2 Maccabees, 14

1. But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius the son of Seleucus was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis to places proper for his purpose.

1. μετὰ δὲ τριετῆ χρόνον προσέπεσεν τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν Δημήτριον τὸν τοῦ Σελεύκου διὰ τοῦ κατὰ Τρίπολιν λιμένος εἰσπλεύσαντα μετὰ πλήθους ἰσχυροῦ καὶ στόλου

2. And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.

2. κεκρατηκέναι τῆς χώρας ἐπανελόμενον Ἀντίοχον καὶ τὸν τούτου ἐπίτροπον Λυσίαν

3. Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,

3. Ἄλκιμος δέ τις προγεγονὼς ἀρχιερεύς ἑκουσίως δὲ μεμολυσμένος ἐν τοῖς τῆς ἀμειξίας χρόνοις συννοήσας ὅτι καθ’ ὁντιναοῦν τρόπον οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ σωτηρία οὐδὲ πρὸς τὸ ἅγιον θυσιαστήριον ἔτι πρόσοδος

4. Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.

4. ἧκεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Δημήτριον ὡς πρώτῳ καὶ πεντηκοστῷ καὶ ἑκατοστῷ ἔτει προσάγων αὐτῷ στέφανον χρυσοῦν καὶ φοίνικα πρὸς δὲ τούτοις τῶν νομιζομένων θαλλῶν τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἡσυχίαν ἔσχεν

5. But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,

5. καιρὸν δὲ λαβὼν τῆς ἰδίας ἀνοίας συνεργὸν προσκληθεὶς εἰς συνέδριον ὑπὸ τοῦ Δημητρίου καὶ ἐπερωτηθείς ἐν τίνι διαθέσει καὶ βουλῇ καθέστηκαν οἱ Ιουδαῖοι πρὸς ταῦτα ἔφη

6. He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.

6. οἱ λεγόμενοι τῶν Ιουδαίων Ασιδαῖοι ὧν ἀφηγεῖται Ιουδας ὁ Μακκαβαῖος πολεμοτροφοῦσιν καὶ στασιάζουσιν οὐκ ἐῶντες τὴν βασιλείαν εὐσταθείας τυχεῖν

7. For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:

7. ὅθεν ἀφελόμενος τὴν προγονικὴν δόξαν λέγω δὴ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην δεῦρο νῦν ἐλήλυθα

8. Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.

8. πρῶτον μὲν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀνηκόντων τῷ βασιλεῖ γνησίως φρονῶν δεύτερον δὲ καὶ τῶν ἰδίων πολιτῶν στοχαζόμενος τῇ μὲν γὰρ τῶν προειρημένων ἀλογιστίᾳ τὸ σύμπαν ἡμῶν γένος οὐ μικρῶς ἀκληρεῖ

9. Wherefore, 0 king, seeing thou know- eat all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,

9. ἕκαστα δὲ τούτων ἐπεγνωκὼς σύ βασιλεῦ καὶ τῆς χώρας καὶ τοῦ περιισταμένου γένους ἡμῶν προνοήθητι καθ’ ἣν ἔχεις πρὸς ἅπαντας εὐαπάντητον φιλανθρωπίαν

10. For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.

10. ἄχρι γὰρ Ιουδας περίεστιν ἀδύνατον εἰρήνης τυχεῖν τὰ πράγματα

11. Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.

11. τοιούτων δὲ ῥηθέντων ὑπὸ τούτου θᾶττον οἱ λοιποὶ φίλοι δυσμενῶς ἔχοντες τὰ πρὸς τὸν Ιουδαν προσεπύρωσαν τὸν Δημήτριον

12. And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:

12. προχειρισάμενος δὲ εὐθέως Νικάνορα τὸν γενόμενον ἐλεφαντάρχην καὶ στρατηγὸν ἀναδείξας τῆς Ιουδαίας ἐξαπέστειλεν

13. Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.

13. δοὺς ἐντολὰς αὐτὸν μὲν τὸν Ιουδαν ἐπανελέσθαι τοὺς δὲ σὺν αὐτῷ σκορπίσαι καταστῆσαι δὲ Ἄλκιμον ἀρχιερέα τοῦ μεγίστου ἱεροῦ

14. Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by docks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.

14. οἱ δὲ ἐπὶ τῆς Ιουδαίας πεφυγαδευκότες τὸν Ιουδαν ἔθνη συνέμισγον ἀγεληδὸν τῷ Νικάνορι τὰς τῶν Ιουδαίων ἀτυχίας καὶ συμφορὰς ἰδίας εὐημερίας δοκοῦντες ἔσεσθαι

15. Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him, who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.

15. ἀκούσαντες δὲ τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος ἔφοδον καὶ τὴν ἐπίθεσιν τῶν ἐθνῶν καταπασάμενοι γῆν ἐλιτάνευον τὸν ἄχρι αἰῶνος συστήσαντα τὸν αὑτοῦ λαόν ἀεὶ δὲ μετ’ ἐπιφανείας ἀντιλαμβανόμενον τῆς ἑαυτοῦ μερίδος

16. Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.

16. προστάξαντος δὲ τοῦ ἡγουμένου ἐκεῖθεν εὐθέως ἀναζεύξας συμμίσγει αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ κώμην Δεσσαου

17. Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.

17. Σιμων δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς Ιουδου συμβεβληκὼς ἦν τῷ Νικάνορι βραδέως δὲ διὰ τὴν αἰφνίδιον τῶν ἀντιπάλων ἀφασίαν ἐπταικώς

18. Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas' companions, and the greatness of courage with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.

18. ὅμως δὲ ἀκούων ὁ Νικάνωρ ἣν εἶχον οἱ περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν ἀνδραγαθίαν καὶ ἐν τοῖς περὶ τῆς πατρίδος ἀγῶσιν εὐψυχίαν ὑπευλαβεῖτο τὴν κρίσιν δι’ αἱμάτων ποιήσασθαι

19. Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to pre- sent and receive the right hands.

19. διόπερ ἔπεμψεν Ποσιδώνιον καὶ Θεόδοτον καὶ Ματταθιαν δοῦναι καὶ λαβεῖν δεξιάς

20. And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, the) were all of one mind to consent to covenants.

20. πλείονος δὲ γενομένης περὶ τούτων ἐπισκέψεως καὶ τοῦ ἡγουμένου τοῖς πλήθεσιν ἀνακοινωσαμένου καὶ φανείσης ὁμοψήφου γνώμης ἐπένευσαν ταῖς συνθήκαις

21. So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by them- selves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.

21. ἐτάξαντο δὲ ἡμέραν ἐν ᾗ κατ’ ἰδίαν ἥξουσιν εἰς τὸ αὐτό καὶ προῆλθεν παρ’ ἑκάστου δίφραξ ἔθεσαν δίφρους

22. But Judas ordered men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might he suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.

22. διέταξεν Ιουδας ἐνόπλους ἑτοίμους ἐν τοῖς ἐπικαίροις τόποις μήποτε ἐκ τῶν πολεμίων αἰφνιδίως κακουργία γένηται τὴν ἁρμόζουσαν ἐποιήσαντο κοινολογίαν

23. And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.

23. διέτριβεν ὁ Νικάνωρ ἐν Ιεροσολύμοις καὶ ἔπραττεν οὐθὲν ἄτοπον τοὺς δὲ συναχθέντας ἀγελαίους ὄχλους ἀπέλυσεν

24. And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.

24. καὶ εἶχεν τὸν Ιουδαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν προσώπῳ ψυχικῶς τῷ ἀνδρὶ προσεκέκλιτο

25. And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.

25. παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν γῆμαι καὶ παιδοποιήσασθαι ἐγάμησεν εὐστάθησεν ἐκοινώνησεν βίου

26. But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.

26. ὁ δὲ Ἄλκιμος συνιδὼν τὴν πρὸς ἀλλήλους εὔνοιαν καὶ τὰς γενομένας συνθήκας λαβὼν ἧκεν πρὸς τὸν Δημήτριον καὶ ἔλεγεν τὸν Νικάνορα ἀλλότρια φρονεῖν τῶν πραγμάτων τὸν γὰρ ἐπίβουλον τῆς βασιλείας Ιουδαν αὐτοῦ διάδοχον ἀναδεῖξαι

27. Then the king being in a rage and provoked with this man's wicked accusations, wrote to Nicanor, signifying, that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.

27. ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἔκθυμος γενόμενος καὶ ταῖς τοῦ παμπονήρου διαβολαῖς ἐρεθισθεὶς ἔγραψεν Νικάνορι φάσκων ὑπὲρ μὲν τῶν συνθηκῶν βαρέως φέρειν κελεύων δὲ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον δέσμιον ἐξαποστέλλειν εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν ταχέως

28. When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.

28. προσπεσόντων δὲ τούτων τῷ Νικάνορι συνεκέχυτο καὶ δυσφόρως ἔφερεν εἰ τὰ διεσταλμένα ἀθετήσει μηδὲν τἀνδρὸς ἠδικηκότος

29. But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.

29. ἐπεὶ δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἀντιπράττειν οὐκ ἦν εὔκαιρον ἐτήρει στρατηγήματι τοῦτ’ ἐπιτελέσαι

30. But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner: and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.

30. ὁ δὲ Μακκαβαῖος αὐστηρότερον διεξαγαγόντα συνιδὼν τὸν Νικάνορα τὰ πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν εἰθισμένην ἀπάντησιν ἀγροικότερον ἐσχηκότα νοήσας οὐκ ἀπὸ τοῦ βελτίστου τὴν αὐστηρίαν εἶναι συστρέψας οὐκ ὀλίγους τῶν περὶ αὐτὸν συνεκρύπτετο τὸν Νικάνορα

31. But he finding himself notably pre- vented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

31. συγγνοὺς δὲ ὁ ἕτερος ὅτι γενναίως ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἐστρατήγηται παραγενόμενος ἐπὶ τὸ μέγιστον καὶ ἅγιον ἱερὸν τῶν ἱερέων τὰς καθηκούσας θυσίας προσαγόντων ἐκέλευσεν παραδιδόναι τὸν ἄνδρα

32. And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,

32. τῶν δὲ μεθ’ ὅρκων φασκόντων μὴ γινώσκειν ποῦ ποτ’ ἔστιν ὁ ζητούμενος

33. And swore, saying: Unless you de- liver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.

33. προτείνας τὴν δεξιὰν ἐπὶ τὸν νεὼ ταῦτ’ ὤμοσεν ἐὰν μὴ δέσμιόν μοι τὸν Ιουδαν παραδῶτε τόνδε τὸν τοῦ θεοῦ σηκὸν εἰς πεδίον ποιήσω καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κατασκάψω καὶ ἱερὸν ἐνταῦθα τῷ Διονύσῳ ἐπιφανὲς ἀναστήσω

34. And when he had spoken thus he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:

34. τοσαῦτα δὲ εἰπὼν ἀπῆλθεν οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς προτείναντες τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπεκαλοῦντο τὸν διὰ παντὸς ὑπέρμαχον τοῦ ἔθνους ἡμῶν ταῦτα λέγοντες

35. Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.

35. σὺ κύριε τῶν ὅλων ἀπροσδεὴς ὑπάρχων ηὐδόκησας ναὸν τῆς σῆς σκηνώσεως ἐν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι

36. Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.

36. καὶ νῦν ἅγιε παντὸς ἁγιασμοῦ κύριε διατήρησον εἰς αἰῶνα ἀμίαντον τόνδε τὸν προσφάτως κεκαθαρισμένον οἶκον

37. Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his affection was called the father of the Jews.

37. Ραζις δέ τις τῶν ἀπὸ Ιεροσολύμων πρεσβυτέρων ἐμηνύθη τῷ Νικάνορι ἀνὴρ φιλοπολίτης καὶ σφόδρα καλῶς ἀκούων καὶ κατὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν πατὴρ τῶν Ιουδαίων προσαγορευόμενος

38. This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.

38. ἦν γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν χρόνοις τῆς ἀμειξίας κρίσιν εἰσενηνεγμένος Ιουδαϊσμοῦ καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ιουδαϊσμοῦ παραβεβλημένος μετὰ πάσης ἐκτενίας

39. So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.

39. βουλόμενος δὲ Νικάνωρ πρόδηλον ποιῆσαι ἣν εἶχεν πρὸς τοὺς Ιουδαίους δυσμένειαν ἀπέστειλεν στρατιώτας ὑπὲρ τοὺς πεντακοσίους συλλαβεῖν αὐτόν

40. For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.

40. ἔδοξεν γὰρ ἐκεῖνον συλλαβὼν τούτοις ἐνεργάσασθαι συμφοράν

41. Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:

41. τῶν δὲ πληθῶν μελλόντων τὸν πύργον καταλαβέσθαι καὶ τὴν αὐλαίαν θύραν βιαζομένων καὶ κελευόντων πῦρ προσάγειν καὶ τὰς θύρας ὑφάπτειν περικατάλημπτος γενόμενος ὑπέθηκεν ἑαυτῷ τὸ ξίφος

42. Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.

42. εὐγενῶς θέλων ἀποθανεῖν ἤπερ τοῖς ἀλιτηρίοις ὑποχείριος γενέσθαι καὶ τῆς ἰδίας εὐγενείας ἀναξίως ὑβρισθῆναι

43. But whereas through haste he missed of giving himself a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:

43. τῇ δὲ πληγῇ μὴ κατευθικτήσας διὰ τὴν τοῦ ἀγῶνος σπουδὴν καὶ τῶν ὄχλων ἔσω τῶν θυρωμάτων εἰσβαλλόντων ἀναδραμὼν γενναίως ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος κατεκρήμνισεν ἑαυτὸν ἀνδρωδῶς εἰς τοὺς ὄχλους

44. But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.

44. τῶν δὲ ταχέως ἀναποδισάντων γενομένου διαστήματος ἦλθεν κατὰ μέσον τὸν κενεῶνα

45. And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:

45. ἔτι δὲ ἔμπνους ὑπάρχων καὶ πεπυρωμένος τοῖς θυμοῖς ἐξαναστὰς φερομένων κρουνηδὸν τῶν αἱμάτων καὶ δυσχερῶν τῶν τραυμάτων ὄντων δρόμῳ τοὺς ὄχλους διελθὼν καὶ στὰς ἐπί τινος πέτρας ἀπορρῶγος

46. And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels with both hands, he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.

46. παντελῶς ἔξαιμος ἤδη γινόμενος προβαλὼν τὰ ἔντερα καὶ λαβὼν ἑκατέραις ταῖς χερσὶν ἐνέσεισε τοῖς ὄχλοις καὶ ἐπικαλεσάμενος τὸν δεσπόζοντα τῆς ζωῆς καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος ταῦτα αὐτῷ πάλιν ἀποδοῦναι τόνδε τὸν τρόπον μετήλλαξεν