2 Macabeos 15

BIBLIA	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Supo Nicanor que los hombres de Judas se hallaban en la región de Samaría y decidió atacarlos sin riesgo en el día del descanso.	1 But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius the son of Seleucus was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis to places proper for his purpose.
2 Los judíos, que le acompañaban a la fuerza, le dijeron: «No mates así de modo tan salvaje y bárbaro; respeta y honra más bien el día que con preferencia ha sido santificado por Aquél que todo lo ve».	2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.
3 Aquel hombre tres veces malvado preguntó si en el cielo había un Soberano que hubiera prescrito celebrar el día del sábado.	3 Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,
4 Ellos le replicaron: «Es el mismo Señor que vive como Soberano en el cielo el que mandó observar el día séptimo».	4 Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.
5 Entonces el otro dijo: «También yo soy soberano en la tierra: el que ordena tomar las armas y prestar servicio al rey». Sin embargo no pudo realizar su malvado designio.	5 But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,
6 Nicanor, jactándose con altivez, deliberaba erigir un trofeo común con los despojos de los hombres de Judas.	6 He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.
7 Macabeo, por su parte, mantenía incesantemente su confianza, con la entera esperanza de recibir ayuda de parte del Señor,	7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
8 y exhortaba a los que le acompañaban a no temer el ataque de los gentiles, teniendo presentes en la mente los auxilios que antes les habían venido del Cielo, y a esperar también entonces la victoria que les habría de venir de parte del Todopoderoso.	8 Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.
9 Les animaba citando la Ley y los Profetas, y les recordaba los combates que habían llevado a cabo; así les infundía mayor ardor.	9 Wherefore, 0 king, seeing thou knoweat all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,
10 Después de haber levantado sus ánimos, les puso además de manifiesto la perfidia de los gentiles y la violación de sus juramentos.	10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11 Armó a cada uno de ellos, no tanto con la seguridad de los escudos y las lanzas, como con la confianza de sus buenas palabras. Les refirió además un sueño digno de crédito, una especie de visión, que alegró a todos.	11 Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.
12 Su visión fue tal como sigue: Onías, que había sido sumo sacerdote, hombre bueno y bondadoso, afable, de suaves maneras, distinguido en su conversación, preocupado desde la niñez por la práctica de la virtud, suplicaba con las manos tendidas por toda la comunidad de los judíos.	12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
13 Luego se apareció también un hombre que se distinguía por sus blancos cabellos y su dignidad, rodeado de admirable y majestuosa soberanía.	13 Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.
14 Onías había dicho: «Este es el que ama a sus hermanos, el que ora mucho por su pueblo y por la ciudad santa, Jeremías, el profeta de Dios».	14 Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by docks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.
15 Jeremías, tendiendo su diestra, había entregado a Judas una espada de oro, y al dársela había pronunciado estas palabras:	15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him, who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.
16 «Recibe, como regalo de parte de Dios, esta espada sagrada, con la que destrozarás a los enemigos».	16 Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.
17 Animados por estas bellísimas palabras de Judas, capaces de estimular al valor y de robustecer las almas jóvenes, decidieron no resguardarse en la defensa, sino lanzarse valerosamente a la ofensiva y que, en un cuerpo a cuerpo, la fortuna decidiera, porque peligraban la ciudad, la religión y el Templo.	17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
18 En verdad que el cuidado por sus mujeres e hijos, por sus hermanos y parientes quedaba en segundo término; el primero y principal era por el Templo consagrado.	18 Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas' companions, and the greatness of courage with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.
19 Igualmente para los que habían quedado en la ciudad no era menor la ansiedad, preocupados como estaban por el ataque en campo raso.	19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.
20 Todos aguardaban la decisión inmimente. Los enemigos se habían concentrado y el ejército se había alineado en orden de batalla. Los elefantes se habían situado en lugar apropiado y la caballería estaba dispuesta en las alas.	20 And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, the) were all of one mind to consent to covenants.
21 Entonces Macabeo, al observar la presencia de las tropas, la variedad de las armas preparadas y el fiero aspecto de los elefantes, extendió las manos al cielo e invocó al Señor que hace prodigios, pues bien sabía que, no por medio de las armas, sino según su decisión, concede él la victoria a los que la merecen.	21 So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.
22 Decía su invocación de la siguiente forma: «Tú, Soberano, enviaste tu ángel a Ezequías, rey de Judá, que dio muerte a cerca de 185.000 hombres del ejército de Senaquerib;	22 But Judas ordered men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might he suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.
23 ahora también, Señor de los cielos, envía un ángel bueno delante de nosotros para infundir el temor y el espanto.	23 And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
24 ¡Que el poder de tu brazo hiera a los que han venido blasfemando a atacar a tu pueblo santo!» Así terminó sus palabras.	24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.
25 Mientras la gente de Nicanor avanzaba al son de trompetas y cantos de guerra,	25 And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.
26 los hombres de Judas entablaron combate con el enemigo entre invocaciones y plegarias.	26 But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.
27 Luchando con las manos, pero orando a Dios en su corazón, abatieron no menos de 35.000 hombres, regocijándose mucho por la manifestación de Dios.	27 Then the king being in a rage and provoked with this man's wicked accusations, wrote to Nicanor, signifying, that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
28 Al volver de su empresa, en gozoso retorno, reconocieron a Nicanor caído, con su armadura.	28 When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.
29 Entre clamores y tumulto, bendecían al Señor en su lengua patria.	29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.
30 Entonces, el que en primera fila se había entregado, en cuerpo y alma, al bien de sus conciudadanos, el que había guardado hacia sus compatriotas los buenos sentimientos de su juventud, mandó cortar la cabeza de Nicanor y su brazo, hasta el hombro, y llevarlos a Jerusalén.	30 But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner: and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.
31 Llegado allí convocó a sus compatriotas, puso a los sacerdotes ante el altar y mandó buscar a los de la Ciudadela.	31 But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
32 Les mostró la cabeza del abominable Nicanor y la mano que aquel infame había tendido insolentemente hacia la santa Casa del Todopoderoso;	32 And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
33 y después de haber cortado la lengua del impío Nicanor, ordenó que se diera en trozos a los pájaros y que se colgara frente al santuario la paga de su insensatez.	33 And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
34 Todos entonces levantaron hacia el cielo sus bendiciones en honor del Señor que se les había manifestado, diciendo: «Bendito el que ha conservado puro su Lugar Santo».	34 And when he had spoken thus he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
35 La cabeza de Nicanor fue colgada de la Ciudadela, como señal manifiesta y visible para todos del auxilio del Señor.	35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
36 Decretaron todos por público edicto no dejar pasar aquel día sin solemnizarlo, y celebrarlo el día trece del duodécino mes, llamado Adar en arameo, la víspera del Día de Mardoqueo.	36 Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.
37 Así pasaron los acontecimientos relacionados con Nicanor. Como desde aquella época la ciudad quedó en poder de los hebreos, yo también terminaré aquí mismo mi relato.	37 Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his affection was called the father of the Jews.
38 Si ha quedado bello y logrado en su composición, eso es lo que yo pretendía; si imperfecto y mediocre, he hecho cuanto me era posible.	38 This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.
39 Como el beber vino solo o sola agua es dañoso, y en cambio, el vino mezclado con agua es agradable y de un gusto delicioso, igualmente la disposición grata del relato encanta los oídos de los que dan en leer la obra. Y aquí pongamos fin.	39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
	40 For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
	41 Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:
	42 Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.
	43 But whereas through haste he missed of giving himself a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:
	44 But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.
	45 And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:
	46 And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels with both hands, he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.