2 Maccabees 11

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Very soon afterward, Lysias, guardian and kinsman of the king and head of the government, being greatly displeased at what had happened,	1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.
2 mustered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and marched against the Jews. His plan was to make Jerusalem a Greek settlement;	2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.
3 to levy tribute on the temple, as he did on the sanctuaries of the other nations; and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year.	3 And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the leaves of proposition.
4 He did not take God's power into account at all, but felt exultant confidence in his myriads of foot soldiers, his thousands of horsemen, and his eighty elephants.	4 And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord, lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and blasphemous men.
5 So he invaded Judea, and when he reached Beth-zur, a fortified place about twenty miles from Jerusalem, launched a strong attack against it.	5 Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the strangers, on the very same day it was cleansed again, to wit, on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu.
6 When Maccabeus and his men learned that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people begged the Lord with lamentations and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.	6 And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beasts.
7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he exhorted the others to join him in risking their lives to help their kinsmen. Then they resolutely set out together.	7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
8 Suddenly, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white garments and brandishing gold weapons.	8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.
9 Then all of them together thanked God for his mercy, and their hearts were filled with such courage that they were ready to assault not only men, but the most savage beasts, yes, even walls of iron.	9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.
10 Now that the Lord had shown his mercy toward them, they advanced in battle order with the aid of their heavenly ally.	10 But now we will relate the acts of Eupator the son of that wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in the wars.
11 Hurling themselves upon the enemy like lions, they laid low eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the rest to flight.	11 For when he was come to the crown. he appointed over the affairs of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria.
12 Most of those who got away were wounded and stripped of their arms, while Lysias himself escaped only by shameful flight.	12 For Ptolemee that was called Macer, was determined to be strictly just to the Jews, and especially by reason of the wrong that had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them.
13 But Lysias was not a stupid man. He reflected on the defeat he had suffered, and came to realize that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God was their ally. He therefore sent a message	13 But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus which Philometor had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison.
14 persuading them to settle everything on just terms, and promising to persuade the king also, and to induce him to become their friend.	14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.
15 Maccabeus, solicitous for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias proposed; and the king, on his part, granted in behalf of the Jews all the written requests of Maccabeus to Lysias.	15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.
16 These are the terms of the letter which Lysias wrote to the Jews: "Lysias sends greetings to the Jewish people.	16 Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds of the Idumeans:
17 John and Absalom, your envoys, have presented your signed communication and asked about the matters contained in it.	17 And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty thousand.
18 Whatever had to be referred to the king I called to his attention, and the things that were acceptable he has granted.	18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,
19 If you maintain your loyalty to the government, I will endeavor to further your interests in the future.	19 Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were with them in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those expeditions which urged more.
20 On the details of these matters I have authorized my representatives, as well as your envoys, to confer with you.	20 Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded For the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape.
21 Farewell." The year one hundred and forty-eight, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.	21 But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape.
22 The king's letter read thus: "King Antiochus sends greetings to his brother Lysias.	22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.
23 Now that our father has taken his place among the gods, we wish the subjects of our kingdom to be undisturbed in conducting their own affairs.	23 And having good success in arms and in all things he took in hand, he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds.
24 We understand that the Jews do not agree with our father's policy concerning Greek customs but prefer their own way of life. They are petitioning us to let them retain their own customs.	24 But Timotheus who before had been overcome by the Jews, having called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.
25 Since we desire that this people too should be undisturbed, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live in keeping with the customs of their ancestors.	25 But Machabeus and they that were with him, when he drew near, prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads and girding their loins with haircloth,
26 Accordingly, please send them messengers to give them our assurances of friendship, so that, when they learn of our decision, they may have nothing to worry about but may contentedly go about their own business."	26 And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law saith.
27 The king's letter to the people was as follows: "King Antiochus sends greetings to the Jewish senate and to the rest of the Jews.	27 And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they rested.
28 If you are well, it is what we desire. We too are in good health.	28 But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the one part having with their valour the Lord for a surety o victory and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in battle.
29 Menelaus has told us of your wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.	29 But when they were in the heat of the engagement there appeared to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely with golden bridles, conducting the Jews:
30 Therefore, those who return by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our assurance of full permission	30 Two of whom took Machabeus between them, and covered him on every side with their arms, and kept him safe: but cast darts and fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble.
31 to observe their dietary laws and other laws, just as before, and none of the Jews shall be molested in any way for faults committed through ignorance.	31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
32 I have also sent Menelaus to reassure you.	32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.
33 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.
34 The Romans also sent them a letter as follows: "Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, legates of the Romans, send greetings to the Jewish people.	34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.
35 Whatever Lysias, kinsman of the king, has granted you, we also approve.	35 But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce courage got up upon it.
36 But the matters on which he passed judgment should be submitted to the king. As soon as you have considered them, send someone to us with your decisions so that we may present them to your advantage, for we are on our way to Antioch.	36 Moreover others also getting up after them, went to set Are to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.
37 Make haste, then, to send us those who can inform us of your intentions.	37 And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.
38 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	38 And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory.