1 Maccabees 12

Now when Jonathan saw that the time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

Καὶ εἶδεν Ἰωνάθαν ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς αὐτῷ συνεργεῖ, καὶ ἐπέλεξεν ἄνδρας, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς Ῥώμην, στῆσαι καὶ ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν.

He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

Καὶ πρὸς Σπαρτιάτας, καὶ τόπους ἑτέρους ἀπέστειλεν ἐπιστολὰς κατὰ τὰ αὐτά.

So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.

Καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς Ῥώμην, καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸ βουλευτήριον, καὶ εἶπον, Ἰωνάθαν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ τὸ ἔθνος τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν φιλίαν αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν κατὰ τὸ πρότερον.

Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place, that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

Καὶ ἔδωκαν ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατὰ τόπον, ὅπως προπέμπωσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα μετʼ εἰρήνης.

And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:

Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἔγραψεν Ἰωνάθαν τοῖς Σπαρτιάταις·

Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other people of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

Ἰωνάθαν ἀρχιερεὺς, καὶ ἡ γερουσία τοῦ ἔθνους, καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς, καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς δῆμος τῶν Ἰουδαίων, Σπαρτιάταις τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς χαίρειν.

There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

Ἔτι πρότερον ἀπεστάλησαν ἐπιστολαὶ πρὸς Ὀνίαν τὸν ἀρχιερέα παρὰ Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλεύοντος ἐν ὑμῖν, ὅτι ἐστὲ ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ὡς τὸ ἀντίγραφον ὑπόκειται.

At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

Καὶ ἐπεδέξατο Ὀνίας τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν ἀπεσταλμένον ἐνδόξως, καὶ ἔλαβε τὰς ἐπιστολάς ἐν αἷς διεσαφεῖτο περὶ συμμαχίας καὶ φιλίας.

Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, for that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

Καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀπροσδεεῖς τούτων ὄντες, παράκλησιν ἔχοντες τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια τὰ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν,

have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.

ἐπειράθημεν ἀποστεῖλαι τὴν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀδελφότητα καὶ φιλίαν ἀνανεώσασθαι, πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐξαλλοτριωθῆναι ὑμῶν· πολλοὶ γὰρ καιροὶ διῆλθον ἀφʼ οὗ ἀπεστείλατε πρὸς ἡμᾶς.

We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:

Ἡμεῖς οὖν ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἀδιαλείπτως ἔν τε ταῖς ἑορταῖς καὶ ταῖς λοιπαῖς καθηκούσαις ἡμέραις μιμνησκόμεθα ὑμων, ἐφʼ ὧν προσφέρομεν θυσιῶν, καὶ ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ὡς δέον ἐστὶ καὶ πρέπον μνημονεύειν ἀδελφῶν.

and we are right glad of your honour.

Εὐφραινόμεθα δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ δόξῃ ὑμῶν.

As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

Ἡμᾶς δὲ ἐκύκλωσαν πολλαὶ θλίψεις, καὶ πόλεμοι πολλοὶ, καὶ ἐπολέμησαν ἡμᾶς οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ κύκλῳ ἡμῶν.

Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

Καὶ οὐκ ἠβουλόμεθα οὖν παρενοχλεῖν ὑμῖν, καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς συμμάχοις, καὶ φίλοις ἡμῶν, ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις τούτοις.

for we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

Ἔχομεν γὰρ τὴν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ βοήθειαν βοηθοῦσαν ἡμῖν, καὶ ἐῤῥύσθημεν ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐταπεινώθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἡμῶν.

For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

Ἐπελέξαμεν οὖν Νουμήνιον Ἀντιόχου καὶ Ἀντίπατρον Ἰάσωνος, καὶ ἀπεστάλκαμεν πρὸς Ῥωμαίους ἀνενεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν τὴν προτέραν.

We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

Ἐνετειλάμεθα οὖν αὐτοῖς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς πορευθῆναι, καὶ ἀσπάσασθαι ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἀποδοῦναι ὑμῖν τὰς παρʼ ἡμῶν ἐπιστολὰς περὶ τῆς ἀνανεώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀδελφότητος ἡμῶν.

Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

Καὶ νῦν καλῶς ποιήσετε ἀντιφωνήσαντες ἡμῖν πρὸς ταῦτα.

And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἀπέστειλεν. Ὀνιάρης

Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

βασιλεὺς Σπαρτιατῶν Ὀνίᾳ ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ χαίρειν.

It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

Εὑρέθη ἐν γραφῇ περί τε τῶν Σπαρτιατῶν καὶ Ἰουδαίων ὅτι εἰσὶν ἀδελφοὶ, καὶ ὅτι εἰσὶν ἐκ γένους Ἁβραάμ.

now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

Καὶ νῦν ἀφʼ οὗ ἔγνωμεν ταῦτα, καλῶς ποιήσετε γράφοντες ἡμῖν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης ὑμῶν.

We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.

Καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἁντιγράφομεν ὑμῖν, τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ ὕπαρξις ὑμῶν ἡμῖν ἐστι, καὶ τὰ ἡμῶν ὑμῖν ἐστιν· ἐντελλόμεθα οὖν ὅπως ἀπαγγείλωσιν ὑμῖν κατὰ ταῦτα.

Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,

Καὶ ἤκουσεν Ἰωνάθαν ὅτι ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Δημητρίου μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς ὑπὲρ τὸ πρότερον τοῦ πολεμῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν.

he removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

Καὶ ἀπῇρεν ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν Ἀμαθῖτιν χώραν· οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἀνοχὴν ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ.

He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

Καὶ ἀπέστειλε κατασκόπους εἰς τὴς παρεμβολὴν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπέστρεψαν, καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ, ὅτι οὕτω τάσσονται ἐπιπεσεῖν ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς τὴν νύκτα.

Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.

Ὡς δὲ ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος, ἐπέταζεν Ἰωνάθαν τοῖς παρʼ αὐτοῦ γρηγορεῖν, καὶ εἶναι ἐπὶ τοῖς ὅπλοις, καὶ ἑτοιμάζεσθαι εἰς πόλεμον διʼ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς, καὶ ἐξέβαλε προφύλακας κύκλῳ τῆς παρεμβολῆς.

But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

Καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ὑπεναντίοι ὅτι ἡτοίμασται Ἰωνάθαν καὶ οἱ παρʼ αὐτοῦ εἰς πόλεμον, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἔπτηξαν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀνέκαυσαν πυρὰς ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ αὐτῶν.

Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

Ἰωνάθαν δὲ καὶ οἱ παρʼ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ἕως πρωῒ, ἔβλεπον γὰρ τὰ φῶτα καιόμενα.

Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

Καὶ κατεδίωξεν Ἰωνάθαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐ κατέλαβεν αὐτούς, διέβησαν γὰρ τὸν Ἐλεύθερον ποταμόν.

Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

Καὶ ἐξέκλινεν Ἰωνάθαν ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἄραβας τοὺς καλουμένους Ζαβεδαίους, καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτούς, καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ σκῦλα αὐτῶν.

And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country.

Καὶ ἀναζεύξας ἦλθεν εἰς Δαμασκόν, καὶ διώδευσεν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ χώρᾳ.

Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppe, and won it.

Καὶ Σίμων ἐξῆλθε, καὶ διώδευσεν ἕως Ἀσκάλωνος, καὶ τῶν πλησίων ὀχυρωμάτων, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν εἰς Ἰόππην, καὶ προκατελάβετο αὐτήν.

For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part: wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

Ἤκουσε γὰρ ὅτι βούλονται τὸ ὀχύρωμα παραδοῦναι τοῖς παρὰ Δημητρίου, καὶ ἔθετο ἐκεῖ φρουρὰν, ὅπως φυλάσσωσιν αὐτήν.

After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

Καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ἰωνάθαν, καὶ ἐξεκκλησίασε τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο μετʼ αὐτῶν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι ὀξυρώματα ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ,

and making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

καὶ προσυψῶσαι τὰ τείχη Ἱερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ὑψῶσαι ὕψος μέγα ἀναμέσον τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως, εἰς τὸ διαχωρίζειν αὐτὴν τῆς πόλεως, ἵνα ᾖ αὕτη κατὰ μόνας, ὅπως μήτε ἀγοράζωσι μήτε πωλῶσι.

Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

Καὶ συνήχθησαν τοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἤγγισε τοῦ τείχους τοῦ χειμάῤῥου τοῦ ἐξ ἀπηλιώτου, καὶ ἐπεσκεύασαν τὸ καλούμενον Χαφεναθά.

Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

καὶ Σίμων ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν Ἀδιδὰ ἐν τῇ Σεφήλᾳ, καὶ ὠχύρωσε θύρας καὶ μοχλούς.

Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

Καὶ ἐζήτησε Τρύφων βασιλεῦσαι τῆς Ἀσίας, καὶ περιθέσθαι τὸ διάδημα, καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρα ἐπὶ Ἀντίοχον τὸν βασιλέα.

Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

Καὶ ἐφοβήθη μήποτε οὐκ ἐάσῃ αὐτὸν Ἰωνάθαν, καὶ μήποτε πολεμήσῃ πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐζήτει πόρον τοῦ συλλαβεῖν τὸν Ἰωνάθαν τοῦ ἀπολυσαι αὐτὸν, καὶ ἀπάρας ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.

Καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἰωνάθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ ἐν τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάσιν ἀνδρῶν ἐπιλελεγμέναις εἰς παράταξιν, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;

Καὶ εἶδε Τρύφων ὅτι πάρεστιν Ἰωνάθαν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς, καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρας ἐπʼ αὐτὸν εὐλαβήθη.

but received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.

Καὶ ἐπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ἐνδόξως, καὶ συνέστησεν αὐτὸν πᾶσι τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόματα, καὶ ἐπέταξε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπακούειν αὐτῷ ὡς ἑαυτῷ.

Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou put all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?

Καὶ εἶπε τῷ Ἰωνάθαν, ἱνατί ἔκοψας πάντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, πολέμου μὴ ἐνεστηκότος ἡμῖν;

Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

Καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον αὐτοὺς εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν, ἐπίλεξαι δὲ σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας ὀλίγους οἵτινες ἔσονται μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ δεῦρο μετʼ ἐμοῦ εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ παραδώσω σοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ὀχυρώματα καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις τὰς λοιπὰς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν χειρῶν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἀπελεύσομαι, τούτου γὰρ χάριν πάρειμι.

So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

Καὶ ἐμπιστεύσας αὐτῷ ἐποίησε καθὼς εἶπε, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλε τὰς δυνάμεις, καὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα.

And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

Κατέλιπε δὲ μεθʼ ἑαυτοῦ ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους, ὧν δισχιλίους ἀφῆκεν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, χίλιοι δὲ συνῆλθον αὐτῷ.

Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

Ὡς δὲ εἰσῆλθεν Ἰωνάθαν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, ἀπέκλεισαν οἱ Πτολεμαεῖς τὰς πύλας, καὶ συνέλαβον αὐτὸν, καὶ πάντας τοὺς εἰσελθόντας μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ.

Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

Καὶ ἀπέστειλε Τρύφων δυνάμεις, καὶ ἵππον εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν, καὶ τὸ πεδίον τὸ μέγα, τοῦ ἀπολέσαι πάντας τοὺς παρὰ Ἰωνάθαν.

But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight.

Καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι συνελήφθη Ἰωνάθαν καὶ ἀπόλωλε, καὶ οἱ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρεκάλεσαν ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ ἐπορεύοντο συνεστραμμένοι ἕτοιμοι εἰς πόλεμον.

They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

Καὶ ἴδον οἱ διώκοντες ὅτι περὶ ψυχῆς αὐτοῖς ἐστι, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν.

Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

Καὶ ἦλθον πάντες μετʼ εἰρήνης εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐπένθησαν τὸν Ἰωνάθαν, καὶ τοὺς μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἐπένθησε τᾶς Ἰσραὴλ πένθος μέγα.

Then all the heathen that were round about them sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.

Καὶ ἐζήτησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ κύκλῳ αὐτῶν ἐκτρίψαι αὐτούς· εἶπαν γάρ, οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἄρχοντα καὶ βοηθοῦντα· νῦν οὖν πολεμήσωμεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐξάρωμεν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν.