Liber II Maccabaeorum, 4

1. Simon autem prædictus pecuniarum et patriæ delator male loquebatur de Onia tamquam ipse Heliodorum instigasset ad hæc et ipse fuisset incentor malorum

1. But Simon, of whom we spoke before, and of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited Heliodorus to do these things, and had been the promoter of evils:

2. provisoremque civitatis ac defensorem gentis suæ et æmulatorem legis Dei audebat insidiatorem regni dicere

2. And he presumed to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided for the city, and defended his nation, and wed zealous for the law of God.

3. sed cum inimicitiæ in tantum procederent ut etiam per quosdam Simonis necessarios homicidia fierent

3. But when the enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by some of Simon's friends:

4. considerans Onias periculum contentionis et Apollonium insanire utpote ducem Cœlesyriæ et Fœnicis ad augendam malitiam Simonis ad regem se contulit

4. Onias considering the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, was outrageous, which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king,

5. non ut civium accusator sed communem utilitatem apud semet ipsum universæ multitudinis considerans

5. Not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but with a view to the common good of all the people.

6. videbat enim sine regali providentia inpossibile esse pacem rebus dari nec Simonem posse cessare ab stultitia sua

6. For he saw that, except the king took care, it was impossible that matters should be settled in peace, or that Simon would cease from his folly.

7. sed post Seleuci vitæ excessum cum suscepisset regnum Antiochus qui Nobilis appellabatur ambiebat Jason frater Oniæ summum sacerdotium

7. But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the Illustrious, had taken possession of the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias ambitiously sought the high priesthood:

8. adito rege promittens ei argenti talenta sexaginta et trecenta et ex reditibus aliis talenta octoginta

8. And went to the king, promising him three hundred and sixty talents of silver, and out of other revenues four- score talents.

9. super hæc promittebat et alia centum quinquaginta si potestati ejus concederetur gymnasium et ephœbian sibi constituere et eos qui in Hierosolymis erant Antiochenos scribere

9. Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might have license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth, and to entitle them, that were at Jerusalem, Antiochians.

10. quod cum rex agnovisset et obtinuisset principatum statim ad gentilem ritum contribules suos transferre cœpit

10. Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten the rule into his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his countrymen to the fashion of the heathens.

11. et amotis his quæ humanitatis causa Judæis a regibus fuerant constituta per Johannem patrem Eupolemi qui apud Romanos de amicitia et societate functus est legationem legitimam civium jura destituens prava instituta sancibat

11. And abolishing those things, which had been decreed of special favour by the kings in behalf of the Jews, by the means of John the father of that Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome to make amity and alliance, he disannulled the lawful ordinances of the citizens, and brought in fashions that were perverse.

12. etenim ausus est sub ipsa arce gymnasium constituere et optimos quosque ephœborum in lupanaribus ponere

12. For he had the boldness to set up, U under the very castle, a place of exercise, and to put all the choicest youths in brothel houses.

13. erat autem hoc non initium sed incrementum quoddam et profectus gentilis et alienigenæ conversationis propter impii et non sacerdotis Jasonis nefarium et inauditum scelus

13. Now this was not the beginning, but an increase, and progress of heathenish and foreign manners, through the abominable and unheard of wickedness of Jason, that impious wretch and no priest.

14. ita ut sacerdotes jam non circa altaris officia dediti essent sed contempto templo et sacrificiis neglectis festinarent participes fieri palestræ et præbitionis ejus iniustæ et in exercitiis disci

14. Insomuch that the priests were not now occupied about the offices of the altar, but despising the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the games, and of the unlawful allowance thereof, and of the exercise of the discus.

15. et patrios quidem honores nihil habentes græcas glorias optimas arbitrabantur

15. And setting nought by the honours of their fathers, they esteemed the Grecian glories for the best:

16. quarum gratia periculosa eos contentio habebat et eorum instituta æmulabantur ac per omnia his consimiles esse cupiebant quos hostes et peremptores habuerant

16. For the sake of which they incurred a dangerous contention, and followed earnestly their ordinances, and in all things they coveted to be like them, who were their enemies and murderers.

17. in leges enim divinas impie agere inpune non cedit sed hæc sequens tempus declaravit

17. For acting wickedly against the laws of God doth not pass unpunished: but this the time following will declare.

18. cum autem quinquennalis agon Tyro celebraretur et rex præsens esset

18. Now when the game that was used every fifth year was kept at Tyre, the king being present,

19. misit Jason facinorosus ab Hierosolymis viros peccatores portantes argenti didragmas trecentas in sacrificiis Herculis quas postulaverunt hii qui adportaverant ne in sacrificiis erogarentur quia non oporteret sed in alios sumptus eas deputari

19. The wicked Jason sent from Jerusalem sinful men to carry three hundred didrachmas of silver for the sacrifice of Hercules; but the bearers thereof de- sired it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices, because it was not necessary, but might be deputed for other charges.

20. sed hæc oblata sunt quidem ab eo qui miserat in sacrificium Herculis propter præsentes autem datæ sunt in fabricam navium triremis

20. So the money was appointed by him that sent it to the sacrifice of Hercules: but because of them that carried it was employed for the making of galleys.

21. misso autem in Ægypto Apollonio Mnesthei filio propter primatus Filometoris regis cum cognovisset Antiochus alienum se a negotiis regni effectum propriis utilitatibus consulens profectus inde venit Joppen et inde Hierosolymam

21. Now when Apollonius the son of Mnestheus was sent into Egypt to treat with the nobles of king Philometor, and Antiochus understood that he was wholly excluded from the affairs of the kingdom, consulting his own interest, he departed thence and came to Joppe, and from thence to Jerusalem:

22. et magnifice ab Jasone et civitate susceptus cum facularum luminibus et laudibus ingressus est et inde Fœnicen exercitum convertit

22. Where he was received in a, magnificent manner by Jason, and the city, and came in with torch lights, and with praises, end from thence he returned with his army into Phenicia.

23. et post triennii tempus misit Jason Menelaum supradicti Simonis fratrem portantem pecunias regi et de negotiis necessariis responsa perlaturum

23. Three years afterwards Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the aforesaid Simon, to carry money to the king, and to bring answers from him concerning certain necessary affairs.

24. at ille commendatus regi cum magnificasset faciem potestatis ejus in semet ipsum retorsit summum sacerdotium superponens Jasonem talenta argenti trecenta

24. But he being recommended to the king, when he had magnified the appearance of his power, got the high priesthood for himself, by offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver.

25. acceptisque a rege mandatis venit nihil quidem dignum habens sacerdotio animos vero crudelis tyranni et feræ beluæ iram gerens

25. So having received the king's man- date, he returned bringing nothing worthy of the high priesthood: but having the mind of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.

26. et Jason quidem qui proprium fratrem captivaverat ipse deceptus profugus in ammaniten expulsus est regionem

26. Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being himself undermined, was driven out a fugitive into the country of the Ammonites

27. Menelaus autem principatum quidem obtinuit de pecuniis vero regi promissis nihil agebat cum exactionem faceret Sostratus qui arce erat præpositus

27. So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money he had promised to the king he took no care, when Sostratus the governor of the castle called for

28. nam ad hunc exactio vectigalium pertinebat quam ob causam utrique ad regem vocati

28. For to him appertained the gathering of the taxes: wherefore they were both called before the king.

29. Menelaus motus est sacerdotio succedente Lysimacho fratre suo Sostratus autem prælatus est Cypris

29. And Menelaus was removed from the priesthood, Lysimachus his brother succeeding: and Sostratus was made governor of the Cyprians.

30. et cum hæc agerentur contigit Tarsenses et Mallotas seditionem movere eo quod Antiochidi concubinæ regis dono essent dati

30. When these things were in doing, it fell out that they of Tharsus and Mallos raised a sedition, because they were given for a gift to Antiochis, the king's concubine.

31. festinanter itaque rex venit sedare illos relicto suffecto uno ex comitibus suis Andronico

31. The king therefore went in all haste to appease them, leaving Andronicus, one of his nobles, for his deputy.

32. ratus autem Menelaus accepisse se tempus oportunum aurea quædam vasa templo furatus donavit Andronico et alia vendiderat Tyro et per vicinas civitates

32. Then Menelaus supposing that he had found a convenient time, having stolen certain vessels of gold out of the temple, gave them to Andronicus, and others he had sold at Tyre, and in the neighbouring cities.

33. quod cum certissime cognovisset Onias arguebat eum ipse in loco tuto se continens Antiochiæ secus Dafnen

33. Which when Onias understood most certainly, he reproved him, keeping him- self in a safe place at Antioch beside Daphne.

34. unde Menelaus accedens ad Andronicum rogabat ut Onian interficeret qui cum venisset ad Onian et datis dextris cum jurejurando quamvis esset ei suspectus suasisset asylo procedere statim eum peremit non veritus justitiam

34. Whereupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus, desired him to kill Onias. And he went to Onias, and gave him his right hand with an oath, and (though he were suspected by him) persuaded him to come forth out of the sanctuary, and immediately slew him, without any regard to justice.

35. ob quam causam non solum Judæi sed et aliæ quoque nationes indignabantur et moleste ferebant de nece tanti viri iniusta

35. For which cause not only the Jews, but also the other nations, conceived indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of so great a man.

36. sed regressum regem de Ciliciæ locis adierunt Judæi apud Antiochiam simul et Græci conquerentes de iniqua nece Oniæ

36. And when the king was come back from the places of Cilicia, the Jews that were at Antioch, and also the Creaks went to him: complaining of the unjust murder of Onias.

37. contristatus itaque ad animam Antiochus et flexus ad misericordiam lacrimas fudit recordatus defuncti sobrietatem et modestiam

37. Antiochus therefore was grieved in his mind for Onias, and being moved to pity, shed tears, remembering the sobriety and modesty of the deceased.

38. accensusque animis Andronicum purpura exutum circumduci per totam civitatem jubet et eodem loco quo in Onian impietatem commiserat sacrilegum vita privari Domino illi dignam pœnam tribuente

38. And being inflamed to anger, he commanded Andronicus to be stripped of his purple, and to be led about through all the city: and that in the same place wherein he had committed the impiety against Onias, the sacrilegious wretch should be put to death, the Lord repaying him his deserved punishment.

39. multis autem sacrilegiis in templo a Lysimacho commissis Menelai consilio et divulgata fama congregata est multitudo adversus Lysimachum multo jam auro exportato

39. Now when many sacrileges had been committed by Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus, and the rumour of it was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, a great quantity of gold being already carried away.

40. turbis autem insurgentibus et animis ira repletis Lysimachus armatis fere tribus milibus iniquis manibus uti cœpit duce quodam Tyranno ætate pariter et dementia provecto

40. Wherefore the multitude making an insurrection, and their minds being filled with anger, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began to use violence, one Tyrannus being captain, a man far gone both in age, and in madness.

41. sed ut intellexerunt conatum Lysimachi alii lapides alii fustes validos arripere quidam vero cinerem in Lysimachum jacere

41. But when they perceived the attempt of Lysimachus, some caught up stones, some strong clubs: and some threw ashes upon Lysimachus,

42. et multi quidem vulnerati quidam autem et prostrati omnes vero in fugam versi sunt ipsum etiam sacrilegum secus ærarium interfecerunt

42. And many of them were wounded, and some struck down to the ground, but all were put to flight: and as for the sacrilegious fellow himself, they slew him beside the treasury.

43. de his ergo cœpit judicium adversus Menelaum agitari

43. Now concerning these matters, an accusation was laid against Menelaus.

44. et cum venisset rex Tyrum ad ipsum negotium detulerunt missi viri tres a senioribus

44. And when the king was come to Tyre, three men were sent from the ancients to plead the cause before him.

45. et cum superaretur Menelaus promisit Ptolomeo multas pecunias ad suadendum regi

45. But Menelaus being convicted, promised Ptolemee to give him much money to persuade the king to favour him.

46. itaque Ptolomeus in quodam atrio positum quasi refrigerandi gratia regem adiit et a sententia deduxit

46. So Ptolemee went to the king in a certain court where he was, as it were to cool himself, and brought him to be of another mind:

47. et Menelaum quidem universæ malitiæ reum criminibus absolvit miseros autem qui etiam si apud Scytas causam dixissent innocentes judicarentur morte damnavit

47. So Menelaus who was guilty of all the evil, was acquitted by him of the accusations: and those poor men, who, if they had pleaded their cause even before Scythians, should have been judged innocent, were condemned to death.

48. cito ergo iniustam pœnam dederunt qui pro civitate et populo et sacris vasis causam prosecuti sunt

48. Thus they that prosecuted the cause for the city, and for the people, and the sacred vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment.

49. quam ob rem Tyri quoque indignati erga sepulturam eorum liberalissimi extiterunt

49. Wherefore even the Tyrians being moved with indignation, were liberal towards their burial.

50. Menelaus autem propter eorum qui in potentia erant avaritiam permanebat in potestate crescens in malitia et ad insidias civium

50. And so through the covetousness of them that were in power, Menelaus continued in authority, increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens.