Liber I Maccabaeorum, 2

1. In diebus illis surrexit Mattha thias filius Ioannis filii Simeonis sacerdos ex filiis Ioarib ab Ierusalem et consedit in Modin.

1. In those days Mattathias the son of John, son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein.

2. Et habebat filios quinque: Ioannem, qui cognominabatur Gaddis,

2. He had five sons, John surnamed Gaddi,

3. et Simonem, qui vocabatur Thasi,

3. Simon called Thassi,

4. et Iudam, qui vocabatur Maccabaeus,

4. Judas called Maccabeus,

5. et Eleazarum, qui vocabatur Abaran, et Ionathan, qui vocabatur Apphus.

5. Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus.

6. Et vidit blasphemias, quae fiebant in Iuda et in Ierusalem,

6. He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem,

7. et dixit: “Vae mihi! Ut quid natus sum videre contritionem populi mei et contritionem civitatis sanctae? Et sederunt illic, cum daretur ea in manibus inimicorum, sanctificatio in manu extraneorum.

7. and said, "Alas! Why was I born to see this, the ruin of my people, the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there when it was given over to the enemy, the sanctuary given over to aliens?

8. Factum est templum eius sicut homo ignobilis,

8. Her temple has become like a man without honor;

9. vasa gloriae eius captiva abducta sunt, trucidati sunt parvuli eius in plateis eius, iuvenes eius in gladio inimicorum.

9. her glorious vessels have been carried into captivity. Her babes have been killed in her streets, her youths by the sword of the foe.

10. Quae gens non hereditavit regnum eius et non obtinuit spolia eius?

10. What nation has not inherited her palaces and has not seized her spoils?

11. Omnis ornatus eius ablatus est; quae erat libera, facta est ancilla.

11. All her adornment has been taken away; no longer free, she has become a slave.

12. Et ecce sancta nostra et pulchritudo nostra et gloria nostra desolata est, et polluerunt ea gentes.

12. And behold, our holy place, our beauty, and our glory have been laid waste; the Gentiles have profaned it.

13. Ut quid nobis adhuc vita?”.

13. Why should we live any longer?"

14. Et scidit vestimenta sua Matthathias et filii eius et operuerunt se ciliciis et planxerunt valde.

14. And Mattathias and his sons rent their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.

15. Et venerunt, qui ex rege compellebant discessionem, in civitatem Modin, ut sacrificarent.

15. Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice.

16. Et multi de Israel accesserunt ad eos, et Matthathias et filii eius congregati sunt.

16. Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled.

17. Et responderunt, qui missi erant a rege, et dixerunt Matthathiae: “Princeps et nobilis et magnus es in hac civitate et confirmatus filiis et fratribus.

17. Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: "You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers.

18. Nunc accede primus et fac iussum regis, sicut fecerunt omnes gentes et viri Iudae et qui remanserunt in Ierusalem, et eris tu et filii tui inter amicos regis et tu et filii tui glorificabimini et argento et auro et muneribus multis”.

18. Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts."

19. Et respondit Matthathias et dixit magna voce: “Etsi omnes gentes, quae in domo regni sunt, regi oboediunt, ut discedat unusquisque ab officio patrum suorum, et consentiunt mandatis eius,

19. But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of his fathers,

20. et ego et filii mei et fratres mei ibimus in testamento patrum nostrorum.

20. yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers.

21. Propitius sit nobis Dominus, ne derelinquamus legem et iustificationes.

21. Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances.

22. Non audiemus verba regis, ut praetereamus officium nostrum dextra vel sinistra”.

22. We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left."

23. Et, ut cessavit loqui verba haec, accessit quidam Iudaeus in omnium oculis sacrificare super aram in Modin secundum iussum regis.

23. When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Modein, according to the king's command.

24. Et vidit Matthathias et zelatus est, et contremuerunt renes eius; et attulit iram secundum iudicium et insiliens trucidavit eum super aram.

24. When Mattathias saw it, be burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar.

25. Et virum regis, qui cogebat immolare, occidit in ipso tempore et aram destruxit;

25. At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar.

26. et zelatus est legem, sicut fecit Phinees Zambri filio Salom.

26. Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu.

27. Et exclamavit Matthathias voce magna in civitate dicens: “Omnis, qui zelum habet legis statuens testamentum, exeat post me”.

27. Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!"

28. Et fugit ipse et filii eius in montes, et reliquerunt quaecumque habebant in civitate.

28. And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city.

29. Tunc descenderunt multi quaerentes iustitiam et iudicium in desertum, ut sederent ibi,

29. Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there,

30. ipsi et filii eorum et mulieres eorum et pecora eorum, quoniam induraverant super eos mala.

30. they, their sons, their wives, and their cattle, because evils pressed heavily upon them.

31. Et renuntiatum est viris regis et exercitui, qui erat in Ierusalem civitate David, quoniam descenderunt viri quidam, qui dissipaverant mandatum regis, in loca occulta in deserto.

31. And it was reported to the king's officers, and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David, that men who had rejected the king's command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness.

32. Et cucurrerunt post illos multi, et deprehendentes eos applicaverunt contra eos et constituerunt adversus eos proelium in die sabbatorum

32. Many pursued them, and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the sabbath day.

33. et dixerunt ad eos: “Usque hoc nunc! Exite et facite secundum verbum regis et vivetis”.

33. And they said to them, "Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live."

34. Et dixerunt: “Non exibimus neque faciemus verbum regis, ut polluamus diem sabbatorum”.

34. But they said, "We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the sabbath day."

35. Et concitaverunt adversus eos proelium.

35. Then the enemy hastened to attack them.

36. Et non responderunt eis nec lapidem miserunt in eos nec oppilaverunt loca occulta

36. But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places,

37. dicentes: “Moriamur omnes in simplicitate nostra, et testes erunt super nos caelum et terra quod iniuste perditis nos”.

37. for they said, "Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly."

38. Et insurrexerunt in eos in bello sabbatis; et mortui sunt ipsi et uxores eorum et filii eorum et pecora eorum usque ad mille animas hominum.

38. So they attacked them on the sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.

39. Et cognovit Matthathias et amici eius et luctum habuerunt super eos valde;

39. When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply.

40. et dixit vir proximo suo: “Si omnes fecerimus, sicut fratres nostri fecerunt, et non pugnaverimus adversus gentes pro animabus nostris et iustificationibus nostris, nunc citius disperdent nos a terra”.

40. And each said to his neighbor: "If we all do as our brethren have done and refuse to fight with the Gentiles for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth."

41. Et cogitaverunt in die illa dicentes: “Omnis homo, quicumque venerit ad nos in bello die sabbatorum, pugnemus adversus eum et non moriemur omnes, sicut mortui sunt fratres nostri in occultis”.

41. So they made this decision that day: "Let us fight against every man who comes to attack us on the sabbath day; let us not all die as our brethren died in their hiding places."

42. Tunc congregata est ad eos synagoga Asidaeorum fortis viribus ex Israel, omnis voluntarius in lege;

42. Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, every one who offered himself willingly for the law.

43. et omnes, qui fugiebant a malis, additi sunt ad eos et facti sunt illis ad firmamentum.

43. And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them.

44. Et constituerunt exercitum et percusserunt peccatores in ira sua et viros iniquos in indignatione sua; et ceteri fugerunt ad nationes, ut se liberarent.

44. They organized an army, and struck down sinners in their anger and lawless men in their wrath; the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety.

45. Et circuivit Matthathias et amici eius, et destruxerunt aras;

45. And Mattathias and his friends went about and tore down the altars;

46. et circumciderunt pueros incircumcisos, quotquot invenerunt in finibus Israel, in fortitudine.

46. they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel.

47. Et persecuti sunt filios superbiae, et prosperatum est opus in manu eorum;

47. They hunted down the arrogant men, and the work prospered in their hands.

48. et obtinuerunt legem de manu gentium et de manu regum et non dederunt cornu peccatori.

48. They rescued the law out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.

49. Et appropinquaverunt dies Matthathiae moriendi, et dixit filiis suis: “Nunc confirmata est superbia et castigatio et tempus eversionis et ira indignationis.

49. Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to his sons: "Arrogance and reproach have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger.

50. Nunc, o filii, aemulatores estote legis; et date animas vestras pro testamento patrum vestrorum.

50. Now, my children, show zeal for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of our fathers.

51. Et mementote operum patrum, quae fecerunt in generationibus suis, et accipietis gloriam magnam et nomen aeternum.

51. "Remember the deeds of the fathers, which they did in their generations; and receive great honor and an everlasting name.

52. Abraham, nonne in tentatione inventus est fidelis, et reputatum est ei ad iustitiam?

52. Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness?

53. Ioseph in tempore angustiae suae custodivit mandatum et factus est dominus Aegypti.

53. Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and became lord of Egypt.

54. Phinees pater noster zelando zelum Dei accepit testamentum sacerdotii aeterni.

54. Phinehas our father, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.

55. Iosue, dum implet verbum, factus est iudex in Israel.

55. Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel.

56. Chaleb, dum testificatur in ecclesia, accepit hereditatem.

56. Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land.

57. David in sua misericordia consecutus est sedem regni in saecula.

57. David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom for ever.

58. Elias, dum zelat zelum legis, receptus est in caelum.

58. Elijah because of great zeal for the law was taken up into heaven.

59. Ananias et Azarias et Misael credentes liberati sunt de flamma.

59. Hannaniah, Azariah, and Mishael believed and were saved from the flame.

60. Daniel in sua simplicitate liberatus est de ore leonum.

60. Daniel because of his innocence was delivered from the mouth of the lions.

61. Et ita cogitate per generationem et generationem, quia omnes, qui sperant in eum, non infirmabuntur.

61. "And so observe, from generation to generation, that none who put their trust in him will lack strength.

62. Et a verbis viri peccatoris ne timueritis, quia gloria eius in stercora et in vermes;

62. Do not fear the words of a sinner, for his splendor will turn into dung and worms.

63. hodie extolletur et cras non invenietur, quia conversus est in pulverem suam, et cogitatio eius peribit.

63. Today he will be exalted, but tomorrow he will not be found, because he has returned to the dust, and his plans will perish.

64. Filii, confortamini et viriliter agite in lege, quia in ipsa gloriosi eritis.

64. My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor.

65. Et ecce Simon frater vester, scio quod vir consilii est: ipsum audite semper; ipse erit vobis pater.

65. "Now behold, I know that Simeon your brother is wise in counsel; always listen to him; he shall be your father.

66. Et Iudas Maccabaeus fortis viribus a iuventute sua erit vobis princeps militiae; et ipse pugnabit bellum populi.

66. Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall command the army for you and fight the battle against the peoples.

67. Et adducetis ad vos omnes factores legis et vindicate vindictam populi vestri;

67. You shall rally about you all who observe the law, and avenge the wrong done to your people.

68. retribuite retributionem gentibus et intendite in praeceptum legis”.

68. Pay back the Gentiles in full, and heed what the law commands."

69. Et benedixit eos et appositus est ad patres suos.

69. Then he blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers.

70. Et defunctus est anno centesimo et quadragesimo sexto; et sepultus est in sepulcris patrum suorum in Modin, et planxerunt eum omnis Israel planctu magno.

70. He died in the one hundred and forty-sixth year and was buried in the tomb of his fathers at Modein. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.