2 Maccabees 11

Thomson · Brenton · Greek · public domain

Thomson 1808

Brenton 1851

Greek · Brenton

Thomson—

BrentonNot long after this, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.

GreekΜετʼ ὀλίγον δὲ παντελῶς χρόνον Λυσίας ἐπίτροπος τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ συγγενὴς, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πραγμάτων, λίαν βαρέως φέρων ἐπὶ τοῖς γεγονόσι,

Thomson—

BrentonAnd when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Jews, thinking to make the city an habitation of the Gentiles,

Greekσυναθροίσας περὶ τὰς ὀκτὼ μυριάδας καὶ τὴν ἵππον πᾶσαν, παρεγένετο ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, λογιζόμενος τὴν μὲν πόλιν Ἕλλησιν οἰκητήριον ποιήσειν,

Thomson—

Brentonand to make a gain of the temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

Greekτὸ δὲ ἱερὸν ἀργυρολόγητον καθὼς τὰ λοιπὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν τεμένη, πρατὴν δὲ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην κατʼ ἔτος ποιήσειν,

Thomson—

Brentonnot at all considering the power of God, but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.

Greekοὐδαμῶς ἐπιλογιζόμενος τὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ κράτος, πεφρενωμένος δὲ ταῖς μυριάσι τῶν πεζῶν καὶ ταῖς χιλιάσι τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τοῖς ἐλέφασι τοῖς ὀγδοήκοντα.

Thomson—

BrentonSo he came to Judea, and drew near to Bethsura, which was a strong town, but distant from Jerusalem about five furlongs, and he laid sore siege unto it.

GreekΕἰσελθὼν δὲ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν, καὶ συνεγγίσας τῷ Βαιθσούρᾳ, ὄντι μὲν ἐρυμνῷ χωρίῳ, ἀπὸ δὲ Ἱεροσολύμων ἀπέχοντι ὡσεὶ σταδίους πέντε, τοῦτο ἔθλιβεν.

Thomson—

BrentonNow when they that were with Maccabeus heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought the Lord that he would send a good angel to deliver Israel.

GreekὩς δὲ μετέλαβον οἱ περὶ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον πολιορκοῦντα αὐτὸν τὰ ὀχυρώματα, μετʼ ὀδύρμῶν καὶ δακρύων ἱκέτευον σὺν τοῖς ὄχλοις τὸν Κύριον, ἀγαθὸν ἄγγελον ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς σωτηρίαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ.

Thomson—

BrentonThen Maccabeus himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the other that they would jeopard themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.

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

Thomson—

BrentonAnd as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.

GreekΑὐτόθι δὲ καὶ πρὸς τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ὄντων, ἐφάνη προηγούμενος αὐτῶν ἔφιππος ἐν λευκῇ ἐσθῆτι, πανοπλίαν χρυσῆν κραδαίνων.

Thomson—

BrentonThen they praised the merciful God all together, and took heart, insomuch that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.

GreekὉμοῦ δὲ πάντες εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐλεήμονα Θεὸν, καὶ ἐπεῤῥώσθησαν ταῖς ψυχαῖς, οὐ μόνον ἀνθρώπους ἀλλὰ καὶ θῆρας τοὺς ἀγριωτάτους, καὶ σιδηρᾶ τείχη τιτρώσκειν ὄντες ἕτοιμοι.

Thomson—

BrentonThus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them.

GreekΠροσῆγον ἐν διασκευῇ τὸν ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ σύμμαχον ἔχοντες, ἐλεήσαντος αὐτοὺς τοῦ Κυρίου.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.

GreekΛεοντηδὸν δὲ ἐντινάξαντες εἰς τοὺς πολεμίους, κατέστρωσαν αὐτῶν χιλίους πρὸς τοῖς μυρίοις, ἱππεῖς δὲ ἑξακοσίους πρὸς τοῖς χιλίοις· τοὺς δὲ πάντας ἠνάγκασαν φυγεῖν.

Thomson—

BrentonMany of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.

GreekΟἱ πλείονες δὲ αὐτῶν τραυματίαι γυμνοὶ διεσώθησαν· καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὁ Λυσίας αἰσχρῶς φεύγων διεσώθη.

Thomson—

BrentonWho, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because the Almighty God helped them, he sent unto them,

GreekΟὐκ ἄνους δὲ ὑπάρχων, πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ἀντιβάλλων τὸ γεγονὸς περὶ ἐαυτὸν ἐλάσσωμα, καὶ συννοήσας ἀνικήτους εἶναι τοὺς Ἑβραίους, τοῦ πάντα δυναμένου Θεοῦ συμμαχοῦντος αὐτοῖς,

Thomson—

Brentonand persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promised that he would persuade the king that he must needs be a friend unto them.

Greekπροσαποστείλας ἔπεισε συλλύσεσθαι ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς δικαίοις· καὶ διότι καὶ τὸν βασιλέα πείσειν φίλον αὐτοῖς ἀναγκάζειν γενέσθαι.

Thomson—

BrentonThen Maccabeus consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Maccabeus wrote unto Lysias concerning the Jews, the king granted it.

GreekἘπένευσε δὲ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπὶ πᾶσιν οἷς ὁ Λυσίας παρεκάλει τοῦ συμφέροντος φροντίζων· ὅσα γὰρ ὁ Μακκαβαῖος ἐπέδωκε τῷ Λυσίᾳ διὰ γραπτῶν περὶ τῶν Ἰουδαίων, συνεχώρησεν ὁ βασιλεύς.

Thomson—

BrentonFor there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:

GreekἮσαν γὰρ αἱ γεγραμμέναι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐπιοτολαὶ παρὰ μὲν Λυσίου περιέχουσαι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον· Λυσίας τῷ πλήθει τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.

Thomson—

BrentonJohn and Absalon, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.

GreekἸωάννης καὶ Ἀβεσσαλὼμ οἱ πεμφθέντες παρʼ ὑμῶν, ἐπιδόντες τὸν ὑπογεγραμμένον χρηματισμὸν, ἠξίουν περὶ τῶν διʼ αὐτοῦ σημαινομένων.

Thomson—

BrentonTherefore what things soever were meet to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he hath granted as much as might be.

GreekὍσα μὲν οὖν ἔδει καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ προσενεχθῆναι διεσάφησα, ἃ δὲ ἦν ἐνδεχόμενα, συνεχώρησεν.

Thomson—

BrentonIf then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.

GreekἘὰν μὲν οὖν συντηρήσητε τὴν εἰς τὰ πράγματα εὔνοιαν, καὶ εἰς τὸ λοιπὸν πειράσομαι παραίτιος ὑμῖν ἀγαθῶν γενέσθαι.

Thomson—

BrentonBut of the particulars I have given order both to these, and the other that came from me, to commune with you.

GreekὙπὲρ δὲ τῶν κατὰ μέρος ἐντέταλμαι τούτοις τε καὶ τοῖς παρʼ ἐμοῦ διαλεχθῆναι ὑμῖν.

Thomson—

BrentonFare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.

GreekἜῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Διοσκορινθίου εἰκοστῇ τετάρτῃ.

Thomson—

BrentonNow the king's letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:

GreekἩ δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ περιεῖχεν οὕτως· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῷ ἀδελφῷ Λυσίᾳ χαίρειν.

Thomson—

Brentonsince our father is translated unto the gods, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that every one may attend upon his own affairs.

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

Thomson—

BrentonWe understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the customs of the Gentiles, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own laws.

Greekἀκηκοότες τοὺς Ἰουδαίους μὴ συνευδοκοῦντας τῇ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐπὶ τὰ Ἑλληνικὰ μεταθέσει, ἀλλὰ τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀγωγὴν αἱρετίζοντας, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἀξιοῦντας συγχωρηθῆναι αὐτοῖς τὰ νόμιμα αὐτῶν·

Thomson—

BrentonWherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.

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

Thomson—

BrentonThou shalt do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.

GreekΕὖ οὖν ποιήσεις διαπεμψάμενος πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ δοὺς δεξιὰς, ὅπως εἰδότες τὴν ἡμετέραν προαίρεσιν, εὔθυμοί τε ὦσι, καὶ ἡδέως διαγίνωνται πρὸς τὴν τῶν ἰδίων ἀντίληψιν.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the letter of the king unto the nation of the Jews was after this manner: King Antiochus sendeth greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Jews;

GreekΠρὸς δὲ τὸ ἔθνος ἡ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὴ τοιαύτη ἦν· βασιλεὺς Ἀντίοχος τῇ γερουσίᾳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις Ἰουδαίοις χαίρειν.

Thomson—

BrentonIf ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.

GreekΕἰ ἔῤῥωσθε, εἴη ἂν ὡς βουλόμεθα· καὶ αὐτοὶ δὲ ὑγιαίνομεν.

Thomson—

BrentonMenelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:

GreekἘνεφάνισεν ἡμῖν ὁ Μενέλαος βούλεσθαι κατελθόντας ὑμᾶς γίνεσθαι πρὸς τοῖς ἰδίοις.

Thomson—

Brentonwherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.

GreekΤοῖς οὖν καταπορευομένοις μέχρι τριακάδος Ξανθικοῦ ὑπάρξει δεξιὰ μετὰ τῆς ἀδείας,

Thomson—

BrentonAnd the Jews shall use their own kind of meats and laws, as before: and none of them any manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.

Greekχρῆσθαι τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοῖς ἑαυτῶν δαπανήμασι καὶ νόμοις καθὰ καὶ τὸ πρότερον, καὶ οὐδεὶς αὐτῶν κατʼ οὐδένα τρόπον παρενοχληθήσεται περὶ τῶν ἠγνοημένων.

Thomson—

BrentonI have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

GreekΠέπομφα δὲ καὶ τὸν Μενέλαον παρακαλέσοντα ὑμᾶς.

Thomson—

BrentonFare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

GreekἜῤῥωσθε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.

Thomson—

BrentonThe Romans also sent unto them a letter containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romans, send greeting unto the people of the Jews.

GreekἜπεμψαν δὲ καὶ οἱ Ῥωμαιοῖ πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐπιστολὴν ἔχουσαν οὕτως· Κόϊντος Μέμμιος, Τίτος Μάνλιος, πρεσβύται Ῥωμαίων, τῷ δήμῳ τῶν Ἰουδαίων χαίρειν.

Thomson—

BrentonWhatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.

GreekὙπὲρ ὧν Λυσίας ὁ συγγενὴς τοῦ βασιλέως συνεχώρησεν ὑμῖν, καὶ ἡμεῖς συνευδοκοῦμεν.

Thomson—

BrentonBut touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.

GreekἋ δὲ ἔκρινε προσανενεχθῆναι τῷ βασιλεῖ, πέμψατέ τινα παραχρῆμα ἐπισκεψάμενοι περὶ τούτων, ἵνα ἐκθῶμεν ὡς καθήκει ὑμῖν· ἡμεῖς γὰρ προσάγομεν πρὸς Ἀντιόχειαν.

Thomson—

BrentonTherefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.

GreekΔιὸ σπεύσατε, καὶ πέμψατέ τινας, ὅπως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπιγνῶμεν ὁποίας ἐστὲ γνώμης.

Thomson—

BrentonFarewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.

GreekὙγιαίνετε· ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου, Ξανθικοῦ πέμπτῃ καὶ δεκάτῃ.