Liber I Maccabaeorum, 1

1. Et factum est, postquam per cussit Alexander Philippi Mace do, qui prius regnavit in Graecia, egressus de terra Cetthim, Darium regem Persarum et Medorum,

1. After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated Darius, king of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.)

2. constituit proelia multa et obtinuit munitiones et interfecit reges terrae;

2. He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth.

3. et pertransiit usque ad fines terrae et accepit spolia multitudinis gentium, et siluit terra in conspectu eius, et exaltatum est et elevatum est cor eius.

3. He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up.

4. Et congregavit virtutem fortem nimis et obtinuit regiones gentium et tyrannos, et facti sunt illi in tributum.

4. He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary to him.

5. Et post haec decidit in lectum et cognovit quia moreretur;

5. After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying.

6. et vocavit pueros suos nobiles, qui secum erant nutriti a iuventute, et divisit illis regnum suum, cum adhuc viveret.

6. So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive.

7. Et regnavit Alexander annis duodecim et mortuus est.

7. And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died.

8. Et obtinuerunt pueri eius regnum, unusquisque in loco suo;

8. Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place.

9. et imposuerunt omnes sibi diademata post mortem eius, et filii eorum post eos annis multis. Et multiplicata sunt mala in terra.

9. They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their sons after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth.

10. Et exiit ex eis radix peccatrix, Antiochus Epiphanes filius Antiochi regis, qui fuerat Romae obses, et regnavit in anno centesimo tricesimo septimo regni Graecorum.

10. From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

11. In diebus illis exierunt ex Israel filii iniqui et suaserunt multis dicentes: “Eamus et disponamus testamentum cum gentibus, quae circa nos sunt, quia, ex quo recessimus ab eis, invenerunt nos multa mala”.

11. In those days lawless men came forth from Israel, and misled many, saying, "Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us."

12. Et bonus visus est sermo in oculis eorum;

12. This proposal pleased them,

13. et destinaverunt aliqui de populo et abierunt ad regem, et dedit illis potestatem, ut facerent iustitias gentium.

13. and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles.

14. Et aedificaverunt gymnasium in Hierosolymis secundum leges nationum;

14. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom,

15. et fecerunt sibi praeputia et recesserunt a testamento sancto et iuncti sunt nationibus et venumdati sunt, ut facerent malum.

15. and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.

16. Et paratum est regnum in conspectu Antiochi, et coepit regnare in terra Aegypti, ut regnaret super duo regna.

16. When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, that he might reign over both kingdoms.

17. Et intravit in Aegyptum in multitudine gravi, in curribus et elephantis et equitibus et navium multitudine;

17. So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet.

18. et constituit bellum adversus Ptolemaeum regem Aegypti, et veritus est Ptolemaeus a facie eius et fugit, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi.

18. He engaged Ptolemy king of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell.

19. Et comprehenderunt civitates munitas in terra Aegypti, et accepit spolia terrae Aegypti.

19. And they captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt.

20. Et reversus est Antiochus, postquam percussit Aegyptum in centesimo et quadragesimo tertio anno, et ascendit ad Israel et ad Hierosolyma in multitudine gravi

20. After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred and forty-third year. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force.

21. et intravit in sanctificationem cum superbia et accepit altare aureum et candelabrum luminis et universa vasa eius

21. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils.

22. et mensam propositionis et libatoria et phialas et pateras aureas et velum et coronas et ornamentum aureum, quod in facie templi erat; et comminuit omnia.

22. He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off.

23. Et accepit argentum et aurum et vasa concupiscibilia et accepit thesauros occultos, quos invenit;

23. He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures which he found.

24. et, sublatis omnibus, abiit in terram suam et fecit caedem hominum et locutus est superbia magna.

24. Taking them all, he departed to his own land. He committed deeds of murder, and spoke with great arrogance.

25. Et factus est planctus magnus in Israel et in omni loco eorum;

25. Israel mourned deeply in every community,

26. et ingemuerunt principes et seniores, virgines et iuvenes infirmati sunt, et speciositas mulierum immutata est,

26. rulers and elders groaned, maidens and young men became faint, the beauty of women faded.

27. omnis maritus sumpsit lamentum, et, quae sedebat in toro maritali, lugebat;

27. Every bridegroom took up the lament; she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning.

28. et commota est terra super habitantes in ea, et universa domus Iacob induit confusionem.

28. Even the land shook for its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.

29. Et post duos annos dierum misit rex principem tributorum in civitates Iudae et venit Ierusalem cum turba magna;

29. Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force.

30. et locutus est ad eos verba pacifica in dolo, et crediderunt ei. Et irruit super civitatem repente et percussit eam plaga magna et perdidit populum multum ex Israel.

30. Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel.

31. Et accepit spolia civitatis et succendit eam igne et destruxit domos eius et muros eius in circuitu;

31. He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls.

32. et captivas duxerunt mulieres et natos et pecora possederunt.

32. And they took captive the women and children, and seized the cattle.

33. Et aedificaverunt civitatem David muro magno et firmo et turribus firmis; et facta est illis in arcem.

33. Then they fortified the city of David with a great strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel.

34. Et posuerunt illic gentem peccatricem, viros iniquos, et convaluerunt in ea;

34. And they stationed there a sinful people, lawless men. These strengthened their position;

35. et posuerunt arma et escas et, congregatis spoliis Ierusalem, reposuerunt illic; et facti sunt in laqueum magnum.

35. they stored up arms and food, and collecting the spoils of Jerusalem they stored them there, and became a great snare.

36. Et factum est hoc ad insidias sanctificationi et in diabolum malum in Israel semper;

36. It became an ambush against the sanctuary, an evil adversary of Israel continually.

37. et effuderunt sanguinem innocentem per circuitum sanctificationis et contaminaverunt sanctificationem.

37. On every side of the sanctuary they shed innocent blood; they even defiled the sanctuary.

38. Et fugerunt habitatores Ierusalem propter eos, et facta est habitatio exterorum, et facta est extera semini suo; et nati eius reliquerunt eam.

38. Because of them the residents of Jerusalem fled; she became a dwelling of strangers; she became strange to her offspring, and her children forsook her.

39. Sanctificatio eius desolata est sicut solitudo, dies festi eius conversi sunt in luctum, sabbata eius in opprobrium, honor eius in nihilum.

39. Her sanctuary became desolate as a desert; her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into a reproach, her honor into contempt.

40. Secundum gloriam eius multiplicata est ignominia eius, et sublimitas eius conversa est in luctum.

40. Her dishonor now grew as great as her glory; her exaltation was turned into mourning.

41. Et scripsit rex Antiochus omni regno suo, ut essent universi populus unus,

41. Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people,

42. et relinqueret unusquisque legem suam. Et receperunt omnes gentes secundum verbum regis Antiochi;

42. and that each should give up his customs.

43. et multi ex Israel consenserunt cultui eius et sacrificaverunt idolis et coinquinaverunt sabbatum.

43. All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.

44. Et misit rex libros per manus nuntiorum in Ierusalem et in civitates Iudae, ut sequerentur leges gentium terrae,

44. And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land,

45. et prohibere holocausta et sacrificia et placationes fieri in templo Dei et contaminare sabbata et dies sollemnes

45. to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane sabbaths and feasts,

46. et polluere sancta et sanctos,

46. to defile the sanctuary and the priests,

47. instruere aras et templa et idola et immolare porcina et pecora communia

47. to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice swine and unclean animals,

48. et relinquere filios suos incircumcisos et polluere animas eorum in omni immundo et abominatione,

48. and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane,

49. ita ut obliviscerentur legem et immutarent omnes iustificationes;

49. so that they should forget the law and change all the ordinances.

50. et, quicumque non fecerit secundum verbum regis Antiochi, morietur.

50. "And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die."

51. Secundum omnia verba haec scripsit omni regno suo et praeposuit consideratores super omnem populum et mandavit civitatibus Iudae immolare per civitatem et civitatem.

51. In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. And he appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the cities of Judah to offer sacrifice, city by city.

52. Et congregati sunt multi de populo ad eos, omnes, qui dereliquerant legem Domini, et fecerunt mala in terra;

52. Many of the people, every one who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land;

53. et posuerunt Israel in abditis et in absconditis fugitivorum locis.

53. they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had.

54. Die quinta decima mensis Casleu, quinto et quadragesimo et centesimo anno, aedificavit abominationem desolationis super altare; et per civitates Iudae in circuitu aedificaverunt aras

54. Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah,

55. et ante ianuas domorum et in plateis sacrificabant.

55. and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets.

56. Et libros legis, quos invenerunt, combusserunt igne scindentes eos;

56. The books of the law which they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire.

57. et ubicumque inveniebatur apud aliquem liber testamenti, et si quis consentiebat legi, constitutio regis interficiebat eum.

57. Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of any one, or if any one adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death.

58. In virtute sua faciebant haec Israeli, omnibus, qui inveniebantur in omni mense et mense in civitatibus.

58. They kept using violence against Israel, against those found month after month in the cities.

59. Et quinta et vicesima die mensis sacrificabant super aram, quae erat super altare;

59. And on the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar which was upon the altar of burnt offering.

60. et mulieres, quae circumciderant filios suos, interficiebant secundum iussum

60. According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised,

61. — et suspendebant infantes a cervicibus eorum — et domos eorum et eos, qui circumciderant illos.

61. and their families and those who circumcised them; and they hung the infants from their mothers' necks.

62. Et multi in Israel obtinuerunt et confortati sunt apud se, ut non manducarent immunda,

62. But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food.

63. et elegerunt mori, ut non polluerentur escis et non profanarent testamentum sanctum, et moriebantur.

63. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.

64. Et facta est ira magna super Israel valde.

64. And very great wrath came upon Israel.