II Livro dos Macabeus 11

SAGRADA BIBLIA	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Decorrido algum tempo, Lísias, tutor e parente do rei, regente do reino, sentindo muito pesar pelo que tinha acontecido,	1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.
2 reuniu aproximadamente oitenta mil homens com toda a cavalaria e se pôs a caminho contra os judeus.	2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.
3 submeter o templo a um imposto semelhante aos dos templos pagãos e oferecer em leilão, a cada ano, a dignidade de sumo sacerdote.	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 Sem refletir no poder de Deus, ensoberbecia-se com a multidão de sua infantaria, seus milhares de cavaleiros e oitenta elefantes.	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 Penetrando, pois, na Judéia, aproximou-se de Betsur, que é uma praça forte, a cerca de cinco esquenos das vizinhanças de Jerusalém, e expugnou-a.	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 Logo, porém, que Macabeu e os que estavam com ele souberam que Lísias sitiava suas fortalezas, rogaram ao Senhor, juntamente com o povo, entre gemidos e lágrimas, para que ele se dignasse enviar um bom anjo para salvar 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 O próprio Macabeu foi o primeiro a pegar em armas, encorajando os demais a se exporem ao perigo com ele, para socorrer seus irmãos: atacaram todos com ânimo resoluto.	7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
8 Ainda não se haviam afastado de Jerusalém, quando apareceu diante deles um cavaleiro vestido de branco, empunhando armas de ouro.	8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.
9 Então bendisseram todos juntos ao Senhor, e, repletos de coragem, sentiram-se prontos a transpassar não só os homens, mas os mais ferozes animais e até muralhas de ferro.	9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.
10 Avançaram, pois, em ordem de batalha, com esse auxiliar enviado do céu pelo Senhor misericordioso.	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 Como leões, atiraram-se sobre os inimigos, trucidaram onze mil infantes e seiscentos cavaleiros, e forçaram os demais a fugir.	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 A maior parte destes, feridos, sem armas, pôs-se a salvo. O próprio Lísias salvou-se, fugindo vergonhosamente.	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 Mas Lísias era inteligente. Refletiu, pois, na derrota e concluiu que os hebreus eram invencíveis porque o Deus poderoso combatia com eles.	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 Enviou-lhes uma proposta em condições justas, prometendo-lhes persuadir o rei a tornar-se amigo deles.	14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.
15 Macabeu aceitou todas as propostas de Lísias, vendo nisso apenas utilidade, porque tudo o que ele mesmo pedira por carta a Lísias em favor dos judeus, o rei concedera.	15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.
16 Eis em que termos Lísias escreveu aos judeus:	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 Lísias ao povo judeu, saúde. João e Absalão, vossos mensageiros, entregaram-me vossas propostas e rogaram-me que as cumprisse.	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 Expus, portanto, ao rei tudo o que devia comunicar-lhe, e ele anuiu a tudo o que era possível.	18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,
19 Se vós, pois, permanecerdes nessas boas disposições para com o Estado, continuarei doravante a obter-vos favores.	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 Eu incumbi vossos mensageiros e os meus de tratarem convosco as cláusulas da proposta e os pormenores.	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 Passai bem. Ano cento e quarenta e oito, aos vinte e quatro do mês de Dióscoro.	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 Era este o conteúdo da carta do rei: O rei Antíoco a seu irmão Lísias, saúde!	22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.
23 Tendo partido nosso pai para junto dos deuses, desejamos que os povos que pertencem ao nosso reino possam dedicar-se tranqüilamente aos seus negócios.	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 Soubemos, no entanto, que os judeus resistem em adotar os costumes helênicos, conforme a decisão de nosso pai; preferem conservar suas tradições e pedem que lhes deixemos seus costumes.	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 Querendo, pois, que esse povo viva igualmente em paz, decretamos que o templo lhes seja restituído e que possam viver segundo as leis de seus antepassados.	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 Farás bem em lhes mandar mensageiros, para concluir a paz com eles, de modo que, conhecendo nossas intenções, fiquem tranqüilos e voltem sem receio a seus afazeres.	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 Eis a carta do rei ao povo judeu: O rei Antíoco ao conselho dos anciãos e aos demais judeus, saúde!	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 Fazemos votos de que estejais passando bem; nós estamos com boa saúde!	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 Contou-nos Menelau que desejais retornar aos vossos negócios.	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 A todos os que vierem para o meio deles até o dia trinta do mês de Xântico, eu estenderei a mão.	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 Permito também aos judeus que usem dos seus alimentos e dos seus costumes, como outrora; e ninguém dentre eles será molestado por transgressões passadas.	31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
32 Incumbi Menelau de ir tranqüilizar-vos.	32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.
33 Passai bem. Ano cento e quarenta e oito no dia quinze do mês de Xântico.	33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.
34 Do mesmo modo, os romanos enviaram aos judeus uma carta nestes termos: Quinto Mênio, Tito Mânio, legados romanos, ao povo judeu, saúde!	34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.
35 Damos nosso assentimento a tudo o que Lísias, parente do rei, vos outorgou.	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 Quanto ao que ele julgou necessário submeter ao rei, enviai-nos alguém sem demora, a fim de que, após um exame, possamos falar-lhe de modo mais vantajoso para vós, porque vamos para Antioquia.	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 Apressai-vos, pois, em nos enviar mensageiros, para que saibamos bem quais são vossos desejos.	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 Passai bem! Ano cento e quarenta e oito no dia quinze do mês de Xântico.	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.