2 Maccabees 11

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NOVA VULGATA
1 Very soon afterward, Lysias, guardian and kinsman of the king and head of the government, being greatly displeased at what had happened,	1 Sed parvo prorsus post tem pore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquusac negotiorum praepositus graviter ferens de his, quae acciderant,
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 congregatisoctoginta milibus et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Iudaeos existimans secivitatem quidem Graecis habitaculum facturum;
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 templum vero in pecuniaequaestum sicut cetera delubra gentium habiturum, et per singulos annos venalesacerdotium facturum,
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 nequaquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed elatusmultitudine peditum et milibus equitum et octoginta elephantis.
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 Ingressusautem Iudaeam et appropians Bethsuris, munito quidem praesidio, distanti autemab Hierosolymis intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud obsidione premebat.
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 Utautem, qui cum Maccabaeo erant, cognoverunt eum expugnare praesidia, cumfletibus et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelummitteret ad salutem Israel.
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 Et ipse primus Maccabaeus, sumptis armis, ceterosadhortatus est simul secum periculum subire et ferre auxilium fratribus suis;simul autem et prompto animo impetum fecerunt.
8 Suddenly, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white garments and brandishing gold weapons.	8 Ilico vero, cum propeHierosolymam essent, apparuit praecedens eos eques in veste candida armaturamauream vibrans.
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 Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Deum etconvaluerunt animis non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas et murosferreos parati penetrare.
10 Now that the Lord had shown his mercy toward them, they advanced in battle order with the aid of their heavenly ally.	10 Praeibant in apparatu de caelo habentes adiutorem,miserante super eos Domino.
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 Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes,prostraverunt ex eis undecim milia peditum et equitum mille sescentos, universosautem in fugam verterunt.
12 Most of those who got away were wounded and stripped of their arms, while Lysias himself escaped only by shameful flight.	12 Plures autem ex eis vulnerati, nudi evaserunt; sedet ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.
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 Et, quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se deminutionemet intellegens invictos esse Hebraeos, potente Deo auxiliante, misit ad eos
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 suasitque eis se consensurum omnibus, quae iusta sunt, et regem quoquepersuasurum, ut necessarium crederet se amicum eis esse.
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 Annuit autemMaccabaeus in omnibus, quae Lysias rogabat, utilitati consulens; quaecumque enimMaccabaeus scriptis tradidit Lysiae de Iudaeis, rex concessit.
16 These are the terms of the letter which Lysias wrote to the Jews: "Lysias sends greetings to the Jewish people.	16 Nam erant scriptae Iudaeis epistulae a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes:“ Lysias populo Iudaeorum salutem.
17 John and Absalom, your envoys, have presented your signed communication and asked about the matters contained in it.	17 Ioannes et Abessalom, qui missi fueranta vobis tradentes responsum rescriptum, postulabant circum ea, quae per illudsignificabantur.
18 Whatever had to be referred to the king I called to his attention, and the things that were acceptable he has granted.	18 Quaecumque igitur oportebat etiam regi perferri, exposui;et, quae res permittebat, concessit.
19 If you maintain your loyalty to the government, I will endeavor to further your interests in the future.	19 Si igitur in negotiis benevolentiamconservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esse tentabo.
20 On the details of these matters I have authorized my representatives, as well as your envoys, to confer with you.	20 De ceterisautem per singula mandavi et istis et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloquivobiscum.
21 Farewell." The year one hundred and forty-eight, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.	21 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, mensis IovisCorinthii die vicesima et quarta ”.
22 The king's letter read thus: "King Antiochus sends greetings to his brother Lysias.	22 Regis autem epistula ista continebat: “ Rex Antiochus Lysiae fratrisalutem.
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 Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos, qui sunt inregno nostro, sine tumultu attendere ad rerum suarum curam,
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 audientes Iudaeosnon consensisse patri, ut transferrentur ad Graecas institutiones, sed suoipsorum instituto adhaerentes postulare sibi concedi legitima sua;
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 cupientesigitur hanc quoque gentem extra tumultum esse, iudicamus templum illis restituiremque agi secundum suorum maiorum consuetudinem.
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 Bene igitur feceris, simiseris ad eos et dexteram dederis ut, cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sintet libenter propriarum rerum instaurationi deserviant ”.
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 Ad gentem vero regis epistula talis erat: “ Rex Antiochus senatui Iudaeorumet ceteris Iudaeis salutem.
28 If you are well, it is what we desire. We too are in good health.	28 Si valetis, sic est, ut volumus; sed et ipsi benevalemus.
29 Menelaus has told us of your wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.	29 Manifestavit nobis Menelaus velle vos redire et in negotiis propriisversari.
30 Therefore, those who return by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our assurance of full permission	30 His igitur, qui commeant usque ad diem tricesimum mensis Xanthici,erit dextera cum securitate,
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 ut Iudaei utantur cibis et legibus suis sicut etprius, et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patietur de his, quae per ignorantiamgesta sunt.
32 I have also sent Menelaus to reassure you.	32 Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.
33 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	33 Valete. Annocentesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quinta decima die ”.
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 Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistulam ita se habentem: “ Quintus Memmius,Titus Manius, legati Romanorum populo Iudaeorum salutem.
35 Whatever Lysias, kinsman of the king, has granted you, we also approve.	35 De his, quae Lysiascognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos consentimus.
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 De quibus autem ad regemiudicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittite inter vos conferentes de his, utproponamus, sicut congruit vobis; nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.
37 Make haste, then, to send us those who can inform us of your intentions.	37 Ideoquefestinate et mittite aliquos, ut nos quoque sciamus cuius estis voluntatis.
38 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.	38 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quinta decima die mensisXanthici ”.