Deuxième livre des Macchabées 11

JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Très peu de temps après, Lysias, tuteur et parent du roi, à la tête des affaires du royaume, trèsaffecté par les derniers événements,	1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.
2 assembla environ 80.000 hommes de pied, avec toute sa cavalerie, et se mit en marche contreles Juifs, comptant bien faire de la Ville sainte une résidence pour les Grecs,	2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.
3 soumettre le sanctuaire à un impôt comme les autres lieux de culte des nations et vendre tousles ans la dignité de grand prêtre,	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 ne tenant aucun compte de la puissance de Dieu, mais pleinement confiant dans ses myriadesde fantassins, dans ses milliers de cavaliers et ses 80 éléphants.	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 Ayant donc pénétré en Judée, il s'approcha de Bethsour, qui est une place forte distante deJérusalem d'environ cinq schoenes, et la pressa vivement.	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 Lorsque Maccabée et les siens apprirent que Lysias assiégeait les forteresses, ils prièrent leSeigneur avec gémissements et larmes, de concert avec la foule, d'envoyer un bon ange à Israël pour le sauver.	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 Maccabée lui-même, prenant les armes le premier, exhorta les autres à s'exposer avec lui audanger pour secourir leurs frères. Ceux-là donc s'élancèrent ensemble, remplis d'ardeur;	7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.
8 ils se trouvaient encore près de Jérusalem lorsqu'un cavalier vêtu de blanc apparut à leur tête,agitant des armes d'or.	8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.
9 Alors tous à la fois bénirent le Dieu miséricordieux et se sentirent animés d'une telle ardeurqu'ils étaient prêts à transpercer, non seulement des hommes, mais encore les bêtes les plus sauvages et desmurailles de fer.	9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.
10 Ils s'avancèrent en ordre de bataille, aidés par un allié venu du ciel, le Seigneur ayant eupitié d'eux.	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 Ils foncèrent donc à la façon des lions sur les ennemis, couchèrent sur le sol 11.000fantassins et 1.600 cavaliers, et contraignirent tous les autres à fuir.	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 La plupart n'en réchappèrent que blessés et sans armes. Lysias lui-même sauva sa vie parune fuite honteuse.	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 Mais Lysias, qui ne manquait pas de sens, réfléchit sur le revers qu'il venait d'essuyer;comprenant que les Hébreux étaient invincibles puisque le Dieu puissant combattait avec eux, il leur envoya unedéputation	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 pour les amener à un arrangement sous toutes conditions équitables, et leur promettait decontraindre le roi à devenir leur ami.	14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.
15 Maccabée consentit à tout ce que proposait Lysias, n'ayant souci que du bien public. Tout ceque Maccabée transmit par écrit à Lysias au sujet des Juifs, le roi l'accorda.	15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.
16 La lettre écrite aux Juifs par Lysias était ainsi libellée: "Lysias au peuple juif, salut.	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 Jean et Absalom, vos émissaires, m'ayant remis l'acte transcrit ci-dessous, m'ont prié deratifier les choses qu'il contenait.	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 J'ai donc exposé au roi ce qui devait lui être soumis. Quant à ce qui était possible, je l'aiaccordé.	18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,
19 Si donc vous conservez vos dispositions favorables envers les intérêts de l'Etat, jem'efforcerai à l'avenir de travailler à votre bien.	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 Quant aux matières de détail, j'ai donné des ordres à vos envoyés et à mes gens pour enconférer avec vous.	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 Portez-vous bien. L'an 148, le 24 de Dioscore."	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 La lettre du roi contenait ce qui suit: "Le roi Antiochus à son frère Lysias, salut.	22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.
23 Notre père ayant émigré vers les dieux, et nous-même désirant que ceux de notre royaumesoient à l'abri des troubles pour s'appliquer au soin de leurs propres affaires,	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 ayant appris d'autre part que les Juifs ne consentent pas à l'adoption des moeurs grecquesvoulue par notre père, mais que, préférant leur manière de vivre particulière, ils demandent qu'on leur permettel'observation de leurs lois,	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 désirant donc que ce peuple aussi reste tranquille, nous décidons que le Temple leur soitrendu et qu'ils puissent vivre selon les coutumes de leurs ancêtres.	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 Tu feras donc bien d'envoyer quelqu'un vers eux pour leur tendre la main afin que, au fait duparti adopté par nous, ils aient confiance et vaquent joyeusement à leurs propres affaires."	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 La lettre du roi à la nation des Juifs était ainsi conçue: "Le roi Antiochus au Sénat des Juifset aux autres Juifs, salut.	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 Si vous allez bien, cela est conforme à nos voeux, et nous-même nous sommes en bonnesanté.	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 Ménélas nous a fait connaître le désir que vous avez de retourner à vos propres demeures.	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 Tous ceux qui, jusqu'au 30 Xanthique, retourneront chez eux, obtiendront l'assurance del'impunité.	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 Les Juifs auront l'usage de leurs aliments spéciaux et de leurs lois comme auparavant. Quenul d'entre eux ne soit molesté d'aucune façon pour des fautes commises par ignorance.	31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.
32 J'envoie pareillement Ménélas pour vous tranquilliser.	32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.
33 Portez-vous bien. L'an 148, le quinze Xanthique."	33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.
34 Les Romains adressèrent aussi aux Juifs une lettre de cette teneur: "Quintus Memmius,Titus Manilius, Manius Sergius, légats romains, au peuple des Juifs, salut.	34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.
35 Les choses que Lysias, parent du roi, vous a accordées, nous vous les concédons aussi.	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 Quant à celles qu'il a jugé devoir soumettre au roi, envoyez-nous quelqu'un sans délai, aprèsles avoir bien examinées, afin que nous les exposions au roi d'une façon qui vous soit avantageuse, car nous nousrendons à Antioche.	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 Aussi bien, hâtez-vous de nous expédier des gens afin que nous sachions, nous aussi, quellessont vos intentions.	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 Portez-vous bien. L'an 148, le quinze de Dioscore."	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.