Scrutatio

Domenica, 28 aprile 2024 - San Luigi Maria Grignion da Montfort ( Letture di oggi)

1 Maccabees 3


font
NEW JERUSALEMNOVA VULGATA
1 His son, Judas, known as Maccabaeus, then took his place.1 Et surrexit Iudas, qui vocaba tur Maccabaeus, filius eius pro eo.
2 Al his brothers, and al who had attached themselves to his father, supported him, and they fought forIsrael with a wil .2 Etadiuvabant eum omnes fratres eius et universi, qui se coniunxerant patri eius;et proeliabantur proelium Israel cum laetitia.
3 He extended the fame of his people. Like a giant, he put on the breastplate and buckled on his warharness; he engaged in battle after battle, protecting the ranks with his sword.3 Et dilatavit gloriam populo suoet induit se loricam sicut gigas et succinxit se arma bellica sua et proeliaconstituit protegens castra gladio.
4 He was like a lion in his exploits, like a young lion roaring over its prey.4 Similis factus est leoni in operibus suiset sicut catulus leonis rugiens in venationem;
5 He pursued and tracked down the renegades, he consigned those who troubled his people to theflames.5 et persecutus est iniquosperscrutans et eos, qui conturbabant populum suum, succendit.
6 The renegades quailed with the terror he inspired, all evil-doers were utterly confounded, anddeliverance went forward under his leadership.6 Et subducti suntiniqui prae timore eius, et omnes operarii iniquitatis conturbati sunt; etprosperata est salus in manu eius.
7 He brought bitterness to many a king and rejoicing to Jacob by his deeds, his memory is blessed forever and ever.7 Et exacerbabat reges multos; etlaetificabat Iacob in operibus suis, et in saeculum memoria eius inbenedictionem.
8 He went through the towns of Judah eliminating the irreligious from them, and diverted the Retributionfrom Israel.8 Et perambulavit in civitatibus Iudae et disperdidit impios exea et avertit iram ab Israel;
9 His name resounded to the ends of the earth, he rallied those who were on the point of perishing.9 et nominatus est usque ad ultimum terrae etcongregavit pereuntes.
10 Next, Apollonius mustered the gentiles and a large force from Samaria to make war on Israel.10 Et congregavit Apollonius gentes et a Samaria virtutem magnam ad bellandumcontra Israel.
11 When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him and routed and kil ed him. Many fell wounded, andthe survivors took to flight.11 Et cognovit Iudas et exiit obviam illi; et percussit eum etoccidit, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi, et reliqui fugerunt.
12 Their spoils were seized and the sword of Apollonius was taken by Judas, who used it to fight withthroughout his life.12 Et acceperuntspolia eorum, et gladium Apollonii accepit Iudas; et erat pugnans in eo omnibusdiebus.
13 On hearing that Judas had raised a mixed force of believers and seasoned fighters,13 Et audivit Seron, princeps exercitus Syriae, quod congregavit Iudascongregationem et convocationem fidelium secum et egredientium in proelium,
14 Seron, commander of the Syrian troops, said, 'I shall make a name for myself and gain honour in thekingdom if I fight Judas and those supporters of his who are so contemptuous of the king's orders.'14 et ait: “ Faciam mihi nomen et glorificabor in regno et debellabo Iudam eteos, qui cum ipso sunt, qui spernunt verbum regis ”.
15 He therefore launched another expedition, with a strong army of unbelievers to support him in takingrevenge on the Israelites.15 Et accessit, etascendit cum eo exercitus impiorum fortis auxiliari ei, ut faceret vindictam infilios Israel.
16 He had nearly reached the descent of Beth-Horon when Judas went out to confront him with a handfulof men.16 Et appropinquavit usque ad ascensum Bethoron, et exivit Iudasobviam illi cum paucis.
17 But as soon as these saw the force advancing to meet them, they said to Judas, 'How can we, few aswe are, engage such overwhelming numbers? We are exhausted as it is, not having had anything to eat today.'17 Ut autem viderunt exercitum venientem sibi obviamdixerunt Iudae: “ Quomodo poterimus pauci pugnare contra multitudinem tantam,fortem, et nos fatigati sumus ieiunio hodie? ”.
18 'It is easy', Judas answered, 'for a great number to be defeated by a few; indeed, in the sight ofHeaven, deliverance, whether by many or by few, is al one;18 Et ait Iudas: “ Facileest concludi multos in manibus paucorum; et non est differentia in conspectucaeli liberare in multis aut in paucis,
19 for victory in war does not depend on the size of the fighting force: Heaven accords the strength.19 quoniam non in multitudine exercitusvictoria belli, sed de caelo fortitudo est.
20 They are coming against us in ful -blown insolence and lawlessness to destroy us, our wives and ourchildren, and to plunder us;20 Ipsi veniunt ad nos inmultitudine contumeliae et iniquitatis, ut disperdant nos et uxores nostras etfilios nostros et ut spolient nos;
21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws,21 nos vero pugnamus pro animabus nostris etpro legitimis nostris,
22 and he will crush them before our eyes; do not be afraid of them.'22 et ipse Dominus conteret eos ante faciem nostram; vosautem ne timueritis eos ”.
23 When he had finished speaking, he made a sudden sal y against Seron and his force andoverwhelmed them.23 Ut cessavit autem loqui, insiluit in eos subito;et contritus est Seron et exercitus eius in conspectu ipsius.
24 Judas pursued them down from Beth-Horon as far as the plain. About eight hundred of their men fel ,and the rest took refuge in the country of the Philistines.24 Etpersequebantur eum in descensu Bethoron usque ad campum, et ceciderunt ex eisoctingenti viri; reliqui autem fugerunt in terram Philisthim.
25 Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and alarm seized the surrounding peoples.25 Et coepit timorIudae ac fratrum eius, et formido cecidit super gentes in circuitu eorum;
26 His name even reached the king's ears, and among the nations there was talk of Judas and hisbattles.26 etpervenit ad regem nomen eius, et de proeliis Iudae narrabant omnes gentes.
27 The news of these events infuriated Antiochus, and he ordered mobilisation of al the forces in hiskingdom, a very powerful army.27 Ut audivit autem Antiochus sermones istos, iratus est animo; et misit etcongregavit exercitum universi regni sui, castra fortia valde.
28 Opening his treasury, he distributed a year's pay to his troops, telling them to be prepared for anyeventuality.28 Et aperuitaerarium suum et dedit stipendia exercitui in annum et mandavit illis, ut essentparati ad omnia.
29 He then found that the money in his coffers had run short and that the tribute of the province haddecreased, as a result of the dissension and disaster brought on the country by his own abrogation of laws thathad been in force from antiquity.29 Et vidit quod defecit pecunia de thesauris suis, et tributaregionis modica propter dissensionem et plagam, quam fecit in terra, ut tolleretlegitima, quae erant a primis diebus;
30 He began to fear that, as had happened more than once, he would not have enough to cover theexpenses and the lavish bounties he had previously been accustomed to make on a larger scale than hispredecessors on the throne.30 et timuit, ne non haberet ut semel etbis in sumptus et donaria, quae dederat antea larga manu, et abundaverat superreges, qui ante eum fuerant.
31 In this grave quandary he resolved to invade Persia, there to levy tribute on the provinces and soaccumulate substantial funds.31 Et consternatus erat animo valde et cogitavitire in Persidem et accipere tributa regionum et congregare argentum multum.
32 He therefore left Lysias, a nobleman and member of the royal family, to manage the royal affairsbetween the River Euphrates and the Egyptian frontier,32 Et reliquit Lysiam hominem nobilem de genere regali super negotia regia aflumine Euphrate usque ad fines Aegypti
33 making him responsible for the education of his son Antiochus, until he should come back.33 et ut nutriret Antiochum filium suum,donec rediret.
34 To him Antiochus made over half his forces, with the elephants, giving him instructions about what hewanted done, particularly with regard to the inhabitants of Judaea and Jerusalem,34 Et tradidit ei dimidium exercitum et elephantos et mandavit eide omnibus, quae volebat, et de inhabitantibus Iudaeam et Ierusalem,
35 against whom he was to send a force, to crush and destroy the power of Israel and the remnant ofJerusalem, to wipe out their very memory from the place,35 utmitteret ad eos exercitum ad conterendam et exstirpandam virtutem Israel etreliquias Ierusalem et auferendam memoriam eorum de loco,
36 to settle foreigners in al parts of their territory and to distribute their land into lots.36 et ut constituerethabitatores filios alienigenas in omnibus finibus eorum et sorte distribueretterram eorum.
37 The king took the remaining half of his troops with him and set out from Antioch, the capital of hiskingdom, in the year 147; he crossed the River Euphrates and made his way through the Upper Provinces.37 Et rex assumpsit dimidium exercitum residuum et exivit abAntiochia de civitate regni sui anno centesimo et quadragesimo septimo ettransfretavit Euphratem flumen et perambulabat superiores regiones.
38 Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes, with Nicanor and Gorgias, influential men from among theFriends of the King,38 Et elegitLysias Ptolemaeum filium Dorymeni et Nicanorem et Gorgiam viros potentes examicis regis
39 and, under their command, despatched forty thousand foot and seven thousand horse to invade theland of Judah and devastate it, as the king had ordered.39 et misit cum eis quadraginta milia virorum et septem miliaequitum, ut venirent in terram Iudae et disperderent eam secundum verbum regis.
40 The entire force set out and reached the neighbourhood of Emmaus in the lowlands, where theypitched camp.40 Et processerunt cum universa virtute sua; et venerunt et applicaverunt propeEmmaus in terra campestri.
41 The local merchants, hearing the news of this, arrived at the camp, bringing with them a large amountof gold and silver, and fetters as wel , proposing to buy the Israelites as slaves; they were accompanied by acompany from Idumaea and the Philistine country.41 Et audierunt mercatores regionis nomen eorum etacceperunt argentum et aurum multum valde et compedes et venerunt in castra, utacciperent filios Israel in servos, et additi sunt ad eos exercitus Syriae etterrae alienigenarum.
42 Judas and his brothers saw that the situation was going from bad to worse and that armies werecamping in their territory; they were also well aware that the king had ordered the people's total destruction.42 Et vidit Iudas et fratres eius quia multiplicata sunt mala, et exercitusapplicabant ad fines eorum, et cognoverunt verba regis, quae mandavit facerepopulo in interitum et consummationem.
43 So they said to each other, 'Let us restore the ruins of our people and fight for our people and oursanctuary.'43 Et dixerunt unusquisque ad proximumsuum: “ Erigamus deiectionem populi nostri et pugnemus pro populo nostro etsanctis nostris ”.
44 The Assembly was summoned, to prepare for war, to offer prayer and to implore compassion andmercy.44 Et congregatus est conventus, ut essent parati inproelium et ut orarent et peterent misericordiam et miserationes.
45 Jerusalem was as empty as a desert, none of her children to go in and out. The sanctuary wastrodden underfoot, men of an alien race held the Citadel, which had become a lodging for gentiles. There was nomore rejoicing for Jacob, the flute and lyre were mute.45 EtIerusalem non habitabatur sicut desertum; non erat qui ingrederetur etegrederetur de natis eius, et sanctum conculcabatur, et filii alienigenarumerant in arce; ibi erat habitatio gentibus. Et ablata est voluptas a Iacob, etdefecit tibia et cithara.
46 After mustering, they made their way to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, since Mizpah was traditional y aplace of prayer for Israel.46 Et congregati sunt et venerunt in Maspha contra Ierusalem, quia in Masphaerat antea locus orationis Israeli;
47 That day they fasted and put on sackcloth, covering their heads with ashes and tearing theirgarments.47 et ieiunaverunt illa die et induerunt seciliciis et cinerem imposuerunt capiti suo et disciderunt vestimenta sua
48 For the guidance that the gentiles would have sought from the images of their false gods, they openedthe Book of the Law.48 etexpanderunt librum Legis, de quibus scrutabantur gentes similitudinessimulacrorum suorum;
49 They also brought out the priestly vestments, with first-fruits and tithes, and marshal ed the Naziriteswho had completed the period of their vow.49 et attulerunt ornamenta sacerdotalia et primitias etdecimas et suscitaverunt nazaraeos, qui impleverunt dies,
50 Then, raising their voices to Heaven, they cried, 'What shal we do with these people, and where arewe to take them?50 et clamaverunt vocein caelum dicentes: “ Quid faciemus istis et quo eos ducemus?
51 Your holy place has been trampled underfoot and defiled, your priests mourn in their humiliation,51 Et sancta tuaconculcata sunt et contaminata, et sacerdotes tui in luctu et humiliatione;
52 and now the gentiles are in al iance to destroy us: you know what they have in mind for us.52 et ecce nationes convenerunt adversum nos, ut nos disperdant: tu scis, quaecogitant in nos.
53 How can we stand up and face them if you do not come to our aid?'53 Quomodo poterimus subsistere ante faciem eorum, nisi tuadiuves nos?”.
54 Then they sounded the trumpets and raised a great shout.54 Et tubis bucinaverunt et clamaverunt voce magna.
55 Next, Judas appointed leaders for the people, to command a thousand, a hundred, fifty or ten men.55 Et posthaec constituit Iudas duces populi, tribunos et centuriones et pentacontarchoset decuriones
56 Those who were in the middle of building a house, or were about to be married, or were planting avineyard, or were afraid, he told to go home again, as the Law al owed.56 et dixit his, qui aedificabant domos et sponsabant uxores etplantabant vineas, et formidolosis, ut redirent unusquisque in domum suamsecundum legem.
57 The column then marched off and took up a position south of Emmaus.57 Et moverunt castra et collocaverunt ad austrum Emmaum.
58 'Stand to your arms,' Judas told them, 'acquit yourselves bravely, in the morning be ready to fightthese gentiles massed against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.58 Etait Iudas: “ Accingimini et estote filii potentes et estote parati in mane, utpugnetis adversus nationes has, quae convenerunt adversus nos disperdere nos etsancta nostra;
59 Better for us to die in battle than to watch the ruin of our nation and our Holy Place.59 quoniam melius est nos mori in bello quam respicere malagentis nostrae et sanctorum.
60 Whatever be the wil of Heaven, he wil perform it.'60 Sicut autem fuerit voluntas in caelo, sic faciet”.