Secondus Machabaeorum 11

VULGATA	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,	1 Very soon afterward, Lysias, guardian and kinsman of the king and head of the government, being greatly displeased at what had happened,
2 congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,	2 mustered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and marched against the Jews. His plan was to make Jerusalem a Greek settlement;
3 templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium :	3 to levy tribute on the temple, as he did on the sanctuaries of the other nations; and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year.
4 nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.	4 He did not take God's power into account at all, but felt exultant confidence in his myriads of foot soldiers, his thousands of horsemen, and his eighty elephants.
5 Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.	5 So he invaded Judea, and when he reached Beth-zur, a fortified place about twenty miles from Jerusalem, launched a strong attack against it.
6 Ut autem Machabæus et qui cum eo erant cognoverunt expugnari præsidia, cum fletu et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israël.	6 When Maccabeus and his men learned that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people begged the Lord with lamentations and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.
7 Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.	7 Maccabeus himself was the first to take up arms, and he exhorted the others to join him in risking their lives to help their kinsmen. Then they resolutely set out together.
8 Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.	8 Suddenly, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white garments and brandishing gold weapons.
9 Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis : non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.	9 Then all of them together thanked God for his mercy, and their hearts were filled with such courage that they were ready to assault not only men, but the most savage beasts, yes, even walls of iron.
10 Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.	10 Now that the Lord had shown his mercy toward them, they advanced in battle order with the aid of their heavenly ally.
11 Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos :	11 Hurling themselves upon the enemy like lions, they laid low eleven thousand foot soldiers and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the rest to flight.
12 universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.	12 Most of those who got away were wounded and stripped of their arms, while Lysias himself escaped only by shameful flight.
13 Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos :	13 But Lysias was not a stupid man. He reflected on the defeat he had suffered, and came to realize that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God was their ally. He therefore sent a message
14 promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.	14 persuading them to settle everything on just terms, and promising to persuade the king also, and to induce him to become their friend.
15 Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens : et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.	15 Maccabeus, solicitous for the common good, agreed to all that Lysias proposed; and the king, on his part, granted in behalf of the Jews all the written requests of Maccabeus to Lysias.
16 Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes : Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.	16 These are the terms of the letter which Lysias wrote to the Jews: "Lysias sends greetings to the Jewish people.
17 Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.	17 John and Absalom, your envoys, have presented your signed communication and asked about the matters contained in it.
18 Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui : et quæ res permittebat, concessit.	18 Whatever had to be referred to the king I called to his attention, and the things that were acceptable he has granted.
19 Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.	19 If you maintain your loyalty to the government, I will endeavor to further your interests in the future.
20 De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.	20 On the details of these matters I have authorized my representatives, as well as your envoys, to confer with you.
21 Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.	21 Farewell." The year one hundred and forty-eight, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.
22 Regis autem epistola ista continebat : Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.	22 The king's letter read thus: "King Antiochus sends greetings to his brother Lysias.
23 Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,	23 Now that our father has taken his place among the gods, we wish the subjects of our kingdom to be undisturbed in conducting their own affairs.
24 audivimus Judæos non consensisse patri meo ut transferrentur ad ritum Græcorum, sed tenere velle suum institutum, ac propterea postulare a nobis concedi sibi legitima sua.	24 We understand that the Jews do not agree with our father's policy concerning Greek customs but prefer their own way of life. They are petitioning us to let them retain their own customs.
25 Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.	25 Since we desire that this people too should be undisturbed, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live in keeping with the customs of their ancestors.
26 Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis : ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.	26 Accordingly, please send them messengers to give them our assurances of friendship, so that, when they learn of our decision, they may have nothing to worry about but may contentedly go about their own business."
27 Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat : Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.	27 The king's letter to the people was as follows: "King Antiochus sends greetings to the Jewish senate and to the rest of the Jews.
28 Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus : sed et ipsi bene valemus.	28 If you are well, it is what we desire. We too are in good health.
29 Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.	29 Menelaus has told us of your wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.
30 His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,	30 Therefore, those who return by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our assurance of full permission
31 ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius : et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.	31 to observe their dietary laws and other laws, just as before, and none of the Jews shall be molested in any way for faults committed through ignorance.
32 Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.	32 I have also sent Menelaus to reassure you.
33 Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.	33 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.
34 Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem : Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.	34 The Romans also sent them a letter as follows: "Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, legates of the Romans, send greetings to the Jewish people.
35 De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.	35 Whatever Lysias, kinsman of the king, has granted you, we also approve.
36 De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis : nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.	36 But the matters on which he passed judgment should be submitted to the king. As soon as you have considered them, send someone to us with your decisions so that we may present them to your advantage, for we are on our way to Antioch.
37 Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.	37 Make haste, then, to send us those who can inform us of your intentions.
38 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.	38 Farewell." In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.