Secondo libro dei Maccabei 15

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 - Quando Nicanore seppe che Giuda era nelle regioni della Samaria, pensò d’attaccarlo impetuosamente in giorno di sabato.	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 Quei Giudei che erano stati costretti a seguirlo, gli dicevano: « Non far cosa tanto barbara e feroce; rendi onore al giorno santo, e rispetta colui che vede ogni cosa ».	2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.
3 Ma quello sciagurato domandò se v’ è in cielo qualcuno che abbia comandato d’osservare il sabato.	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 Risposero: «V’è in cielo, vivo e potente, il Signore medesimo che comandò di celebrare il giorno settimo ».	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 Ma quegli disse: « Ed io sono potente in terra, e comando di prender le armi, e di condurre a termine gli affari del re ». Tuttavia non giunse ad eseguire il suo disegno.	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 Nicanore dunque, al colmo della superbia, già pensava d’erigere per le sue vittorie su Giuda un pubblico trofeo.	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 Il Maccabeo invece sempre con tutta speranza fidava che Dio gli verrebbe in aiuto;	7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
8 ed esortava i suoi a non temere la mossa delle nazioni, ma tener a mente gli aiuti già ricevuti dal cielo; sperassero quindi anche ora, che dall' Onnipotente verrebbe a loro la vittoria.	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 E parlando loro della legge e dei profeti, e ricordando le prove già prima superate, li rese più arditi.	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 Sollevati così gli animi loro, anche ricordava la mala fede de' Gentili, e le infrazioni ai fatti giuramenti.	10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11 Li armò dunque ad uno ad uno, non munendoli di scudi e di lancia ma di eccellenti discorsi ed esortazioni, e raccontò loro un sogno degno di tutta fede, col quale li rallegrò tutti.	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 La visione era questa: Onia, ch’era stato sommo sacerdote, uomo giusto e benigno, di venerabile aspetto, dolce nel tratto, ornato nella parola, esercitato fin da fanciullo nelle virtù, levava le mani pregando per tutto il popolo dei Giudei.	12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
13 Quindi era apparso un altro personaggio, venerando per età e gloria, ed intorno a lui una magnifica maestà.	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 Ed Onia, presa la parola, aveva detto: « Questi è l’amico de’fratelli e del popolo di Israele; questi è colui che molto prega per il popolo c per tutta la città santa: Geremia, profeta di Dio».	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 Allora Geremia aveva stesa la destra, e data a Giuda una spada d’oro, dicendo:	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 « Ricevi la spada santa dono di Dio, con la quale abbatterai i nemici d’Israele mio popolo ».	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 Cosi esortati dagli eccellenti discorsi di Giuda, atti ad accrescer vigore ed a infervorare gli animi dei giovani, risolsero di assalire e combattere da valorosi, di modo che il valore decidesse gli eventi, trattandosi della città santa e del tempio che erano in pericolo.	17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
18 Era infatti minore il pensiero che si davano per le mogli ed i figli, pei fratelli e parenti; il primo e più grande timore era per la santità del tempio.	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 Ma anche quelli che erano rimasti in città non stavano in piccola pena per coloro che dovevan combattere.	19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.
20 Stando dunque, tutti in attesa della decisione, i nemici in vista, l’esercito loro schierato, gli elefanti ed i cavalieri ordinati ai luoghi convenienti ;	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 considerando il Maccabeo il numero di quelli che si avanzavano, l’apparato delle varie armi, e la ferocia degli animali, levando le mani al cielo invocò il Signore che fa i prodigi, e che, non secondo la forza delle armi ma secondo che a lui piace, dà la vittoria ai più degni.	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 Pregando, disse così: « Tu, Signore, che a tempo d’ Ezechia re di Giuda mandasti il tuo angelo, e del campo di Sennacherib ne uccidesti centottantacinquemila,	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 manda anche ora, o re del cielo, l’angelo tuo buono innanzi a noi, ad incuter timore e tremor della potenza del tuo braccio,	23 And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
24 sicché n’abbiano paura quelli che bestemmiando vengono contro al santo popolo tuo ». Così dunque finì di pregare.	24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.
25 Nicanore allora ed i suoi si avanzarono a suon di trombe e di canti.	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 Giuda ed i suoi, invocato Dio, attaccaron battaglia pregando.	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 E combattendo sì con la mano, ma col cuore pregando il Signore, abbatterono non meno di trentacinquemila nemici, magnificamente rallegrati dalla presenza di Dio.	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 Quando poi ebber finito, e giubilanti se ne ritornavano, conobbero che Nicanore era caduto colla sua armatura.	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 Allora alzato un grido, e rumore nella patria lingua benedicevano l’onnipotente Signore.	29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.
30 Giuda allora, che in tutto era sempre stato pronto a dare pei suoi connazionali il corpo e l’animo, comandò che si portasse a Gerusalemme il capo di Nicanore, e la mano tagliata insieme col braccio.	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 Ivi giunto, convocati i cittadini ed i sacerdoti innanzi all’altare, chiamò anche quelli che erano nella rocca.	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 E mostrò il capo di Nicanore, e l’empia mano che quegli aveva stesa contro la casa santa dell’onnipotente Dio gloriandosi con tanta insolenza.	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 Comandò poi che tagliata dello scellerato Nicanore la lingua fosse data a pezzi agli uccelli, e il capo di quell’ insano fosse sospeso di faccia al tempio.	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 Tutti dunque benedissero il Signore del cielo, dicendo: «Benedetto Colui che ha salvato dalla contaminazione la sua dimora! ».	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 Fu dunque il capo di Nicanore appeso in cima alla rocca, acciò fosse manifesto ed evidente segno dell’aiuto di Dio.	35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
36 Tutti poi di comune accordo decretarono che in nessun modo passasse senza solennità un tal giorno,	36 Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.
37 e che si celebrasse la festa ai tredici del mese detto di Adar in lingua siriaca, il giorno avanti al giorno di Mardocheo.	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 Compiutisi rispetto a Nicanore questi eventi, essendo da allora in poi la città rimasta in possesso degli Ebrei, anch'io finirò qui il mio discorso.	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 Il quale se procede bene, e come si conviene ad una storia, è quello che anch’ io vorrei; se invece è riuscito meno conveniente, mi si perdoni.	39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
40 Come infatti bere sempre vino o sempre acqua non giova, mentre usarne a vicenda è piacevole ; così a chi legge, se il dire è sempre studiato, non riesce gradito. Qui dunque porrò fine.	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.