2 Maccabees 14

After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,

Μετὰ δὲ τριετῆ χρόνον προσέπεσε τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν, Δημήτριον τὸν τοῦ Σελεύκου διὰ τοῦ κατὰ Τρίπολιν λιμένος εἰσπλεύσαντα μετὰ πλήθους ἰσχυροῦ καὶ στόλου,

had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.

κεκρατηκέναι τῆς χώρας, ἐπανελόμενον Ἀντίοχον καὶ τὸν τούτου ἐπίτροπον Λυσίαν.

Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,

Ἄλκιμος δέ τις προγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς, ἑκουσίως δὲ μεμολυμμένος ἐν τοῖς τῆς ἐπιμιξίας χρόνοις, συννοήσας ὅτι καθʼ ὁντιναοῦν τρόπον οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ σωτηρία, οὐδὲ πρὸς ἅγιον θυσιαστήριον ἔτι πρόσοδος,

came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.

ἧκε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Δημήτριον πρώτῳ καὶ πεντηκοστῷ καὶ ἑκατοστῷ ἔτει, προσάγων αὐτῷ στέφανον χρυσοῦν καὶ φοίνικα, πρὸς δὲ τούτοις τῶν νομιζομένων θαλλῶν τοῦ ἱεροῦ· καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἡσυχίαν ἔσχε.

Howbeit, having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being called into council by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto:

Καιρὸν δὲ λαβὼν τῆς ἰδίας ἀνοίας συνεργὸν, προσκληθεὶς εἰς συνέδριον ὑπὸ τοῦ Δημητρίου, καὶ ἐπερωτηθεὶς ἐν τίνι διαθέσει καὶ βουλῇ καθεστήκασιν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, πρὸς ταῦτα ἔφη,

Those of the Jews that be called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war, and are seditious, and will not let the realm be in peace.

οἱ λεγόμενοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων Ἀσιδαῖοι, ὧν ἀφηγεῖται Ἰούδας ὁ Μακκαβαῖος, πολεμοτροφοῦσι καὶ στασιάζουσιν, οὐκ ἐῶντες τὴν βασιλείαν εὐσταθείας τυχεῖν.

Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:

Ὅθεν ἀφελόμενος τὴν προγονικὴν δόξαν, λέγω δὴ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην, δεῦρο νῦν ἐλήλυθα.

first, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own citizens: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforesaid.

Πρῶτον μὲν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀνηκόντων τῷ βασιλεῖ γνησίως φρονῶν, δεύτερον δὲ καὶ τῶν ἰδίων πολιτῶν στοχαζόμενος· τῇ μὲν γὰρ τῶν προειρημένων ἀλογιστίᾳ τὸ σύμπαν ἡμῶν γένος οὐ μικρῶς ἀκληρεῖ.

Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all.

Ἕκαστα δὲ τούτων ἐπεγνωκὼς σὺ βασιλεῦ, καὶ τῆς χώρας καὶ τοῦ περιϊσταμένου γένους ἡμῶν προνοήθητι, καθʼ ἣν ἔχεις πρὸς ἅπαντας εὐαπάντητον φιλανθρωπίαν.

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

Ἄχρι γὰρ Ἰούδας περίεστιν, ἀδύνατον εἰρήνης τυχεῖν τὰ πράγματα.

This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.

Τοιούτων δὲ ῥηθέντων ὑπὸ τούτου, θᾶττον οἱ λοιποὶ φίλοι δυσμενῶς ἔχοντες τὰ πρὸς τὸν Ἰούδαν προσεπύρωσαν τὸν Δημήτριον.

And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,

Προσκαλεσάμενος δὲ εὐθέως Νικάνορα τὸν γενόμενον ἐλεφαντάρχην, καὶ στρατηγὸν ἀναδείξας τῆς Ἰουδαίας, ἐξαπέστειλε,

commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.

δοὺς ἐντολὰς, αὐτὸν μὲν τὸν Ἰούδαν ἐπανελέσθαι, τοὺς δὲ σὺν αὐτῷ σκορπίσαι, καταστῆσαι δὲ Ἄλκιμον ἀρχιερέα τοῦ μεγίστου ἱεροῦ.

Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.

Τὰ δὲ ἐκ τῆς Ἰουδαίας πεφυγαδευκότα τὸν Ἰούδαν ἔθνη συνέμισγον ἀγεληδὸν τῷ Νικάνορι, τὰς τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀτυχίας καὶ συμφορὰς, ἰδίας εὐημερίας δοκοῦντες ἔσεσθαι.

Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.

Ἀκούσαντες δὲ τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος ἔφοδον καὶ τὴν ἐπίθεσιν τῶν ἐθνῶν, καταπασάμενοι γῆν ἐλιτάνευον τὸν ἄχρι αἰῶνος συστήσαντα τὸν ἑαυτοῦ λαὸν, ἀεὶ δὲ μετʼ ἐπιφανείας ἀντιλαμβανόμενον τῆς ἑαυτοῦ μερίδος.

So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of Dessau.

Προστάξαντος δὲ τοῦ ἡγουμένου, ἐκεῖθεν εὐθέως ἀνέζευξαν, καὶ συμμίσγουσιν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ κώμην Δεσσαού.

Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.

Σίμων δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς Ἰούδα συμβεβληκῶς ἦν τῷ Νικάνορι, βραχέως δὲ διὰ τὴν αἰφνίδιον τῶν ἀντιπάλων ἀφασίαν ἐπταικώς.

Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword.

Ὅμως δὲ ἀκούων ὁ Νικάνωρ ἣν εἶχον οἱ περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν ἀνδραγαθίαν, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὑπὲρ τῆς πατρίδος ἀγῶσιν εὐψυχίαν, ἐπευλαβεῖτο τὴν κρίσιν διʼ αἱμάτων ποιήσασθαι·

Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.

Διόπερ ἔπεμψε Ποσιδώνιον καὶ Θεόδοτον καὶ Ματταθίαν, δοῦναι καὶ λαβεῖν δεξιάς.

So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,

Πλείονος δὲ γενομένης περὶ τούτων ἐπισκέψεως, καὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος τοῖς πλήθεσιν ἀνακοινωσαμένου, καὶ φανείσης ὁμοψήφου γνώμης, ἐπένευσαν ταῖς συνθήκαις.

and appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,

Ἐτάξαντο δὲ ἡμέραν ἐν ᾗ κατʼ ἰδίαν ἥξουσιν εἰς τὸ αὐτό· καὶ προῆλθε, καὶ παρʼ ἑκάστου διαφόρους ἔθεσαν δίφρους.

Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.

Διέταξεν Ἰούδας ἐνόπλους ἑτοίμους ἐν τοῖς ἐπικαίροις τόποις, μήποτε ἐκ τῶν πολεμίων αἰφνιδίως κακουργία γένηται· τὴν ἁρμόζουσαν ἐποιήσαντο κοινολογίαν.

Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him.

Διέτριβεν δὲ ὁ Νικάνωρ ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ ἔπραττεν οὐθὲν ἄτοπον· τοὺς δὲ συναχθέντας ἀγελαίους ὄχλους ἀπέλυσε.

And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he loved the man from his heart.

Καὶ εἶχε τὸν Ἰούδαν διαπαντὸς ἐν προσώπῳ, ψυχικῶς τῷ ἀνδρὶ προσεκέκλιτο.

He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.

Παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν γῆμαι καὶ παιδοποιήσασθαι· ἐγάμησεν, εὐστάθησεν, ἐκοινώνησε βίου.

But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state: for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king's successor.

Ὁ δὲ Ἄλκιμος συνιδὼν τὴν πρὸς ἀλλήλους εὔνοιαν καὶ τὰς γενομένας συνθήκας, ἀναλαβὼν, ἧκε πρὸς τὸν Δημήτριον, καὶ ἔλεγε τὸν Νικάνορα ἀλλότρια φρονεῖν τῶν πραγμάτων· τὸν γὰρ ἐπίβουλον τῆς βασιλείας Ἰούδαν διάδοχον ἀναδέδειχεν ἑαυτοῦ.

Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.

Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἔκθυμος γενόμενος, καὶ ταῖς τοῦ παμπονήρου ἐρεθισθεὶς διαβολαῖς, ἔγραψε Νικάνορι φάσκων, ὑπὲρ μὲν τῶν συνθηκῶν βαρέως φέρειν, κελεύων δὲ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον δέσμιον ἐξαποστέλλειν ταχέως εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν.

When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.

Προσπεσόντων δὲ τούτων τῷ Νικάνορι, συνεκέχυτο καὶ δυσφόρως ἔφερεν, εἰ τὰ διεσταλμένα ἀθετήσει μηδὲν τʼ ἀνδρὸς ἠδικηκότος.

But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.

Ἐπεὶ δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἀντιπράττειν οὐκ ἦν, εὔκαιρον ἐτήρει στρατηγήματι τοῦτʼ ἐπιτελέσαι.

Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.

Ὁ δὲ Μακκαβαῖος αὐστηρότερον διεξάγοντα συνιδὼν τὸν Νικάνορα πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ τὴν εἰθισμένην ἀπάντησιν ἀγριωτέραν ἐσχηκότα, νοήσας οὐκ ἀπὸ τοῦ βελτίστου τὴν αὐστηρίαν εἶναι, συστρέψας οὐκ ὀλίγους τῶν περὶ ἑαυτὸν, συνεκρύπτετο τὸν Νικάνορα.

But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas' policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

Συγγνοὺς δὲ ὁ ἕτερος ὅτι γενναίως ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἐστρατήγηται, παραγενόμενος ἐπὶ τὸ μέγιστον καὶ ἅγιον ἱερὸν, τῶν ἱερέων τὰς καθηκούσας θυσίας προσαγόντων, ἐκέλευσε παραδιδόναι τὸν ἄνδρα.

And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,

Τῶν δὲ μεθʼ ὅρκων φασκόντων μὴ γινώσκειν ποῦ ποτʼ ἐστὶν ὁ ζητούμενος,

he stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If ye will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.

προτείνας τὴν δεξιὰν εἰς τὸν νεὼν, ταῦτα ὤμοσεν, ἐὰν μὴ δέσμιόν μοι τὸν Ἰούδαν παραδῶτε, τόνδε τοῦ Θεοῦ σηκὸν εἰς πεδίον ποιήσω, καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κατασκάφω, καὶ ἱερὸν ἐνταῦθα τῷ Διονύσῳ ἐπιφανὲς ἀναστήσω.

After these words, he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven, and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;

Τοσαῦτα δὲ εἰπὼν ἀπῆλθεν· οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς προτείναντες τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, ἐπεκαλοῦντο τὸν διαπαντὸς ὑπέρμαχον τοῦ ἔθνους ἡμῶν, ταῦτα λέγοντες,

Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us:

σὺ, Κύριε, τῶν ὅλων ἀπροσδεὴς ὑπάρχων, εὐδόκησας ναὸν τῆς σῆς κατασκηνώσεως ἐν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι.

therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.

Καὶ νῦν, ἅγιε παντὸς ἁγιασμοῦ Κύριε διατήρησον εἰς αἰῶνα ἀμίαντον τόνδε τὸν προσφάτως κεκαθαρισμένον οἶκον.

Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.

Ῥαζὶς δέ τις τῶν ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων πρεσβυτέρων, ἐμηνύθη τῷ Νικάνορι, ἀνὴρ φιλοπολίτης καὶ σφόδρα καλῶς ἀκούων, καὶ κατὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν πατὴρ τῶν Ἰουδαίων προσαγορευόμενος.

For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.

Ἦν γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν χρόνοις τῆς ἀμιξίας κρίσιν εἰσενηνεγμένος Ἰουδαϊσμοῦ, καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἰουδαϊσμοῦ παραβεβλημένος μετὰ πάσης ἐκτενίας.

So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him:

Βουλόμενος δὲ Νικάνωρ πρόδηλον ποιῆσαι ἣν εἶχε πρὸς τοὺς Ἰουδαίους δυσμένειαν, ἀπέστειλε στρατιώτας ὑπὲρ τοὺς πεντακοσίους συλλαβεῖν αὐτόν.

for he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.

Ἔδοξε γὰρ, ἐκεῖνον συλλαβὼν, τούτοις ἐργάσασθαι συμφοράν,

Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword;

Τῶν δὲ πληθῶν μελλόντων τὸν πύργον καταλαβέσθαι, καὶ τὴν αὐλαίαν θύραν βιαζομένων, καὶ κελευόντων πῦρ προσάγειν καὶ τὰς θύρας ὑφάπτειν, περικατάληπτος γενόμενος ὑπέθηκεν ἑαυτῷ ξίφος,

choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:

εὐγενῶς θέλων ἀποθανεῖν, ἤπερ τοῖς ἀλιτηρίοις ὑποχείριος γενέσθαι, καὶ τῆς ἰδίας εὐγενείας ἀναξίως ὑβρισθῆναι.

but missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.

Τῇ δὲ πληγῇ μὴ κατευθικτήσας διὰ τὴν τοῦ ἀγῶνος σπουδὴν, καὶ τῶν ὄχλων εἴσω τῶν θυρωμάτων εἰσβαλόντων, ἀναδραμὼν γενναίως ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος, κατεκρήμνισεν ἑαυτὸν ἀνδρείως εἰς τοὺς ὄχλους.

But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.

Τῶν δὲ ταχέως ἀναποδισάντων, γενομένου διαστήματος ἦλθε κατὰ μέσον τὸν κενεῶνα.

Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,

Ἔτι δὲ ἔμπνους ὑπάρχων καὶ πεπυρωμένος τοῖς θυμοῖς, ἐξαναστὰς φερομένων κρουνηδὸν τῶν αἱμάτων, καὶ δυσχερῶν ὄντων τῶν τραυμάτων, δρόμῳ τοὺς ὄχλους διελθὼν, καὶ στὰς ἐπί τινος πέτρας ἀποῤῥωγάδος,

when as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.

παντελῶς ἔξαιμος ἤδη γενόμενος, προβαλὼν τὰ ἔντερα, καὶ λαβὼν ἑκατέραις ταῖς χερσὶν, ἐνέσεισε τοῖς ὄχλοις· καὶ ἐπικαλεσάμενος τὸν δεσπόζοντα τῆς ζωῆς καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος, ταῦτα αὐτῷ πάλιν ἀποδοῦναι, τόνδε τὸν τρόπον μετήλλαξεν.