Liber II Maccabaeorum, 11

1. Sed parvo prorsus post tem pore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus ac negotiorum praepositus graviter ferens de his, quae acciderant,

1. Very soon after this, Lysias, the king's guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened,

2. congregatis octoginta milibus et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Iudaeos existimans se civitatem quidem Graecis habitaculum facturum;

2. gathered about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended to make the city a home for Greeks,

3. templum vero in pecuniae quaestum sicut cetera delubra gentium habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium facturum,

3. and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.

4. nequaquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed elatus multitudine peditum et milibus equitum et octoginta elephantis.

4. He took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.

5. Ingressus autem Iudaeam et appropians Bethsuris, munito quidem praesidio, distanti autem ab Hierosolymis intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud obsidione premebat.

5. Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which was a fortified place about five leagues from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.

6. Ut autem, qui cum Maccabaeo erant, cognoverunt eum expugnare praesidia, cum fletibus et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israel.

6. When Maccabeus and his men got word that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, besought the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.

7. Et ipse primus Maccabaeus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire et ferre auxilium fratribus suis; simul autem et prompto animo impetum fecerunt.

7. Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their brethren. Then they eagerly rushed off together.

8. Ilico vero, cum prope Hierosolymam essent, apparuit praecedens eos eques in veste candida armaturam auream vibrans.

8. And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.

9. Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Deum et convaluerunt animis non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas et muros ferreos parati penetrare.

9. And they all together praised the merciful God, and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only men but the wildest beasts or walls of iron.

10. Praeibant in apparatu de caelo habentes adiutorem, miserante super eos Domino.

10. They advanced in battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them.

11. Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim milia peditum et equitum mille sescentos, universos autem in fugam verterunt.

11. They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, and slew eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred horsemen, and forced all the rest to flee.

12. Plures autem ex eis vulnerati, nudi evaserunt; sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.

12. Most of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lysias himself escaped by disgraceful flight.

13. Et, quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se deminutionem et intellegens invictos esse Hebraeos, potente Deo auxiliante, misit ad eos

13. And as he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat which had befallen him, and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sent to them

14. suasitque eis se consensurum omnibus, quae iusta sunt, et regem quoque persuasurum, ut necessarium crederet se amicum eis esse.

14. and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend.

15. Annuit autem Maccabaeus in omnibus, quae Lysias rogabat, utilitati consulens; quaecumque enim Maccabaeus scriptis tradidit Lysiae de Iudaeis, rex concessit.

15. Maccabeus, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias urged. For the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabeus delivered to Lysias in writing.

16. Nam erant scriptae Iudaeis epistulae a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: “Lysias populo Iudaeorum salutem.

16. The letter written to the Jews by Lysias was to this effect: "Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.

17. Ioannes et Abessalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis tradentes responsum rescriptum, postulabant circum ea, quae per illud significabantur.

17. John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated therein.

18. Quaecumque igitur oportebat etiam regi perferri, exposui; et, quae res permittebat, concessit.

18. I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible.

19. Si igitur in negotiis benevolentiam conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esse tentabo.

19. If you will maintain your good will toward the government, I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare.

20. De ceteris autem per singula mandavi et istis et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.

20. And concerning these matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you.

21. Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, mensis Iovis Corinthii die vicesima et quarta”.

21. Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Dioscorinthius twenty-fourth."

22. Regis autem epistula ista continebat: “Rex Antiochus Lysiae fratri salutem.

22. The king's letter ran thus: "King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greeting.

23. Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos, qui sunt in regno nostro, sine tumultu attendere ad rerum suarum curam,

23. Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.

24. audientes Iudaeos non consensisse patri, ut transferrentur ad Graecas institutiones, sed suo ipsorum instituto adhaerentes postulare sibi concedi legitima sua;

24. We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father's change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.

25. cupientes igitur hanc quoque gentem extra tumultum esse, iudicamus templum illis restitui remque agi secundum suorum maiorum consuetudinem.

25. Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live according to the customs of their ancestors.

26. Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis ut, cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint et libenter propriarum rerum instaurationi deserviant”.

26. You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs."

27. Ad gentem vero regis epistula talis erat: “Rex Antiochus senatui Iudaeorum et ceteris Iudaeis salutem.

27. To the nation the king's letter was as follows: "King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.

28. Si valetis, sic est, ut volumus; sed et ipsi bene valemus.

28. If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good health.

29. Manifestavit nobis Menelaus velle vos redire et in negotiis propriis versari.

29. Menelaus has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.

30. His igitur, qui commeant usque ad diem tricesimum mensis Xanthici, erit dextera cum securitate,

30. Therefore those who go home by the thirtieth day of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission

31. ut Iudaei utantur cibis et legibus suis sicut et prius, et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patietur de his, quae per ignorantiam gesta sunt.

31. for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what he may have done in ignorance.

32. Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

32. And I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.

33. Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quinta decima die”.

33. Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth."

34. Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistulam ita se habentem: “Quintus Memmius, Titus Manius, legati Romanorum populo Iudaeorum salutem.

34. The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus: "Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

35. De his, quae Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos consentimus.

35. With regard to what Lysias the kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent.

36. De quibus autem ad regem iudicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittite inter vos conferentes de his, ut proponamus, sicut congruit vobis; nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.

36. But as to the matters which he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as you have considered them, send some one promptly, so that we may make proposals appropriate for you. For we are on our way to Antioch.

37. Ideoque festinate et mittite aliquos, ut nos quoque sciamus cuius estis voluntatis.

37. Therefore make haste and send some men, so that we may have your judgment.

38. Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quinta decima die mensis Xanthici”.

38. Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xanthicus fifteenth."