2 Maccabees 11

2 Maccabees 11, Catholic Public Domain Version

1. But a short time afterwards, Lysias, the procurator of the king and a near relative, who also was in charge of the government, was heavily weighed upon by what had happened.

   Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,

2. 2

   Gathering together eight thousand, along with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking that the city would certainly be captured, making it a dwelling place for the Gentiles,

   congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,

3. 3

   in truth, also thinking to make a profit in money from the temple, just as from the other shrines of the Gentiles, and to put the priesthood up for sale every year.

   templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:

4. 4

   Never recognizing the power of God, but inflated in mind, he trusted in the multitude of the foot soldiers, and in the thousands of horsemen, and in the eighty elephants.

   nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.

5. 5

   And so, he entered Judea, and, approaching Bethzur, which was in a narrow place, at an interval of five stadia from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that stronghold.

   Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.

6. 6

   But when Maccabeus and those who were with him realized that the strongholds were besieged, they and all the crowd together petitioned the Lord with weeping and tears, that he would send a good Angel to save Israel.

   Ut autem Machabæus et qui cum eo erant cognoverunt expugnari præsidia, cum fletu et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israël.

7. 7

   And so the leader Maccabeus, taking up arms, exhorted the others, to undergo the peril together with him, and to bring assistance to their brothers.

   Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.

8. 8

   And when they together were going forth with a ready spirit, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman, preceding them in radiant clothing and with weapons of gold, waving a spear.

   Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.

9. 9

   Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and strengthened their souls, being prepared to break through not only men, but also the most ferocious beasts and walls of iron.

   Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.

10. 10

    Thus, they went forth readily, having a helper from heaven, and with the Lord taking pity on them.

    Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.

11. 11

    Then, rushing violently against the enemy, in the manner of lions, they struck down from among them: eleven thousand foot soldiers and one thousand six hundred horsemen.

    Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:

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    And they turned all the rest to flight. But many of them, being wounded, escaped with nothing. And Lysias himself also escaped, fleeing in disgrace.

    universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.

13. 13

    And because he was not irrational, thinking to himself about the loss that had happened against him, and understanding the Hebrews to be invincible because they depend upon the help of Almighty God, he sent to them,

    Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:

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

    promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.

15. 15

    Then Maccabeus assented to the request of Lysias, considering it useful in every way. And whatever Maccabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king consented to it.

    Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.

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    For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, which, indeed, were composed in this way: “Lysias, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

    Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.

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    John and Absalom, who had been sent from you to deliver your writings, requested that I would implement these things that were signified by them.

    Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.

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    Therefore, whatever things could be brought before the king, I have presented them. And he has conceded to those things that are permitted.

    Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.

19. 19

    If, therefore, you will keep yourselves faithful in these matters, then, from now on, I will endeavor to be a cause of your good.

    Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.

20. 20

    But as for other particulars, I have given orders by word, both to these, and to those who have been sent by me, to confer with you.

    De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.

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    Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dioscorus.Ӡ

    Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.

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    But the letter of the king contained this: “King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother: greetings.

    Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.

23. 23

    Since our father has been transferred among the gods, we are willing that those who are in our kingdom should act without tumult, and should attend diligently to their own concerns.

    Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,

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    We have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to convert to the rites of the Greeks, but that they chose to keep to their own institutions, and, because of this, that they ask of us to leave them to their own laws.

    audivimus Judæos non consensisse patri meo ut transferrentur ad ritum Græcorum, sed tenere velle suum institutum, ac propterea postulare a nobis concedi sibi legitima sua.

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    Therefore, wanting this nation, likewise, to be at rest, we have reached a judgment that the temple should be restored to them, so that they may act according to the custom of their ancestors.

    Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.

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    You will do well, therefore, if you send to them and grant them a pledge, so that our will becomes known, and they may be of good courage, and may look after their own needs.”

    Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.

27. 27

    Truly, the letter of the king to the Jews was such as this: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews: greetings.

    Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.

28. 28

    If you are well, such is what we desire. But we ourselves are also well.

    Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.

29. 29

    Menelaus came to us, saying that you wished to come down to your own, who are among us.

    Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.

30. 30

    Therefore, we grant a pledge of security to those who come and go, even until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

    His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,

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    so that the Jews may make use of their own foods and laws, just as also before, and so that none of them should endure any kind of trouble for things which have been done by ignorance.

    ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.

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    And so, we have also sent Menelaus, who will talk with you.

    Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

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    Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”

    Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.

34. 34

    But the Romans also now sent a letter, having this in it: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

    Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.

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    Concerning these things that Lysias, the relative of the king, has conceded to you, we also have conceded.

    De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.

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    But about such things as he judged should be referred to the king, send someone, as soon as you have diligently conferred among yourselves, so that we may make a decree, just as it is agreeable to you. For we are going to Antioch.

    De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.

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    And, therefore, make haste to write back, so that we may know whatever your will may be.

    Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.

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    Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”

    Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.

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