The Second Book of Maccabees, Chapter 11ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙΩΝ Β′ ΙΑ′

μετ' ὀλίγον δὲ παντελῶς χρονίσκον Λυσίας ἐπίτροπος τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ συγγενὴς καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων λίαν βαρέως φέρων ἐπὶ τοῖς γεγονόσι

A very short time later Lysias, the king's regent, kinsman, and chief administrator, took the recent events very hard.

συναθροίσας περὶ τὰς ὀκτὼ μυριάδας καὶ τὴν ἵππον ἅπασαν παρεγίνετο ἐπὶ τοὺς Ιουδαίους λογιζόμενος τὴν μὲν πόλιν Ἕλλησιν οἰκητήριον ποιήσειν

After mustering about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry, he advanced against the Jews, intending to make the city a settlement for Greeks.

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

He also meant to turn the sanctuary into a source of revenue like the shrines of the other nations, and to sell the high priesthood year by year.

οὐδαμῶς ἐπιλογιζόμενος τὸ τοῦ θεοῦ κράτος πεφρενωμένος δὲ ταῖς μυριάσιν τῶν πεζῶν καὶ ταῖς χιλιάσιν τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τοῖς ἐλέφασιν τοῖς ὀγδοήκοντα

He gave no thought at all to the power of God, but was puffed up by his tens of thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.

εἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν Ιουδαίαν καὶ συνεγγίσας Βαιθσουρα ὄντι μὲν ἐρυμνῷ χωρίῳ Ιεροσολύμων δὲ ἀπέχοντι ὡσεὶ σταδίους πέντε τοῦτο ἔθλιβεν

Entering Judea and drawing near to Beth-zur, a strong place about five stadia from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.

ὡς δὲ μετέλαβον οἱ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον πολιορκοῦντα αὐτὸν τὰ ὀχυρώματα μετὰ ὀδυρμῶν καὶ δακρύων ἱκέτευον σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις τὸν κύριον ἀγαθὸν ἄγγελον ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς σωτηρίαν τῷ Ισραηλ

When the men around Maccabaeus learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they with the crowds implored the Lord with lamentation and tears to send a good angel for Israel's deliverance.

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

Then Maccabaeus himself, taking up weapons first of all, urged the others to join him in risking themselves to help their brothers; so together and eagerly they sallied out.

αὐτόθι δὲ πρὸς τοῖς Ιεροσολύμοις ὄντων ἐφάνη προηγούμενος αὐτῶν ἔφιππος ἐν λευκῇ ἐσθῆτι πανοπλίαν χρυσῆν κραδαίνων

While they were near Jerusalem, a horseman in white clothing appeared at their head, brandishing golden armor.

ὁμοῦ δὲ πάντες εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐλεήμονα θεὸν καὶ ἐπερρώσθησαν ταῖς ψυχαῖς οὐ μόνον ἀνθρώπους θῆρας δὲ τοὺς ἀγριωτάτους καὶ σιδηρᾶ τείχη τιτρώσκειν ὄντες ἕτοιμοι

At once they all blessed the merciful God and were strengthened in spirit, ready to pierce not only men but even the fiercest beasts and walls of iron.

προῆγον ἐν διασκευῇ τὸν ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ σύμμαχον ἔχοντες ἐλεήσαντος αὐτοὺς τοῦ κυρίου

They advanced in battle array, having their ally from heaven, because the Lord had shown them mercy.

λεοντηδὸν δὲ ἐντινάξαντες εἰς τοὺς πολεμίους κατέστρωσαν αὐτῶν χιλίους πρὸς τοῖς μυρίοις ἱππεῖς δὲ ἑξακοσίους πρὸς τοῖς χιλίοις τοὺς δὲ πάντας ἠνάγκασαν φεύγειν

Springing on the enemy like lions, they laid low eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.

οἱ πλείονες δὲ αὐτῶν τραυματίαι γυμνοὶ διεσώθησαν καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Λυσίας αἰσχρῶς φεύγων διεσώθη

Most of them escaped wounded and stripped, and Lysias himself also got away in disgrace by flight.

οὐκ ἄνους δὲ ὑπάρχων πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἀντιβάλλων τὸ γεγονὸς περὶ αὐτὸν ἐλάττωμα καὶ συννοήσας ἀνικήτους εἶναι τοὺς Εβραίους τοῦ δυναμένου θεοῦ συμμαχοῦντος αὐτοῖς

Since he was not foolish, he reckoned with the setback that had befallen him and understood that the Hebrews were unconquerable because the mighty God fought with them.

προσαποστείλας ἔπεισεν συλλύεσθαι ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς δικαίοις καὶ διότι καὶ τὸν βασιλέα πείσει φίλον αὐτοῖς ἀναγκάζων γενέσθαι

So he sent word and persuaded them to come to terms on all just conditions, promising that he would even persuade the king to become their friend.

ἐπένευσεν δὲ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ὁ Λυσίας παρεκάλει τοῦ συμφέροντος φροντίζων ὅσα γὰρ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπέδωκεν τῷ Λυσίᾳ διὰ γραπτῶν περὶ τῶν Ιουδαίων συνεχώρησεν ὁ βασιλεύς

Maccabaeus agreed to everything Lysias requested, since he was intent on the common advantage; for whatever Maccabaeus submitted in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted.

ἦσαν γὰρ αἱ γεγραμμέναι τοῖς Ιουδαίοις ἐπιστολαὶ παρὰ μὲν Λυσίου περιέχουσαι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον Λυσίας τῷ πλήθει τῶν Ιουδαίων χαίρειν

For the letters written to the Jews ran as follows: 'Lysias to the body of the Jews, greetings.'

Ιωαννης καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ οἱ πεμφθέντες παρ' ὑμῶν ἐπιδόντες τὸν ὑπογεγραμμένον χρηματισμὸν ἠξίουν περὶ τῶν δι' αὐτοῦ σημαινομένων

John and Absalom, the envoys from you, delivered the document reproduced below and asked about the matters indicated in it.

ὅσα μὲν οὖν ἔδει καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ προσενεχθῆναι διεσάφησα ἃ δὲ ἦν ἐνδεχόμενα συνεχώρησεν

Accordingly, whatever needed to be presented to the king I have explained, and whatever could be conceded he has granted.

ἐὰν μὲν οὖν συντηρήσητε τὴν εἰς τὰ πράγματα εὔνοιαν καὶ εἰς τὸ λοιπὸν πειράσομαι παραίτιος ἀγαθῶν γενέσθαι

If, then, you continue to show good will in public affairs, I shall also try in the future to be a cause of benefits for you.

ὑπὲρ δὲ τούτων καὶ τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐντέταλμαι τούτοις τε καὶ τοῖς παρ' ἐμοῦ διαλεχθῆναι ὑμῖν

Concerning these matters and the details, I have instructed both these men and my own representatives to speak with you.

ἔρρωσθε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Διὸς Κορινθίου τετράδι καὶ εἰκάδι

Farewell. Year one hundred forty-eight, Dios Corinthius, the twenty-fourth day.

ἡ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ περιεῖχεν οὕτως βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῷ ἀδελφῷ Λυσίᾳ χαίρειν

The king's letter contained the following: 'King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.'

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

Now that our father has departed to the gods, we desire that the people of the kingdom, being free from disturbance, may attend to their own concerns.

ἀκηκοότες τοὺς Ιουδαίους μὴ συνευδοκοῦντας τῇ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐπὶ τὰ Ἑλληνικὰ μεταθέσει ἀλλὰ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀγωγὴν αἱρετίζοντας ἀξιοῦντας συγχωρηθῆναι αὐτοῖς τὰ νόμιμα

We have heard that the Jews do not consent to the change to Greek customs introduced by our father, but prefer their own way of life and request permission to observe their lawful practices.

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

Therefore, since we choose that this nation also should be free from turmoil, we judge that their sanctuary should be restored to them and that they should live by the customs of their ancestors.

εὖ οὖν ποιήσεις διαπεμψάμενος πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ δοὺς δεξιάς ὅπως εἰδότες τὴν ἡμετέραν προαίρεσιν εὔθυμοί τε ὦσιν καὶ ἡδέως διαγίνωνται πρὸς τῇ τῶν ἰδίων ἀντιλήμψει

So you will do well to send to them and give pledges of good faith, so that, knowing our purpose, they may be encouraged and gladly attend to their own affairs.

πρὸς δὲ τὸ ἔθνος ἡ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ τοιάδε ἦν βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῇ γερουσίᾳ τῶν Ιουδαίων καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις Ιουδαίοις χαίρειν

The king's letter to the nation was as follows: 'King Antiochus to the council of elders of the Jews and to the rest of the Jews, greetings.'

εἰ ἔρρωσθε εἴη ἂν ὡς βουλόμεθα καὶ αὐτοὶ δὲ ὑγιαίνομεν

If you are well, it would be as we desire; we ourselves are also in good health.

ἐνεφάνισεν ἡμῖν Μενέλαος βούλεσθαι κατελθόντας ὑμᾶς γίνεσθαι πρὸς τοῖς ἰδίοις

Menelaus has informed us that you wish to come down and attend to your own affairs.

τοῖς οὖν καταπορευομένοις μέχρι τριακάδος Ξανθικοῦ ὑπάρξει δεξιὰ μετὰ τῆς ἀδείας

Therefore those who come down by the thirtieth of Xanthicus shall have our right hand in assurance of safety,

χρῆσθαι τοὺς Ιουδαίους τοῖς ἑαυτῶν δαπανήμασιν καὶ νόμοις καθὰ καὶ τὸ πρότερον καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν κατ' οὐδένα τρόπον παρενοχληθήσεται περὶ τῶν ἠγνοημένων

namely, that the Jews may make use of their own provisions and laws as before, and that none of them shall be molested in any way over the past misunderstandings.

πέπομφα δὲ καὶ τὸν Μενέλαον παρακαλέσοντα ὑμᾶς

I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.

ἔρρωσθε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Ξανθικοῦ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ

Farewell. Year one hundred forty-eight, Xanthicus, the fifteenth day.

ἔπεμψαν δὲ καὶ οἱ Ῥωμαῖοι πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν οὕτως Κόιντος Μέμμιος Τίτος Μάνιος πρεσβῦται Ῥωμαίων τῷ δήμῳ τῶν Ιουδαίων χαίρειν

The Romans also sent them a letter in these terms: 'Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.'

ὑπὲρ ὧν Λυσίας ὁ συγγενὴς τοῦ βασιλέως συνεχώρησεν ὑμῖν καὶ ἡμεῖς συνευδοκοῦμεν

As for the concessions Lysias, the king's kinsman, has granted you, we also approve.

ἃ δὲ ἔκρινεν προσανενεχθῆναι τῷ βασιλεῖ πέμψατέ τινα παραχρῆμα ἐπισκεψάμενοι περὶ τούτων ἵνα ἐκθῶμεν ὡς καθήκει ὑμῖν ἡμεῖς γὰρ προσάγομεν πρὸς Ἀντιόχειαν

But concerning the matters he decided should be referred to the king, send someone at once, after considering them, so that we may present them as suits you; for we are on our way to Antioch.

διὸ σπεύσατε καὶ πέμψατέ τινας ὅπως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπιγνῶμεν ὁποίας ἐστὲ γνώμης

Therefore make haste and send some men, so that we too may know what your view is.

ὑγιαίνετε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Ξανθικοῦ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ

Farewell. Year one hundred forty-eight, Xanthicus, the fifteenth day.