Secondo libro dei Maccabei 4

BIBBIA RICCIOTTI	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 - Quel medesimo Simone che aveva tradito la patria e svelata l’esistenza del tesoro, sparlava di Onia, quasi avesse egli istigato Eliodoro, e fosse stato causa di quei mali	1 The Simon mentioned above as the informer about the funds against his own country, made false accusation that it was Onias who threatened Heliodorus and instigated the whole miserable affair.
2 e così osava chiamar insidiatore del regno quegli che era la provvidenza della sua città, il difensore della sua nazione, lo zelatore della legge di Dio.	2 He dared to brand as a plotter against the government the man who was a benefactor of the city, a protector of his compatriots, and a zealous defender of the laws.
3 Ora, poiché le Inimicizie crescevano a tal segno che da alcuni satelliti di Simone furon anche commessi omicidi,	3 When Simon's hostility reached such a point that murders were being committed by one of his henchmen,
4 considerando Onia il pericolo della discordia, e come Apollonio, in qualità di prefetto della Celesiria e della Fenicia, insanamente fomentava la malizia di Simone, ricorse al re,	4 Onias saw that the opposition was serious and that Apollonius, son of Menestheus, the governor of Coelesyria and Phoenicia, was abetting Simon's wickedness.
5 non come accusatore dei concittadini ma in vista del comune vantaggio di tutta la nazione.	5 So he had recourse to the king, not as an accuser of his countrymen, but as a man looking to the general and particular good of all the people.
6 Vedeva infatti che senza un intervento del re, era impossibile rimetter le cose in pace, e ritrarre Simone dalla sua empietà.	6 He saw that, unless the king intervened, it would be impossible to have a peaceful government, and that Simon would not desist from his folly.
7 Ma essendo morto [il re] Seleuco, ed avendo assunto il regno Antioco detto il Nobile, Giasone fratello d * Onia ambiva il sommo sacerdozio.	7 But Seleucus died, and when Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes succeeded him on the throne, Onias' brother Jason obtained the high priesthood by corrupt means:
8 Presentatosi al re, gli promise treccntosessanta talenti di argento, e su altri cespiti altri ottanta;	8 in an interview, he promised the king three hundred and sixty talents of silver, as well as eighty talents from another source of income.
9 inoltre, gliene prometteva altri centocinquanta, se gli dava facoltà di erigersi un ginnasio ed una efebia, e di conferire la cittadinanza antiochena a quei di Gerusalemme.	9 Besides this he agreed to pay a hundred and fifty more, if he were given authority to establish a gymnasium and a youth club for it and to enroll men in Jerusalem as Antiochians.
10 Avendo ciò ottenuto dal re, e conseguito il principato, subito si mise a tirar i suoi connazionali ai costumi de’gentili.	10 When Jason received the king's approval and came into office, he immediately initiated his countrymen into the Greek way of life.
11 Messe da parte le concessioni che i re avevan fatto a titolo di benevolenza a’ Giudei, per mezzo di Giovanni, padre di quell’ Eupolemo che fu mandato ambasciatore ai Romani per far con loro società ed alleanza, calpestando i legittimi diritti de’cittadini, introduceva usanze perverse.	11 He set aside the royal concessions granted to the Jews through the mediation of John, father of Eupolemus (that Eupolemus who would later go on an embassy to the Romans to establish a treaty of friendship with them); he abrogated the lawful institutions and introduced customs contrary to the law.
12 Ardi infatti di istituire un ginnasio sotto la stessa cittadella, e di mettere nei lupanari i giovinetti migliori.	12 He quickly established a gymnasium at the very foot of the acropolis, where he induced the noblest young men to wear the Greek hat.
13 Questo non era già il principio ma una conseguenza ed un accrescimento del modo di vivere gentilesco e straniero, dovuto alla nefanda ed inaudita scelleratezza dell’empio falso sacerdote Giasone.	13 The craze for Hellenism and foreign customs reached such a pitch, through the outrageous wickedness of the ungodly pseudo-high-priest Jason,
14 Talmente che i sacerdoti non attendevano agli uffici, correvano a prender parte a’ giuochi della palestra, alle sue illecite attrattive, ed agli esercizi del disco;	14 that the priests no longer cared about the service of the altar. Disdaining the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, they hastened, at the signal for the discus-throwing, to take part in the unlawful exercises on the athletic field.
15 e reputando per nulla quel che i loro padri avevano onorato, stimavano migliori le glorie dei Greci.	15 They despised what their ancestors had regarded as honors, while they highly prized what the Greeks esteemed as glory.
16 Per amor delle quali facevano tra di loro pericolose gare, volendo emulare le istituzioni e farsi in tutto simili a quelli ch’erano stati i loro nemici e distruttori.	16 Precisely because of this, they found themselves in serious trouble: the very people whose manner of life they emulated, and whom they desired to imitate in everything, became their enemies and oppressors.
17 Agire invero da empii contro le leggi divine, non si fa impunemente, ed il tempo avvenire lo dimostrerà.	17 It is no light matter to flout the laws of God, as the following period will show.
18 Celebrandosi dunque in Tiro i giuochi quinquennali alla presenza del re,	18 When the quinquennial games were held at Tyre in the presence of the king,
19 l’empio Giasone mandò da Gerusalemme uomini iniqui, a portarvi trecento dramme d’argento, per sacrifizi ad Ercole; quelli però che le avevano portate, chiesero che non andassero spese nei sacrifizi, non stando ciò bene, ma fossero destinate ad altro uso.	19 the vile Jason sent envoys as representatives of the Antiochians of Jerusalem, to bring there three hundred silver drachmas for the sacrifice to Hercules. But the bearers themselves decided that the money should not be spent on a sacrifice, as that was not right, but should be used for some other purpose.
20 Erano veramente state offerte per il sacrifizio di Ercole, da chi le avevano mandate; ma per riguardo ai latori furon impiegate nella costruzione di navi triremi.	20 So the contribution destined by the sender for the sacrifice to Hercules was in fact applied, by those who brought it, to the construction of triremes.
21 Antioco poi, avendo Inviato in Egitto Apollonio figlio di Mnesteo a causa della prima proclamazione come re del re Tolomeo Filometore, accortosi d’esser ormai considerato estraneo agli affari di quel regno, per provveder al proprio vantaggio se ne parti, e venne in Joppe, e quindi in Gerusalemme.	21 When Apollonius, son of Menestheus, was sent to Egypt for the coronation of King Philometor, Antiochus learned that the king was opposed to his policies; so he took measures for his own security.
22 Accolto magnificamente da Giasone e dai cittadini, entrò al lume delle fiaccole e tra canti di lode. Di li poi volse l’esercito nella Fenicia.	22 After going to Joppa, he proceeded to Jerusalem. There he was received with great pomp by Jason and the people of the city, who escorted him with torchlights and acclamations; following this, he led his army into Phoenicia.
23 Tre anni dopo, Giasone mandò Menelao, fratello del sopra nominato Simone, al re, a portargli danari e riceverne risposta su affari importanti.	23 Three years later Jason sent Menelaus, brother of the aforementioned Simon, to deliver the money to the king, and to obtain decisions on some important matters.
24 Ma quegli, ingraziositosi il re con l’esaltare la sua potenza, ed offrendo trecento talenti d’argento più che Giasone, ritorse su se medesimo il sommo pontificato,	24 When he had been introduced to the king, he flattered him with such an air of authority that he secured the high priesthood for himself, outbidding Jason by three hundred talents of silver.
25 e ricevutane dal re l'investitura tornò, nulla avendo di degno del sacerdozio, e portando anzi in sè le disposizioni di un crudele tiranno, e l’ira d’una bestia selvaggia.	25 He returned with the royal commission, but with nothing that made him worthy of the high priesthood; he had the temper of a cruel tyrant and the rage of a wild beast.
26 Giasone pertanto, che aveva soppiantato il proprio fratello, tradito ora egli stesso e fuggiasco, fu cacciato nel paese degli Ammoniti.	26 Then Jason, who had cheated his own brother and now saw himself cheated by another man, was driven out as a fugitive to the country of the Ammonites.
27 Menelao poi ebbe si il principato; ma di dare al re le somme promesse non fece nulla, quando le richiese Sostrato prefetto della cittadella,	27 Although Menelaus had obtained the office, he did not make any payments of the money he had promised to the king,
28 al quale spettava l’esazione delle tasse. Perciò furon ambedue citati davanti al re.	28 in spite of the demand of Sostratus, the commandant of the citadel, whose duty it was to collect the taxes. For this reason, both were summoned before the king.
29 Menelao fu rimosso dal sacerdozio, succedendogli Lisimaco suo fratello. Sostrato poi fu mandato prefetto a Cipro.	29 Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus as his substitute in the high priesthood, while Sostratus left Crates, commander of the Cypriots, as his substitute.
30 Mentre queste cose accadevano, avvenne che i cittadini di Tarso e di Mallo si ribellarono, perchè erano stati assegnati in dote ad Antiochide concubina del re.	30 While these things were taking place, the people of Tarsus and Mallus rose in revolt, because their cities had been given as a gift to Antiochis, the king's mistress.
31 Venne dunque in fretta il re a sedarli, lasciando a sostituirlo Andronico, uno del suoi compagni.	31 The king, therefore, went off in haste to settle the affair, leaving Andronicus, one of his nobles, as his deputy.
32 Menelao allora, giudicando esser venuto per lui il momento opportuno, sottratti dal tempio alcuni arredi d’oro, li dette ad Andronico, ad altri ne vendè in Tiro ed in città vicine.	32 Then Menelaus, thinking this a good opportunity, stole some gold vessels from the temple and presented them to Andronicus; he had already sold some other vessels in Tyre and in the neighboring cities.
33 Il che avendo con tutta certezza risaputo Onta, ne lo rimproverava, stando però In luogo sicuro a Dafne presso Antiochia.	33 When Onias had clear evidence of the facts, he made a public protest, after withdrawing to the inviolable sanctuary at Daphne, near Antioch.
34 Menelao dunque ricorse ad Andronico, e gli chiese che mettesse a morte Onia. E quegli venuto ad Onia, e datesi con giuramento le destre, sebbene gli fosse sospetto, lo persuase ad uscire dal luogo d’asilo, e subito l’uccise senza riguardo alla giustizia.	34 Thereupon Menelaus approached Andronicus privately and asked him to lay hands on Onias. So Andronicus went to Onias, and by treacherously reassuring him through sworn pledges with right hands joined, persuaded him, in spite of his suspicions, to leave the sanctuary. Then, without any regard for justice, he immediately put him to death.
35 Della qual cosa s’indignarono non solo i Giudei, ma anche le altre genti, e non potevan sopportare l'ingiusta uccisione d’un tant’uomo.	35 As a result, not only the Jews, but many people of other nations as well, were indignant and angry over the unjust murder of the man.
36 Perciò, tornato il re dai luoghi dalla Cilicia, gli si presentarono insieme In Antiochia e Giudei e Greci, protestando contro l’iniqua uccisione d'Onia.	36 When the king returned from the region of Cilicia, the Jews of the city, together with the Greeks who detested the crime, went to see him about the murder of Onias.
37 Contristato dunque nell’animo Antioco a causa d'Onia e mosso a compassione, pianse su lui ricordando la saviezza e modestia del defunto;	37 Antiochus was deeply grieved and full of pity; he wept as he recalled the prudence and noble conduct of the deceased.
38 poi, acceso di sdegno, comandò che Andronico spogliato della porpora fosse condotto in giro per tutta la città, e che nel luogo stesso ove il sacrilego aveva commesso sopra Onia quell'iniquità, fosse messo a morte, ricevendo cosi da Dio la meritata pena.	38 Inflamed with anger, he immediately stripped Andronicus of his purple robe, tore off his other garments, and had him led through the whole city to the very place where he had committed the outrage against Onias; and there he put the murderer to death. Thus the Lord rendered him the punishment he deserved.
39 Ora, essendo stati perpetrati da Lisimaco nel tempio molti sacrilegi ad istigazione di Menelao e sparsane la voce, il popolo insorse contro Lisimaco che aveva già trafugato molt’oro.	39 Many sacrilegious thefts had been committed by Lysimachus in the city with the connivance of Menelaus. When word was spread that a large number of gold vessels had been stolen, the people assembled in protest against Lysimachus.
40 Tumultuando la turba, ed essendo irritati gli animi, Lisimaco armò circa tremila uomini, con a capo un certo tiranno avanzato del pari in età e in malizia, e cominciò a far violenze.	40 As the crowds, now thoroughly enraged, began to riot, Lysimachus launched an unjustified attack against them with about three thousand armed men under the leadership of Auranus, a man as advanced in folly as he was in years.
41 Ma quando gli altri videro il tentativo di Lisimaco, chi prese sassi e chi nodosi bastoni, e chi gettava contro Lisimaco della polvere.	41 Reacting against Lysimachus' attack, the people picked up stones or pieces of wood or handfuls of the ashes lying there and threw them in wild confusion at Lysimachus and his men.
42 Così molti furon feriti, molti anche uccisi, e tutti gli altri messi in fuga; lui stesso, il sacrilego, fu ucciso presso l’erario.	42 As a result, they wounded many of them and even killed a few, while they put all the rest to flight. The sacrilegious thief himself they slew near the treasury.
43 Di tutte queste cose fu cominciato ad accusare Menelao.	43 Charges about this affair were brought against Menelaus.
44 E venuto il re in Tiro, a lui fu deferito l’affare da tre uomini spediti a ciò dagli anziani [di Gerusalemme].	44 When the king came to Tyre, three men sent by the senate presented to him the justice of their cause.
45 Menelao, vistosi a mal partito promise a Tolomeo di dargli molti danari se riuscisse a persuadere il re [in suo favore].	45 But Menelaus, seeing himself on the losing side, promised Ptolemy, son of Dorymenes, a substantial sum of money if he would win the king over.
46 Tolomeo dunque, se ne andò dal re in un vestibolo come per prender aria, e lo rimosse dalla sua sentenza ;	46 So Ptolemy retired with the king under a colonnade, as if to get some fresh air, and persuaded him to change his mind.
47 ed il re assolvè da ogni delitto quel Menelao reo d’ogni iniquità, e quei [tre] miseri, i quali, anche se avessero perorato la loro causa innanzi agli Sciti, sarebbero stati giudicati innocenti, li condannò a morte.	47 Menelaus, who was the cause of all the trouble, the king acquitted of the charges, while he condemned to death those poor men who would have been declared innocent even if they had pleaded their case before Scythians.
48 Così senza indugio subirono l’ingiusta pena quelli che avevan difesa la causa della loro città e nazione, e de’ sacri arredi.	48 Thus, those who had prosecuted the case for the city, for the people, and for the sacred vessels, quickly suffered unjust punishment.
49 Della qual cosa indignati gli stessi cittadini di Tiro, dettero loro una magnifica sepoltura.	49 For this reason, even some Tyrians were indignant over the crime and provided sumptuously for their burial.
50 Menelao intanto, per l’avarizia di quelli ch'erano al potere, si manteneva In autorità, e cresceva in malizia a danno de' cittadini.	50 But Menelaus, thanks to the covetousness of the men in power, remained in office, where he grew in wickedness and became the chief plotter against his fellow citizens.