Liber I Maccabaeorum, 10

1. et anno centesimo sexagesimo ascendit Alexander Antiochi filius qui cognominatus est Nobilis et occupavit Ptolomaidam et receperunt eum et regnavit illic

1. Now in the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.

2. et audivit Demetrius rex et congregavit exercitum valde copiosum et exivit obviam illi in prœlium

2. And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.

3. et misit Demetrius ad Jonathan epistulam verbis pacificis ut magnificaret eum

3. And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan with peaceable words, to magnify him.

4. dixit enim anticipemus pacem facere cum eo priusquam faciat cum Alexandro adversus nos

4. For he said: Let us first make a peace with him, before he make one with Alexander against us.

5. recordabitur enim omnium quæ fecimus in eum et in fratrem ejus et in gentem ejus

5. For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.

6. et dedit ei potestatem congregandi exercitum et fabricare arma et esse ipsum socium ejus et obsides qui erant in arce jussit tradi ei

6. And he gave him authority to gather together an army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.

7. et venit Jonathas in Hierusalem et legit epistulas in auditu omnis populi et eorum qui in arce erant

7. And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.

8. et timuerunt timore magno quoniam audierunt quod dedit ei rex in potestatem congregandi exercitum

8. And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.

9. et traditi sunt Jonathæ obsides et reddidit eos parentibus suis

9. And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.

10. et habitavit Jonathas in Hierusalem et cœpit ædificare et innovare civitatem

10. And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build, and to repair the city.

11. et dixit facientibus opera ut struerent muros et montem Sion in circuitu lapidibus quadratis ad munitionem et ita fecerunt

11. And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.

12. et fugerunt alienigenæ qui erant in munitionibus quas ædificaverat Bacchides

12. And the strangers that were in the strong holds, which Bacchides had built, fled away.

13. et reliquit unusquisque locum suum et abiit in terram suam

13. And every man left his place, and departed into his own country:

14. tantum in Bethsuram remanserant aliqui ex his qui reliquerant legem et præcepta Dei erat enim hæc eis ad refugium

14. Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.

15. et audivit Alexander rex promissa quæ promisit Demetrius Jonathæ et narraverunt ei prœlia et virtutes quas ipse fecit et fratres ejus et labores quos laboraverunt

15. And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he, and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.

16. et ait numquid inveniemus aliquem virum talem et nunc faciemus eum amicum et socium nostrum

16. And he said: Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and our confederate.

17. et scripsit epistulam et misit ei secundum hæc verba dicens

17. So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these words, saying:

18. rex Alexander fratri Jonathæ salutem

18. King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting.

19. audivimus de te quod vir potens viribus et aptus es ut sis amicus noster

19. We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and fit to be our friend:

20. et nunc constituimus te hodie summum sacerdotem gentis tuæ et ut amicus regis voceris et misit ei purpuram et coronam auream ut quæ nostra sunt sentias et conserves amicitias ad nos

20. Now therefore we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold,) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.

21. et induit se Jonathas stolam sanctam septimo mense anno centesimo sexagesimo in die sollemni scenophegiæ et congregavit exercitum et fecit arma copiosa

21. Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.

22. et audivit Demetrius verba ista et contristatus est et ait

22. And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and said:

23. quid hoc fecimus quod præoccupavit nos Alexander adprehendere amicitiam Judæorum ad munimen sui

23. What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?

24. scribam et ego illi verba deprecatoria et dignitates et dona ut sit mecum in adiutorio

24. I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.

25. et scripsit in hæc verba rex Demetrius genti Judæorum salutem

25. And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

26. quoniam servastis ad nos pactum et mansistis in amicitia nostra et non accessistis ad inimicos nostros audivimus et gavisi sumus

26. Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.

27. et nunc perseverate adhuc conservare ad nos fidem et retribuemus vobis bona pro his quæ fecistis nobiscum

27. Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.

28. et remittemus vobis præstationes multas et dabimus vobis donationes

28. And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.

29. et nunc absolvo vos et omnes Judæos a tributis et pretia salis indulgeo et coronas remitto et tertias seminis

29. And now I free you, and all the Jews from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:

30. et dimidiam partem fructus ligni quod est portionis meæ relinquo vobis ex hodierno et deinceps ne accipiatur a terra Juda et a tribus civitatibus quæ additæ sunt illi ex Samaria et Galilea ex hodierna die et in totum tempus

30. And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth and for ever:

31. et Hierusalem sit sancta et libera cum finibus suis et decimæ et tributa ipsius sint

31. And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.

32. remitto etiam potestatem arcis quæ est in Hierusalem et do eam summo sacerdoti et constituat in ea viros quoscumque ipse elegerit qui custodiant eam

32. I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose to keep it.

33. et omnem animam Judæorum quæ captiva est a terra Juda in omni regno meo relinquo liberam gratis ut omnes a tributis resolvantur etiam pecorum suorum

33. And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes even of their cattle.

34. et omnes dies sollemnes et sabbata et neomeniæ et dies decreti et tres dies ante diem sollemnem et tres post diem sollemnem sint omnes inmunitatis et remissionis omnibus Judæis qui sunt in regno meo

34. And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:

35. et nemo potestatem agere aliquid habeat et movere negotii adversus aliquem eorum in omni causa

35. And no man shall have power to do any thing against them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.

36. et ut adscribantur ex Judæis in exercitu regis ad triginta milia virorum et dabuntur illis copiæ ut oportet omnibus exercitibus regis et ex ipsis ordinabuntur qui sint in munitionibus regis magni

36. And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them as is due to all the king's forces, and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:

37. et ex his constituentur supra negotia regni quæ aguntur ex fide et principes sint ex eis et ambulent legibus suis sicut præcepit rex in terra Juda

37. And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.

38. et tres civitates quæ additæ sunt Judææ ex regione Samariæ cum Judæa reputentur ut sint sub uno et non obœdiant aliæ potestati nisi summi sacerdotis

38. And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest:

39. Ptolomaidam et confines ejus quas dedi donum sanctis qui sunt in Hierusalem ad necessarios sumptus sanctorum

39. Ptolemais, and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places, that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.

40. et ego singulis annis dabo quindecim milia siclorum argenti de rationibus regis quæ me contingunt

40. And I give every year fifteen thousand sicles of silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:

41. et omne quod reliquum fuit quod non reddiderant qui super negotia erant annis prioribus ex hoc dabunt in opera domus

41. And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.

42. et super hæc quinque milia siclorum argenti quæ accipiebant de sanctorum ratione per singulos annos et hæc ad sacerdotes pertineant qui ministerio funguntur

42. Moreover the five thousand sicles of silver which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.

43. et quicumque fugerint in templum quod est in Hierosolymis et in omnibus finibus ejus obnoxios regi in omni negotio dimittatis et universa quæ sunt eis in regno meo libera habeant

43. And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.

44. et ad ædificanda vel restauranda opera sanctorum sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis

44. For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's revenues:

45. et ad extruendos muros Hierusalem et communiendos in circuitu sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis et ad construendos muros in Judæa

45. For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king's account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.

46. ut audivit autem Jonathas et populus sermones istos non crediderunt eis nec receperunt eos quia recordati sunt malitiæ magnæ quam fecerat in Israël et tribulaverat eos valde

46. Now when Jonathan, and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them nor received them: because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.

47. et conplacuit eis in Alexandrum quia ipse fuerat eis princeps sermonum pacis et ipsi auxilium ferebant omnibus diebus

47. And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.

48. et congregavit Alexander rex exercitum magnum et admovit castra ad Demetrium

48. And king Alexander gathered together a great army, and moved his camp near to Demetrius.

49. et commiserunt prœlium reges et fugit exercitus Alexandri et insecutus est eum Demetrius et incubuit super eos

49. And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.

50. et invaluit prœlium nimis donec occidit sol et cecidit Demetrius in illa die

50. And the battle was hard fought till the sun went down: and Demetrius was slain that day.

51. et misit Alexander ad Ptolomeum regem Ægypti legatos secundum hæc verba dicens

51. And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:

52. quoniam ingressus sum in regnum meum et sedi in sede patrum meorum et obtinui principatum et contrivi Demetrium et possedi regionem nostram

52. Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom, and am set in the throne of my ancestors and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and possessed our country,

53. et commisi cum eo pugnam et contritus est ipse et castra ejus a nobis et sedimus in sede regni ejus

53. And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:

54. et nunc statuamus ad invicem amicitiam et da mihi filiam tuam uxorem et ero gener tuus et ipsi dignitatem

54. Now therefore let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son in law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.

55. et respondit Ptolomeus rex dicens felix dies in qua reversus es ad terram patrum tuorum et sedisti in sede regni eorum

55. And king Ptolemee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.

56. et nunc faciam tibi quæ scripsisti sed occurre Ptolomaidæ ut videamus nos invicem et spondeam tibi sicut dixisti

56. And now I will do to thee as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.

57. et exiit Ptolomeus de Ægypto ipse et Cleopatra filia ejus et venit Ptolomaidæ anno centesimo sexagesimo secundo

57. So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais in the hundred and sixty-second year.

58. et occurrit ei Alexander rex et dedit ei Cleopatram filiam suam et fecit nuptias ejus Ptolomaidæ sicut reges in magna gloria

58. And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais, with great glory, after the manner of kings.

59. et scripsit rex Alexander Jonathæ ut veniret obviam sibi

59. And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.

60. et abiit cum gloria Ptolomaidem et occurrit ibi duobus regibus et dedit illis argentum multum et aurum et dona et invenit gratiam in conspectu eorum

60. And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.

61. et convenerunt adversus eum viri pestilentes ex Israël viri iniqui interpellantes adversus eum et non intendit ad eos rex

61. And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.

62. et jussit expoliari Jonathan vestimentis suis et induit eum purpura et ita fecerunt et conlocavit eum rex sedere secum

62. And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should be taken off, and that he should be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.

63. dixitque principibus exite cum eo in medio civitatis et prædicate ut nemo interpellet adversus eum de ullo negotio nec quisquam ei molestus sit de ulla ratione

63. And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.

64. et factum est ut viderunt qui interpellabant gloriam ejus quæ prædicabatur et opertum eum purpura fugerunt omnes

64. So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and him clothed with purple, they all fled away.

65. et magnificavit eum rex et scripsit eum inter primos amicos et posuit eum ducem et participem principatus

65. And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor and partaker of his dominion.

66. et reversus est Jonathan in Hierusalem cum pace et lætitia

66. And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and joy.

67. in anno centesimo sexagesimo quinto venit Demetrius filius Demetrii a Creta in terram patrum suorum

67. In the year one hundred and sixty-five Demetrius the son of Demetrius came from Crete into the land of his fathers.

68. et audivit Alexander rex et contristatus est valde et reversus est Antiochiam

68. And king Alexander heard of it, and was much troubled, and returned to Antioch.

69. et constituit Demetrius Apollonium qui præerat Cœlesyriæ et congregavit exercitum magnum et accessit ad Jamniam et misit ad Jonathan summum sacerdotem

69. And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Celesyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan the high priest,

70. dicens tu solus resistis nobis ego autem factus sum in derisum et in obprobrium propterea quia tu potestatem exerces in montibus

70. Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at, and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountains.

71. nunc ergo si confidis in virtutibus tuis descende ad nos in campum et conparemus illic invicem quia mecum est virtus bellorum

71. Now therefore if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.

72. interroga et disce qui sim ego et ceteri qui auxilio sunt mihi qui et dicunt quia non potest stare pes vester ante faciem nostram quia bis in fugam conversi sunt patres tui in terra sua

72. Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:

73. et nunc quomodo poteris sustinere equitatum exercitum tantum in campo ubi non est lapis neque saxum neque locus fugiendi

73. And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?

74. ut audivit autem Jonathas sermones Apollonii motus est animo et elegit decem milia virorum et exiit ab Hierusalem et concurrit ei Simon frater ejus in adiutorium

74. Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him.

75. et adplicuerunt castra in Joppen et exclusit eum a civitate quia custodia Apollonii Joppe erat et obpugnavit eam

75. And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.

76. et exterriti qui erant intra civitatem aperuerunt ei et obtinuit Jonathas Joppen

76. And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.

77. et audivit Apollonius et admovit tria milia equitum et exercitum multum

77. And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three thousand horsemen, and a great army.

78. et abiit Azotum tamquam iter faciens et statim exiit in campum eo quod haberet multitudinem equitum et confideret in eis et insecutus est eum Jonathas in Azotum et prœlium commiserunt

78. And he went to Azotus as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.

79. et reliquit Apollonius in castris mille equites post eos occulte

79. And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand horsemen behind them.

80. et cognovit Jonathas quoniam sunt insidiæ post se et circujerunt castra ejus a mane usque ad vesperam

80. And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.

81. populus autem stabat sicut præcepit Jonathas et laboraverunt equi eorum

81. But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.

82. et ejecit Simon exercitum suum et commisit contra legionem equites enim fatigati erant et contriti sunt ab eo et fugerunt

82. Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.

83. et qui dispersi sunt in campum fugerunt in Azotum et intraverunt in Bethdagon idolum suum ut se liberarent

83. And they that were scattered about the plain, fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon their idol's temple, there to save themselves.

84. et succendit Jonathas Azotum et civitates quæ erant in circuitu ejus et accepit spolia eorum et templum Dagon et eos qui fugerunt in illud succendit igni

84. But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were around it, and took the spoils of them, and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.

85. et fuerunt qui ceciderunt gladio cum his qui succensi sunt fere octo milia virorum

85. So they that were slain by the sword, with them that were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.

86. et movit inde Jonathas castra et adplicuit ea Ascalona et exierunt de civitate obviam illi in magna gloria

86. And Jonathan removed his army from thence, and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.

87. et reversus est Jonathas in Hierusalem cum suis habentibus spolia multa

87. And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his people, having many spoils.

88. et factum est ut audivit Alexander rex sermones istos addidit adhuc glorificare Jonathan

88. And it came to pass: When Alexander the king heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.

89. et misit ei fibulam auream sicuti est consuetudo dari cognatis regum et dedit ei Accaron et omnes fines ejus in possessionem

89. And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron and all the borders thereof in possession.