Primus Machabaeorum 3

VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Et surrexit Judas, qui vocabatur Machabæus, filius ejus, pro eo :	1 His son, Judas, known as Maccabaeus, then took his place.
2 et adjuvabant eum omnes fratres ejus, et universi qui se conjunxerant patri ejus, et præliabantur prælium Israël cum lætitia.	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 suo, et induit se loricam sicut gigas, et succinxit se arma bellica sua in præliis, et protegebat castra gladio suo.	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 suis, et sicut catulus leonis rugiens in venatione.	4 He was like a lion in his exploits, like a young lion roaring over its prey.
5 Et persecutus est iniquos perscrutans eos : et qui conturbabant populum suum, eos succendit flammis :	5 He pursued and tracked down the renegades, he consigned those who troubled his people to theflames.
6 et repulsi sunt inimici ejus præ timore ejus, et omnes operarii iniquitatis conturbati sunt : et directa est salus in manu ejus.	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, et lætificabat Jacob in operibus suis, et in sæculum memoria ejus in benedictione.	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 civitates Juda, et perdidit impios ex eis, et avertit iram ab Israël.	8 He went through the towns of Judah eliminating the irreligious from them, and diverted the Retributionfrom Israel.
9 Et nominatus est usque ad novissimum terræ, et congregavit 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 multam et magnam ad bellandum contra Israël.	10 Next, Apollonius mustered the gentiles and a large force from Samaria to make war on Israel.
11 Et cognovit Judas, et exiit obviam illi : et percussit, et occidit illum : 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 accepit spolia eorum : et gladium Apollonii abstulit Judas, et erat pugnans in eo omnibus diebus.	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 Syriæ, quod congregavit Judas congregationem fidelium, et ecclesiam secum,	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 Judam, et eos qui cum ipso sunt, qui spernebant 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 præparavit se : et ascenderunt cum eo castra impiorum fortes auxiliarii ut facerent vindictam in filios Israël.	15 He therefore launched another expedition, with a strong army of unbelievers to support him in takingrevenge on the Israelites.
16 Et appropinquaverunt usque ad Bethoron : et exivit Judas obviam 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 obviam, dixerunt Judæ : Quomodo poterimus pauci pugnare contra multitudinem tantam, et tam fortem, et nos fatigati sumus jejunio 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 Judas : Facile est concludi multos in manus paucorum : et non est differentia in conspectu Dei cæli liberare in multis, et 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 exercitus victoria belli, sed de cælo 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 in multitudine contumaci, et superbia, ut disperdant nos, et uxores nostras, et filios 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 pugnabimus pro animabus nostris, et legibus nostris :	21 but we are fighting for our lives and our laws,
22 et ipse Dominus conteret eos ante faciem nostram : vos autem 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 ejus in conspectu ipsius :	23 When he had finished speaking, he made a sudden sal y against Seron and his force andoverwhelmed them.
24 et persecutus est eum in descensu Bethoron usque in campum, et ceciderunt ex eis octingenti viri, reliqui autem fugerunt in terram Philisthiim.	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 cecidit timor Judæ ac fratrum ejus, et formido super omnes gentes in circuitu eorum :	25 Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and alarm seized the surrounding peoples.
26 et pervenit ad regem nomen ejus, et de præliis Judæ 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 rex Antiochus sermones istos, iratus est animo : et misit, et congregavit 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 aperuit ærarium suum, et dedit stipendia exercitui in annum : et mandavit illis ut essent parati 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 tributa regionis modica propter dissensionem et plagam quam fecit in terra, ut tolleret legitima, quæ 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 et bis, in sumptus et donaria, quæ dederat ante larga manu : et abundaverat super reges 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 cogitavit ire 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, a flumine Euphrate usque ad flumen Ægypti,	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 medium exercitum, et elephantos : et mandavit ei de omnibus quæ volebat, et de inhabitantibus Judæam, et Jerusalem :	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 et ut mitteret ad eos exercitum ad conterendam et extirpandam virtutem Israël, et reliquias Jerusalem, 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 constitueret habitatores filios alienigenas in omnibus finibus eorum, et sorte distribueret terram eorum.	36 to settle foreigners in al parts of their territory and to distribute their land into lots.
37 Et rex assumpsit partem exercitus residui, et exivit ab Antiochia civitate regni sui anno centesimo et quadragesimo septimo : et transfretavit Euphraten 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 elegit Lysias Ptolemæum filium Dorymini, et Nicanorem, et Gorgiam, viros potentes ex amicis 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 millia virorum, et septem millia equitum, ut venirent in terram Juda, 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 applicuerunt Emmaum 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 regionum nomen eorum : et acceperunt argentum, et aurum multum valde, et pueros, et venerunt in castra ut acciperent filios Israël in servos, et additi sunt ad eos exercitus Syriæ, et terræ 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 Judas et fratres ejus, quia multiplicata sunt mala, et exercitus applicabant ad fines eorum : et cognoverunt verba regis, quæ mandavit populo facere 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 proximum suum : Erigamus dejectionem populi nostri, et pugnemus pro populo nostro, et sanctis 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 in prælium, 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 Et Jerusalem non habitabatur, sed erat sicut desertum : non erat qui ingrederetur et egrederetur de natis ejus. Et sanctum conculcabatur : et filii alienigenarum erant in arce ; ibi erat habitatio gentium : et ablata est voluptas a Jacob, et defecit ibi 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 Jerusalem, quia locus orationis erat in Maspha ante in Israël.	46 After mustering, they made their way to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, since Mizpah was traditional y aplace of prayer for Israel.
47 Et jejunaverunt illa die, et induerunt se ciliciis, 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 et expanderunt libros legis, de quibus scrutabantur gentes similitudinem simulacrorum 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, et decimas : et suscitaverunt Nazaræos, qui impleverant 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 voce magna in cælum, 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 tua conculcata sunt, et contaminata sunt, et sacerdotes tui facti sunt in luctum, et in humilitatem :	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 quæ cogitant 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 tu, Deus, adjuves nos ?	53 How can we stand up and face them if you do not come to our aid?'
54 Et tubis exclamaverunt voce magna.	54 Then they sounded the trumpets and raised a great shout.
55 Et post hæc constituit Judas duces populi, tribunos, et centuriones, et pentacontarchos, et decuriones.	55 Next, Judas appointed leaders for the people, to command a thousand, a hundred, fifty or ten men.
56 Et dixit his, qui ædificabant domos, et sponsabant uxores, et plantabant vineas, et formidolosis, ut redirent unusquisque in domum suam secundum 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 Et ait Judas : Accingimini, et estote filii potentes, et estote parati in mane, ut pugnetis adversus nationes has quæ convenerunt adversus nos disperdere nos, et sancta 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 videre mala gentis nostræ, 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 cælo, sic fiat.	60 Whatever be the wil of Heaven, he wil perform it.'