Liber II Machabaeorum

Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,

A short time after this Lysias, the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,

Sed minimo post tempore, Lysiase procuratore de rege et propinquo, et de negotios praepone, graviter ferente de hoc que accide,

congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,

Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:

Congrega octoginta mile, et equitatu universa, veni contra Iudaeos, existima se civitate quidem cape ad gentes habitaculo fac,

templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:

And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

Templo vero in pecunia quaestu, sicut cetero delubras de gentes, habe, et per singulo annos venale sacerdotio:

nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.

Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.

Nusquam recogita de Deo potestate, sed mente effrena in multitudine de pedites, et in mile de equites, et in octoginta elephantos confide.

Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.

So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.

Ingredior autem Iudaea, et appropia de Bethsura, que es in angusto loco, ab Ierosolyma intervallo quinque de stadio, illo praesidio expugna.

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.

But when Machabeus, and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.

Ut autem Machabaeo et qui cum eo es cognosce expugna praesidios, cum fletu et lacrimas roga Domino, et omni turba simul, ut bono angelo mitte ad salute Israële.

Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.

Then Machabeus himself first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.

Et ipso primo Machabaeo, subsum armas, cetero adhortor es simul se periculo subi, et ferre auxilio ad fratres suo.

Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.

And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

Cumque pariter prompto animo procede, Ierosolymas equite praecede illos appare in veste candida, armas aurea hasta vibra.

Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.

Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great courage: being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, and walls of iron.

Tunc omni simul benedic misericorde Domino, et convalesce ad animos: non solo homines, sed et bestias feroci, et muros ferrea para penetra.

Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.

So they went on courageously, having a helper from heaven, and the Lord, who shewed mercy to them.

I ergo prompto, de caelo habe adiutore et misera super illos Domino.

Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:

And rushing violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred horsemen:

De leones autem more impetu irrue in hostes, prostera ex illos undecime mile de pedites, et de equites mile sexcenti:

universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.

And put all the rest to flight; and many of them being wounded, escaped naked: Yea, and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.

Universa autem in fuga verte, plure autem ex illos vulnera nuda evade. Sed et ipso Lysiase turpiter fuge evade.

Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:

And as he was a man of understanding, considering with himself the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:

Et quia non insensor es, se ipso reputa fac erga se diminutione, et intellige invici es Hebraeis, omnipotente de Deo auxilio innitor, mitte ad illos:

promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.

And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

Et promitte se consentie ad omni que iusto es, et rege compella amico fieri.

Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.

Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common good in all things; and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

Machabaeo autem annue preces de Lysia, in omni utilitate consule: et Machabaeo scribe omni de Lysia de Iudaeos, illa rege concede.

Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.

For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

Nam es scribe ad Iudaeos epistolas ab Lysia quidem hoc modo contine: lysiase ad populo de Iudaeos salute.

Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.

John, and Abesalom, who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.

Ioanne et Abesalo, qui mitte es ab vos, trade scribe, postula ut illa que per illos significa, imple.

Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.

Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king, I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.

Omni ergo ad rege pote perfere, expone: et que permitte re, concede.

Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.

If, therefore, you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

Si ergo in negotios fide conserva, et deinceps bono ad vos causa es, tenta.

De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.

But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

De cetero autem per singulo verbo manda et ad isto, et ad hoc, qui ab me mitte es, colloquor vos.

Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

Bene vale. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo de mense de Dioscore, die vigesimo et quarto.

Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.

But the king's letter contained these words King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother, greeting.

De rege autem epistola isto contine: rege Antiocho de Lysia ad fratre salute.

Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,

Our father being translated amongst the gods we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns.

Patre nostro inter deos transfer, nos vol illos qui es in regno nostro sine tumultu age, et res suo adhibe diligentia,

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.

And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks but that they would keep to their own manner of living and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.

Audi Iudaeos non consentie ad patre meo ut transfer ad ritu de Graecias, sed tene velle suo institue, et propter hoc postula ab nos concede ad se legitima suo.

Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.

Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

Vol ergo hoc etiam gente quieto es, statue iudica templo restitue ad illos, ut age secundo suo magna consuetudine.

Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.

Thou shalt do well, therefore, to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.

Bene ergo fac, si mitte ad illos et dextera da: ut cognosce nostro voluntate, bono animo es, et utilitates propria deservie.

Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.

But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.

Ad Iudaeos vero de rege epistola tale es: rege Antiocho ad senatu de Iudaeos, et cetero ad Iudaeos salute.

Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.

If you are well, you are as we desire: we ourselves also are well.

Si vale, sic es ut vol: sed et ipso bene vale.

Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.

Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.

Menelao i ad nos, dicente velle vos descende ad vestro, qui es apud nos.

His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,

We grant, therefore, a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

Ad hoc ergo qui commea usque ad die trigesimo de mense de Xanthico, da dextro de securitate,

ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.

That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws, as before: and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.

Ut Iudaeos ute cibos et leges suo, sicut et ante: et nemo de illos ullo solo pate molestia de hoc que per ignorantia gere es.

Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

Mitte autem et Menelao, qui alloquor vos.

Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

Valeta. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, de Xanthico de mense quintadecima die.

Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.

The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect: Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

Romano autem etiam mitte epistola, ita se habe: quinto Memmio et Tito Manilio legatos de Romanos, populo de Iudaeos salute.

De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.

Whatsoever Lysias, the king's cousin, hath granted to you, we also have granted.

De hoc Lysiase cognato de rege concede que ad vos, et nos concede.

De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.

But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.

De que autem ad rege iudica refer, confestim aliquo mitte, diligenter inter vos confer, ut decerne, sicut congrue ad vos: nos nam Antiochia accede.

Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.

And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.

Et ideo festina rescribe, ut nos etiam sci de que es de voluntate.

Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

Bene vale. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die de mense de Xanthico.