2 Maccabees 11
King James Version with ApocryphaTranslation
King James Version with Apocrypha
Clementine Vulgate, 1598
1Not long after this, Lysias the king’s protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.
1Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,
2And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles,
2congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,
3And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:
3templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:
4Not at all considering the power of God but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.
4nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.
5So he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.
5Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.
6Now when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel.
6Ut 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.
7Then Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.
7Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.
8And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.
8Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.
9Then they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.
9Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.
10Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them
10Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.
11And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.
11Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:
12Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.
12universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.
13Who, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them,
13Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:
14And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promised that he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them.
14promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.
15Then Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted it.
15Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.
16For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:
16Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.
17John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.
17Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.
18Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.
18Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.
19And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.
19Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.
20But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.
20De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.
21Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
21Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.
22Now the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:
22Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.
23Since our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs.
23Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,
24We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.
24audivimus Judæos non consensisse patri meo ut transferrentur ad ritum Græcorum, sed tenere velle suum institutum, ac propterea postulare a nobis concedi sibi legitima sua.
25Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.
25Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.
26Thou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.
26Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.
27And the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Jews:
27Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.
28If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.
28Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.
29Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
29Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.
30Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.
30His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,
31And the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before; and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.
31ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.
32I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.
32Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.
33Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.
33Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.
34The Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews.
34Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.
35Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
35De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.
36But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.
36De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.
37Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
37Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.
38Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.
38Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.
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