II Macabeus, 11

1. Decorrido algum tempo, Lísias, tutor e parente do rei, regente do reino, sentindo muito pesar pelo que tinha acontecido,

1. A short time after this Lysias the king's lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,

2. reuniu aproximadamente oitenta mil homens e toda a sua cavalaria e se pôs a caminho contra os judeus. Estava resolvido a transformar Jerusalém numa cidade grega,

2. Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles :

3. submeter o templo a um imposto semelhante aos dos templos pagãos e oferecer em leilão, a cada ano, a dignidade de sumo sacerdote.

3. And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

4. Sem refletir no poder de Deus, ensoberbecia-se com a multidão de sua infantaria, seus milhares de cavaleiros e oitenta elefantes.

4. Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his four- score elephants.

5. Penetrando, pois, na Judeia, aproximou-se de Betsur, que é uma praça forte, a cerca de cinco esquenos das vizinhanças de Jerusalém, e sitiou-a.*

5. So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.

6. Logo, porém, que Macabeu e os que estavam com ele souberam que Lísias sitiava suas fortalezas, rogaram ao Senhor, juntamente com o povo, entre gemidos e lágrimas, para que ele se dignasse enviar um bom anjo para salvar Israel.

6. But when Machabeus and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.

7. O próprio Maca­beu foi o primeiro a pegar em armas, encorajando os demais a se exporem ao perigo com ele, para socorrer seus irmãos. Atacaram todos com ânimo resoluto.

7. Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.

8. Ainda não se haviam afastado de Jerusalém, quando apareceu diante deles um cavaleiro vestido de branco, empunhando armas de ouro.

8. And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusatem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

9. Então, bendisseram todos juntos ao Senhor e, repletos de coragem, sentiram-se prontos a transpassar não só os homens, mas os mais ferozes animais e até muralhas de ferro.

9. Then they all together blessed merciful Lord, and took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, walls of iron.

10. Marcharam, pois, em ordem de batalha, com esse auxiliar enviado do céu pelo Senhor misericordioso.

10. So they went on courageously, having a helper from Peaven, and the who shewed mercy to them.

11. Como leões, atiraram-se sobre os inimigos, trucidaram onze mil infantes e seiscentos cavaleiros, e forçaram os demais a fugir.

11. And rushing violently upon the my, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand hundred horsemen:

12. A maior parte destes, feridos, sem armas, pôs-se a salvo. O próprio Lísias salvou-se, fugindo vergonhosamente.

12. And put all the rest to flight: many of them being wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.

13. Mas Lísias era inteligente. Refletiu, pois, na derrota e concluiu que os hebreus eram invencíveis porque o Deus poderoso combatia com eles.

13. And as he was a man of understanding considering with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:

14. Enviou-lhes uma proposta em condições justas, prometendo-lhes persuadir o rei a tornar-se amigo deles.

14. And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

15. Macabeu aceitou todas as propostas de Lísias, vendo nisso apenas utilidade, porque tudo o que ele mesmo pedira por carta a Lísias em favor dos judeus, o rei concedera.

15. Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common Food in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

16. Eis em que termos Lísias escreveu aos judeus:

16. For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.

17. “Lísias ao povo judeu, saudações! João e Absalão, vossos mensageiros, entregaram-me vossas propostas e rogaram-me que as cumprisse.

17. John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering your writings, re- quested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.

18. Expus, portanto, ao rei tudo o que devia comunicar-lhe, e ele anuiu a tudo o que era possível.

18. Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.

19. Se vós, pois, permanecerdes nessas boas disposições para com o Estado, continuarei doravante a obter-vos favores.

19. If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

20. Eu incumbi vossos mensageiros e os meus de tratarem convosco as cláusulas da proposta e os pormenores.

20. But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

21. Passai bem. Ano cento e quarenta e oito, aos vinte e quatro do mês de Dióscoro”.

21. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

22. Era este o conteúdo da carta do rei: “O rei Antíoco a seu irmão Lísias, saudações!

22. But the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.

23. Tendo partido nosso pai para junto dos deuses, desejamos que os povos que pertencem ao nosso reino possam dedicar-se tranquilamente aos seus negócios.

23. Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns,

24. Soubemos, no entanto, que os judeus resistem em adotar os costumes helênicos, conforme a decisão de nosso pai, mas preferem conservar suas tradições e pedem que lhes deixemos seus costumes.

24. And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.

25. Querendo, pois, que esse povo viva igualmente em paz, decretamos que o templo lhes seja restituí­do e que possam viver segundo as leis de seus antepassados.

25. Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

26. Farás bem em lhes mandar mensageiros, para concluir a paz com eles, de modo que, conhecendo nossas intenções, fiquem tranquilos e voltem sem receio a seus afazeres”.

26. Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.

27. Eis a carta do rei ao povo judeu: “O rei Antíoco, ao conselho dos anciãos e aos demais judeus, saudações!

27. But the king's letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.

28. Fazemos votos de que estejais passando bem. Também nós estamos com boa saúde!

28. If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves also are well.

29. Contou-nos Menelau que desejais retornar aos vossos negócios.

29. Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.

30. A todos os que vierem para o meio deles até o dia trinta do mês de Xântico, eu estenderei a mão.

30. We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

31. Permito também aos judeus que usem seus próprios alimentos e sigam seus costumes, como outrora. Nenhum deles será molestado por transgressões passadas.

31. That the Jews may use their own Bind of meats, and their own laws as be- fore, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.

32. Incumbi Menelau de ir tranquilizar-vos.

32. And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

33. Passai bem! Ano cento e quarenta e oito, no dia quinze do mês de Xântico”.

33. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

34. Do mesmo modo, os romanos envia­ram aos judeus uma carta nestes termos: “Quinto Mêmio e Tito Mânio, legados romanos, ao povo judeu, saudações!

34. The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

35. Damos nosso assentimento a tudo o que Lísias, parente do rei, vos outorgou.

35. Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted you, we also have granted.

36. Quanto ao que ele julgou necessário submeter ao rei, enviai-nos alguém sem demora, a fim de que, após um exame, possamos falar-lhe de modo mais vantajoso para vós, porque vamos para Antioquia.

36. But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.

37. Apressai-vos, pois, em nos enviar mensageiros para que saibamos bem quais são vossos desejos.

37. And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.

38. Passai bem! Ano cento e quarenta e oito, no dia quinze do mês de Xântico”.

38. Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.