2 Maccabees 11

DOUAI-RHEIMS	EL LIBRO DEL PUEBLO DE DIOS
1 But Machabeus, and they that were with him, by the protection of the Lord, recovered the temple and the city again.	1 Muy poco tiempo después, Lisias, tutor y familiar del rey, que estaba al frente de los asuntos de Estado,
2 But he threw down the altars, which the heathens had set up in the streets, as also the temples of the idols.	2 reunió unos ochenta mil hombres y toda la caballería, y marchó contra los judíos. Tenía la intención de convertir la ciudad en un lugar de residencia para los griegos,
3 And having purified the temple, they made another altar: and taking fire out of the fiery stones, they offered sacrifices after two years, and set forth incense, and lamps, and the leaves of proposition.	3 de hacer del Santuario una fuente de recursos, como los otros santuarios de los paganos, y de poner en venta cada año el cargo de Sumo Sacerdote.
4 And when they had done these things, they besought the Lord, lying prostrate on the ground, that they might no more fall into such evils; but if they should at any time sin, that they might be chastised by him more gently, and not be delivered up to barbarians and blasphemous men.	4 El no tenía en cuenta para nada el poder de Dios, porque estaba engreído con sus regimientos de infantería, sus millares de jinetes y sus ochenta elefantes.
5 Now upon the same day that the temple had been polluted by the strangers, on the very same day it was cleansed again, to wit, on the five and twentieth day of the month of Casleu.	5 Una vez que penetró en Judea, se acercó a Betsur, una plaza fuerte que distaba unos veintiocho kilómetros de Jerusalén, y la sitió.
6 And they kept eight days with joy, after the manner of the feast of the tabernacles, remembering that not long before they had kept the feast of the tabernacles when they were in the mountains, and in dens like wild beasts.	6 Cuando los partidarios del Macabeo supieron que Lisias había sitiado la fortaleza, comenzaron a suplicar al Señor con gemidos y lágrimas, unidos a la multitud, pidiéndole que enviara un ángel protector para salvar a Israel.
7 Therefore they now, carried boughs, and green branches, and palms for Him that had given them good success in cleansing his place.	7 El propio Macabeo, que fue el primero en empuñar las armas, exhortó a los demás a afrontar el peligro junto a él, a fin de salvar a sus hermanos. Todos se lanzaron al combate con gran entusiasmo
8 And they ordained by a common statute, and decree, that all the nation of the Jews should keep those days every year.	8 y, cuando todavía estaban cerca de Jerusalén, apareció al frente de ellos un jinete con vestiduras blancas y esgrimiendo armas de oro.
9 And this was the end of Antiochus that was called the Illustrious.	9 Todos bendijeron unánimemente al Dios misericordioso, y se enardecieron de tal manera, que estaban dispuestos a acometer, no sólo contra los hombres, sino también contra las bestias más feroces y aun contra murallas de hierro.
10 But now we will relate the acts of Eupator the son of that wicked Antiochus, abridging the account of the evils that happened in the wars.	10 Así avanzaron en orden de batalla, protegidos por su aliado celestial, porque el Señor se había compadecido de ellos.
11 For when he was come to the crown. he appointed over the affairs of his realm one Lysias, general of the army of Phenicia and Syria.	11 Y lanzándose como leones contra los enemigos, derribaron a once mil soldados y a mil seiscientos jinetes, y a todos los demás los obligaron a huir.
12 For Ptolemee that was called Macer, was determined to be strictly just to the Jews, and especially by reason of the wrong that had been done them, and to deal peaceably with them.	12 La mayoría de estos escaparon heridos y sin armas, y el mismo Lisias se salvó huyendo vergonzosamente.
13 But being accused for this to Eupator by his friends, and being oftentimes called traitor, because he had left Cyprus which Philometor had committed to him, and coming over to Antiochus the Illustrious, had revolted also from him, he put an end to his life by poison.	13 Como Lisias no era ningún insensato, reflexionó sobre la derrota que acababa de sufrir, y reconoció que los hebreos eran invencibles porque el Dios poderoso combatía con ellos.
14 But Gorgias, who was governor of the holds, taking with him the strangers, often fought against the Jews.	14 Entonces les envió una embajada para proponerles una reconciliación en condiciones razonables, prometiéndoles que induciría al rey a hacerse amigo de ellos.
15 And the Jews that occupied the most commodious hold, received those that were driven out of Jerusalem, and attempted to make war.	15 El Macabeo, no teniendo otra preocupación que el bien público, accedió a todas las propuestas de Lisias; y el rey concedió todo lo que el Macabeo había pedido por escrito a Lisias en favor de los judíos.
16 Then they that were with Machabeus, beseeching the Lord by prayers to be their helper, made a strong attack upon the strong holds of the Idumeans:	16 La carta escrita por Lisias a los judíos decía lo siguiente: «Lisias saluda a la comunidad de los judíos.
17 And assaulting them with great force, won the holds, killed them that came in the way, and slew altogether no fewer than twenty thousand.	17 Juan y Absalón, los legados de ustedes, al entregarme por escrito sus peticiones, me han pedido una respuesta favorable respecto de lo allí consignado.
18 And whereas some were fled into very strong towers, having all manner of provision to sustain a siege,	18 Ya he comunicado al rey todo lo que era necesario notificarle, y él ha otorgado todo lo que le pareció admisible.
19 Machabeus left Simon and Joseph, and Zacheus, and them that were with them in sufficient number to besiege them, and departed to those expeditions which urged more.	19 Por lo tanto, si mantienen su buena disposición respecto del Estado, yo procuraré favorecerlos en adelante.
20 Now they that were with Simon, being led with covetousness, were persuaded For the sake of money by some that were in the towers: and taking seventy thousand didrachmas, let some of them escape.	20 En cuanto a las cuestiones de detalle, he dado instrucciones a sus enviados y a los míos, para que las discutan con ustedes.
21 But when it was told Machabeus what was done, he assembled the rulers of the people, and accused those men that they had sold their brethren for money, having let their adversaries escape.	21 ¡Qué les vaya bien! Año ciento cuarenta y ocho, el veinticuatro del mes de Dióscoro».
22 So he put these traitors to death, and forthwith took the two towers.	22 La carta del rey estaba concebida en estos términos: «El rey Antíoco saluda a su hermano Lisias.
23 And having good success in arms and in all things he took in hand, he slew more than twenty thousand in the two holds.	23 Habiendo pasado nuestro padre a la compañía de los dioses, deseamos que los súbditos de nuestro reino puedan dedicarse sin temor al cuidado de sus propios intereses.
24 But Timotheus who before had been overcome by the Jews, having called together a multitude of foreign troops, and assembled horsemen out of Asia, came as though he would take Judea by force of arms.	24 Y como hemos sabido que los judíos no quieren adoptar las costumbres helénicas prometidas por nuestro padre, sino que prefieren seguir sus propias costumbres y piden que se les permita vivir conforme a sus leyes,
25 But Machabeus and they that were with him, when he drew near, prayed to the Lord, sprinkling earth upon their heads and girding their loins with haircloth,	25 deseosos de que también esta nación esté tranquila, decretamos que su Santuario sea restituido a su primitivo estado y que ellos se gobiernen de acuerdo con las costumbres de sus antepasados.
26 And lying prostrate at the foot of the altar, besought him to be merciful to them, and to be an enemy to their enemies, and an adversary to their adversaries, as the law saith.	26 Por lo tanto, harás un buen servicio enviándoles una embajada de paz, a fin de que, conociendo nuestra decisión, puedan vivir confiados y se dediquen de buen ánimo a sus propias ocupaciones».
27 And so after prayer taking their arms, they went forth further from the city, and when they were come very near the enemies they rested.	27 Esta es la carta del rey al pueblo: «El rey Antíoco saluda al Consejo de los ancianos y a todos los judíos.
28 But as soon as the sun was risen both sides joined battle: the one part having with their valour the Lord for a surety o victory and success: but the other side making their rage their leader in battle.	28 Es nuestro deseo que se encuentren bien. También nosotros gozamos de perfecta salud.
29 But when they were in the heat of the engagement there appeared to the enemies from heaven five men upon horses, comely with golden bridles, conducting the Jews:	29 Menelao nos ha hecho saber el deseo que ustedes tienen de volver a sus propios hogares.
30 Two of whom took Machabeus between them, and covered him on every side with their arms, and kept him safe: but cast darts and fireballs against the enemy, so that they fell down, being both confounded with blindness, and filled with trouble.	30 A todos los que se pongan en camino antes del treinta del mes de Xántico, se les asegura la impunidad.
31 And there were slain twenty thousand five hundred, and six hundred horsemen.	31 Los judíos podrán gobernarse según sus leyes, como lo hacían antes, especialmente en lo que se refiere a los alimentos, y ninguno de ellos será molestado para nada a causa de las faltas cometidas por ignorancia.
32 But Timotheus fled into Gazara a strong hold, where Chereas was governor.	32 Les envió además a Menelao para que les infunda confianza.
33 Then Machabeus, and they that were with him, cheerfully laid siege to the fortress four days.	33 ¡Qué les vaya bien! Año ciento cuarenta y ocho, el quince del mes de Xántico.
34 But they that were within, trusting to the strength of the place, blasphemed exceedingly, and cast forth abominable words.	34 También los romanos enviaron a los judíos la siguiente carta: «Quinto Memio y Tito Manio, legados de los romanos, saludan al pueblo de los judíos.
35 But when the fifth day appeared, twenty young men of them that were with Machabeus, inflamed in their minds because of the blasphemy, approached manfully to the wall, and pushing forward with fierce courage got up upon it.	35 Damos nuestro consentimiento a todo lo que les ha concedido Lisias, familiar del rey.
36 Moreover others also getting up after them, went to set Are to the towers and the gates, and to burn the blasphemers alive.	36 Pero en lo que respecta a lo que él consideró que debía someter al juicio del rey, envíennos urgentemente a alguien con instrucciones detalladas sobre el particular, para que las expongamos como les conviene a ustedes, ya que vamos a ir a Antioquía.
37 And having for two days together pillaged and sacked the fortress, they killed Timotheus, who was found hid in a certain place: they slew also his brother Chereas, and Apollophanes.	37 Mándennos a algunos lo antes posible, a fin de que también nosotros conozcamos el punto de vista de ustedes.
38 And when this was done, they blessed the Lord with hymns and thanksgiving, who had done great things in Israel, and given them the victory.	38 ¡Salud! Año ciento cuarenta y ocho, el quince del mes de Xántico.