Liber I Maccabaeorum, 5

1. Et factum est, ut audierunt gen tes in circuitu quia aedificatum est altare, et dedicatum est sanctuarium sicut prius, iratae sunt valde

1. When the Gentiles round about heard that the altar had been built and the sanctuary dedicated as it was before, they became very angry,

2. et cogitabant tollere genus Iacob, qui erant inter eos, et coeperunt occidere in populo et persequi.

2. and they determined to destroy the descendants of Jacob who lived among them. So they began to kill and destroy among the people.

3. Et bellabat Iudas adversus filios Esau in Idumaea, in Acrabattane, quia circumsedebant Israel; et percussit eos plaga magna, compressit eos et cepit spolia eorum.

3. But Judas made war on the sons of Esau in Idumea, at Akrabattene, because they kept lying in wait for Israel. He dealt them a heavy blow and humbled them and despoiled them.

4. Et recordatus est malitiam filiorum Bean, qui erant populo in laqueum et in scandalum insidiantes eis in viis.

4. He also remembered the wickedness of the sons of Baean, who were a trap and a snare to the people and ambushed them on the highways.

5. Et conclusi sunt ab eo in turribus, et applicuit ad eos et anathematizavit eos et incendit turres eius igne cum omnibus, qui intus erant.

5. They were shut up by him in their towers; and he encamped against them, vowed their complete destruction, and burned with fire their towers and all who were in them.

6. Et transivit ad filios Ammon et invenit manum fortem et populum copiosum et Timotheum ducem ipsorum.

6. Then he crossed over to attack the Ammonites, where he found a strong band and many people with Timothy as their leader.

7. Et commisit cum eis proelia multa, et contriti sunt in conspectu eius, et percussit eos.

7. He engaged in many battles with them and they were crushed before him; he struck them down.

8. Et cepit Iazer et filias eius et reversus est in Iudaeam.

8. He also took Jazer and its villages; then he returned to Judea.

9. Et congregatae sunt gentes, quae sunt in Galaad, adversus Israel, qui erant in finibus eorum, ut tollerent eos; et fugerunt in Datheman munitionem

9. Now the Gentiles in Gilead gathered together against the Israelites who lived in their territory, and planned to destroy them. But they fled to the stronghold of Dathema,

10. et miserunt litteras ad Iudam et fratres eius dicentes: “Congregatae sunt adversum nos gentes per circuitum, ut nos auferant,

10. and sent to Judas and his brothers a letter which said, "The Gentiles around us have gathered together against us to destroy us.

11. et parant venire et occupare munitionem, in quam confugimus, et Timotheus est dux exercitus eorum.

11. They are preparing to come and capture the stronghold to which we have fled, and Timothy is leading their forces.

12. Nunc ergo veni et eripe nos de manibus eorum, quia cecidit multitudo de nobis,

12. Now then come and rescue us from their hands, for many of us have fallen,

13. et omnes fratres nostri, qui erant in locis Tubin, interfecti sunt, et captivas duxerunt uxores eorum et natos et sarcinas et peremerunt illic fere mille viros”.

13. and all our brethren who were in the land of Tob have been killed; the enemy have captured their wives and children and goods, and have destroyed about a thousand men there."

14. Adhuc epistulae legebantur, et ecce alii nuntii venerunt de Galilaea, conscissis tunicis, nuntiantes secundum verba haec,

14. While the letter was still being read, behold, other messengers, with their garments rent, came from Galilee and made a similar report;

15. dicentes convenisse adversum se a Ptolemaida et Tyro et Sidone et omnem Galilaeam alienigenarum, ut nos consumant.

15. they said that against them had gathered together men of Ptolemais and Tyre and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, "to annihilate us."

16. Ut audivit autem Iudas et populus sermones istos, convenit ecclesia magna cogitare quid facerent fratribus suis, qui in tribulatione erant et expugnabantur ab eis.

16. When Judas and the people heard these messages, a great assembly was called to determine what they should do for their brethren who were in distress and were being attacked by enemies.

17. Dixitque Iudas Simoni fratri suo: “Elige tibi viros et vade et libera fratres tuos, qui sunt in Galilaea; ego autem et frater meus Ionathas ibimus in Galaaditim”.

17. Then Judas said to Simon his brother, "Choose your men and go and rescue your brethren in Galilee; I and Jonathan my brother will go to Gilead."

18. Et reliquit Iosephum filium Zachariae et Azariam ducem populi cum residuo exercitu in Iudaea ad custodiam.

18. But he left Joseph, the son of Zechariah, and Azariah, a leader of the people, with the rest of the forces, in Judea to guard it;

19. Et praecepit illis dicens: “Praeestote populo huic et nolite bellum committere adversum gentes, donec revertamur”.

19. and he gave them this command, "Take charge of this people, but do not engage in battle with the Gentiles until we return."

20. Et partiti sunt Simoni virorum tria milia, ut iret in Galilaeam, Iudae autem octo milia in Galaaditim.

20. Then three thousand men were assigned to Simon to go to Galilee, and eight thousand to Judas for Gilead.

21. Et abiit Simon in Galilaeam et commisit proelia multa cum gentibus; et contritae sunt gentes a facie eius,

21. so Simon went to Galilee and fought many battles against the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were crushed before him.

22. et persecutus est eos usque ad portam Ptolemaidis, et ceciderunt de gentibus fere tria milia virorum, et accepit spolia eorum.

22. He pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais, and as many as three thousand of the Gentiles fell, and he despoiled them.

23. Et assumpsit eos, qui erant de Galilaea et in Arbattis, cum uxoribus et natis et omnibus, quae erant illis, et adduxit in Iudaeam cum laetitia magna.

23. Then he took the Jews of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children, and all they possessed, and led them to Judea with great rejoicing.

24. Et Iudas Maccabaeus et Ionathas frater eius transierunt Iordanem et abierunt viam trium dierum in deserto;

24. Judas Maccabeus and Jonathan his brother crossed the Jordan and went three days' journey into the wilderness.

25. et occurrerunt Nabathaeis et obviaverunt eis pacifice et narraverunt eis omnia, quae acciderant fratribus eorum in Galaaditide,

25. They encountered the Nabateans, who met them peaceably and told them all that had happened to their brethren in Gilead:

26. et quia multi ex eis comprehensi sunt in Bosora et Bosor in Alimis, Chaspho, Maced et Carnain; hae omnes civitates munitae et magnae.

26. "Many of them have been shut up in Bozrah and Bosor, in Alema and Chaspho, Maked and Carnaim" -- all these cities were strong and large--

27. Et in ceteris civitatibus Galaaditidis tenentur comprehensi; in crastinum constituerunt admovere ad munitiones et comprehendere et tollere omnes eos in una die.

27. "and some have been shut up in the other cities of Gilead; the enemy are getting ready to attack the strongholds tomorrow and take and destroy all these men in one day."

28. Et convertit Iudas et exercitus eius viam in desertum Bosora repente et occupavit civitatem et occidit omnem masculum in ore gladii et accepit omnia spolia eorum et succendit eam igne;

28. Then Judas and his army quickly turned back by the wilderness road to Bozrah; and he took the city, and killed every male by the edge of the sword; then he seized all its spoils and burned it with fire.

29. et profectus est inde nocte, et ibant usque ad munitionem.

29. He departed from there at night, and they went all the way to the stronghold of Dathema.

30. Et factum est diluculo, cum levassent oculos suos, ecce populus multus, cuius non erat numerus, portantes scalas et machinas, ut comprehenderent munitionem, et expugnabant eos.

30. At dawn they looked up, and behold, a large company, that could not be counted, carrying ladders and engines of war to capture the stronghold, and attacking the Jews within.

31. Et vidit Iudas quia coepit bellum, et clamor civitatis ascendit ad caelum sicut tuba et clamor magnus;

31. So Judas saw that the battle had begun and that the cry of the city went up to Heaven with trumpets and loud shouts,

32. et dixit viris exercitus: “Pugnate hodie pro fratribus nostris”.

32. and he said to the men of his forces, "Fight today for your brethren!"

33. Et exiit tribus ordinibus post eos, et exclamaverunt tubis et clamaverunt in oratione.

33. Then he came up behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets and cried aloud in prayer.

34. Et cognoverunt castra Timothei quia Maccabaeus est, et refugerunt a facie eius; et percussit eos plaga magna, et ceciderunt ex eis in die illa fere octo milia virorum.

34. And when the army of Timothy realized that it was Maccabeus, they fled before him, and he dealt them a heavy blow. As many as eight thousand of them fell that day.

35. Et divertit Iudas in Maspha et expugnavit et cepit eam. Et occidit omnem masculinum eius et sumpsit spolia eius et succendit eam igne.

35. Next he turned aside to Alema, and fought against it and took it; and he killed every male in it, plundered it, and burned it with fire.

36. Inde perrexit et cepit Chaspho, Maced et Bosor et reliquas civitates Galaaditidis.

36. From there he marched on and took Chaspho, Maked, and Bosor, and the other cities of Gilead.

37. Post haec autem verba congregavit Timotheus exercitum alium et castra posuit contra Raphon trans torrentem.

37. After these things Timothy gathered another army and encamped opposite Raphon, on the other side of the stream.

38. Et misit Iudas speculari exercitum, et renuntiaverunt ei dicentes: “Convenerunt ad eum omnes gentes, quae in circuitu nostro sunt, exercitus multus nimis;

38. Judas sent men to spy out the camp, and they reported to him, "All the Gentiles around us have gathered to him; it is a very large force.

39. et Arabas conduxit in auxilium sibi, et castra posuerunt trans torrentem, parati ad te venire in proelium”. Et abiit Iudas obviam illis.

39. They also have hired Arabs to help them, and they are encamped across the stream, ready to come and fight against you." And Judas went to meet them.

40. Et ait Timotheus principibus exercitus sui: “Cum appropinquaverit Iudas et exercitus eius ad torrentem aquae, si transierit ad nos prior, non poterimus sustinere eum, quia potens poterit adversum nos;

40. Now as Judas and his army drew near to the stream of water, Timothy said to the officers of his forces, "If he crosses over to us first, we will not be able to resist him, for he will surely defeat us.

41. si vero timuerit transire et posuerit castra ultra flumen, transfretemus ad eos et poterimus adversus illum”.

41. But if he shows fear and camps on the other side of the river, we will cross over to him and defeat him."

42. Ut autem appropinquavit Iudas ad torrentem aquae, statuit scribas populi secus torrentem et mandavit eis dicens: “Neminem hominum reliqueritis, sed veniant omnes in proelium”.

42. When Judas approached the stream of water, he stationed the scribes of the people at the stream and gave them this command, "Permit no man to encamp, but make them all enter the battle."

43. Et transfretavit ad illos prior, et omnis populus post eum. Et contritae sunt omnes gentes a facie eorum et proiecerunt arma sua et fugerunt ad fanum in Carnain.

43. Then he crossed over against them first, and the whole army followed him. All the Gentiles were defeated before him, and they threw away their arms and fled into the sacred precincts at Carnaim.

44. Et occupaverunt ipsam civitatem et fanum succenderunt igne cum omnibus, qui erant in ipso; et oppressa est Carnain et non potuit sustinere contra faciem Iudae.

44. But he took the city and burned the sacred precincts with fire, together with all who were in them. Thus Carnaim was conquered; they could stand before Judas no longer.

45. Et congregavit Iudas universum Israel, qui erant in Galaaditide, a minimo usque ad maximum et uxores eorum et natos et sarcinas, exercitum magnum valde, ut venirent in terram Iudae.

45. Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites in Gilead, the small and the great, with their wives and children and goods, a very large company, to go to the land of Judah.

46. Et venerunt usque Ephron. Et haec civitas magna in via, munita valde; non erat declinare ab ea dextera vel sinistra, sed per mediam iter erat.

46. So they came to Ephron. This was a large and very strong city on the road, and they could not go round it to the right or to the left; they had to go through it.

47. Et incluserunt se, qui erant in civitate, et obstruxerunt portas lapidibus. Et misit ad eos Iudas verbis pacificis

47. But the men of the city shut them out and blocked up the gates with stones.

48. dicens: “Transeamus per terram vestram, ut eamus in terram nostram, et nemo vobis nocebit; tantum pedibus transibimus”. Et nolebant eis aperire.

48. And Judas sent them this friendly message, "Let us pass through your land to get to our land. No one will do you harm; we will simply pass by on foot." But they refused to open to him.

49. Et praecepit Iudas praedicare in castris, ut applicarent se unusquisque in quo erat loco.

49. Then Judas ordered proclamation to be made to the army that each should encamp where he was.

50. Et applicuerunt se viri virtutis, et oppugnavit civitatem illam tota die et tota nocte; et tradita est civitas in manu eius.

50. So the men of the forces encamped, and he fought against the city all that day and all the night, and the city was delivered into his hands.

51. Et peremit omnem masculinum in ore gladii et eradicavit eam et accepit spolia eius et transivit per civitatem super interfectos.

51. He destroyed every male by the edge of the sword, and razed and plundered the city. Then he passed through the city over the slain.

52. Et transgressi sunt Iordanem in campum magnum contra faciem Bethsan.

52. And they crossed the Jordan into the large plain before Beth-shan.

53. Et erat Iudas congregans extremos et exhortabatur populum per totam viam, donec veniret in terram Iudae.

53. And Judas kept rallying the laggards and encouraging the people all the way till he came to the land of Judah.

54. Et ascenderunt in montem Sion cum laetitia et gaudio et obtulerunt holocausta, quod nemo ex eis cecidisset, donec reverterentur in pace.

54. So they went up to Mount Zion with gladness and joy, and offered burnt offerings, because not one of them had fallen before they returned in safety.

55. Et in diebus, quibus erat Iudas et Ionathas in terra Galaad, et Simon frater eius in Galilaea contra faciem Ptolemaidis,

55. Now while Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and Simon his brother was in Galilee before Ptolemais,

56. audivit Iosephus Zachariae filius et Azarias princeps virtutis res bene gestas et proelia, quae fecerunt,

56. Joseph, the son of Zechariah, and Azariah, the commanders of the forces, heard of their brave deeds and of the heroic war they had fought.

57. et dixerunt: “Faciamus et ipsi nobis nomen et eamus pugnare adversus gentes, quae in circuitu nostro sunt”.

57. So they said, "Let us also make a name for ourselves; let us go and make war on the Gentiles around us."

58. Et nuntiaverunt his, qui erant de exercitu suo, et abierunt ad Iamniam.

58. And they issued orders to the men of the forces that were with them, and they marched against Jamnia.

59. Et exivit Gorgias de civitate et viri eius obviam illis in pugnam;

59. And Gorgias and his men came out of the city to meet them in battle.

60. et fugati sunt Iosephus et Azarias et impulsi sunt usque in fines Iudaeae, et ceciderunt illo die de populo Israel ad duo milia viri; et facta est fuga magna in populo,

60. Then Joseph and Azariah were routed, and were pursued to the borders of Judea; as many as two thousand of the people of Israel fell that day.

61. quia non audie runt Iudam et fratres eius existimantes fortiter se facturos.

61. Thus the people suffered a great rout because, thinking to do a brave deed, they did not listen to Judas and his brothers.

62. Ipsi autem non erant de semine virorum illorum, per quorum manum salus data est Israel.

62. But they did not belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel.

63. Et vir Iudas et fratres eius magnificati sunt valde in conspectu omnis Israel et gentium omnium, ubi audiebatur nomen eorum;

63. The man Judas and his brothers were greatly honored in all Israel and among all the Gentiles, wherever their name was heard.

64. et conveniebant ad eos fausta acclamantes.

64. Men gathered to them and praised them.

65. Et exivit Iudas et fratres eius et expugnabant filios Esau in terra, quae ad austrum est. Et percussit Hebron et filias eius et destruxit munitiones eius et turres eius succendit in circuitu.

65. Then Judas and his brothers went forth and fought the sons of Esau in the land to the south. He struck Hebron and its villages and tore down its strongholds and burned its towers round about.

66. Et movit castra, ut iret in terram alienigenarum, et perambulabat Maresam.

66. Then he marched off to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Marisa.

67. In die illa ceciderunt sacerdotes in bello, dum volunt fortiter facere, dum sine consilio exeunt in proelium.

67. On that day some priests, who wished to do a brave deed, fell in battle, for they went out to battle unwisely.

68. Et declinavit Iudas in Azotum terram alienigenarum et diruit aras eorum et sculptilia deorum ipsorum succendit igne et expoliavit exuvias civitatum. Et reversus est in terram Iudae.

68. But Judas turned aside to Azotus in the land of the Philistines; he tore down their altars, and the graven images of their gods he burned with fire; he plundered the cities and returned to the land of Judah.