2 Maccabees 11

Not long after this, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.

Μετʼ ὀλίγον δὲ παντελῶς χρόνον Λυσίας ἐπίτροπος τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ συγγενὴς, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, λίαν βαρέως φέρων ἐπὶ τοῖς γεγονόσι,

And 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,

συναθροίσας περὶ τὰς ὀκτὼ μυριάδας καὶ τὴν ἵππον πᾶσαν, παρεγένετο ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, λογιζόμενος τὴν μὲν πόλιν Ἕλλησιν οἰκητήριον ποιήσειν,

and 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:

τὸ δὲ ἱερὸν ἀργυρολόγητον καθὼς τὰ λοιπὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν τεμένη, πρατὴν δὲ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην κατʼ ἔτος ποιήσειν,

not 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.

οὐδαμῶς ἐπιλογιζόμενος τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ κράτος, πεφρενωμένος δὲ ταῖς μυριάσι τῶν πεζῶν καὶ ταῖς χιλιάσι τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τοῖς ἐλέφασι τοῖς ὀγδοήκοντα.

So 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.

Εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, καὶ συνεγγίσας τῷ Βαιθσούρᾳ, ὄντι μὲν ἐρυμνῷ χωρίῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ Ἱεροσολύμων ἀπέχοντι ὡσεὶ σταδίους πέντε, τοῦτο ἔθλιβεν.

Now 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.

Ὡς δὲ μετέλαβον οἱ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον πολιορκοῦντα αὐτὸν τὰ ὀχυρώματα, μετʼ ὀδύρμῶν καὶ δακρύων ἱκέτευον σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις τὸν Κύριον, ἀγαθὸν ἄγγελον ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς σωτηρίαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ.

Then 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.

Αὐτὸς δὲ πρῶτος ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἀναλαβὼν τὰ ὅπλα προετρέψατο τοὺς ἄλλους, ἅμα αὐτῷ διακινδυνεύοντας, ἐπιβοηθεῖν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτῶν· ὁμοῦ δὲ καὶ προθύμως ἐξώρμησαν.

And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.

Αὐτόθι δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ὄντων, ἐφάνη προηγούμενος αὐτῶν ἔφιππος ἐν λευκῇ ἐσθῆτι, πανοπλίαν χρυσῆν κραδαίνων.

Then 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.

Ὁμοῦ δὲ πάντες εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐλεήμονα Θεὸν, καὶ ἐπεῤῥώσθησαν ταῖς ψυχαῖς, οὐ μόνον ἀνθρώπους ἀλλὰ καὶ θῆρας τοὺς ἀγριωτάτους, καὶ σιδηρᾶ τείχη τιτρώσκειν ὄντες ἕτοιμοι.

Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them.

Προσῆγον ἐν διασκευῇ τὸν ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ σύμμαχον ἔχοντες, ἐλεήσαντος αὐτοὺς τοῦ Κυρίου.

And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.

Λεοντηδὸν δὲ ἐντινάξαντες εἰς τοὺς πολεμίους, κατέστρωσαν αὐτῶν χιλίους πρὸς τοῖς μυρίοις, ἱππεῖς δὲ ἑξακοσίους πρὸς τοῖς χιλίοις· τοὺς δὲ πάντας ἠνάγκασαν φυγεῖν.

Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.

Οἱ πλείονες δὲ αὐτῶν τραυματίαι γυμνοὶ διεσώθησαν· καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Λυσίας αἰσχρῶς φεύγων διεσώθη.

Who, 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,

Οὐκ ἄνους δὲ ὑπάρχων, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἀντιβάλλων τὸ γεγονὸς περὶ ἐαυτὸν ἐλάσσωμα, καὶ συννοήσας ἀνικήτους εἶναι τοὺς Ἑβραίους, τοῦ πάντα δυναμένου Θεοῦ συμμαχοῦντος αὐτοῖς,

and 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.

προσαποστείλας ἔπεισε συλλύσεσθαι ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς δικαίοις· καὶ διότι καὶ τὸν βασιλέα πείσειν φίλον αὐτοῖς ἀναγκάζειν γενέσθαι.

Then 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.

Ἐπένευσε δὲ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ὁ Λυσίας παρεκάλει τοῦ συμφέροντος φροντίζων· ὅσα γὰρ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπέδωκε τῷ Λυσίᾳ διὰ γραπτῶν περὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, συνεχώρησεν ὁ βασιλεύς.

For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:

Ἦσαν γὰρ αἱ γεγραμμέναι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐπιοτολαὶ παρὰ μὲν Λυσίου περιέχουσαι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον· Λυσίας τῷ πλήθει τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.

John and Absalon, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.

Ἰωάννης καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ οἱ πεμφθέντες παρʼ ὑμῶν, ἐπιδόντες τὸν ὑπογεγραμμένον χρηματισμὸν, ἠξίουν περὶ τῶν διʼ αὐτοῦ σημαινομένων.

Therefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.

Ὅσα μὲν οὖν ἔδει καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ προσενεχθῆναι διεσάφησα, ἃ δὲ ἦν ἐνδεχόμενα, συνεχώρησεν.

If then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.

Ἐὰν μὲν οὖν συντηρήσητε τὴν εἰς τὰ πράγματα εὔνοιαν, καὶ εἰς τὸ λοιπὸν πειράσομαι παραίτιος ὑμῖν ἀγαθῶν γενέσθαι.

But of the particulars I have given order both to these, and the other that came from me, to commune with you.

Ὑπὲρ δὲ τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐντέταλμαι τούτοις τε καὶ τοῖς παρʼ ἐμοῦ διαλεχθῆναι ὑμῖν.

Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.

Ἔῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Διοσκορινθίου εἰκοστῇ τετάρτῃ.

Now the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:

Ἡ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ περιεῖχεν οὕτως· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῷ ἀδελφῷ Λυσίᾳ χαίρειν.

since 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.

Τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν εἰς θεοὺς μεταστάντος, βουλόμενοι τοὺς ἐκ τῆς βασιλείας ἀταράχους ὄντας γενέσθαι πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἰδίων ἐπιμέλειαν,

We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the customs 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.

ἀκηκοότες τοὺς Ἰουδαίους μὴ συνευδοκοῦντας τῇ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐπὶ τὰ Ἑλληνικὰ μεταθέσει, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀγωγὴν αἱρετίζοντας, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἀξιοῦντας συγχωρηθῆναι αὐτοῖς τὰ νόμιμα αὐτῶν·

Wherefore 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.

Αἱρούμενοι οὖν καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἔθνος ἐκτὸς ταραχῆς εἶναι, κρίνομεν τό, τε ἱερὸν αὐτοῖς ἀποκατασταθῆναι, καὶ πολιτεύεσθαι κατὰ τὰ ἐπὶ τῶν προγόνων αὐτῶν ἔθη.

Thou 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.

Εὖ οὖν ποιήσεις διαπεμψάμενος πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ δοὺς δεξιὰς, ὅπως εἰδότες τὴν ἡμετέραν προαίρεσιν, εὔθυμοί τε ὦσι, καὶ ἡδέως διαγίνωνται πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἰδίων ἀντίληψιν.

And 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;

Πρὸς δὲ τὸ ἔθνος ἡ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ τοιαύτη ἦν· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῇ γερουσίᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις Ἰουδαίοις χαίρειν.

If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.

Εἰ ἔῤῥωσθε, εἴη ἂν ὡς βουλόμεθα· καὶ αὐτοὶ δὲ ὑγιαίνομεν.

Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:

Ἐνεφάνισεν ἡμῖν ὁ Μενέλαος βούλεσθαι κατελθόντας ὑμᾶς γίνεσθαι πρὸς τοῖς ἰδίοις.

wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.

Τοῖς οὖν καταπορευομένοις μέχρι τριακάδος Ξανθικοῦ ὑπάρξει δεξιὰ μετὰ τῆς ἀδείας,

And 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.

χρῆσθαι τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοῖς ἑαυτῶν δαπανήμασι καὶ νόμοις καθὰ καὶ τὸ πρότερον, καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν κατʼ οὐδένα τρόπον παρενοχληθήσεται περὶ τῶν ἠγνοημένων.

I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

Πέπομφα δὲ καὶ τὸν Μενέλαον παρακαλέσοντα ὑμᾶς.

Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

Ἔῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.

The 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.

Ἔπεμψαν δὲ καὶ οἱ Ῥωμαιοῖ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν οὕτως· Κόϊντος Μέμμιος, Τίτος Μάνλιος, πρεσβύται Ῥωμαίων, τῷ δήμῳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.

Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.

Ὑπὲρ ὧν Λυσίας ὁ συγγενὴς τοῦ βασιλέως συνεχώρησεν ὑμῖν, καὶ ἡμεῖς συνευδοκοῦμεν.

But 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.

Ἃ δὲ ἔκρινε προσανενεχθῆναι τῷ βασιλεῖ, πέμψατέ τινα παραχρῆμα ἐπισκεψάμενοι περὶ τούτων, ἵνα ἐκθῶμεν ὡς καθήκει ὑμῖν· ἡμεῖς γὰρ προσάγομεν πρὸς Ἀντιόχειαν.

Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.

Διὸ σπεύσατε, καὶ πέμψατέ τινας, ὅπως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπιγνῶμεν ὁποίας ἐστὲ γνώμης.

Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

Ὑγιαίνετε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.