliodorus suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up, covered with great darkness, and having put him into a litter, they carried him out. |
| 28 et eum, qui cum multis cursoribus et satellitibus praedictum ingressus erat aerarium, portabant carentem auxilio ex armis constitutum, manifeste Dei virtutem cognoscentem. | 3:28. So he that came with many servants, and all his guard, into the aforesaid treasury, was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God being known. |
| 29 Et ille quidem per divinam virtutem iacebat mutus atque omni spe et salute privatus; | 3:29. And he indeed, by the power of God, lay speechless, and without all hope of recovery. |
| 30 hi autem Dominum benedicebant, qui magnificabat locum suum; et templum, quod paulo ante timore ac tumultu erat plenum, apparente omnipotente Domino, gaudio et laetitia impletum est. | 3:30. But they praised the Lord, because he had glorified his place: and the temple, that a little before was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness. |
| 31 Confestim vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant Oniam, ut invocaret Altissimum, ut vitam donaret ei, qui prorsus in supremo spiritu erat constitutus. | 3:31. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith begged of Onias, that he would call upon the Most High to grant him his life, who was ready to give up the ghost. |
| 32 Suspectus autem factus summus sacerdos, ne forte rex opinaretur malitiam aliquam ex Iudaeis circa Heliodorum consummatam, obtulit hostiam pro salute viri. | 3:32. So the high priest, considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the recovery of the man. |
| 33 Cumque summus sacerdos litationem perficeret, iidem iuvenes rursus apparuerunt Heliodoro eisdem vestibus amicti et astantes dixerunt: " Oniae summo sacerdoti multas gratias age, nam propter eum Dominus tibi vitam donavit; | 3:33. And when the high priest was praying, the same young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: Give thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life. |
| 34 tu autem a caelo flagellatus nuntia omnibus magnam Dei potestatem ". Et his dictis, non comparuerunt. | 3:34. And thou having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the great works and the power of God. And having spoken thus, they appeared no more. |
| 35 Heliodorus autem, hostia Domino oblata et votis magnis promissis ei, qui vivere concessit, et Oniam acceptum habens cum exercitu repedavit ad regem; | 3:35. So Heliodorus, after he had offered a sacrifice to God, and made great vows to him, that had granted him life, and given thanks to Onias, taking his troops with him, returned to the king. |
| 36 testabatur autem omnibus ea, quae sub oculis suis viderat, opera maximi Dei. | 3:36. And he testified to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his own eyes. |
| 37 Cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum, quis esset aptus adhuc semel Hierosolymam mitti, ait: | 3:37. And when the king asked Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once more to Jerusalem, he said: |
| 38 " Si quem habes hostem aut rerum insidiatorem, mitte eum illuc et flagellatum eum recipies, si tamen evaserit, eo quod in loco sit vere Dei quaedam virtus; | 3:38. If thou hast any enemy, or traitor to thy king dom, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him again scourged, if so be he escape: for there is undoubtedly in that place a certain power of God. |
| 39 nam ipse, qui habet in caelis habitationem, visitator et adiutor est loci illius et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit ac perdit ". | 3:39. For he that hath his dwelling in the heavens, is the visiter and protector of that place, and he striketh and destroyeth them that come to do evil to it. |
| 40 Igitur de Heliodoro et aerarii custodia ita res processerunt. | 3:40. And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of thc treasury, fell out in this manner |
|
Chapter 4 1 Simon autem praedictus, qui pecuniarum et patriae delator exstitit, male loquebatur de Onia, tamquam ipse Heliodorum instigasset et malorum auctor fuisset; |
Return to Top of Book 4:1. But Simon, of whom we spoke before, who was the betrayer of the money, and of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited Heliodorus to do these things, and had been the promoter of evils: |
| 2 benefactoremque civitatis et curatorem gentis suae et aemulatorem legum audebat insidiatorem rerum dicere. | 4:2. And he presumed to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided for the city, and defended his nation, and was zealous for the law of God. |
| 3 Sed cum inimicitia in tantum procederet, ut etiam per quendam eorum, qui a Simone probati essent, homicidia fierent, | 4:3. But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by some of Simon's friends: |
| 4 considerans Onias periculum contentionis et Apollonium Menesthei, ducem Coelesyriae et Phoenicis, augentem malitiam Simonis, | 4:4. Onias, considering the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyia, and Phenicia, was outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king, |
| 5 ad regem se contulit, non ut civium accusator, sed quod utile esset in commune et singulariter universae multitudinis prospiciens. | 4:5. Not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but with view to the common good of all the people. |
| 6 Videbat enim sine regali providentia impossibile esse pacem adhuc rebus obtingere, nec Simonem cessaturum a stultitia. | 4:6. For he saw that, except the king took care, it was impossible that matters should be settled in peace, or that Simon would cease from his folly. |
| 7 Sed post Seleuci vitae excessum, cum suscepisset regnum Antiochus, qui Epiphanes appellabatur, ambiebat Iason frater Oniae summum sacerdotium, | 4:7. But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the Illustrious, had taken possession of the kingdom, Jason, the brother of Onias, ambitiously sought the high priesthood: |
| 8 promittens regi per interpellationem argenti talenta trecenta sexaginta et ex reditu quodam alio talenta octoginta; | 4:8. And went to the king, promising him three hundred and sixty talents of silver, and out of other revenues fourscore talents. |
| 9 super haec autem promittebat et alia centum quinquaginta se perscripturum, si concederetur per potestatem eius gymnasium et ephebiam sibi constituere et eos, qui in Hierosolymis erant, Antiochenos scribere. | 4:9. Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might have license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth, and to entitle them that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians. |
| 10 Quod cum rex annuisset, et obtinuisset principatum, statim ad Graecam consuetudinem contribules suos transferre coepit. | 4:10. Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten the rule into his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his countrymen to the fashion of the heathens. |
| 11 Et, amotis his, quae humanitatis causa Iudaeis a regibus fuerant constituta per Ioannem patrem Eupolemi, qui apud Romanos de amicitia et societate functus est legatione, et legitima civium iura destituens, pravos mores innovabat. | 4:11. And abolishing those things, which had been decreed of special favour by the kings in behalf of the Jews, by the means of John, the father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome to make amity and alliance, he disannulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and brought in fashions that were perverse. |
| 12 Prompte enim sub ipsa arce gymnasium constituit et optimos quosque epheborum subigens sub petasum ducebat. | 4:12. For he had the boldness to set up, under the very castle, a place of exercise, and to put all the choicest youths in brothel houses. |
| 13 Erat autem sic culmen quoddam Graecae conversationis et profectus alienigenarum moris, propter impii et non summi sacerdotis Iasonis inauditam contaminationem, | 4:13. Now this was not the beginning, but an increase, and progress of heathenish and foreign manners, through the abominable and unheard of wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch, and no priest. |
| 14 ita ut sacerdotes iam non circa altaris officia dediti essent, sed contempto templo et sacrificiis neglectis, festinarent participes fieri iniquae in palaestra praebitionis post disci provocationem | 4:14. Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of the discus. |
| 15 et patrios quidem honores nihil habentes, Graecas autem glorias optimas aestimantes. | 4:15. And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Grecian glories for the best: |
| 16 Quarum gratia periculosa eos contentio habebat, et quorum instituta aemulabantur ac per omnia consimiles esse cupiebant, hos hostes et ultores habuerunt. | 4:16. For the sake of which they incurred a dangerous contention, and followed earnestly their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be like them, who were their enemies and murderers. |
| 17 In leges enim divinas impie agere non est facile, sed haec tempus sequens declarabit. | 4:17. For acting wickedly against the laws of God doth not pass unpunished: but this the time following will declare. |
| 18 Cum autem quinquennalis agon Tyri celebraretur, et rex praesens esset, | 4:18. Now when the game that was used every fifth year was kept at Tyre, the king being present, |
| 19 misit Iason facinorosus ab Hierosolymis spectatores Antiochenses portantes argenti drachmas trecentas in sacrificium Herculis; quas etiam postulaverunt hi, qui asportaverant, ne in sacrificium erogarentur, quia non oporteret, sed in alium sumptum eas deputari. | 4:19. The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men, to carry three hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the bearers thereof desired it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it was not necessary, but might be deputed for other charges. |
| 20 Sed haec ceciderunt: propter illum quidem, qui miserat, in sacrificium Herculis; propter eos autem, qui afferebant, in fabricam triremium. | 4:20. So the money was appointed by him that sent it to the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that carried it was employed for thc making of galleys. |
| 21 Misso autem in Aegyptum Apollonio Menesthei filio propter ascensum ad solium Philometoris regis, cum cognovisset Antiochus alienum se ab illius negotiis effectum, propriae securitati consuluit; inde cum Ioppen venisset, se contulit Hierosolymam. | 4:21. Now when Apollonius, the son of Mnestheus was sent into Egypt to treat with the nobles of king Philometor, and Antiochus understood that he was wholly excluded from the affairs of the kingdom, consulting his own interest, he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem. |
| 22 Et magnifice ab Iasone et civitate susceptus, cum facularum luminibus et acclamationibus introductus est; deinde sic in Phoenicen exercitum convertit. | 4:22. Where he was received in a magnificent manner by Jason, and the city, and came in with torch lights, and with praises, and from thence he returned with his army into Phenicia. |
| 23 Et post triennii tempus misit Iason Menelaum supradicti Simonis fratrem portantem pecunias regi et de negotiis necessariis commonitiones perlaturum. | 4:23. Three years afterwards Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the aforesaid Simon, to carry money to the king, and to bring answers from him concerning certain necessary affairs. |
| 24 At ille commendatus regi, cum se magnificasset facie potestatis, in semetipsum contulit summum sacerdotium superponens Iasoni talenta argenti trecenta; | 4:24. But he being recommended to the king, when he had magnified the appearance of his power, got the high priesthood for himself, by offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver. |
| 25 acceptisque regiis mandatis, venit nihil quidem gerens dignum sacerdotio, animos vero crudelis tyranni et ferae barbarae iram habens. | 4:25. So having received the king's mandate, he returned, bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood: but having the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast. |
| 26 Et Iason quidem, qui proprium fratrem circumvenerat, ipse circumventus ab alio profugus in Ammanitem expulsus est regionem. | 4:26. Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being himself undermined, was driven out a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites. |
| 27 Menelaus autem principatum quidem obtinuit; de pecuniis vero regi promissis nihil debite agebat, | 4:27. So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money he had promised to the king, he took no care, when Sostratus, the governor of the castle, called for it. |
| 28 cum vero exactionem faceret Sostratus, qui arci erat praepositus, nam ad hunc exactio vectigalium pertinebat. Quam ob causam utrique a rege sunt advocati; | 4:28. For to him appertained the gathering of the taxes: wherefore they were both called before the king. |
| 29 et Menelaus quidem reliquit summi sacerdotii successorem Lysimachum fratrem suum, Sostratus autem Cratetem, qui praeerat Cypriis. | 4:29. And Menelaus was removed from the priesthood, Lysimachus, his brother, succeeding: and Sostratus alas made governor of the Cyprians. |
| 30 Talibus autem constitutis, contigit Tarsenses et Mallotas seditionem movere, eo quod Antiochidi, regis concubinae, dono essent dati. | 4:30. When these things were in doing, it fell out that they of Tharsus, and Mallos, raised a sedition, because they were given for a gift to Antiochus, the king's concubine. |
| 31 Festinanter itaque rex venit sedare illos, relicto suffecto uno ex iis in dignitate constitutis Andronico. | 4:31. The king, therefore, went in all haste to appease them, leaving Andronicus, one of his nobles, for his deputy. |
| 32 Ratus autem Menelaus accepisse se tempus opportunum, aurea quaedam vasa e templo furatus donavit Andronico; et alia vendiderat Tyri et per vicinas civitates. | 4:32. Then Menelaus supposing that he had found a convenient time, having stolen certain vessels of gold out of the temple, gave them to Andronicus, and others he had sold at Tyre, and in the neighbouring cities: |
| 33 Quod cum certissime cognovisset Onias, arguebat eum, ipse in loco tuto se continens in Daphne secus Antiochiam. | 4:33. Which when Onias understood most certainly, he reproved him, keeping himself in a safe place at Antioch, beside Daphne. |
| 34 Unde Menelaus seorsum apprehendens Andronicum rogabat, ut Oniam interficeret. At vero ille, cum venisset ad Oniam et cum fidem dolo dedisset ac dexteram accepisset dedissetque cum iureiurando, quamvis esset ei suspectus, suasit de asylo procedere, quem statim peremit, non veritus iustitiam. | 4:34. Whereupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kill Onias. And he went to Onias, and gave him his right hand with an oath, and (though he were suspected by him) persuaded him to come forth out of the sanctuary, and immediately slew him, without any regard to justice. |
| 35 Ob quam causam non solum Iudaei, sed multi quoque ex aliis nationibus indignabantur et moleste ferebant de nece viri iniusta. | 4:35. For which cause not only the Jews, but also the other nations, conceived indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of so great a man. |
| 36 Sed regressum regem de Ciliciae locis interpellabant, qui erant per civitatem Iudaei, simul et Graecis scelus conquerentibus, de eo quod sine ratione Onias interfectus esset. | 4:36. And when the king was come back from the places of Cilicia, the Jews that were at Antioch, and also the Greeks, went to him: complaining of the unjust murder of Onias. |
| 37 Contristatus itaque animo Antiochus et flexus ad misericordiam lacrimas fudit, propter defuncti sobrietatem et multam modestiam; | 4:37. Antiochus, therefore, was grieved in his mind for Onias, and being moved to pity, shed tears, remembering the sobriety and modesty of the deceased. |
| 38 accensusque animis, confestim ablata Andronici purpura ac tunicis eius discissis, circumduxit per totam civitatem usque ad eundem locum, in quo in Oniam impietatem commiserat, atque illic sacrilegum interfectorem e mundo sustulit, Domino illi condignam retribuente poenam. | 4:38. And being inflamed to anger, he commanded Andronicus to be stripped of his purple, and to be led about through all the city: and that in the same place wherein he had committed the impiety against Onias, the sacrilegious wretch should be put to death, the Lord repaying him his deserved punishment. |
| 39 Multis autem sacrilegiis per civitatem a Lysimacho commissis Menelai consilio, et divulgata foris fama, congregata est multitudo adversum Lysimachum, vasis aureis iam multis dissipatis. | 4:39. Now when many sacrileges had been committed by Lysimachus in the temple, by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour of it was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, a great quantity of gold being already carried away. |
| 40 Turbis autem insurgentibus et ira repletis, Lysimachus, armatis fere tribus milibus, iniquis manibus coepit, duce quodam Aurano, aetate non minus ac dementia provecto. | 4:40. Wherefore the multitude making an insurrection, and their minds being filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began to use violence, one Tyrannus being captain, a man far gone both in age and in madness. |
| 41 Sed ut intellexerunt conatum Lymachi, alii lapides, alii fustes validos arripuere, quidam vero ex adiacente cinere manu apprehenderunt et mixtim iecerunt in eos, qui circa Lysimachum erant. | 4:41. But when they perceived the attempt of Lysimachus, some caught up stones, some strong clubs, and some threw ashes upon Lysimachus. |
| 42 Quam ob causam multos quidem vulneraverunt, quosdam autem et prostraverunt, omnes vero in fugam compulerunt; ipsum vero sacrilegum secus aerarium interfecerunt. | 4:42. And many of them were wounded, and some struck down to the ground, but all were put to flight: and as for the sacrilegious fellow himself, they slew him beside the treasury. |
| 43 De his ergo coepit iudicium adversus Menelaum agitari. | 4:43. Now concerning these matters, an accusation was laid against Menelaus. |
| 44 Et cum venisset rex Tyrum, apud ipsum causam egerunt missi tres viri a senatu. | 4:44. And when the king was come to Tyre, three men were sent from the ancients to plead the cause before him. |
| 45 Et cum iam superaretur Menelaus, promisit Ptolemaeo Dorymenis multas pecunias ad suadendum regi. | 4:45. But Menelaus being convicted, promised Ptolemee to give him much money to persuade the king to favour him. Ptolemee ... The son of Dorymenus, a favourite of the king. |
| 46 Unde Ptolemaeus, excipiens seorsum in quoddam atrium columnatum quasi refrigerandi gratia regem, deduxit a sententia. | 4:46. So Ptolemee went to the king in a certain court where he was, as it were to cool himself, and brought him to be of another mind: |
| 47 Et Menelaum quidem universae malitiae reum criminibus absolvit; miseros autem, qui etiam si apud Scythas causam dixissent, innocentes iudicarentur, hos morte damnavit. | 4:47. So Menelaus, who was guilty of all the evil, was acquitted by him of the accusations: and those poor men, who, if they had pleaded their cause even before Scythians, should have been judged innocent, were condemned to death. |
| 48 Cito ergo iniustam poenam dederunt, qui pro civitate et populo et sacris vasis causam prosecuti sunt. | 4:48. Thus they that persecuted the cause for the city, and for the people, and the sacred vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment. |
| 49 Quam ob rem Tyrii quoque in malefactum indignati, quaeque ad sepulturam eorum necessaria essent, magno sumptu praestiterunt. | 4:49. Wherefore even the Tyrians, being moved with indignation, were very liberal towards their burial. |
| 50 Menelaus autem propter eorum, qui in potentia erant, avaritiam permanebat in potestate, crescens in malitia magnus civium insidiator constitutus. | 4:50. And so through the covetousness of them that were in power, Menelaus continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens. |
|
Chapter 5 1 Circa hoc autem tempus Antiochus secundam profectionem paravit in Aegyptum. |
Return to Top of Book 5:1. At the same time Antiochus prepared for a second journey into Egypt. |
| 2 Contigit autem per universam civitatem fere per dies quadraginta videri per aera equites discurrentes, auratas stolas habentes et hastas, ad modum cohortium armatos, et gladiorum evaginationes | 5:2. And it came to pass, that through the whole city of Jerusalem, for the space of forty days, there were seen horsemen running in the air, in gilded raiment, and armed with spears, like bands of soldiers. |
| 3 et turmas equorum per ordinem digestas et congressiones fieri et decursus utrorumque et scutorum motus et contorum multitudinem et telorum iactus et aureorum ornamentorum fulgores omnisque generis loricationes. | 5:3. And horses set in order by ranks, running one against another, with the shakings of shields, and a multitude of men in helmets, with drawn swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden armour, and of harnesses of all sorts. |
| 4 Quapropter omnes rogabant pro bono factam esse ostensionem. | 5:4. Wherefore all men prayed that these prodigies might turn to good. |
| 5 Sed cum falsus rumor exisset, tamquam vita excessisset Antiochus, assumptis Iason non minus mille viris repente aggressus est civitatem; illis autem, qui erant in muro, compulsis in fugam et ad ultimum iam apprehensa civitate, Menelaus fugit in arcem. | 5:5. Now when there was gone forth a false rumour as though Antiochus had been dead, Jason taking with him no fewer than a thousand men, suddenly assaulted the city: and though the citizens ran together to the wall, the city at length was taken, and Menelaus fled into the castle. |
| 6 Iason vero caedes civium suorum perpetrabat nulli parcens, non intellegens prosperitatem adversum cognatos calamitatem esse maximam, arbitrans autem hostium et non civium se trophaea constituere. | 5:6. But Jason slew his countrymen without mercy, not considering that prosperity against one's own kindred is a very great evil, thinking they had been enemies, and not citizens, whom he conquered. |
| 7 Et principatum quidem non obtinuit, finem vero insidiarum suarum confusionem adeptus, profugus iterum abiit in Ammanitidem. | 5:7. Yet he did not get the principality, but received confusion at the end, for the reward of his treachery, and fled again into the country of the Ammonites. |
| 8 Ad ultimum igitur malam reversionem sortitus est; conclusus apud Aretam Arabum tyrannum, fugiens de civitate in civitatem, expulsus ab omnibus, odiosus ut refuga legum et exsecrabilis ut patriae et civium carnifex in Aegyptum extrusus est. | 5:8. At the last, having been shut up by Aretas, the king of the Arabians, in order for his destruction, flying from city to city, hated by all men, as a forsaker of the laws and execrable, as an enemy of his country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt: |
| 9 Et, qui multos de patria expulerat, peregre periit ad Lacedaemonios pervectus, quasi pro cognatione habiturus protectionem; | 5:9. And he that had driven many out of their country perished in a strange land, going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have refuge there: |
| 10 et, qui insepultos multos abiecerat, ipse illamentatus permansit nec exsequiis ullis neque patrio sepulcro participavit. | 5:10. But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth both unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being partaker of the sepulchre of his fathers. |
| 11 Cum autem nuntia ad regem pervenissent de his, quae gesta erant, suspicatus est rex a societate defecturam Iudaeam; et ob hoc profectus ex Aegypto efferatus animo, civitatem quidem armis cepit | 5:11. Now when these things were done, the king suspected that the Jews would forsake the alliance: whereupon departing out of Egypt with a furious mind, he took the city by force of arms, |
| 12 et iussit militibus interficere occursantes nemini parcendo et eos, qui in domos ascenderent, trucidare. | 5:12. And commanded the soldiers to kill, and not to spare any that came in their way, and to go up into the houses to slay. |
| 13 Fiebant ergo iuvenum ac seniorum caedes, mulierum et natorum exterminium virginumque et parvulorum neces. | 5:13. Thus there was a slaughter of young and old, destruction of women and children, and killing of virgins and infants. |
| 14 Erant autem toto triduo octoginta milia perditi, quadraginta quidem milia in ipso manuum conflictu; non minus autem quam qui iugulati fuerant, venumdati sunt. | 5:14. And there were slain in the space of three whole days fourscore thousand, forty thousand were made prisoners, and as many sold. |
| 15 Non contentus autem his, ausus est intrare templum universae terrae sanctissimum, ducem habens Menelaum, qui legum et patriae fuit proditor, | 5:15. But this was not enough, he presumed also to enter into the temple, the most holy in all the world Menelaus, that traitor to the laws, and to his country, being his guide. |
| 16 et scelestis manibus sumens sancta vasa et, quae ab aliis regibus et civitatibus erant posita ad augmentum et gloriam loci et honorem, profanis manibus contrectans. | 5:16. And taking in his wicked hands the holy vessels, which were given by other kings and cities, for the ornament and the glory of the place, he unworthily handled and profaned them. |
| 17 Ita extollebatur mente Antiochus non considerans quod propter peccata habitantium civitatem modicum Dominus fuerat iratus; propter quod accidit circa locum despectio. | 5:17. Thus Antiochus going astray in mind, did not consider that God was angry for a while, because of the sins of the inhabitants of the city: and therefore this contempt had happened to the place: |
| 18 Alioquin nisi contigisset eos multis peccatis esse involutos, sicut Heliodorus, qui missus est a Seleuco rege ad inspectionem aerarii, et ipse, mox ut accessisset, confestim flagellatus repulsus fuisset ab audacia. | 5:18. Otherwise had they not been involved in many sins, as Heliodorus, who was sent by king Seleucus to rob the treasury, so this man also, as soon as he had come, had been forthwith scourged, and put back from his presumption. |
| 19 Verum non propter locum gentem, sed propter gentem locum Dominus elegit. | 5:19. But God did not choose the people for the place's sake, but the place for the people's sake. |
| 20 Ideoque et ipse locus particeps factus populi malorum, postea factus est socius beneficiorum; et, qui derelictus in ira Omnipotentis est, iterum in magni Domini reconciliatione cum omni gloria restitutus est. | 5:20. And, therefore, the place also itself was made partaker of the evils of the people: but afterwards shall communicate in the good things thereof, and as it was forsaken in the wrath of Almighty God, shall be exalted again with great glory, when the great Lord shall be reconciled. |
| 21 Igitur Antiochus mille et octingentis ablatis de templo talentis, velocius Antiochiam regressus est, existimans se prae superbia terram ad navigandum, pelagus vero ad ambulandum deducturum propter mentis elationem. | 5:21. So when Antiochus had taken away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents, he went back in all haste to Antioch, thinking through pride that he might now make the land navigable, and the sea passable on foot: such was the haughtiness of his mind. |
| 22 Reliquit autem et praepositos ad affligendam gentem: Hierosolymis quidem Philippum, genere Phrygem, moribus barbariorem eo ipso, a quo constitutus est; | 5:22. He left also governors to afflict the people: at Jerusalem, Philip, a Phrygian by birth, but in manners more barbarous than he that set him there: |
| 23 in Garizim autem Andronicum; praeter autem hos Menelaum, qui gravius quam ceteri imminebat civibus. | 5:23. And in Gazarim, Andronicus and Menelaus, who bore a more heavy hand upon the citizens than the rest. |
| 24 Misit autem Apollonium Mysarcham cum exercitu viginti vero et duo milia virorum praecipiens omnes perfectae aetatis interficere, mulieres autem ac iuniores vendere. | 5:24. And whereas he was set against the Jews, he sent that hateful prince, Apollonius, with an army of two and twenty thousand men, commanding him to kill all that were of perfect age, and to sell the women and the younger sort. |
| 25 Qui cum venisset Hierosolymam et pacificum se simulasset, quievit usque ad diem sanctum sabbati et, cum comprehenderet feriatos Iudaeos, arma capere suis praecepit; | 5:25. Who, when he was come to Jerusalem, pretending peace, rested till the holy day of the sabbath: and then the Jews keeping holiday, he commanded his men to take arms. |
| 26 omnesque, qui ad spectaculum processerant, trucidavit et civitatem cum armatis discurrens ingentem multitudinem peremit. | 5:26. And he slew all that were come forth to flee: and running through the city with armed men, he destroyed a very great multitude. |
| 27 Iudas autem, qui et Maccabaeus, decimus factus secesserat in eremum et ferarum more in montibus vitam cum suis agebat; et feni cibo vescentes demorabantur, ne participes essent coinquinationis. | 5:27. But Judas Machabeus, who was the tenth, had withdrawn himself into a desert place, and there lived amongst wild beasts in the mountains with his company: and they continued feeding on herbs, that they might not be partakers of the pollution. Was the tenth... That is, he had nine others in his company. |
|
Chapter 6 1 Sed non post multum temporis misit rex senem quendam Atheniensem, qui compelleret Iudaeos, ut se transferrent a patriis legibus et Dei legibus ne uterentur; |
Return to Top of Book 6:1. But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God: |
| 2 contaminare etiam, quod in Hierosolymis erat, templum et cognominare Iovis Olympii, et in Garizim, prout erant hi, qui locum inhabitabant, Iovis Hospitalis. | 6:2. And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Garazim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the place. That in Gazarim... Viz., the temple of the Samaritans. And as they were originally strangers, the name of Hospitalis (which signifies of or belonging to strangers) was applicable to the idol set up in their temple. |
| 3 Pessima autem et universis gravis erat malorum incursio. | 6:3. And very bad was this invasion of evils, and grievous to all. |
| 4 Nam templum luxuria et comissationibus gentium erat plenum, scortantium cum meretricibus et in sacratis porticibus mulieribus adhaerentium, insuper et intro inferentium ea, quae non licebat; | 6:4. For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful. |
| 5 altare etiam plenum erat illicitis, quae legibus prohibebantur. | 6:5. The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws. |
| 6 Neque autem sabbata custodiebantur, neque dies sollemnes patrii servabantur, nec simpliciter Iudaeum se esse quisquam confitebatur. | 6:6. And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew. |
| 7 Ducebantur autem cum amara necessitate per singulos menses in die natalis regis ad sacrificium et, cum Liberi sacra celebrarentur, cogebantur hedera coronati pompam Libero celebrare. | 6:7. But they were led by bitter constraint on the king's birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus. |
| 8 Decretum autem exiit in proximas Graecorum civitates, suggerente Ptolemaeo, ut pari modo et ipsi adversus Iudaeos agerent, ut sacrificarent; | 6:8. And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice: |
| 9 eos autem, qui nollent transire ad instituta Graecorum, interficerent; erat ergo videre instantem miseriam. | 6:9. And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen. |
| 10 Duae enim mulieres delatae sunt natos suos circumcidisse; quas infantibus ad ubera suspensis, cum publice per civitatem circumduxissent, per muros praecipitaverunt. | 6:10. For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city, with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls. |
| 11 Alii vero ad proximas coeuntes speluncas, ut latenter septimam diem celebrarent, cum indicati essent Philippo, flammis succensi sunt, eo quod verebantur propter religionem sibimet auxilium ferre pro claritate sanctissimi diei. | 6:11. And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day. Philip... The governor of Jerusalem. |
| 12 Obsecro autem eos, qui hunc librum lecturi sunt, ne abhorrescant propter adversos casus, sed reputent illas poenas non ad interitum, sed ad correptionem esse generis nostri. | 6:12. Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation. |
| 13 Etenim multo tempore non sinere eos, qui gerunt impie, sed statim ultiones adhibere, magni beneficii est indicium. | 6:13. For it is a token of great goodness, when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished. |
| 14 Non enim, sicut et in aliis nationibus, Dominus patienter ferens exspectat, ut eas, cum pervenerint in plenitudinem peccatorum, puniat, ita et in nobis statuit esse, | 6:14. For, not as with other nations, (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:) |
| 15 ne, peccatis nostris in finem devolutis, demum in nos vindicet; | 6:15. Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us. |
| 16 propter quod numquam quidem a nobis misericordiam suam amovet, corripiens vero per aerumnas populum suum non derelinquit. | 6:16. And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not. |
| 17 Sed haec nobis ad commonitionem dicta sint; paucis autem veniendum est ad narrationem. | 6:17. But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration. |
| 18 Eleazarus quidam, unus de primoribus scribarum, vir iam aetate provectus et aspectu faciei decorus, aperto ore compellebatur carnem porcinam manducare. | 6:18. Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine's flesh. |
| 19 At ille magis cum illustri fama mortem quam cum exsecratione vitam complectens, voluntarie praeibat ad supplicium, | 6:19. But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment. |
| 20 exspuens autem, quemadmodum oportet accedere eos, qui sustinent non admittere illa, quae non est fas gustare, propter nimium vivendi amorem. | 6:20. And considering in what manner he was to come to it, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life. |
| 21 Hi autem, qui iniquo sacrificio praepositi erant, propter antiquam cum viro amicitiam tollentes eum secreto rogabant, ut afferret carnes, quibus uti ei liceret quaeque ab ipso paratae essent, et fingeret se eas manducare, quas rex imperaverat de sacrificii carnibus, | 6:21. But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the sacrifice: Wicked pity... Their pity was wicked, inasmuch as it suggested that wicked proposal of saving his life by dissimulation. |
| 22 ut hoc facto a morte liberaretur et propter veterem cum illis amicitiam consequeretur humanitatem. | 6:22. That by so doing he might be delivered from death; and for the sake of their old friendship with the man, they did him this courtesy. |
| 23 At ille, consilio decoro inito ac digno aetate et senectutis eminentia et acquisita nobilique canitie atque optima a puero vitae disciplina, magis autem sancta et a Deo condita legislatione, consequenter sententiam ostendit: cito, dicens, dimitterent ad inferos. | 6:23. But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child; and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world. |
| 24 " Non enim aetati nostrae dignum est fingere, ut multi adulescentium arbitrantes Eleazarum nonaginta annorum transisse ad morem alienigenarum | 6:24. For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens: |
| 25 et ipsi propter meam simulationem et propter modicum et pusillum vitae tempus decipiantur propter me, et exsecrationem atque maculam meae senectuti conquiram. | 6:25. And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a corruptible life, should be deceived, and hereby I should bring a stain and a curse upon my old age. |
| 26 Nam etsi in praesenti tempore evasero eam, quae ex hominibus est, poenam, manus tamen Omnipotentis nec vivus nec defunctus effugiam. | 6:26. For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead. |
| 27 Quam ob rem viriliter nunc vita excedendo, senectute quidem dignus apparebo; | 6:27. Wherefore, by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew myself worthy of my old age: |
| 28 adulescentibus autem exemplum forte reliquero, ut prompto animo ac fortiter pro sacris ac sanctis legibus honesta morte perfungantur ". Et cum haec dixisset, confestim ad supplicium venit; | 6:28. And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for thc most venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith carried to execution. |
| 29 ipsis autem, qui eum ducebant, illam, quam paulo ante habuerant erga eum benevolentiam, in iram convertentibus, propterea quod sermones dicti, sicut ipsi arbitrabantur, essent amentia. | 6:29. And they that led him, and had been a little before more mild, were changed to wrath for the words he had spoken, which they thought were uttered out of arrogancy. |
| 30 Cumque coepisset plagis mori, ingemiscens dixit: " Domino, qui habet sanctam scientiam, manifestum est quia cum a morte possem liberari, duros secundum corpus sustineo dolores flagellatus, secundum animam vero propter ipsius timorem libenter haec patior ". | 6:30. But when be was now ready to die with the stripes, he groaned: and said: O Lord, who hast the holy knowledge, thou knowest manifestly that whereas I might be delivered from death, I suffer grievous pains in body: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear thee. |
| 31 Et iste quidem hoc modo vita decessit, non solum iuvenibus, sed et plurimis ex gente mortem suam ad exemplum fortitudinis et memoriam virtutis relinquens. | 6:31. Thus did this man die, leaving not only to young men, but also to the whole nation, the memory of his death, for an example of virtue and fortitude. |
|
Chapter 7 1 Contigit autem et septem fratres una cum matre apprehen sos compelli a rege attingere contra fas carnes porcinas, flagris et nervis cruciatos. |
Return to Top of Book 7:1. It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges. |
| 2 Unus autem ex illis exstans prior locutor sic ait: " Quid es quaesiturus, et quid vis discere a nobis? Parati sumus mori magis quam patrias leges praevaricari ". | 7:2. But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers. |
| 3 Iratus itaque rex iussit sartagines et ollas succendi. | 7:3. Then the king being angry, commanded fryingpans and brazen caldrons to be made hot: which forthwith being heated, |
| 4 Quibus statim succensis, iussit ei, qui prior illorum fuerat locutus, amputari linguam et, cute capitis abstracta, summas quoque manus et pedes ei praescindi, ceteris eius fratribus et matre inspicientibus. | 7:4. He commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had spoken first: and the skin of his head being drawn off, to chop off also the extremities of his hands and feet, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on. |
| 5 Et cum iam per omnia inutilis factus esset, iussit eum igne admoveri adhuc spirantem et torreri in sartagine. Cum autem vapor sartaginis diu diffunderetur, ceteri una cum matre invicem se hortabantur mori fortiter ita dicentes: | 7:6. And when he was now maimed in all parts, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the fryingpan: and while he was suffering therein long torments, the rest, together with the mother, exhorted one another to die manfully, |
| 6 " Dominus Deus aspicit et veritate in nobis consolatur, quemadmodum per personam contestantis cantici declaravit Moyses: "Et in servis suis consolabitur" ". | 7:6. Saying: The Lord God will look upon the truth, and will take pleasure in us, as Moses declared in the profession of the canticle; And in his servants he will take pleasure. |
| 7 Mortuo itaque illo primo hoc modo, sequentem deducebant ad illudendum; et cute capitis eius cum capillis abstracta, interrogabant, si manducaret prius quam toto corpore per membra singula puniretur. | 7:7. So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, before he were punished throughout the whole body in every limb. |
| 8 At ille respondens patria voce dixit: " Non faciam ". Propter quod et iste, sequenti loco, tormenta suscepit sicut primus. | 7:8. But he answered in his own language, and said: I will not do it. Wherefore he also, in the next place, received the torments of the first: |
| 9 Et in ultimo spiritu constitutus, sic ait: " Tu quidem, scelestissime, de praesenti vita nos perdis; sed rex mundi defunctos nos pro suis legibus in aeternam vitae resurrectionem suscitabit ". | 7:9. And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life. |
| 10 Post hunc tertius illudebatur; et linguam postulatus cito protulit et manus constanter extendit | 7:10. After him the third was made a mocking-stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands: |
| 11 et fortiter ait: " E caelo ista possideo et propter illius leges haec ipsa despicio et ab ipso rursus me ea recepturum spero ", | 7:11. And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them, because I hope to receive them again from him. |
| 12 ita ut rex et, qui cum ipso erant, mirarentur adulescentis animum, quomodo pro nihilo duceret cruciatus. | 7:12. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing. |
| 13 Et hoc ita defuncto, quartum vexabant similiter torquentes; | 7:13. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner. |
| 14 et, cum iam esset ad mortem, sic ait: " Potius est ab hominibus morti datos spem exspectare a Deo, iterum ab ipso resuscitandos; tibi enim resurrectio ad vitam non erit ". | 7:14. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him; for, as to thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto life. |
| 15 Et deinceps quintum, cum admovissent, vexabant; | 7:15. And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he, looking upon the king, |
| 16 at ille respiciens in eum dixit: " Potestatem inter homines habens, cum sis corruptibilis, facis, quod vis; noli autem putare genus nostrum a Deo esse derelictum; | 7:16. Said: Whereas thou hast power among men though thou art corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt but think not that our nation is forsaken by God. |
| 17 tu autem patienter sustine et videbis maiestatem virtutis ipsius, qualiter te et semen tuum torquebit ". | 7:17. But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power, in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed. |
| 18 Post hunc ducebant sextum, et is mori incipiens ait: " Noli frustra errare; nos enim propter nosmetipsos haec patimur peccantes in Deum nostrum, et digna admiratione facta sunt in nobis: | 7:18. After him they brought the sixth, and he being ready to die, spoke thus: Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God, and things worthy of admiration are done to us: |
| 19 tu autem ne existimes tibi impune futurum, quod contra Deum pugnare tentaveris ". | 7:19. But do not think that thou shalt escape unpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God. |
| 20 Supra modum autem mater mirabilis et bona memoria digna, quae pereuntes septem filios sub unius diei tempore conspiciens bono animo ferebat propter spem, quam in Dominum habebat. | 7:20. Now the mother was to be admired above measure, and worthy to be remembered by good men, who beheld her seven sons slain in the space of one day, and bore it with a good courage, for the hope that she had in God: |
| 21 Singulos illorum hortabatur voce patria, forti repleta sensu et femineam cogitationem masculino excitans animo, dicens ad eos: | 7:21. And she bravely exhorted every one of them in her own language, being filled with wisdom; and joining a man's heart to a woman's thought, |
| 22 " Nescio qualiter in utero meo apparuistis neque ego spiritum et vitam donavi vobis et singulorum vestrorum compagem non sum ego modulata; | 7:22. She said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb; for I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the limbs of every one of you. |
| 23 sed enim mundi creator, qui formavit hominis nativitatem quique omnium invenit originem, et spiritum et vitam vobis iterum cum misericordia reddet, sicut nunc vosmetipsos despicitis propter leges eius ". | 7:23. But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man, and that found out the origin of all, he will restore to you again, in his mercy, both breath and life, as now you despise yourselves for the sake of his laws. |
| 24 Antiochus autem contemni se arbitratus, simul et exprobrantem dedignans vocem, cum adhuc adulescentior superesset, non solum verbis hortabatur, sed et cum iuramento affirmabat se divitem simul et beatum facturum, translatum a patriis legibus, et amicum habiturum et officia ei crediturum. | 7:24. Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and withal despising the voice of the upbraider, when the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with an oath, that he would make him a rich and a happy man, and, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers, would take him for a friend, and furnish him with things necessary. |
| 25 Sed ad haec cum adulescens nequaquam intenderet, vocavit rex matrem et suadebat ei, ut adulescenti fieret suasor in salutem. | 7:25. But when the young man was not moved with these things, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to save his life. |
| 26 Cum autem multis eam verbis esset hortatus, promisit suasuram se filio. | 7:26. And when he had exhorted her with many words she promised that she would counsel her son. |
| 27 Itaque inclinata ad illum, irridens crudelem tyrannum sic ait patria voce: " Fili, miserere mei, quae te in utero novem mensibus portavi et lac triennio dedi et alui et in aetatem istam perduxi et nutricem me tibi exhibui. | 7:27. So bending herself towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she said in her own language: My son have pity upon me, that bore thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age. |
| 28 Peto, nate, ut aspicias ad caelum et terram et quae in ipsis sunt, universa videns intellegas quia non ex his, quae erant, fecit illa Deus; et hominum genus ita fit. | 7:28. I beseech thee, my son, look upon heaven and earth, and all that is in them, and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind also: |
| 29 Ne timeas carnificem istum, sed dignus fratribus tuis effectus suscipe mortem, ut in illa miseratione cum fratribus tuis te recipiam ". | 7:29. So thou shalt not fear this tormentor, but being made a worthy partner with thy brethren, receive death, that in that mercy I may receive thee again with thy brethren. |
| 30 Cum haec illa adhuc diceret, ait adulescens: " Quem sustinetis? Non oboedio praecepto regis, sed obtempero praecepto legis, quae data est patribus nostris per Moysen. | 7:30. While she was yet speaking these words, the young man said: For whom do you stay? I will not obey the commandment of the king, but the commandment of the law which was given us by Moses. |
| 31 Tu vero, qui inventor omnis malitiae factus es in Hebraeos, non effugies manus Dei. | 7:31. But thou that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hand of God. |
| 32 Nos enim pro peccatis nostris haec patimur; | 7:32. For we suffer thus for our sins. |
| 33 et si nobis propter increpationem et correptionem ille vivens Dominus noster modicum iratus est, sed iterum reconciliabitur servis suis. | 7:33. And though the Lord, our God, is angry with us a little while, for our chastisement and correction, yet he will be reconciled again to his servants. |
| 34 Tu autem, o sceleste et omnium hominum flagitiosissime, noli frustra extolli elatus vanis spebus, in filios caeli levata manu; | 7:34. But thou, O wicked, and of all men most flagitious, be not lifted up without cause with vain hopes, whilst thou art raging against his servants. |
| 35 nondum enim omnipotentis atque intuitoris Dei iudicium effugisti. | 7:35. For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of the Almighty God, who beholdeth all things. |
| 36 Nam fratres nostri, modico nunc dolore sustentato, sub Dei testamentum aeternae vitae reciderunt; tu vero iudicio Dei iustas superbiae tuae poenas exsolves. | 7:36. For my brethren having now undergone a short pain, are under the covenant of eternal life: but thou, by the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride. |
| 37 Ego autem, sicut et fratres mei, et corpus et animam trado pro patriis legibus, invocans Deum maturius genti nostrae propitium fieri, teque cum tormentis et verberibus confiteri quod ipse est Deus solus; | 7:37. But I, like my brethren, offer up my life and my body for the laws of our fathers: calling upon God to be speedily merciful to our nation, and that thou by torments and stripes mayst confess that he alone is God. |
| 38 in me vero et in fratribus meis restitit Omnipotentis ira, quae super omne genus nostrum iuste superducta est ". | 7:38. But in me, and in my brethren, the wrath of the Almighty, which hath justly been brought upon all our nation, shall cease. |
| 39 Tunc rex accensus ira in hunc super omnes crudelius desaevit, indigne ferens se derisum. | 7:39. Then the king being incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly than all the rest, taking it grievously that he was mocked. |
| 40 Et hic itaque mundus obiit per omnia in Domino confidens. | 7:40. So this man also died undefiled, wholly trusting in the Lord. |
| 41 Novissima autem post filios et mater consumpta est. | 7:41. And last of all, after the sons, the mother also was consumed. |
| 42 Igitur de sacrificiis et de nimiis crudelitatibus satis sit dictum. | 7:42. But now there is enough said of the sacrifices and of the excessive cruelties. |
|
Chapter 8 1 Iudas vero Maccabaeus et, qui cum illo erant, introeuntes latenter in castella convocabant cognatos; et eos, qui permanserunt in Iudaismo, assumentes, collegerunt circiter sex milia virorum. |
Return to Top of Book 8:1. But Judas Machabeus, and they that were with him, went privately into the towns: and calling together their kinsmen and friends, and taking unto them such as continued in the Jews' religion, they assembled six thousand men. |
| 2 Et invocabant Dominum, ut respiceret in populum, qui ab omnibus calcabatur; et misereretur templo, quod contaminabatur ab impiis; | 8:2. And they called upon the Lord, that he would look upon his people that was trodden down by all and would have pity on the temple, that was defiled by the wicked: |
| 3 et misereretur etiam pereunti civitati et incipienti solo complanari et vocem sanguinis ad se clamantis exaudiret; | 8:3. That he would have pity also upon the city that was destroyed, that was ready to be made even with the ground, and would hear the voice of the blood that cried to him: |
| 4 memoraretur quoque iniquas mortes parvulorum innocentum et blasphemias nomini suo illatas et indignaretur super his. | 8:4. That he would remember also the most unjust deaths of innocent children, and the blasphemies offered to his name, and would shew his indignation on this occasion. |
| 5 At Maccabaeus, congregata multitudine, intolerabilis iam gentibus efficiebatur, ira Domini in misericordiam conversa. | 8:5. Now when Machabeus had gathered a multitude, he could not be withstood by the heathens: for the wrath of the Lord was turned into mercy. |
| 6 Et civitates et castella superveniens improvisus succendebat et opportuna loca occupans non paucos hostium in fugam convertens, | 8:6. So coming unawares upon the towns and cities, he set them on fire, and taking possession of the most commodious places, he made no small slaughter of the enemies: |
| 7 maxime noctes in huiusmodi excursus cooperantes captabat. Et fama virtutis eius ubique diffundebatur. | 8:7. And especially in the nights he went upon these expeditions, and the fame of his valour was spread abroad every where. |
| 8 Videns autem Philippus paulatim virum ad profectum venire ac frequentius in prosperitatibus procedere, ad Ptolemaeum ducem Coelesyriae et Phoenicis scripsit, ut auxilium ferret regis negotiis. | 8:8. Then Philip seeing that the man gained ground by little and little, and that things for the most part succeeded prosperously with him, wrote to Ptolemee, the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, to send aid to the king's affairs. Philip seeing, etc... The governor of Jerusalem found himself unable to contend with Judas, especially after the victories he had obtained over Apollonius and Seron. 1 Mac. 3. |
| 9 At ille velociter sumpsit Nicanorem Patrocli de primoribus amicis et misit, datis ei de permixtis gentibus armatis non minus viginti milibus, ut universum Iudaeorum genus deleret; adiunxit autem ei et Gorgiam virum militarem et in bellicis rebus expertum. | 8:9. And he with all speed sent Nicanor, the son of Patroclus, one of his special friends, giving him no fewer than twenty thousand armed men of different nations, to root out the whole race of the Jews, joining also with him Gorgias, a good soldier, and of great experience in matters of war. |
| 10 Constituit autem Nicanor, ut regi tributum, quod Romanis erat dandum, duo milia talentorum de captivitate Iudaeorum suppleret; | 8:10. And Nicanor purposed to raise for the king the tribute of two thousand talents, that was to be given to the Romans, by making so much money of the captive Jews: |
| 11 statimque ad maritimas civitates misit convocans ad coemptionem Iudaicorum mancipiorum, promittens se nonaginta mancipia talento distracturum, non exspectans vindictam, quae eum ab Omnipotente esset consecutura. | 8:11. Wherefore he sent immediately to the cities upon the sea coast, to invite men together to buy up the Jewish slaves, promising that they should have ninety slaves for one talent, not reflecting on the vengeance which was to follow him from the Almighty. |
| 12 Iudas autem, ubi comperit de Nicanoris adventu, indicavit his, qui secum erant, exercitus praesentiam. | 8:12. Now when Judas found that Nicanor was coming, he imparted to the Jews that were with him, that the enemy was at hand. |
| 13 Ex quibus quidam formidantes et non credentes Dei iustitiae in fugam vertebantur et in alios locos seipsos transferebant; | 8:13. And some of them being afraid, and distrusting the justice of God, fled away. |
| 14 alii vero omnia, quae eis supererant, vendebant simulque Dominum deprecabantur, ut eriperet eos, qui ab impio Nicanore, prius quam comminus venirent, venumdati essent: | 8:14. Others sold all that they had left, and withal besought the Lord, that he would deliver them from the wicked Nicanor, who had sold them before he came near them: |
| 15 et si non propter eos, sed tamen propter testamenta ad patres eorum et propter invocationem sancti et magnifici nominis eius super ipsos. | 8:15. And if not for their sakes, yet for the covenant that he had made with their fathers, and for the sake of his holy and glorious name that was invoked upon them. |
| 16 Convocatis autem Maccabaeus sex milibus, qui cum ipso erant, rogabat ne ab hostibus perterrerentur neque metuerent inique venientium adversum se gentium multitudinem, sed fortiter contenderent, | 8:16. But Machabeus calling together seven thousand that were with him, exhorted them not to be reconciled to the enemies, nor to fear the multitude of the enemies who came wrongfully against them, but to fight manfully: Seven thousand... In the Greek it is six thousand. But then three thousand of them had no arms. 1 Mac. 4.6. |
| 17 ante oculos habentes contumeliam, quae in locum sanctum ab his iniuste esset consummata, itemque et ludibrio habitae civitatis iniuriam, adhuc etiam veterum instituta convulsa. | 8:17. Setting before their eyes the injury they had unjustly done the holy place, and also the injury they had done to the city, which had been shamefully abused, besides their destroying the ordinances of the fathers. |
| 18 " Nam illi quidem armis confidunt, ait, simul et audacia; nos autem in omnipotente Deo, qui potest et venientes adversum nos et universum mundum uno nutu delere, confidimus ". | 8:18. For, said he, they trust in their weapons, and in their boldness: but we trust in the Almighty Lord, who at a beck can utterly destroy both them that come against us, and the whole world. |
| 19 Cum autem admonuisset eos et de auxiliis, quae facta sunt erga parentes, et de illo sub Sennacherib, ut centum octoginta quinque milia perierunt, | 8:19. Moreover, he put them in mind also of the helps their fathers had received from God: and how, under Sennacherib, a hundred and eighty-five thousand had been destroyed. |
| 20 et de illo in Babilonia, in proelio quod eis adversus Galatas fuit, ut omnes ad rem venerunt, octo milia cum quattuor milibus Macedonum Macedonibus haesitantibus, ipsi octo milia peremerunt centum viginti milia propter auxilium illis datum de caelo et beneficia plurima consecuti sunt C; | 8:20. And of the battle that they had fought against the Galatians, in Babylonia; how they, being in all but six thousand, when it came to the point, and the Macedonians, their companions, were at a stand, slew a hundred and twenty thousand, because of the help they had from heaven, and for this they received many favours. Galatians... That is, the Gauls, who having ravaged Italy and Greece, poured themselves in upon Asia, in immense multitudes, where also they founded the kingdom of Galatia or Gallo Graecia. |
| 21 quibus verbis cum eos constantes effecisset et paratos pro legibus et patria mori, in quattuor quasdam partes exercitum divisit. | 8:21. With these words they were greatly encouraged and disposed even to die for the laws and their country. |
| 22 Constitutis itaque fratribus suis ducibus uniuscuiusque ordinis, Simone et Iosepho et Ionatha, subiectis unicuique millenis et quingentenis, | 8:22. So he appointed his brethren captains over each division of his army; Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving to each one fifteen hundred men. |
| 23 insuper et Eleazaro, lecto sancto libro et dato signo adiutorii Dei, primae cohortis ipse ductor commisit cum Nicanore. | 8:23. And after the holy book had been read to them by Esdras, and he had given them for a watchword, The help of God: himself leading the first band, he joined battle with Nicanor: |
| 24 Et facto sibi adiutore Omnipotente, interfecerunt super novem milia hostium, saucios autem et membris debilitatos maiorem partem exercitus Nicanoris reddiderunt, omnes vero fugere compulerunt. | 8:24. And the Almighty being their helper, they slew above nine thousand men: and having wounded and disabled the greater part of Nicanor's army, they obliged them to fly. Above nine thousand... Viz., including the three thousand slain in the pursuit. |
| 25 Pecunias autem eorum, qui ad emptionem illorum advenerant, abstulerunt et, cum persecuti eos fuissent satis longe, reversi sunt hora conclusi; | 8:25. And they took the money of them that came to buy them, and they pursued them on every side. |
| 26 nam erat ante sabbatum, quam ob causam non perseveraverunt insequentes eos. | 8:26. But they came back for want of time: for it was the day before the sabbath: and therefore they did not continue the pursuit. |
| 27 Cum autem ipsorum arma collegissent spoliisque hostes exuissent, circa sabbatum versabantur impensius benedicentes et confitentes Domino, qui liberavit eos in isto die misericordiae initium constituens in eos. | 8:27. But when they had gathered together their arms and their spoils, they kept the sabbath: blessing the Lord who had delivered them that day, distilling the beginning of mercy upon them. |
| 28 Post sabbatum vero debilitatis et viduis et orphanis portione de spoliis data, residua ipsi cum pueris partiti sunt. | 8:28. Then after the sabbath they divided the spoils to the feeble and the orphans, and the widows, and the rest they took for themselves and their servants. |
| 29 His itaque gestis et communi facta obsecratione, misericordem Dominum postulabant, ut in finem servis suis reconciliaretur. | 8:29. When this was done, and they had all made a common supplication, they besought the merciful Lord, to be reconciled to his servants unto the end. |
| 30 Et contendentes cum his, qui cum Timotheo et Bacchide erant, super viginti milia eorum interfecerunt et munitiones excelsas facile obtinuerunt; et plures praedas diviserunt, aequaliter seipsos participes cum debilitatis et orphanis et viduis, sed et senioribus facientes. | 8:30. Moreover, they slew above twenty thousand of them that were with Timotheus and Bacchides, who fought against them, and they made themselves masters of the high strong holds: and they divided amongst them many spoils, giving equal portions to the feeble, the fatherless, and the widows; yea, and the aged also |
| 31 Et cum arma eorum diligenter collegissent, omnia composuerunt in locis opportunis; residua vero spolia Hierosolymam detulerunt. | 8:31. And when they had carefully gathered together their arms, they laid them all up in convenient places, and the residue of their spoils they carried to Jerusalem: |
| 32 Et phylarchen eorum, qui cum Timotheo erant, interfecerunt, virum scelestissimum, qui in multis Iudaeos afflixerat; | 8:32. They slew also Philarches, who was with Timotheus, a wicked man, who had many ways afflicted the Jews. |
| 33 et cum epinicia agerent in patria, eos, qui sacras ianuas incenderant, et Callisthenem succenderunt, qui in quoddam domicilium fugerat; et dignam pro impietate mercedem tulit. | 8:33. And when they kept the feast of the victory at Jerusalem, they burnt Callisthenes, that had set fire to the holy gates, who had taken refuge in a certain house, rendering to him a worthy reward for his impieties: |
| 34 Facinorosissimus autem Nicanor, qui mille negotiantes ad Iudaeorum venditionem adduxerat, | 8:34. But as for that most wicked man, Nicanor, who had brought a thousand merchants to the sale of the Jews, |
| 35 humiliatus ab his, qui secundum ipsum exsistimabantur exigui esse, auxilio Domini, deposita veste gloriae, per mediterranea fugitivi more solitarius effectus venit Antiochiam, super omnia prosperatus in interitu exercitus. | 8:35. Being, through the help of the Lord, brought down by them, of whom he had made no account, laying aside his garment of glory, fleeing through the midland country, he came alone to Antioch, being rendered very unhappy by the destruction of his army. Laying aside his garment of glory... That is, his splendid apparel, which he wore through ostentation; he now throws it off, lest he should be known on his flight. |
| 36 Et, qui Romanis promiserat se tributum de captivitate Hierosolymorum redigere, praedicabat propugnatorem habere Iudaeos, et hoc modo invulnerabiles esse, eo quod sequerentur leges ab ipso constitutas. | 8:36. And he that had promised to levy the tribute for the Romans, by the means of the captives of Jerusalem, now professed that the Jews had God for their protector, and therefore they could not be hurt, because they followed the laws appointed by him. |
|
Chapter 9 1 Eodem autem tempore Antiochus inhoneste revertebatur de regionibus circa Persidem. |
Return to Top of Book 9:1. At that time Antiochus returned with dishonour out of Persia. |
| 2 Intraverat enim in eam, quae dicitur Persepolis, et tentavit exspoliare templum et civitatem opprimere; quapropter, multitudine ad armorum auxilium concurrente, in fugam versi sunt; et contigit ut Antiochus in fugam versus ab indigenis turpiter rediret. | 9:2. For he had entered into the city called Persepolis, and attempted to rob the temple, and to oppress the city, but the multitude running together to arms, put them to flight: and so it fell out that Antiochus being put to flight, returned with disgrace. Persepolis... Otherwise called Elymais. |
| 3 Et cum esset circa Ecbatana, nuntiata sunt ea, quae erga Nicanorem et Timotheum gesta sunt. | 9:3. Now when he was come about Ecbatana, he received the news of what had happened to Nicanor and Timotheus. |
| 4 Elatus autem ira arbitrabatur se etiam iniuriam illorum, qui se fugaverant, in Iudaeos retorquere; ideoque iussit, ut auriga sine intermissione iter perficeret, caelesti iam eum comitante iudicio. Ita enim superbe locutus erat: " Congeriem sepulcri Iudaeorum Hierosolymam faciam, cum venero illo ". | 9:4. And swelling with anger, he thought to revenge upon the Jews the injury done by them that had put him to flight. And therefore he commanded his chariot to be driven, without stopping in his journey, the judgment of heaven urging him forward, because he had spoken so proudly, that he would come to Jerusalem, and make it a common burying place of the Jews. |
| 5 Sed qui universa conspicit, Dominus, Deus Israel, percussit eum insanabili et invisibili plaga; et continuo ut is finivit sermonem, apprehendit eum dolor dirus viscerum et amara internorum tormenta, | 9:5. But the Lord, the God of Israel, that seeth all things, struck him with an incurable and an invisible plague. For as soon as he had ended these words, a dreadful pain in his bowels came upon him, and bitter torments of the inner parts. |
| 6 perquam iuste, quippe qui multis et novis cruciatibus aliorum torserat viscera. | 9:6. And indeed very justly, seeing he had tormented the bowels of others with many and new torments, albeit he by no means ceased from his malice. |
| 7 Ille vero nullo modo ab arrogantia cessabat; super hoc autem superbia repletus erat, ignem spirans animo in Iudaeos et praecipiens iter accelerari. Contigit autem, ut et ille caderet de curru, qui ferebatur impetu, et gravi lapsu corruens in omnibus corporis membris vexaretur. | 9:7. Moreover, being filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding the matter to be hastened, it happened as he was going with violence, that he fell from the chariot, so that his limbs were much pained by a grievous bruising of the body. |
| 8 Isque, qui nuper videbatur fluctibus maris imperare propter super hominem iactantiam et in statera montium altitudines appendere, humiliatus ad terram in gestatorio portabatur manifestam Dei virtutem omnibus ostendens, | 9:8. Thus he that seemed to himself to command even the waves of the sea, being proud above the condition of man, and to weigh the heights of the mountains in a balance, now being cast down to the ground, was carried in a litter, bearing witness to the manifest power of God in himself: |
| 9 ita ut de oculis impii vermes scaturirent, ac viventis in doloribus et maeroribus carnes eius diffluerent, illiusque odore totus exercitus gravaretur propter putredinem. | 9:9. So that worms swarmed out of the body of this man, and whilst he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell off, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to the army. |
| 10 Et qui paulo ante sidera caeli contingere se arbitrabatur, eum nemo poterat propter intolerabilem foetoris gravitatem portare. | 9:10. And the man that thought a little before he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry, for the intolerable stench. |
| 11 Hinc igitur coepit multum superbiae deponere confractus et ad agnitionem venire divina plaga, per momenta doloribus extensus. | 9:11. And by this means, being brought from his great pride, he began to come to the knowledge of himself, being admonished by the scourge of God, his pains increasing every moment. |
| 12 Et, cum nec ipse foetorem suum ferre posset, ita ait: " Iustum est subditum esse Deo et mortalem non superbe sentire ". | 9:12. And when he himself could not now abide his own stench, he spoke thus: It is just to be subject to God, and that a mortal man should not equal himself to God. |
| 13 Orabat autem hic scelestus Dominum, ei non amplius miserturum, ita dicens: | 9:13. Then this wicked man prayed to the Lord, of whom he was not like to obtain mercy. Of whom he was not like to obtain mercy... Because his repentance was not for the offence committed against God: but barely on account of his present sufferings. |
| 14 sanctam quidem civitatem, ad quam festinans veniebat, ut eam solo aequalem faceret ac sepulcrum congestorum strueret, liberam ostendere; | 9:14. And the city, to which he was going in haste to lay it even with the ground, and to make it a common burying place, he now desireth to make free: |
| 15 Iudaeos autem, quos decreverat nec sepultura quidem se dignos habiturum, sed avibus devorandos cum parvulis se feris proiecturum, omnes hos aequales Atheniensibus facturum; | 9:15. And the Jews, whom he said he would not account worthy to be so much as buried, but would give them up to be devoured by the birds and wild beasts, and would utterly destroy them with their children, he now promiseth to make equal with the Athenians. |
| 16 templum vero sanctum, quod prius exspoliaverat, pulcherrimis donis ornaturum et sacra vasa multiplicia cuncta se redditurum, et pertinentes ad sacrificia sumptus de redditibus suis praestaturum; | 9:16. The holy temple also, which before he had spoiled, he promised to adorn with goodly gifts, and to multiply the holy vessels, and to allow out of his revenues the charges pertaining to the sacrifices. |
| 17 super haec autem et Iudaeum se futurum et omnem locum habitabilem perambulaturum praedicantem Dei potestatem. | 9:17. Yea also, that he would become a Jew himself, and would go through every place of the earth, and declare the power of God. |
| 18 Sed omnino non cessantibus doloribus supervenerat enim in eum iustum Dei iudicium semetipsum desperans scripsit ad Iudaeos hanc infra rescriptam epistulam modum deprecationis habentem, haec continentem: | 9:18. But his pains not ceasing, (for the just judgment of God was come upon him) despairing of life, he wrote to the Jews, in the manner of a supplication, a letter in these words: |
| 19 " Optimis civibus Iudaeis plurimam salutem et bene valere et esse felices, rex et dux Antiochus. | 9:19. To his very good subjects the Jews, Antiochus, king and ruler, wisheth much health, and welfare, and happiness. |
| 20 Si bene valetis et filii vestri, et res vestrae ex sententia sunt vobis, precans refero quidem Deo maximam gratiam, in caelum spem habens; | 9:20. If you and your children are well, and if all matters go with you to your mind, we give very great thanks. |
| 21 ego vero in infirmitate constitutus eram, vestri autem honoris et benevolentiae memineram cum affectione. Reversus de Persidis locis et in infirmitatem incidens molestiam habentem, necessarium duxi pro communi omnium securitate curam habere. | 9:21. As for me, being infirm, but yet kindly remembering you, returning out of the places of Persia, and being taken with a grievous disease, I thought it necessary to take care for the common good: |
| 22 Non desperans memetipsum, sed spem multam habens effugiendi infirmitatem, | 9:22. Not distrusting my life, but having great hope to escape the sickness. |
| 23 respiciens autem quod et pater meus, quibus temporibus in superiora loca duxit exercitum, ostendit, qui susciperet principatum; | 9:23. But considering that my father also, at what time he led an army into the higher countries, appointed who should reign after him: |
| 24 ut, si quid contrarium accideret aut etiam quid difficile nuntiaretur, scientes hi, qui circa regionem erant, cui esset rerum summa derelicta, non turbarentur. | 9:24. To the end that if any thing contrary to expectation should fall out, or any bad tidings should be brought, they that were in the countries, knowing to whom the whole government was left, might not be troubled. |
| 25 Ad haec autem considerans de proximo potentes et vicinos regno temporibus insidiantes et eventum exspectantes, designavi filium Antiochum regem, quem saepe recurrens in superiora regna plurimis vestrum committebam et commendabam; et scripsi ad eum, quae subiecta sunt. | 9:25. Moreover, considering that neighbouring princes, and borderers, wait for opportunities, and expect what shall be the event, I have appointed my son, Antiochus, king, whom I often recommended to many of you, when I went into the higher provinces: and I have written to him what I have joined here below. |
| 26 Oro itaque vos et peto memores beneficiorum publice et privatim, ut unusquisque conservet hanc, quam habetis benevolentiam in me et in filium. | 9:26. I pray you, therefore, and request of you, that, remembering favours both public and private, you will every man of you continue to be faithful to me and to my son. |
| 27 Confido enim eum modeste et humane, sequentem propositum meum, vobiscum acturum ". | 9:27. For I trust that he will behave with moderation and humanity, and following my intentions, will be gracious unto you. |
| 28 Igitur homicida et blasphemus pessima perpessus, ut ipse alios tractaverat, peregre in montibus miserabili obitu vita functus est. | 9:28. Thus the murderer and blasphemer being grievously struck, as himself had treated others, died a miserable death in a strange country, among the mountains. |
| 29 Transferebat autem corpus Philippus collactaneus eius, qui etiam metuens filium Antiochi ad Ptolemaeum Philometorem in Aegyptum se contulit. | 9:29. But Philip, that was brought up with him, carried away his body: and out of fear of the son of Antiochus, went into Egypt to Ptolemee Philometor. |
|
Chapter 10 1 Maccabaeus autem et, qui cum eo erant, Domino eos praeeunte, templum quidem et civitatem receperunt; |
Return to Top of Book 10:1. But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again |
| 2 aras autem, quas alienigenae per plateam exstruxerant, itemque delubra demoliti sunt | 10:2. But he threw down the altars which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols. |
| 3 et, purgato templo, aliud altare fecerunt et, succensis lapidibus igneque de his concepto, sacrificia obtulerunt post biennium et incensum et lucernas et panum propositionem fecerunt. | 10:3. And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the loaves of proposition. |
| 4 Quibus autem gestis, rogaverunt Dominum prostrati in ventrem, ne amplius talibus malis inciderent, sed et, si quando peccassent, ut ab ipso cum clementia corriperentur et non blasphemis ac barbaris gentibus traderentur. | 10:4. And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord, lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and blasphemous men. |
| 5 Qua die autem templum ab alienigenis pollutum fuerat, contigit eadem die purificationem fieri templi vicesima quinta illius mensis, qui est Casleu. | 10:5. Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the strangers on the very same day it was cleansed again; to wit, on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu. |
| 6 Et cum laetitia diebus octo egerunt in modum Tabernaculorum, recordantes quod ante modicum temporis diem sollemnem Tabernaculorum in montibus et in speluncis more bestiarum egerant. | 10:6. And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beasts. |
| 7 Propter quod thyrsos et ramos virides, adhuc et palmas habentes, hymnos tollebant ei, qui prosperavit mundari locum suum. | 10:7. Therefore they now carried boughs and green branches and palms, for him that had given them good success in cleansing his place. |
| 8 Et decreverunt communi praecepto et decreto universae genti Iudaeorum omnibus annis agere dies istos. | 10:8. And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year. |
| 9 Res itaque de fine Antiochi, qui appellatus est Epiphanes, ita se habuerunt. | 10:9. And this was the end of Antiochus, that was called the Illustrious. |
| 10 Nunc autem res de Antiocho Eupatore, qui vero filius erat impii, narrabimus, illa breviantes, quae continent bellorum mala. | 10:10. But now we will repeat the acts of Eupator, the son of that wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in the wars. |
| 11 Hic enim, suscepto regno, constituit super negotia regni Lysiam quendam Coelesyriae et Phoenicis ducem primarium. | 10:11. For when he was come to the crown, he appointed over the affairs of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria. |
| 12 Nam Ptolemaeus, qui dicebatur Macron, quod esset iustum conservare praeferens erga Iudaeos propter in eos factam iniquitatem, conabatur, quae ad illos spectabant, pacifice peragere. | 10:12. For Ptolemee, that was called Macer, was determined to be strictly just to the Jews and especially by reason of the wrong that had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them. |
| 13 Unde accusatus ab amicis apud Eupatorem et cum frequenter se proditorem esse audiret, eo quod Cyprum creditam sibi a Philometore deseruisset et ad Antiochum Epiphanem transiisset, cumque amplius nobilem potestatem digne ferre non posset, veneno hausto vitam finivit. | 10:13. But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus, which Philometor had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison. |
| 14 Gorgias autem, cum esset dux locorum, externos milites alebat et frequenter adversus Iudaeos bellum instruebat. | 10:14. But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews. |
| 15 Atque una cum ipso etiam Idumaei, qui tenebant opportunas munitiones, exercebant Iudaeos et fugatos ab Hierosolymis suscipientes bellum alere tentabant. | 10:15. And the Jews that occupied the most commodious holds, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war. The Jews, etc... He speaks of them that had fallen from their religion, and were enemies of their country, who joining with the Idumeans or Edomites, kept possession of the strong holds, and from thence annoyed their countrymen. |
| 16 Hi vero, qui erant cum Maccabaeo, supplicatione facta et rogato Deo, ut esset sibi adiutor, impetum fecerunt in munitiones Idumaeorum; | 10:16. Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds of the Idumeans: |
| 17 quas fortiter aggressi, loca obtinuerunt et omnes, qui pugnabant in muris, propulerunt et occurrentes interemerunt et non minus viginti milibus trucidaverunt. | 10:17. And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty thousand. |
| 18 Quidam autem, cum confugissent non minus quam novem milia in duas turres valde munitas et omnia ad repugnandum habentes, | 10:18. And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege, |
| 19 Maccabaeus, ad eorum expugnationem relicto Simone et Iosepho itemque Zacchaeo eisque, qui cum ipso erant satis multis, ipse ad ea, quae amplius perurgebant, loca discessit. | 10:19. Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were with them, in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those expeditions which urged more. |
| 20 Hi vero, qui cum Simone erant, cupiditate ducti a quibusdam, qui in turribus erant, suasi sunt pecunia et, septuaginta milibus drachmis acceptis, dimiserunt quosdam effugere. | 10:20. Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded for the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape. |
| 21 Cum autem Maccabaeo nuntiatum esset quod factum est, principibus populi congregatis accusavit quod pecunia fratres vendidissent, adversariis eorum dimissis. | 10:21. But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape. |
| 22 Hos igitur proditores factos interfecit et confestim duas turres occupavit. | 10:22. So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers. |
| 23 Armis autem in manibus omnia prospere agendo in duabus munitionibus plus quam viginti milia peremit. | 10:23. And having good success in arms, and all things he took in hand, he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds. |
| 24 At Timotheus, qui prius a Iudaeis fuerat superatus, convocatis peregrinis copiis valde multis et congregatis equis, qui erant ex Asia, non paucis, adfuit quasi armis victam Iudaeam capturus. | 10:24. But Timotheus, who before had been overcome by the Jews, having called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms. |
| 25 Qui autem cum Maccabaeo erant, appropinquante illo, ad supplicationem Dei terra capita aspergentes lumbosque ciliciis praecincti | 10:26. But Machabeus, and they that were with him, when he drew near, prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads, and girding their loins with haircloth, |
| 26 super crepidinem contra altare provoluti rogabant, ut sibi propitius factus inimicis eorum esset inimicus et adversariis adversaretur, sicut lex declarat. | 10:26. And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law saith. |
| 27 Digressi autem ab oratione, sumptis armis, longius de civitate processerunt et, proximi hostibus effecti, separatim steterunt. | 10:27. And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they rested. |
| 28 Cum autem lux oriens coepisset diffundi, utrique commiserunt, isti quidem prosperitatis et victoriae tamquam sponsorem habentes cum virtute refugium in Dominum, illi autem ut ducem certaminum sibi ipsis statuentes animum. | 10:28. But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the one part having, with their valour, the Lord for a surety of victory, and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in battle. |
| 29 Sed, cum vehemens pugna esset, apparuerunt adversariis de caelo viri quinque in equis, frenis aureis decori, et ducatum Iudaeis praestantes; | 10:29. But when they were in the heat of the engagement, there appeared to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely, with golden bridles, conducting the Jews: |
| 30 ex quibus duo Maccabaeum medium accipientes suisque armis protegentes incolumem conservabant, in adversarios autem tela et fulmina iaciebant, ex quo caecitate confusi evolaverunt repleti perturbatione. | 10:30. Two of them took Machabeus between them, and covered him on every side with their arms, and kept him safe; but cast darts and fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble. |
| 31 Interfecti sunt autem viginti milia quingenti et equites sescenti. | 10:31. And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen. |
| 32 Timotheus vero confugit in praesidium, quod Gazara dicitur, optimam munitionem, ducatum illic habente Chaerea. | 10:32. But Timotheus fled into Gazara, a strong hold where Chereas was governor. |
| 33 Qui autem cum Maccabaeo erant laetantes obsederunt munitionem diebus quattuor. | 10:33. Then Machabeus, and they that were with him cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days. |
| 34 At hi qui intus erant, loci munimento confisi, supra modum maledicebant et sermones nefandos iactabant; | 10:34. But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words. |
| 35 sed, cum dies quinta illucesceret, viginti iuvenes ex his, qui cum Maccabaeo erant, accensi animis propter blasphemias, murum viriliter aggressi feroci animo, occursantem quemque caedebant; | 10:35. But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds, because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce courage, got up upon it: |
| 36 sed et alii similiter ascendentes in circumflexione contra eos, qui intus erant, turres incendebant atque ignes inferentes ipsos maledicos vivos concremabant, alii autem portas concidebant et, recepto residuo exercitu, occupaverunt civitatem; | 10:36. Moreover, others also getting up after them, went to set fire to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive. |
| 37 et Timotheum occultantem se in quodam lacu peremerunt et fratrem illius Chaeream et Apollophanem. | 10:37. And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes. Timotheus... This man, who was killed at the taking of Gazara, is different from that Timotheus who is mentioned in the fifth chapter of the first book of Machabees, and of whom there is mention in the following chapter. |
| 38 Quibus gestis, in hymnis et confessionibus benedicebant Dominum, qui magnifice Israel benefaciebat et victoriam dabat illis. | 10:38. And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory. |
|
Chapter 11 1 Sed parvo prorsus post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus ac negotiorum praepositus graviter ferens de his, quae acciderant, |
Return to Top of Book 11:1. A short time after this Lysias, the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened, |
| 2 congregatis octoginta milibus et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Iudaeos existimans se civitatem quidem Graecis habitaculum facturum; | 11:2. Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles: |
| 3 templum vero in pecuniae quaestum sicut cetera delubra gentium habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium facturum, | 11:3. And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles and to set the high priesthood to sale every year: |
| 4 nequaquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed elatus multitudine peditum et milibus equitum et octoginta elephantis. | 11:4. Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants. |
| 5 Ingressus autem Iudaeam et appropians Bethsuris, munito quidem praesidio, distanti autem ab Hierosolymis intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud obsidione premebat. | 11:5. So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress. |
| 6 Ut autem, qui cum Maccabaeo erant, cognoverunt eum expugnare praesidia, cum fletibus et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israel. | 11:6. But when Machabeus, and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel. |
| 7 Et ipse primus Maccabaeus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire et ferre auxilium fratribus suis; simul autem et prompto animo impetum fecerunt. | 11:7. Then Machabeus himself first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren. |
| 8 Ilico vero, cum prope Hierosolymam essent, apparuit praecedens eos eques in veste candida armaturam auream vibrans. | 11:8. And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear. |
| 9 Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Deum et convaluerunt animis non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas et muros ferreos parati penetrare. | 11:9. Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great courage: being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, and walls of iron. |
| 10 Praeibant in apparatu de caelo habentes adiutorem, miserante super eos Domino. | 11:10. So they went on courageously, having a helper from heaven, and the Lord, who shewed mercy to them. |
| 11 Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim milia peditum et equitum mille sescentos, universos autem in fugam verterunt. | 11:11. And rushing violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred horsemen: |
| 12 Plures autem ex eis vulnerati, nudi evaserunt; sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit. | 11:12. And put all the rest to flight; and many of them being wounded, escaped naked: Yea, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped. |
| 13 Et, quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se deminutionem et intellegens invictos esse Hebraeos, potente Deo auxiliante, misit ad eos | 11:13. And as he was a man of understanding, considering with himself the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them: |
| 14 suasitque eis se consensurum omnibus, quae iusta sunt, et regem quoque persuasurum, ut necessarium crederet se amicum eis esse. | 11:14. And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend. |
| 15 Annuit autem Maccabaeus in omnibus, quae Lysias rogabat, utilitati consulens; quaecumque enim Maccabaeus scriptis tradidit Lysiae de Iudaeis, rex concessit. | 11:15. Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common good in all things; and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king allowed of. |
| 16 Nam erant scriptae Iudaeis epistulae a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: " Lysias populo Iudaeorum salutem. | 11:16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greeting. |
| 17 Ioannes et Abessalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis tradentes responsum rescriptum, postulabant circum ea, quae per illud significabantur. | 11:17. John, and Abesalom, who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them. |
| 18 Quaecumque igitur oportebat etiam regi perferri, exposui; et, quae res permittebat, concessit. | 11:18. Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king, I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted. |
| 19 Si igitur in negotiis benevolentiam conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esse tentabo. | 11:19. If, therefore, you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good. |
| 20 De ceteris autem per singula mandavi et istis et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum. | 11:20. But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you. |
| 21 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, mensis Iovis Corinthii die vicesima et quarta ". | 11:21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus. In the year 148 ... Viz., according to the computation followed by the Greeks; which was different from that of the Hebrews, followed by the writer of the first book of Machabees. However, by this date, as well as by other circumstances, it appears that the expedition of Lysias, mentioned in this chapter, is different from that which is recorded, 1 Mac. 6. |
| 22 Regis autem epistula ista continebat: " Rex Antiochus Lysiae fratri salutem. | 11:22. But the king's letter contained these words King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother, greeting. |
| 23 Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos, qui sunt in regno nostro, sine tumultu attendere ad rerum suarum curam, | 11:23. Our father being translated amongst the gods we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns. |
| 24 audientes Iudaeos non consensisse patri, ut transferrentur ad Graecas institutiones, sed suo ipsorum instituto adhaerentes postulare sibi concedi legitima sua; | 11:24. And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks but that they would keep to their own manner of living and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws. |
| 25 cupientes igitur hanc quoque gentem extra tumultum esse, iudicamus templum illis restitui remque agi secundum suorum maiorum consuetudinem. | 11:25. Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors. |
| 26 Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis ut, cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint et libenter propriarum rerum instaurationi deserviant ". | 11:26. Thou shalt do well, therefore, to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs. |
| 27 Ad gentem vero regis epistula talis erat: " Rex Antiochus senatui Iudaeorum et ceteris Iudaeis salutem. | 11:27. But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting. |
| 28 Si valetis, sic est, ut volumus; sed et ipsi bene valemus. | 11:28. If you are well, you are as we desire: we ourselves also are well. |
| 29 Manifestavit nobis Menelaus velle vos redire et in negotiis propriis versari. | 11:29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us. |
| 30 His igitur, qui commeant usque ad diem tricesimum mensis Xanthici, erit dextera cum securitate, | 11:30. We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus, |
| 31 ut Iudaei utantur cibis et legibus suis sicut et prius, et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patietur de his, quae per ignorantiam gesta sunt. | 11:31. That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance. |
| 32 Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur. | 11:32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you. |
| 33 Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quinta decima die ". | 11:33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus. |
| 34 Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistulam ita se habentem: " Quintus Memmius, Titus Manius, legati Romanorum populo Iudaeorum salutem. | 11:34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting. |
| 35 De his, quae Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos consentimus. | 11:35. Whatsoever Lysias, the king's cousin, hath granted to you, we also have granted. |
| 36 De quibus autem ad regem iudicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittite inter vos conferentes de his, ut proponamus, sicut congruit vobis; nos enim Antiochiam accedimus. | 11:36. But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch. |
| 37 Ideoque festinate et mittite aliquos, ut nos quoque sciamus cuius estis voluntatis. | 11:37. And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are. |
| 38 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quinta decima die mensis Xanthici ". | 11:38. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus. |
|
Chapter 12 1 His factis pactionibus, Lysias pergebat ad regem, Iudaei autem agriculturae operam dabant. |
Return to Top of Book 12:1. When these covenants were made, Lysias went to the king, and the Jews gave themselves to husbandry. |
| 2 Sed ex his, qui duces erant in singulis locis, Timotheus et Apollonius Gennaei filius, sed et Hieronymus et Demophon, super hos et Nicanor Cypriarches, non sinebant eos in silentio agere et quiete. | 12:2. But they that were behind, viz. Timotheus, and Apollonius, the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them Nicanor, the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live in peace, and to be quiet. |
| 3 Ioppitae vero tale quoddam flagitium perpetrarunt: cum rogavissent Iudaeos, cum quibus habitabant, ascendere scaphas, quas ipsi paraverant, cum uxoribus et filiis, quasi nullis inimicitiis in eos subiacentibus, | 12:3. The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness: they desired the Jews, who dwelt among them, to go with their wives and children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though they had no enmity to them. |
| 4 secundum autem commune civitatis decretum, et ipsis acquiescentibus, utpote qui pacem obtinere cuperent et nihil suspectum haberent, eos provectos in altum submerserunt non minus ducentos. | 12:4. Which when they had consented to, according to the common decree of the city, suspecting nothing, because of the peace: when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no fewer than two hundred of them. |
| 5 Quam crudelitatem Iudas in suae gentis homines factam ut cognovit, praecepit viris, qui erant cum ipso, et, invocato iusto iudice Deo, | 12:5. But as soon as Judas heard of this cruelty done to his countrymen, he commanded the men that were with him: and after having called upon God, the just judge, |
| 6 venit adversus interfectores fratrum et portum quidem noctu succendit, scaphas exussit, eos autem, qui illuc refugerant, gladio peremit. | 12:6. He came against those murderers of his brethren, and set the haven on fire in the night, burnt the boats, and slew with the sword them that escaped from the fire. |
| 7 Et, cum conclusus esset locus, discessit quasi iterum reversurus et universam Ioppitarum civitatem eradicaturus. | 12:7. And when he had done these things in this manner, he departed as if he would return again, and root out all the Joppites. |
| 8 Sed, cum cognovisset et eos, qui erant Iamniae, velle pari modo facere habitantibus secum Iudaeis, | 12:8. But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do in like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them, |
| 9 Iamnitis quoque nocte supervenit et portum cum navibus succendit, ita ut lumen ignis appareret Hierosolymis a stadiis ducentis quadraginta. | 12:9. He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on fire, with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem, two hundred and forty furlongs off. |
| 10 Inde, cum iam abiissent novem stadiis et iter facerent ad Timotheum, commiserunt cum eo Arabes non minus quam quinque milia viri et equites quingenti. | 12:10. And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were marching towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen, and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians, set upon them. |
| 11 Cumque pugna valida fieret et hi, qui circa Iudam erant, per auxilium Dei prospere gessissent, nomades victi petebant a Iuda dextram sibi dari, promittentes se pascua daturos et in ceteris profuturos eis. | 12:11. And after a hard fight, in which, by the help of God, they got the victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist him in other things. |
| 12 Iudas autem arbitratus vere in multis eos utiles promisit se pacem acturum cum eis; dextrisque acceptis, discessere ad tabernacula sua. | 12:12. And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many things, promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they departed to their tents. |
| 13 Aggressus est autem et civitatem quandam firmam pontibus murisque circumsaeptam, quae a promiscuis gentibus habitabatur, cui nomen Caspin. | 12:13. He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with bridges and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations, the name of which is Casphin. |
| 14 Hi vero, qui intus erant, confidentes in stabilitate murorum et apparatu alimoniarum contumeliosius agebant cum eis, qui circa Iudam erant, maledictis lacessentes et blasphemantes ac loquentes, quae fas non est. | 12:14. But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the walls, and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering such words as were not to be spoken. |
| 15 Qui autem cum Iuda erant, invocato magno mundi Principe, qui sine arietibus et machinis organicis temporibus Iosue praecipitavit Iericho, irruerunt ferociter muris | 12:15. But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who without any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho, in the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls. Rams... That is, engines for battering walls, etc., which were used in sieges in those times. |
| 16 et, capta civitate per Dei voluntatem, inenarrabiles caedes fecerunt, ita ut adiacens stagnum latitudinem habens stadiorum duorum defluere repletum sanguine videretur. | 12:16. And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an unspeakable slaughter, so that a pool adjoining, of two furlongs broad, seemed to run with the blood of the slain. |
| 17 Inde autem discesserunt stadia septingenta quinquaginta et pervenerunt in Characa ad eos, qui dicuntur Tubiani, Iudaeos. | 12:17. From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and came to Characa, to the Jews that are called Tubianites. |
| 18 Et Timotheum quidem in illis locis non comprehenderunt, qui, nullo negotio perfecto, tunc de locis regressus erat, relicto tamen in quodam loco firmissimo praesidio. | 12:18. But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for before he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very strong garrison in a certain hold: |
| 19 Dositheus autem et Sosipater, ex ducibus, qui cum Maccabaeo erant, exeuntes peremerunt a Timotheo relictos in praesidio plures quam decem milia viros. | 12:19. But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus, slew them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten thousand men. |
| 20 At Maccabaeus, ordinato exercitu circum se per cohortes, constituit eos super cohortes et adversus Timotheum processit habentem secum centum viginti milia peditum equitumque duo milia quingentos. | 12:20. And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men, and divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, aad two thousand five hundred horsemen. |
| 21 Cognito autem Iudae adventu, Timotheus praemisit mulieres et filios et reliquum apparatum in locum, qui Carnion dicitur; erat enim inexpugnabile et accessu difficile praesidium propter locorum angustias. | 12:21. Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent the women and children, and the other baggage, before him into a fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable, and hard to come at, by reason of the straitness of the places. |
| 22 Cumque cohors Iudae prima apparuisset, et pavor factus esset super hostes, ac timor ex praesentia illius, qui universa conspicit, super eos esset, in fugam exsiluerunt, alius alio se ferens, ita ut saepe a suis laederentur et gladiorum acuminibus configerentur. | 12:22. But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own swords. |
| 23 Iudas autem vehementer instabat confodiens impios et prostravit ad triginta milia virorum. | 12:23. But Judas pursued them close, punishing the profane, of whom he slew thirty thousand men. |
| 24 Ipse vero Timotheus incidens in eos, qui erant cum Dositheo et Sosipatre, cum multa adulatione postulabat, ut vivus dimitteretur, eo quod multorum quidem parentes, aliorum autem fratres haberet, et contingeret horum curam non haberi. | 12:24. And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of Dositheus and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren of many of the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived. |
| 25 Et cum pluribus modis fidem dedisset secundum hoc constitutum, restituturum se eos illaesos, dimiserunt eum propter fratrum salutem. | 12:25. And when he had given his faith that he would restore them according to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the saving of their brethren. |
| 26 Egressus autem ad Carnion et Atergation interfecit viginti quinque milia corporum. | 12:26. Then Judas went away to Carnion, where he slew five and twenty thousand persons. |
| 27 Post autem horum fugam et necem, movit exercitum etiam adversus Ephron civitatem munitam, in qua multitudo diversarum gentium inhabitabat, et robusti iuvenes pro muris consistentes fortiter repugnabant; in hac autem machinarum et telorum multi erant apparatus. | 12:27. And after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed his army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls, made a vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war, and a provision of darts. |
| 28 Sed, cum Potentem invocassent, qui potestate sua vires hostium confringit, ceperunt subiectam civitatem et ex eis, qui intus erant, ad viginti quinque milia prostraverunt. | 12:28. But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power breaketh the strength of the enemies, they took the city: and slew five and twenty thousand of them that were within. |
| 29 Inde profecti ad civitatem Scytharum perrexerunt, quae ab Hierosolymis sescentis stadiis aberat. | 12:29. From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred furlongs from Jerusalem. Scythopolis... Formerly called Bethsan. |
| 30 Contestantibus autem his, qui erant illic Iudaei, benevolentiam, quam Scythopolitae erga eos habebant, et mitem occursum temporibus infelicitatis, | 12:30. But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that they were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their adversity they had treated them with humanity: |
| 31 gratias agentes et exhortati etiam de cetero erga genus ipsum benignos esse, venerunt Hierosolymam die sollemni Septimanarum instante. | 12:31. They gave them thanks, exhorting them to be still friendly to their nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks being at hand. |
| 32 Post eam vero, quae dicitur Pentecoste, abierunt contra Gorgiam praepositum Idumaeae. | 12:32. And after Pentecost they marched against Gorgias, the governor of Idumea. |
| 33 Exivit autem cum peditibus tribus milibus et equitibus quadringentis. | 12:33. And he came out with three thousand footmen and four hundred horsemen. |
| 34 Quibus autem congressis, contigit paucos ruere Iudaeorum. | 12:34. And when they had joined battle, it happened that a few of the Jews were slain. |
| 35 Dositheus vero quidam de iis, qui Bacenoris erant, eques vir et fortis, Gorgiam tenuit chlamydeque apprehensum ducebat eum fortiter; et, cum vellet illum capere vivum, eques quidam de Thracibus irruit in eum umerumque amputavit, et Gorgias effugit in Maresa. | 12:35. But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant man, took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and cut off his shoulder: and so Gorgias escaped to Maresa. |
| 36 At illis, qui cum Esdrin erant, diutius pugnantibus et fatigatis, cum invocasset Iudas Dominum, ut adiutorem se ostenderet et ducem belli, | 12:36. But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the battle: |
| 37 incipiens patria voce clamorem cum hymnis, irruens improviso in eos, qui circa Gorgiam erant, fugam eis incussit. | 12:37. Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a loud voice, he put Gorgias's soldiers to flight. |
| 38 Iudas autem, collecto exercitu, venit in civitatem Odollam et, cum septima dies superveniret, secundum consuetudinem purificati in eodem loco sabbatum egerunt. | 12:38. So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the same place. |
| 39 Et sequenti die venerunt, qui cum Iuda erant, eo tempore, quo necessarium factum erat, ut corpora prostratorum tollerent et cum parentibus reponerent in sepulcris paternis. | 12:39. And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers. |
| 40 Invenerunt autem sub tunicis uniuscuiusque interfectorum donaria idolorum, quae apud Iamniam fuerunt, a quibus lex prohibet Iudaeos. Omnibus ergo manifestum factum est ob hanc causam eos corruisse. | 12:40. And they found under the coats of the slain, some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain. Of the donaries, etc... That is, of the votive offerings, which had been hung up in the temples of the idols, which they had taken away when they burnt the port of Jamnia, ver. 9., contrary to the prohibition of the law, Deut. 7.25. |
| 41 Omnes itaque, cum benedixissent, quae sunt iusti iudicis, Domini, qui occulta manifesta facit, | 12:41. Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. |
| 42 ad obsecrationem conversi sunt, rogantes, ut id, quod factum erat, delictum oblivioni ex integro traderetur. At vero fortissimus Iudas hortatus est populum conservare se sine peccato, cum sub oculis vidissent, quae facta sunt propter peccatum eorum, qui prostrati sunt. | 12:42. And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. |
| 43 Et, facta viritim collatione ad duo milia drachmas argenti, misit Hierosolymam offerri pro peccatis sacrificium, valde bene et honeste de resurrectione cogitans. | 12:43. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection. |
| 44 Nisi enim eos, qui ceciderant, resurrecturos speraret, superfluum et vanum esset orare pro mortuis. | 12:44. (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) |
| 45 Deinde considerans quod hi, qui cum pietate dormitionem acceperant, optimum haberent repositum gratiae donum: | 12:45. And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. With godliness... Judas hoped that these men who died fighting for the cause of God and religion, might find mercy: either because they might be excused from mortal sin by ignorance; or might have repented of their sin, at least at their death. |
| 46 sancta et pia cogitatio. Unde pro defunctis expiationem fecit, ut a peccato solverentur. | 12:46. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead... Here is an evident and undeniable proof of the practice of praying for the dead under the old law, which was then strictly observed by the Jews, and consequently could not be introduced at that time by Judas, their chief and high priest, if it had not been always their custom. |
|
Chapter 13 1 Anno centesimo quadragesimo nono his, qui erant cir ca Iudam, notum factum est Antiochum Eupatorem venire cum multitudine adversus Iudaeam |
Return to Top of Book 1:1. In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea, |
| 2 et cum eo Lysiam procuratorem et praepositum negotiorum, unumquemque habentem exercitum Graecum peditum centum decem milia et equitum quinque milia trecentos et elephantos viginti duos, currus autem cum falcibus trecentos. | 13:2. And with him Lysias, the regent, who had charge over the affairs of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots. A hundred and ten thousand, etc... The difference between the numbers here set down, and those recorded, 1 Mac. 4, is easily accounted for; if we consider that such armies as these are liable to be at one time more numerous than at another; either by sending away large detachments, or being diminished by sickness; or increased by receiving fresh supplies of troops, according to different exigencies or occurrences. |
| 3 Commiscuit autem se illis et Menelaus et cum multa fallacia hortabatur Antiochum non pro patriae salute, sed sperans se constitui in principatum. | 13:3. Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler. |
| 4 Sed Rex regum suscitavit animos Antiochi in peccatorem; et, suggerente Lysia hunc esse causam omnium malorum, iussit, ut est consuetudo in loco, adductum in Beroeam necari. | 13:4. But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be apprehended and put to death in the same place. |
| 5 Erat autem in loco turris quinquaginta cubitorum, cineris plena, et machinam habebat volubilem undique praecipitem in cinerem. | 13:5. Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down. |
| 6 Illic reum sacrilegii vel quorundam etiam aliorum malorum summitatem factum, omnes propellunt ad interitum. | 13:6. From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death. |
| 7 Et tali lege praevaricatorem legis contigit mori, nec terram adeptum Menelaum. | 13:7. And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of the law, was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth. |
| 8 Valde iuste: nam, quia multa erga aram delicta commisit, cuius ignis et cinis erat sanctus, ipse in cinere mortem reportavit. | 13:8. And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was condemned to die in ashes. |
| 9 Sed rex mente efferatus veniebat, peiora quam quae sub patre suo facta erant, ostensurus Iudaeis. | 13:9. But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself worse to the Jews than his father was. |
| 10 Quibus Iudas cognitis, praecepit populo, ut die ac nocte Dominum invocarent, si quando et alias etiam nunc adiuvaret eos, | 13:10. Which when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would help them: |
| 11 quippe qui lege et patria sanctoque templo in eo essent ut privarentur; ac populum, qui nuper paululum respirasset, ne sineret blasphemis nationibus subdi. | 13:11. Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in subjection to blasphemous nations. |
| 12 Omnibus itaque simul idem facientibus et rogantibus misericordem Dominum cum fletu et ieiuniis et prostratione per triduum sine intermissione, hortatus eos Iudas praecepit adesse. | 13:12. So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready. |
| 13 Ipse vero seorsum cum senioribus cogitavit, prius quam regis exercitus invaderet Iudaeam et obtinerent civitatem, egressos res adiudicare auxilio Dei. | 13:13. But he, with the ancients, determined before the king should bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord. |
| 14 Dans itaque procurationem Creatori mundi, exhortatus suos, ut fortiter dimicarent usque ad mortem pro legibus, templo, civitate, patria, institutionibus, circa Modin exercitum constituit. | 13:14. So committing all to God, the Creator of the world, and having exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed his army about Modin. |
| 15 Cumque suis dedisset signum: " Victoriam Dei ", cum iuvenibus fortissimis electis, nocte aggressus castra adversus aulam regiam, interfecit viros ad duo milia et primarium elephantorum una cum eo, qui intra habitaculum erat; | 13:15. And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had been upon him, |
| 16 et postremo metu ac perturbatione castra repleverunt, rebusque prospere gestis, abierunt. | 13:16. And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great fear and tumult, they went off with good success. |
| 17 Die autem iam illucescente hoc factum erat, adiuvante eum Domini protectione. | 13:17. Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and help of thc Lord. |
| 18 Sed rex, accepto gustu audaciae Iudaeorum, artibus loca tentavit. | 13:18. But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews, attempted to take the strong places by policy: |
| 19 Et Bethsuris, quae erat Iudaeorum praesidium munitum, castra admovebat; sed fugabatur, impingebat, minorabatur. | 13:19. And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men. |
| 20 His autem, qui intus erant, Iudas necessaria mittebat. | 13:20. Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within |
| 21 Enuntiavit autem mysteria hostibus Rhodocus quidam de Iudaico exercitu; qui requisitus, comprehensus est et conclusus. | 13:21. But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put iu prison. |
| 22 Iterum rex sermonem habuit ad eos, qui erant in Bethsuris, dextram dedit, accepit, abiit; | 13:22. Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his right hand: took theirs: and went away. |
| 23 commisit cum his, qui erant cum Iuda, superatus est; cognovit rebellasse Philippum Antiochiae, qui relictus erat super negotia, confusus est; Iudaeos deprecatus est, subditus est, iuravit de omnibus, quae iusta erant, reconciliatus est et obtulit sacrificium, honoravit templum et loco exhibuit humanitatem; | 13:23. He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and intreating the Jews, and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and, being reconciled, offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and left gifts. |
| 24 Maccabaeum excepit, reliquit ducem a Ptolemaide usque ad Gerrenos Hegemonidem, | 13:24. He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians. |
| 25 venit Ptolemaidam: graviter ferebant Ptolemenses amicitiae conventiones indignabantur enim supra modum voluerunt irrita facere pacta. | 13:25. But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they should break the covenant. |
| 26 Accessit Lysias ad tribunal, exposuit rationem congruenter, persuasit, sedavit, tranquillos fecit, regressus est Antiochiam. Hoc modo res gestae a rege, adventus et profectionis eius, processerunt. | 13:26. Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return. |
|
Chapter 14 1 Sed post triennii tempus cognoverunt, qui cum Iuda erant, Demetrium Seleuci per portum apud Tripolim adnavigantem cum multitudine valida et navibus, |
Return to Top of Book 14:1. But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis, to places proper for his purpose, |
| 2 tenuisse regionem, sublato Antiocho et procuratore eius Lysia. | 14:2. And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general, Lysias. |
| 3 Alcimus autem quidam, qui summus sacerdos fuerat, sed voluntarie coinquinatus temporibus seditionis, considerans nullo modo sibi esse salutem neque accessum ultra ad sanctum altare, | 14:3. Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar, Now Alcimus, who had been chief priest... This Alcimus was of the stock of Aaron, but for his apostasy here mentioned was incapable of the high priesthood, but king Antiochus Eupator appointed him in place of the high priest, (see above, 1 Mac. chap. 7., ver. 9,) as Menelaus had been before him, set up by Antiochus, (above chap. 4.,)yet neither of them were truly high priests; for the true high priesthood was amongst the Machabees, who were also of the stock of Aaron, and had strictly held their religion, and were ordained according to the rites commanded in the law of Moses.-Ibid. Mingling... with the heathens; that is, in their idolatrous worship. |
| 4 venit ad regem Demetrium, centesimo quinquagesimo primo anno, offerens ei coronam auream et palmam, super haec et thallos, qui templi esse videbantur; et ipsa quidem die siluit. | 14:4. Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace. |
| 5 Tempus autem opportunum dementiae suae nactus, convocatus a Demetrio ad consilium et interrogatus quo proposito et consilio Iudaei niterentur, | 14:5. But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels, |
| 6 ad haec respondit: " Ipsi, qui dicuntur Asidaei, Iudaeorum, quibus praeest Iudas Maccabaeus, bella nutriunt et seditiones movent nec patiuntur regnum esse quietum. | 14:6. He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace. |
| 7 Unde ego defraudatus parentum gloria, dico autem summo sacerdotio, huc nunc veni, | 14:7. For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither: |
| 8 primo quidem de his, quae pertinent ad regem, mera fide sentiens, secundo autem etiam civibus meis consulens; nam illorum praedictorum inconsiderantia universum genus nostrum non modice laborat. | 14:8. Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of these men. |
| 9 Sed his singulis, tu rex, cognitis, et regioni et obsesso generi nostro, secundum quam habes omnibus obviam humanitatem, prospice; | 14:9. Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men. |
| 10 nam, quamdiu superest Iudas, impossibile est pacem esse negotiis ". | 14:10. For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state should be quiet. |
| 11 Talibus autem ab hoc dictis, velocius ceteri amici hostiliter se habentes adversus Iudam inflammaverunt Demetrium. | 14:11. Now when this man had spoken to this effect the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him. |
| 12 Qui statim assumens Nicanorem, qui fuit praepositus elephantorum, et ducem ostendens Iudaeae misit, | 14:12. And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea: |
| 13 datis mandatis, ut ipsum quidem Iudam occideret; eos vero, qui cum illo erant, dispergeret et constitueret Alcimum maximi templi summum sacerdotem. | 14:13. Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple. |
| 14 Tunc gentes, quae de Iudaea fugerant Iudam, gregatim se Nicanori miscebant, miserias et clades Iudaeorum prosperitates rerum suarum existimantes fore. | 14:14. Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs. |
| 15 Audito itaque Nicanoris adventu et conventu nationum, conspersi terra rogabant eum, qui populum suum constituit usque in aeternum quique suam portionem signis evidentibus protegit. | 14:15. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs. |
| 16 Imperante autem duce, statim inde profectus congreditur eis ad castellum Dessau. | 14:16. Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them. |
| 17 Simon vero frater Iudae commiserat cum Nicanore, sed lente ob repentinum adversariorum silentium victus evaserat. | 14:17. Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor: but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries. |
| 18 Nicanor tamen audiens quam virtutem haberent, qui cum Iuda erant, et animi magnitudinem pro patriae certaminibus, sanguine iudicium facere metuebat. | 14:18. Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword. |
| 19 Quam ob rem misit Posidonium et Theodotum et Matthathiam, ut darent dextras atque acciperent. | 14:19. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands. |
| 20 Et, cum diu de his consilium ageretur, et ipse dux ad multitudinem rettulisset, et paribus suffragiis pareret sententia, sponsionibus pacis annuerunt. | 14:20. And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind to consent to covenants. |
| 21 Itaque diem constituerunt, qua secreto convenirent eodem, et processit utrimque currus, posuerunt sellas; | 14:21. So they appointed a day upon which they might comne together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one. |
| 22 disposuit Iudas armatos paratos locis opportunis, ne forte ab hostibus repente mali aliquid fieret; congruum colloquium fecerunt. | 14:22. But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference. |
| 23 Morabatur Nicanor Hierosolymis nihilque inique agebat gregesque turbarum, quae congregatae fuerant, dimisit. | 14:23. And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together. |
| 24 Habebat autem Iudam semper in conspectu, ex animo erat viro inclinatus. | 14:24. And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man. |
| 25 Rogavit eum ducere uxorem filiosque procreare. Nuptias fecit, quiete egit, communiter vivebat. | 14:25. And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common. |
| 26 Alcimus autem, videns mutuam illorum benevolentiam et factas conventiones, accipiens venit ad Demetrium et dicebat Nicanorem aliena sentire a rebus; Iudam enim regni insidiatorem socium sibi designavit. | 14:26. But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor. |
| 27 Itaque rex exasperatus et pessimi huius criminationibus irritatus, scripsit Nicanori dicens graviter quidem se ferre de conventionibus, iubere tamen Maccabaeum citius vinctum mittere Antiochiam. | 14:27. Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch. |
| 28 Quibus cognitis, Nicanor confusus erat et aegre ferebat, si ea, quae convenerant, irrita faceret, nulla a viro facta iniuria; | 14:28. When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man. |
| 29 sed, quia regi resisti non poterat, opportunitatem observabat, ut artificio illud perficeret. | 14:29. But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders |
| 30 At Maccabaeus videns secum austerius agere Nicanorem et consuetum occursum ferocius exhibentem, intellegens non ex optimo esse austeritatem, non paucis suorum congregatis, occultavit se a Nicanore. | 14:30. But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor. |
| 31 Quod cum ille cognovit fortiter se a viro astutia praeventum, venit ad maximum et sanctum templum et sacerdotibus solitas hostias offerentibus iussit sibi tradi virum. | 14:31. But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man. |
| 32 Quibus cum iuramento dicentibus nescire se ubi esset, qui quaerebatur, extendens dexteram ad templum | 14:32. And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple, |
| 33 iuravit haec: " Nisi Iudam mihi vinctum tradideritis, istud Dei fanum in planitiem deducam et altare effodiam et templum hic Libero illustre erigam ". | 14:33. And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus. |
| 34 Et, his dictis, abiit. Sacerdotes autem protendentes manus in caelum invocabant eum, qui semper propugnator fuit gentis nostrae, haec dicentes: | 14:34. And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner: |
| 35 " Tu, Domine universorum, qui nullius indiges, voluisti templum habitationis tuae fieri in nobis; | 14:35. Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us. |
| 36 et nunc, Sancte, omnis sanctificationis Domine, conserva in aeternum impollutam domum istam, quae nuper mundata est ". | 14:36. Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed. |
| 37 Razis autem quidam de senioribus ab Hierosolymis delatus est Nicanori, vir amator civitatis et valde bene audiens, qui pro affectu pater Iudaeorum appellabatur. | 14:37. Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his kindness was called the father of the Jews. |
| 38 Hic enim pristinis temporibus seditionis iudicium pertulerat Iudaismi corpusque et animam pro Iudaismo tradiderat cum omni perseverantia. | 14:38. This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein. |
| 39 Volens autem Nicanor manifestare odium, quod habebat in Iudaeos, misit milites supra quingentos, ut eum comprehenderent; | 14:39. So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him. |
| 40 putabat enim, si illum cepisset, se cladem istis illaturum. | 14:40. For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much. |
| 41 Turbis autem turrim iam occupaturis et atrii ianuae vim facientibus atque iubentibus ignem admovere et portas incendi, ipse undique comprehensus supposuit sibi gladium | 14:41. Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword: He struck himself, etc... St. Augustine, (Epist. 61, ad Dulcitium, et lib. 2, cap. 23, ad Epist. 2, Gaud.) discussing this fact of Razias, says, that the holy scripture relates it, but doth not praise it, as to be admired or imitated, and that either it was not well done by him, or at least not proper in this time of grace. |
| 42 volens nobiliter mori potius quam subditus fieri peccatoribus et nobilitate sua indignis iniuriis affici. | 14:42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth. |
| 43 Sed, cum per contentionis festinationem non certo ictu plagam dedisset, et turbae intra ostia irrumperent, recurrens audacter ad murum praecipitavit semetipsum viriliter in turbas; | 14:43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd: |
| 44 quibus velociter locum dantibus intervallo facto, venit per medium spatium vacuum. | 14:44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck. He came upon the midst of the neck... Venit per mediam cervicem. In the Greek it is keneona, which signifies a void place, where there is no building. |
| 45 Et, cum adhuc spiraret, accensus animis surrexit et, cum sanguis ad modum fontis deflueret, et gravissima essent vulnera, cursu turbas pertransiens et stans supra quandam petram praeruptam, | 14:45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind, he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd: |
| 46 prorsus exsanguis iam effectus, proferens intestina et sumens utrisque manibus proiecit super turbas et invocans Dominatorem vitae ac spiritus, ut haec ipsi iterum redderet, ita vita defunctus est. | 14:46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels, with both hands he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life. |
|
Chapter 15 1 Nicanor autem, ut comperit eos, qui cum Iuda erant, in locis esse iuxta Samariam, cogitavit requietionis die cum omni securitate eos aggredi. |
Return to Top of Book 15:1. But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath day. |
| 2 Iudaeis vero, qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus: " Ne ita ferociter et barbare disperdas, sed honorem tribue praehonoratae diei cum sanctificatione ab eo, qui universa conspicit ", | 15:2. And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things: |
| 3 ille infelix interrogavit, si est potens in caelo, qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum. | 15:3. That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept. |
| 4 Et respondentibus illis: " Est Dominus vivus ipse in caelo potens, qui iussit colere septimam diem "; | 15:4. And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept. |
| 5 at ille ait: " Et ego potens sum super terram, qui impero sumi arma et negotia regis impleri ". Tamen non obtinuit, ut nefarium consilium perficeret. | 15:5. Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king's business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to accomplish his design. |
| 6 Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia cervicem erigens cogitaverat commune trophaeum statuere de iis, qui cum Iuda erant. | 15:6. So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to set up a public monument of his victory over Judas. |
| 7 Maccabaeus autem sine intermissione confidebat cum omni spe auxilium se consequi a Domino; | 15:7. But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help them. |
| 8 et hortabatur suos, ne formidarent adventum nationum, sed in mente habentes adiutoria sibi facta de caelo et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam. | 15:8. And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations, but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now to hope for victory from the Almighty. |
| 9 Et allocutus eos de Lege et Prophetis, admonens eos etiam de certaminibus, quae perfecerant, promptiores constituit eos. | 15:9. And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made them more cheerful: |
| 10 Et, animis eorum excitatis, denuntiavit simul ostendens gentium fallaciam et iuramentorum praevaricationem. | 15:10. Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths. |
| 11 Cum autem singulos illorum armavisset, non tam clipeorum et hastarum munitione quam per bonos sermones exhortatione, cumque somnium fide dignum exposuisset, supra modum universos laetificavit. | 15:11. So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all. |
| 12 Erat autem huiuscemodi visus eius: Oniam, qui fuerat summus sacerdos, virum honestum et bonum, verecundum occursu, modestum moribus et eloquium digne proferentem et qui a puero omnes virtutes domesticas exercuerat, manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Iudaeorum. | 15:12. Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews: |
| 13 Post hoc sic apparuisse virum canitie et gloria praestantem et mirabilem quandam et magni decoris esse eminentiam circa illum. | 15:13. After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty: |
| 14 Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse: " Hic est fratrum amator, qui multum orat pro populo et sancta civitate, Ieremias propheta Dei ". | 15:14. Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God. |
| 15 Protendentem autem Ieremiam dextram dedisse Iudae gladium aureum et, cum daret, dixisse haec: | 15:15. Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying: |
| 16 " Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo, in quo confringes adversarios ". | 15:16. Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel. |
| 17 Exhortati itaque Iudae sermonibus bonis valde, et qui poterant ad virtutem incitare et animos iuvenum confortare, statuerunt castra non tendere, sed fortiter inferri et cum omni virtute confligentes de negotiis iudicare, eo quod civitas et sancta et templum periclitarentur. | 15:17. Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully: that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the temple were in danger. |
| 18 Erat enim timor pro uxoribus et filiis itemque pro fratribus et cognatis in minore parte iacens, maximus vero et primus pro sanctificato templo. | 15:18. For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple. |
| 19 Sed et eos, qui in civitate erant comprehensi, non minima sollicitudo habebat propter illum sub aperto concursum. | 15:19. And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for them that were to be engaged in battle. |
| 20 Et, cum iam omnes exspectarent iudicium futurum, hostesque iam committerent, atque exercitus esset ordinatus, et bestiae opportuno in loco constitutae, et equitatus dispositus, | 15:20. And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the horsemen ranged in convenient places, |
| 21 considerans Maccabaeus adventum multitudinis et apparatum varium armorum et ferocitatem bestiarum, extendens manus in caelum prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit, sciens quoniam non est per arma, sed prout ab ipso iudicatum fuerit dignis tribuit victoriam. | 15:21. Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him. |
| 22 Dixit autem invocans hoc modo: " Tu, Domine, qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Iudaeae, et interfecit de castris Sennacherib ad centum octoginta quinque milia, | 15:22. And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias, king of Juda, and didst kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib: |
| 23 et nunc, Dominator caelorum, mitte angelum bonum ante nos in timorem et tremorem; | 15:23. Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm, |
| 24 magnitudine brachii tui exterreantur, qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum ". Et hic quidem in his finem fecit. | 15:24. That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer. |
| 25 Qui autem cum Nicanore erant, cum tubis et canticis admovebant; | 15:25. But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with trumpets and songs. |
| 26 hi vero qui erant cum Iuda, cum invocatione et orationibus congressi sunt cum hostibus. | 15:26. But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them, calling upon God by prayers: |
| 27 Et manibus quidem pugnantes, sed Dominum cordibus orantes, prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque milia, praesentia Dei magnifice delectati. | 15:27. So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God. |
| 28 Cumque cessassent ab opere et cum gaudio redirent, cognoverunt Nicanorem proruisse cum armis suis; | 15:28. And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour. |
| 29 facto itaque clamore et tumultu, patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant. | 15:29. Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the Almighty Lord in their own language. |
| 30 Et praecepit ille, qui per omnia corpore et animo primus fuerat in certamine pro civibus, qui iuventutis benevolentiam in suam gentem conservaverat, caput Nicanoris abscindi et manum cum umero, ac Hierosolymam perferri. | 15:30. And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor's head, and his hand, with the shoulder, should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem. |
| 31 Quo cum pervenisset, convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus, ante altare stans accersiit eos, qui in arce erant; | 15:31. And when he was come thither, having called together his countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castle, |
| 32 et, ostenso capite iniqui Nicanoris et manu nefarii, quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est, | 15:32. And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the Almighty God, |
| 33 linguam etiam impii Nicanoris praecisam dixit particulatim avibus daturum, pretia autem dementiae contra templum suspendere. | 15:33. He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor should be cut out, and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple. |
| 34 Omnes igitur in caelum benedixerunt manifestum Dominum dicentes: " Benedictus, qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit! ". | 15:34. Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled. |
| 35 Alligavit autem Nicanoris caput de summa arce evidens omnibus et manifestum signum auxilii Domini. | 15:35. And he hung up Nicanor's head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God. |
| 36 Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate praeterire, | 15:36. And they all ordained by a common decree, by no means to let this day pass without solemnity: |
| 37 a habere autem celebrem tertiam decimam diem, mensis duodecimi Adar dicitur voce Syriaca pridie Mardochaei diei. | 15:37. But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias' day. |
| 38 Igitur his erga Nicanorem sic gestis, et ex illis temporibus ab Hebraeis civitate possessa, ego quoque hic faciam finem sermonis. | 15:38. So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my narration. |
| 39 Et, si quidem bene et apte compositioni, hoc et ipse volebam; sin autem exigue et modice, hoc est, quod assequi poteram. | 15:39. 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. If not so perfectly, etc... This is not said with regard to the truth of the narration; but with regard to the style and manner of writing: which in the sacred penmen is not always the most accurate. See St. Paul, 2 Cor. 11.6. |
| 40 Sicut enim vinum solummodo bibere, similiter autem rursus et aquam, contrarium est, quemadmodum autem vinum aquae contemperatum iam et delectabilem gratiam perficit, huiusmodi etiam structura sermonis delectat aures eorum, quibus contingat compositionem legere. Hic autem erit finis. | 15:40. For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers. But here it shall be ended |