1 Maccabees, 8

1. Now Judas had heard of the the Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with all that came unto them;

1. In the meantime, Judas was informed about the Romans. He was told that the Romans were valiant in war and that they showed goodwill towards all who sided with them; that they offered friendship to all who approached them,

2. And that they were men of great valour. It was told him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians, and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute;

2. and were a strong ally in war. He was told of their wars and of their exploits among the Gauls whom they conquered and forced to pay taxes,

3. And what they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and gold which is there;

3. and of all they had done in Spain to gain possession of the silver and gold mines,

4. And that by their policy and patience they had conquered all the place, though it were very far from them; and the kings also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest did give them tribute every year:

4. and how they had conquered that land by dint of intelligence and perseverance, despite its great distance from their own land. He also learned how they had defeated the kings who came from the ends of the earth to attack them, how they managed to conquer and crush them. There were others who paid them an annual tax.

5. Beside this, how they had discomfited in battle Philip, and Perseus, king of the Citims, with others that lifted up themselves against them, and had overcome them:

5. They had defeated and subjected Philip and Perseus, the kings of Macedonia and others who opposed them.

6. How also Antiochus the great king of Asia, that came against them in battle, having an hundred and twenty elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited by them;

6. They had vanquished Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, who went to fight the Romans with one hundred and twenty elephants, cavalry, chariots and a very strong army. But he was defeated

7. And how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and that which was agreed upon,

7. and fell into their hands. He and his successors were forced to pay an enormous amount in tax, to surrender hostages, and to cede some of their best provinces

8. And the country of India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries, which they took of him, and gave to king Eumenes:

8. like India, Media and Lydia which afterwards the Romans gave to King Eumenes.

9. Moreover how the Grecians had determined to come and destroy them;

9. The Greeks had planned to come and destroy the Romans,

10. And that they, having knowledge thereof sent against them a certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and carried away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, and brought them to be their servants unto this day:

10. but hearing of it, the Romans sent a single general against them. They killed a great number of Greeks, took their women and children, destroyed their fortresses and enslaved them to this day.

11. It was told him besides, how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at any time resisted them;

11. In the same way, they also destroyed and subdued other countries and islands, as well as others who opposed them.

12. But with their friends and such as relied upon them they kept amity: and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh, insomuch as all that heard of their name were afraid of them:

12. But they have usually remained faithful to their allies and to those who relied on them. The Romans were really powerful. They conquered kingdoms far and near, and all who heard their name feared them.

13. Also that, whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and whom again they would, they displace: finally, that they were greatly exalted:

13. They appointed as kings those who were to their liking and deposed those who were not.

14. Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby:

14. But in spite of all this, not one of them had himself crowned or dressed as a king in order to be exalted.

15. Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein three hundred and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for the people, to the end they might be well ordered:

15. They had created a senate and three hundred and twenty men deliberated on daily matters relating to the good of the people and the maintenance of order.

16. And that they committed their government to one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient to that one, and that there was neither envy nor emmulation among them.

16. Every year they would choose one man to rule over them and govern the empire, and all obeyed him without envy or jealousy.

17. In consideration of these things, Judas chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with them,

17. So Judas sent Eupolemus the son of John, and Jason the son of Eleazar to Rome, entrusting them with the mission to make a covenant of friendship with the Romans.

18. And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with servitude.

18. Since the Greeks treated the Israelites as slaves, Judas hoped to liberate them from oppression in this way.

19. They went therefore to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said.

19. The envoys from Judas went to Rome, where they arrived after a long journey. When they entered the Senate they addressed the assembly:

20. Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be registered your confederates and friends.

20. "Judas Maccabeus, his brothers and the people of Israel have sent us to you to conclude a covenant of peace with you and to be numbered among your allies and friends."

21. So that matter pleased the Romans well.

21. The Romans approved this proposal,

22. And this is the copy of the epistle which the senate wrote back again in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem, that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy:

22. and this is the copy of the letter they wrote on bronze tablets which they sent to Jerusalem as a memorial of peace and alliance:

23. Good success be to the Romans, and to the people of the Jews, by sea and by land for ever: the sword also and enemy be far from them,

23. "May all go well with the Romans and the Jewish people at sea and on land forever, may both sword and enemy be far from them!

24. If there come first any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,

24. If war comes first to the Romans, or to any of their allies in any part of its empire,

25. The people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart:

25. the Jewish nation shall enter the war wholeheartedly, as circumstances permit.

26. Neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any thing therefore.

26. The Jewish nation will not receive from them wheat or weapons, or money, or ships as Rome has decided. They must fulfill their obligations without recompense.

27. In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the time shall be appointed them:

27. In the same way, if the Jewish nation is attacked, the Romans shall fight at her side with all zeal as circumstances may allow.

28. Neither shall victuals be given to them that take part against them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good to the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit.

28. The Roman allies will not receive wheat or weapons, or money, or ships as Rome has decided, but the Romans shall fulfill their obligations without deception.

29. According to these articles did the Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews.

29. On these terms the Romans conclude their alliance with the Jewish nation.

30. Howbeit if hereafter the one party or the other shall think to meet to add or diminish any thing, they may do it at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall be ratified.

30. If after these terms have taken effect, either party should wish to add or delete anything, the said party shall do so in common agreement with the other party, then what has been added or deleted shall be binding.

31. And as touching the evils that Demetrius doeth to the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews?

31. And concerning the harm King Demetrius does to the Jews, we have written to him as follows, "Why do you lay such a heavy yoke upon the Jews, our friends and allies?

32. If therefore they complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee by sea and by land.

32. If they complain about you again, we shall defend their rights and attack you by sea and land."