2 मक्काबियों 11

1A short time after this Lysias the king’s lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,

2Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:

3And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

4Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.

5So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.

6But when Machabeus and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.

7Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.

8And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusatem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

9Then they all together blessed merciful Lord, and took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, walls of iron.

10So they went on courageously, having a helper from Peaven, and the who shewed mercy to them.

11And rushing violently upon the my, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand hundred horsemen:

12And put all the rest to flight: many of them being wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.

13And as he was a man of understanding considering with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:

14And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

15Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common Food in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

16For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.

17John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.

18Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.

19If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

20But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

21Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

22But the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.

23Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns,

24And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.

25Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

26Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.

27But the king’s letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.

28If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves also are well.

29Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.

30We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

31That the Jews may use their own Bind of meats, and their own laws as before, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.

32And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

33Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

34The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

35Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted you, we also have granted.

36But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.

37And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.

38Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

1Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,

2congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,

3templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:

4nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.

5Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.

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.

7Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.

8Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.

9Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.

10Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.

11Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:

12universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.

13Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:

14promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.

15Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.

16Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.

17Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.

18Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.

19Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.

20De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.

21Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.

22Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.

23Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,

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.

25Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.

26Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.

27Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.

28Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.

29Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.

30His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,

31ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.

32Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

33Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.

34Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.

35De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.

36De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.

37Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.

38Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.

1But a short time afterwards, Lysias, the procurator of the king and a near relative, who also was in charge of the government, was heavily weighed upon by what had happened.

2Gathering together eight thousand, along with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking that the city would certainly be captured, making it a dwelling place for the Gentiles,

3in truth, also thinking to make a profit in money from the temple, just as from the other shrines of the Gentiles, and to put the priesthood up for sale every year.

4Never recognizing the power of God, but inflated in mind, he trusted in the multitude of the foot soldiers, and in the thousands of horsemen, and in the eighty elephants.

5And so, he entered Judea, and, approaching Bethzur, which was in a narrow place, at an interval of five stadia from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that stronghold.

6But when Maccabeus and those who were with him realized that the strongholds were besieged, they and all the crowd together petitioned the Lord with weeping and tears, that he would send a good Angel to save Israel.

7And so the leader Maccabeus, taking up arms, exhorted the others, to undergo the peril together with him, and to bring assistance to their brothers.

8And when they together were going forth with a ready spirit, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman, preceding them in radiant clothing and with weapons of gold, waving a spear.

9Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and strengthened their souls, being prepared to break through not only men, but also the most ferocious beasts and walls of iron.

10Thus, they went forth readily, having a helper from heaven, and with the Lord taking pity on them.

11Then, rushing violently against the enemy, in the manner of lions, they struck down from among them: eleven thousand foot soldiers and one thousand six hundred horsemen.

12And they turned all the rest to flight. But many of them, being wounded, escaped with nothing. And Lysias himself also escaped, fleeing in disgrace.

13And because he was not irrational, thinking to himself about the loss that had happened against him, and understanding the Hebrews to be invincible because they depend upon the help of Almighty God, he sent to them,

14and he promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

15Then Maccabeus assented to the request of Lysias, considering it useful in every way. And whatever Maccabeus wrote to Lysias, concerning the Jews, the king consented to it.

16For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, which, indeed, were composed in this way: “Lysias, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

17John and Absalom, who had been sent from you to deliver your writings, requested that I would implement these things that were signified by them.

18Therefore, whatever things could be brought before the king, I have presented them. And he has conceded to those things that are permitted.

19If, therefore, you will keep yourselves faithful in these matters, then, from now on, I will endeavor to be a cause of your good.

20But as for other particulars, I have given orders by word, both to these, and to those who have been sent by me, to confer with you.

21Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of Dioscorus.”

22But the letter of the king contained this: “King Antiochus to Lysias, his brother: greetings.

23Since our father has been transferred among the gods, we are willing that those who are in our kingdom should act without tumult, and should attend diligently to their own concerns.

24We have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to convert to the rites of the Greeks, but that they chose to keep to their own institutions, and, because of this, that they ask of us to leave them to their own laws.

25Therefore, wanting this nation, likewise, to be at rest, we have reached a judgment that the temple should be restored to them, so that they may act according to the custom of their ancestors.

26You will do well, therefore, if you send to them and grant them a pledge, so that our will becomes known, and they may be of good courage, and may look after their own needs.”

27Truly, the letter of the king to the Jews was such as this: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews: greetings.

28If you are well, such is what we desire. But we ourselves are also well.

29Menelaus came to us, saying that you wished to come down to your own, who are among us.

30Therefore, we grant a pledge of security to those who come and go, even until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

31so that the Jews may make use of their own foods and laws, just as also before, and so that none of them should endure any kind of trouble for things which have been done by ignorance.

32And so, we have also sent Menelaus, who will talk with you.

33Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”

34But the Romans also now sent a letter, having this in it: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews: greetings.

35Concerning these things that Lysias, the relative of the king, has conceded to you, we also have conceded.

36But about such things as he judged should be referred to the king, send someone, as soon as you have diligently conferred among yourselves, so that we may make a decree, just as it is agreeable to you. For we are going to Antioch.

37And, therefore, make haste to write back, so that we may know whatever your will may be.

38Farewell. In the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.”