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2 Maccabees 15

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1 ὁ δὲ Νικάνωρ μεταλαβὼν τοὺς περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν ὄντας ἐν τοῖς κατὰ Σαμάρειαν τόποις ἐβουλεύσατο τῇ τῆς καταπαύσεως ἡμέρᾳ μετὰ πάσης ἀσφαλείας αὐτοῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν 2 τῶν δὲ κατὰ ἀνάγκην συνεπομένων αὐτῷ Ιουδαίων λεγόντων μηδαμῶς οὕτως ἀγρίως καὶ βαρβάρως ἀπολέσῃς δόξαν δὲ ἀπομέρισον τῇ προτετιμημένῃ ὑπὸ τοῦ πάντα ἐφορῶντος με{Q'} ἁγιότητος ἡμέρᾳ 3 ὁ δὲ τρισαλιτήριος ἐπηρώτησεν εἰ ἔστιν ἐν οὐρανῷ δυνάστης ὁ προστεταχὼς ἄγειν τὴν τῶν σαββάτων ἡμέραν 4 τῶν {D'} ἀποφηναμένων ἔστιν ὁ κύριος ζῶν αὐτὸς ἐν οὐρανῷ δυνάστης ὁ κελεύσας ἀσκεῖν τὴν ἑβδομάδα 5 ὁ δὲ ἕτερος κἀγώ φησιν δυνάστης ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὁ προστάσσων αἴρειν ὅπλα καὶ τὰς βασιλικὰς χρείας ἐπιτελεῖν ὅμως οὐ κατέσχεν ἐπιτελέσαι τὸ σχέτλιον αὐτοῦ βούλημα

1 When Nicanor was told, Judas was in the Samaritan country, he would have pressed home the attack against him, there and then, on the sabbath day. 2 But the Jews gainsaid him; for there were Jews that fought, unwillingly enough, under his orders. What, said they, wouldst thou fight beast-fashion, without mercy? This holy day respect thou needs must, in his honour that is God all-seeing. 3 Why, where is he then, said the impious wretch, this God who would have sabbath kept? In the heavens? 4 In heaven he is, sure enough, they answered, the living Lord our master, that gave orders the seventh day should be observed. 5 So be it, said he, and I am your master on earth, and my orders are, To arms, and despatch the king’s business! Yet carry out his design they would not.

1 Nicanor autem, ut comperit Judam esse in locis Samariæ, cogitavit cum omni impetu die sabbati committere bellum. 2 Judæis vero qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus: Ne ita ferociter et barbare feceris, sed honorem tribue diei sanctificationis, et honora eum qui universa conspicit: 3 ille infelix interrogavit si est potens in cælo, qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum. 4 Et respondentibus illis: Est Dominus vivus ipse in cælo potens, qui jussit agi septimam diem: 5 at ille ait: Et ego potens sum super terram qui impero sumi arma, et negotia regis impleri. Tamen non obtinuit ut consilium perficeret.

6 καὶ ὁ μὲν Νικάνωρ μετὰ πάσης ἀλαζονείας ὑψαυχενῶν διεγνώκει κοινὸν τῶν περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν συστήσασθαι τρόπαιον 7 ὁ δὲ Μακκαβαῖος ἦν ἀδιαλείπτως πεποιθὼς μετὰ πάσης ἐλπίδος ἀντιλήμψεως τεύξασθαι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου 8 καὶ παρεκάλει τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ μὴ δειλιᾶν τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν ἔφοδον ἔχοντας δὲ κατὰ νοῦν τὰ προγεγονότα αὐτοῖς ἀ{P'} οὐρανοῦ βοηθήματα καὶ τὰ νῦν προσδοκᾶν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐσομένην αὐτοῖς νίκην 9 καὶ παραμυθούμενος αὐτοὺς ἐκ τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν προσυπομνήσας δὲ αὐτοὺς καὶ τοὺς ἀγῶνας οὓς ἦσαν ἐκτετελεκότες προθυμοτέρους αὐτοὺς κατέστησεν 10 καὶ τοῖς θυμοῖς διεγείρας αὐτοὺς παρήγγειλεν ἅμα παρεπιδεικνὺς τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν ἀθεσίαν καὶ τὴν τῶν ὅρκων παράβασιν 11 ἕκαστον δὲ αὐτῶν καθοπλίσας οὐ τὴν ἀσπίδων καὶ λογχῶν ἀσφάλειαν ὡς τὴν ἐν τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς λόγοις παράκλησιν καὶ προσεξηγησάμενος ὄνειρον ἀξιόπιστον ὕπαρ τι πάντας ηὔφρανεν 12 ἦν δὲ ἡ τούτου θεωρία τοιάδε Ονιαν τὸν γενόμενον ἀρχιερέα ἄνδρα καλὸν καὶ ἀγαθόν αἰδήμονα μὲν τὴν ἀπάντησιν πρᾶον δὲ τὸν τρόπον καὶ λαλιὰν προϊέμενον πρεπόντως καὶ ἐκ παιδὸς ἐκμεμελετηκότα πάντα τὰ τῆς ἀρετῆς οἰκεῖα τοῦτον τὰς χεῖρας προτείναντα κατεύχεσθαι τῷ παντὶ τῶν Ιουδαίων συστήματι 13 εἶ{Q'} οὕτως ἐπιφανῆναι ἄνδρα πολιᾷ καὶ δόξῃ διαφέροντα θαυμαστὴν δέ τινα καὶ μεγαλοπρεπεστάτην εἶναι τὴν περὶ αὐτὸν ὑπεροχήν 14 ἀποκριθέντα δὲ τὸν Ονιαν εἰπεῖν ὁ φιλάδελφος οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πολλὰ προσευχόμενος περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως Ιερεμιας ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ προφήτης 15 προτείναντα δὲ Ιερεμιαν τὴν δεξιὰν παραδοῦναι τῷ Ιουδα ῥομφαίαν χρυσῆν διδόντα δὲ προσφωνῆσαι τάδε 16 λαβὲ τὴν ἁγίαν ῥομφαίαν δῶρον παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ δ{I'} ἧς θραύσεις τοὺς ὑπεναντίους

6 Such an empty braggart was this Nicanor, he thought to make a single victory of it, over all the Jews at once; 7 Machabaeus on his side kept ever his confidence, yet with the sure hope, God would bring him aid. 8 And for his men he had the same encouragement; let them never be daunted by the onslaught of the heathen, but rather bethink them of heaven’s mercies in time past, and look to God Omnipotent for victory. 9 Of the law and the prophets he spoke to them, and reminded them of their old battles, till all were eager for the fight; 10 nor was it enough to arouse their ardour; he shewed them, too, how treacherous the heathen had proved, and how forsworn. 11 Thus it was his care to arm them, not with shield or spear for their defence, but with excellent words of good cheer.

A dream of his he told them, most worthy of credence, that brought comfort to one and all. 12 And what saw he? Onias, that had once been high priest, appeared to him; an excellent good man this, modest of mien, courteous, well-spoken, and from his boyhood schooled in all the virtues. With hands outstretched, he stood there praying for the Jewish folk. 13 Then he was ware of another, a man of great age and reverence, nothing about him but was most worshipful; 14 who this might be, Onias told him forthwith: Here is one that loves our brethren, the people of Israel, well; one that for Israel and for every stone of the holy city prays much; God’s prophet Jeremias. 15 And with that, Jeremias reached forward to Judas, and gave him a golden sword; 16 This holy sword take thou, he said, God’s gift; this wielding, all the enemies of my people Israel thou shalt lay low.

6 Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia erectus, cogitaverat commune trophæum statuere de Juda. 7 Machabæus autem semper confidebat cum omni spe auxilium sibi a Deo affuturum: 8 et hortabatur suos ne formidarent ad adventum nationum, sed in mente haberent adjutoria sibi facta de cælo, et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam. 9 Et allocutus eos de lege et prophetis, admonens etiam certamina quæ fecerant prius, promptiores constituit eos: 10 et ita animis eorum erectis simul ostendebat gentium fallaciam, et juramentorum prævaricationem. 11 Singulos autem illorum armavit, non clypei et hastæ munitione, sed sermonibus optimis et exhortationibus, exposito digno fide somnio, per quod universos lætificavit. 12 Erat autem hujuscemodi visus: Oniam, qui fuerat summus sacerdos, virum bonum et benignum, verecundum visu, modestum moribus, et eloquio decorum, et qui a puero in virtutibus exercitatus sit, manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Judæorum. 13 Post hoc apparuisse et alium virum ætate et gloria mirabilem, et magni decoris habitudine circa illum. 14 Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse: Hic est fratrum amator, et populi Israël: hic est qui multum orat pro populo et universa sancta civitate, Jeremias propheta Dei. 15 Extendisse autem Jeremiam dextram, et dedisse Judæ gladium aureum, dicentem: 16 Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo, in quo dejicies adversarios populi mei Israël.

17 παρακληθέντες δὲ τοῖς Ιουδου λόγοις πάνυ καλοῖς καὶ δυναμένοις ἐ{P'} ἀρετὴν παρορμῆσαι καὶ ψυχὰς νέων ἐπανδρῶσαι διέγνωσαν μὴ στρατεύεσθαι γενναίως δὲ ἐμφέρεσθαι καὶ μετὰ πάσης εὐανδρίας ἐμπλακέντες κρῖναι τὰ πράγματα διὰ τὸ καὶ τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὰ ἅγια καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν κινδυνεύειν 18 ἦν γὰρ ὁ περὶ γυναικῶν καὶ τέκνων ἔτι δὲ ἀδελφῶν καὶ συγγενῶν ἐν ἥττονι μέρει κείμενος αὐτοῖς μέγιστος δὲ καὶ πρῶτος ὁ περὶ τοῦ καθηγιασμένου ναοῦ φόβος 19 ἦν δὲ καὶ τοῖς ἐν τῇ πόλει κατειλημμένοις οὐ πάρεργος ἀγωνία ταρασσομένοις τῆς ἐν ὑπαίθρῳ προσβολῆς 20 καὶ πάντων ἤδη προσδοκώντων τὴν ἐσομένην κρίσιν καὶ ἤδη προσμειξάντων τῶν πολεμίων καὶ τῆς στρατιᾶς ἐκταγείσης καὶ τῶν θηρίων ἐπὶ μέρος εὔκαιρον ἀποκατασταθέντων τῆς τε ἵππου κατὰ κέρας τεταγμένης 21 συνιδὼν ὁ Μακκαβαῖος τὴν τῶν πληθῶν παρουσίαν καὶ τῶν ὅπλων τὴν ποικίλην παρασκευὴν τήν τε τῶν θηρίων ἀγριότητα ἀνατείνας τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπεκαλέσατο τὸν τερατοποιὸν κύριον γινώσκων ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν δ{I'} ὅπλων καθὼς δὲ ἐὰν αὐτῷ κριθῇ τοῖς ἀξίοις περιποιεῖται τὴν νίκην 22 ἔλεγεν δὲ ἐπικαλούμενος τόνδε τὸν τρόπον σύ δέσποτα ἀπέστειλας τὸν ἄγγελόν σου ἐπὶ Εζεκιου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ιουδαίας καὶ ἀνεῖλεν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς Σενναχηριμ εἰς ἑκατὸν ὀγδοήκοντα πέντε χιλιάδας 23 καὶ νῦν δυνάστα τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀπόστειλον ἄγγελον ἀγαθὸν ἔμπροσθεν ἡμῶν εἰς δέος καὶ τρόμον 24 μεγέθει βραχίονός σου καταπλαγείησαν οἱ μετὰ βλασφημίας παραγινόμενοι ἐπὶ τὸν ἅγιόν σου λαόν καὶ οὗτος μὲν ἐν τούτοις ἔληξεν

17 A most noble harangue, and one very apt to rouse the emulation of his followers, and to stiffen their courage. No wonder if they resolved they would put it to the touch, and manfully engage the enemy; valour should decide all. Was not the holy city, was not the temple itself in jeopardy? 18 For wives and children, for brethren and kindred, their concern was less; of the perils they dreaded, profanation of the temple was first and foremost. 19 And what of those who were left in the city? No common anxiety they felt for these others that were going into battle. 20 Now was the hour of decision; the enemy was at the gates, drawn up in full array; here were the elephants, here was the cavalry, posted at points of vantage. 21 Judas, when he saw the number of his assailants, how manifold were their appointments, how fierce the temper of the beasts, was fain to lift hands heavenward, and to the Lord make his appeal; the Lord, that is wondrous in his doings, and at his own pleasure crowns right, not might, with victory. 22 And this was the manner of his praying: Lord, in the days of Ezechias thou didst send thy angel, and take toll of a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib! 23 Ruler of heaven, some friendly angel of thine this day escort us; dread and dismay let thy outstretched hand inspire, 24 to the confusion of yonder blasphemers that levy war on thy holy people! And so he brought his prayer to an end.

17 Exhortati itaque Judæ sermonibus bonis valde, de quibus extolli posset impetus, et animi juvenum confortari, statuerunt dimicare et confligere fortiter: ut virtus de negotiis judicaret, eo quod civitas sancta et templum periclitarentur. 18 Erat enim pro uxoribus et filiis, itemque pro fratribus et cognatis, minor sollicitudo: maximus vero et primus pro sanctitate timor erat templi. 19 Sed et eos qui in civitate erant, non minima sollicitudo habebat pro his qui congressuri erant. 20 Et cum jam omnes sperarent judicium futurum, hostesque adessent atque exercitus esset ordinatus, bestiæ equitesque opportuno in loco compositi, 21 considerans Machabæus adventum multitudinis, et apparatum varium armorum, et ferocitatem bestiarum, extendens manus in cælum, prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit, qui non secundum armorum potentiam, sed prout ipsi placet, dat dignis victoriam. 22 Dixit autem invocans hoc modo: Tu Domine, qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Juda, et interfecisti de castris Sennacherib centum octoginta quinque millia: 23 et nunc, dominator cælorum, mitte angelum tuum bonum ante nos in timore et tremore magnitudinis brachii tui, 24 ut metuant qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum. Et hic quidem ita peroravit.

25 οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Νικάνορα μετὰ σαλπίγγων καὶ παιάνων προσῆγον 26 οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν μετὰ ἐπικλήσεως καὶ εὐχῶν συνέμειξαν τοῖς πολεμίοις 27 καὶ ταῖς μὲν χερσὶν ἀγωνιζόμενοι ταῖς δὲ καρδίαις πρὸς τὸν θεὸν εὐχόμενοι κατέστρωσαν οὐδὲν ἧττον μυριάδων τριῶν καὶ πεντακισχιλίων τῇ τοῦ θεοῦ μεγάλως εὐφρανθέντες ἐπιφανείᾳ 28 γενόμενοι δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς χρείας καὶ μετὰ χαρᾶς ἀναλύοντες ἐπέγνωσαν προπεπτωκότα Νικάνορα σὺν τῇ πανοπλίᾳ 29 γενομένης δὲ κραυγῆς καὶ ταραχῆς εὐλόγουν τὸν δυνάστην τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ

25 By this, Nicanor’s army was coming forward to the attack, with blowing of trumpets and with songs of battle. 26 But Judas and his company went to meet them calling still upon God for his succour; 27 and ever while hand fought, heart prayed. Such joy had they of God’s present assistance, they cut down a full thirty-five thousand of the enemy; 28 when they let be, and returned in triumph from the pursuit, news greeted them Nicanor himself had armed for the fight, and lay there dead. 29 What a cry was then raised, what a stir, what hymns they sang, in the speech of their own country, to God Omnipotent!

25 Nicanor autem et qui cum ipso erant, cum tubis et canticis admovebant. 26 Judas vero et qui cum eo erant, invocato Deo, per orationes congressi sunt: 27 manu quidem pugnantes, sed Dominum cordibus orantes, prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque millia, præsentia Dei magnifice delectati. 28 Cumque cessassent, et cum gaudio redirent, cognoverunt Nicanorem ruisse cum armis suis. 29 Facto itaque clamore, et perturbatione excitata, patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant.

30 καὶ προσέταξεν ὁ κα{Q'} ἅπαν σώματι καὶ ψυχῇ πρωταγωνιστὴς ὑπὲρ τῶν πολιτῶν ὁ τὴν τῆς ἡλικίας εὔνοιαν εἰς ὁμοεθνεῖς διαφυλάξας τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος κεφαλὴν ἀποτεμόντας καὶ τὴν χεῖρα σὺν τῷ ὤμῳ φέρειν εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα 31 παραγενόμενος δὲ ἐκεῖ καὶ συγκαλέσας τοὺς ὁμοεθνεῖς καὶ τοὺς ἱερεῖς πρὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου στήσας μετεπέμψατο τοὺς ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας 32 καὶ ἐπιδειξάμενος τὴν τοῦ μιαροῦ Νικάνορος κεφαλὴν καὶ τὴν χεῖρα τοῦ δυσφήμου ἣν ἐκτείνας ἐπὶ τὸν ἅγιον τοῦ παντοκράτορος οἶκον ἐμεγαλαύχησεν 33 καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν τοῦ δυσσεβοῦς Νικάνορος ἐκτεμὼν ἔφη κατὰ μέρος δώσειν τοῖς ὀρνέοις τὰ {D'} ἐπίχειρα τῆς ἀνοίας κατέναντι τοῦ ναοῦ κρεμάσαι 34 οἱ δὲ πάντες εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐπιφανῆ κύριον λέγοντες εὐλογητὸς ὁ διατηρήσας τὸν ἑαυτοῦ τόπον ἀμίαντον 35 ἐξέδησεν δὲ τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος προτομὴν ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἐπίδηλον πᾶσιν καὶ φανερὸν τῆς τοῦ κυρίου βοηθείας σημεῖον 36 ἐδογμάτισαν δὲ πάντες μετὰ κοινοῦ ψηφίσματος μηδαμῶς ἐᾶσαι ἀπαρασήμαντον τήνδε τὴν ἡμέραν 37 ἔχειν δὲ ἐπίσημον τὴν τρισκαιδεκάτην τοῦ δωδεκάτου μηνὸς Αδαρ λέγεται τῇ Συριακῇ φωνῇ πρὸ μιᾶς ἡμέρας τῆς Μαρδοχαϊκῆς ἡμέρας

30 And Judas? Not for nothing had he devoted body and soul, this long while, to the service of his fellow countrymen! Nicanor’s head, and one of his arms cut off from the shoulder downwards, he bade them carry to Jerusalem; 31 and there he called the tribesmen together, ranged the priests about the altar, and sent his summons to the heathen that garrisoned the citadel. 32 Head and hand he shewed them of the godless Nicanor, the hand that was stretched out so boastfully against the holy temple of the Almighty, 33 bidding them cut the blaspheming tongue in pieces and cast it to the birds, nail the rash hand to the temple’s face. 34 None but praised the Lord of heaven at the sight; Blessed be the Lord, they cried, that has kept his house undefiled still! 35 As for Nicanor’s head, Judas hung it at the top of the citadel, to be a clear and evident token, how God gives aid. 36 And all with one consent made a decree, never should that day pass unobserved; 37 they would keep holiday on the thirteenth of the Syrian month Adar, which is the eve of Mardochaeus’ feast.[1]

30 Præcepit autem Judas, qui per omnia corpore et animo mori pro civibus paratus erat, caput Nicanoris, et manum cum humero abscissam, Jerosolymam perferri. 31 Quo cum pervenisset, convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus ad altare, accersiit et eos qui in arce erant. 32 Et ostenso capite Nicanoris, et manu nefaria quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est. 33 Linguam etiam impii Nicanoris præcisam jussit particulatim avibus dari: manum autem dementis contra templum suspendi. 34 Omnes igitur cæli benedixerunt Dominum, dicentes: Benedictus qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit. 35 Suspendit autem Nicanoris caput in summa arce, ut evidens esset, et manifestum signum auxilii Dei. 36 Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate præterire: 37 habere autem celebritatem tertiadecima die mensis Adar, quod dicitur voce syriaca, pridie Mardochæi diei.

38 τῶν οὖν κατὰ Νικάνορα χωρησάντων οὕτως καὶ ἀ{P'} ἐκείνων τῶν καιρῶν κρατηθείσης τῆς πόλεως ὑπὸ τῶν Εβραίων καὶ αὐτὸς αὐτόθι τὸν λόγον καταπαύσω 39 καὶ εἰ μὲν καλῶς εὐθίκτως τῇ συντάξει τοῦτο καὶ αὐτὸς ἤθελον εἰ δὲ εὐτελῶς καὶ μετρίως τοῦτο ἐφικτὸν ἦν μοι 40 καθάπερ γὰρ οἶνον κατὰ μόνας πίνειν ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ὕδωρ πάλιν πολέμιον ὃν δὲ τρόπον οἶνος ὕδατι συγκερασθεὶς ἡδὺς καὶ ἐπιτερπῆ τὴν χάριν ἀποτελεῖ οὕτως καὶ τὸ τῆς κατασκευῆς τοῦ λόγου τέρπει τὰς ἀκοὰς τῶν ἐντυγχανόντων τῇ συντάξει ἐνταῦθα δὲ ἔσται ἡ τελευτή

38 Such was the history of Nicanor; and since that time the city has been in Jewish possession. Here, then, I will make an end of writing; 39 if it has been done workmanly, and in historian’s fashion, none better pleased than I; if it is of little merit, I must be humoured none the less.[2] 40 Nothing but wine to take, nothing but water, thy health forbids; vary thy drinking,[3] and thou shalt find content. So it is with reading; if the book be too nicely polished at every point, it grows wearisome. So here we will have done with it.

38 Igitur his erga Nicanorem gestis, et ex illis temporibus ab Hebræis civitate possessa, ego quoque in his faciam finem sermonis. 39 Et si quidem bene, et ut historiæ competit, hoc et ipse velim: sin autem minus digne, concedendum est mihi. 40 Sicut enim vinum semper bibere, aut semper aquam, contrarium est; alternis autem uti, delectabile: ita legentibus si semper exactus sit sermo, non erit gratus. Hic ergo erit consummatus.

[1] See Est. 9.17 and 18.

[2] ‘I must be humoured none the less’; according to the Greek text, ‘I have done as well as I could’. Divine inspiration is something superadded to, not a substitute for, human labour and human self-criticism.

[3] For ‘vary thy drinking’ the Greek text has ‘mix both together’; and the rest of the sentence is a (somewhat obscure) recommendation of style.

Knox Translation Copyright © 2013 Westminster Diocese
Nihil Obstat. Father Anton Cowan, Censor.
Imprimatur. +Most Rev. Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. 8th January 2012.
Re-typeset and published in 2012 by Baronius Press Ltd