Liber II Machabaeorum

Sed post triennii tempus, cognovit Judas et qui cum eo erant Demetrium Seleuci cum multitudine valida et navibus per portam Tripolis ascendisse ad loca opportuna,

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,

Sed post triennio tempore, Iudase cognosce et qui cum eo es Demetrio de Seleuce cum multitudine valida et navis per porta Tripoles ascende ad locos opportuno,

et tenuisse regiones adversus Antiochum, et ducem ejus Lysiam.

And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general, Lysias.

Et tene regiones contra Antiocho, et duce de illo Lysia.

Alcimus autem quidam, qui summus sacerdos fuerat, sed voluntarie coinquinatus est temporibus commistionis, considerans nullo modo sibi esse salutem neque accessum ad altare,

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,

Alcimo autem uno, qui summo sacerdote es, sed de voluntario coinquina es tempores de commistione, considera nullo solo ad se es salute neque accessu ad altari,

venit ad regem Demetrium centesimo quinquagesimo anno, offerens ei coronam auream et palmam, super hæc et thallos, qui templi esse videbantur. Et ipsa quidem die siluit.

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 that seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace.

Veni ad rege Demetrio centesimo quinquagesimo anno, offer ad illo corona aurea et palma, super hoc et thallos, qui de templo es vide. Et ipso quidem die sile.

Tempus autem opportunum dementiæ suæ nactus, convocatus a Demetrio ad consilium, et interrogatus quibus rebus et consiliis Judæi niterentur,

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,

Tempore autem opportuno de dementia suo nanciscor, convoca ab Demetrio ad consilio, et interroga ad que res et consilios Iudaeos nitor,

respondit: Ipsi qui dicuntur Assidæi Judæorum, quibus præest Judas Machabæus, bella nutriunt, et seditiones movent, nec patiuntur regnum esse quietum:

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.

Responde: ipso qui dic Assidaeis de Iudaeos, ad que Iudase Machabaeo praesume, bellos nutri, et seditiones move, nec pate regno es quieto:

nam et ego defraudatus parentum gloria (dico autem summo sacerdotio) huc veni:

For I also being deprived of my ancestor's glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:

Nam et me defrauda de parentos gloria (dic autem summo sacerdotio) huc veni:

primo quidem utilitatibus regis fidem servans, secundo autem etiam civibus consulens: nam illorum pravitate universum genus nostrum non minime vexatur.

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 these men.

Primo quidem utilitates de rege fide serva, secundo autem etiam ad cives consule: nam de illos pravitate universa genere nostro non minimo vexa.

Sed oro his singulis, o rex, cognitis, et regioni et generi, secundum humanitatem tuam pervulgatam omnibus, prospice:

Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest 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.

Sed ora ad hoc singulo, o rege, cognosce, et ad regione et ad genere, secundo humanitate tuo pervulga ad omni, prospice:

nam, quamdiu superest Judas, impossibile est pacem esse negotiis.

For as long as Judas liveth it is not possible that the state should be quiet.

Nam, quamdiu Iudase supersum, impossibile es pace es negotios.

Talibus autem ab hoc dictis, et ceteri amici hostiliter se habentes adversus Judam, inflammaverunt Demetrium.

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.

Ad tale autem ab hoc dic, et cetero amicos hostiliter se habe contra Iudase, inflamma Demetrio.

Qui statim Nicanorem præpositum elephantorum ducem misit in Judæam:

And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:

Qui statim mitte Nicanore praepone de elephantos duce in Iudaea:

datis mandatis ut ipsum quidem Judam caperet: eos vero qui cum illo erant, dispergeret, et constitueret Alcimum maximi templi summum sacerdotem.

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.

Da mandatos ut ipso quidem Iudase cape: illos vero qui cum illo es, disperge, et constitue Alcimo magna de templo summo sacerdote.

Tunc gentes quæ de Judæa fugerant Judam, gregatim se Nicanori miscebant, miserias et clades Judæorum prosperitates rerum suarum existimantes.

Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea, from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.

Tunc gentes que de Iudaea fuge Iudase, gregatim misce Nicanore se, miserias et clades de Iudaeos prosperitates de res suo existima.

Audito itaque Judæi Nicanoris adventu, et conventu nationum, conspersi terra rogabant eum qui populum suum constituit, ut in æternum custodiret, quique suam portionem signis evidentibus protegit.

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.

Lude itaque Iudaeos de Nicanore adventu, et conventu de nationes, consperge terra roga illo qui constitue populo suo, ut in aeterno custodi, et qui protige suo signos evida portione.

Imperante autem duce, statim inde moverunt, conveneruntque ad castellum Dessau.

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.

Impera autem duce, statim inde move, et conveni ad castello de Dessao.

Simon vero frater Judæ commiserat cum Nicanore: sed conterritus est repentino adventu adversariorum.

Now Simon, the brother of Judas, had joined battle with Nicanor: but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.

Simone vero fratre de Iudase committe cum Nicanore: sed conterre es repentino adventu adversario.

Nicanor tamen, audiens virtutem comitum Judæ, et animi magnitudinem quam pro patriæ certaminibus habebant, sanguine judicium facere metuebat.

Nevertheless Nicanor hearing of the valour of Judas's companions, and the greatness of courage, with which they fought for their country, was afraid to try the matter by the sword.

Nicanore tamen, audiente virtute de comites de Iudase, et de animo magnitudine quam pro patria certamines habe, sanguine iudicio facere metue.

Quam ob rem præmisit Posidonium, et Theodotium, et Matthiam, ut darent dextras atque acciperent.

Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotius and Matthias before to present and receive the right hands.

Quam ob rem praemitte Posidonio, et Theodotio, et Matthiame, ut da dextro et accipe.

Et cum diu de his consilium ageretur, et ipse dux ad multitudinem retulisset, omnium una fuit sententia amicitiis annuere.

And when there had been a consultation thereupon, and the captain had acquainted the multitude with it, they were all of one mind to consent to covenants.

Et cum diu de hoc consilio age, et ipso duce ad multitudine refer, de omni uno es sententia amicitias annue.

Itaque diem constituerunt, qua secreto inter se agerent: et singulis sellæ prolatæ sunt, et positæ.

So they appointed a day upon which they might come together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.

Itaque die constitue, quo secreto inter se age: et singulo sellas profer es, et pone.

Præcepit autem Judas armatos esse locis opportunis, ne forte ab hostibus repente mali aliquid oriretur: et congruum colloquium fecerunt.

But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.

Iudase autem praecipie armato es locos opportuno, ne forte ab hostes repente de malo aliquo ori: et congruo colloquio fac.

Morabatur autem Nicanor Jerosolymis, nihilque inique agebat: gregesque turbarum quæ congregatæ fuerant, dimisit.

And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.

Nicanore autem moror Ierosolymas, et nihil inique age: et greges de turbas que congrega es, remitte.

Habebat autem Judam semper carum ex animo, et erat viro inclinatus.

And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.

Habe autem Iudase semper caro ex animo, et es ad viro inclina.

Rogavitque eum ducere uxorem, filiosque procreare. Nuptias fecit: quiete egit, communiterque vivebant.

And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.

Et roga illo ducere uxore, et filios procrea. Nuptias fac: quiete age, et communiter vive.

Alcimus autem, videns caritatem illorum ad invicem et conventiones, venit ad Demetrium, et dicebat Nicanorem rebus alienis assentire, Judamque regni insidiatorem successorem sibi destinasse.

But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.

Alcimo autem, vidente caritate de illos ad invicem et conventiones, veni ad Demetrio, et dic Nicanore res aliena assenti, et Iudase de regno insidiatore successore ad se destina.

Itaque rex exasperatus, et pessimis hujus criminationibus irritatus, scripsit Nicanori, dicens graviter quidem se ferre de amicitiæ conventione, jubere tamen Machabæum citius vinctum mittere Antiochiam.

Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man's wicked accusation, 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.

Itaque rege exaspera, et pessima de hoc criminationes irrita, scribe ad Nicanore, dicente graviter quidem se ferre de amicitia conventione, iube tamen Machabaeo cito vince mitte Antiochia.

Quibus cognitis, Nicanor consternabatur, et graviter ferebat, si ea quæ convenerant irrita faceret, nihil læsus a viro:

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.

Ad que cognosce, Nicanore consterna, et graviter fer, si illa que conveni irrito fac, nihil laede ab viro:

sed quia regi resistere non poterat, opportunitatem observabat qua præceptum perficeret.

But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders

Sed quia ad rege resiste non pote, opportunitate observa quo praecepto perfice.

At Machabæus, videns secum austerius agere Nicanorem, et consuetum occursum ferocius exhibentem, intelligens non ex bono esse austeritatem istam, paucis suorum congregatis, occultavit se a Nicanore.

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.

Sed Machabaeo, vidente se austeri age Nicanore, et consueto occurso feroce exhibe, intellige non ex bono es austeritate isto, paucissimo suo congrega, occulta se ab Nicanore.

Quod cum ille cognovit, fortiter se a viro præventum, venit ad maximum et sanctissimum templum: et sacerdotibus solitas hostias offerentibus, jussit sibi tradi virum.

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.

Illo cum cognosce quod, fortiter se ab viro praeveni, veni ad magna et sancto templo: et ad sacerdotes sole hostias offer, iube ad se trade viro.

Quibus cum juramento dicentibus nescire se ubi esset qui quærebatur, extendens manum ad templum,

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,

Ad que cum iuramento dic ne sci se ubi es qui quaere, extende manu ad templo,

juravit, dicens: Nisi Judam mihi vinctum tradideritis, istud Dei fanum in planitiem deducam, et altare effodiam, et templum hoc Libero patri consecrabo.

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.

Iura, dicente: nisi Iudase ad me vince trade, isto de Deo fano in planitie deduce, et altari effodie, et templo hoc Libro ad patre consecra.

Et his dictis abiit. Sacerdotes autem protendentes manus in cælum, invocabant eum qui semper propugnator esset gentis ipsorum, hæc dicentes:

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:

Et ad hoc dic i ab. Sacerdotes autem protende manus in caelo, invoca illo qui semper propugnatore es de gente ipso, hoc dicente:

Tu, Domine universorum, qui nullius indiges, voluisti templum habitationis tuæ fieri in nobis.

Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.

Te, Domino universa, qui indige de nullo, vol templo de habitatione tuo fieri in nos.

Et nunc, Sancte sanctorum, omnium Domine, conserva in æternum impollutam domum istam, quæ nuper mundata est.

Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.

Et nunc, Sancte sancto, de omni Domino, conserva in aeterno impolla domo isto, que nuper munda es.

Razias autem quidam de senioribus ab Jerosolymis delatus est Nicanori, vir amator civitatis, et bene audiens: qui pro affectu pater Judæorum appellabatur.

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 kindness was called the father of the Jews.

Raziase autem uno de sene ab Ierosolymas defer es ad Nicanore, viro amatore de civitate, et bene audiente: qui pro affectu patre de Iudaeos appella.

Hic multis temporibus continentiæ propositum tenuit in Judaismo, corpusque et animam tradere contentus pro perseverantia.

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.

Hoc multo tempores de continentia propone tene in Iudaismos, et corpore et anima trade contenta pro perseverantia.

Volens autem Nicanor manifestare odium quod habebat in Judæos, misit milites quingentos ut eum comprehenderent.

So Nicanor being willing to declare the hatred that he bore the Jews, sent five hundred soldiers to take him.

Volente autem Nicanore manifesta odio quod habe in Iudaeos, mitte milites quingenti ut illo comprehende.

Putabat enim, si illum decepisset, se cladem Judæis maximam illaturum.

For he thought by ensnaring him to hurt the Jews very much.

Puta nam, si illo decipie, se clade ad Iudaeos magna iffera.

Turbis autem irruere in domum ejus, et januam dirumpere: atque ignem admovere cupientibus, cum jam comprehenderetur, gladio se petiit,

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:

Turbis autem irrue in domo de illo, et ianua dirumpe: et igni admove cupie, cum jam comprehende, gladio se pete,

eligens nobiliter mori potius quam subditus fieri peccatoribus, et contra natales suos indignis injuriis agi.

Choosing to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of the wicked, and to suffer abuses unbecoming his noble birth.

Elige nobiliter more potius quam subdito fieri ad peccatores, et contra natale suo indigno iniurias age.

Sed cum per festinationem non certo ictu plagam dedisset, et turbæ intra ostia irrumperent, recurrens audacter ad murum præcipitavit semetipsum viriliter in turbas:

But whereas through haste he missed of giving 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:

Sed cum per festinatione non certo ictu plaga da, et turbas intra ostios irrumpe, recurre audacter ad muro praecipita semetipso viriliter in turbas:

quibus velociter locum dantibus casui ejus, venit per mediam cervicem.

But they quickly making room for his fall, he came upon the midst of the neck.

Ad que velociter loco da ad casu de illo, veni per medio cervice.

Et cum adhuc spiraret, accensus animo, surrexit, et cum sanguis ejus magno fluxu deflueret, et gravissimis vulneribus esset saucius, cursu turbam pertransiit:

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:

Et cum adhuc spira, accensus animo, surge, et cum sanguine de illo magna fluxu deflue, et gravi vulneres es sauco, cursu turba pertransi:

et stans supra quamdam petram præruptam, et jam exsanguis effectus, complexus intestina sua, utrisque manibus projecit super turbas, invocans dominatorem vitæ ac spiritus ut hæc illi iterum redderet: atque ita vita defunctus est.

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.

Et stante supra uno petra praerumi, et jam exsangue efficie, complector intestinas suo, et utro manus proicie super turbas, invoca dominatore de vita et de spiritu ut hoc ad illo iterum redde: et ita vita defungor es.