1 Maccabees 12

1 Maccabees 12, Catholic Public Domain Version

1. And Jonathan saw that time was on his side, and he chose men, and he sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the peace agreement with them.

   Et vidit Jonathas quia tempus eum juvat, et elegit viros, et misit eos Romam statuere et renovare cum eis amicitiam:

2. 2

   And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form.

   et ad Spartiatas, et ad alia loca misit epistolas secundum eamdem formam:

3. 3

   And they went to Rome and entered into the senate house, and they said, “Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the peace and alliance, as it was before.”

   et abierunt Romam, et intraverunt curiam, et dixerunt: Jonathas summus sacerdos, et gens Judæorum miserunt nos, ut renovaremus amicitiam et societatem secundum pristinum.

4. 4

   And they gave letters to them, to those in each place, so that they would lead them into the land of Judah with peace.

   Et dederunt illis epistolas ad ipsos per loca, ut deducerent eos in terram Juda cum pace.

5. 5

   And this is a copy of the letters that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

   Et hoc est exemplum epistolarum, quas scripsit Jonathas Spartiatis:

6. 6

   “Jonathan, the high priest, and the elders of the people, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brothers: greetings.

   Jonathas summus sacerdos, et seniores gentis, et sacerdotes, et reliquus populus Judæorum, Spartiatis fratribus salutem.

7. 7

   Now, some time ago, letters were sent to Onias, the high priest from Arius, who reigned then among you, so that you would be our brothers, just as the copy that is written below states.

   Jampridem missæ erant epistolæ ad Oniam summum sacerdotem ab Ario, qui regnabat apud vos, quoniam estis fratres nostri, sicut rescriptum continet, quod subjectum est.

8. 8

   And Onias received the man whom you had sent with honor. And he received the letters, in which was conveyed the alliance and peace treaty.

   Et suscepit Onias virum, qui missus fuerat, cum honore: et accepit epistolas, in quibus significabatur de societate et amicitia.

9. 9

   We, though, have no need of these things, having for our solace the sacred books, which are in our hands.

   Nos cum nullo horum indigeremus, habentes solatio sanctos libros, qui sunt in manibus nostris,

10. 10

    We prefer to send to you, so as to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should, in effect, become a stranger to you, for much time has passed since you sent to us.

    maluimus mittere ad vos renovare fraternitatem et amicitiam, ne forte alieni efficiamur a vobis: multa enim tempora transierunt, ex quo misistis ad nos.

11. 11

    Therefore, we will remember you, at all times without ceasing, in our solemnities and other days, when it is fitting, in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, just as it is fitting and right to remember brothers.

    Nos ergo in omni tempore sine intermissione in diebus solemnibus, et ceteris, quibus oportet, memores sumus vestri in sacrificiis quæ offerimus, et in observationibus, sicut fas est, et decet meminisse fratrum.

12. 12

    And so, we rejoice at your glory.

    Lætamur itaque de gloria vestra.

13. 13

    But many tribulations and many wars have surrounded us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.

    Nos autem circumdederunt multæ tribulationes, et multa prælia, et impugnaverunt nos reges qui sunt in circuitu nostro.

14. 14

    But we are not willing to trouble you, nor the rest of our allies and friends, about these battles.

    Noluimus ergo vobis molesti esse, neque ceteris sociis et amicis nostris in his præliis:

15. 15

    For we have assistance from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies have been humbled.

    habuimus enim de cælo auxilium, et liberati sumus nos, et humiliati sunt inimici nostri.

16. 16

    And so, we have chosen Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and we have sent them to the Romans, to renew the former peace treaty and alliance with them.

    Elegimus itaque Numenium Antiochi filium, et Antipatrem Jasonis filium, et misimus ad Romanos renovare cum eis amicitiam et societatem pristinam.

17. 17

    And so, we have commanded them to also come to you, and to greet you, and to deliver our letters to you, about the renewal of our brotherhood.

    Mandavimus itaque eis ut veniant etiam ad vos, et salutent vos, et reddant vobis epistolas nostras de innovatione fraternitatis nostræ.

18. 18

    And now, you would do well to respond to us about these things.”

    Et nunc benefacietis respondentes nobis ad hæc.

19. 19

    And this is a copy of the letters that he sent to Onias:

    Et hoc est rescriptum epistolarum quod miserat Oniæ:

20. 20

    “Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the great priest: greetings.

    Arius rex Spartiatarum Oniæ sacerdoti magno salutem.

21. 21

    It is found in scripture, about the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brothers, and that they are of the family of Abraham.

    Inventum est in scriptura de Spartiatis, et Judæis, quoniam sunt fratres, et quod sunt de genere Abraham.

22. 22

    And since we know these things, you would do well to write to us about your peace.

    Et nunc ex quo hæc cognovimus, benefacitis scribentes nobis de pace vestra.

23. 23

    But we also have written back to you that our cattle and our possessions are yours, and yours are ours. And so, we have commanded that these things should be announced to you.”

    Sed et nos rescripsimus vobis: Pecora nostra, et possessiones nostræ, vestræ sunt: et vestræ, nostræ: mandavimus itaque hæc nuntiari vobis.

24. 24

    And Jonathan heard that the leaders from Demetrius had returned again with a greater army than before, so as to fight against him.

    Et audivit Jonathas quoniam regressi sunt principes Demetrii cum exercitu multo supra quam prius, pugnare adversus eum:

25. 25

    And so, he departed from Jerusalem, and he met them in the region of Hamath. For he did not give them time to enter into his own region.

    et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit eis in Amathite regione: non enim dederat eis spatium ut ingrederentur regionem ejus.

26. 26

    And he sent spies into their camp, and, returning, they reported that they planned to come upon them in the night.

    Et misit speculatores in castra eorum: et reversi renuntiaverunt quod constituunt supervenire illis nocte.

27. 27

    And when the sun had set, Jonathan instructed his men to stand watch, and to be in arms, ready to fight, all night long, and he stationed guards around the camp.

    Cum occidisset autem sol, præcepit Jonathas suis vigilare, et esse in armis paratos ad pugnam tota nocte: et posuit custodes per circuitum castrorum.

28. 28

    And the adversaries heard that Jonathan was prepared, with his own, for warfare. And they were struck with fear and dread in their heart. And they kindled fires in their camp.

    Et audierunt adversarii quod paratus est Jonathas cum suis in bello: et timuerunt, et formidaverunt in corde suo: et accenderunt focos in castris suis.

29. 29

    But Jonathan, and those who were with him, did not know about it until morning. For they saw the lights burning.

    Jonathas autem, et qui cum eo erant, non cognoverunt usque mane: videbant autem luminaria ardentia,

30. 30

    And Jonathan pursued them, but did not overtake them. For they had crossed the river Eleutherus.

    et secutus est eos Jonathas, et non comprehendit eos: transierant enim flumen Eleutherum.

31. 31

    And Jonathan diverted toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadeans. And he struck them and took their spoils.

    Et divertit Jonathas ad Arabas, qui vocantur Zabadæi: et percussit eos, et accepit spolia eorum.

32. 32

    And he regrouped and came to Damascus, and he passed through all that region.

    Et junxit, et venit Damascum, et perambulabat omnem regionem illam.

33. 33

    But Simon went forth and came as far as Askalon, and the nearby fortresses, but he turned aside to Joppa and occupied it,

    Simon autem exiit, et venit usque ad Ascalonem, et ad proxima præsidia: et declinavit in Joppen, et occupavit eam

34. 34

    (for he had heard that they intended to hand over the fortress that was on the side of Demetrius) and he stationed a guard there to keep it.

    (audivit enim quod vellent præsidium tradere partibus Demetrii), et posuit ibi custodes ut custodirent eam.

35. 35

    And Jonathan returned, and he called together the elders of the people, and he decided with them to build fortresses in Judea,

    Et reversus est Jonathas, et convocavit seniores populi, et cogitavit cum eis ædificare præsidia in Judæa,

36. 36

    and to build up the walls in Jerusalem, and to raise a great height between the stronghold and the city, in order to separate it from the city, so that it would stand alone and would have neither buying, nor selling there.

    et ædificare muros in Jerusalem, et exaltare altitudinem magnam inter medium arcis et civitatis, ut separaret eam a civitate, ut esset ipsa singulariter, et neque emant, neque vendant.

37. 37

    And they came together to build up the city. And the wall that was over the brook, toward the rising of the sun, was fallen. And he repaired that which is called Chaphenatha.

    Et convenerunt ut ædificarent civitatem: et cecidit murus qui erat super torrentem ab ortu solis, et reparavit eum, qui vocatur Caphetetha:

38. 38

    And Simon rebuilt Adida in Shephelah, and he fortified it, and he set up gates and bars.

    et Simon ædificavit Adiada in Sephela, et munivit eam, et imposuit portas et seras.

39. 39

    And so, when Trypho had decided to reign over Asia, and to assume the diadem, and to extend his hand against king Antiochus,

    Et cum cogitasset Tryphon regnare Asiæ, et assumere diadema, et extendere manum in Antiochum regem:

40. 40

    he was afraid, lest Jonathan might not permit him, but might fight against him. So he sought to seize him and to kill him. And he rose up and went to Bethshan.

    timens ne forte non permitteret eum Jonathas, sed pugnaret adversus eum, quærebat comprehendere eum, et occidere. Et exsurgens abiit in Bethsan.

41. 41

    And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and he came to Bethshan.

    Et exivit Jonathas obviam illi cum quadraginta millibus virorum electorum in prælium, et venit Bethsan.

42. 42

    And when Trypho saw that Jonathan came with a great army to extend his hand against him, he was afraid.

    Et vidit Tryphon quia venit Jonathas cum exercitu multo ut extenderet in eum manus: timuit,

43. 43

    And so he received him with honor, and he commended him to all his friends, and he gave him gifts. And he instructed his troops to obey him, just as himself.

    et excepit eum cum honore, et commendavit eum omnibus amicis suis, et dedit ei munera: et præcepit exercitibus suis ut obedirent ei, sicut sibi.

44. 44

    And he said to Jonathan: “Why have you troubled all the people, when there is no war between us?

    Et dixit Jonathæ: Ut quid vexasti universum populum, cum bellum nobis non sit?

45. 45

    And now, send them back to their houses, but choose for yourself a few men, who may remain with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to you, and the rest of the fortresses, and the army, and all who are in charge of governing, and I will turn and go away. For this is the reason that I came.”

    et nunc remitte eos in domos suas: elige autem tibi viros paucos, qui tecum sint, et veni mecum Ptolemaidam, et tradam eam tibi, et reliqua præsidia, et exercitum, et universos præpositos negotii: et conversus abibo: propterea enim veni.

46. 46

    And Jonathan believed him, and he did as he said. And he sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Judah.

    Et credidit ei, et fecit sicut dixit: et dimisit exercitum, et abierunt in terram Juda.

47. 47

    But he retained with him three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand came with him.

    Retinuit autem secum tria millia virorum: ex quibus remisit in Galilæam duo millia: mille autem venerunt cum eo.

48. 48

    But when Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, those of Ptolemais closed the gates of the city, and they captured him. And all those who entered with him, they executed with the sword.

    Ut autem intravit Ptolemaidam Jonathas, clauserunt portas civitatis Ptolemenses, et comprehenderunt eum: et omnes qui cum eo intraverant, gladio interfecerunt.

49. 49

    And Trypho sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all the associates of Jonathan.

    Et misit Tryphon exercitum et equites in Galilæam et in campum magnum, ut perderent omnes socios Jonathæ.

50. 50

    But, when they had thought that Jonathan had been captured and slain, along with all who were with him, they encouraged one another, and they went out prepared for battle.

    At illi cum cognovissent quia comprehensus est Jonathas, et periit, et omnes qui cum eo erant, hortati sunt semetipsos, et exierunt parati in prælium.

51. 51

    Then those who had pursued them, seeing that they stood for their lives, were turned back.

    Et videntes hi qui insecuti fuerant, quia pro anima res est illis, reversi sunt:

52. 52

    And so, they all came into the land of Judah with peace. And they bewailed Jonathan, and those who had been with him, exceedingly. And Israel mourned with great lamentation.

    illi autem venerunt omnes cum pace in terram Juda. Et planxerunt Jonathan, et eos qui cum ipso fuerant, valde: et luxit Israël luctu magno.

53. 53

    Then all the nations that were all around them sought to crush them. For they said:

    Et quæsierunt omnes gentes quæ erant in circuitu eorum conterere eos: dixerunt enim:

54. 54

    “They have no leader or helper. Now therefore, let us fight against them and take away the memory of them from among men.”

    Non habent principem et adjuvantem: nunc ergo expugnemus illos, et tollamus de hominibus memoriam eorum.

Catholic Public Domain Version (Ronald L. Conte Jr., 2009), public domain · Latin: Clementine Vulgate (1592)