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Martedi, 7 maggio 2024 - Santa Flavia ( Letture di oggi)

2 Maccabees 14


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KING JAMES BIBLENOVA VULGATA
1 After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,1 Sed post triennii tempus co gnoverunt, qui cum Iuda erant, DemetriumSeleuci per portum apud Tripolim adnavigantem cum multitudine valida et navibus,
2 Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.2 tenuisse regionem, sublato Antiocho et procuratore eius Lysia.
3 Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,3 Alcimus autemquidam, qui summus sacerdos fuerat, sed voluntarie coinquinatus temporibusseditionis, considerans nullo modo sibi esse salutem neque accessum ultra adsanctum altare,
4 Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.4 venit ad regem Demetrium, centesimo quinquagesimo primo anno,offerens ei coronam auream et palmam, super haec et thallos, qui templi essevidebantur; et ipsa quidem die siluit.
5 Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto:5 Tempus autem opportunum dementiae suaenactus, convocatus a Demetrio ad consilium et interrogatus quo proposito etconsilio Iudaei niterentur,
6 Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.6 ad haec respondit: “ Ipsi, qui dicuntur Asidaei,Iudaeorum, quibus praeest Iudas Maccabaeus, bella nutriunt et seditiones moventnec patiuntur regnum esse quietum.
7 Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:7 Unde ego defraudatus parentum gloria, dicoautem summo sacerdotio, huc nunc veni,
8 First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforersaid.8 primo quidem de his, quae pertinent adregem, mera fide sentiens, secundo autem etiam civibus meis consulens; namillorum praedictorum inconsiderantia universum genus nostrum non modice laborat.
9 Wherefore, O king, seeing knowest all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all.9 Sed his singulis, tu rex, cognitis, et regioni et obsesso generi nostro,secundum quam habes omnibus obviam humanitatem, prospice;
10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.10 nam, quamdiusuperest Iudas, impossibile est pacem esse negotiis ”.
11 This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.11 Talibus autem ab hoc dictis, velocius ceteri amici hostiliter se habentesadversus Iudam inflammaverunt Demetrium.
12 And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,12 Qui statim assumens Nicanorem, quifuit praepositus elephantorum, et ducem ostendens Iudaeae misit,
13 Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.13 datismandatis, ut ipsum quidem Iudam occideret; eos vero, qui cum illo erant,dispergeret et constitueret Alcimum maximi templi summum sacerdotem.
14 Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities ot the Jews to be their welfare.14 Tuncgentes, quae de Iudaea fugerant Iudam, gregatim se Nicanori miscebant, miseriaset clades Iudaeorum prosperitates rerum suarum existimantes fore.
15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.15 Audito itaque Nicanoris adventu et conventu nationum, conspersi terrarogabant eum, qui populum suum constituit usque in aeternum quique suamportionem signis evidentibus protegit.
16 So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of Dessau.16 Imperante autem duce, statim indeprofectus congreditur eis ad castellum Dessau.
17 Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.17 Simon vero frater Iudaecommiserat cum Nicanore, sed lente ob repentinum adversariorum silentium victusevaserat.
18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword.18 Nicanor tamen audiens quam virtutem haberent, qui cum Iuda erant, et animimagnitudinem pro patriae certaminibus, sanguine iudicium facere metuebat.
19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.19 Quam ob rem misit Posidonium et Theodotum et Matthathiam, ut darent dextrasatque acciperent.
20 So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,20 Et, cum diu de his consilium ageretur, et ipse dux admultitudinem rettulisset, et paribus suffragiis pareret sententia, sponsionibuspacis annuerunt.
21 And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,21 Itaque diem constituerunt, qua secreto convenirent eodem, etprocessit utrimque currus, posuerunt sellas;
22 Ludas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.22 disposuit Iudas armatos paratoslocis opportunis, ne forte ab hostibus repente mali aliquid fieret; congruumcolloquium fecerunt.
23 Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him.23 Morabatur Nicanor Hierosolymis nihilque inique agebatgregesque turbarum, quae congregatae fuerant, dimisit.
24 And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he love the man from his heart24 Habebat autem Iudamsemper in conspectu, ex animo erat viro inclinatus.
25 He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.25 Rogavit eum ducere uxoremfiliosque procreare. Nuptias fecit, quiete egit, communiter vivebat.
26 But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king's successor.26 Alcimus autem, videns mutuam illorum benevolentiam et factas conventiones,accipiens venit ad Demetrium et dicebat Nicanorem aliena sentire a rebus; Iudamenim regni insidiatorem socium sibi designavit.
27 Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.27 Itaque rex exasperatus etpessimi huius criminationibus irritatus, scripsit Nicanori dicens graviterquidem se ferre de conventionibus, iubere tamen Maccabaeum citius vinctummittere Antiochiam.
28 When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.28 Quibus cognitis, Nicanor confusus erat et aegre ferebat,si ea, quae convenerant, irrita faceret, nulla a viro facta iniuria;
29 But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.29 sed,quia regi resisti non poterat, opportunitatem observabat, ut artificio illudperficeret.
30 Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.30 At Maccabaeus videns secum austerius agere Nicanorem et consuetumoccursum ferocius exhibentem, intellegens non ex optimo esse austeritatem, nonpaucis suorum congregatis, occultavit se a Nicanore.
31 But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas' policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man.31 Quod cum ille cognovitfortiter se a viro astutia praeventum, venit ad maximum et sanctum templum etsacerdotibus solitas hostias offerentibus iussit sibi tradi virum.
32 And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,32 Quibus cumiuramento dicentibus nescire se ubi esset, qui quaerebatur, extendens dexteramad templum
33 He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If ye will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.33 iuravit haec: “ Nisi Iudam mihi vinctum tradideritis, istud Deifanum in planitiem deducam et altare effodiam et templum hic Libero illustreerigam ”.
34 After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven, and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;34 Et, his dictis, abiit. Sacerdotes autem protendentes manus incaelum invocabant eum, qui semper propugnator fuit gentis nostrae, haecdicentes:
35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us:35 “ Tu, Domine universorum, qui nullius indiges, voluisti templumhabitationis tuae fieri in nobis;
36 Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.36 et nunc, Sancte, omnis sanctificationisDomine, conserva in aeternum impollutam domum istam, quae nuper mundata est ”.
37 Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.37 Razis autem quidam de senioribus ab Hierosolymis delatus est Nicanori, viramator civitatis et valde bene audiens, qui pro affectu pater Iudaeorumappellabatur.
38 For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.38 Hic enim pristinis temporibus seditionis iudicium pertuleratIudaismi corpusque et animam pro Iudaismo tradiderat cum omni perseverantia.
39 So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him:39 Volens autem Nicanor manifestare odium, quod habebat in Iudaeos, misit militessupra quingentos, ut eum comprehenderent;
40 For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.40 putabat enim, si illum cepisset, secladem istis illaturum.
41 Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword;41 Turbis autem turrim iam occupaturis et atrii ianuaevim facientibus atque iubentibus ignem admovere et portas incendi, ipse undiquecomprehensus supposuit sibi gladium
42 Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:42 volens nobiliter mori potius quamsubditus fieri peccatoribus et nobilitate sua indignis iniuriis affici.
43 But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.43 Sed,cum per contentionis festinationem non certo ictu plagam dedisset, et turbaeintra ostia irrumperent, recurrens audacter ad murum praecipitavit semetipsumviriliter in turbas;
44 But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.44 quibus velociter locum dantibus intervallo facto, venitper medium spatium vacuum.
45 Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,45 Et, cum adhuc spiraret, accensus animis surrexitet, cum sanguis ad modum fontis deflueret, et gravissima essent vulnera, cursuturbas pertransiens et stans supra quandam petram praeruptam,
46 When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.46 prorsusexsanguis iam effectus, proferens intestina et sumens utrisque manibus proiecitsuper turbas et invocans Dominatorem vitae ac spiritus, ut haec ipsi iterumredderet, ita vita defunctus est.