Liber I Maccabaeorum, 10

1. Et anno centesimo sexage simo ascendit Alexander An tiochi filius, Epiphanes, et occupavit Ptolemaidam; et receperunt eum, et regnavit illic.

1. In the one hundred and sixtieth year Alexander Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, landed and occupied Ptolemais. They welcomed him, and there he began to reign.

2. Et audivit Demetrius rex et congregavit exercitum copiosum valde et exivit obviam illi in proelium.

2. When Demetrius the king heard of it, he assembled a very large army and marched out to meet him in battle.

3. Et misit Demetrius epistulam ad Ionathan verbis pacificis, ut magnificaret eum.

3. And Demetrius sent Jonathan a letter in peaceable words to honor him;

4. Dixit enim: “Anticipemus facere pacem cum eo, priusquam faciat cum Alexandro adversum nos;

4. for he said, "Let us act first to make peace with him before he makes peace with Alexander against us,

5. recordabitur enim omnium malorum, quae consummavimus in eum et in fratrem eius et in gentem eius”.

5. for he will remember all the wrongs which we did to him and to his brothers and his nation."

6. Et dedit ei potestatem congregare exercitum et fabrificare arma et esse ipsum socium eius; et obsides, qui erant in arce, dixit tradi ei.

6. So Demetrius gave him authority to recruit troops, to equip them with arms, and to become his ally; and he commanded that the hostages in the citadel should be released to him.

7. Et venit Ionathas in Ierusalem et legit epistulas in auditu omnis populi et eorum, qui in arce erant;

7. Then Jonathan came to Jerusalem and read the letter in the hearing of all the people and of the men in the citadel.

8. et timuerunt timore magno, cum audirent quoniam dedit ei rex potestatem congregandi exercitum.

8. They were greatly alarmed when they heard that the king had given him authority to recruit troops.

9. Et tradiderunt, qui erant in arce, Ionathae obsides, et reddidit eos parentibus ipsorum.

9. But the men in the citadel released the hostages to Jonathan, and he returned them to their parents.

10. Et habitavit Ionathas in Ierusalem et coepit aedificare et innovare civitatem;

10. And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and restore the city.

11. et dixit facientibus opera, ut exstruerent muros et montem Sion in circuitu lapidibus quadratis ad munitionem: et ita fecerunt.

11. He directed those who were doing the work to build the walls and encircle Mount Zion with squared stones, for better fortification; and they did so.

12. Et fugerunt alienigenae, qui erant in munitionibus, quas Bacchides aedificaverat,

12. Then the foreigners who were in the strongholds that Bacchides had built fled;

13. et reliquit unusquisque locum suum et abiit in terram suam;

13. each left his place and departed to his own land.

14. tantum in Bethsura remanserunt aliqui ex his, qui reliquerant legem et praecepta; erat enim ad refugium.

14. Only in Beth-zur did some remain who had forsaken the law and the commandments, for it served as a place of refuge.

15. Et audivit Alexander rex promissa, quae misit Demetrius Ionathae, et narraverunt ei proelia et virtutes, quas ipse fecit et fratres eius, et labores, quos habuerunt.

15. Now Alexander the king heard of all the promises which Demetrius had sent to Jonathan, and men told him of the battles that Jonathan and his brothers had fought, of the brave deeds that they had done, and of the troubles that they had endured.

16. Et ait: “Numquid inveniemus aliquem virum talem? Et nunc faciemus eum amicum et socium nostrum”.

16. So he said, "Shall we find another such man? Come now, we will make him our friend and ally."

17. Et scripsit epistulam et misit ei secundum haec verba dicens:

17. And he wrote a letter and sent it to him, in the following words:

18. “Rex Alexander fratri Ionathae salutem.

18. "King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting.

19. Audivimus de te quod vir potens es viribus et aptus es, ut sis amicus noster;

19. We have heard about you, that you are a mighty warrior and worthy to be our friend.

20. et nunc constituimus te hodie summum sacerdotem gentis tuae, et ut amicus voceris regis — et misit ei purpuram et coronam auream — et, quae nostra sunt, sentias nobiscum et conserves amicitias ad nos”.

20. And so we have appointed you today to be the high priest of your nation; you are to be called the king's friend" (and he sent him a purple robe and a golden crown) "and you are to take our side and keep friendship with us."

21. Et induit se Ionathas stola sancta septimo mense, anno centesimo sexagesimo, in die sollemni Scenopegiae; et congregavit exercitum et fecit arma copiosa.

21. So Jonathan put on the holy garments in the seventh month of the one hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of tabernacles, and he recruited troops and equipped them with arms in abundance.

22. Et audivit Demetrius verba ista et contristatus est nimis et ait:

22. When Demetrius heard of these things he was grieved and said,

23. “Quid hoc fecimus quod praeoccupavit nos Alexander apprehendere amicitiam Iudaeorum ad firmamentum?

23. "What is this that we have done? Alexander has gotten ahead of us in forming a friendship with the Jews to strengthen himself.

24. Scribam et ego illis verba deprecatoria et dignitates et dona, ut sint mecum in adiutorium”.

24. I also will write them words of encouragement and promise them honor and gifts, that I may have their help."

25. Et misit eis secundum haec verba: “Rex Demetrius genti Iudaeorum salutem.

25. So he sent a message to them in the following words: "King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

26. Quoniam servastis ad nos pactum et mansistis in amicitia nostra et non accessistis ad inimicos nostros, audivimus et gavisi sumus.

26. Since you have kept your agreement with us and have continued your friendship with us, and have not sided with our enemies, we have heard of it and rejoiced.

27. Et nunc perseverate adhuc conservare ad nos fidem, et retribuemus vobis bona pro his, quae facitis nobiscum,

27. And now continue still to keep faith with us, and we will repay you with good for what you do for us.

28. et remittemus vobis praestationes multas et dabimus vobis donationes.

28. We will grant you many immunities and give you gifts.

29. Et nunc absolvo vos et remitto Iudaeos a tributis et pretio salis et a coronis;

29. "And now I free you and exempt all the Jews from payment of tribute and salt tax and crown levies,

30. et pro tertia parte seminis et pro dimidia parte fructus ligni, quod debetur mihi accipere, remitto ex hodierno die et deinceps accipere a terra Iudae et a tribus regionibus, quae additae sunt illi ex Samaritide et Galilaea, ex hodierna die et in totum tempus;

30. and instead of collecting the third of the grain and the half of the fruit of the trees that I should receive, I release them from this day and henceforth. I will not collect them from the land of Judah or from the three districts added to it from Samaria and Galilee, from this day and for all time.

31. et Ierusalem sit sancta et libera et fines eius et decimae et tributa.

31. And let Jerusalem and her environs, her tithes and her revenues, be holy and free from tax.

32. Remitto etiam potestatem arcis, quae est in Ierusalem, et do eam summo sacerdoti, ut constituat in ea viros, quoscumque ipse elegerit, qui custodiant eam.

32. I release also my control of the citadel in Jerusalem and give it to the high priest, that he may station in it men of his own choice to guard it.

33. Et omnem animam Iudaeorum, quae captiva est a terra Iudae in omni regno meo, relinquo liberam gratis, et omnes a tributis solvantur etiam pecorum suorum.

33. And every one of the Jews taken as a captive from the land of Judah into any part of my kingdom, I set free without payment; and let all officials cancel also the taxes on their cattle.

34. Et omnes dies sollemnes et sabbata et neomeniae et dies decreti et tres dies ante diem sollemnem et tres dies post diem sollemnem sint omnes immunitatis et remissionis omnibus Iudaeis, qui sunt in regno meo;

34. "And all the feasts and sabbaths and new moons and appointed days, and the three days before a feast and the three after a feast -- let them all be days of immunity and release for all the Jews who are in my kingdom.

35. et nemo habebit potestatem agere et perturbare aliquem illorum de omni causa.

35. No one shall have authority to exact anything from them or annoy any of them about any matter.

36. Et ascribantur ex Iudaeis in exercitu regis ad triginta milia virorum, et dabuntur illis copiae, ut oportet omnibus exercitibus regis.

36. "Let Jews be enrolled in the king's forces to the number of thirty thousand men, and let the maintenance be given them that is due to all the forces of the king.

37. Et ex eis constituentur, qui sint in munitionibus regis magnis, et ex his constituentur super negotia regni, quae aguntur ex fide, et praepositi eorum et principes sint ex eis et ambulent in legibus suis, sicut praecepit rex in terra Iudae.

37. Let some of them be stationed in the great strongholds of the king, and let some of them be put in positions of trust in the kingdom. Let their officers and leaders be of their own number, and let them live by their own laws, just as the king has commanded in the land of Judah.

38. Et tres regiones, quae additae sunt Iudaeae ex regione Samariae, addatur Iudaeae reputari, ut sint sub uno et non oboediant alii potestati, nisi summi sacerdotis.

38. "As for the three districts that have been added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let them be so annexed to Judea that they are considered to be under one ruler and obey no other authority but the high priest.

39. Ptolemaida et confines eius dedi donum sanctis, quae sunt in Ierusalem, ad necessarios sumptus sanctis.

39. Ptolemais and the land adjoining it I have given as a gift to the sanctuary in Jerusalem, to meet the necessary expenses of the sanctuary.

40. Et ego do singulis annis quindecim milia siclorum argenti de rationibus regis ex locis, quae me contingunt;

40. I also grant fifteen thousand shekels of silver yearly out of the king's revenues from appropriate places.

41. et omne, quod reliquum fuerit, quod non reddiderant, qui super negotia erant, annis prioribus, ex hoc dabunt in opera domus.

41. And all the additional funds which the government officials have not paid as they did in the first years, they shall give from now on for the service of the temple.

42. Et super haec quinque milia siclorum argenti, quanta accipiebant de sanctorum ratione per singulos annos, et haec remittuntur eo quod ipsa ad sacerdotes pertineant, qui ministerio funguntur.

42. Moreover, the five thousand shekels of silver which my officials have received every year from the income of the services of the temple, this too is canceled, because it belongs to the priests who minister there.

43. Et quicumque confugerint in templum, quod est Hierosolymis, et in omnibus finibus eius debentes regalia et quamlibet rem, dimittantur, et universa, quae sunt eis in regno meo.

43. And whoever takes refuge at the temple in Jerusalem, or in any of its precincts, because he owes money to the king or has any debt, let him be released and receive back all his property in my kingdom.

44. Et ad aedificanda vel restauranda opera sanctorum sumptus dabitur de ratione regis;

44. "Let the cost of rebuilding and restoring the structures of the sanctuary be paid from the revenues of the king.

45. et ad exstruendos muros Ierusalem et communiendum in circuitu sumptus dabitur de ratione regis et ad construendos muros in Iudaea”.

45. And let the cost of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and fortifying it round about, and the cost of rebuilding the walls in Judea, also be paid from the revenues of the king."

46. Ut audivit autem Ionathas et populus sermones istos, non crediderunt eis nec receperunt, quia recordati sunt malitiae magnae, quam fecerat in Israel et tribulaverat eos valde.

46. When Jonathan and the people heard these words, they did not believe or accept them, because they remembered the great wrongs which Demetrius had done in Israel and how he had greatly oppressed them.

47. Et complacuit eis in Alexandro, quia ipse fuerat eis princeps sermonum pacis, et ipsi auxilium ferebant omnibus diebus.

47. They favored Alexander, because he had been the first to speak peaceable words to them, and they remained his allies all his days.

48. Et congregavit rex Alexander exercitum magnum et admovit castra contra Demetrium.

48. Now Alexander the king assembled large forces and encamped opposite Demetrius.

49. Et commiserunt proelium duo reges, et fugit exercitus Alexandri, et insecutus est eum Demetrius et praevaluit adversus eos;

49. The two kings met in battle, and the army of Demetrius fled, and Alexander pursued him and defeated them.

50. et confirmavit proelium nimis, donec occidit sol, et cecidit Demetrius in die illa.

50. He pressed the battle strongly until the sun set, and Demetrius fell on that day.

51. Et misit Alexander ad Ptolemaeum regem Aegypti legatos secundum haec verba dicens:

51. Then Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemy king of Egypt with the following message:

52. “Quoniam regressus sum in regnum meum et sedi in sede patrum meorum et obtinui principatum et contrivi Demetrium et possedi regionem nostram

52. "Since I have returned to my kingdom and have taken my seat on the throne of my fathers, and established my rule -- for I crushed Demetrius and gained control of our country;

53. et commisi pugnam cum eo, et contritus est ipse et castra eius a nobis, et sedimus in sede regni eius;

53. I met him in battle, and he and his army were crushed by us, and we have taken our seat on the throne of his kingdom --

54. et nunc statuamus ad invicem amicitiam, et da mihi filiam tuam uxorem, et ego ero gener tuus et dabo tibi dona et ipsi digna te”.

54. now therefore let us establish friendship with one another; give me now your daughter as my wife, and I will become your son-in-law, and will make gifts to you and to her in keeping with your position."

55. Et respondit rex Ptolemaeus dicens: “Felix dies, in qua reversus es ad terram patrum tuorum et sedisti in sede regni eorum!

55. Ptolemy the king replied and said, "Happy was the day on which you returned to the land of your fathers and took your seat on the throne of their kingdom.

56. Et nunc faciam tibi, quae scripsisti, sed occurre in Ptolemaidam, ut videamus invicem nos, et socer fiam tibi, sicut dixisti”.

56. And now I will do for you as you wrote, but meet me at Ptolemais, so that we may see one another, and I will become your father-in-law, as you have said."

57. Et exivit Ptolemaeus de Aegypto, ipse et Cleopatra filia eius, et venit Ptolemaidam anno centesimo sexagesimo secundo.

57. So Ptolemy set out from Egypt, he and Cleopatra his daughter, and came to Ptolemais in the one hundred and sixty-second year.

58. Et occurrit ei Alexander rex, et dedit ei Cleopatram filiam suam et fecit nuptias eius Ptolemaidae sicut reges in magna gloria.

58. Alexander the king met him, and Ptolemy gave him Cleopatra his daughter in marriage, and celebrated her wedding at Ptolemais with great pomp, as kings do.

59. Et scripsit rex Alexander Ionathae, ut veniret obviam sibi.

59. Then Alexander the king wrote to Jonathan to come to meet him.

60. Et abiit cum gloria Ptolemaidam et occurrit ibi duobus regibus et dedit illis argentum multum et aurum et dona et invenit gratiam in conspectu eorum.

60. So he went with pomp to Ptolemais and met the two kings; he gave them and their friends silver and gold and many gifts, and found favor with them.

61. Et convenerunt adversus eum viri pestilentes ex Israel, viri iniqui interpellantes adversus eum; et non intendit ad eos rex.

61. A group of pestilent men from Israel, lawless men, gathered together against him to accuse him; but the king paid no attention to them.

62. Et iussit rex, et exspoliaverunt Ionathan vestibus suis et induerunt eum purpura; et ita fecerunt. Et collocavit eum rex sedere secum.

62. The king gave orders to take off Jonathan's garments and to clothe him in purple, and they did so.

63. Dixitque principibus suis: “Exite cum eo in medium civitatis et praedicate, ut nemo adversus eum interpellet de ullo negotio, nec quisquam ei molestus sit de ulla ratione”.

63. The king also seated him at his side; and he said to his officers, "Go forth with him into the middle of the city and proclaim that no one is to bring charges against him about any matter, and let no one annoy him for any reason."

64. Et factum est, ut viderunt, qui interpellabant gloriam eius, quae praedicabatur, et opertum eum purpura, fugerunt omnes.

64. And when his accusers saw the honor that was paid him, in accordance with the proclamation, and saw him clothed in purple, they all fled.

65. Et magnificavit eum rex et scripsit eum inter primos amicos et posuit eum ducem et participem principatus.

65. Thus the king honored him and enrolled him among his chief friends, and made him general and governor of the province.

66. Et reversus est Ionathas in Ierusalem cum pace et laetitia.

66. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem in peace and gladness.

67. In anno centesimo sexagesimo quinto venit Demetrius filius Demetrii a Creta in terram patrum suorum;

67. In the one hundred and sixty-fifth year Demetrius the son of Demetrius came from Crete to the land of his fathers.

68. et audivit Alexander rex et contristatus est valde et reversus est Antiochiam.

68. When Alexander the king heard of it, he was greatly grieved and returned to Antioch.

69. Et constituit Demetrius rex Apollonium, qui praeerat Coelesyriae, et congregavit exercitum magnum; et accessit ad Iamniam et misit ad Ionathan summum sacerdotem

69. And Demetrius appointed Apollonius the governor of Coelesyria, and he assembled a large force and encamped against Jamnia. Then he sent the following message to Jonathan the high priest:

70. dicens: “Tu omnino solus resistis nobis; ego autem factus sum in derisum et in opprobrium propter te; et quare tu potestatem adversum nos exerces in montibus?

70. "You are the only one to rise up against us, and I have become a laughingstock and reproach because of you. Why do you assume authority against us in the hill country?

71. Nunc ergo si confidis in virtutibus tuis, descende ad nos in campum, et comparemus illic invicem, quia mecum est virtus civitatum.

71. If you now have confidence in your forces, come down to the plain to meet us, and let us match strength with each other there, for I have with me the power of the cities.

72. Interroga et disce quis sum ego et ceteri, qui auxilio sunt nobis, et dicunt: “Non potest stare pes vester ante faciem nostram, quia bis in fugam conversi sunt patres tui in terra sua”.

72. Ask and learn who I am and who the others are that are helping us. Men will tell you that you cannot stand before us, for your fathers were twice put to flight in their own land.

73. Et nunc non poteris sustinere equitatum et exercitum talem in campo, ubi non est lapis neque silex neque locus fugiendi”.

73. And now you will not be able to withstand my cavalry and such an army in the plain, where there is no stone or pebble, or place to flee."

74. Ut audivit autem Ionathas sermones Apollonii, motus est animo et elegit decem milia virorum et exiit ab Ierusalem, et occurrit ei Simon frater eius in adiutorium.

74. When Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, his spirit was aroused. He chose ten thousand men and set out from Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him.

75. Et applicuit castra in Ioppen; et excluserunt eum, qui erant de civitate, quia custodia Apollonii in Ioppe erat, et oppugnaverunt eam.

75. He encamped before Joppa, but the men of the city closed its gates, for Apollonius had a garrison in Joppa.

76. Et exterriti, qui erant in civitate, aperuerunt ei, et obtinuit Ionathas Ioppen.

76. So they fought against it, and the men of the city became afraid and opened the gates, and Jonathan gained possession of Joppa.

77. Et audivit Apollonius et admovit tria milia equitum et exercitum multum. Et abiit Azotum tamquam iter faciens et statim exiit in campum, eo quod haberet multitudinem equitum et confideret in eis.

77. When Apollonius heard of it, he mustered three thousand cavalry and a large army, and went to Azotus as though he were going farther. At the same time he advanced into the plain, for he had a large troop of cavalry and put confidence in it.

78. Et insecutus est eum Ionathas in Azotum, et exercitus commiserunt proelium.

78. Jonathan pursued him to Azotus, and the armies engaged in battle.

79. Et reliquit Apollonius mille equites post eos occulte.

79. Now Apollonius had secretly left a thousand cavalry behind them.

80. Et cognovit Ionathas quoniam insidiae sunt post se; et circuierunt castra eius et iecerunt iacula in populum a mane usque ad vesperam.

80. Jonathan learned that there was an ambush behind him, for they surrounded his army and shot arrows at his men from early morning till late afternoon.

81. Populus autem stabat, sicut praeceperat Ionathas, et laboraverunt equi eorum.

81. But his men stood fast, as Jonathan commanded, and the enemy's horses grew tired.

82. Et eiecit Simon exercitum suum et commisit contra legionem; equites enim fatigati erant. Et contriti sunt ab eo et fugerunt,

82. Then Simon brought forward his force and engaged the phalanx in battle (for the cavalry was exhausted); they were overwhelmed by him and fled,

83. et equi dispersi sunt in campo et fugerunt in Azotum et intraverunt in Bethdagon idolum suum, ut ibi se liberarent.

83. and the cavalry was dispersed in the plain. They fled to Azotus and entered Beth-dagon, the temple of their idol, for safety.

84. Et succendit Ionathas Azotum et civitates, quae erant in circuitu eius, et accepit spolia eorum et templum Dagon et omnes, qui fugerunt in illud, succendit igne.

84. But Jonathan burned Azotus and the surrounding towns and plundered them; and the temple of Dagon, and those who had taken refuge in it he burned with fire.

85. Et fuerunt, qui ceciderunt gladio cum his qui succensi sunt, fere octo milia virorum.

85. The number of those who fell by the sword, with those burned alive, came to eight thousand men.

86. Et movit inde Ionathas castra et applicuit ad Ascalonem, et exierunt de civitate obviam illi in magna gloria.

86. Then Jonathan departed from there and encamped against Askalon, and the men of the city came out to meet him with great pomp.

87. Et reversus est Ionathas in Ierusalem cum suis habentibus spolia multa.

87. And Jonathan and those with him returned to Jerusalem with much booty.

88. Et factum est, ut audivit Alexander rex sermones istos, et addidit adhuc glorificare Ionathan

88. When Alexander the king heard of these things, he honored Jonathan still more;

89. et misit ei fibulam auream, sicut consuetudo est dari cognatis regum, et dedit ei Accaron et omnes fines eius in possessionem.

89. and he sent to him a golden buckle, such as it is the custom to give to the kinsmen of kings. He also gave him Ekron and all its environs as his possession.