1 Maccabees · Clementine Vulgate
1 Maccabees 2 Clementine Vulgate
1 In diebus illis surrexit Mathathias filius Joannis filii Simeonis, sacerdos ex filiis Joarib, ab Jerusalem, et consedit in monte Modin:
1 In those days Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem rose up; and he lived at Modin.
2 et habebat filios quinque, Joannem, qui cognominabatur Gaddis:
2 And he had five sons: John, who was surnamed Gaddis;
3 et Simonem, qui cognominabatur Thasi:
3 Simon, who was called Thassi;
4 et Judam, qui vocabatur Machabæus:
4 Judas, who was called Maccabaeus;
5 et Eleazarum, qui cognominabatur Abaron: et Jonathan, qui cognominabatur Apphus:
5 Eleazar, who was called Avaran; and Jonathan, who was called Apphus.
6 hi viderunt mala, quæ fiebant in populo Juda, et in Jerusalem.
6 He saw the blasphemies that were committed in Judah and in Jerusalem,
7 Et dixit Mathathias: Væ mihi ! ut quid natus sum videre contritionem populi mei, et contritionem civitatis sanctæ, et sedere illic, cum datur in manibus inimicorum?
7 and he said, “Woe is me! Why was I born to see the destruction of my people and the destruction of the holy city, and to dwell there when it was given into the hand of the enemy, the sanctuary into the hand of foreigners?
8 Sancta in manu extraneorum facta sunt: templum ejus sicut homo ignobilis.
8 Her temple has become like a man who was glorious.
9 Vasa gloriæ ejus captiva abducta sunt: trucidati sunt senes ejus in plateis, et juvenes ejus ceciderunt in gladio inimicorum.
9 Her vessels of glory are carried away into captivity. Her infants are slain in her streets. Her young men are slain with the enemy’s sword.
10 Quæ gens non hæreditavit regnum ejus et non obtinuit spolia ejus?
10 What nation has not inherited her palaces and taken possession of her spoils?
11 Omnis compositio ejus ablata est. Quæ erat libera, facta est ancilla.
11 Her adornment has all been taken away. Instead of a free woman, she has become a slave.
12 Et ecce sancta nostra, et pulchritudo nostra, et claritas nostra desolata est, et coinquinaverunt ea gentes.
12 Behold, our holy things, our beauty, and our glory are laid waste. The Gentiles have profaned them.
13 Quo ergo nobis adhuc vivere?
13 Why should we live any longer?”
14 Et scidit vestimenta sua Mathathias, et filii ejus: et operuerunt se ciliciis, et planxerunt valde.
14 Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned exceedingly.
15 Et venerunt illuc qui missi erant a rege Antiocho, ut cogerent eos, qui confugerant in civitatem Modin, immolare, et accendere thura, et a lege Dei discedere.
15 And the king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came into the city Modin to sacrifice.
16 Et multi de populo Israël consentientes accesserunt ad eos: sed Mathathias et filii ejus constanter steterunt.
16 Many of Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons were gathered together.
17 Et respondentes qui missi erant ab Antiocho, dixerunt Mathathiæ: Princeps, et clarissimus et magnus es in hac civitate, et ornatus filiis et fratribus:
17 The king’s officers answered and spoke to Mattathias, saying, “You are a ruler and an honorable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and kindred.
18 ergo accede prior, et fac jussum regis, sicut fecerunt omnes gentes, et viri Juda, et qui remanserunt in Jerusalem: et eris tu, et filii tui, inter amicos regis, et amplificatus auro, et argento, et muneribus multis.
18 Now therefore come first and do the commandment of the king, as all the nations have done, including the men of Judah and those who remain in Jerusalem. You and your house will be numbered among the king’s friends, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”
19 Et respondit Mathathias, et dixit magna voce: Etsi omnes gentes regi Antiocho obediunt, ut discedat unusquisque a servitute legis patrum suorum, et consentiat mandatis ejus:
19 And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, “If all the nations that are in the house of the king’s dominion listen to him, to fall away each one from the worship of his fathers, and have chosen to follow his commandments,
20 ego et filii mei, et fratres mei, obediemus legi patrum nostrorum:
20 yet I and my sons and my kindred will walk in the covenant of our fathers.
21 propitius sit nobis Deus: non est nobis utile relinquere legem, et justitias Dei:
21 Far be it from us that we should forsake the law and the ordinances.
22 non audiemus verba regis Antiochi, nec sacrificabimus transgredientes legis nostræ mandata, ut eamus altera via.
22 We will not listen to the king’s words, to turn aside from our worship, to the right hand, or to the left.”
23 Et ut cessavit loqui verba hæc, accessit quidam Judæus in omnium oculis sacrificare idolis super aram in civitate Modin, secundum jussum regis:
23 When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came in the sight of all to sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king’s commandment.
24 et vidit Mathathias, et doluit, et contremuerunt renes ejus, et accensus est furor ejus secundum judicium legis, et insiliens trucidavit eum super aram:
24 Mattathias saw it, so his zeal was kindled, and his guts trembled, and he vented his wrath according to judgment, and ran and killed him upon the altar.
25 sed et virum, quem rex Antiochus miserat, qui cogebat immolare, occidit in ipso tempore, et aram destruxit:
25 He killed the king’s officer, who compelled men to sacrifice, at the same time, and pulled down the altar.
26 et zelatus est legem, sicut fecit Phinees Zamri filio Salomi.
26 He was zealous for the law, even as Phinehas did to Zimri the son of Salu.
27 Et exclamavit Mathathias voce magna in civitate, dicens: Omnis qui zelum habet legis, statuens testamentum, exeat post me.
27 Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying, “Whoever is zealous for the law and maintains the covenant, let him follow me!”
28 Et fugit ipse, et filii ejus in montes, et reliquerunt quæcumque habebant in civitate.
28 He and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.
29 Tunc descenderunt multi quærentes judicium, et justitiam, in desertum:
29 Then many who sought justice and judgment went down into the wilderness to live there—
30 et sederunt ibi ipsi, et filii eorum, et mulieres eorum, et pecora eorum: quoniam inundaverunt super eos mala.
30 they, their children, their wives, and their livestock—because evils were multiplied upon them.
31 Et renuntiatum est viris regis, et exercitui qui erat in Jerusalem civitate David, quoniam discessissent viri quidam, qui dissipaverunt mandatum regis, in loca occulta in deserto, et abiissent post illos multi.
31 It was told to the king’s officers and the forces that were in Jerusalem, the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king’s commandment had gone down into the secret places in the wilderness;
32 Et statim perrexerunt ad eos, et constituerunt adversus eos prælium in die sabbatorum,
32 and many pursued after them, and having overtaken them, they encamped against them and set the battle in array against them on the Sabbath day.
33 et dixerunt ad eos: Resistitis et nunc adhuc? exite, et facite secundum verbum regis Antiochi, et vivetis.
33 They said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do according to the word of the king, and you will all live!”
34 Et dixerunt: Non exibimus, neque faciemus verbum regis, ut polluamus diem sabbatorum.
34 They said, “We won’t come out. We won’t do the word of the king, to profane the Sabbath day.”
35 Et concitaverunt adversus eos prælium.
35 Then the enemy hurried to attack them.
36 Et non responderunt eis, nec lapidem miserunt in eos, nec oppilaverunt loca occulta,
36 They didn’t answer them. They didn’t cast a stone at them, or block their secret places,
37 dicentes: Moriamur omnes in simplicitate nostra: et testes erunt super nos cælum et terra, quod injuste perditis nos.
37 saying, “Let’s all die in our innocence. Heaven and earth testify for us, that you put us to death unjustly.”
38 Et intulerunt illis bellum sabbatis: et mortui sunt ipsi, et uxores eorum, et filii eorum, et pecora eorum usque ad mille animas hominum.
38 So they attacked them on the Sabbath, and they died—they, their wives, their children, and their livestock—in number a thousand souls of men.
39 Et cognovit Mathathias et amici ejus, et luctum habuerunt super eos valde.
39 When Mattathias and his friends found out about it, they mourned over them exceedingly.
40 Et dixit vir proximo suo: Si omnes fecerimus sicut fratres nostri fecerunt, et non pugnaverimus adversus gentes pro animabus nostris et justificationibus nostris, nunc citius disperdent nos a terra.
40 One said to another, “If we all do as our kindred have done, and don’t fight against the Gentiles for our lives and our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from off the earth.”
41 Et cogitaverunt in die illa, dicentes: Omnis homo, quicumque venerit ad nos in bello die sabbatorum, pugnemus adversus eum: et non moriemur omnes, sicut mortui sunt fratres nostri in occultis.
41 So they decided that day, saying, “Whoever comes against us to battle on the Sabbath day, let’s fight against him, and we will in no way all die, as our kindred died in the secret places.”
42 Tunc congregata est ad eos synagoga Assidæorum fortis viribus ex Israël, omnis voluntarius in lege:
42 Then a company of the Hasidaeans, mighty men of Israel, everyone who offered himself willingly for the law, were gathered together to them.
43 et omnes, qui fugiebant a malis, additi sunt ad eos, et facti sunt illis ad firmamentum.
43 All those who fled from the evils were added to them, and supported them.
44 Et collegerunt exercitum, et percusserunt peccatores in ira sua, et viros iniquos in indignatione sua: et ceteri fugerunt ad nationes, ut evaderent.
44 They mustered an army, and struck sinners in their anger, and lawless men in their wrath. The rest fled to the Gentiles for safety.
45 Et circuivit Mathathias et amici ejus, et destruxerunt aras:
45 And Mattathias and his friends went around and pulled down the altars.
46 et circumciderunt pueros incircumcisos quotquot invenerunt in finibus Israël: et in fortitudine.
46 They forcibly circumcised the boys who were uncircumcised, as many as they found in the coasts of Israel.
47 Et persecuti sunt filios superbiæ, et prosperatum est opus in manibus eorum:
47 They pursued the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hand.
48 et obtinuerunt legem de manibus gentium, et de manibus regum, et non dederant cornu peccatori.
48 They rescued the law out of the hand of the Gentiles and out of the hand of the kings. They never allowed the sinner to triumph.
49 Et appropinquaverunt dies Mathathiæ moriendi, et dixit filiis suis: Nunc confortata est superbia, et castigatio, et tempus eversionis, et ira indignationis.
49 The days of Mattathias drew near that he should die, and he said to his sons, “Now pride and scorn have gained strength. It is a season of overthrow and indignant wrath.
50 Nunc ergo, o filii, æmulatores estote legis, et date animas vestras pro testamento patrum vestrorum,
50 Now, my children, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51 et mementote operum patrum, quæ fecerunt in generationibus suis: et accipietis gloriam magnam, et nomen æternum.
51 Call to remembrance the deeds of our fathers which they did in their generations; and receive great glory and an everlasting name.
52 Abraham nonne in tentatione inventus est fidelis, et reputatum est ei ad justitiam?
52 Wasn’t Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness?
53 Joseph in tempore angustiæ suæ custodivit mandatum, et factus est dominus Ægypti.
53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.
54 Phinees pater noster, zelando zelum Dei, accepit testamentum sacerdotii æterni.
54 Phinehas our father, because he was exceedingly zealous, obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55 Jesus dum implevit verbum, factus est dux in Israël.
55 Joshua became a judge in Israel for fulfilling the word.
56 Caleb dum testificatur in ecclesia, accepit hæreditatem.
56 Caleb obtained a heritage in the land for testifying in the congregation.
57 David in sua misericordia consecutus est sedem regni in sæcula.
57 David inherited the throne of a kingdom forever and ever for being merciful.
58 Elias, dum zelat zelum legis, receptus est in cælum.
58 Elijah was taken up into heaven because he was exceedingly zealous for the law.
59 Ananias et Azarias et Misaël credentes, liberati sunt de flamma.
59 Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed, and were saved out of the flame.
60 Daniel in sua simplicitate liberatus est de ore leonum.
60 Daniel was delivered from the mouth of lions for his innocence.
61 Et ita cogitate per generationem et generationem: quia omnes qui sperant in eum, non infirmantur.
61 “Thus consider from generation to generation that no one who put their trust in him will lack for strength.
62 Et a verbis viri peccatoris ne timueritis, quia gloria ejus stercus et vermis est:
62 Don’t be afraid of the words of a sinful man; for his glory will be dung and worms.
63 hodie extollitur, et cras non invenietur: quia conversus est in terram suam, et cogitatio ejus periit.
63 Today he will be lifted up, and tomorrow he will in no way be found, because he has returned to dust, and his thought has perished.
64 Vos ergo filii, confortamini, et viriliter agite in lege: quia in ipsa gloriosi eritis.
64 You, my children, be strong, and show yourselves men on behalf of the law; for in it you will obtain glory.
65 Et ecce Simon frater vester, scio quod vir consilii est: ipsum audite semper, et ipse erit vobis pater.
65 Behold, Simon your brother, whom I know to be a man of counsel. Always listen to him. He shall be a father to you.
66 Et Judas Machabæus, fortis viribus a juventute sua, sit vobis princeps militiæ, et ipse aget bellum populi.
66 Judas Maccabaeus has been strong and mighty from his youth. He shall be your captain and shall fight the battle of the people.
67 Et adducetis ad vos omnes factores legis: et vindicate vindictam populi vestri.
67 Rally around all the doers of the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people.
68 Retribuite retributionem gentibus, et intendite in præceptum legis.
68 Repay the Gentiles, and obey the commandments of the law.”
69 Et benedixit eos, et appositus est ad patres suos.
69 He blessed them, and was gathered to his ancestors.
70 Et defunctus est anno centesimo et quadragesimo sexto: et sepultus est a filiis suis in sepulchris patrum suorum in Modin, et planxerunt eum omnis Israël planctu magno.
70 He died in the one hundred forty sixth year, and his sons buried him in the tombs of his ancestors at Modin. All Israel made great lamentation for him.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… chariot of fire; but that the chariots of Christ are ten thousand-fold even thousands upon thousands: and that Elias was taken up, towards the east of Jordan; but that Christ ascended at the east of the brook Cedron: and that Elias went as into heaven; but Jesus, into heaven: and that Elias said that a double portion in the …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)