1 Maccabees 2

1 Maccabees 2, Catholic Public Domain Version

1. In those days, there rose up Mattathias, the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib from Jerusalem, and he settled on the mountain of Modin.

   In diebus illis surrexit Mathathias filius Joannis filii Simeonis, sacerdos ex filiis Joarib, ab Jerusalem, et consedit in monte Modin:

2. 2

   And he had five sons: John, who was surnamed Gaddi,

   et habebat filios quinque, Joannem, qui cognominabatur Gaddis:

3. 3

   and Simon, who was surnamed Thassi,

   et Simonem, qui cognominabatur Thasi:

4. 4

   and Judas, who was called Maccabeus,

   et Judam, qui vocabatur Machabæus:

5. 5

   and Eleazar, who was surnamed Avaran, and Jonathan, who was surnamed Apphus.

   et Eleazarum, qui cognominabatur Abaron: et Jonathan, qui cognominabatur Apphus:

6. 6

   These saw the evils that were done among the people of Judah and in Jerusalem.

   hi viderunt mala, quæ fiebant in populo Juda, et in Jerusalem.

7. 7

   And Mattathias said: “Woe to me, for why was I born to see the grief of my people and the grief of the holy city, and to sit there, while it is given into the hands of the enemies?

   Et dixit Mathathias: Væ mihi! ut quid natus sum videre contritionem populi mei, et contritionem civitatis sanctæ, et sedere illic, cum datur in manibus inimicorum?

8. 8

   The holy places have fallen into the hands of outsiders. Her temple is like a man without honor.

   Sancta in manu extraneorum facta sunt: templum ejus sicut homo ignobilis.

9. 9

   The vessels of her glory have been taken away captive. Her old men have been butchered in the streets, and her young men have fallen by the sword of the enemies.

   Vasa gloriæ ejus captiva abducta sunt: trucidati sunt senes ejus in plateis, et juvenes ejus ceciderunt in gladio inimicorum.

10. 10

    What nation has not inherited her kingdom and taken from her spoils?

    Quæ gens non hæreditavit regnum ejus et non obtinuit spolia ejus?

11. 11

    All her beauty has been taken away. She who was free, has become a slave.

    Omnis compositio ejus ablata est. Quæ erat libera, facta est ancilla.

12. 12

    And behold, our sanctuary, and our beauty, and our splendor has been desolated, and the Gentiles have defiled them.

    Et ecce sancta nostra, et pulchritudo nostra, et claritas nostra desolata est, et coinquinaverunt ea gentes.

13. 13

    Therefore, what is it to us that we still live?”

    Quo ergo nobis adhuc vivere?

14. 14

    And Mattathias and his sons tore their garments, and they covered themselves with haircloth, and they lamented greatly.

    Et scidit vestimenta sua Mathathias, et filii ejus: et operuerunt se ciliciis, et planxerunt valde.

15. 15

    And those who had been sent from king Antiochus came to that place, to compel those who fled into the city of Modin to immolate, and to burn frankincense, and to depart from the law of God.

    Et venerunt illuc qui missi erant a rege Antiocho, ut cogerent eos, qui confugerant in civitatem Modin, immolare, et accendere thura, et a lege Dei discedere.

16. 16

    And many of the people of Israel consented and came to them. But Mattathias and his sons stood firm.

    Et multi de populo Israël consentientes accesserunt ad eos: sed Mathathias et filii ejus constanter steterunt.

17. 17

    And those who had been sent from Antiochus, responding, said to Mattathias: “You are a ruler, and very splendid and great in this city, and you are adorned with sons and brothers.

    Et respondentes qui missi erant ab Antiocho, dixerunt Mathathiæ: Princeps, et clarissimus et magnus es in hac civitate, et ornatus filiis et fratribus:

18. 18

    Therefore, approach first, and carryout the order of the king, as all the nations have done, and the men of Judah, and those who remained in Jerusalem. And you and your sons will be among the friends of the king, and enriched with gold and silver and many gifts.”

    ergo accede prior, et fac jussum regis, sicut fecerunt omnes gentes, et viri Juda, et qui remanserunt in Jerusalem: et eris tu, et filii tui, inter amicos regis, et amplificatus auro, et argento, et muneribus multis.

19. 19

    And Mattathias responded, and he said with a loud voice: “Even if all nations obey king Antiochus, so that each one departs from the service of the law of his fathers and consents to his commandments,

    Et respondit Mathathias, et dixit magna voce: Etsi omnes gentes regi Antiocho obediunt, ut discedat unusquisque a servitute legis patrum suorum, et consentiat mandatis ejus:

20. 20

    I and my sons and my brothers will obey the law of our fathers.

    ego et filii mei, et fratres mei, obediemus legi patrum nostrorum:

21. 21

    May God be forgiving to us. It is not useful for us to abandon the law and the justices of God.

    propitius sit nobis Deus: non est nobis utile relinquere legem, et justitias Dei:

22. 22

    We will not listen to the words of king Antiochus, nor will we sacrifice, transgressing the commandments of our law, so as to set out on another way.”

    non audiemus verba regis Antiochi, nec sacrificabimus transgredientes legis nostræ mandata, ut eamus altera via.

23. 23

    And, as he ceased speaking these words, a certain Jew approached in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the order of the king.

    Et ut cessavit loqui verba hæc, accessit quidam Judæus in omnium oculis sacrificare idolis super aram in civitate Modin, secundum jussum regis:

24. 24

    And Mattathias saw, and he grieved, and his temperament trembled, and his fury was enkindled according to the judgment of the law, and leaping up, he slaughtered him on the altar.

    et vidit Mathathias, et doluit, et contremuerunt renes ejus, et accensus est furor ejus secundum judicium legis, et insiliens trucidavit eum super aram:

25. 25

    Moreover, the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to immolate, he killed at the same time, and he destroyed the altar,

    sed et virum, quem rex Antiochus miserat, qui cogebat immolare, occidit in ipso tempore, et aram destruxit:

26. 26

    and he was zealous for the law, just as Phinehas did to Zimri, the son of Salomi.

    et zelatus est legem, sicut fecit Phinees Zamri filio Salomi.

27. 27

    And Mattathias exclaimed with a loud voice in the city, saying, “All who hold zeal for the law, maintaining the covenant, let them follow me.”

    Et exclamavit Mathathias voce magna in civitate, dicens: Omnis qui zelum habet legis, statuens testamentum, exeat post me.

28. 28

    And he and his sons fled to the mountains, and they left behind whatever they had in the city.

    Et fugit ipse, et filii ejus in montes, et reliquerunt quæcumque habebant in civitate.

29. 29

    Then many who sought judgment and justice went down into the desert.

    Tunc descenderunt multi quærentes judicium, et justitiam, in desertum:

30. 30

    And they camped there, with their sons, and their wives, and their herds, because evils had overwhelmed them.

    et sederunt ibi ipsi, et filii eorum, et mulieres eorum, et pecora eorum: quoniam inundaverunt super eos mala.

31. 31

    And it was reported to the king’s men, and to the army that was in Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had cast aside the commandment of the king, had departed into the hidden places in the desert, and that many had followed after them.

    Et renuntiatum est viris regis, et exercitui qui erat in Jerusalem civitate David, quoniam discessissent viri quidam, qui dissipaverunt mandatum regis, in loca occulta in deserto, et abiissent post illos multi.

32. 32

    And immediately, they went out to them, and they arranged a battle against them, on the day of the Sabbath.

    Et statim perrexerunt ad eos, et constituerunt adversus eos prælium in die sabbatorum,

33. 33

    And they said to them: “And now, do you still resist? Go out and act according to the word of king Antiochus, and you will live.”

    et dixerunt ad eos: Resistitis et nunc adhuc? exite, et facite secundum verbum regis Antiochi, et vivetis.

34. 34

    And they said, “We will not go out, and we will not do the king’s word, so as to profane the day of the Sabbath.”

    Et dixerunt: Non exibimus, neque faciemus verbum regis, ut polluamus diem sabbatorum.

35. 35

    And they rushed against them in battle.

    Et concitaverunt adversus eos prælium.

36. 36

    But they did not respond, nor did they cast a stone at them, nor did they barricade the hidden places,

    Et non responderunt eis, nec lapidem miserunt in eos, nec oppilaverunt loca occulta,

37. 37

    for they said, “Let us all die in our simplicity. And heaven and earth will testify for us, that you destroyed us unjustly.”

    dicentes: Moriamur omnes in simplicitate nostra: et testes erunt super nos cælum et terra, quod injuste perditis nos.

38. 38

    So they carried out a battle on the Sabbath. And they were put to death, with their wives, and their sons, and their cattle, even to the number of a thousand souls of men.

    Et intulerunt illis bellum sabbatis: et mortui sunt ipsi, et uxores eorum, et filii eorum, et pecora eorum usque ad mille animas hominum.

39. 39

    And Mattathias and his friends heard of it, and they held a very great lamentation for them.

    Et cognovit Mathathias et amici ejus, et luctum habuerunt super eos valde.

40. 40

    And every man said to his neighbor, “If we all do just as our brothers have done, and if we do not fight against the Gentiles for the sake of our lives and our justifications, then they will quickly eradicate us from the earth.”

    Et dixit vir proximo suo: Si omnes fecerimus sicut fratres nostri fecerunt, et non pugnaverimus adversus gentes pro animabus nostris et justificationibus nostris, nunc citius disperdent nos a terra.

41. 41

    And they decided, on that day, saying: “Every man, who will come against us in warfare on the day of the Sabbath, we will fight against him. And we will not all die, like our brothers who were put to death in the hidden places.”

    Et cogitaverunt in die illa, 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.

42. 42

    Then there was assembled before them the synagogue of the Hasideans, strong men from Israel, each one with a will for the law.†

    Tunc congregata est ad eos synagoga Assidæorum fortis viribus ex Israël, omnis voluntarius in lege:

43. 43

    And all those who fled from the evils added themselves to them, and they became a firmament to them.

    et omnes, qui fugiebant a malis, additi sunt ad eos, et facti sunt illis ad firmamentum.

44. 44

    And they gathered together an army, and they struck down the sinners in their wrath and the wicked men in their indignation. And the others fled to the nations, so as to escape.

    Et collegerunt exercitum, et percusserunt peccatores in ira sua, et viros iniquos in indignatione sua: et ceteri fugerunt ad nationes, ut evaderent.

45. 45

    And Mattathias and his friends traveled around, and they destroyed the altars.

    Et circuivit Mathathias et amici ejus, et destruxerunt aras:

46. 46

    And they circumcised all the uncircumcised boys, whom they found within the limits of Israel, and they acted with fortitude.

    et circumciderunt pueros incircumcisos quotquot invenerunt in finibus Israël: et in fortitudine.

47. 47

    And they pursued the sons of arrogance, and the work was prosperous in their hands.

    Et persecuti sunt filios superbiæ, et prosperatum est opus in manibus eorum:

48. 48

    And they obtained the law from the hands of the Gentiles, and from the hands of the kings. And they did not surrender the horn to the sinner.†

    et obtinuerunt legem de manibus gentium, et de manibus regum, et non dederunt cornu peccatori.

49. 49

    Then the days drew near when Mattathias would die, and he said to his sons: “Now arrogance and chastisement have been strengthened, and it is a time of overturning and of the wrath of indignation.

    Et appropinquaverunt dies Mathathiæ moriendi, et dixit filiis suis: Nunc confortata est superbia, et castigatio, et tempus eversionis, et ira indignationis.

50. 50

    Now therefore, O sons, be imitators of the law, and give your lives for the sake of the covenant of your fathers.

    Nunc ergo, o filii, æmulatores estote legis, et date animas vestras pro testamento patrum vestrorum,

51. 51

    And call to mind the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations. And you will receive great glory and an eternal name.

    et mementote operum patrum, quæ fecerunt in generationibus suis: et accipietis gloriam magnam, et nomen æternum.

52. 52

    Was not Abraham found to be faithful in temptation, and so it was accounted to him as justice?

    Abraham nonne in tentatione inventus est fidelis, et reputatum est ei ad justitiam?

53. 53

    Joseph, in the time of his anguish, kept the commandment, and he was made ruler of Egypt.

    Joseph in tempore angustiæ suæ custodivit mandatum, et factus est dominus Ægypti.

54. 54

    Phinehas our father, being zealous in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an eternal priesthood.

    Phinees pater noster, zelando zelum Dei, accepit testamentum sacerdotii æterni.

55. 55

    Jesus, since he fulfilled the word, was made a commander in Israel.†

    Jesus dum implevit verbum, factus est dux in Israël.

56. 56

    Caleb, since he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance.

    Caleb dum testificatur in ecclesia, accepit hæreditatem.

57. 57

    David, in his mercy, obtained the throne of a kingdom for all generations.

    David in sua misericordia consecutus est sedem regni in sæcula.

58. 58

    Elijah, since he was zealous with a zeal for the law, was received into heaven.

    Elias, dum zelat zelum legis, receptus est in cælum.

59. 59

    Hananiah and Azariah and Mishael, by believing, were delivered from the flame.

    Ananias et Azarias et Misaël credentes, liberati sunt de flamma.

60. 60

    Daniel, in his simplicity, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.

    Daniel in sua simplicitate liberatus est de ore leonum.

61. 61

    And so, consider that, through generation after generation of all those who trusted in him, none have failed in strength.

    Et ita cogitate per generationem et generationem: quia omnes qui sperant in eum, non infirmantur.

62. 62

    And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung and worms.

    Et a verbis viri peccatoris ne timueritis, quia gloria ejus stercus et vermis est:

63. 63

    Today he is extolled, and tomorrow he will not be found, because he has returned into his earth and his thinking has perished.

    hodie extollitur, et cras non invenietur: quia conversus est in terram suam, et cogitatio ejus periit.

64. 64

    Therefore, you sons, be strengthened and act manfully in the law. For by it, you shall become glorious.

    Vos ergo filii, confortamini, et viriliter agite in lege: quia in ipsa gloriosi eritis.

65. 65

    And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel. Heed him always, and he will be a father to you.

    Et ecce Simon frater vester, scio quod vir consilii est: ipsum audite semper, et ipse erit vobis pater.

66. 66

    And Judas Maccabeus, who has been strong and resourceful from his youth, let him be the leader of your militia, and he will manage the war of the people.

    Et Judas Machabæus, fortis viribus a juventute sua, sit vobis princeps militiæ, et ipse aget bellum populi.

67. 67

    And you shall add to yourselves all who observe the law, and you shall claim the vindication of your people.

    Et adducetis ad vos omnes factores legis: et vindicate vindictam populi vestri.

68. 68

    Render to the Gentiles their retribution, and pay attention to the precepts of the law.”

    Retribuite retributionem gentibus, et intendite in præceptum legis.

69. 69

    And he blessed them, and he was added to his fathers.

    Et benedixit eos, et appositus est ad patres suos.

70. 70

    And he passed away in the one hundred and forty-sixth year, and he was buried by his sons in the sepulchers of his fathers, in Modin, and all Israel mourned for him with a great mourning.

    Et defunctus est anno centesimo et quadragesimo sexto: et sepultus est a filiis suis in sepulchris patrum suorum in Modin, et planxerunt eum omnis Israël planctu magno.

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