1 Maccabees · Clementine Vulgate
1 Maccabees 12 Clementine Vulgate
1 Et vidit Jonathas quia tempus eum juvat, et elegit viros, et misit eos Romam statuere et renovare cum eis amicitiam:
1 Jonathan saw that the time was favorable for him, so he chose men and sent them to Rome to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
2 et ad Spartiatas, et ad alia loca misit epistolas secundum eamdem formam:
2 He also sent similar letters to the Spartans, and to other places.
3 et abierunt Romam, et intraverunt curiam, et dixerunt: Jonathas summus sacerdos, et gens Judæorum miserunt nos, ut renovaremus amicitiam et societatem secundum pristinum.
3 They went to Rome, entered into the senate house, and said, “Jonathan the high priest and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew for them the friendship and the alliance, as in former time.”
4 Et dederunt illis epistolas ad ipsos per loca, ut deducerent eos in terram Juda cum pace.
4 They gave them letters to the men in every place, that they should provide safe conduct for them on their way to the land of Judah.
5 Et hoc est exemplum epistolarum, quas scripsit Jonathas Spartiatis:
5 This is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6 Jonathas summus sacerdos, et seniores gentis, et sacerdotes, et reliquus populus Judæorum, Spartiatis fratribus salutem.
6 “Jonathan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to their kindred the Spartans, greetings.
7 Jampridem missæ erant epistolæ ad Oniam summum sacerdotem ab Ario, qui regnabat apud vos, quoniam estis fratres nostri, sicut rescriptum continet, quod subjectum est.
7 Even before this time letters were sent to Onias the high priest from Arius, who was reigning among you, to signify that you are our kindred, as the copy written below shows.
8 Et suscepit Onias virum, qui missus fuerat, cum honore: et accepit epistolas, in quibus significabatur de societate et amicitia.
8 Onias welcomed honorably the man who was sent and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of alliance and friendship.
9 Nos cum nullo horum indigeremus, habentes solatio sanctos libros, qui sunt in manibus nostris,
9 Therefore we also, even though we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands,
10 maluimus mittere ad vos renovare fraternitatem et amicitiam, ne forte alieni efficiamur a vobis: multa enim tempora transierunt, ex quo misistis ad nos.
10 have undertaken to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we should not become estranged from you altogether; for a long time has passed since you sent your letter to us.
11 Nos ergo in omni tempore sine intermissione in diebus solemnibus, et ceteris, quibus oportet, memores sumus vestri in sacrificiis quæ offerimus, et in observationibus, sicut fas est, et decet meminisse fratrum.
11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it is right and proper to be mindful of kindred.
12 Lætamur itaque de gloria vestra.
12 Moreover, we are glad for your glory.
13 Nos autem circumdederunt multæ tribulationes, et multa prælia, et impugnaverunt nos reges qui sunt in circuitu nostro.
13 But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.
14 Noluimus ergo vobis molesti esse, neque ceteris sociis et amicis nostris in his præliis:
14 We were unwilling to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars;
15 habuimus enim de cælo auxilium, et liberati sumus nos, et humiliati sunt inimici nostri.
15 for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we have been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been humbled.
16 Elegimus itaque Numenium Antiochi filium, et Antipatrem Jasonis filium, et misimus ad Romanos renovare cum eis amicitiam et societatem pristinam.
16 We chose therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance.
17 Mandavimus itaque eis ut veniant etiam ad vos, et salutent vos, et reddant vobis epistolas nostras de innovatione fraternitatis nostræ.
17 We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood.
18 Et nunc benefacietis respondentes nobis ad hæc.
18 And now you will do well if you give us a reply.”
19 Et hoc est rescriptum epistolarum quod miserat Oniæ:
19 And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Onias:
20 Arius rex Spartiatarum Oniæ sacerdoti magno salutem.
20 “Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the chief priest, greetings.
21 Inventum est in scriptura de Spartiatis, et Judæis, quoniam sunt fratres, et quod sunt de genere Abraham.
21 It has been found in writing, concerning the Spartans and the Jews, that they are kindred, and that they are of the descendants of Abraham.
22 Et nunc ex quo hæc cognovimus, benefacitis scribentes nobis de pace vestra.
22 Now, since this has come to our knowledge, you will do well to write to us of your prosperity.
23 Sed et nos rescripsimus vobis: Pecora nostra, et possessiones nostræ, vestræ sunt: et vestræ, nostræ: mandavimus itaque hæc nuntiari vobis.
23 We moreover write on our part to you, that your livestock and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you accordingly.”
24 Et audivit Jonathas quoniam regressi sunt principes Demetrii cum exercitu multo supra quam prius, pugnare adversus eum:
24 Now Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes had returned to fight against him with a greater army than before,
25 et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit eis in Amathite regione: non enim dederat eis spatium ut ingrederentur regionem ejus.
25 so he marched away from Jerusalem, and met them in the country of Hamath; for he gave them no opportunity to set foot in his country.
26 Et misit speculatores in castra eorum: et reversi renuntiaverunt quod constituunt supervenire illis nocte.
26 He sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were preparing to attack them at night.
27 Cum occidisset autem sol, præcepit Jonathas suis vigilare, et esse in armis paratos ad pugnam tota nocte: et posuit custodes per circuitum castrorum.
27 But as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be armed, that all the night long they might be ready for battle. He stationed sentinels around the camp.
28 Et audierunt adversarii quod paratus est Jonathas cum suis in bello: et timuerunt, et formidaverunt in corde suo: et accenderunt focos in castris suis.
28 The adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp then withdrew.
29 Jonathas autem, et qui cum eo erant, non cognoverunt usque mane: videbant autem luminaria ardentia,
29 But Jonathan and his men didn’t know it until the morning; for they saw the fires burning.
30 et secutus est eos Jonathas, et non comprehendit eos: transierant enim flumen Eleutherum.
30 Jonathan pursued after them, but didn’t overtake them; for they had gone over the river Eleutherus.
31 Et divertit Jonathas ad Arabas, qui vocantur Zabadæi: et percussit eos, et accepit spolia eorum.
31 Then Jonathan turned toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadaeans, and struck them, and took their spoils.
32 Et junxit, et venit Damascum, et perambulabat omnem regionem illam.
32 He came out from there, and came to Damascus, and took his journey through all the country.
33 Simon autem exiit, et venit usque ad Ascalonem, et ad proxima præsidia: et declinavit in Joppen, et occupavit eam
33 Simon went out, and took his journey as far as Ascalon, and the strongholds that were near it. Then he turned toward Joppa and took possession of it;
34 (audivit enim quod vellent præsidium tradere partibus Demetrii), et posuit ibi custodes ut custodirent eam.
34 for he had heard that they were planning to hand over the stronghold to Demetrius’ men. He set a garrison there to guard it.
35 Et reversus est Jonathas, et convocavit seniores populi, et cogitavit cum eis ædificare præsidia in Judæa,
35 Then Jonathan returned and called the elders of the people together. He planned with them to build strongholds in Judea,
36 et ædificare muros in Jerusalem, et exaltare altitudinem magnam inter medium arcis et civitatis, ut separaret eam a civitate, ut esset ipsa singulariter, et neque emant, neque vendant.
36 and to make the walls of Jerusalem higher, and to raise a great mound between the citadel and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might be isolated, that its garrison might neither buy nor sell.
37 Et convenerunt ut ædificarent civitatem: et cecidit murus qui erat super torrentem ab ortu solis, et reparavit eum, qui vocatur Caphetetha:
37 They were gathered together to build the city. Part of the wall of the brook that is on the east side had fallen down, and he repaired the section called Chaphenatha.
38 et Simon ædificavit Adiada in Sephela, et munivit eam, et imposuit portas et seras.
38 Simon also built Adida in the plain country, made it strong, and set up gates and bars.
39 Et cum cogitasset Tryphon regnare Asiæ, et assumere diadema, et extendere manum in Antiochum regem:
39 And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to crown himself, and to stretch out his hand against Antiochus the king.
40 timens ne forte non permitteret eum Jonathas, sed pugnaret adversus eum, quærebat comprehendere eum, et occidere. Et exsurgens abiit in Bethsan.
40 He was afraid that Jonathan wouldn’t allow him, and that he would fight against him; and he sought a way to seize him, that he might destroy him. So he marched out and came to Bethshan.
41 Et exivit Jonathas obviam illi cum quadraginta millibus virorum electorum in prælium, et venit Bethsan.
41 Jonathan came out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan.
42 Et vidit Tryphon quia venit Jonathas cum exercitu multo ut extenderet in eum manus: timuit,
42 Tryphon saw that he came with a great army, and he was afraid to stretch out his hand against him.
43 et excepit eum cum honore, et commendavit eum omnibus amicis suis, et dedit ei munera: et præcepit exercitibus suis ut obedirent ei, sicut sibi.
43 He received him honorably, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient to him, as to himself.
44 Et dixit Jonathæ: Ut quid vexasti universum populum, cum bellum nobis non sit?
44 He said to Jonathan, “Why have you put all these people to so much trouble, seeing there is no war between us?
45 et nunc remitte eos in domos suas: elige autem tibi viros paucos, qui tecum sint, et veni mecum Ptolemaidam, et tradam eam tibi, et reliqua præsidia, et exercitum, et universos præpositos negotii: et conversus abibo: propterea enim veni.
45 Now send them away to their homes, but choose for yourself a few men who shall be with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it to you, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king’s officers. Then I will turn around and depart; for this is why I came.”
46 Et credidit ei, et fecit sicut dixit: et dimisit exercitum, et abierunt in terram Juda.
46 He put his trust in him, and did even as he said, and sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Judah.
47 Retinuit autem secum tria millia virorum: ex quibus remisit in Galilæam duo millia: mille autem venerunt cum eo.
47 But he reserved to himself three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, but one thousand went with him.
48 Ut autem intravit Ptolemaidam Jonathas, clauserunt portas civitatis Ptolemenses, et comprehenderunt eum: et omnes qui cum eo intraverant, gladio interfecerunt.
48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, the people of Ptolemais shut the gates and seized him. They killed all those who came in with him with the sword.
49 Et misit Tryphon exercitum et equites in Galilæam et in campum magnum, ut perderent omnes socios Jonathæ.
49 Tryphon sent troops and cavalry into Galilee, and into the Great Plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s men.
50 At illi cum cognovissent quia comprehensus est Jonathas, et periit, et omnes qui cum eo erant, hortati sunt semetipsos, et exierunt parati in prælium.
50 They perceived that he had been seized and had perished, along with those who were with him. They encouraged one another and went on their way close together, prepared to fight.
51 Et videntes hi qui insecuti fuerant, quia pro anima res est illis, reversi sunt:
51 Those who followed them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again.
52 illi autem venerunt omnes cum pace in terram Juda. Et planxerunt Jonathan, et eos qui cum ipso fuerant, valde: et luxit Israël luctu magno.
52 They all came in peace into the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan and those who were with him, and they were very afraid. All Israel mourned with a great mourning.
53 Et quæsierunt omnes gentes quæ erant in circuitu eorum conterere eos: dixerunt enim:
53 And all the Gentiles who were around them sought to destroy them utterly; for they said, “They have no ruler nor anyone to help them. Now therefore let’s fight against them, and take away their memory from among men.”
54 Non habent principem et adjuvantem: nunc ergo expugnemus illos, et tollamus de hominibus memoriam eorum.
54 Not in this translation