2 Maccabees · Brenton's Greek Septuagint
2 Maccabees 11 Brenton's Greek Septuagint
Notes on this text (1)
- Ezra and Nehemiah form one book (2 Esdras) in this edition; the reader shows them as Ezra 1–10 and Nehemiah 1–13.
1 Μετʼ ὀλίγον δὲ παντελῶς χρόνον Λυσίας ἐπίτροπος τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ συγγενὴς, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, λίαν βαρέως φέρων ἐπὶ τοῖς γεγονόσι,
1 Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,
2 συναθροίσας περὶ τὰς ὀκτὼ μυριάδας καὶ τὴν ἵππον πᾶσαν, παρεγένετο ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, λογιζόμενος τὴν μὲν πόλιν Ἕλλησιν οἰκητήριον ποιήσειν,
2 collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews, planning to make the city a home for Greeks,
3 τὸ δὲ ἱερὸν ἀργυρολόγητον καθὼς τὰ λοιπὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν τεμένη, πρατὴν δὲ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην κατʼ ἔτος ποιήσειν,
3 and to levy tribute on the temple, as on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.
4 οὐδαμῶς ἐπιλογιζόμενος τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ κράτος, πεφρενωμένος δὲ ταῖς μυριάσι τῶν πεζῶν καὶ ταῖς χιλιάσι τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τοῖς ἐλέφασι τοῖς ὀγδοήκοντα.
4 He took no account of God’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
5 Εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, καὶ συνεγγίσας τῷ Βαιθσούρᾳ, ὄντι μὲν ἐρυμνῷ χωρίῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ Ἱεροσολύμων ἀπέχοντι ὡσεὶ σταδίους πέντε, τοῦτο ἔθλιβεν.
5 Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.
6 Ὡς δὲ μετέλαβον οἱ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον πολιορκοῦντα αὐτὸν τὰ ὀχυρώματα, μετʼ ὀδύρμῶν καὶ δακρύων ἱκέτευον σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις τὸν Κύριον, ἀγαθὸν ἄγγελον ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς σωτηρίαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ.
6 When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.
7 Αὐτὸς δὲ πρῶτος ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἀναλαβὼν τὰ ὅπλα προετρέψατο τοὺς ἄλλους, ἅμα αὐτῷ διακινδυνεύοντας, ἐπιβοηθεῖν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτῶν· ὁμοῦ δὲ καὶ προθύμως ἐξώρμησαν.
7 Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.
8 Αὐτόθι δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ὄντων, ἐφάνη προηγούμενος αὐτῶν ἔφιππος ἐν λευκῇ ἐσθῆτι, πανοπλίαν χρυσῆν κραδαίνων.
8 As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing weapons of gold.
9 Ὁμοῦ δὲ πάντες εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐλεήμονα Θεὸν, καὶ ἐπεῤῥώσθησαν ταῖς ψυχαῖς, οὐ μόνον ἀνθρώπους ἀλλὰ καὶ θῆρας τοὺς ἀγριωτάτους, καὶ σιδηρᾶ τείχη τιτρώσκειν ὄντες ἕτοιμοι.
9 They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,
10 Προσῆγον ἐν διασκευῇ τὸν ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ σύμμαχον ἔχοντες, ἐλεήσαντος αὐτοὺς τοῦ Κυρίου.
10 they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.
11 Λεοντηδὸν δὲ ἐντινάξαντες εἰς τοὺς πολεμίους, κατέστρωσαν αὐτῶν χιλίους πρὸς τοῖς μυρίοις, ἱππεῖς δὲ ἑξακοσίους πρὸς τοῖς χιλίοις· τοὺς δὲ πάντας ἠνάγκασαν φυγεῖν.
11 Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
12 Οἱ πλείονες δὲ αὐτῶν τραυματίαι γυμνοὶ διεσώθησαν· καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Λυσίας αἰσχρῶς φεύγων διεσώθη.
12 Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.
13 Οὐκ ἄνους δὲ ὑπάρχων, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἀντιβάλλων τὸ γεγονὸς περὶ ἐαυτὸν ἐλάσσωμα, καὶ συννοήσας ἀνικήτους εἶναι τοὺς Ἑβραίους, τοῦ πάντα δυναμένου Θεοῦ συμμαχοῦντος αὐτοῖς,
13 But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again
14 προσαποστείλας ἔπεισε συλλύσεσθαι ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς δικαίοις· καὶ διότι καὶ τὸν βασιλέα πείσειν φίλον αὐτοῖς ἀναγκάζειν γενέσθαι.
14 and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.
15 Ἐπένευσε δὲ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ὁ Λυσίας παρεκάλει τοῦ συμφέροντος φροντίζων· ὅσα γὰρ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπέδωκε τῷ Λυσίᾳ διὰ γραπτῶν περὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, συνεχώρησεν ὁ βασιλεύς.
15 Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.
16 Ἦσαν γὰρ αἱ γεγραμμέναι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐπιοτολαὶ παρὰ μὲν Λυσίου περιέχουσαι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον· Λυσίας τῷ πλήθει τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.
16 The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings.
17 Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ οἱ πεμφθέντες παρʼ ὑμῶν, ἐπιδόντες τὸν ὑπογεγραμμένον χρηματισμὸν, ἠξίουν περὶ τῶν διʼ αὐτοῦ σημαινομένων.
17 John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
18 Ὅσα μὲν οὖν ἔδει καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ προσενεχθῆναι διεσάφησα, ἃ δὲ ἦν ἐνδεχόμενα, συνεχώρησεν.
18 Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
19 Ἐὰν μὲν οὖν συντηρήσητε τὴν εἰς τὰ πράγματα εὔνοιαν, καὶ εἰς τὸ λοιπὸν πειράσομαι παραίτιος ὑμῖν ἀγαθῶν γενέσθαι.
19 If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.
20 Ὑπὲρ δὲ τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐντέταλμαι τούτοις τε καὶ τοῖς παρʼ ἐμοῦ διαλεχθῆναι ὑμῖν.
20 Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.
21 Ἔῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Διοσκορινθίου εἰκοστῇ τετάρτῃ.
21 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorinthius.”
22 Ἡ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ περιεῖχεν οὕτως· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῷ ἀδελφῷ Λυσίᾳ χαίρειν.
22 And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
23 Τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν εἰς θεοὺς μεταστάντος, βουλόμενοι τοὺς ἐκ τῆς βασιλείας ἀταράχους ὄντας γενέσθαι πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἰδίων ἐπιμέλειαν,
23 Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
24 ἀκηκοότες τοὺς Ἰουδαίους μὴ συνευδοκοῦντας τῇ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐπὶ τὰ Ἑλληνικὰ μεταθέσει, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀγωγὴν αἱρετίζοντας, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἀξιοῦντας συγχωρηθῆναι αὐτοῖς τὰ νόμιμα αὐτῶν·
24 we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—
25 Αἱρούμενοι οὖν καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἔθνος ἐκτὸς ταραχῆς εἶναι, κρίνομεν τό, τε ἱερὸν αὐτοῖς ἀποκατασταθῆναι, καὶ πολιτεύεσθαι κατὰ τὰ ἐπὶ τῶν προγόνων αὐτῶν ἔθη.
25 choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
26 Εὖ οὖν ποιήσεις διαπεμψάμενος πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ δοὺς δεξιὰς, ὅπως εἰδότες τὴν ἡμετέραν προαίρεσιν, εὔθυμοί τε ὦσι, καὶ ἡδέως διαγίνωνται πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἰδίων ἀντίληψιν.
26 You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”
27 Πρὸς δὲ τὸ ἔθνος ἡ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ τοιαύτη ἦν· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῇ γερουσίᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις Ἰουδαίοις χαίρειν.
27 And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.
28 Εἰ ἔῤῥωσθε, εἴη ἂν ὡς βουλόμεθα· καὶ αὐτοὶ δὲ ὑγιαίνομεν.
28 If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
29 Ἐνεφάνισεν ἡμῖν ὁ Μενέλαος βούλεσθαι κατελθόντας ὑμᾶς γίνεσθαι πρὸς τοῖς ἰδίοις.
29 Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
30 Τοῖς οὖν καταπορευομένοις μέχρι τριακάδος Ξανθικοῦ ὑπάρξει δεξιὰ μετὰ τῆς ἀδείας,
30 They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission
31 χρῆσθαι τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοῖς ἑαυτῶν δαπανήμασι καὶ νόμοις καθὰ καὶ τὸ πρότερον, καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν κατʼ οὐδένα τρόπον παρενοχληθήσεται περὶ τῶν ἠγνοημένων.
31 that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.
32 Πέπομφα δὲ καὶ τὸν Μενέλαον παρακαλέσοντα ὑμᾶς.
32 Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
33 Ἔῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.
33 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
34 Ἔπεμψαν δὲ καὶ οἱ Ῥωμαιοῖ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν οὕτως· Κόϊντος Μέμμιος, Τίτος Μάνλιος, πρεσβύται Ῥωμαίων, τῷ δήμῳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.
34 The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
35 Ὑπὲρ ὧν Λυσίας ὁ συγγενὴς τοῦ βασιλέως συνεχώρησεν ὑμῖν, καὶ ἡμεῖς συνευδοκοῦμεν.
35 In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
36 Ἃ δὲ ἔκρινε προσανενεχθῆναι τῷ βασιλεῖ, πέμψατέ τινα παραχρῆμα ἐπισκεψάμενοι περὶ τούτων, ἵνα ἐκθῶμεν ὡς καθήκει ὑμῖν· ἡμεῖς γὰρ προσάγομεν πρὸς Ἀντιόχειαν.
36 But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.
37 Διὸ σπεύσατε, καὶ πέμψατέ τινας, ὅπως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπιγνῶμεν ὁποίας ἐστὲ γνώμης.
37 Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
38 Ὑγιαίνετε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.
38 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.