2 Maccabees 15

DOUAI-RHEIMS	BIBBIA MARTINI
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.	1 Ma Nicanore avendo saputo, che Giuda era nel paese della Samaria, risolvè di assalirlo con tutte le forze in giorno di sabato.
2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.	2 Ma dicendo a lui que' Giudei, i quali per necessità lo seguivano: Non volere far cosa si strana, e barbara, ma rendi onore al giorno santo, e rispetta colui, che tutto vede:
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,	3 Quell'infelice domandò se vi fosse in cielo un Dio potente, che avesse ordinato di osservare il giorno di sabato.
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.	4 E avendo quelli risposto: Egli è lo stesso Dio vivo possente nel cielo, che ordinò di celebrare il settimo giorno,
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,	5 Egli allora disse: Ed io sono possente sopra la terra, e comando, che si prendano le armi, e cbe si serva il re. Egli però non potè eseguire i suoi disegni.
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.	6 Nicanore adunque trasportato dal la sua grandissima superbia avea in animo di ergere un trofeo comune de' Giudei.
7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:	7 Maccabeo però avea ferma fede, e speranza, che Dio gli avrebbe mandato soccorso:
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.	8 Ed esortava i suoi, che non temessero gli assalti delle nazioni, ma avessero in memoria come erano stati già aiutati dal cielo, e sperassero allora, che l'Onnipotente avrebbe data loro la vittoria.
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,	9 E ripetendo loro le parole della legge, e de' profeti, e rammentando le imprese fatte da loro ne' tempi precedenti, li rendè più animosi:
10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.	10 E ravvivato il loro coraggio, metteva anche in vista la perfidia delle genti, e i giuramenti violati.
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.	11 E armò ciascheduno di essi, non con dar loro degli scudi, e delle lancie, ma con ottimi ragionamenti, ed esortazioni e col riferire una visione degna di fede, la quale li riempiè' di allegrezza.
12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:	12 Or la visione fu tale: Egli vedeva Onia, che era stato sommo Sacerdote, uomo dabbene, e benigno, esercitato fin da fanciullo nelle virtù, colla sua verecondia nel volto, colla modestia nel suo portamento, colla sua grazia nel favellare, il quale stendendo le mani faceva orazione per tutto il popolo dei Giudei:
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.	13 E dipoi era comparso un altro uomo venerabile per l'età, e per la maestà, cinto di magnificenza da tutti i lati:
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.	14 E che Onia rispondendo a lui gli avea detto: Questi è l'amico de' fratelli, e del popolo di Israele; questi è colui che prega fortemente pel popolo, e per tutta la città santa, Geremia Profeta di Dio.
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.	15 E che Geremia aveva stesa la mano destra, e aveva data a Giuda una Spalla d'oro, dicendo:
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.	16 Prendi questa spada santa, dono di Dio, per mezzo del quale tu getterai per terra i nemici del mio popolo di israeliti.
17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.	17 Ouegli adunque incoraggiti dalle parole di Giuda molto efficaci, le quali servivano ad avvivare il vigore, e confortare gli animi della gioventù, risolverono di valorosamente combattere, e menare le mani, affinchè giudice della causa fosse il valore, atteso che e la città santa, e il tempio erano in pericolo.
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.	18 Perocché minore era la pena, che facean loro le mogli, e i figliuoli, e i fratelli, e i parenti; ma il massimo, e principal timore era per la santità del tempio:
19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.	19 Ma quelli, che erano nella città erano non poco inquieti della sorte di quelli, che erano per venire a battaglia.
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.	20 Ma quando tutti già aspettavano la decisione della contesa, e i nemici eran presenti, e l'esercito messo in ordine, e gli elefanti, e i cavalli ai luoghi loro,
21 So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.	21 Maccabeo considerando quella moltitudine, che si avanzava, e la varia maniera delle armi, e la ferocità degli elefanti, stese le mani al cielo invocò quel Signore, che fa i prodigj, il quale non secondo la forza degli eserciti, ma conforme a lui piace, da la vittoria a chi ne è degno,
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.	22 E lo invocò con queste parole: Tu, Signore, se' quegli, che mandasti il tuo Angelo a tempo di Ezechia re di Giuda, e uccidesti nel compo di Sennacherib cento ottanta cinque mila uomini:
23 And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.	23 E adesso o Signore dei cieli, manda il tuo buon Angelo innanzi a noi, che dia a conoscere la forza del terribile, e tremendo tuo braccio,
24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.	24 Affinchè restino sbigottiti quelli, i quali bestemmiando si muovono contro il tuo popolo santo. Cosi terminò egli la sua orazione.
25 And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.	25 Ma Nicanore, e la sua gente si avvicinarono al suono delle trombe, e delle canzoni.
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.	26 E Giuda co' suoi, invocato Dio coll'orazione, attaccarono la zuffa:
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.	27 E combattendo colla mano, ma pregando Dio col cuore, uccisero niente meno di trenta cinque mila uomini, essendo stati grandiosamente confortati dalla presenza di Dio.
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.	28 E mentre pieni di allegrezza se ne tornavano indietro, finita già la battaglia, seppero come Nicanore giaceva colle sue armi prostrato per terra.
29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.	29 Alzato perciò un grido, e levatosi un grande strepito, benedicevano nel natio linguaggio il Signore onnipotente.
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.	30 Ma Giuda sempre pronto di corpo, e di animo a morire pe' concittadini, ordinò, che si tagliasse il capo di Nicanore, e il braccio colla spalla, e si portassero a Gerusalemme.
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.	31 E quando vi fu arrivato, radunati i concittadini, e i sacordoti presso all'altare, chiamò anche quelli, che erano nella cittadella,
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,	32 E fatto vedere il capo di Nicanore, e la scellerata mano, la quale egli avea stesa verso la casa santa dell'onnipotente Iddio con vantamenti tanto superbi,
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.	33 Comandò, che la lingua dell'empio Nicanore fosse tagliata in piccoli pezzi, e gettata agli uccelli; la mano poi dell'insensato fosse appesa dirimpetto al tempio.
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:	34 Allora tutti benedissero il Signore del cielo, dicendo: Benedetto colui, che ha serbato esente da profanazione il suo tempio.
35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.	35 Egli appese anche il capo di Nicanore sulla cima della cittadella, affin chè fosse visibile, e manifesto segno dell'aiuto di Dio.
36 Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.	36 Or tutti di comune consenso determinarono, che non fosse in alcuni modo da passarsi quel giórno senza solennità;
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.	37 E che questa solennità si facesse a' tredici del mese chiamato con voce Siriaca Adar, un giorno prima del giorno di Mardocheo.
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.	38 Fatte queste cose contro Nicanore essendo stati gli Ebrei da quel tempo in poi padroni della città, io pure qui porrò fine al mio racconto.
39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.	39 Il quale se cammina bene, e come a una storia conviensi, questo io pure bramai; se poi non con tutta dignità, mi si conceda perdono:
40 For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.	40 Perocché siccome il bere o sempre vino, o sempre acqua fa danno, ma diletta il far uso or dell'una, or dell'altro; così il ragionare se è sempre molto limato non sarà gradito ai lettori. Qui adunque farò fine.
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.