Scrutatio

Giovedi, 23 maggio 2024 - San Giovanni Battista de Rossi ( Letture di oggi)

2 Maccabees 3


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KING JAMES BIBLENOVA VULGATA
1 Now when the holy city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws were kept very well, because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and his hatred of wickedness,1 Cum sancta civitas habitaretur cum omni pace, et leges quam optimecustodirentur propter Oniae pontificis pietatem et odium malitiae,
2 It came to pass that even the kings themselves did honour the place, and magnify the temple with their best gifts;2 fiebat utet ipsi reges locum honorarent et templum maximis muneribus illustrarent,
3 Insomuch that Seleucus of Asia of his own revenues bare all the costs belonging to the service of the sacrifices.3 itaut Seleucus quoque Asiae rex de redditibus suis praestaret omnes sumptus administeria sacrificiorum pertinentes.
4 But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was made governor of the temple, fell out with the high priest about disorder in the city.4 Simon autem de tribu Belgae praepositustempli constitutus dissentiebat a principe sacerdotum de dispensatione incivitate.
5 And when he could not overcome Onias, he gat him to Apollonius the son of Thraseas, who then was governor of Celosyria and Phenice,5 Et cum vincere Oniam non posset, venit ad Apollonium Tharseaefilium, qui eo tempore erat dux Coelesyriae et Phoenicis,
6 And told him that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of infinite sums of money, so that the multitude of their riches, which did not pertain to the account of the sacrifices, was innumerable, and that it was possible to bring all into the king's hand.6 et nuntiavitpecuniis inenarrabilibus plenum esse aerarium Hierosolymis, ita ut multitudovectigalium innumerabilis esset et ea non pertinere ad rationem sacrificiorum;esse autem possibile sub potestate regis haec cadere.
7 Now when Apollonius came to the king, and had shewed him of the money whereof he was told, the king chose out Heliodorus his treasurer, and sent him with a commandment to bring him the foresaid money.7 Collocutus autem Apollonius cum rege, de indicatis sibi pecuniis aperuit; atille vocans Heliodorum, qui erat super negotia, misit datis mandatis, utpraedictam pecuniam transportaret.
8 So forthwith Heliodorus took his journey; under a colour of visiting the cities of Celosyria and Phenice, but indeed to fulfil the king's purpose.8 Statimque Heliodorus iter est aggressus,specie quidem quasi per Coelesyriam et Phoenicen civitates esset peragraturus,re vera autem regis propositum perfecturus.
9 And when he was come to Jerusalem, and had been courteously received of the high priest of the city, he told him what intelligence was given of the money, and declared wherefore he came, and asked if these things were so indeed.9 Sed cum venisset Hierosolymam etbenigne a summo sacerdote civitatis esset exceptus, narravit de dato indicio, etcuius rei gratia adesset aperuit; interrogabat autem, si vere haec ita essent.
10 Then the high priest told him that there was such money laid up for the relief of widows and fatherless children:10 Tunc summus sacerdos ostendit deposita esse viduarum et pupillorum;
11 And that some of it belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great dignity, and not as that wicked Simon had misinformed: the sum whereof in all was four hundred talents of silver, and two hundred of gold:11 quaedam vero esse Hircani Thobiae, viri valde eminentis, non sicut detuleratobtrectans impius Simon; universa autem argenti talenta esse quadringenta etauri ducenta;
12 And that it was altogether impossible that such wrongs should be done unto them, that had committed it to the holiness of the place, and to the majesty and inviolable sanctity of the temple, honoured over all the world.12 decipi vero eos, qui credidissent loci sanctitati et honoratiper universum mundum templi venerationi inviolabili tutelae, omnino impossibileesse.
13 But Heliodorus, because of the king's commandment given him, said, That in any wise it must be brought into the king's treasury.13 At ille, pro his, quae habebat, mandatis a rege, omnino dicebat in regiumfiscum ea esse deferenda.
14 So at the day which he appointed he entered in to order this matter: wherefore there was no small agony throughout the whole city.14 Constituta autem die, intrabat de his visitationemordinaturus. Non modica vero per universam civitatem erat trepidatio.
15 But the priests, prostrating themselves before the altar in their priests' vestments, called unto heaven upon him that made a law concerning things given to he kept, that they should safely be preserved for such as had committed them to be kept.15 Sacerdotes autem ante altare cum stolis sacerdotalibus iactaverunt se etinvocabant in caelum eum, qui de deposito legem posuit, ut his, qui deposuerant,ea salva custodiret.
16 Then whoso had looked the high priest in the face, it would have wounded his heart: for his countenance and the changing of his colour declared the inward agony of his mind.16 Erat autem, ut qui videret summi sacerdotis vultum,mente vulneraretur; facies enim et color immutatus declarabat internum animidolorem.
17 For the man was so compassed with fear and horror of the body, that it was manifest to them that looked upon him, what sorrow he had now in his heart.17 Circumfusus enim erat metus quidam viro, et horror corporis, undemanifestus aspicientibus dolor instans cordi efficiebatur.
18 Others ran flocking out of their houses to the general supplication, because the place was like to come into contempt.18 Alii autem dedomibus gregatim prosiliebant ad publicam supplicationem, pro eo quod incontemptum locus esset venturus.
19 And the women, girt with sackcloth under their breasts, abounded in the streets, and the virgins that were kept in ran, some to the gates, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows.19 Accinctaeque mulieres ciliciis sub mammisper vias confluebant; sed et virgines, quae conclusae erant, aliae quidemprocurrebant ad ianuas, aliae autem ad muros, quaedam vero per fenestrasaspiciebant;
20 And all, holding their hands toward heaven, made supplication.20 universae autem protendentes manus in caelum deprecabantur.
21 Then it would have pitied a man to see the falling down of the multitude of all sorts, and the fear of the high priest being in such an agony.21 Erat enim misereri commixtae multitudinis prostrationem et summi sacerdotis inmagna agonia constituti exspectationem.
22 They then called upon the Almighty Lord to keep the things committed of trust safe and sure for those that had committed them.22 Et hi quidem invocabant omnipotentemDominum, ut credita salva his, qui crediderant, conservaret cum omni tutela.
23 Nevertheless Heliodorus executed that which was decreed.23 Heliodorus autem, quod fuerat decretum, perficiebat.
24 Now as he was there present himself with his guard about the treasury, the Lord of spirits, and the Prince of all power, caused a great apparition, so that all that presumed to come in with him were astonished at the power of God, and fainted, and were sore afraid.24 Eodem loco, ipso cumsatellitibus circa aerarium praesente, spirituum et omnis potestatis Dominusmagnam fecit ostensionem, ita ut omnes, qui ausi fuerant convenire, perterritivirtute Dei in dissolutionem et formidinem converterentur.
25 For there appeared unto them an horse with a terrible rider upon him, and adorned with a very fair covering, and he ran fiercely, and smote at Heliodorus with his forefeet, and it seemed that he that sat upon the horse had complete harness of gold.25 Apparuit enimillis quidam equus terribilem habens sessorem et optimo operimento adornatus;isque cum impetu invectus Heliodoro priores calces impegit; qui autemsupersedebat, videbatur arma habere aurea.
26 Moreover two other young men appeared before him, notable in strength, excellent in beauty, and comely in apparel, who stood by him on either side; and scourged him continually, and gave him many sore stripes.26 Alii etiam apparuerunt duo iuvenesvirtute decori, optimi gloria speciosique amictu, qui etiam circumsteterunt eumet ex utraque parte flagellabant sine intermissione multas inferentes ei plagas.
27 And Heliodorus fell suddenly unto the ground, and was compassed with great darkness: but they that were with him took him up, and put him into a litter.27 Subito autem concidit in terram; eumque multa caligine circumfusum rapueruntatque in sellam gestatoriam imposuerunt;
28 Thus him, that lately came with a great train and with all his guard into the said treasury, they carried out, being unable to help himself with his weapons: and manifestly they acknowledged the power of God.28 et eum, qui cum multis cursoribus etsatellitibus praedictum ingressus erat aerarium, portabant carentem auxilio exarmis constitutum, manifeste Dei virtutem cognoscentem.
29 For he by the hand of God was cast down, and lay speechless without all hope of life.29 Et ille quidem perdivinam virtutem iacebat mutus atque omni spe et salute privatus;
30 But they praised the Lord, that had miraculously honoured his own place: for the temple; which a little afore was full of fear and trouble, when the Almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and gladness.30 hi autemDominum benedicebant, qui magnificabat locum suum; et templum, quod paulo antetimore ac tumultu erat plenum, apparente omnipotente Domino, gaudio et laetitiaimpletum est.
31 Then straightways certain of Heliodorus' friends prayed Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his life, who lay ready to give up the ghost.31 Confestim vero ex amicis Heliodori quidam rogabant Oniam, utinvocaret Altissimum, ut vitam donaret ei, qui prorsus in supremo spiritu eratconstitutus.
32 So the high priest, suspecting lest the king should misconceive that some treachery had been done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice for the health of the man.32 Suspectus autem factus summus sacerdos, ne forte rex opinareturmalitiam aliquam ex Iudaeis circa Heliodorum consummatam, obtulit hostiam prosalute viri.
33 Now as the high priest was making an atonement, the same young men in the same clothing appeared and stood beside Heliodorus, saying, Give Onias the high priest great thanks, insomuch as for his sake the Lord hath granted thee life:33 Cumque summus sacerdos litationem perficeret, iidem iuvenesrursus apparuerunt Heliodoro eisdem vestibus amicti et astantes dixerunt: “Oniae summo sacerdoti multas gratias age, nam propter eum Dominus tibi vitamdonavit;
34 And seeing that thou hast been scourged from heaven, declare unto all men the mighty power of God. And when they had spoken these words, they appeared no more.34 tu autem a caelo flagellatus nuntia omnibus magnam Dei potestatem”. Et his dictis, non comparuerunt.
35 So Heliodorus, after he had offered sacrifice unto the Lord, and made great vows unto him that had saved his life, and saluted Onias, returned with his host to the king.35 Heliodorus autem, hostia Domino oblata et votis magnis promissis ei, quivivere concessit, et Oniam acceptum habens cum exercitu repedavit ad regem;
36 Then testified he to all men the works of the great God, which he had seen with his eyes.36 testabatur autem omnibus ea, quae sub oculis suis viderat, opera maximi Dei.
37 And when the king Heliodorus, who might be a fit man to be sent yet once again to Jerusalem, he said,37 Cum autem rex interrogasset Heliodorum, quis esset aptus adhuc semelHierosolymam mitti, ait:
38 If thou hast any enemy or traitor, send him thither, and thou shalt receive him well scourged, if he escape with his life: for in that place, no doubt; there is an especial power of God.38 “ Si quem habes hostem aut rerum insidiatorem,mitte eum illuc et flagellatum eum recipies, si tamen evaserit, eo quod in locosit vere Dei quaedam virtus;
39 For he that dwelleth in heaven hath his eye on that place, and defendeth it; and he beateth and destroyeth them that come to hurt it.39 nam ipse, qui habet in caelis habitationem,visitator et adiutor est loci illius et venientes ad malefaciendum percutit acperdit ”.
40 And the things concerning Heliodorus, and the keeping of the treasury, fell out on this sort.40 Igitur de Heliodoro et aerarii custodia ita res processerunt.