3 Maccabees · Church Slavonic Bible (Elizabeth Bible)
3 Maccabees 5 Church Slavonic Bible (Elizabeth Bible)
Notes on this text (3)
- Church Slavonic in its traditional (Synodal) spelling, with accents, breathings and titlo abbreviations, shown in the Ponomar font (SIL Open Font License).
- Exodus 36–39 follow the Septuagint's order; the digital source has no verse divisions there, so Exodus 36:8–end and chapters 37, 38 and 39 each appear as one block.
- Not shown: the lectionary pericope numbers (зача́ло) and the marginal glosses of the digital source. The Prayer of Manasseh stands at the end of 2 Chronicles (36:24), as in the Slavonic Bible; the prologue of Sirach and the opening verse of Lamentations are joined to verse 1.
Slavonic Church Slavonic Bible (Elizabeth Bible)
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Тогда̀ (ца́рь) тѧ́жцѣ и҆спо́лненъ гнѣ́ва и҆ ꙗ҆́рости, весьма̀ непремѣ́ненъ, призва́въ є҆́рмѡна слонѡ́мъ нача́льника, повелѣ̀ во грѧдꙋ́щїй де́нь и҆з̾ѻби́льнѣ накорми́ти слоны̀ рꙋкоѧ́тьми лїва́нскими и҆ вїно́мъ мно́гимъ несмѣ́шенымъ всѣ́хъ напои́ти, и҆́хже бѣ̀ число́мъ пѧ́ть сѡ́тъ, и҆ разсверѣ́пѣвшихъ ѿ вїна̀ неща́днѡ да́ннагѡ повестѝ во срѣ́тенїе сме́рти і҆ꙋде́йскїѧ.
1 Then he called Hermon, who had charge of the elephants. Full of rage, altogether fixed in his furious design,
2 Сїѧ̑ же повелѣ́въ возврати́сѧ на пи́ршество, собра́въ наипа́че тѣ́хъ дрꙋгѡ́въ и҆ во́инѡвъ, и҆̀же ненави́дѧхꙋ і҆ꙋде́ѡвъ: а҆ слононача́льникъ є҆́рмѡнъ повелѣ́нное прили́чнѡ соверша́ше.
2 he commanded him, with a quantity of unmixed wine with handfuls of incense infused, to drug the elephants early on the following day. These five hundred elephants were, when infuriated by the copious drinks of frankincense, to be led up to the execution of death upon the Jews.
3 Къ си̑мъ же слꙋзѝ въ ве́черъ и҆сходѧ́ще вѧза́хꙋ рꙋ́цѣ бѣ́дныхъ и҆ про́чꙋю ᲂу҆хищрѧ́хꙋ ѡ҆ ни́хъ стра́жꙋ, мнѧ́ще, ꙗ҆́кѡ въ нощѝ прїи́мꙋтъ і҆ꙋде́є вкꙋ́пѣ коне́чнꙋю поги́бель.
3 The king, after issuing these orders, went to his feasting, and gathered together all those of his friends and of the army who hated the Jews the most.
4 І҆ꙋде́є же всѧ́кагѡ покро́ва лише́ни бы́ти непщꙋ́еми ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ, ра́ди ѡ҆б̾е́мшїѧ и҆̀хъ ѿвсю́дꙋ во ᲂу҆́захъ нꙋ́жды, вседержи́телѧ гдⷭ҇а и҆ всѧ́кою си́лою ѡ҆блада́ющаго млⷭ҇тиваго бг҃а своего̀ и҆ ѻ҆ц҃а̀ непреста́ннымъ во́племъ всѝ со слеза́ми призыва́хꙋ молѧ́щесѧ, да совѣ́тъ непра́ведный, и҆́же на ни́хъ, премѣни́тъ и҆ и҆зба́витъ и҆̀хъ ѿ сꙋ́щїѧ пред̾ нога́ма ᲂу҆гото́ванныѧ сме́рти съ великолѣ́пнымъ ꙗ҆вле́нїемъ.
4 The master of the elephants, Hermon, fulfilled his commission punctually.
5 Си́хъ ᲂу҆́бѡ прилѣ́жнаѧ моли́тва взы́де на нб҃о: є҆́рмѡнъ же неꙋкроти́мыхъ слонѡ́въ напои́въ и҆спо́лненныхъ подаѧ́нїемъ мно́гагѡ вїна̀ и҆ лїва́номъ напита́въ, ра́нѡ во дво́ръ прїи́де ѡ҆ си́хъ возвѣсти́ти царю̀.
5 The servants appointed for the purpose went out about evening and bound the hands of the miserable victims, and took other precautions for their security at night, thinking that the whole race would perish together.
6 Ѿ вѣ́чнагѡ же вре́мене благо́е созда́нїе въ нощѝ и҆ во днѝ подава́емое ѿ бл҃годѣ́тельствꙋющагѡ всѣ̑мъ, и҆̀мже а҆́ще са́мъ хо́щетъ, сна̀ ча́сть посла̀ царю̀.
6 The heathen believed the Jews to be destitute of all protection, for chains bound them.
7 Сладча́йшимъ же и҆ глꙋбо́кимъ ѡ҆держи́мь бѣ̀ дѣ́йствїемъ влⷣки, ѡ҆ беззако́ннѣмъ ᲂу҆́бѡ предложе́нїи мно́гѡ прельсти́сѧ, въ непрело́жнѣмъ же совѣ́тѣ ѕѣ́льнѣ ѡ҆больще́нъ бы́сть.
7 They invoked the Almighty Lord, and ceaselessly implored with tears their merciful God and Father, Ruler of all, Lord of every power,
8 І҆ꙋде́є же предназна́менованнагѡ часа̀ и҆збѣжа́вше, ст҃а́го бг҃а своего̀ восхвалѧ́хꙋ, и҆ па́ки молѧ́хꙋ бл҃гопримири́тельнаго, да пока́жетъ великомо́щныѧ своеѧ̀ рꙋкѝ держа́вꙋ ꙗ҆зы́кѡмъ прегѡ́рдымъ.
8 to overthrow the evil purpose which had gone out against them, and to deliver them by extraordinary manifestation from that death which was in store for them.
9 Преполовлѧ́ющꙋсѧ же ᲂу҆жѐ а҆́ки десѧ́томꙋ часꙋ̀, и҆́же ко зва́нїю ᲂу҆чине́нный, ви́дѧ зва́нныхъ собра́вшихсѧ, прише́дъ ко царю̀ толкнꙋ̀, и҆ є҆два̀ возбꙋди́въ є҆го̀, показа̀ пи́ра вре́мѧ преходѧ́щее ᲂу҆жѐ, ѡ҆ си́хъ сло́во предложи́въ: є҆́же ца́рь (въ себѣ̀) размы́сливъ и҆ ѡ҆бра́щьсѧ на пи́ръ, повелѣ̀ прише́дшымъ на пи́ръ комꙋ́ждо проти́вꙋ себє̀ возлещѝ.
9 Their earnest entreaty went up to heaven.
10 Є҆гда́ же бы́сть сїѐ, поѡщрѧ́ше въ пирова́нїе вда́вшихсѧ, дабы̀ настоѧ́щꙋю пи́ршества ча́сть попремно́гꙋ пра́зднꙋюще въ весе́лїи препроводи́ли.
10 Then Hermon, who had filled his merciless elephants with copious drinks of mixed wine and frankincense, came early to the palace to report on these preparations.
11 Мно́зѣй же бесѣ́дѣ бы́вшей, ца́рь є҆́рмѡна призва́въ, съ го́рькимъ преще́нїемъ вопроша́ше, ко́еѧ ра́ди вины̀ ѡ҆ста́влени і҆ꙋде́є въ се́й де́нь жи́ви бы́ти;
11 He, however, who has sent sleep to his good creatures from the beginning, by night or by day, thus gratifying whom he wills, gave a portion of it now to the king.
12 Ѻ҆́номꙋ же показа́вшꙋ, ꙗ҆́кѡ но́щїю повелѣ́нное въ коне́цъ приведѐ, ксемꙋ́ же и҆ дрꙋгѡ́мъ спослꙋ́шествовавшымъ семꙋ̀ бы́ти та́кѡ, свирѣ́пство лютѣ́йшо па́че фаларі́да и҆мѣ́ѧ, речѐ: дне́шнемꙋ снꙋ̀ благода́рство да и҆́мꙋтъ:
12 By this sweet and profound influence of the Lord, he was held fast, and thus his unjust purpose was quite frustrated, and his unflinching resolve greatly falsified.
13 ты́ же непрело́жнѣ во грѧдꙋ́щїй де́нь по пре́жнемꙋ ᲂу҆гото́ви слоны̀ въ погꙋбле́нїе беззако́нныхъ і҆ꙋде́євъ.
13 But the Jews, having escaped the hour which had been fixed, praised their holy God, and again prayed him who is easily reconciled to display the power of his powerful hand to the arrogant Gentiles.
14 Сїѧ̑ же ре́кшꙋ царю̀, любе́знѣ всѝ съ ра́достїю присꙋ́тствꙋющїи кꙋ́пнѡ восхвали́вше, кі́йждо въ до́мъ сво́й ѿидо́ша: и҆ не та́кѡ на со́нъ и҆знꙋри́ша вре́мѧ нощно́е, ꙗ҆́кѡ на ᲂу҆хищре́нїе всѧ́кихъ порꙋга́нїй мни̑мымъ ѡ҆каѧ̑ннымъ.
14 The middle of the tenth hour had nearly arrived, when the person who sent invitations, seeing the guests who were invited present, came and shook the king.
15 Є҆гда́ же а҆ле́ктѡръ возгласѝ ᲂу҆́треннїй, и҆ ѕвѣ̑ри воѡрꙋжи́въ є҆́рмѡнъ на вели́цѣмъ дворѣ̀ поѡщрѧ́ше: во гра́дѣ же мно́жество наро́да собра́шасѧ на жа́лостное позо́рище, ѡ҆жида́юще ᲂу҆́тра со тща́нїемъ.
15 He gained his attention with difficulty, and hinting that the mealtime was getting past, talked the matter over with him.
16 І҆ꙋде́є же безпреста́ннѡ ѿ дꙋшѝ стенѧ́ще, многосле́знꙋю моли́твꙋ съ плаче́вными пѣ́сньми (творѧ́хꙋ) простира́юще рꙋ́цѣ на не́бо, молѧ́хꙋ вели́каго бг҃а па́ки и҆̀мъ помощѝ вско́рѣ.
16 The king listened to this, and then turning aside to his drinking, commanded the guests to sit down before him.
17 Є҆ще́ же со́лнечнїи лꙋчи̑ не разсѣ́ѧшасѧ, и҆ царю̀ дрꙋгѡ́въ прїе́млющꙋ, є҆́рмѡнъ предста́въ зва́ше ко и҆схожде́нїю, показꙋ́ѧ превозжелѣ́нное царе́мъ гото́во бы́ти.
17 This done, he asked them to enjoy themselves, and to indulge in mirth at this somewhat late hour of the banquet.
18 Ѻ҆́нъ же ᲂу҆слы́шавъ и҆ ᲂу҆жаснꙋ́всѧ ѡ҆ пребеззако́ннѣмъ и҆зше́ствїи, по всемꙋ̀ невѣ́дѣнїемъ ѡ҆держи́мь бы́въ вопроша́ше: что̀ дѣ́ло сїѐ, є҆́же вско́рѣ є҆мꙋ̀ совершѝ; Сїе́ же бѣ̀ дѣ́йствїе всѣ́ми влⷣчествꙋющагѡ бг҃а, и҆́же пред̾ꙋготѡ́ваннаѧ на і҆ꙋдє́и (мꙋчє́нїѧ) въ забве́нїе є҆мꙋ̀ вложѝ.
18 Conversation grew on, and the king sent for Hermon, and inquired of him, with fierce denunciations, why the Jews had been allowed to outlive that day.
19 Є҆́рмѡнъ же пока́зоваше и҆ всѝ дрꙋ́зи, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѕвѣ́рїе и҆ вѡ́и ᲂу҆гото́вани сꙋ́ть, ѽ, царю̀! по твоемꙋ̀ понꙋжда́ющемꙋ повелѣ́нїю.
19 Hermon explained that he had done his bidding over night; and in this he was confirmed by his friends.
20 Ѻ҆́нъ же ѡ҆ рече́нныхъ и҆спо́лнисѧ тѧ́жкїѧ ꙗ҆́рости, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѡ҆ си́хъ про́мысломъ бж҃їимъ разори́сѧ всѐ є҆гѡ̀ ᲂу҆мышле́нїе, воззрѣ́въ речѐ съ преще́нїемъ:
20 The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, “They might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against tomorrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.”
21 а҆́ще тебѣ̀ роди́телє бы́ли бы, и҆лѝ ча̑дъ роди́тєльницы, свирѣ̑пымъ и҆ ди̑вїимъ ѕвѣрє́мъ ᲂу҆гото́вали бы и҆з̾ѻби́льнꙋю пи́щꙋ вмѣ́стѡ непови́нныхъ, мнѣ̀ и҆ прароди́телємъ мои̑мъ показа́вшихъ всецѣ́лꙋю тве́рдꙋю вѣ́рность и҆зрѧ́днѡ і҆ꙋде́євъ: то̀ а҆́ще не любвѐ ра́ди совоспита́тельныѧ и҆ потре́бы, живота̀ вмѣ́стѡ си́хъ лише́нъ бы́лъ бы є҆сѝ.
21 When the king said this, the company present were glad, and approved. Then each man went to his own home.
22 Си́це є҆́рмѡнъ неча́ѧнное и҆ пребѣ́дственное под̾ѧ̀ преще́нїе и҆ зра́комъ и҆ лице́мъ и҆змѣни́сѧ. И҆ кі́йждо ѿ дрꙋ́гѡвъ сѣ́тованїемъ ѡ҆держи́ми бы́вше, со́бранныхъ ѿпꙋсти́ша коего́ждо на своѐ дѣ́ло.
22 They didn’t employ the night in sleep, but in contriving cruel mockeries for those deemed miserable.
23 І҆ꙋде́є же ꙗ҆̀же ѿ царѧ̀ ᲂу҆слы́шавше, ꙗ҆вле́ннаго бг҃а (и҆ гдⷭ҇а) и҆ цр҃ѧ̀ царе́й хвалѧ́хꙋ, полꙋчи́вше сїю̀ по́мощь є҆гѡ̀.
23 The morning cock had just crowed, and Hermon, having harnessed the brutes, was stimulating them in the great colonnade.
24 По си̑мъ же ѡ҆бы́чаємъ ца́рь па́ки соста́вивъ пи́ръ, молѧ́ше (дрꙋгѡ́въ) на весе́лїе премѣни́тисѧ. Є҆́рмѡна же призва́въ съ преще́нїемъ речѐ: ко́ль кра́ты потре́бно тебѣ̀ ѡ҆ то́мже повелѣва́ти, преѡкаѧ́нне! є҆щѐ и҆ нн҃ѣ воѡрꙋжѝ слоны̀ во ᲂу҆́трїе на погꙋбле́нїе і҆ꙋде́йское.
24 The city crowds were collected together to see the hideous spectacle, and waited impatiently for the dawn.
25 Совозлежа́щїи же срѡ́дницы непостоѧ́нномꙋ є҆гѡ̀ смы́слꙋ дивѧ́щесѧ, произнесо́ша сїѧ̑: доко́лѣ, ѽ, царю̀, а҆́ки безслове́сныхъ на́съ и҆скꙋша́еши, повелѣва́ѧ ᲂу҆жѐ тре́тїе си́хъ погꙋби́ти и҆ па́ки ѡ҆ ве́щехъ премѣ́ннѡ разрѣша́ѧ, ꙗ҆̀же тобо́ю повелѣ̑ннаѧ;
25 The Jews, breathless with momentary suspense, stretched out their hands and prayed the Greatest God, in mournful strains, again to help them speedily.
26 и҆́хже ра́ди гра́дъ ѡ҆ ѡ҆жида́нїи стꙋжа́етъ, и҆ и҆спо́лнисѧ ᲂу҆жѐ смѧте́нїѧ, и҆ бѣ́дствꙋетъ мно́жицею расхище́нъ бы́ти.
26 The sun’s rays were not yet shining and the king was waiting for his friends when Hermon came to him, calling him out, and saying that his desires could now be realized.
27 Ѿѻнꙋ́дꙋже ца́рь и҆спо́лнивсѧ безслове́сїѧ по всемꙋ̀, а҆́ки фаларі́дъ, и҆ бы̑вшаѧ ко призрѣ́нїю і҆ꙋде́йскꙋ въ себѣ̀ премѣнє́нїѧ дꙋшѝ ни во что̀ вмѣни́въ,
27 The king, receiving him, was astonished at his unusual invitation. Overwhelmed with a spirit of oblivion about everything, inquired about the object of this earnest preparation.
28 нечести́вѣйшею подтвердѝ клѧ́твою, ѡ҆предѣли́въ си́хъ ᲂу҆́бѡ неѿло́жнѡ посла́ти во а҆́дъ нога́ми и҆ копы́ты ѕвѣ́рскими сокрꙋше́нныхъ, на і҆ꙋде́ю же поше́дъ съ во́инствомъ, ѻ҆гне́мъ и҆ копїе́мъ со земле́ю соравни́ти вско́рѣ, и҆ невхо́дный на́ми хра́мъ и҆́хъ ѻ҆гне́мъ сожещѝ а҆́бїе, и҆ соверша́ющихъ та́мѡ жє́ртвы пꙋ́стъ въ вѣ́чное вре́мѧ поста́вити.
28 But this was the working of that Almighty God who had made him forget all his purpose.
29 Тогда̀ съ ра́достїю дрꙋ́зи и҆ срѡ́дницы ѿше́дше, съ вѣ́рою повелѣ́ша во́инѡмъ стрещѝ ᲂу҆гѡ́днаѧ мѣста̀ гра́да.
29 Hermon and all his friends pointed out the preparation of the animals. They are ready, O king, according to your own strict injunction.
30 Слононача́льникъ же ѕвѣ̑ри, а҆́ки бы рещѝ, въ состоѧ́нїе неи́стовое приве́дъ благово́нными питїѧ́ми вїна̀ съ лїва́номъ смѣ́шенагѡ, стра́шными ѻ҆рꙋ́дїѧми ᲂу҆стро́єнныѧ, ᲂу҆́трѡ ра́нѡ, гра́дꙋ ᲂу҆жѐ мно́жествы безчи́сленными на мѣ́стѣ ко́нскагѡ риста́нїѧ напо́лненꙋ бы́вшꙋ, вше́дъ во дво́ръ на предлежа́щее поѡщрѧ́ше царѧ̀.
30 The king was filled with fierce anger at these words, for, by the Providence of God regarding these things, his mind had become entirely confused. He looked hard at Hermon, and threatened him as follows:
31 Ца́рь же гнѣ́вомъ тѧ́жкимъ напо́лнивъ ѕлочести́вое се́рдце, все́ю си́лою со ѕвѣрьмѝ свирѣ́пыми и҆зы́де, хотѧ́щь неꙋкроти́мымъ се́рдцемъ и҆ зѣ́ницами ѻ҆че́съ ви́дѣти болѣ́зненнꙋю и҆ бѣ́дственнꙋю проназна́менованыхъ па́гꙋбꙋ.
31 “Your parents, or your children, were they here, would have given a large meal to these wild animals, not these innocent Jews, who have loyally served me and my forefathers.
32 Є҆гда́ же слоны̀ и҆схожда́хꙋ врата́ми, и҆ спослѣ́доваша и҆̀мъ во́ини воѡрꙋже́ннїи, и҆ ѿ мно́гихъ ше́ствїѧ пра́хъ ᲂу҆ви́дѣвше и҆ тѧ́жка гла́са кли́чь ᲂу҆слы́шавше і҆ꙋде́є, возмнѣ́вше себѣ̀ бы́ти послѣ́днїй коне́цъ живота̀ своегѡ̀ во мгнове́нїи,
32 Had it not been for familiar friendship, and the claims of your office, your life should have gone for theirs.”
33 ѿ бѣ́днагѡ ча́ѧнїѧ во ᲂу҆миле́нїе и҆ стена́нїе премѣни́вшесѧ, ѡ҆блобыза́хꙋ дрꙋ́гъ дрꙋ́га сплета́ющесѧ со срѡ́дники и҆ на вы̑и напа́дающе роди́телє ча́дѡмъ и҆ ма́тєри ю҆́нотамъ,
33 Hermon, being threatened in this unexpected and alarming manner, was troubled in his eyes, and his face fell.
34 и҆́ны же новорожде́нныхъ ᲂу҆ сосцє́въ и҆мꙋ́щѧ младе́нцєвъ послѣ́днее ссꙋ́щихъ млеко̀:
34 The friends, too, stole out one by one, and dismissed the assembled multitudes to their respective occupations.
35 ѻ҆ба́че воспомѧнꙋ́вше и҆ преждебы̑вшаѧ и҆̀мъ съ нб҃се защищє́нїѧ, є҆динодꙋ́шнѣ ни́цъ пове́ргше себѐ и҆ младе́нцы ѿлꙋчи́вше ѿ сосє́цъ, возопи́ша гла́сомъ ве́лїимъ ѕѣлѡ̀,
35 The Jews, having heard of these events, praised the glorious God and King of kings, because they had obtained this help, too, from him.
36 всѧ́кїѧ си́лы ѡ҆блада́телѧ молѧ́ще, да ᲂу҆ще́дритъ и҆̀хъ съ ꙗ҆вле́нїемъ, при вратѣ́хъ а҆́да ᲂу҆жѐ стоѧ́щихъ.
36 Now the king arranged another banquet in the same way, and proclaimed an invitation to mirth. 37 He summoned Hermon to his presence, and said, with threats, “How often, O wretch, must I repeat my orders to you about these same persons? 38 Once more, arm the elephants for the extermination of the Jews tomorrow!” 39 His kinsmen, who were reclining with him, wondered at his instability, and thus expressed themselves: 40 “O king, how long do you test us, as of men bereft of reason? This is the third time that you have ordered their destruction. When the thing is to be done, you change your mind, and recall your instructions. 41 Because of this, the feeling of expectation causes tumult in the city. It swarms with factions, and is continually on the point of being plundered.” 42 The king, just like another Phalaris, a prey to thoughtlessness, made no account of the changes which his own mind had undergone, issuing in the deliverance of the Jews. He swore a fruitless oath, and determined immediately to send them to hades, crushed by the knees and feet of the elephants. 43 He would also invade Judea, level its towns with fire and the sword, destroy that temple which the heathen might not enter, and prevent sacrifices ever after being offered up there. 44 Joyfully his friends broke up, together with his kinsmen; and, trusting in his determination, arranged their forces in guard at the most convenient places of the city. 45 The master of the elephants urged the animals into an almost maniacal state, drenched them with incense and wine, and decked them with frightful devices. 46 About early morning, when the city was filled with an immense number of people at the hippodrome, he entered the palace and called the king to the business in hand. 47 The king’s heart teemed with impious rage; and he rushed forth with the mass, along with the elephants. With unsoftened feelings and pitiless eyes, he longed to gaze at the hard and wretched doom of the previously mentioned Jews. 48 The elephants went out at the gate, followed by the armed force. When the Jews saw the dust raised by the throng, and heard the loud cries of the crowd, 49 they thought that they had come to the last moment of their lives, to the end that they had tremblingly expected. They gave way, therefore, to lamentations and moans. They kissed each other. Those nearest of kin to each other hung around one another’s necks—fathers hugging their sons and mothers their daughters. Other women held their infants to their breasts, which drew what seemed their last milk. 50 Nevertheless, when they reflected upon the help previously granted them from heaven, they prostrated themselves with one accord, removed even the sucking children from the breasts, and 51 sent up an exceedingly great cry asking the Lord of all power to reveal himself, and have mercy upon those who now lay at the gates of hades.