Liber I Maccabaeorum, 2
1. in illis diebus surrexit Matthathias filius Johannis filii Simeonis sacerdos ex filiis Joarim ab Hierusalem et consedit in monte Modin
1. In those days arose Mathathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib, from Jerusalem, and he abode in the mountain of Modin.
2. et habebat filios quinque Johannan qui cognominabatur Gaddis
2. And he had five sons: John who was surnamed Gaddis:
3. et Simeon qui cognominabatur Thasi
3. And Simon, who was surnamed Thasi:
4. et Judas qui vocabatur Macchabeus
4. And Judas, who was called Machabeus:
5. et Eleazarus qui cognominabatur Abaron et Jonathas qui cognominabatur Apphus
5. And Eleazar, who was surnamed Abaron: and Jonathan, who was surnamed Apphus.
6. hii viderunt mala quæ fiebant in populo Juda et in Hierusalem
6. These saw the evils that were done in the people of Juda, and in Jerusalem.
7. et dixit Matthathias væ mihi ut quid natus sum videre contritionem populi mei et contritionem civitatis sanctæ et sedere illic cum datur in manibus inimicorum
7. And Mathathias said: Woe is me, wherefore was I born to see the ruin of my people, and the ruin of the holy city, and to dwell there, when it is given into the hands of the enemies?
8. sancta in manu extraneorum facta sunt templum ejus sicut homo ignobilis
8. The holy places are come into the hands of strangers: her temple is become as a man without honour.
9. vasa gloriæ ejus captiva abducta sunt trucidati sunt juvenes ejus in plateis et juvenes ejus ceciderunt gladio inimicorum
9. The vessels of her glory are carried away captive: her old men are murdered in the streets, and her young men are fallen by the sword of the enemies.
10. quæ gens non hereditavit regnum ejus et non obtinuit spolia ejus
10. What nation hath not inherited her kingdom, and gotten of her spoils?
11. omnis conpositio ejus ablata est quæ erat libera facta est ancilla
11. All her ornaments are taken away. She that was free is made a slave.
12. et ecce sancta nostra et pulchritudo nostra et claritas nostra desolata est et coinquinaverunt eam gentes
12. And behold our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our glory is laid waste, and the Gentiles have defiled them.
13. quo ergo nobis adhuc vivere
13. To what end then should we live any longer?
14. et scidit Matthathias et filii ejus vestimenta sua et operuerunt se ciliciis et planxerunt valde
14. And Mathathias and his sons rent their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and made great lamentation.
15. et venerunt illuc qui missi erant a rege Antiocho ut cogerent eos qui confugerant in civitate Modin immolare et accendere et a lege Dei discedere
15. And they that were sent from king Antiochus came thither, to compel them that were fled into the city of Modin, to sacrifice, and to burn incense, and to depart from the law of God.
16. et multi de populo Israël consentientes accesserunt ad eos sed Matthathias et filii ejus constanter steterunt
16. And many of the people of Israel consented, and came to them: but Mathathias and his sons stood firm.
17. et respondentes qui missi erant ab Antiocho dixerunt Matthathiæ princeps et clarissimus et magnus es in hac civitate et ornatus filiis et fratribus
17. And they that were sent from Antiochus, answering, said to Mathathias: Thou art a ruler, and an honourable, and great man in this city, and adorned with sons, and brethren.
18. ergo accede prior et fac jussum regis sicut fecerunt omnes gentes et viri Juda et qui remanserunt in Hierusalem et eris tu et filii tui inter amicos regis et amplificatus argento et auro et muneribus multis
18. Therefore come thou first, and obey the king's commandment, as all nations have done, and the men of Juda, and they that remain in Jerusalem: and thou, and thy sons, shall be in the number of the king's friends, and enriched with gold, and silver, and many presents.
19. et respondit Matthathias et dixit magna voce et si omnes gentes regi Antiocho obœdiunt ut discedat unusquisque a servitute patrum suorum et consentiunt mandatis ejus
19. Then Mathathias answered, and said with a loud voice: Although all nations obey king Antiochus, so as to depart every man from the service of the law of his fathers, and consent to his commandments:
20. ego et filii mei et fratres mei obœdiemus legi patrum nostrorum
20. I and my sons, and my brethren will obey the law of our fathers.
21. propitius sit nobis Deus non est nobis utile relinquere legem et justitias Dei
21. God be merciful unto us: it is not profitable for us to forsake the law, and the justices of God:
22. non audibimus verba regis Antiochi nec sacrificabimus transgredientes legis nostræ mandata ut eamus altera via
22. We will not hearken to the words of king Antiochus, neither will we sacrifice, and transgress the commandments of our law, to go another way.
23. et ut cessavit loqui verba hæc accessit quidam Judæus in omnium oculis sacrificare idolis super aram in civitate Modin secundum jussum regis
23. Now as he left off speaking these words, there came a certain Jew in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the king's commandment.
24. et vidit Matthathias et doluit et contremuerunt renes ejus et ascendit furor ejus secundum judicium legis et insiliens trucidavit eum super aram
24. And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled according to the judgment of the law, and running upon him he slew him upon the altar:
25. sed et virum quem miserat rex Antiochus qui cogebat immolari occidit in ipso tempore et aram destruxit
25. Moreover the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same time, and pulled down the altar.
26. et zelatus est legem sicut fecit Finees Zambri filio Salomi
26. And shewed zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son of Salomi.
27. et exclamavit Matthathias voce magna dicens omnis qui zelum habet legis statuens testamentum exeat post me
27. And Mathathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: Every one that hath zeal for the law, and maintaineth the testament, let him follow me.
28. et fugit ipse et filii ejus in montes et reliquerunt quæcumque habebant in civitate
28. So he, and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that they had in the city.
29. tunc descenderunt multi quærentes judicium et justitiam in desertum
29. Then many that sought after judgment, and justice, went down into the desert:
30. ut sederent ibi ipsi et filii eorum et mulieres eorum et pecora eorum quoniam induraverunt super eos mala
30. And they abode there, they and their children, and their wives, and their cattle: because afflictions increased upon them.
31. et renuntiatum est viris regis et exercitui qui erat in Hierusalem civitate David quoniam discessissent viri quidam qui dissipaverunt mandatum regis in loca occulta in deserto et abissent post illos multi
31. And it was told to the king's men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem in the city of David, that certain men who had broken the king's commandment, were gone away into the secret places in the wilderness, and that many were gone after them.
32. et statim perrexerunt ad eos et constituerunt adversus eos prœlium in die sabbatorum
32. And forthwith they went out towards them, and made war against them on the sabbath day,
33. et dixerunt ad eos resistitis et nunc adhuc exite et facite secundum verbum regis et vivetis
33. And they said to them: Do you still resist? come forth, and do according to the edict of king Antiochus, and you shall live.
34. et dixerunt non exibimus neque faciemus verbum regis ut polluamus diem sabbatorum
34. And they said: We will not come forth, neither will we obey the king's edict, to profane the sabbath day.
35. et concitaverunt adversus eos prœlium
35. And they made haste to give them battle.
36. et non responderunt eis nec oppilaverunt loca occulta
36. But they answered them not, neither did they cast a stone at them, nor stopped up the secret places,
37. dicentes moriamur omnes in simplicitate nostra et testes erunt super nos cælum et terra quod iniuste perditis nos
37. Saying: Let us all die in our innocency: and heaven and earth shall be witnesses for us, that you put us to death wrongfully.
38. et intulerunt eis bellum sabbatis et mortui sunt ipsi et uxores eorum et filii eorum et pecora eorum usque ad mille animas hominum
38. So they gave them battle on the sabbath: and they were slain with their wives, and their children, and their cattle, to the number of a thousand persons.
39. et cognovit Matthathias et amici ejus et luctum habuerunt super eos valde
39. And Mathathias and his friends heard of it, and they mourned for them exceedingly.
40. et dixit vir proximo suo si omnes fecerimus sicut fratres nostri fecerunt et non pugnaverimus adversus gentes pro animabus nostris et justificationibus nostris citius disperdent nos a terra
40. And every man said to his neighbour: If we shall all do as our brethren have done, and not fight against the heathens for our lives, and our justifications: they will now quickly root us out of the earth.
41. et cogitaverunt in illa die dicentes omnis homo quicumque venerit ad nos in bello die sabbatorum pugnemus adversus eum et non moriemur omnes sicut mortui sunt fratres nostri in occultis
41. And they determined in that day, saying: Whosoever shall come up against us to fight on the sabbath day, we will fight against him: and we will not all die, as our brethren that were slain in the secret places.
42. tunc congregata est ad eos synagoga Asideorum fortis viribus ex Israël omnis voluntarius in lege
42. Then was assembled to them the congregation of the Assideans, the stoutest of Israel, every one that had a good will for the law.
43. et omnes qui fugiebant a malis additi sunt ad eos et facti sunt illis ad firmamentum
43. And all they that fled from the evils, joined themselves to them, and were a support to them.
44. et collegerunt exercitum et percusserunt peccatores in ira sua et viros iniquos in indignatione sua et ceteri fugerunt ad nationes ut evaderent
44. And they gathered an army, and slew the sinners in their wrath, and the wicked men in their indignation: and the rest fled to the nations for safety.
45. et circuivit Matthathias et amici ejus et destruxerunt aras
45. And Mathathias and his friends went round about, and they threw down the altars:
46. et circumciderunt pueros incircumcisos quotquot invenerunt in finibus Israël in fortitudine
46. And they circumcised all the children whom they found in the confines of Israel that were uncircumcised: and they did valiantly.
47. et persecuti sunt filios superbiæ et prosperatum est opus in manu eorum
47. And they pursued after the children of pride, and the work prospered in their hands:
48. et obtinuerunt legem de manibus gentium et de manibus regum et non dederunt cornu peccatori
48. And they recovered the law out of the hands of the nations, and out of the hands of the kings: and they yielded not the horn to the sinner.
49. et adpropinquaverunt dies Matthathiæ moriendi et dixit filiis suis nunc confortata est superbia et castigatio et tempus eversionis et ira indignationis
49. Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
50. nunc ergo o filii æmulatores estote legis et date animas vestras pro testamento patrum
50. Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51. et mementote operum patrum quæ fecerunt in generationibus suis et accipietis gloriam magnam et nomen æternum
51. And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name.
52. Abraham nonne in temptatione inventus est fidelis et reputatum est ei ad justitiam
52. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice?
53. Joseph in tempore angustiæ suæ custodivit mandatum et factus est dominus Ægypti
53. Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt.
54. Finees pater noster zelando zelum Dei accepit testamentum sacerdotii æterni
54. Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55. Jesus dum implet verbum factus est dux Israël
55. Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel.
56. Chaleb dum testificatur in ecclesia accepit hereditatem
56. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance.
57. David in sua misericordia consecutus est sedem regni in sæcula
57. David by his mercy obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
58. Helias dum zelat zelum legis receptus est in cælum
58. Elias, while he was full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.
59. Ananias Azarias Misaël credentes liberati sunt de flamma
59. Ananias and Azarias and Misael by believing, were delivered out of the flame.
60. Danihel in sua simplicitate liberatus est de ore leonum
60. Daniel in his innocency was delivered out of the mouth of the lions.
61. et ita cogitate per generationem et generationem quia omnes qui sperant in eum non infirmantur
61. And thus consider through all generations: that none that trust in him fail in strength.
62. et a verbis viri peccatoris non timueritis quia gloria ejus stercus et vermis est
62. And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung, and worms:
63. hodie extollitur et cras non invenietur quia conversus est in terram suam et cogitatio ejus periet
63. To day he is lifted up, and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth; and his thought is come to nothing.
64. vos ergo filii confortamini et viriliter agite in lege quia in ipsa gloriosi eritis
64. You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.
65. et ecce Simeon frater vester scio quod vir consilii est ipsum audite semper et ipse vobis erit pater
65. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you.
66. et Judas Macchabeus fortis viribus a juventute sua sit vobis princeps militiæ et ipse aget bellum populi
66. And Judas Machabeus who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people.
67. et vos adducetis ad vos omnes factores legis et vindicate vindictam populi vestri
67. And you shall take to you all that observe the law: and revenge ye the wrong of your people.
68. et retribuite retributionem gentibus et intendite in præceptum legis
68. Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law.
69. et benedixit eos et adpositus est ad patres suos
69. And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.
70. et defunctus est centesimo et quadragesimo et sexto anno et sepultus est a filiis suis in sepulchris patrum suorum in Modin et planxerunt eum omnis Israël planctu magno
70. And he died in the hundred and forty-sixth year: and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchres of his fathers in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with great mourning.
