2 Maccabees 7

It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine's flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.

Συνέβη δὲ καὶ ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὺς μετὰ τῆς μητρὸν συλληφθέντας ἀναγκάζεσθαι ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπὸ τῶν ἀθεμίτων ὑείων κρεῶν ἐφάπτεσθαι, μάστιξι καὶ νευραῖς αἰκιζομένους.

But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.

Εἷς δὲ αὐτῶν γενόμενος προήγορος, οὕτως ἔφη, τί μέλλεις ἐρωτᾷν, καὶ μανθάνειν παρʼ ἡμῶν; ἕτοιμοι γὰρ ἀποθνήσκειν ἐσμὲν ἢ παραβαίνειν τοὺς πατρίους νόμους.

Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot:

Ἔκθυμος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, προσέταξε τήγανα, καὶ λέβητας ἐκπυροῦν.

which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.

Τῶν δὲ ἐκπυρωθέντων, παραχρῆμα τὸν γενόμενον αὐτῶν προήγορον προσέταξε γλωσσοτομεῖν, καὶ περισκυθίσαντας ἀκρωτηριάζειν, τῶν λοιπῶν ἀδελφῶν, καὶ τῆς μετρὸς, συνορώντων.

Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,

Ἄχρηστον δὲ αὐτὸν τοῖς ὅλοις γενόμενον, ἐκέλευσε τῇ πυρᾷ προσάγειν ἔμπνουν, καὶ τηγανίζειν· τῆς δὲ ἀτμίδος ἐφʼ ἱκανὸν διαδιδούσης τοῦ τηγάνου, ἀλλήλους παρεκάλουν σὺν τῇ μητρὶ γενναίως τελευτᾷν, λέγοντες οὕτως.

The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

Ὁ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἐφορᾷ, καὶ ταῖς ἀληθείαις ἐφʼ ἡμῖν παρακαλεῖται, καθάπερ διὰ τῆς κατὰ πρόσωπον ἀντιμαρτυρούσης ᾠδῆς διεσάφησε Μωυσῆς, λέγων, καὶ ἐπὶ τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ παρακληθήσεται.

So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the second to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?

Μεταλλάξαντος δὲ τοῦ πρώτου τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον, τὸν δεύτερον ἦγον ἐπὶ τὸν ἐμπαιγμόν· καὶ τὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς δέρμα σὺν ταῖς θριξὶ περισύραντες, ἐπηρώτων, εἰ φάγεσαι πρὸ τοῦ τιμωρηθῆναι τὸ σῶμα κατὰ μέλος;

But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.

Ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ εἶπεν, οὐχί· διόπερ καὶ

And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.

οὗτος τὴν ἑξῆς ἔλαβε βάσανον, ὡς ὁ πρῶτος. Ἐν ἐσχάτῇ δὲ πνοῇ γενόμενος, εἶπε, σὺ μὲν ἀλάστωρ ἐκ τοῦ παρόντος ἡμᾶς ζῇν ἀπολύεις, ὁ δὲ τοῦ κόσμου βασιλεὺς ἀποθανόντας ἡμᾶς ὑπὲρ τῶν αὐτοῦ νόμων εἰς αἰώνιον ἀναβίωσιν ζωῆς ἡμᾶς ἀναστήσει.

After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully,

Μετὰ δὲ τοῦτον ὁ τρίτος ἐνεπαίζετο, καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν αἰτηθεὶς ταχέως προέβαλε, καὶ τὰς χεῖρας εὐθαρσῶς προέτεινε,

and said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; and from him I hope to receive them again.

καὶ γενναίως εἶπεν, ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ταῦτα κέκτημαι, καὶ διὰ τοὺς αὐτοῦ νόμους ὑπερορῶ ταῦτα, καὶ παρʼ αὐτοῦ ταῦτα πάλιν ἐλπίζω κομίσασθαι.

Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marvelled at the young man's courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.

Ὥστε αὐτὸν τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ ἐκπλήσσεσθαι τὴν τοῦ νεανίσκου ψυχὴν, ὡς ἐν οὐδενὶ τὰς ἀλγηδόνας ἐτίθετο.

Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner.

Καὶ τούτου δὲ μεταλλάξαντος, τὸν τέταρτον ὡσαύτως ἐβασάνιζον αἰκιζόμενοι.

So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

Καὶ γεννόμενος πρὸς τὸ τελευτᾷν, οὕτως ἔφη, αἱρετὸν μεταλλάσσοντας ὑπʼ ἀνθρώπων τὰς ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ προσδοκᾷν ἐλπίδας, πάλιν ἀναστήσεσθαι ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ· σοὶ μὲν γὰρ ἀνάστασις εἰς ζωὴν οὐκ ἔσται.

Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him.

Ἐχομένως δὲ τὸν πέμπτον προσάγοντες ᾐκίζοντο.

Then looked he unto the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God;

Ὁ δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἰδὼν, εἶπεν, ἐξουσίαν ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἔχων φθαρτὸς ὤν, ὅ θελεις ποιεῖς· μὴ δόκει δὲ τὸ γένος ἡμῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ καταλελεῖφθαι.

but abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

Σὺ δὲ καρτέρει, καὶ θεώρει τὸ μεγαλεῖον αὐτοῦ κράτος, ὡς σὲ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα σου βασανίσει.

After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore marvellous things are done unto us.

Μετὰ δὲ τοῦτον ἦγον τὸν ἕκτον, καὶ μέλλων ἀποθνήσκειν, ἔφη, μὴ πλανῶ μάτην, ἡμεῖς γὰρ διʼ ἑαυτοὺς ταῦτα πάσχομεν ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς τὸν ἑαυτῶν Θεὸν, διὸ ἄξια θαυμασμοῦ γέγονε.

But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shall escape unpunished.

Σὺ δὲ μὴ νομίσῃς ἀθῶος ἔσεσθαι, θεομαχεῖν ἐπιχειρήσας.

But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope she had in the Lord.

Ὑπεραγόντως δὲ ἡ μήτηρ θαυμαστὴ καὶ μνήμης ἀγαθῆς ἀξία, ἥτις ἀπολλυμένους υἱοὺς ἑπτὰ συνορῶσα μιᾶς ὑπὸ καιρὸν ἡμέρας, εὐψύχως ἔφερε διὰ τὰς ἐπὶ Κύριον ἐλπίδας.

Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,

Ἕκαστον δὲ αὐτῶν παρεκάλει τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ, γενναίῳ πεπληρωμένη φρονήματι, καὶ τὸν θῆλυν λογισμὸν ἄρσενι θυμῷ διεγείρασα, λέγουσα πρὸς αὐτοὺς,

I cannot tell how ye came into my womb; for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you;

οὐδʼ οἶδʼ ὅπως εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἐφάνητε κοιλίαν, οὐδὲ ἐγὼ τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῖν ἐχαρισάμην, καὶ τὴν ἑκάστου στοιχείωσιν οὐκ ἐγὼ διερύθμισα.

but doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws' sake.

Τοιγαροῦν ὁ τοῦ κόσμου κτίστης ὁ πλάσας ἀνθρώπου γένεσιν, καὶ πάντων ἐξευρὼν γένεσιν, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν ὑμῖν πάλιν ἀποδώσει μετʼ ἐλέους, ὡς νῦν ὑπερορᾶτε ἑαυτοὺς διὰ τοὺς αὐτοῦνόμους.

Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.

Ὁ δὲ Ἀντίοχος οἰόμενος καταφρονεῖσθαι, καὶ τὴν ὀνειδίζουσαν ὑφορώμενος φωνὴν, ἔτι τοῦ νεωτέρου περιόντος, οὐ μόνον διὰ λόγων ἐποιεῖτο τὴν παράκλησιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ διʼ ὅρκων ἐπίστου, ἅμα πλουτιεῖν καὶ μακαριστὸν ποιήσειν μεταθέμενον ἀπὸ τῶν πατρίων νόμων, καὶ φίλον ἕξειν, καὶ χρείας ἐμπιστεύσειν.

But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.

Τοῦ δὲ νεανίου μηδαμῶς προσέχοντος, προσκαλεσάμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς τὴν μητέρα, παρήνει τοῦ μειρακίου γενέσθαι σύμβουλον ἐπὶ σωτηρία.

And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son.

Πολλὰ δὲ αὐτοῦ παραινέσαντος, ἐπεδέξατο πείσειν τὸν υἱόν.

But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.

Προσκύψασα δὲ αὐτῷ, χλευάσασα τὸν ὠμὸν τύραννον, οὕτως ἔφησε τῇ πατρῴᾳ φωνῇ, υἱὲ, ἐλέησόν με τὴν ἐν γαστρὶ περιενέγκασάν σε μῆνας ἐννέα, καὶ θηλάσασάν σε ἔτη τρία, καὶ ἐκθρέψασάν σε καὶ ἀγαγοῦσαν εἰς τὴν ἡλικίαν ταύτην, καὶ τροφοφορήσασαν.

I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise.

Ἀξιῶ σε, τέκνον, ἀναβλέψαντα εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτοῖς πάντα ἰδόντα, γνῶναι ὅτι ἐξ οὐκ ὄντων ἐποίησεν αὐτὰ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ τὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων γένος οὕτως γεγένηται,

Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death, that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.

μὴ φοβηθῇς τὸν δήμιον τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν ἄξιος γενόμενος, ἐπίδεξαι τὸν θάνατον, ἵνα ἐν τῷ ἐλέει σὺν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς σου κομίσωμαί σε.

Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king's commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.

Ἔτι δὲ ταύτης καταλεγούσης ὁ νεανίας εἶπε, τίνα μένετε; οὐχ ὑπακούω τοῦ προστάγματος τοῦ βασιλέως· τοῦ δὲ προστάγματος ἀκούω τοῦ νόμου τοῦ δοθέντος τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν διὰ Μωυσέως.

And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.

Σὺ δὲ πάσης κακίας εὑρετὴς γενόμενος εἰς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, οὐ μὴ διαφύγῃς τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ Θεοῦ.

For we suffer because of our sins.

Ἡμεῖς γὰρ διὰ τὰς ἑαυτῶν ἁμαρτίας πάσχομεν.

And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one again with his servants.

Εἰ δὲ χάριν ἐπιπλήξεως καὶ παιδείας ὁ ζῶν Κύριος ἡμῶν βραχέως ἐπώργισται, καὶ πάλιν καταλλαγήσεται τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ δούλοις.

But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God:

Σὺ δὲ ὦ ἀνόσιε, καὶ πάντων ἀνθρώπων μιαρώτατε, μὴ μάτην μετεωρίζου φρυαττόμενος ἀδήλοις ἐλπίσιν, ἐπὶ τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ ἐπαιρόμενος χεῖρα.

for thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.

Οὔπω γὰρ τὴν τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐπόπτου Θεοῦ κρίσιν ἐκπέφευγας.

For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God's covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.

Οἱ μὲν γὰρ νῦν ἡμέτεροι ἀδελφοὶ βραχὺν ὑπενέγκαντες πόνον, ἀεννάου ζωῆς ὑπὸ διαθήκην Θεοῦ πεπτώκασι· σὺ δὲ τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ κρίσει δίκαια τὰ πρόστιμα τῆς ὑπετηφανίας ἀποίσῃ.

But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is God;

Ἐγὼ δὲ καθάπερ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου, καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν προδίδωμι περὶ τῶν πατρίων νόμων, ἐπικαλούμενος τὸν Θεὸν ἵλεων ταχὺ τῷ ἔθνει γενέσθαι, καὶ σὲ μετὰ ἐτασμῶν καὶ μαστίγων ἐξομολογήσασθαι, διότι μόνος αὐτὸς Θεός ἐστιν,

and that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon all our nation, may cease.

ἐν ἐμοὶ δὲ καὶ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς μου στῆναι τὴν τοῦ παντοκράτορος ὀργὴν τὴν ἐπὶ τὸ σύμπαν ἡμῶν γένος δικαίως ἐπηγμένην.

Then the king, being in a rage, handled him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.

Ἔκθυμος δὲ γενόμενος ὁ βασιλεὺς, τούτῳ παρὰ τοὺς ἄλλους χειρίστως ἀπήντησε, πικρῶς φέρων ἐπὶ τῷ μυκτηρισμῷ.

So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.

Καὶ οὗτος οὖν καθαρὸς τὸν βίον μετήλλαξε, παντελῶς ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ πεποιθώς.

Last of all after the sons the mother died.

Ἐσχάτη δὲ τῶν υἱῶν ἡ μήτηρ ἐτελεύτησε.

Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.

Τὰ μὲν οὖν περὶ σπλαγχνισμοὺς, καὶ τὰς ὑπερβαλλούσας αἰκίας ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον δεδηλώσθω.