Primo libro dei Maccabei 11

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 - Il re d’Egitto mise assieme un esercito numeroso come la rena che è sulla spiaggia del mare, e molti vascelli; e cercava d’avere con Inganno il regno d’Alessandro, ed unirlo al suo.	1 And the king of Egypt gathered together an army, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships: and he sought to get the kingdom of Alexander by deceit, and join it to his own kingdom.
2 Si mosse verso la Siria con parole pacifiche e la gente gli apriva le città e gli andava incontro, perchè il re Alessandro aveva ordinato che uscissero ad incontrarlo, essendo suo suocero.	2 And he went out into Syria with peaceable words, and they opened to him the cities, and met him: for king Alexander had ordered them to go forth to meet him, because he was his father in law.
3 Quando poi Tolomeo era entrato nelle città, lasciava in ciascuna una guardia di suoi soldati.	3 Now when Ptolemee entered into the cities, he put garrisons of soldiers in every city.
4 Ed avviandosi ad Azoto, gli mostravano il tempio di Dagon bruciato, Azoto e le sue adiacenze demolite, cadaveri sparsi, e i tumuli del caduti in guerra, eretti lungo la strada.	4 And when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt with fire, and Azotus, and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad, and the graves of them that were slain in the battle, which they had made near the way.
5 E raccontarono al re ciò che aveva fatto Gionata, per metterlo in mala vista; ma il re si tacque.	5 And they told the king that Jonathan had done these things, to make him odious: but the king held his peace.
6 E Gionata venne incontro al re In Joppe, solennemente; si salutarono l'un l’altro, e passarono ivi la notte.	6 And Jonathan came to meet the king at Joppe with glory, and they saluted one another, and they lodged there.
7 Di poi, andò Gionata col re sino al fiume chiamato Eleutero, ed indi tornò in Gerusalemme.	7 And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river, called Eleutherus: and he returned into Jerusalem.
8 Il re Tolomeo si impossessò delle città sino a Seleucia marittima, e macchinava contro Alessandro mali consigli.	8 And king Ptolemee got the dominion of the cities by the sea side, even to Seleucia, and he devised evil designs against Alexander.
9 Mandò ambasciatori a Demetrio, dicendogli: «Vieni, facciamo alleanza fra noi; ti darò la figlia mia, che ora ha Alessandro, e tu regnerai nel regno del padre tuo.	9 And he sent ambassadors to Demetrius, saying: Come, let us make a league between us, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in the kingdom of thy father.
10 Mi pento d’avergli dato la mia figliuola, perchè ha cercato d’uccidermi ».	10 For I repent that I have given him my daughter: for he hath sought to kill me.
11 Cosi lo infamava, perchè ambiva il suo regno.	11 And he slandered him, because he coveted his kingdom.
12 Portò dunque via la figliuola, e la dette a Demetrio; si staccò da Alessandro, e rese pubblica la sua inimicizia.	12 And he took away his daughter, and gave her to Demetrius, and alienated himself from Alexander, and his enmities were made manifest.
13 Tolomeo dunque entrò in Antiochia, e si mise in capo due corone: dell'Egitto e dell’Asia.	13 And Ptolemee entered into Antioch, and set two crowns upon his head, that of Egypt, and that of Asia.
14 Quanto al re Alessandro in quel tempo, era in Cilicia, perchè in quelle regioni gli s’erano ribellati.	14 Now king Alexander was in Cilicia at that time: because they that were in those places had rebelled.
15 Alessandro informato, venne a far guerra a Tolomeo; ma questi mise in campo il suo esercito, lo assali con grandi forze, e lo mise in fuga.	15 And when Alexander heard of it, he came to give him battle, and king Ptolemee brought forth his army, and met him with a strong power, and put him to flight.
16 Alessandro fuggi in Arabia, per esser ivi al sicuro, ed il re Tolomeo s’aggrandì.	16 And Alexander fled into Arabia, there to be protected: and king Ptolemee was exalted.
17 Ma Zabdlel arabo tagliò la testa ad Alessandro, e la mandò a Tolomeo.	17 And Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it to Ptolemee.
18 Dopo tre giorni mori anche il re Tolomeo ; ed i suoi che erano nelle città fortificate furon uccisi dagli abitanti.	18 And king Ptolemee died the third day after: and they that were in the strong holds were destroyed by them that were within the camp.
19 E Demetrio ebbe il regno, l’anno centoscssantasette.	19 And Demetrius reigned in the hundred and sixty-seventh year.
20 In quel tempo, Gionata radunò quelli che eran in Giudea, per espugnare la rocca di Gerusalemme, e rizzarono contro di essa molte macchine.	20 In those days Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea, to take the castle that was in Jerusalem: and they made many engines of war against it.
21 Alcuni iniqui, che odiavano la propria nazione, andarono al re Demetrio, e gli annunziarono che Gionata assediava la rocca.	21 Then some wicked men that hated their own nation, went away to king Demetrius, and told him that Jonathan was besieging the castle.
22 Quando ciò seppe, sdegnato, venne subito a Tolemaide, e scrisse a Gionata che non assediasse la cittadella, ma venisse subito ad un colloquio con lui.	22 And when he heard it, he was angry: and forthwith he came to Ptolemais, and wrote to Jonathan, that he should not besiege the castle, but should come to him in haste, and speak to him.
23 Ciò udito, Gionata ordinò si continuasse l’assedio; scelse a compagni de’seniori d’Israele e de’ sacerdoti, e si espose al pericolo.	23 But when Jonathan heard this, he bade them besiege it still: and he chose some of the ancients of Israel, and of the priests, and put himself in danger.
24 Prese oro ed argento e vestimenti e molti altri doni, ed andò al re in Tolemaide. E trovò favore al suo cospetto.	24 And he took gold, and silver, and raiment, and many other presents, and went to the king to Ptolemais, and he found favour in his sight.
25 Alcuni iniqui della sua nazione facevano denunzie a suo carico;	25 And certain wicked men of his nation made complaints against him.
26 ma il re gli fece quel che gli avevano fatto gli altri avanti a lui, e l’esaltò dinanzi a tutti i suoi amici.	26 And the king treated him as his predecessor had done before: and he exalted him in the sight of all his friends.
27 Gli confermò il sommo sacerdozio, e tutti gli altri privilegi che aveva già, e lo nominò primo de’ suoi amici.	27 And he confirmed him in the high priesthood, and all the honours he had before, and he made him the chief of his friends.
28 Gionata allora chiese al re che desse franchigia alla Giudea, alle tre toparchie, alla Samaria ed alle sue discendenze, e gli promise trecento talenti.	28 And Jonathan requested of the king that he would make Judea free from tribute, and the three governments, and Samaria, and the confines thereof: and he promised him three hundred talents.
29 Il re acconsenti, e di tutto ciò dette a Gionata il seguente rescritto:	29 And the king consented: and he wrote letters to Jonathan of all these things to this effect.
30 «Il re Demetrio, al fratello Gionata ed alla nazione giudea, salute.	30 King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.
31 Acciò lo sappiate, vi mandiamo copia della lettera che a vostro riguardo abbiamo inviata a Lastene nostro padre.	31 We send you here a copy of the letter, which we have written to Lasthenes our parent concerning you, that you might know it.
32 Il re Demetrio, a Lastene padre suo, salute.	32 King Demetrius to Lasthenes his parent, greeting.
33 Abbiamo risoluto di fare del benefizii alla nazione giudea, in cambio della benevolenza che hanno per noi, essendo nostri amici, ed avendo essi per noi i dovuti riguardi.	33 We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews who are our friends, and keep the things that are just with us, for their good will which they bear towards us.
34 Decretiamo adunque che tutto il territorio della Giudea, e le tre città, Lidda e Ramata, che sono state aggregale dalla Samaria alla Giudea, e tutte le loro adiacenze, siano ad essi riserbate. A tutti quelli che offrono sacriflzii in Gerusalemme, ciò che prima da essi riceveva il re ogni anno sul frutti della terra e degli alberi,	34 We have ratified therefore unto them all the borders of Judea, and the three cities, Apherema, Lydda, and Ramatha, which are added to Judea, out of Samaria, and all their confines, to be set apart to all them that sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them every year, and for the fruits of the land, and of the trees.
35 ed il resto che a noi spettava delle decime e dei tributi, da ora in poi lo condoniamo loro; come pure i laghi del sale, e le corone che ci venivano presentate.	35 And as for other things that belonged to us of the tithes, and of the tributes, from this time we discharge them of them: the saltpans also, and the crowns that were presented to us.
36 Tutto ciò concediamo loro; e niente di ciò verrà revocato nè ora nè mai.	36 We give all to them, and nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth and for ever.
37 Or dunque abbiate cura di farne un rescritto, e datelo a Gionata, e sia posto sul monte santo, in luogo cospicuo ».	37 Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be given to Jonathan, and set upon the holy mountain, in a conspicuous place.
38 Vedendo il re Demetrio che tutta la terra taceva innanzi a lui, e nulla gli si opponeva, rimandò tutto l’esercito, ciascuno al suo paese, eccetto le milizie straniere assoldate dalle isole delle nazioni. Tutti i soldati de’ padri suoi gli divenner nemici.	38 And king Demetrius seeing that the land was quiet before him, and nothing resisted him, sent away all his forces, every man to his own place, except the foreign army, which he had drawn together from the islands of the nations: so all the troops of his fathers hated him.
39 Ora, v’era un certo Trifone, che parteggiava prima per Alessandro; vedendo che tutto l’esercito mormorava contro Demetrio, andò ad Emalcuel arabo, che aveva in tutela Antioco figlio d’Alessandro,	39 Now there was one Tryphon who had been of Alexander's party before: who seeing that all the army murmured against Demetrius, went to Emalchuel the Arabian, who brought up Antiochus the son of Alexander.
40 ed insisteva presso di lui perchè glielo consegnasse, per farlo re in luogo del padre suo. E gli raccontava tutto quello che Demetrio aveva fatto, e l'inimicizia dei suoi soldati contro di luì; e rimase il molto tempo.	40 And he pressed him much to deliver him to him, that he might be king in his father's place: and he told him all that Demetrius had done, and how his soldiers hated him. And he remained there many days.
41 Allora Gionata mandò al re Demetrio, per ottenere che mandasse via quelli della cittadella di Gerusalemme e de' presidii, perchè erano un guaio per Israele.	41 And Jonathan sent to king Demetrius, desiring that he would cast out them that were in the castle in Jerusalem, and those that were in the strong holds: because they fought against Israel.
42 E Demetrio mandò a rispondere a Gionata: «Non questo soltanto farò per te e per la tua gente quando n’avrò l’occasione.	42 And Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying: I will not only do this for thee, and for thy people, but I will greatly honour thee, and thy nation, when opportunity shall serve.
43 Ora però farai bene se mi manderai uomini in aiuto, perchè tutto il mio esercito m’ha lasciato ».	43 Now therefore thou shalt do well if thou send me men to help me: for all my army is gone from me.
44 Gionata gli mandò in Antiochia tremila valorosi; si presentarono al re, ed il re godè della loro venuta.	44 And Jonathan sent him three thousand valiant men to Antioch: and they came to the king, and the king was very glad of their coming.
45 Ora, centoventimila uomini della città congiurarono, e volevano uccidere il re.	45 And they that were of the city assembled themselves together, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have killed the king.
46 Questi fuggì nella reggia, e quelli della città occuparon le strade della città, e cominciarono a combattere.	46 And the king fled into the palace, and they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.
47 Il re chiamò in aiuto i Giudei, i quali accorsero a lui tutti insieme; poi si sparsero per la città,	47 And the king called the Jews to his assistance: and they came to him all at once, and they all dispersed themselves through the city.
48 e misero a morte in quel giorno centomila uomini; dettero fuoco alla città, fecero gran preda in quel giorno, e liberarono il re.	48 And they slew in that day a hundred thousand men, and they set fire to the city, and got many spoils that day, and delivered the king.
49 Or quando quelli della città videro che i Giudei ne erano padroni assoluti, si persero d’animo, e gridarono al re supplichevoli:	49 And they that were of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would: and they were discouraged in their minds, and cried to the king, making supplication, and saying:
50 « Dacci la mano, e cessino i Giudei di far man bassa su noi e sulla città».	50 Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us, and the city.
51 Gettaron via le armi, e fecero la pace. Così i Giudei crebbero in stima dinanzi al re e dinanzi a tutti quelli del regno suo, acquistando fama nel regno, e tornarono a Gerusalemme carichi di preda.	51 And they threw down their arms, and made peace, and the Jews were glorified in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm, and were renowned throughout the kingdom, and returned to Jerusalem with many spoils.
52 Il re Demetrio sedè sul soglio del regno suo, e la terra si tacque innanzi a lui.	52 So king Demetrius sat in the throne of his kingdom: and the land was quiet before him.
53 Ma rinnegò tutto quello che aveva detto, s’alienò da Gionata e non gli corrispose a seconda dei benefizii che ne aveva ricevuti; anzi, gli faceva molte vessazioni.	53 And he falsified all whatsoever he had said, and alienated himself from Jonathan, and did not reward him according to the benefits he had received from him, but gave him great trouble.
54 Dopo queste cose, tornò Trifone, e con lui il fanciullo Antioco che fu fatto re e si cinse la corona.	54 And after this Tryphon returned, and with him Antiochus the young boy, who was made king, and put on the diadem.
55 Allora gli s’unirono tutte le milizie che Demetrio aveva disperse, e combatterono contro Demetrio che voltò le spalle e fuggì.	55 And there assembled unto him all the hands which Demetrius had sent away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
56 Trifone catturò gli elefanti, e s’impadronì d’Antiochia.	56 And Tryphon took the elephants, and made himself master of Antioch.
57 Ed il giovinetto Antioco scrisse a Gionata, dicendogli: « Tl confermo nel sacerdozio, ti do il dominio di quattro città, e tu sarai uno degli amici del re ».	57 And young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying: I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and I appoint thee ruler over the four cities, and to be one of the king's friends.
58 Gli mandò vasellame d’oro per suo uso, e gli dette potestà dì bere in vasi d’oro, di vestir porpora, e di portar una fibbia d’oro.	58 And he sent him vessels of gold for his service, and he gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle:
59 A Simone poi fratello di lui dette il governo della regione dai confini di Tiro a quelli d'Egitto.	59 And he made his brother Simon governor from the borders of Tyre even to the confines of Egypt.
60 Or Gionata si mosse, per le città che sono al di là del fiume [Giordano], ed a lui si aggiunse in aiuto tutto l’esercito di Siria. Venne dunque ad Ascalon, e quelli della città gli andarono incontro onorandolo.	60 Then Jonathan went forth and passed through the cities beyond the river: and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves to him to help him, and he came to Ascalon, and they met him honourably out of the city.
61 Di lì andò a Gaza; ma quel cittadini vi si chiusero, e Gionata l’assediò, ne incendiò i sobborghi, e li depredò.	61 And he went from thence to Gaza: and they that were in Gaza shut him out: and he besieged it, and burnt all the suburbs round about, and took the spoils.
62 Allora quei di Gaza pregarono Gionata, ed egli fece pace con loro, e prese dei loro figli in ostaggio mandandoli a Gerusalem me ; poi, andò avanti la regione sino a Damasco.	62 And the men of Gaza made supplication to Jonathan, and he gave them the right hand: and he took their sons for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem: and he went through the country as far as Damascus.
63 E Gionata seppe che i generali di Demetrio s’erano raccolti in Cades di Galilea con un grande esercito, per impedirgli d'occuparsi degli affari del regno.	63 And Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come treacherously to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great army, purposing to remove him from the affairs of the kingdom:
64 Ed andò loro incontro, lasciando però in Giudea il fratello Simone.	64 And he went against them: but left his brother Simon in the country.
65 E Simone strinse d'assedio Betsura, e durò molto tempo ad attaccarla, bloccandovi i suoi cittadini.	65 And Simon encamped against Bethsura, and assaulted it many days, and shut them up.
66 E questi gli chiesero di fare la pace; lo concesse, li mandò via di lì, occupò la città, e vi pose un presidio.	66 And they desired him to make peace, and he granted it them: and he cast them out from thence, and took the city, and placed a garrison in it.
67 Gionata poi e le sue truppe sì diressero al lago di Genesar, e prima di giorno furono nella pianura di Asor.	67 And Jonathan, and his army encamped by the water of Genesar, and before it was light they were ready in the plain of Asor.
68 Ed ecco, le file straniere venivano avanti per la pianura, lasciando altri appiattati pei monti. Gionata andò diritto incontro ad esse.	68 And behold the army of the strangers met him in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him in the mountains: but he went out against them.
69 Ma quelli appiattati sbucarono fuori da' nascondigli, ed attaccaron battaglia.	69 And they that lay in ambush arose out of their places, and joined battle.
70 Allora i soldati di Gionata fuggirono tutti, e non rimase di loro che Matatia figlio d'Absalom, e Giuda figlio di Calfi, dei capi dell'esercito.	70 And all that were on Jonathan's side fled, and none was left of them, but Mathathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, chief captain of the army.
71 Gionata si strappò le vesti, si sparse il capo di polvere, e pregò.	71 And Jonathan rent his garments, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.
72 Poi tornò a battaglia coi nemici, li attaccò, e li mise in fuga.	72 And Jonathan turned again to them to battle, and he put them to flight, and they fought.
73 Quelli della sua parte che eran fuggiti, tornarono a lui, e tutti insieme inseguirono quelli sino ai loro accampamenti in Cades, e non andarono oltre.	73 And they of his part that fled saw this, and they turned again to him, and they all with him pursued the enemies even to Cades to their own camp, and they came even thither.
74 Caddero in quel giorno, degli stranieri, tremila uomini. E Gionata tornò in Gerusalemme.	74 And there fell of the aliens in that day three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.