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Venerdi, 17 maggio 2024 - San Pasquale Baylon ( Letture di oggi)

1 Maccabees 12


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DOUAI-RHEIMSKING JAMES BIBLE
1 And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:1 Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
2 And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form.2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.
3 And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance as it was before.3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.
4 And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.
5 And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:5 And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
6 Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
7 There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
8 And Onias received the ambassador with honour: and received the letters wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
9 We, though we needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,
10 Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.
11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren.11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:
12 And we rejoice at your glory.12 And we are right glad of your honour.
13 But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us.13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.
14 But we would not be troublesome to you, nor the rest of our allies and friends in these wars.14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:
15 For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
16 We have chosen therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans to renew with them the former amity and alliance.16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.
17 And we have commanded them to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
18 And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto.18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
19 And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
20 Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting.20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
21 It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
22 And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.
23 And we also have written back to you: That our cattle, and our possessions are yours: and yours, ours. We therefore have commanded that these things should be told you.23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.
24 Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,
25 So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.
26 And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.
27 And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.
28 And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they were struck with fear, and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.
29 But Jonathan and they that were with him knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.
30 And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
31 And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.
32 And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,
33 Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.
34 (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius,) and he put a garrison there to keep it.34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.
35 And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people, and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,
36 And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.
37 And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook towards the east was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.
38 And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.
39 Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia, and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.
40 Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.
41 And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.
42 Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him,42 Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;
43 But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.43 But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.
44 And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?44 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?
45 Now therefore send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.
46 And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.
47 But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.
48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.
49 Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain to destroy all Jonathan's company.49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.
50 But they, when they understood that Jonathan and all that were with him were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.
51 Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.
52 Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda. And they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.
53 Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:53 Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.
54 They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst mem.