Primus Machabaeorum 12

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Et vidit Jonathas quia tempus eum juvat, et elegit viros, et misit eos Romam statuere et renovare cum eis amicitiam :	1 When Jonathan saw that the times favored him, he sent selected men to Rome to confirm and renew his friendship with the Romans.
2 et ad Spartiatas, et ad alia loca misit epistolas secundum eamdem formam :	2 He also sent letters to Sparta and other places for the same purpose.
3 et abierunt Romam, et intraverunt curiam, et dixerunt : Jonathas summus sacerdos, et gens Judæorum miserunt nos, ut renovaremus amicitiam et societatem secundum pristinum.	3 After reaching Rome, the men entered the senate chamber and said, "The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish people have sent us to renew the earlier friendship and alliance between you and them."
4 Et dederunt illis epistolas ad ipsos per loca, ut deducerent eos in terram Juda cum pace.	4 The Romans gave them letters addressed to the authorities in the various places, requesting them to provide the envoys with safe conduct to the land of Judah.
5 Et hoc est exemplum epistolarum, quas scripsit Jonathas Spartiatis :	5 This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6 Jonathas summus sacerdos, et seniores gentis, et sacerdotes, et reliquus populus Judæorum, Spartiatis fratribus salutem.	6 "Jonathan the high priest, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people send greetings to their brothers the Spartans.
7 Jampridem missæ erant epistolæ ad Oniam summum sacerdotem ab Ario, qui regnabat apud vos, quoniam estis fratres nostri, sicut rescriptum continet, quod subjectum est.	7 Long ago a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius, who then reigned over you, stating that you are our brothers, as the attached copy shows.
8 Et suscepit Onias virum, qui missus fuerat, cum honore : et accepit epistolas, in quibus significabatur de societate et amicitia.	8 Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which clearly referred to alliance and friendship.
9 Nos cum nullo horum indigeremus, habentes solatio sanctos libros, qui sunt in manibus nostris,	9 Though we have no need of these things, since we have for our encouragement the sacred books that are in our possession,
10 maluimus mittere ad vos renovare fraternitatem et amicitiam, ne forte alieni efficiamur a vobis : multa enim tempora transierunt, ex quo misistis ad nos.	10 we have ventured to send word to you for the renewal of brotherhood and friendship, so as not to become strangers to you altogether; a long time has passed since your mission to us.
11 Nos ergo in omni tempore sine intermissione in diebus solemnibus, et ceteris, quibus oportet, memores sumus vestri in sacrificiis quæ offerimus, et in observationibus, sicut fas est, et decet meminisse fratrum.	11 We, on our part, have never ceased to remember you in the sacrifices and prayers that we offer on our feasts and other appropriate days, as it is right and proper to remember brothers.
12 Lætamur itaque de gloria vestra.	12 We likewise rejoice in your renown.
13 Nos autem circumdederunt multæ tribulationes, et multa prælia, et impugnaverunt nos reges qui sunt in circuitu nostro.	13 But many hardships and wars have beset us, and the kings around us have attacked us.
14 Noluimus ergo vobis molesti esse, neque ceteris sociis et amicis nostris in his præliis :	14 We did not wish to be troublesome to you and to the rest of our allies and friends in these wars;
15 habuimus enim de cælo auxilium, et liberati sumus nos, et humiliati sunt inimici nostri.	15 with the help of Heaven for our support, we have been saved from our enemies, and they have been humbled.
16 Elegimus itaque Numenium Antiochi filium, et Antipatrem Jasonis filium, et misimus ad Romanos renovare cum eis amicitiam et societatem pristinam.	16 So we have chosen Numenius, son of Antiochus, and Antipater, son of Jason, and we have sent them to the Romans to renew our former friendship and alliance with them.
17 Mandavimus itaque eis ut veniant etiam ad vos, et salutent vos, et reddant vobis epistolas nostras de innovatione fraternitatis nostræ.	17 We have also ordered them to come to you and greet you, and to deliver to you our letter about the renewal of our brotherhood.
18 Et nunc benefacietis respondentes nobis ad hæc.	18 Therefore kindly send us an answer on this matter."
19 Et hoc est rescriptum epistolarum quod miserat Oniæ :	19 This is a copy of the letter that was sent to Onias:
20 Arius rex Spartiatarum Oniæ sacerdoti magno salutem.	20 "Arius, king of the Spartans, sends greetings to Onias the high priest.
21 Inventum est in scriptura de Spartiatis, et Judæis, quoniam sunt fratres, et quod sunt de genere Abraham.	21 A document has been found stating that the Spartans and the Jews are brothers; both nations descended from Abraham.
22 Et nunc ex quo hæc cognovimus, benefacitis scribentes nobis de pace vestra.	22 Now that we have learned this, kindly write to us about your welfare.
23 Sed et nos rescripsimus vobis : Pecora nostra, et possessiones nostræ, vestræ sunt : et vestræ, nostræ : mandavimus itaque hæc nuntiari vobis.	23 We, on our part, are informing you that your cattle and your possessions are ours, and ours are yours. We have, therefore, given orders that you should be told of this."
24 Et audivit Jonathas quoniam regressi sunt principes Demetrii cum exercitu multo supra quam prius, pugnare adversus eum :	24 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had returned to attack him with a stronger army than before.
25 et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit eis in Amathite regione : non enim dederat eis spatium ut ingrederentur regionem ejus.	25 He set out from Jerusalem and went into the country of Hamath to meet them, giving them no time to enter his province.
26 Et misit speculatores in castra eorum : et reversi renuntiaverunt quod constituunt supervenire illis nocte.	26 The spies he had sent into their camp came back and reported that the enemy had made ready to attack the Jews that very night.
27 Cum occidisset autem sol, præcepit Jonathas suis vigilare, et esse in armis paratos ad pugnam tota nocte : et posuit custodes per circuitum castrorum.	27 Therefore, when the sun set, Jonathan ordered his men to be on guard and to remain armed, ready for combat, throughout the night. He also set outposts all around the camp.
28 Et audierunt adversarii quod paratus est Jonathas cum suis in bello : et timuerunt, et formidaverunt in corde suo : et accenderunt focos in castris suis.	28 When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, their hearts sank with fear and dread. They lighted fires and then withdrew.
29 Jonathas autem, et qui cum eo erant, non cognoverunt usque mane : videbant autem luminaria ardentia,	29 But because Jonathan and his men were watching the lights burning, they did not know what had happened until morning.
30 et secutus est eos Jonathas, et non comprehendit eos : transierant enim flumen Eleutherum.	30 Then Jonathan pursued them, but he could not overtake them, for they had crossed the river Eleutherus.
31 Et divertit Jonathas ad Arabas, qui vocantur Zabadæi : et percussit eos, et accepit spolia eorum.	31 So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, overwhelming and plundering them.
32 Et junxit, et venit Damascum, et perambulabat omnem regionem illam.	32 Then he marched on to Damascus and traversed that whole region.
33 Simon autem exiit, et venit usque ad Ascalonem, et ad proxima præsidia : et declinavit in Joppen, et occupavit eam	33 Simon also set out and went as far as Ashkalon and its neighboring strongholds. He then turned to Joppa and occupied it,
34 (audivit enim quod vellent præsidium tradere partibus Demetrii), et posuit ibi custodes ut custodirent eam.	34 for he heard that its men had intended to hand over this stronghold to the supporters of Demetrius. He left a garrison there to guard it.
35 Et reversus est Jonathas, et convocavit seniores populi, et cogitavit cum eis ædificare præsidia in Judæa,	35 When Jonathan returned, he assembled the elders of the people, and with them he made plans for building strongholds in Judea,
36 et ædificare muros in Jerusalem, et exaltare altitudinem magnam inter medium arcis et civitatis, ut separaret eam a civitate, ut esset ipsa singulariter, et neque emant, neque vendant.	36 for making the walls of Jerusalem still higher, and for erecting a high barrier between the citadel and the city, that would isolate the citadel and so prevent its garrison from commerce with the city.
37 Et convenerunt ut ædificarent civitatem : et cecidit murus qui erat super torrentem ab ortu solis, et reparavit eum, qui vocatur Caphetetha :	37 The people therefore worked together on building up the city, for part of the east wall above the ravine had collapsed. The quarter called Chaphenatha was also repaired.
38 et Simon ædificavit Adiada in Sephela, et munivit eam, et imposuit portas et seras.	38 Simon likewise built up Adida in the Shephelah, and strengthened its fortifications by providing them with gates and bars.
39 Et cum cogitasset Tryphon regnare Asiæ, et assumere diadema, et extendere manum in Antiochum regem :	39 Trypho was determined to become king of Asia, assume the crown, and do away with King Antiochus.
40 timens ne forte non permitteret eum Jonathas, sed pugnaret adversus eum, quærebat comprehendere eum, et occidere. Et exsurgens abiit in Bethsan.	40 But he was afraid that Jonathan would not permit him, but would fight against him. Looking for a way to seize and kill him, he set out and reached Beth-shan.
41 Et exivit Jonathas obviam illi cum quadraginta millibus virorum electorum in prælium, et venit Bethsan.	41 Jonathan marched out against him with forty thousand picked fighting men and came to Beth-shan.
42 Et vidit Tryphon quia venit Jonathas cum exercitu multo ut extenderet in eum manus : timuit,	42 But when Trypho saw that Jonathan had arrived with a large army he was afraid to offer him violence.
43 et excepit eum cum honore, et commendavit eum omnibus amicis suis, et dedit ei munera : et præcepit exercitibus suis ut obedirent ei, sicut sibi.	43 Instead, he received him with honor, introduced him to all his friends, and gave him presents. He also ordered his friends and soldiers to obey him as they would himself.
44 Et dixit Jonathæ : Ut quid vexasti universum populum, cum bellum nobis non sit ?	44 Then he said to Jonathan: "Why have you put all your soldiers to so much trouble when we are not at war?
45 et nunc remitte eos in domos suas : elige autem tibi viros paucos, qui tecum sint, et veni mecum Ptolemaidam, et tradam eam tibi, et reliqua præsidia, et exercitum, et universos præpositos negotii : et conversus abibo : propterea enim veni.	45 Pick out a few men to stay with you, send the rest back home, and then come with me to Ptolemais. I will hand it over to you together with other strongholds and their garrisons, as well as the officials, then I will leave and go home. That is why I came here."
46 Et credidit ei, et fecit sicut dixit : et dimisit exercitum, et abierunt in terram Juda.	46 Jonathan believed him and did as he said. He dismissed his troops, and they returned to the land of Judah.
47 Retinuit autem secum tria millia virorum : ex quibus remisit in Galilæam duo millia : mille autem venerunt cum eo.	47 But he kept with him three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand to Galilee while one thousand accompanied him.
48 Ut autem intravit Ptolemaidam Jonathas, clauserunt portas civitatis Ptolemenses, et comprehenderunt eum : et omnes qui cum eo intraverant, gladio interfecerunt.	48 Then as soon as Jonathan had entered Ptolemais, the men of the city closed the gates and seized him; all who had entered with him, they killed with the sword.
49 Et misit Tryphon exercitum et equites in Galilæam et in campum magnum, ut perderent omnes socios Jonathæ.	49 Trypho sent soldiers and cavalry to Galilee and the Great Plain to destroy all Jonathan's men.
50 At illi cum cognovissent quia comprehensus est Jonathas, et periit, et omnes qui cum eo erant, hortati sunt semetipsos, et exierunt parati in prælium.	50 These, upon learning that Jonathan had been captured and his companions killed, encouraged one another and went out in compact body ready to fight.
51 Et videntes hi qui insecuti fuerant, quia pro anima res est illis, reversi sunt :	51 As their pursuers saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, they turned back.
52 illi autem venerunt omnes cum pace in terram Juda. Et planxerunt Jonathan, et eos qui cum ipso fuerant, valde : et luxit Israël luctu magno.	52 Thus all these men of Jonathan came safely into the land of Judah. They mourned over Jonathan and his men, and were in great fear, and all Israel fell into deep mourning.
53 Et quæsierunt omnes gentes quæ erant in circuitu eorum conterere eos : dixerunt enim :	53 All the nations round about sought to destroy them. They said, "Now that they have no leader to help them, let us make war on them and wipe out their memory from among men."
54 Non habent principem et adjuvantem : nunc ergo expugnemus illos, et tollamus de hominibus memoriam eorum.