Primo libro dei Maccabei 11

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Et rex Aegypti congregavit exercitum sicut arena, quae est circa orammaris, et naves multas et quaerebat obtinere regnum Alexandri dolo et addereillud regno suo.	1 The king of Egypt then assembled an army as numerous as the sands of the seashore, with manyships, and set out to take possession of Alexander's kingdom by a ruse and add it to his own kingdom.
2 Et exiit in Syriam verbis pacificis, et aperiebant eicivitates et occurrebant ei, quia mandaverat Alexander rex exire ei obviam, eoquod socer suus esset.	2 He set off for Syria with protestations of peace, and the people of the towns opened their gates to himand came out to meet him, since King Alexander's orders were to welcome him, Ptolemy being his father-in-law.
3 Cum autem introiret civitatem, Ptolemaeus ponebatcustodias militum in singulis civitatibus.	3 On entering the towns, however, Ptolemy quartered troops as a garrison in each one.
4 Et, ut appropiavit Azoto,ostenderunt ei templum Dagon succensum et Azotum et suburbana eius demolita etcorpora proiecta et combustos, quos combusserat in bello; fecerant enim tumuloseorum in via eius.	4 When he reached Azotus he was shown the burnt-out temple of Dagon, with Azotus and its suburbsin ruins, corpses scattered here and there, and the charred remains of those whom Jonathan had burnt to deathin the battle, piled into heaps along his route.
5 Et narraverunt regi, quae fecit Ionathas, ut vituperarenteum; et tacuit rex.	5 They explained to the king what Jonathan had done, hoping for his disapproval; but the king saidnothing.
6 Et occurrit Ionathas regi in Ioppen cum gloria, et invicemse salutaverunt et dormierunt illic.	6 Jonathan went in state to meet the king at Joppa, where they greeted each other and spent the night.
7 Et abiit Ionathas cum rege usque adfluvium, qui vocatur Eleutherus, et reversus est in Ierusalem.	7 Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus, and then returned to Jerusalem.
8 Rex autemPtolemaeus obtinuit dominium civitatum maritimarum usque Seleuciam maritimam etcogitabat in Alexandrum consilia mala.	8 King Ptolemy for his part occupied the coastal towns as far as Seleucia on the coast, al the whilematuring his wicked designs against Alexander.
9 Et misit legatos ad Demetrium dicens:“ Veni, componamus inter nos pactum, et dabo tibi filiam meam, quam habetAlexander, et regnabis in regno patris tui;	9 He sent envoys to King Demetrius to say, 'Come and let us make a treaty; I shall give you mydaughter, whom Alexander now has, and you shal rule your father's kingdom.
10 paenitet enim me quod dederimilli filiam meam: quaesivit enim me occidere ”.	10 I regret having given my daughter to that man, since he has tried to kil me.'
11 Et vituperavit eum,propterea quod concupisceret regnum eius.	11 He made this accusation because he coveted his kingdom.
12 Et abstulit filiam suam et dediteam Demetrio et alienavit se ab Alexandro, et manifestatae sunt inimicitiaeeorum.	12 Having carried off his daughter and bestowed her on Demetrius, he broke with Alexander, and theirenmity became open.
13 Et intravit Ptolemaeus Antiochiam et imposuit duo diademata capitisuo, Aegypti et Asiae.	13 Ptolemy next entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he now wore on his head the twocrowns of Egypt and Asia.
14 Alexander autem rex erat in Cilicia illis temporibus,quia rebellabant, qui erant de locis illis;	14 King Alexander was in Cilicia at the time, since the people of those parts had risen in revolt,
15 et audivit Alexander et venit adeum in bello. Et produxit Ptolemaeus exercitum et occurrit ei in manu valida etfugavit eum.	15 but when he heard the news, he advanced on his rival to give battle, while Ptolemy for his part alsotook the field, met him with a strong force and routed him.
16 Et fugit Alexander in Arabiam, ut ibi protegeretur; rex autemPtolemaeus exaltatus est.	16 Alexander fled to Arabia for refuge, and King Ptolemy reigned supreme.
17 Et abstulit Zabdiel Arabs caput Alexandri et misitPtolemaeo.	17 Zabdiel the Arab cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.
18 Et rex Ptolemaeus mortuus est in die tertia; et qui erant inmunitionibus, perierunt ab his, qui erant in munitionibus.	18 Three days later King Ptolemy died, and the Egyptian garrisons in the strongholds were kil ed by thelocal inhabitants.
19 Et regnavitDemetrius anno centesimo sexagesimo septimo.	19 So Demetrius became king in the year 167.
20 In diebus illis congregavit Ionathas eos, qui erant de Iudaea, ut expugnarentarcem, quae est in Ierusalem; et fecerunt contra eam machinas multas.	20 At the same time, Jonathan mustered the men of Judaea for an assault on the Citadel of Jerusalem,and they set up numerous siege-engines against it.
21 Etabierunt quidam, qui oderant gentem suam, viri iniqui ad regem et renuntiaveruntei quod Ionathas obsideret arcem.	21 But some renegades who hated their nation made their way to the king and told him that Jonathanwas besieging the Citadel.
22 Et audiens iratus est et statim, utaudivit, movit castra et venit ad Ptolemaidam et scripsit Ionathae, ne obsideretarcem et ut occurreret sibi ad colloquium in Ptolemaidam festinato.	22 The king was angered by the news. No sooner had he been informed than he set out and came toPtolemais. He wrote to Jonathan, tel ing him to raise the siege and to meet him for a conference in Ptolemais assoon as possible.
23 Utaudivit autem Ionathas, iussit obsidere et elegit de senioribus Israel et desacerdotibus et dedit se periculo	23 When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders for the siege to continue; he then selected a deputationfrom the elders of Israel and the priests, and took the deliberate risk
24 et accepit argentum et aurum et vestem etalia xenia multa et abiit ad regem in Ptolemaidam et invenit gratiam inconspectu eius.	24 of himself taking silver and gold, clothing and numerous other presents, and going to Ptolemais toface the king, whose favour he succeeded in winning;
25 Et interpellabant adversus eum quidam iniqui ex gente sua.	25 and although one or two renegades of his nation brought charges against him,
26 Et fecit ei rex, sicut fecerant ei qui ante eum fuerant, et exaltavit eum inconspectu omnium amicorum suorum	26 the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him, and promoted him in the presence of alhis friends.
27 et statuit ei principatum sacerdotii et,quaecumque alia habuit prius pretiosa, et fecit eum principem primorum amicorum.	27 He confirmed him in the high-priesthood and whatever other distinctions he already held, and hadhim ranked among the First Friends.
28 Et postulavit Ionathas a rege, ut immunem faceret Iudaeam et tres toparchiaset Samaritidem, et promisit ei talenta trecenta.	28 Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judaea and the three Samaritan districts from taxation,promising him three hundred talents in return.
29 Et consensit rex et scripsitIonathae epistulas de his omnibus hunc modum continentes:	29 The king consented, and wrote Jonathan a rescript covering the whole matter, in these terms:
30 “ Rex Demetriusfratri Ionathae salutem et genti Iudaeorum.	30 'King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and to the Jewish nation, greetings.
31 Exemplum epistulae, quamscripsimus Lastheni parenti nostro de vobis, scripsimus et ad vos, ut sciretis:	31 'We have written to Lasthenes our cousin concerning you, and now send you this copy of ourrescript for your own information:
32 “Rex Demetrius Lastheni patri salutem.	32 "King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes, greetings.
33 Genti Iudaeorum amicis nostris etconservantibus, quae iusta sunt apud nos, decrevimus benefacere propterbenignitatem ipsorum, quam erga nos habent.	33 "The nation of the Jews is our al y; they fulfil their obligations to us, and in view of their goodwilltowards us we have decided to show them our bounty.
34 Statuimus ergo illis finesIudaeae et tres regiones, Apherema et Lydda et Ramathaim, quae additae suntIudaeae ex Samaritide, et omnia confinia earum, omnibus sacrificantibus inHierosolymis, pro regalibus, quae ab eis prius accipiebat rex per singulos annosde fructibus terrae et pomorum;	34 We confirm them in their possession of the territory of Judaea and the three districts of Aphairema,Lydda and Ramathaim; these were annexed to Judaea from Samaritan territory, with al their dependencies, infavour of al who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the royal dues which the king formerly received fromthem every year, from the yield of the soil and the fruit crops.
35 et alia, quae ad nos pertinent ex hoc temporedecimarum et tributorum pertinentium ad nos, et salis stagna et pertinentes adnos coronas, omnia ipsis concedimus.	35 As regards our other rights over the tithes and taxes due to us, over the salt marshes, and the crowntaxes due to us, as from today we release them from them al .
36 Et nihil horum irritum erit ex hoc et inomne tempus.	36 None of these grants will be revoked henceforth or anywhere.
37 Nunc ergo curate facere horum exemplum, et detur Ionathae etponatur in monte sancto in loco celebri” ”.	37 You wil make yourself responsible for having a copy of this made, to be given to Jonathan anddisplayed on the holy mountain in a conspicuous place." '
38 Et videns Demetrius rex quod siluit terra in conspectu suo, et nihil eiresistit, dimisit totum exercitum suum, unumquemque in locum suum, exceptoperegrino exercitu, quem contraxit ab insulis gentium; et inimici erant ei omnesexercitus patrum eius.	38 When King Demetrius saw that the country was at peace under his rule and that no resistance wasoffered him, he dismissed his forces, and sent al the men home, except for the foreign troops that he hadrecruited in the foreign island, thus incurring the enmity of the veterans who had served his ancestors.
39 Tryphon autem erat quidam partium Alexandri prius etvidit quoniam omnis exercitus murmurabat contra Demetrium et ivit ad ImalcueArabem, qui nutriebat Antiochum filium Alexandri;	39 Now Trypho, one of Alexander's former supporters, noting that al the troops were muttering againstDemetrius, went to see Iamleku, the Arab who was bringing up Antiochus, Alexander's young son,
40 et assidebat ei, uttraderet eum ipsi, ut regnaret loco patris sui. Et enuntiavit ei quantaconstituerat Demetrius et inimicitias exercituum eius adversus illum; et mansitibi diebus multis.	40 and repeatedly urged him to let him have the boy, so that he might succeed his father as king; hetold him of Demetrius' decision and of the resentment it had aroused among his troops. He spent a long timethere.
41 Et misit Ionathas ad Demetrium regem, ut eiceret eos, qui in arce erant inIerusalem et qui in praesidiis erant, quia impugnabant Israel.	41 Jonathan, meanwhile, sent to ask King Demetrius to withdraw the garrisons from the Citadel inJerusalem and from the other fortresses, since they were constantly fighting Israel.
42 Et misitDemetrius ad Ionathan dicens: “ Non haec tantum faciam tibi et genti tuae, sedgloria illustrabo te et gentem tuam, cum fuerit opportunum;	42 Demetrius sent word back to Jonathan, 'Not only wil I do this for you and for your nation, but I shalheap honours on you and your nation if I find a favourable opportunity.
43 nunc ergo rectefeceris, si miseris in auxilium mihi viros, quia discessit omnis exercitus meus”.	43 For the present, you would do wel to send me reinforcements, since al my troops have deserted.'
44 Et misit ei Ionathas tria milia virorum fortium Antiochiam, et veneruntad regem, et delectatus est rex in adventu eorum.	44 Jonathan sent three thousand experienced soldiers to him in Antioch; when they reached the king,he was delighted at their arrival.
45 Et convenerunt, qui erantde civitate, centum viginti milia virorum, et volebant interficere regem;	45 The citizens crowded together in the centre of the city, to the number of some hundred and twentythousand, intending to kil the king.
46 etfugit rex in aulam, et occupaverunt, qui erant de civitate, itinera civitatis etcoeperunt pugnare.	46 The king took refuge in the palace, while the citizens occupied the thoroughfares of the city andbegan to attack.
47 Et vocavit rex Iudaeos in auxilium, et convenerunt omnessimul ad eum et dispersi sunt per civitatem; et occiderunt in illa die centummilia hominum.	47 The king then cal ed on the Jews for help; and these al ral ied round him, then fanned out throughthe city, and that day kil ed about a hundred thousand of its inhabitants.
48 Et succenderunt civitatem et ceperunt spolia multa in die illaet liberaverunt regem.	48 They fired the city, seizing a great deal of plunder at the same time, and secured the king's safety.
49 Et viderunt, qui erant de civitate, quod obtinuissentIudaei civitatem, sicut volebant, et infirmati sunt mente sua et clamaverunt adregem cum precibus dicentes:	49 When the citizens saw that the Jews had the city at their mercy, their courage failed them, and theymade an abject appeal to the king,
50 “ Da nobis dextras, et cessent Iudaeioppugnare nos et civitatem ”.	50 'Give us the right hand of peace, and let the Jews stop their fight against us and the city.'
51 Et proiecerunt arma sua et fecerunt pacem; etglorificati sunt Iudaei in conspectu regis et in conspectu omnium, qui erant inregno eius, et nominati sunt in regno et regressi sunt in Ierusalem habentesspolia multa.	51 They threw down their arms and made peace. The Jews were covered in glory, in the eyes of theking and of everyone else in his kingdom. Having won renown in his kingdom, they returned to Jerusalem ladenwith booty.
52 Et sedit Demetrius rex in sede regni sui, et siluit terra inconspectu eius.	52 Thus, King Demetrius sat al the more securely on his royal throne, and the country was quiet underhis government.
53 Et mentitus est omnia, quaecumque dixit, et abalienavit se aIonatha et non retribuit ei secundum beneficia, quae sibi tribuerat, et vexabateum valde.	53 But he gave the lie to all the promises he had made, and changed his attitude to Jonathan, givingnothing in return for the services Jonathan had rendered him, but thwarting him at every turn.
54 Post haec autem reversus est Tryphon, et Antiochus cum eo puer adulescentior;et regnavit et imposuit sibi diadema.	54 After this, Trypho came back with the little boy Antiochus, who became king and was crowned.
55 Et congregati sunt ad eum omnesexercitus, quos disperserat Demetrius, et pugnaverunt contra eum, et fugit etterga vertit.	55 Al the troops that Demetrius had summarily dismissed rallied to Antiochus, and made war onDemetrius, who turned tail and fled.
56 Et accepit Tryphon bestias et obtinuit Antiochiam.	56 Trypho captured the elephants and seized Antioch.
57 Etscripsit Antiochus adulescentior Ionathae dicens: “ Constituo tibi summumsacerdotium et constituo te super quattuor regiones et ut sis de amicis regis”.	57 Young Antiochus then wrote as fol ows to Jonathan: 'I confirm you in the high-priesthood and set youover the four districts and appoint you one of the Friends of the King.'
58 Et misit illi vasa aurea et ministerium et dedit ei potestatem bibendiin auro et esse in purpura et habere fibulam auream.	58 He sent him a service of gold plate, and granted him the right to drink from gold vessels, and to wearthe purple and the golden brooch.
59 Et Simonem fratrem eiusconstituit ducem a descensu Tyri usque ad fines Aegypti.	59 He appointed his brother Simon commander-in-chief of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to thefrontiers of Egypt.
60 Et exiit Ionathas etperambulabat trans flumen et in civitatibus, et congregatus est ad eum omnisexercitus Syriae in auxilium; et venit Ascalonem, et occurrerunt ei honorificede civitate.	60 Jonathan then set out and made a progress through Transeuphrates and its towns, and the entireSyrian army rallied to his support. He came to Ascalon and was received in state by the inhabitants.
61 Et abiit inde Gazam, et concluserunt, qui erant Gazae; etobsedit eam et succendit, quae erant in circuitu civitatis, et praedatus est ea.	61 From there he proceeded to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out, so he laid siege to it,burning down its suburbs and plundering them.
62 Et rogaverunt Gazenses Ionathan, et dedit illis dexteram et accepit filiosprincipum eorum obsides et misit illos in Ierusalem; et perambulavit regionemusque Damascum.	62 The people of Gaza then pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them; but he took thesons of their chief men as hostages and sent them away to Jerusalem. He then travel ed through the country asfar as Damascus.
63 Et audivit Ionathas quod aderant principes Demetrii in Cades,quae est in Galilaea, cum exercitu multo volentes eum removere a negotio;	63 Jonathan now learned that Demetrius' generals had arrived at Kadesh in Galilee with a large army,intending to remove him from office,
64 etoccurrit illis, fratrem autem suum Simonem reliquit in regione.	64 and went to engage them, leaving his brother Simon inside the country.
65 Et applicuitSimon ad Bethsuram et expugnabat eam diebus multis et conclusit eos.	65 Simon laid siege to Beth-Zur, attacking it day after day, and blockading the inhabitants
66 Etpostulaverunt ab eo dextras accipere, et dedit illis; et eiecit eos inde etcepit civitatem et posuit in ea praesidium.	66 til they sued for peace, which he granted them, though he expel ed them from the town andoccupied it, stationing a garrison there.
67 Et Ionathas et castra eius applicuerunt ad aquam Gennesar et ante lucemvigilaverunt in campo Asor.	67 Jonathan and his army, meanwhile, having pitched camp by the Lake of Gennesar, rose early, andby morning were already in the plain of Hazor.
68 Et ecce castra alienigenarum occurrebant ei incampo et tendebant ei insidias in montibus; ipsi autem occurrerunt ex adverso.	68 The foreigners' army advanced to fight them on the plain, having first positioned an ambush for himin the mountains. While the main body was advancing directly towards the Jews,
69 Insidiae vero exsurrexerunt de locis suis et commiserunt proelium.	69 the troops in ambush broke cover and attacked first.
70 Etfugerunt, qui erant ex parte Ionathae omnes, et nemo relictus est ex eis, nisiMatthathias filius Absalomi et Iudas filius Chalphi princeps militiae exercitus.	70 Al the men with Jonathan fled; no one was left, except Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son ofChalphi, the generals of his army.
71 Et scidit Ionathas vestimenta sua et posuit terram in capite suo et oravit.	71 At this, Jonathan tore his garments, put dust on his head, and prayed.
72 Et reversus est ad eos in proelium et convertit eos in fugam; et fugerunt.	72 Then he returned to the fight and routed the enemy, who fled.
73 Et viderunt, qui fugiebant partis illius, et reversi sunt ad eum etinsequebantur cum eo usque Cades, usque ad castra ipsorum, et applicueruntillic.	73 When the fugitives from his own forces saw this, they came back to him and joined in the pursuit asfar as Kadesh where the enemy encampment was, and there they themselves pitched camp.
74 Et ceciderunt de alienigenis in die illa tria milia virorum; etreversus est Ionathas in Ierusalem.	74 About three thousand of the foreign troops fel that day. Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem.