Primo libro dei Maccabei 3

NOVA VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Et surrexit Iudas, qui vocaba tur Maccabaeus, filius eius pro eo.	1 His son, Judas, known as Maccabaeus, then took his place.
2 Etadiuvabant eum omnes fratres eius et universi, qui se coniunxerant patri eius;et proeliabantur proelium Israel cum laetitia.	2 Al his brothers, and al who had attached themselves to his father, supported him, and they fought forIsrael with a wil .
3 Et dilatavit gloriam populo suoet induit se loricam sicut gigas et succinxit se arma bellica sua et proeliaconstituit protegens castra gladio.	3 He extended the fame of his people. Like a giant, he put on the breastplate and buckled on his warharness; he engaged in battle after battle, protecting the ranks with his sword.
4 Similis factus est leoni in operibus suiset sicut catulus leonis rugiens in venationem;	4 He was like a lion in his exploits, like a young lion roaring over its prey.
5 et persecutus est iniquosperscrutans et eos, qui conturbabant populum suum, succendit.	5 He pursued and tracked down the renegades, he consigned those who troubled his people to theflames.
6 Et subducti suntiniqui prae timore eius, et omnes operarii iniquitatis conturbati sunt; etprosperata est salus in manu eius.	6 The renegades quailed with the terror he inspired, all evil-doers were utterly confounded, anddeliverance went forward under his leadership.
7 Et exacerbabat reges multos; etlaetificabat Iacob in operibus suis, et in saeculum memoria eius inbenedictionem.	7 He brought bitterness to many a king and rejoicing to Jacob by his deeds, his memory is blessed forever and ever.
8 Et perambulavit in civitatibus Iudae et disperdidit impios exea et avertit iram ab Israel;	8 He went through the towns of Judah eliminating the irreligious from them, and diverted the Retributionfrom Israel.
9 et nominatus est usque ad ultimum terrae etcongregavit pereuntes.	9 His name resounded to the ends of the earth, he rallied those who were on the point of perishing.
10 Et congregavit Apollonius gentes et a Samaria virtutem magnam ad bellandumcontra Israel.	10 Next, Apollonius mustered the gentiles and a large force from Samaria to make war on Israel.
11 Et cognovit Iudas et exiit obviam illi; et percussit eum etoccidit, et ceciderunt vulnerati multi, et reliqui fugerunt.	11 When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him and routed and kil ed him. Many fell wounded, andthe survivors took to flight.
12 Et acceperuntspolia eorum, et gladium Apollonii accepit Iudas; et erat pugnans in eo omnibusdiebus.	12 Their spoils were seized and the sword of Apollonius was taken by Judas, who used it to fight withthroughout his life.
13 Et audivit Seron, princeps exercitus Syriae, quod congregavit Iudascongregationem et convocationem fidelium secum et egredientium in proelium,	13 On hearing that Judas had raised a mixed force of believers and seasoned fighters,
14 et ait: “ Faciam mihi nomen et glorificabor in regno et debellabo Iudam eteos, qui cum ipso sunt, qui spernunt verbum regis ”.	14 Seron, commander of the Syrian troops, said, 'I shall make a name for myself and gain honour in thekingdom if I fight Judas and those supporters of his who are so contemptuous of the king's orders.'
15 Et accessit, etascendit cum eo exercitus impiorum fortis auxiliari ei, ut faceret vindictam infilios Israel.	15 He therefore launched another expedition, with a strong army of unbelievers to support him in takingrevenge on the Israelites.
16 Et appropinquavit usque ad ascensum Bethoron, et exivit Iudasobviam illi cum paucis.	16 He had nearly reached the descent of Beth-Horon when Judas went out to confront him with a handfulof men.
17 Ut autem viderunt exercitum venientem sibi obviamdixerunt Iudae: “ Quomodo poterimus pauci pugnare contra multitudinem tantam,fortem, et nos fatigati sumus ieiunio hodie? ”.	17 But as soon as these saw the force advancing to meet them, they said to Judas, 'How can we, few aswe are, engage such overwhelming numbers? We are exhausted as it is, not having had anything to eat today.'
18 Et ait Iudas: “ Facileest concludi multos in manibus paucorum; et non est differentia in conspectucaeli liberare in multis aut in paucis,	18 'It is easy', Judas answered, 'for a great number to be defeated by a few; indeed, in the sight ofHeaven, deliverance, whether by many or by few, is al one;
19 quoniam non in multitudine exercitusvictoria belli, sed de caelo fortitudo est.	19 for victory in war does not depend on the size of the fighting force: Heaven accords the strength.
20 Ipsi veniunt ad nos inmultitudine contumeliae et iniquitatis, ut disperdant nos et uxores nostras etfilios nostros et ut spolient nos;	20 They are coming against us in ful -blown insolence and lawlessness to destroy us, our wives and ourchildren, and to plunder us;
21 nos vero pugnamus pro animabus nostris etpro legitimis nostris,	21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws,
22 et ipse Dominus conteret eos ante faciem nostram; vosautem ne timueritis eos ”.	22 and he will crush them before our eyes; do not be afraid of them.'
23 Ut cessavit autem loqui, insiluit in eos subito;et contritus est Seron et exercitus eius in conspectu ipsius.	23 When he had finished speaking, he made a sudden sal y against Seron and his force andoverwhelmed them.
24 Etpersequebantur eum in descensu Bethoron usque ad campum, et ceciderunt ex eisoctingenti viri; reliqui autem fugerunt in terram Philisthim.	24 Judas pursued them down from Beth-Horon as far as the plain. About eight hundred of their men fel ,and the rest took refuge in the country of the Philistines.
25 Et coepit timorIudae ac fratrum eius, et formido cecidit super gentes in circuitu eorum;	25 Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and alarm seized the surrounding peoples.
26 etpervenit ad regem nomen eius, et de proeliis Iudae narrabant omnes gentes.	26 His name even reached the king's ears, and among the nations there was talk of Judas and hisbattles.
27 Ut audivit autem Antiochus sermones istos, iratus est animo; et misit etcongregavit exercitum universi regni sui, castra fortia valde.	27 The news of these events infuriated Antiochus, and he ordered mobilisation of al the forces in hiskingdom, a very powerful army.
28 Et aperuitaerarium suum et dedit stipendia exercitui in annum et mandavit illis, ut essentparati ad omnia.	28 Opening his treasury, he distributed a year's pay to his troops, telling them to be prepared for anyeventuality.
29 Et vidit quod defecit pecunia de thesauris suis, et tributaregionis modica propter dissensionem et plagam, quam fecit in terra, ut tolleretlegitima, quae erant a primis diebus;	29 He then found that the money in his coffers had run short and that the tribute of the province haddecreased, as a result of the dissension and disaster brought on the country by his own abrogation of laws thathad been in force from antiquity.
30 et timuit, ne non haberet ut semel etbis in sumptus et donaria, quae dederat antea larga manu, et abundaverat superreges, qui ante eum fuerant.	30 He began to fear that, as had happened more than once, he would not have enough to cover theexpenses and the lavish bounties he had previously been accustomed to make on a larger scale than hispredecessors on the throne.
31 Et consternatus erat animo valde et cogitavitire in Persidem et accipere tributa regionum et congregare argentum multum.	31 In this grave quandary he resolved to invade Persia, there to levy tribute on the provinces and soaccumulate substantial funds.
32 Et reliquit Lysiam hominem nobilem de genere regali super negotia regia aflumine Euphrate usque ad fines Aegypti	32 He therefore left Lysias, a nobleman and member of the royal family, to manage the royal affairsbetween the River Euphrates and the Egyptian frontier,
33 et ut nutriret Antiochum filium suum,donec rediret.	33 making him responsible for the education of his son Antiochus, until he should come back.
34 Et tradidit ei dimidium exercitum et elephantos et mandavit eide omnibus, quae volebat, et de inhabitantibus Iudaeam et Ierusalem,	34 To him Antiochus made over half his forces, with the elephants, giving him instructions about what hewanted done, particularly with regard to the inhabitants of Judaea and Jerusalem,
35 utmitteret ad eos exercitum ad conterendam et exstirpandam virtutem Israel etreliquias Ierusalem et auferendam memoriam eorum de loco,	35 against whom he was to send a force, to crush and destroy the power of Israel and the remnant ofJerusalem, to wipe out their very memory from the place,
36 et ut constituerethabitatores filios alienigenas in omnibus finibus eorum et sorte distribueretterram eorum.	36 to settle foreigners in al parts of their territory and to distribute their land into lots.
37 Et rex assumpsit dimidium exercitum residuum et exivit abAntiochia de civitate regni sui anno centesimo et quadragesimo septimo ettransfretavit Euphratem flumen et perambulabat superiores regiones.	37 The king took the remaining half of his troops with him and set out from Antioch, the capital of hiskingdom, in the year 147; he crossed the River Euphrates and made his way through the Upper Provinces.
38 Et elegitLysias Ptolemaeum filium Dorymeni et Nicanorem et Gorgiam viros potentes examicis regis	38 Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes, with Nicanor and Gorgias, influential men from among theFriends of the King,
39 et misit cum eis quadraginta milia virorum et septem miliaequitum, ut venirent in terram Iudae et disperderent eam secundum verbum regis.	39 and, under their command, despatched forty thousand foot and seven thousand horse to invade theland of Judah and devastate it, as the king had ordered.
40 Et processerunt cum universa virtute sua; et venerunt et applicaverunt propeEmmaus in terra campestri.	40 The entire force set out and reached the neighbourhood of Emmaus in the lowlands, where theypitched camp.
41 Et audierunt mercatores regionis nomen eorum etacceperunt argentum et aurum multum valde et compedes et venerunt in castra, utacciperent filios Israel in servos, et additi sunt ad eos exercitus Syriae etterrae alienigenarum.	41 The local merchants, hearing the news of this, arrived at the camp, bringing with them a large amountof gold and silver, and fetters as wel , proposing to buy the Israelites as slaves; they were accompanied by acompany from Idumaea and the Philistine country.
42 Et vidit Iudas et fratres eius quia multiplicata sunt mala, et exercitusapplicabant ad fines eorum, et cognoverunt verba regis, quae mandavit facerepopulo in interitum et consummationem.	42 Judas and his brothers saw that the situation was going from bad to worse and that armies werecamping in their territory; they were also well aware that the king had ordered the people's total destruction.
43 Et dixerunt unusquisque ad proximumsuum: “ Erigamus deiectionem populi nostri et pugnemus pro populo nostro etsanctis nostris ”.	43 So they said to each other, 'Let us restore the ruins of our people and fight for our people and oursanctuary.'
44 Et congregatus est conventus, ut essent parati inproelium et ut orarent et peterent misericordiam et miserationes.	44 The Assembly was summoned, to prepare for war, to offer prayer and to implore compassion andmercy.
45 EtIerusalem non habitabatur sicut desertum; non erat qui ingrederetur etegrederetur de natis eius, et sanctum conculcabatur, et filii alienigenarumerant in arce; ibi erat habitatio gentibus. Et ablata est voluptas a Iacob, etdefecit tibia et cithara.	45 Jerusalem was as empty as a desert, none of her children to go in and out. The sanctuary wastrodden underfoot, men of an alien race held the Citadel, which had become a lodging for gentiles. There was nomore rejoicing for Jacob, the flute and lyre were mute.
46 Et congregati sunt et venerunt in Maspha contra Ierusalem, quia in Masphaerat antea locus orationis Israeli;	46 After mustering, they made their way to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, since Mizpah was traditional y aplace of prayer for Israel.
47 et ieiunaverunt illa die et induerunt seciliciis et cinerem imposuerunt capiti suo et disciderunt vestimenta sua	47 That day they fasted and put on sackcloth, covering their heads with ashes and tearing theirgarments.
48 etexpanderunt librum Legis, de quibus scrutabantur gentes similitudinessimulacrorum suorum;	48 For the guidance that the gentiles would have sought from the images of their false gods, they openedthe Book of the Law.
49 et attulerunt ornamenta sacerdotalia et primitias etdecimas et suscitaverunt nazaraeos, qui impleverunt dies,	49 They also brought out the priestly vestments, with first-fruits and tithes, and marshal ed the Naziriteswho had completed the period of their vow.
50 et clamaverunt vocein caelum dicentes: “ Quid faciemus istis et quo eos ducemus?	50 Then, raising their voices to Heaven, they cried, 'What shal we do with these people, and where arewe to take them?
51 Et sancta tuaconculcata sunt et contaminata, et sacerdotes tui in luctu et humiliatione;	51 Your holy place has been trampled underfoot and defiled, your priests mourn in their humiliation,
52 et ecce nationes convenerunt adversum nos, ut nos disperdant: tu scis, quaecogitant in nos.	52 and now the gentiles are in al iance to destroy us: you know what they have in mind for us.
53 Quomodo poterimus subsistere ante faciem eorum, nisi tuadiuves nos?”.	53 How can we stand up and face them if you do not come to our aid?'
54 Et tubis bucinaverunt et clamaverunt voce magna.	54 Then they sounded the trumpets and raised a great shout.
55 Et posthaec constituit Iudas duces populi, tribunos et centuriones et pentacontarchoset decuriones	55 Next, Judas appointed leaders for the people, to command a thousand, a hundred, fifty or ten men.
56 et dixit his, qui aedificabant domos et sponsabant uxores etplantabant vineas, et formidolosis, ut redirent unusquisque in domum suamsecundum legem.	56 Those who were in the middle of building a house, or were about to be married, or were planting avineyard, or were afraid, he told to go home again, as the Law al owed.
57 Et moverunt castra et collocaverunt ad austrum Emmaum.	57 The column then marched off and took up a position south of Emmaus.
58 Etait Iudas: “ Accingimini et estote filii potentes et estote parati in mane, utpugnetis adversus nationes has, quae convenerunt adversus nos disperdere nos etsancta nostra;	58 'Stand to your arms,' Judas told them, 'acquit yourselves bravely, in the morning be ready to fightthese gentiles massed against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.
59 quoniam melius est nos mori in bello quam respicere malagentis nostrae et sanctorum.	59 Better for us to die in battle than to watch the ruin of our nation and our Holy Place.
60 Sicut autem fuerit voluntas in caelo, sic faciet”.	60 Whatever be the wil of Heaven, he wil perform it.'