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Domenica, 5 maggio 2024 - Beato Nunzio Sulprizio ( Letture di oggi)

1 Maccabees 11


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NEW AMERICAN BIBLENOVA VULGATA
1 The king of Egypt gathered his forces, as numerous as the sands of the seashore, and many ships; and he sought by deceit to take Alexander's kingdom and add it to his own.1 Et rex Aegypti congregavit exercitum sicut arena, quae est circa orammaris, et naves multas et quaerebat obtinere regnum Alexandri dolo et addereillud regno suo.
2 He entered Syria with peaceful words, and the people in the cities opened their gates to welcome him, as King Alexander had ordered them to do, since Ptolemy was his father-in-law.2 Et exiit in Syriam verbis pacificis, et aperiebant eicivitates et occurrebant ei, quia mandaverat Alexander rex exire ei obviam, eoquod socer suus esset.
3 But when Ptolemy entered the cities, he stationed garrison troops in each one.3 Cum autem introiret civitatem, Ptolemaeus ponebatcustodias militum in singulis civitatibus.
4 When he reached Azotus, he was shown the temple of Dagon destroyed by fire, Azotus and its suburbs demolished, corpses lying about, and the charred bodies of those burned by Jonathan in the war and stacked up along his route.4 Et, ut appropiavit Azoto,ostenderunt ei templum Dagon succensum et Azotum et suburbana eius demolita etcorpora proiecta et combustos, quos combusserat in bello; fecerant enim tumuloseorum in via eius.
5 To prejudice the king against Jonathan, he was told what the latter had done; but the king said nothing.5 Et narraverunt regi, quae fecit Ionathas, ut vituperarenteum; et tacuit rex.
6 Jonathan met the king with pomp at Joppa, and they greeted each other and spent the night there.6 Et occurrit Ionathas regi in Ioppen cum gloria, et invicemse salutaverunt et dormierunt illic.
7 Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus and then returned to Jerusalem.7 Et abiit Ionathas cum rege usque adfluvium, qui vocatur Eleutherus, et reversus est in Ierusalem.
8 Plotting evil against Alexander, King Ptolemy took possession of the cities along the seacoast as far as Seleucia-by-the-Sea.8 Rex autemPtolemaeus obtinuit dominium civitatum maritimarum usque Seleuciam maritimam etcogitabat in Alexandrum consilia mala.
9 He sent ambassadors to King Demetrius, saying: "Come, let us make a pact with each other; I will give you my daughter whom Alexander has married, and you shall reign over your father's kingdom.9 Et misit legatos ad Demetrium dicens:“ Veni, componamus inter nos pactum, et dabo tibi filiam meam, quam habetAlexander, et regnabis in regno patris tui;
10 I regret that I gave him my daughter, for he has sought to kill me."10 paenitet enim me quod dederimilli filiam meam: quaesivit enim me occidere ”.
11 His real reason for accusing Alexander, however, was that he coveted Alexander's kingdom.11 Et vituperavit eum,propterea quod concupisceret regnum eius.
12 After taking his daughter away and giving her to Demetrius, Ptolemy broke with Alexander; their enmity became open.12 Et abstulit filiam suam et dediteam Demetrio et alienavit se ab Alexandro, et manifestatae sunt inimicitiaeeorum.
13 Then Ptolemy entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he thus wore two crowns on his head, that of Egypt and that of Asia.13 Et intravit Ptolemaeus Antiochiam et imposuit duo diademata capitisuo, Aegypti et Asiae.
14 King Alexander was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of that region had revolted.14 Alexander autem rex erat in Cilicia illis temporibus,quia rebellabant, qui erant de locis illis;
15 When Alexander heard the news, he came to challenge Ptolemy in battle. Ptolemy marched out and met him with a strong force and put him to flight.15 et audivit Alexander et venit adeum in bello. Et produxit Ptolemaeus exercitum et occurrit ei in manu valida etfugavit eum.
16 Alexander fled to Arabia to seek protection. King Ptolemy's triumph was complete16 Et fugit Alexander in Arabiam, ut ibi protegeretur; rex autemPtolemaeus exaltatus est.
17 when the Arab Zabdiel cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.17 Et abstulit Zabdiel Arabs caput Alexandri et misitPtolemaeo.
18 But three days later King Ptolemy himself died, and his men in the fortified cities were killed by the inhabitants of the strongholds.18 Et rex Ptolemaeus mortuus est in die tertia; et qui erant inmunitionibus, perierunt ab his, qui erant in munitionibus.
19 Thus Demetrius became king in the year one hundred and sixty-seven.19 Et regnavitDemetrius anno centesimo sexagesimo septimo.
20 At that time Jonathan gathered together the men of Judea to attack the citadel in Jerusalem, and they set up many machines against it.20 In diebus illis congregavit Ionathas eos, qui erant de Iudaea, ut expugnarentarcem, quae est in Ierusalem; et fecerunt contra eam machinas multas.
21 Some transgressors of the law, enemies of their own nation, went to the king and informed him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.21 Etabierunt quidam, qui oderant gentem suam, viri iniqui ad regem et renuntiaveruntei quod Ionathas obsideret arcem.
22 When Demetrius heard this, he was furious, and set out immediately for Ptolemais. He wrote to Jonathan to discontinue the siege and to meet him for a conference at Ptolemais as soon as possible.22 Et audiens iratus est et statim, utaudivit, movit castra et venit ad Ptolemaidam et scripsit Ionathae, ne obsideretarcem et ut occurreret sibi ad colloquium in Ptolemaidam festinato.
23 On hearing this, Jonathan ordered the siege to continue. He selected some elders and priests of Israel and exposed himself to danger23 Utaudivit autem Ionathas, iussit obsidere et elegit de senioribus Israel et desacerdotibus et dedit se periculo
24 by going to the king at Ptolemais. He brought with him silver, gold apparel, and many other presents, and found favor with the king.24 et accepit argentum et aurum et vestem etalia xenia multa et abiit ad regem in Ptolemaidam et invenit gratiam inconspectu eius.
25 Although some impious men of his own nation brought charges against him,25 Et interpellabant adversus eum quidam iniqui ex gente sua.
26 the king treated him just as his predecessors had done and showed him great honor in the presence of all his Friends.26 Et fecit ei rex, sicut fecerant ei qui ante eum fuerant, et exaltavit eum inconspectu omnium amicorum suorum
27 He confirmed him in the high priesthood and in all the honors he had previously held, and had him enrolled among his Chief Friends.27 et statuit ei principatum sacerdotii et,quaecumque alia habuit prius pretiosa, et fecit eum principem primorum amicorum.
28 Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judea and the three districts of Samaria from tribute, promising him in return three hundred talents.28 Et postulavit Ionathas a rege, ut immunem faceret Iudaeam et tres toparchiaset Samaritidem, et promisit ei talenta trecenta.
29 The king agreed and wrote the following letter to Jonathan about all these matters: Pact with Demetrius29 Et consensit rex et scripsitIonathae epistulas de his omnibus hunc modum continentes:
30 "King Demetrius sends greetings to his brother Jonathan and to the Jewish nation.30 “ Rex Demetriusfratri Ionathae salutem et genti Iudaeorum.
31 We are sending you, for your information, a copy of the letter that we wrote to Lasthenes our kinsman concerning you.31 Exemplum epistulae, quamscripsimus Lastheni parenti nostro de vobis, scripsimus et ad vos, ut sciretis:
32 "'King Demetrius sends greetings to his father Lasthenes.32 “Rex Demetrius Lastheni patri salutem.
33 Because of the good will they show us, we have decided to bestow benefits on the Jewish nation, who are our friends and who observe their obligations to us.33 Genti Iudaeorum amicis nostris etconservantibus, quae iusta sunt apud nos, decrevimus benefacere propterbenignitatem ipsorum, quam erga nos habent.
34 Therefore we confirm their possession, not only of the territory of Judea, but also of the three districts of Aphairema, Lydda, and Ramathaim. These districts, together with all their dependencies, were transferred from Samaria to Judea in favor of all those who offer sacrifices for us in Jerusalem instead of paying the royal taxes that formerly the king received from them each year from the produce of the soil and the fruit of the trees.34 Statuimus ergo illis finesIudaeae et tres regiones, Apherema et Lydda et Ramathaim, quae additae suntIudaeae ex Samaritide, et omnia confinia earum, omnibus sacrificantibus inHierosolymis, pro regalibus, quae ab eis prius accipiebat rex per singulos annosde fructibus terrae et pomorum;
35 From this day on we grant them release from payment of all other things that would henceforth be due to us, that is, of tithes and tribute and of the tax on the salt pans and the crown tax.35 et alia, quae ad nos pertinent ex hoc temporedecimarum et tributorum pertinentium ad nos, et salis stagna et pertinentes adnos coronas, omnia ipsis concedimus.
36 Henceforth none of these provisions shall ever be revoked.36 Et nihil horum irritum erit ex hoc et inomne tempus.
37 Be sure, therefore, to have a copy of these instructions made and given to Jonathan, that it may be displayed in a conspicuous place on the holy hill.'"37 Nunc ergo curate facere horum exemplum, et detur Ionathae etponatur in monte sancto in loco celebri” ”.
38 When King Demetrius saw that the land was peaceful under his rule and that he had no opposition, he dismissed his entire army, every man to his home, except the foreign troops which he had hired from the islands of the nations. So all the soldiers who had served under his predecessors hated him.38 Et videns Demetrius rex quod siluit terra in conspectu suo, et nihil eiresistit, dimisit totum exercitum suum, unumquemque in locum suum, exceptoperegrino exercitu, quem contraxit ab insulis gentium; et inimici erant ei omnesexercitus patrum eius.
39 When a certain Trypho, who had previously belonged to Alexander's party, saw that all the troops were grumbling at Demetrius, he went to Imalkue the Arab, who was bringing up Alexander's young son Antiochus.39 Tryphon autem erat quidam partium Alexandri prius etvidit quoniam omnis exercitus murmurabat contra Demetrium et ivit ad ImalcueArabem, qui nutriebat Antiochum filium Alexandri;
40 Trypho kept urging Imalkue to hand over the boy to him, that he might make him king in his father's place. During his stay there of many days, he told him of all that Demetrius had done and of the hatred that his soldiers had for him.40 et assidebat ei, uttraderet eum ipsi, ut regnaret loco patris sui. Et enuntiavit ei quantaconstituerat Demetrius et inimicitias exercituum eius adversus illum; et mansitibi diebus multis.
41 Meanwhile Jonathan sent the request to King Demetrius to withdraw his troops from the citadel of Jerusalem and from the other strongholds, for they were constantly hostile to Israel.41 Et misit Ionathas ad Demetrium regem, ut eiceret eos, qui in arce erant inIerusalem et qui in praesidiis erant, quia impugnabant Israel.
42 Demetrius, in turn, sent this word to Jonathan: "I will not only do this for you and your nation, but I will greatly honor you and your nation when I find the opportunity.42 Et misitDemetrius ad Ionathan dicens: “ Non haec tantum faciam tibi et genti tuae, sedgloria illustrabo te et gentem tuam, cum fuerit opportunum;
43 Do me the favor, therefore, of sending men to fight for me, because all my troops have revolted."43 nunc ergo rectefeceris, si miseris in auxilium mihi viros, quia discessit omnis exercitus meus”.
44 So Jonathan sent three thousand good fighting men to him at Antioch. When they came to the king, he was delighted over their arrival,44 Et misit ei Ionathas tria milia virorum fortium Antiochiam, et veneruntad regem, et delectatus est rex in adventu eorum.
45 for the populace, one hundred and twenty thousand strong, had massed in the center of the city in an attempt to kill him.45 Et convenerunt, qui erantde civitate, centum viginti milia virorum, et volebant interficere regem;
46 But he took refuge in the palace, while the populace gained control of the main streets and began to fight.46 etfugit rex in aulam, et occupaverunt, qui erant de civitate, itinera civitatis etcoeperunt pugnare.
47 So the king called the Jews to his aid. They all rallied around him and spread out through the city. On that day they killed about a hundred thousand men in the city,47 Et vocavit rex Iudaeos in auxilium, et convenerunt omnessimul ad eum et dispersi sunt per civitatem; et occiderunt in illa die centummilia hominum.
48 which, at the same time, they set on fire and plundered on a large scale. Thus they saved the king's life.48 Et succenderunt civitatem et ceperunt spolia multa in die illaet liberaverunt regem.
49 When the populace saw that the Jews held the city at their mercy, they lost courage and cried out to the king in supplication,49 Et viderunt, qui erant de civitate, quod obtinuissentIudaei civitatem, sicut volebant, et infirmati sunt mente sua et clamaverunt adregem cum precibus dicentes:
50 "Give us your terms and let the Jews stop attacking us and our city." So they threw down their arms and made peace.50 “ Da nobis dextras, et cessent Iudaeioppugnare nos et civitatem ”.
51 The Jews thus gained glory in the eyes of the king and all his subjects, and they became renowned throughout his kingdom. Finally they returned to Jerusalem with much spoil.51 Et proiecerunt arma sua et fecerunt pacem; etglorificati sunt Iudaei in conspectu regis et in conspectu omnium, qui erant inregno eius, et nominati sunt in regno et regressi sunt in Ierusalem habentesspolia multa.
52 But when King Demetrius was sure of his royal throne, and the land was peaceful under his rule,52 Et sedit Demetrius rex in sede regni sui, et siluit terra inconspectu eius.
53 he broke all his promises and became estranged from Jonathan. Instead of rewarding Jonathan for all the favors he had received from him, he caused him much trouble.53 Et mentitus est omnia, quaecumque dixit, et abalienavit se aIonatha et non retribuit ei secundum beneficia, quae sibi tribuerat, et vexabateum valde.
54 After this, Trypho returned and brought with him the young boy Antiochus, who became king and wore the royal crown.54 Post haec autem reversus est Tryphon, et Antiochus cum eo puer adulescentior;et regnavit et imposuit sibi diadema.
55 All the soldiers whom Demetrius had discharged rallied around Antiochus and fought against Demetrius, who was routed and fled.55 Et congregati sunt ad eum omnesexercitus, quos disperserat Demetrius, et pugnaverunt contra eum, et fugit etterga vertit.
56 Trypho captured the elephants and occupied Antioch.56 Et accepit Tryphon bestias et obtinuit Antiochiam.
57 Then young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan: "I confirm you in the high priesthood and appoint you ruler over the four districts and wish you to be one of the King's Friends."57 Etscripsit Antiochus adulescentior Ionathae dicens: “ Constituo tibi summumsacerdotium et constituo te super quattuor regiones et ut sis de amicis regis”.
58 He also sent him gold dishes and a dinner service, gave him the right to drink from gold cups, to dress in royal purple, and to wear a gold buckle.58 Et misit illi vasa aurea et ministerium et dedit ei potestatem bibendiin auro et esse in purpura et habere fibulam auream.
59 Likewise, he made Jonathan's brother Simon governor of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontier of Egypt.59 Et Simonem fratrem eiusconstituit ducem a descensu Tyri usque ad fines Aegypti.
60 Jonathan set out and traveled through West-of-Euphrates and its cities, and all the forces of Syria espoused his cause as allies. When he arrived at Ashkalon, the citizens welcomed him with pomp.60 Et exiit Ionathas etperambulabat trans flumen et in civitatibus, et congregatus est ad eum omnisexercitus Syriae in auxilium; et venit Ascalonem, et occurrerunt ei honorificede civitate.
61 But when he set out for Gaza, the people of Gaza locked their gates against him. So he besieged it and burned and plundered its suburbs.61 Et abiit inde Gazam, et concluserunt, qui erant Gazae; etobsedit eam et succendit, quae erant in circuitu civitatis, et praedatus est ea.
62 Then the people of Gaza appealed to him for mercy, and he granted them peace. He took the sons of their chief men as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. He then traveled on through the province as far as Damascus.62 Et rogaverunt Gazenses Ionathan, et dedit illis dexteram et accepit filiosprincipum eorum obsides et misit illos in Ierusalem; et perambulavit regionemusque Damascum.
63 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had come with a strong force to Kadesh in Galilee, intending to remove him from office.63 Et audivit Ionathas quod aderant principes Demetrii in Cades,quae est in Galilaea, cum exercitu multo volentes eum removere a negotio;
64 So he went to meet them, leaving his brother Simon in the province.64 etoccurrit illis, fratrem autem suum Simonem reliquit in regione.
65 Simon besieged Beth-zur, attacked it for many days, and blockaded the inhabitants.65 Et applicuitSimon ad Bethsuram et expugnabat eam diebus multis et conclusit eos.
66 When they sued for peace, he granted it to them. He expelled them from the city, took possession of it, and put a garrison there.66 Etpostulaverunt ab eo dextras accipere, et dedit illis; et eiecit eos inde etcepit civitatem et posuit in ea praesidium.
67 Meanwhile, Jonathan and his army pitched their camp near the waters of Gennesaret, and at daybreak they went to the plain of Hazor.67 Et Ionathas et castra eius applicuerunt ad aquam Gennesar et ante lucemvigilaverunt in campo Asor.
68 There, in front of him on the plain, was the army of the foreigners. This army attacked him in the open, having first detached an ambush against him in the mountains.68 Et ecce castra alienigenarum occurrebant ei incampo et tendebant ei insidias in montibus; ipsi autem occurrerunt ex adverso.
69 Then the men in ambush rose out of their places and joined in the battle.69 Insidiae vero exsurrexerunt de locis suis et commiserunt proelium.
70 All of Jonathan's men fled; no one stayed except the army commanders Mattathias, son of Absalom, and Judas, son of Chalphi.70 Etfugerunt, qui erant ex parte Ionathae omnes, et nemo relictus est ex eis, nisiMatthathias filius Absalomi et Iudas filius Chalphi princeps militiae exercitus.
71 Jonathan tore his clothes, threw earth on his head, and prayed.71 Et scidit Ionathas vestimenta sua et posuit terram in capite suo et oravit.
72 Then he went back to the combat and so overwhelmed the enemy that they took to flight.72 Et reversus est ad eos in proelium et convertit eos in fugam; et fugerunt.
73 Those of his men who were running away saw it and returned to him; and with him they pursued the enemy as far as their camp in Kadesh, where they pitched their own camp.73 Et viderunt, qui fugiebant partis illius, et reversi sunt ad eum etinsequebantur cum eo usque Cades, usque ad castra ipsorum, et applicueruntillic.
74 Three thousand of the foreign troops fell on that day. Then Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.74 Et ceciderunt de alienigenis in die illa tria milia virorum; etreversus est Ionathas in Ierusalem.