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Lunedi, 29 aprile 2024 - Santa Caterina da Siena ( Letture di oggi)

Primus Machabaeorum 10


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VULGATADOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Et anno centesimo sexagesimo, ascendit Alexander Antiochi filius, qui cognominatus est Nobilis, et occupavit Ptolemaidam : et receperunt eum, et regnavit illic.1 Now in the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.
2 Et audivit Demetrius rex, et congregavit exercitum copiosum valde, et exivit obviam illi in prælium.2 And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.
3 Et misit Demetrius epistolam ad Jonathan verbis pacificis, ut magnificaret eum.3 And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan with peaceable words, to magnify him.
4 Dixit enim : Anticipemus facere pacem cum eo, priusquam faciat cum Alexandro adversum nos :4 For he said: Let us first make a peace with him, before he make one with Alexander against us.
5 recordabitur enim omnium malorum, quæ fecimus in eum, et in fratrem ejus, et in gentem ejus.5 For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.
6 Et dedit ei potestatem congregandi exercitum, et fabricare arma, et esse ipsum socium ejus : et obsides, qui erant in arce, jussit tradi ei.6 And he gave him authority to gather together an army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.
7 Et venit Jonathas in Jerusalem, et legit epistolas in auditu omnis populi, et eorum qui in arce erant.7 And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.
8 Et timuerunt timore magno, quoniam audierunt quod dedit ei rex potestatem congregandi exercitum.8 And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.
9 Et traditi sunt Jonathæ obsides, et reddidit eos parentibus suis :9 And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.
10 et habitavit Jonathas in Jerusalem, et cœpit ædificare et innovare civitatem.10 And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build, and to repair the city.
11 Et dixit facientibus opera ut exstruerent muros, et montem Sion in circuitu lapidibus quadratis ad munitionem : et ita fecerunt.11 And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.
12 Et fugerunt alienigenæ, qui erant in munitionibus quas Bacchides ædificaverat :12 And the strangers that were in the strong holds, which Bacchides had built, fled away.
13 et reliquit unusquisque locum suum, et abiit in terram suam :13 And every man left his place, and departed into his own country:
14 tantum in Bethsura remanserunt aliqui ex his qui reliquerant legem et præcepta Dei : erat enim hæc eis ad refugium.
14 Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.
15 Et audivit Alexander rex promissa, quæ promisit Demetrius Jonathæ : et narraverunt ei prælia, et virtutes quas ipse fecit, et fratres ejus, et labores quos laboraverunt :15 And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he, and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.
16 et ait : Numquid inveniemus aliquem virum talem ? et nunc faciemus eum amicum, et socium nostrum.16 And he said: Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and our confederate.
17 Et scripsit epistolam, et misit ei secundum hæc verba, dicens :17 So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these words, saying:
18 Rex Alexander fratri Jonathæ salutem.18 King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting.
19 Audivimus de te quod vir potens sis viribus, et aptus es ut sis amicus noster :19 We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and fit to be our friend:
20 et nunc constituimus te hodie summum sacerdotem gentis tuæ, et ut amicus voceris regis (et misit ei purpuram, et coronam auream) et quæ nostra sunt sentias nobiscum, et conserves amicitias ad nos.20 Now therefore we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king's friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold,) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.
21 Et induit se Jonathas stola sancta septimo mense, anno centesimo sexagesimo, in die solemni scenopegiæ : et congregavit exercitum, et fecit arma copiosa.
21 Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.
22 Et audivit Demetrius verba ista, et contristatus est nimis, et ait :22 And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and said:
23 Quid hoc fecimus, quod præoccupavit nos Alexander apprehendere amicitiam Judæorum ad munimen sui ?23 What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?
24 scribam et ego illis verba deprecatoria, et dignitates, et dona, ut sint mecum in adjutorium.24 I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.
25 Et scripsit eis in hæc verba : Rex Demetrius genti Judæorum salutem.25 And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.
26 Quoniam servastis ad nos pactum, et mansistis in amicitia nostra, et non accessistis ad inimicos nostros, audivimus, et gavisi sumus.26 Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.
27 Et nunc perseverate adhuc conservare ad nos fidem, et retribuemus vobis bona pro his quæ fecistis nobiscum :27 Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.
28 et remittemus vobis præstationes multas, et dabimus vobis donationes.28 And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.
29 Et nunc absolvo vos et omnes Judæos a tributis, et pretia salis indulgeo, et coronas remitto, et tertias seminis :29 And now I free you, and all the Jews from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:
30 et dimidiam partem fructus ligni, quod est portionis meæ, relinquo vobis ex hodierno die, et deinceps, ne accipiatur a terra Juda, et a tribus civitatibus quæ additæ sunt illi ex Samaria et Galilæa ; ex hodierna die et in totum tempus :30 And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth and for ever:
31 et Jerusalem sit sancta, et libera cum finibus suis : et decimæ et tributa ipsius sint.31 And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.
32 Remitto etiam potestatem arcis, quæ est in Jerusalem : et do eam summo sacerdoti, ut constituat in ea viros quoscumque ipse elegerit, qui custodiant eam.32 I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose to keep it.
33 Et omnem animam Judæorum, quæ captiva est a terra Juda in omni regno meo, relinquo liberam gratis, ut omnes a tributis solvantur, etiam pecorum suorum.33 And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes even of their cattle.
34 Et omnes dies solemnes, et sabbata, et neomeniæ, et dies decreti, et tres dies ante diem solemnem, et tres dies post diem solemnem, sint omnes immunitatis et remissionis omnibus Judæis, qui sunt in regno meo :34 And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:
35 et nemo habebit potestatem agere aliquid, et movere negotia adversus aliquem illorum in omni causa.35 And no man shall have power to do any thing against them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.
36 Et ascribantur ex Judæis in exercitu regis ad triginta millia virorum : et dabuntur illis copiæ ut oportet omnibus exercitibus regis, et ex eis ordinabuntur qui sint in munitionibus regis magni :36 And let there be enrolled in the king's army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them as is due to all the king's forces, and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:
37 et ex his constituentur super negotia regni, quæ aguntur ex fide, et principes sint ex eis, et ambulent in legibus suis, sicut præcepit rex in terra Juda.37 And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.
38 Et tres civitates, quæ additæ sunt Judææ ex regione Samariæ, cum Judæa reputentur : ut sint sub uno, et non obediant alii potestati, nisi summi sacerdotis.38 And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest:
39 Ptolemaida et confines ejus, quas dedi donum sanctis qui sunt in Jerusalem, ad necessarios sumptus sanctorum.39 Ptolemais, and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places, that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.
40 Et ego do singulis annis quindecim millia siclorum argenti de rationibus regis, quæ me contingunt :40 And I give every year fifteen thousand sicles of silver out of the king's accounts, of what belongs to me:
41 et omne quod reliquum fuerit, quod non reddiderant qui super negotia erant annis prioribus, ex hoc dabunt in opera domus.41 And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.
42 Et super hæc quinque millia siclorum argenti, quæ accipiebant de sanctorum ratione per singulos annos : et hæc ad sacerdotes pertineant, qui ministerio funguntur.42 Moreover the five thousand sicles of silver which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.
43 Et quicumque confugerint in templum quod est Jerosolymis, et in omnibus finibus ejus, obnoxii regi in omni negotio dimittantur, et universa quæ sunt eis in regno meo, libera habeant.43 And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.
44 Et ad ædificanda vel restauranda opera sanctorum, sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis :44 For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king's revenues:
45 et ad exstruendos muros Jerusalem, et communiendos in circuitu, sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis, et ad construendos muros in Judæa.45 For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king's account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.
46 Ut audivit autem Jonathas et populus sermones istos, non crediderunt eis, nec receperunt eos : quia recordati sunt malitiæ magnæ, quam fecerat in Israël, et tribulaverat eos valde.46 Now when Jonathan, and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them nor received them: because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.
47 Et complacuit eis in Alexandrum, quia ipse fuerat eis princeps sermonum pacis, et ipsi auxilium ferebant omnibus diebus.
47 And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.
48 Et congregavit rex Alexander exercitum magnum, et admovit castra contra Demetrium.48 And king Alexander gathered together a great army, and moved his camp near to Demetrius.
49 Et commiserunt prælium duo reges, et fugit exercitus Demetrii, et insecutus est eum Alexander, et incubuit super eos.49 And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.
50 Et invaluit prælium nimis, donec occidit sol : et cecidit Demetrius in die illa.50 And the battle was hard fought till the sun went down: and Demetrius was slain that day.
51 Et misit Alexander ad Ptolemæum regem Ægypti legatos secundum hæc verba, dicens :51 And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:
52 Quoniam regressus sum in regnum meum, et sedi in sede patrum meorum, et obtinui principatum, et contrivi Demetrium, et possedi regionem nostram,52 Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom, and am set in the throne of my ancestors and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and possessed our country,
53 et commisi pugnam cum eo, et contritus est ipse et castra ejus a nobis, et sedimus in sede regni ejus :53 And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:
54 et nunc statuamus ad invicem amicitiam : et da mihi filiam tuam uxorem, et ego ero gener tuus, et dabo tibi dona, et ipsi, digna te.54 Now therefore let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son in law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.
55 Et respondit rex Ptolemæus, dicens : Felix dies, in qua reversus es ad terram patrum tuorum, et sedisti in sede regni eorum.55 And king Ptolemee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.
56 Et nunc faciam tibi quod scripsisti : sed occurre mihi Ptolemaidam, ut videamus invicem nos, et spondeam tibi sicut dixisti.56 And now I will do to thee as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.
57 Et exivit Ptolemæus de Ægypto, ipse et Cleopatra filia ejus, et venit Ptolemaidam anno centesimo sexagesimo secundo.57 So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais in the hundred and sixty-second year.
58 Et occurrit ei Alexander rex, et dedit ei Cleopatram filiam suam : et fecit nuptias ejus Ptolemaidæ, sicut reges in magna gloria.58 And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais, with great glory, after the manner of kings.
59 Et scripsit rex Alexander Jonathæ, ut veniret obviam sibi.59 And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.
60 Et abiit cum gloria Ptolemaidam, et occurrit ibi duobus regibus, et dedit illis argentum multum, et aurum, et dona : et invenit gratiam in conspectu eorum.60 And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.
61 Et convenerunt adversus eum viri pestilentes ex Israël, viri iniqui interpellantes adversus eum : et non intendit ad eos rex.61 And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.
62 Et jussit spoliari Jonathan vestibus suis, et indui eum purpura : et ita fecerunt. Et collocavit eum rex sedere secum.62 And he commanded that Jonathan's garments should be taken off, and that he should be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.
63 Dixitque principibus suis : Exite cum eo in medium civitatis, et prædicate, ut nemo adversus eum interpellet de ullo negotio, nec quisquam ei molestus sit de ulla ratione.63 And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.
64 Et factum est, ut viderunt qui interpellabant gloriam ejus, quæ prædicabatur, et opertum eum purpura, fugerunt omnes :64 So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and him clothed with purple, they all fled away.
65 et magnificavit eum rex, et scripsit eum inter primos amicos, et posuit eum ducem, et participem principatus.65 And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor and partaker of his dominion.
66 Et reversus est Jonathas in Jerusalem cum pace et lætitia.
66 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and joy.
67 In anno centesimo sexagesimo quinto, venit Demetrius filius Demetrii a Creta in terram patrum suorum.67 In the year one hundred and sixty-five Demetrius the son of Demetrius came from Crete into the land of his fathers.
68 Et audivit Alexander rex, et contristatus est valde, et reversus est Antiochiam.68 And king Alexander heard of it, and was much troubled, and returned to Antioch.
69 Et constituit Demetrius rex Apollonium ducem, qui præerat Cœlesyriæ : et congregavit exercitum magnum, et accessit ad Jamniam : et misit ad Jonathan summum sacerdotem,69 And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Celesyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan the high priest,
70 dicens : Tu solus resistis nobis : ego autem factus sum in derisum, et in opprobrium, propterea quia tu potestatem adversum nos exerces in montibus.70 Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at, and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountains.
71 Nunc ergo si confidis in virtutibus tuis, descende ad nos in campum, et comparemus illic invicem : quia mecum est virtus bellorum.71 Now therefore if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.
72 Interroga, et disce quis sum ego, et ceteri qui auxilio sunt mihi, qui et dicunt quia non potest stare pes vester ante faciem nostram, quia bis in fugam conversi sunt patres tui in terra sua :72 Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:
73 et nunc quomodo poteris sustinere equitatum et exercitum tantum in campo, ubi non est lapis, neque saxum, neque locus fugiendi ?73 And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?
74 Ut audivit autem Jonathas sermones Apollonii, motus est animo : et elegit decem millia virorum, et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit ei Simon frater ejus in adjutorium :74 Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him.
75 et applicuerunt castra in Joppen, et exclusit eum a civitate, quia custodia Apollonii Joppe erat : et oppugnavit eam.75 And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.
76 Et exterriti qui erant in civitate, aperuerunt ei, et obtinuit Jonathas Joppen.76 And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.
77 Et audivit Apollonius, et admovit tria millia equitum, et exercitum multum.77 And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three thousand horsemen, and a great army.
78 Et abiit Azotum tamquam iter faciens, et statim exiit in campum, eo quod haberet multitudinem equitum, et confideret in eis. Et insecutus est eum Jonathas in Azotum, et commiserunt prælium.78 And he went to Azotus as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.
79 Et reliquit Apollonius in castris mille equites post eos occulte.79 And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand horsemen behind them.
80 Et cognovit Jonathas quoniam insidiæ sunt post se, et circuierunt castra ejus, et jecerunt jacula in populum a mane usque ad vesperam.80 And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.
81 Populus autem stabat, sicut præceperat Jonathas : et laboraverunt equi eorum.81 But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.
82 Et ejecit Simon exercitum suum, et commisit contra legionem : equites enim fatigati erant : et contriti sunt ab eo, et fugerunt.82 Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.
83 Et qui dispersi sunt per campum, fugerunt in Azotum, et intraverunt in Bethdagon idolum suum, ut ibi se liberarent.83 And they that were scattered about the plain, fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon their idol's temple, there to save themselves.
84 Et succendit Jonathas Azotum, et civitates quæ erant in circuitu ejus, et accepit spolia eorum, et templum Dagon : et omnes qui fugerunt in illud, succendit igni.84 But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were around it, and took the spoils of them, and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.
85 Et fuerunt qui ceciderunt gladio, cum his qui succensi sunt, fere octo millia virorum.85 So they that were slain by the sword, with them that were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.
86 Et movit inde Jonathas castra, et applicuit ea Ascalonem : et exierunt de civitate obviam illi in magna gloria.86 And Jonathan removed his army from thence, and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.
87 Et reversus est Jonathas in Jerusalem cum suis, habentibus spolia multa.87 And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his people, having many spoils.
88 Et factum est, ut audivit Alexander rex sermones istos, addidit adhuc glorificare Jonathan.88 And it came to pass: When Alexander the king heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.
89 Et misit ei fibulam auream, sicut consuetudo est dari cognatis regum. Et dedit ei Accaron, et omnes fines ejus, in possessionem.89 And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron and all the borders thereof in possession.