2 Maccabees · Clementine Vulgate
2 Maccabees 11 Clementine Vulgate
1 Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,
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 congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,
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 templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:
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 nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.
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 Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.
5 Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.
6 Ut autem Machabæus et qui cum eo erant cognoverunt expugnari præsidia, cum fletu et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israël.
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 Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.
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 Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.
8 As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing weapons of gold.
9 Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.
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 Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.
10 they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.
11 Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:
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 universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.
12 Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.
13 Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:
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 promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.
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 Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.
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 Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.
16 The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings.
17 Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.
17 John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
18 Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.
18 Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
19 Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.
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 De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.
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 Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.
21 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorinthius.”
22 Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.
22 And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
23 Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,
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 audivimus Judæos non consensisse patri meo ut transferrentur ad ritum Græcorum, sed tenere velle suum institutum, ac propterea postulare a nobis concedi sibi legitima sua.
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 Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.
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 Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.
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 Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.
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 Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.
28 If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
29 Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.
29 Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
30 His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,
30 They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission
31 ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.
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 Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.
32 Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
33 Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.
33 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
34 Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.
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 De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.
35 In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
36 De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.
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 Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.
37 Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
38 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.
38 Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.