1 Macabeos 9

EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Cuando Demetrio se enteró de que Nicanor y su ejército habían sucumbido en el combate, envió por segunda vez al país de Judá a Báquides y Alcimo, con el ala derecha de su ejército.	1 In the mean time when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.
2 Estos tomaron el camino de Guilgal y sitiaron a Mesalot en el territorio de Arbela; se apoderaron de ella y mataron a mucha gente.	2 And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.
3 El primer mes del año ciento cincuenta y dos acamparon frente a Jerusalén,	3 In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:
4 de donde partieron con veinte mil hombres y dos mil jinetes en dirección a Berzet.	4 And they arose, and went to Berea with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.
5 Judas tenía puesto su campamento en Elasá y había con él tres mil hombres elegidos.	5 Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
6 Pero al ver la multitud de los enemigos, se atemorizaron y muchos desertaron del campamento, de manera que no quedaron más que ochocientos hombres.	6 And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.
7 Judas advirtió que su ejército se había desbandado, precisamente cuando la batalla era inminente y quedó descorazonado, porque no había tiempo de volverlos a reunir.	7 And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.
8 A pesar de su desaliento, dijo a los que habían quedado: «Ataquemos lo mismo a nuestros enemigos; tal vez podamos hacerles frente».	8 Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.
9 Pero ellos trataban de disuadirlo, diciéndole: «¡Imposible! Salvemos primero nuestras vidas; después volveremos con nuestros hermanos para continuar luchando, ya que ahora somos muy pocos».	9 But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.
10 Judas les respondió: «¡Eso nunca! No podemos huir ante ellos. Si es que ha llegado nuestra hora, muramos valientemente por nuestros hermanos, sin que nuestra gloria sufra menoscabo».	10 Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory.
11 El ejército enemigo salió del campamento y se aprestó para enfrentarlos. La caballería se había dividido en dos escuadrones; en primera línea, avanzaban los más aguerridos, precedidos por los arqueros y los honderos.	11 And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.
12 Báquides estaba en el ala derecha. Las tropas avanzaron por ambos lados, al sonido de las trompetas.	12 And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:
13 Los hombres de Judas también tocaron las trompetas y la tierra tembló por el estruendo de los ejércitos. La lucha se inició al amanecer y duró hasta la tarde.	13 And they also were on Judas' side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.
14 Judas vio que Báquides y el grueso de su ejército estaban a la derecha. Entonces los israelitas más decididos se reunieron a él	14 And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him:
15 y derrotaron el ala derecha, persiguiéndola hasta las últimas estribaciones de la montaña.	15 And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued them even to the mount Azotus.
16 Pero los del ala izquierda, al ver derrotada el ala derecha, se volvieron contra Judas y los suyos, tomándolos por la espalda.	16 And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:
17 La lucha se hizo más encarnizada, y hubo muchas víctimas de uno y otro bando.	17 And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many wounded of the one side and of the other.
18 También cayó Judas y los demás huyeron.	18 And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.
19 Jonatán y Simón tomaron a su hermano Judas y lo sepultaron en el sepulcro de sus padres en Modín.	19 And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers in the city of Modin.
20 Todo Israel lloró e hizo un gran duelo por él, y muchos días repitieron esta lamentación:	20 And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.
21 «¡Cómo ha caído el héroe que salvaba a Israel!».	21 And said: How is the mighty man fallen, that saved the people of Israel!
22 El resto de las acciones de Judas, de sus guerras, de las proezas que realizó y de sus títulos de gloria no ha sido escrito, porque fueron innumerables.	22 But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for they were very many.
23 Después de la muerte de Judas, reaparecieron los renegados en todo el territorio de Israel y se envalentonaron los impíos.	23 And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.
24 En aquellos días, el hambre asoló el país y la gente se puso de parte de ellos.	24 In those days there was a very great famine, and they and all their country yielded to Bacchides.
25 Báquides eligió a unos hombres impíos y los hizo dueños del país.	25 And Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country:
26 Ellos buscaban a los amigos de Judas, siguiéndoles las pistas, y se los llevaban a Báquides, que los castigaba y escarnecía.	26 And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused them.
27 Esta fue una gran tribulación para Israel, como no se había visto desde que dejaron de manifestarse los profetas.	27 And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.
28 Entonces todos los amigos de Judas se reunieron y dijeron a Jonatán:	28 And all the friends of Judas came together, and said to Jonathan:
29 «Desde la muerte de tu hermano Judas no tenemos un hombre como él, capaz de enfrentar a nuestros enemigos, a Báquides y a los que odian a nuestra nación.	29 Since thy brother Judas died, there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of our nation.
30 Por eso, hoy te elegimos a ti para que ocupes el lugar de tu hermano, y seas nuestro jefe y nuestro guía en la lucha que sostenemos».	30 Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince, and captain in his stead to fight our battles.
31 En ese momento Jonatán tomó el mando como sucesor de su hermano Judas.	31 So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas his brother.
32 Cuando Báquides lo supo, trató de matarlo.	32 And Bacchides had knowledge of it, and sought to kill him.
33 Pero Jonatán, su hermano Simón y todos sus partidarios, al enterarse de esto, huyeron al desierto de Técoa y acamparon junto a las aguas de la cisterna de Asfar.	33 And Jonathan and Simon his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake of Asphar,
34 Báquides se enteró el día sábado, y atravesó el Jordán con todo su ejército.	34 And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself with all his army over the Jordan on the sabbath day.
35 Jonatán envió a su hermano Juan, el encargado de conducir la caravana, a pedir autorización a los nabateos, sus amigos, para dejarles en depósito su equipaje, que era muy grande.	35 And Jonathan sent his brother a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.
36 Pero los jambritas, que habitaban en Madabá, capturaron a Juan con todo lo que llevaba, y se fueron con el botín.	36 And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.
37 Poco tiempo después, Jonatán y su hermano Simón se enteraron de que los jambritas celebraban una gran boda y traían de Nabatá, con mucha pompa, a la novia, hija de uno de los grandes magnates de Canaán.	37 After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.
38 Entonces se acordaron del sangriento fin de su hermano Juan y fueron a esconderse en un repliegue de la montaña.	38 And the remembered the blood of John their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.
39 Al alzar los ojos, divisaron una numerosa caravana que avanzaba en medio de un gran tumulto, y vieron que el novio iba a su encuentro, acompañado de sus amigos y hermanos, al son de tambores e instrumentos musicales y con mucha gente armada.	39 And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments, and many weapons.
40 Inmediatamente, salieron de su escondite, se precipitaron sobre ellos y los masacraron, dejando muchas víctimas. Mientras los sobrevivientes huían a la montaña, ello se apoderaron de todo el botín.	40 And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:
41 Así la boda terminó en duelo y la música en lamentaciones.	41 And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.
42 De esta manera vengaron la sangre de su hermano y volvieron a las regiones pantanosas del Jordán.	42 And they took revenge for the blood of their brother: and they returned to the bank of the Jordan.
43 Cuando Báquides se enteró, fue un día sábado a las riberas del Jordán con un ejército numeroso.	43 And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan with a great power.
44 Entonces Jonatán arengó a sus hombres, diciendo: «¡Animo! Luchemos por defender nuestras vidas, porque ahora no estamos como antes.	44 And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday, and the day before.
45 El enemigo nos asedia por delante y por detrás, de un lado están las aguas del Jordán y del otro, los pantanos y las malezas; no hay escapatoria posible.	45 And behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.
46 Clamen al Cielo, para que nos salve de nuestros enemigos».	46 Now therefore cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.
47 Una vez iniciado el combate, Jonatán extendió su brazo para descargar un golpe sobre Báquides, pero este lo esquivó, echándose atrás.	47 And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.
48 Entonces Jonatán y los suyos se tiraron al Jordán y lo atravesaron a nado, pero sus enemigos no nos persiguieron.	48 And Jonathan, and they that were with him leaped into the Jordan, and swam over the Jordan to them:
49 Aquel día murieron unos mil hombres del ejército de Báquides.	49 And there fell of Bacchides' side that day a thousand man: and they returned to Jerusalem,
50 Al volver a Jerusalén, Báquides comenzó a fortificar algunas ciudades en Judea: las fortalezas de Jericó, Emaús, Betjorón, Betel, Tamnatá, Faratón y Tefón, protegiéndolas con altas murallas, puertas y cerrojos.	50 And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high walls, and gates, and bars.
51 En cada una de ellas puso una guarnición para hostigar a Israel.	51 And he placed garrisons in them, that they might wage war against Israel:
52 También fortificó la ciudad de Betsur, Guéser y la Ciudadela, dejando en ellas tropas y depósitos de víveres.	52 And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provisions of victuals:
53 Después tomó como rehenes a los hijos de las principales familias del país y los puso bajo custodia en la Ciudadela de Jerusalén.	53 And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.
54 En el segundo mes del año ciento cincuenta y tres, Alcimo mandó derribar las murallas de la parte interior del Santuario, destruyendo así la obra de los profetas. Pero al comenzar la demolición,	54 Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.
55 sufrió un ataque y la obra se detuvo. El perdió el habla y la boca le quedó paralizada, de manera que no pudo hablar más ni dar ninguna orden en lo referente a su casa.	55 At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order concerning his house.
56 Alcimo murió en esa época en medio de grandes tormentos.	56 And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.
57 Al ver que Alcimo había muerto, Báquides regresó adonde estaba el rey, y así Judá quedó en paz durante dos años.	57 And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.
58 Todos los renegados se confabularon diciendo: «Jonatán y los suyos viven tranquilos y confiados. Hagamos volver a Báquides, para que los arreste a todos en una sola noche».	58 And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease, and without fear: now therefore let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one night.
59 Ellos fueron a comunicarle su plan,	59 So they went, and gave him counsel.
60 y Báquides partió con un gran ejército. Mientras tanto, envió instrucciones secretas a todos sus aliados de Judea para que se apoderaran de Jonatán y de sus amigos, pero aquellos no pudieron hacerlo porque sus planes fueron descubiertos.	60 And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea, to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.
61 En represalia, Jonatán y sus amigos apresaron a unos cincuenta hombres entre los cabecillas de la conspiración, y los mataron.	61 And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and slew them.
62 Jonatán y Simón se retiraron con sus compañeros a Betbasí, en el desierto, y la fortificaron, restaurando sus ruinas.	62 And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.
63 Al saber esto, Báquides reunió a toda su gente y convocó a sus partidarios de Judea.	63 And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.
64 Luego acampó frente a Betbasí y la atacó durante varios días, emplazando máquinas de guerra.	64 And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought against it many days, and made engines.
65 Pero Jonatán, dejando en la ciudad a su hermano Simón, hizo una incursión por el país con algunos hombres.	65 But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country: and came with a number of men.
66 Derrotó a Odomerá y a sus hermanos, y también a los hijos de Fasirón en sus propios campamentos. Una vez asestados estos primeros golpes, volvieron con más fuerzas.	66 And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.
67 Simón y los suyos salieron de la ciudad e incendiaron las máquinas de guerra.	67 But Simon and they that were with him, sallied out of the city, and burnt the engines.
68 Lucharon contra Báquides y lo derrotaron, dejándolo muy abatido porque sus planes y su campaña habían fracasado.	68 And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.
69 Por eso se enfureció contra los renegados que le habían aconsejado regresar al país y mandó ejecutar a muchos de ellos. Después decidió volver a su país.	69 And he was angry with the wicked men that had given him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their country.
70 Al enterarse de esto, Jonatán envió mensajeros a Báquides para concertar con él la paz y para que les devolviera los prisioneros.	70 And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore to him the prisoners.
71 Báquides aceptó la propuesta y le juró no hacerle ningún daño durante toda su vida;	71 And he accepted it willingly, and did according to his words, and swore that the would do him no harm all the days of his life.
72 le devolvió los prisioneros capturados anteriormente en Judá y regresó a su país. Y nunca más volvió al territorio de Judea.	72 And he restored to him the prisoners which he before had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned and went away into his own country, and he came no more into their borders.
73 Hubo así paz en Israel y Jonatán se estableció en Micmás, donde comenzó a gobernar al pueblo y a exterminar a los impíos de en medio de Israel.	73 So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people, and he destroyed the wicked out of Israel.