2 Maccabees 11

DOUAI-RHEIMS	BIBBIA CEI 2008
1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.	1 Poco tempo dopo, Lisia, tutore e parente del re e incaricato degli affari di stato, mal sopportando l’accaduto,
2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.	2 raccolti circa ottantamila uomini e tutta la cavalleria, mosse contro i Giudei, contando di ridurre la città a residenza dei Greci,
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.	3 di imporre tasse al tempio come agli altri edifici di culto delle nazioni e di mettere in vendita ogni anno il sommo sacerdozio.
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.	4 Egli non teneva in nessun conto la potenza di Dio, ma confidava soltanto nelle sue miriadi di fanti, nelle migliaia di cavalieri e negli ottanta elefanti.
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.	5 Entrato nella Giudea e avvicinatosi a Bet-Sur, che era una posizione fortificata distante da Gerusalemme circa venti miglia, la cinse d’assedio.
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.	6 Quando gli uomini del Maccabeo vennero a sapere che quello assediava le fortezze, tra gemiti e lacrime supplicarono con tutto il popolo il Signore che inviasse l’angelo buono a salvare Israele.
7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.	7 Lo stesso Maccabeo, cingendo per primo le armi, esortò gli altri a esporsi con lui al pericolo per andare in aiuto dei loro fratelli: tutti insieme partirono con coraggio.
8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.	8 Mentre si trovavano ancora vicino a Gerusalemme, apparve come condottiero davanti a loro un cavaliere in sella, vestito di bianco, che brandiva armi d’oro.
9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.	9 Tutti insieme benedissero Dio misericordioso e si sentirono rincuorati, pronti ad assalire non solo gli uomini ma anche le bestie più feroci e mura di ferro.
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.	10 Procedevano in ordine, con un alleato venuto dal cielo, per la misericordia che il Signore aveva avuto di loro.
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.	11 Gettatisi come leoni sui nemici, stesero al suolo undicimila fanti e milleseicento cavalieri e costrinsero tutti a fuggire.
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.	12 Costoro in gran parte riuscirono a salvarsi feriti e spogliati. E lo stesso Lisia si salvò fuggendo vergognosamente.
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.	13 Ma, non privo di intelligenza, pensando alla sconfitta subita e constatando che gli Ebrei erano invincibili, perché il Dio potente combatteva al loro fianco,
14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.	14 mandò a proporre un accordo su tutto ciò che fosse giusto, assicurando che a questo scopo avrebbe persuaso il re, facendo pressione su di lui perché diventasse loro amico.
15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.	15 Il Maccabeo, badando a ciò che più conveniva, acconsentì a tutto quanto Lisia chiedeva. Infatti, quanto il Maccabeo aveva presentato a Lisia per iscritto riguardo ai Giudei, il re lo accordò.
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:	16 Il contenuto della lettera scritta da Lisia ai Giudei era del seguente tenore:
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.	17 «Lisia al popolo dei Giudei, salute! Giovanni e Assalonne, inviati da voi, ci hanno consegnato il documento sotto riportato e hanno chiesto la ratifica dei punti in esso contenuti.
18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,	18 Quanto era necessario riferire anche al re, gliel’ho esposto ed egli ha accordato quanto era accettabile.
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.	19 Se dunque continuerete a essere favorevoli agli interessi del regno, cercherò anche in avvenire di procurarvi dei favori.
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.	20 Su questi punti e sui particolari ho dato ordine ai vostri e ai miei incaricati di trattare con voi.
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.	21 State bene. L’anno centoquarantotto, il ventiquattro del mese di Dioscorinzio».
22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.	22 La lettera del re si esprimeva così: «Il re Antioco al fratello Lisia, salute!
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.	23 Dopo che nostro padre è passato tra gli dèi, vogliamo che i cittadini del regno possano tranquillamente attendere ai loro interessi.
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.	24 Avendo sentito che i Giudei non intendono accettare l’ellenizzazione voluta da nostro padre, ma, attaccati al loro sistema di vita, chiedono di attenersi alle proprie leggi,
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,	25 volendo perciò che anche questa nazione sia libera da turbamenti, decretiamo che il tempio sia loro restituito e si governino secondo le tradizioni dei loro antenati.
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.	26 Farai bene, dunque, a inviare loro messaggeri e a dare loro la destra, perché, conosciuta la nostra decisione, si sentano rincuorati e riprendano a loro agio la cura delle proprie cose».
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.	27 La lettera del re indirizzata alla nazione era così concepita: «Il re Antioco al consiglio degli anziani dei Giudei e agli altri Giudei, salute!
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.	28 Se state bene, è appunto come noi vogliamo; anche noi godiamo ottima salute.
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:	29 Menelao ci ha rivelato che voi volete tornare a vivere nelle vostre sedi.
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.	30 A quelli che si metteranno in viaggio entro i trenta giorni del mese di Xàntico sarà garantita sicurezza e facoltà
31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.	31 di usare, come Giudei, delle loro regole alimentari e delle loro leggi, come prima, e nessuno di loro potrà essere molestato da alcuno per le mancanze commesse per ignoranza.
32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.	32 Ho anche mandato Menelao per rassicurarvi.
33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.	33 State bene. L’anno centoquarantotto, il quindici del mese di Xàntico».
34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.	34 Anche i Romani inviarono loro questa lettera: «Quinto Memmio e Tito Manio, legati dei Romani, al popolo dei Giudei, salute!
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.	35 Riguardo a ciò che Lisia, parente del re, vi ha concesso, anche noi siamo d’accordo.
36 Moreover others also getting up after them, went to set Are to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.	36 Riguardo invece a quei punti che egli ha giudicato dover riferire al re, mandate subito qualcuno, dopo averli esaminati, perché possiamo riferire le cose in modo conveniente per voi. Noi siamo in viaggio per Antiòchia.
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.	37 Mandate dunque in fretta dei messaggeri per farci conoscere di quale parere siete.
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.	38 State bene. L’anno centoquarantotto, il quindici del mese di Xàntico».