2 Macabeos 15

EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Cuando Nicanor supo que los hombres de Judas se hallaban en las regiones de Samaría, resolvió atacarlos sin ningún riesgo el día de descanso.	1 But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius the son of Seleucus was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis to places proper for his purpose.
2 Los judíos que iban con él por la fuerza, le dijeron: «No los mates tan despiadada y cruelmente; respeta más bien el día que ha sido santificado especialmente por Aquel que todo lo ve».	2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.
3 El muy perverso preguntó si había en el cielo un Soberano que hubiera ordenado celebrar el día sábado.	3 Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,
4 Ellos le respondieron: «El mismo Señor que vive en el cielo es el Soberano que ha mandado observar el séptimo día».	4 Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.
5 El replicó: «También yo soy soberano en la tierra y ordeno empuñar las armas para servir al rey». Sin embargo, no llegó a realizar su funesto designio.	5 But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,
6 Nicanor, ensoberbecido sobremanera, había decidido levantar un monumento público, con los trofeos ganados a los hombres de Judas.	6 He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.
7 Por el contrario, el Macabeo mantenía una confianza inalterable, esperando recibir la ayuda del Señor.	7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
8 El exhortaba a sus compañeros a no temer el ataque de los paganos, y a contar con la victoria que también esta vez les vendría de la mano del Todopoderoso, recordando los auxilios que antes habían recibido del Cielo.	8 Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.
9 También los alentaba, por medio de la Ley y los Profetas, recordándoles los combates que habían sostenido exitosamente, y así reavivó su coraje.	9 Wherefore, 0 king, seeing thou knoweat all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,
10 Y al mismo tiempo que les infundía valor, los estimulaba mostrándoles la deslealtad de los paganos y cómo violaban sus juramentos.	10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11 De esa manera, armó a cada uno de ellos, no tanto con la seguridad que dan los escudos y las lanzas, cuanto con la confianza que infunden las palabras de aliento. Además les expuso un sueño totalmente fidedigno, que los alegró a todos.	11 Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.
12 El había visto lo siguiente: Onías, el que había sido Sumo Sacerdotes, hombre cabal, de trato modesto, de carácter afable, de hablar mesurado, ejercitado desde niño en todas las prácticas virtuosas, oraba con los brazos extendidos por toda la comunidad de los judíos.	12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
13 Luego apareció también un personaje que se destacaba por sus cabellos blancos y su prestancia, revestido de una dignidad soberana y majestuosa.	13 Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.
14 Entonces Onías tomó la palabra y dijo: «Este es Jeremías, el profeta de Dios, que ama a sus hermanos, y ora sin cesar por su pueblo y por la Ciudad santa».	14 Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by docks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.
15 Después Jeremías extendió su mano derecha y entregó a Judas una espada de oro, diciendo mientras se la daba:	15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him, who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.
16 «Recibe esta espada santa como un don de Dios: con ella destruirás a tus enemigos».	16 Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.
17 Reconfortados con estas bellísimas palabras de Judas, capaces de llevar al heroísmo y de robustecer los corazones juveniles, todos decidieron no quedarse a la defensiva, sino lanzarse valerosamente a la ofensiva, y decidir la situación luchando con la mayor valentía, porque estaban en peligro la Ciudad, las instituciones sagradas y el Santuario.	17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
18 El cuidado de las mujeres y los niños, de sus hermanos y parientes, pasaba a segundo plano; lo primero y principal era el Templo consagrado.	18 Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas' companions, and the greatness of courage with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.
19 Y no era menor la angustia de los que habían quedado en la ciudad, preocupados como estaban por el combate que se iba a librar en campo abierto.	19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.
20 Todos aguardaban el desenlace inminente. Los enemigos ya se habían concentrado y el ejército se había alineado en orden de batalla; los elefantes estaban situados en lugares estratégicos y la caballería se había ubicado en los flancos.	20 And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, the) were all of one mind to consent to covenants.
21 Entonces el Macabeo, al ver las tropas que tenía delante, la variedad de las armas con que estaban equipadas y la ferocidad de los elefantes, extendió las manos hacia el cielo e invocó al Señor que hace prodigios, porque sabía muy bien que no es por medio de las armas, sino de la manera como él lo decide, que otorga la victoria a los que la merecen.	21 So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.
22 El hizo su invocación con estas palabras: «Tú, gran Señor, enviaste a tú ángel a Ezequías, rey de Judá, y él exterminó a ciento ochenta y cinco mil hombres del ejército de Senaquerib.	22 But Judas ordered men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might he suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.
23 Envía también ahora, Soberano del cielo, un ángel protector delante de nosotros para sembrar el pánico y el terror.	23 And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
24 ¡Que por la fuerza de tu brazo queden aterrados los que avanzan blasfemando contra tu Pueblo santo!». Así terminó su oración.	24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.
25 Mientras las tropas de Nicanor avanzaban al son de trompetas y cantos de guerra,	25 And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.
26 los hombres de Judas se enfrentaron con sus enemigos entre invocaciones y plegarias.	26 But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.
27 Ellos luchaban con sus manos, y con el corazón oraban a Dios. Así abatieron a no menos de treinta y cinco mil hombres, y se regocijaron por la visible intervención de Dios.	27 Then the king being in a rage and provoked with this man's wicked accusations, wrote to Nicanor, signifying, that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
28 Cuando volvían gozosos del combate, reconocieron a Nicanor, tendido en tierra con su armadura.	28 When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.
29 Entre gritos y clamores, bendecían al Señor en la lengua de sus padres.	29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.
30 Después, el que se había entregado por entero, en cuerpo y alma, combatiendo en primera línea por sus compatriotas, el que había conservado hacia ellos el afecto de su juventud, mandó cortar la cabeza y un brazo entero de Nicanor, y ordenó que los llevaran a Jerusalén.	30 But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner: and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.
31 Al llegar allí, convocó a sus compatriotas y a los sacerdotes, se puso delante del altar y mandó buscar a los de la Ciudadela.	31 But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
32 Entonces les mostró la cabeza del malvado Nicanor y el brazo que aquel blasfemo, en un arrebato de soberbia, había levantado contra la santa Casa del Todopoderoso.	32 And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
33 Luego mandó que la lengua del impío Nicanor fuera cortada a pedazos y arrojada a los pájaros, y que su brazo fuera colgado frente al Santuario, como pago de su insensatez.	33 And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
34 Todos elevaron sus bendiciones hacia el cielo, en honor del Señor que se les había manifestado, exclamando: «¡Bendito sea el que ha conservado sin mancha su Lugar santo!».	34 And when he had spoken thus he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
35 Judas mandó colgar de la Ciudadela la cabeza de Nicanor, como un signo manifiesto y visible a todos de la protección del Señor.	35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
36 Todos decretaron de común acuerdo que aquel día no se dejara de conmemorar, sino que fuera celebrado el día trece del duodécimo mes –llamado Adar en arameo– víspera del día llamado de Mardoqueo.	36 Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.
37 Estos son los sucesos referentes a Nicanor. Como a partir de entonces la Ciudad quedó en poder de los hebreos, aquí mismo terminaré mi relato.	37 Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his affection was called the father of the Jews.
38 Si este ha sido bueno y bien logrado, no es otra cosa lo que yo pretendía. Si, por el contrario, es imperfecto y mediocre, lo cierto es que hice todo lo que pude.	38 This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.
39 Porque así como beber solamente vino o solamente agua es perjudicial y, en cambio, el vino mezclado con agua es agradable y produce un placer especial, de la misma manera la disposición armoniosa del relato agrada a los oídos de los que leen la obra. Y con esto, llegamos al fin.	39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
	40 For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
	41 Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:
	42 Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.
	43 But whereas through haste he missed of giving himself a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:
	44 But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.
	45 And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:
	46 And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels with both hands, he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.