Primo libro dei Maccabei 4

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 - Gorgia dunque prese con sè cinquemila fanti e mille cavalieri scelti, e si misero in marcia di notte	1 Then took Gorgias five thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the camp by night;
2 verso il campo de0 Giudei, per assalirli all’improvviso; uomini della cittadella facevan loro da guida.	2 To the end he might rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the fortress were his guides.
3 Giuda lo seppe, e si mosse egli pure, ed i suoi forti con lui, per dar addosso al nerbo delle forze del re ch’erano in Emmaus;	3 Now when Judas heard thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite the king's army which was at Emmaus,
4 giacché quell’esercito era ancora sparso fuori degli accampamenti.	4 While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
5 Gorgia pertanto arrivò di notte al campo di Giuda, e non vi trovò nessuno; li cercava pei monti, e diceva: «Questi sono fuggiti davanti a noi ».	5 In the mean season came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas: and when he found no man there, he sought them in the mountains: for said he, These fellows flee from us
6 Ma fatto giorno, apparve Giuda nella pianura con soli tremila fanti che non avevano spade nè arnesi di protezione;	6 But as soon as it was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless had neither armour nor swords to their minds.
7 e videro il campo delle nazioni ben munito, soldati con corazze, e Cavalieri intorno, tutti pronti all’assalto.	7 And they saw the camp of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about with horsemen; and these were expert of war.
8 E disse Giuda agli uomini che aveva seco: « Non vi faccia paura il loro numero, e non temete il loro Impeto.	8 Then said Judas to the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
9 Ricordate fn qual modo i padri nostri furon salvati nel Mar Rosso, quando il Faraone li inseguiva con un esercito grande;	9 Remember how our fathers were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
10 ora dunque leviamo al cielo le grida ed il Signore avrà misericordia di noi, si ricorderà del patto fermato coi padri nostri, ed abbatterà oggi sotto i nostri occhi questo esercito;	10 Now therefore let us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day:
11 cosi, tutte le genti sapranno che v’è chi salva e libera Israele ».	11 That so all the heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel.
12 I pagani alzarono gli occhi, e visto che quelli venivano contro di loro,	12 Then the strangers lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them.
13 uscirono dagli accampamenti per combattere. Quelli ch’eran con Giuda dettero flato alle trombe,	13 Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets.
14 e si azzuffarono; i pagani furono sgominati, e fuggirono per la campagna,	14 So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain.
15 Gli ultimi caddero tutti sotto la spada, ed [i Giudei] l'inseguirono sino a Gezeron e sino ai piani dell'Idumea, d’Azoto, e di Jamnia, e ne caddero sino a tremila.	15 Howbeit all the hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera, and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain of them upon a three thousand men.
16 E Giuda ritornò, con l'esercito che lo seguiva.	16 This done, Judas returned again with his host from pursuing them,
17 E disse alla sua gente: «Non pensate a far preda, perchè un'altra battaglia cl aspetta,	17 And said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us,
18 e Gorgia col suo esercito ci è vicino, sulla montagna. Ora state fermi contro i nostri nemici, e vinceteli ; poi, senza più pensiero, attenderete a far preda ».	18 And Gorgias and his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies, and overcome them, and after this ye may boldly take the spoils.
19 Non aveva finito di parlare che apparve sulla montagna una turma per esplorare.	19 As Judas was yet speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain:
20 Gorgia vide che i suoi erano stati messi in fuga, e che gli accampamenti bruciavano; il fumo infatti che si vedeva, faceva conoscere l'accaduto.	20 Who when they perceived that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the smoke that was seen declared what was done:
21 Ciò visto, quelli ebbero un gran timore; vedendo poi Giuda ed il suo esercito nella pianura pronto a combattere,	21 When therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight,
22 fuggiron tutti per le campagne degli stranieri.	22 They fled every one into the land of strangers.
23 Allora Giuda tornò a far bottino nei loro accampamenti, e presero gran quantità d'oro e di argento, giacinto, porpora marina e ricchezze molte ;	23 Then Judas returned to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and purple of the sea, and great riches.
24 e tornando indietro cantavano un inno, e benedicevano Iddio del cielo, perchè è buono, perchè la sua misericordia è nei secoli.	24 After this they went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven: because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever.
25 Quel giorno fu per Israele una grande liberazione.	25 Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.
26 Or tutti gli stranieri scampati vennero ad annunziare a Lisia quanto era accaduto.	26 Now all the strangers that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened:
27 Udendo ciò, costernato, si perse d'animo, perchè le cose in Israele non erano andate come egli aveva voluto, e come il re aveva ordinato.	27 Who, when he heard thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because neither such things as he would were done unto Israel, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to pass.
28 L'anno seguente, Lisia mise insieme sessantamila fanti scelti, e cinquemila cavalieri, per venirne a capo.	28 The next year therefore following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them.
29 Vennero In Giudea, e si accamparono in Betoron, e Giuda venne loro incontro con diecimila uomini.	29 So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.
30 Vedendo quell'esercito forte, Giuda pregò, e disse: «Benedetto sei tu, salvatore d'Israele, che per mano di David tuo servo annientasti la forza del gigante, e desti in mano a Gionata Aglio di Saul, ed al suo scudiere, il campo degli stranieri;	30 And when he saw that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel, who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David, and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul, and his armourbearer;
31 rinserra ora questo esercito fra le mani d'Israele tuo popolo, e restino concisi con tutto il loro numero ed i loro cavalieri;	31 Shut up this army in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their power and horsemen:
32 metti in loro lo spavento, marcisca la loro audacia e potenza, e s'annientino da se medesimi.	32 Make them to be of no courage, and cause the boldness of their strength to fall away, and let them quake at their destruction:
33 Atterrali tu con la spada di quelli che tl amano, e quanti conoscono il tuo nome ti cantino inni di lode!».	33 Cast them down with the sword of them that love thee, and let all those that know thy name praise thee with thanksgiving.
34 Attaccarono la battaglia, e caddero dell'esercito di Lisia cinquemila uomini.	34 So they joined battle; and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, even before them were they slain.
35 Lisia poi, vista la fuga de'suoi ed il valore de' Giudei preparati a vincere o morire da forti, se n'andò in Antiochia a levare, soldati, per poi, cresciuti di numero, tornare in Giudea.	35 Now when Lysias saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of Judas' soldiers, and how they were ready either to live or die valiantly, he went into Antiochia, and gathered together a company of strangers, and having made his army greater than it was, he purposed to come again into Judea.
36 "Dissero poi Giuda ed i suol fratelli: «Ecco, i nostri nemici son stati sconfìtti; andiamo a purificare il luogo santo, e rinnovarvi il culto ».	36 Then said Judas and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the sanctuary.
37 Si radunò tutto l'esercito, e salirono al monte Sion.	37 Upon this all the host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion.
38 Ivi trovarono deserto il santuario, profanato l'altare, bruciate le porte, cresciuti nel cortili gli sterpi come in un bosco o pei monti, e rovinate le celle.	38 And when they saw the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea, and the priests' chambers pulled down;
39 Allora si strapparon le vesti, e piansero di gran pianto, e si coprirono il capo di cenere,	39 They rent their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads,
40 e caddero con la faccia a terra, e sonarono le trombe del segnali, e levarono grida sino al cielo.	40 And fell down flat to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
41 Allora Giuda mise in ordine degli uomini che tenessero a bada quelli della cittadella, sinché fosse purificato il santuario.	41 Then Judas appointed certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the sanctuary.
42 indi, scelse dei sacerdoti senza macchia, zelanti della legge di Dio,	42 So he chose priests of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law:
43 i quali mondarono il luogo santo, e gettarono in luogo immondo le pietre contaminate.	43 Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
44 Poi pensò che cosa fare dell’altare degli olocausti, profanato,	44 And when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;
45 e parve a loro ben fatto di distruggerlo, acciò, cosi contaminato dai pagani non fosse a loro di obbrobrio. Lo demolirono dunque,	45 They thought it best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
46 e ne riposero le pietre sulla montagna del tempio, in luogo adatto, sino a che venisse un profeta e decidesse il da farne.	46 And laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.
47 Poi presero delle pietre non lavorate, secondo la legge, e ne edificarono il nuovo altare, conforme a quello di prima;	47 Then they took whole stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
48 riedificarono le mura del santuario e le costruzioni interne ; santificarono il tempio ed i cortili;	48 And made up the sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
49 rifecero i vasi santi, ricollocarono nel tempio il candelabro, l’altare degl' incensi, e la mensa;	49 They made also new holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table.
50 misero l’incenso sull’altare, ed accesero le lucerne che erano sul candelabro ed illuminavano il santuario.	50 And upon the altar they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted, that they might give light in the temple.
51 Posero sulla mensa i pani, attaccarono i veli, e condussero a termine tutto il loro lavoro.	51 Furthermore they set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the works which they had begun to make.
52 Ai venticinque del nono mese, (cioè del mese Casleu) dell’anno ccntoquarantotto, s’alzarono avanti l’alba,	52 Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning,
53 ed offrirono un sacrifizio secondo la legge sull’altare degli olocausti che avevano costruito di nuovo.	53 And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
54 Proprio alla stessa epoca e nello stesso giorno nel quale i pagani l’avevano contaminato, fu rinnovato tra cantici e suoni di cetre, psalterii e cimbali.	54 Look, at what time and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
55 Il popolo tutto si prostrò sino a terra, ed adorarono e benedissero quegli che dal cielo li aveva cosi prosperati.	55 Then all the people fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good success.
56 Per otto giorni celebrarono la dedicazione dell’altare, offrendo con giubilo olocausti e sacrifizi! di ringraziamento e di lode.	56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
57 Ornarono la fronte del tempio di corone d’oro e scudetti, riattarono gl’ ingressi e le celle, e vi rimisero le porte.	57 They decked also the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
58 E fu pel popolo un’allegrezza indicibile, e fu scancellato l’obbrobrio inflitto dalle nazioni.	58 Thus was there very great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put away.
59 E Giuda ed i suoi fratelli e tutta l’assemblea d’Israele stabilirono che il giorno della dedicazione dell’altare si celebrasse di anno in anno, al suo tempo, per otto giorni, cominciando coi venticinque del mese di Casleu, con gaudio e letizia.	59 Moreover Judas and his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu, with mirth and gladness.
60 Al medesimo tempo, fortificarono il monte Sion, edificandovi all'intorno alte mura e forti torri, acciò non venissero i gentili, e l’espugnassero, come avevano fatto prima.	60 At that time also they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about, lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before.
61 Vi collocò a guardia un presidio, e così fortificandolo munì anche Betsura, di modo che il popolo [d’Israele] avesse una difesa contro gl’ Idumei.	61 And they set there a garrison to keep it, and fortified Bethsura to preserve it; that the people might have a defence against Idumea.