Secondo libro dei Maccabei 15

BIBBIA TINTORI	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Intanto Nicànore, avendo saputo che Giuda era nella regione della Samaria, decise di attaccarlo con tutte le forze in giorno di sabato.	1 But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius the son of Seleucus was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis to places proper for his purpose.
2 Ai Giudei che per necessità lo seguivano e dicevano: « Non fare una cosa così feroce e barbara, ma onora il giorno santo, e rispetta Colui che tutto vede »	2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias.
3 quell'infelice domandava se vi fosse in cielo un potente che avesse comandato di celebrare il giorno di sabato?	3 Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar,
4 Ed avendo essi risposto: « E' il Signore, lo stesso Vivente, il Potente nel cielo, Colui che ordinò di celebrare il settimo giorno ».	4 Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.
5 Egli riprese: «E io sono potente sopra la terra, e quindi ordino di prendere le armi e di fare il servizio del re ». Ma non riuscì a compire i suoi disegni.	5 But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels,
6 Or Nicànore, trasportato in alto dalla sua somma superbia, pensava di innalzare un comune trofeo di Giuda (e dei suoi).	6 He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace.
7 Invece Maccabeo, con piena speranza, confidava sempre che gli sarebbe venuto l'aiuto da Dio,	7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
8 ed esortava i suoi a non temere gli assalti delle nazioni, ma, ricordando gli aiuti avuti dal cielo, a sperare che l'Onnipotente avrebbe donata ad essi anche allora la vittoria.	8 Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.
9 E parlando loro della legge e dei profeti, rammentando pure le imprese da loro fatte nel passato, li riempì di ardore.	9 Wherefore, 0 king, seeing thou knoweat all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,
10 Così reso alto il loro coraggio, mostrò loro nel medesimo tempo la perfidia delle nazioni e la loro violazione dei giuramenti.	10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11 Dopo avere armato ciascuno di loro, non con scudi e lance, ma con ottimi discorsi d'esortazione, raccontò un sogno degno di fede, col quale riempì tutti d'allegrezza.	11 Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.
12 Ecco in che consisteva tale visione. Aveva visto Onia, che era stato sommo sacerdote, uomo buono, benigno, verecondo nel viso, modesto nei costumi e ornato nel parlare, esercitato nelle virtù sin da fanciullo, (l'aveva visto) pregare, colle mani stese, per tutto il popolo dei Giudei.	12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
13 Era poi comparso un altro uomo, venerando per l'età e per la dignità, che aveva intorno i caratteri della gran dignità.	13 Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.
14 Onia, presa la parola, allora disse: « Questi è l'amico dei fratelli e del popolo d'Israele, questi è colui che prega molto pel popolo e per tutta la città santa, è Geremia, il profeta di Dio ».	14 Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by docks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.
15 Allora Geremia, stesa la destra, diede a Giuda una spada di oro, dicendo:	15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him, who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.
16 « Prendi questa spada santa; è un dono di Dio: con essa abbatterai i nemici del mio popolo d'Israele ».	16 Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.
17 Animati dunque dagli ottimi discorsi di Giuda, capaci di svegliare l'impeto e di render forti gli animi dei giovani, decisero di attaccare battaglia e di combattere da eroi, e di decidere la causa col valore, giacche la città santa e il tempio erano in pericolo.	17 Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.
18 Alle mogli, ai figli, ai fratelli, ai parenti ci pensavano meno; il loro massimo e principale timore era per la santità del tempio.	18 Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas' companions, and the greatness of courage with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.
19 Quelli restati in città erano non poco inquieti per la sorte di coloro che andavano alla battaglia.	19 Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius, and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.
20 E quando tutti aspettavano la decisione della contesa, e i nemici eran di faccia, coll'esercito schierato, colle bestie e i cavalieri messi in ordine nel luogo opportuno,	20 And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, the) were all of one mind to consent to covenants.
21 Maccabeo, vedendo l'avanzarsi di quella moltitudine, gli apparecchi delle varie armi, e la ferocia delle bestie, stendendo le mani al cielo, invocò il Signore che fa i prodigi, che non secondo la forza degli eserciti, ma secondo il suo beneplacito dà la vittoria a chi ne è degno.	21 So they appointed a day upon which they might commune together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.
22 E lo invocò con queste parole: « Tu, o Signore, che, al tempo d'Ezechia re di Giuda, mandasti il tuo angelo, e sterminasti nel campo di Sennacherib centottantacinque mila uomini,	22 But Judas ordered men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might he suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.
23 Ora, o Signore dei cieli, manda il tuo angelo buono davanti a noi, perchè temano e tremino per la grandezza del tuo braccio	23 And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.
24 e si spaventino quelli che bestemmiando vengono contro il tuo popolo santo ». Tale fu la sua preghiera.	24 And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.
25 Mentre Nicànore e la sua gente si avvicinavano con suon di trombe e canti guerreschi.	25 And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.
26 Giuda e i suoi attaccarono la battaglia dopo avere invocato Dio colle preghiere.	26 But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.
27 Combattendo colle mani e pregando Dio coi cuori, stesero al suolo non meno di trentacinque mila uomini, magnificatamente rallegrati dalla presenza di Dio.	27 Then the king being in a rage and provoked with this man's wicked accusations, wrote to Nicanor, signifying, that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.
28 Finita la battaglia, quando pitali di gioia se no tornavano, seppero che Nicanore era caduto collo sue armi.	28 When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.
29 Allora in mezzo a clamori e tumulto d'eccitazione, colla lingua della patria benedicevano il Signore onnipotente.	29 But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders.
30 Ma Giuda, che era stato sempre pronto nell'anima e nel corpo a morire per i concittadini, ordinò di tagliare il capo di Nicànore, e il braccio colla spalla e di portarli a Gerusalemme.	30 But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner: and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.
31 Quando vi fu arrivato, radunò i concittadini e i sacerdoti davanti all'altare, chiamò quelli che erano nella cittadella,	31 But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.
32 e mostrò loro il capo di Nicànore e la mano scellerata da lui stesa con superbi vanti contro la santa casa del Dio onnipotente.	32 And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,
33 Poi comandò di tagliare in pezzetti la lingua dell'empio Nicànore e di darla agli uccelli, e di appendere la mano di quel folle di faccia al tempio.	33 And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.
34 Allora tutti benedissero il Signore del cielo, dicendo: « Benedetto colui che ha conservata incontaminata la sua dimora ».	34 And when he had spoken thus he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:
35 (Giuda) fece appendere il capo di Nicànore sulla cima della cittadella, perchè fosse evidente e manifesto segno dell'aiuto di Dio.	35 Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.
36 Allora tutti di comune consenso decretarono che in nessuna maniera fosse passato quel giorno senza solennità	36 Therefore now, 0 Lord the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled which was lately cleansed.
37 e che questa solennità fosse celebrata il tredici del mese, chiamato con voce siriaca Adar, la vigilia del giorno di Mardocheo.	37 Now Razias, one of the ancients of Jerusalem, was accused to Nicanor, a man that was a lover of the city, and of good report, who for his affection was called the father of the Jews.
38 Così andarono le cose riguar­do a Nicànore; e siccome da quel tempo gli Ebrei restarono padroni della città, io pure con queste cose porrò fine al (mio) racconto.	38 This man, for a long time, had held fast his purpose of keeping himself pure in the Jews' religion, and was ready to expose his body and life, that he might persevere therein.
39 Se questo va bene e come conviene alla storia, sarebbe il mio desiderio, se poi è meno degno, mi si deve perdonare;	39 So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.
40 perchè, siccome il bere o sempre vino o sempre acqua fa male, e diletta invece usare alternativamente or l'uno or l'altra, così il racconto uniforme non riuscirà gradito a chi legge. Qui dunque porrò la fine.	40 For he thought by insnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.
	41 Now as the multitude sought to rush into his house, and to break open the door, and to set fire to it, when he was ready to be taken, he struck himself with his sword:
	42 Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.
	43 But whereas through haste he missed of giving himself a sure wound, and the crowd was breaking into the doors, he ran boldly to the wall, and manfully threw himself down to the crowd:
	44 But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.
	45 And as he had yet breath in him, being inflamed in mind he arose: and while his blood ran down with a great stream, and he was grievously wounded, he ran through the crowd:
	46 And standing upon a steep rock, when he was now almost without blood, grasping his bowels with both hands, he cast them upon the throng, calling upon the Lord of life and spirit, to restore these to him again: and so he departed this life.