2 Maccabees 15

DOUAI-RHEIMS	BIBBIA VOLGARE
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 Sapendo Nicanore essere Giuda nè luoghi di Samaria, imaginossi di moverli guerra con grande impeto nel dì del sabbato.
2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.	2 Oude dicendoli li Giudei, li quali come sforzati il seguitavano, ch' egli non dovesse fare così feroce e barbaramente, ma dovesse dare l'onore al dì della santificazione, e onorare quello che risguarda tutte cose;
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 (ma) egli infelice addimandè, s' egli è in cielo alcuno potente, che comandi esser osservato il dì del sabbato.
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 Ma quelli rispondendo, ch' egli è il Signore vivente, egli è potente in cielo ha comandato solennizzare il dì del sabbato.
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 Alli quali quello disse: e io sono potente sopra la terra, il quale comando sia tolte l'arme, e adempiuto le faccende del re. Niente di meno non conseguitò ad (adempiere e) perficere il consiglio.
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 Onde Nicanore, elevato di somma superbia, avea imaginato di ordinare uno comune spettacolo di Giuda.
7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:	7 Ma confidavasi Maccabeo con ogni speranza, sempre esserli presente l'aiuto di Dio.
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 E confortava li suoi, che non si spaventasseno per il venire delle nazioni, ma che loro avessero nella mente li aiuti fatti a loro dal cielo, e al presente sperassero conseguire la vittoria dall' Onnipotente.
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 parloli della legge e de' profeti; movendo etiam li esèrciti, li quali prima avea fatti, feceli più pronti.
10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.	10 Di che raddrizzati i loro animi, mostravali insieme le fallacie delle genti, e la prevaricazione de' giuramenti.
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 Ed egli armò ciascuno di quelli, non con forza di scuto e di lancia, ma con ottimi parlari e conforti, esponendoli il sogno degno di fede, per la cui narrazione rallegrò tutti.
12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:	12 Ora il sogno era a tal modo: parevali vedere (per insogno, uno chiamato) Onia, il quale era stato sommo sacerdote, uomo buono e benigno, nel viso verecondo, modesto ne' costumi, ne' parlari ordinato, il quale esercitato da puerizia nelle virtù, raddrizzante le mani al cielo, e che egli orava per tutto il popolo de' 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 Dopo questo appargli vedere un altro uomo, di età e gloria mirabile, adornato di magno ornamento;
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 che rispondea a Onia, dicendo: questo è amatore delli fratelli e del popolo d' Israel; questo è quello che molto prega per il popolo e per tutta la città santa; egli è Ieremia profeta.
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 Parevali etiam vedere Ieremia estendere la mano destra, e dare a Giuda uno coltello 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 Togli il coltello santo, dono da Dio, nel quale scaccerai li inimici del popolo mio d' Israel.
17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.	17 Di che loro, molto confortati per li buoni parlari di Giuda, per li quali potesse commovere l'impeto, ed essere confortati li animi de' giovani, deliberorono di combattere e fortemente confligere, per giudicare la virtù delli officii; conciosia che ruinavansi la città santa e il tempio.
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 Certo eravi minore sollicitudine per le mogliere e figliuoli, ed etiam per li fratelli e parenti; ma massimo e il primo (pensiero) era il timore per la santità del tempio.
19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.	19 Ed etiam non era piccola sollicitudine per coloro ch' erano per assaltare [a] quelli ch' erano nella città.
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 E già sperando tutti il giudicio che dovea essere, ed essendovi oste presente, era ordinato lo esercito; etiam composti e ordinati al luogo opportuno le bestie e li cavalieri.
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 La quale cosa considerando Maccabeo, e vedendo il venire della moita gente con apparato di varie arme, ed etiam la ferocità delle bestie, alzando le mani al cielo, invocò il Signore facente le maraviglie, il quale dona la vittoria alli meriti, non secondo la potenza delle arme, [ma] come gli piace.
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 Onde egli, invocando, disse a tal modo: tu Signore, il quale mandasti l'angelo tuo sotto Ezechia, re di Giuda, e uccidesti cento e ottantacinque milia dell' esercito di Sennacherib;
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 ora, dominatore de' cieli, manda l'angiolo tuo buono, nel timore e tremore della magnitudine del tuo braccio,
24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.	24 acciò che temano quelli che vengono con la blasfemia contra il tuo santo popolo. Onde egli a questo modo (frequentemente) orò.
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 quelli ch' erano con lui, moveano (l'esercito) con le tube e canti.
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 Ed etiam Giuda, e quelli ch' erano con lui, invocato Iddio, per le orazioni si accostorno con la parte avversa.
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 Pugnando certo (e combattendo) con la mano, ma etiam con cuore orando al Signore, gittorono a terra non meno di trentacinque milia, rallegrati magnificamente per la 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 Onde cessando, e ritornando adrieto con sommo gaudio, intesero essere perito Nicanore con l'arme sue.
29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.	29 Di che, fatto il clamore e suscitata la turbazione, benedicevano con patria voce l'onnipotente Dio.
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 Poscia Giuda, il quale per ogni parte e con l' animo era apparecchiato di morire per li cittadini, comandò che fusse portato il capo, e la mano tagliata colla spalla di Nicanore, in Ierosolima.
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 [Al]la quale cosa poscia che furono pervenuti, convocati li suoi della tribù e li sacerdoti all' altare, chiamò etiam quelli ch' erano nella ròcca.
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 dimostrato il capo di Nicanore, e la scelerata mano la quale avea istesa contra la casa santa dell' onnipotente Dio, rallegrossi magnificamente.
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 egli etiam, essere tagliata la lingua dell' empio Nicanore, e a parte essere data alli uccelli; e la mano dell' impazzito essere appiccata dincontra 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 Tutti adunque benedicettero il Signore del cielo, dicendo: sia egli benedetto, il quale ha servato il luogo suo incontaminato.
35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.	35 Onde egli etiam appiccò il capo di Nicanore nell' alta parte della ròcca, acciò che fosse eminente 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 Di che tutti di comune consiglio deliberorono, che questo giorno per nullo modo passasse senza celebrazione;
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 si facesse la solennità nel terzo decimo dì del mese Adar, che dicesi in lingua Siriaca, l'altro die 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 Adunque fatte queste cose dicontra Nicanore, e (fu) da quelli tempi posseduta la città [dagli Ebrei], etiam io ponerò fine in questi parlari.
39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.	39 E se certo egli è stato detto bene, e come conviensi all' istoria, questo etiam io vorrei; ma se egli è stato men degno, egli è da imputare a me.
40 For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.	40 Come a bevere sempre vino, ovvero acqua, egli è contrario, ma a usar l'uno e l'altro egli è delettabile; così non sarà grato il parlare alli lettori, se il sarà ingiustamente domandato. Quivi adunque sarà egli consumato.
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.