1 Maccabees 12

1 ΚΑΙ εἶδεν Ἰωνάθαν ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς αὐτῷ συνεργεῖ, καὶ ἐπέλεξεν ἄνδρας καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς Ρώμην στῆσαι καὶ ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν.

1 Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

2 καὶ πρὸς Σπαρτιάτας καὶ τόπους ἑτέρους ἀπέστειλεν ἐπιστολὰς κατὰ τὰ αὐτά.

2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

3 καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς Ρώμην καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸ βουλευτήριον καὶ εἶπον· Ἰωνάθαν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ τὸ ἔθνος τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν φιλίαν αὐτοῖς καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν κατὰ τὸ πρότερον.

3 So they went to Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us to you, to the end you⌃ should renew the friendship, which you⌃ had with them, and league, as in former time.

4 καὶ ἔδωκαν ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατὰ τόπον, ὅπως προπέμπωσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα μετ᾿ εἰρήνης.

4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters to the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

5 Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἔγραψεν Ἰωνάθαν τοῖς Σπαρτιάταις·

5 And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:

6 ‘ Ἰωνάθαν ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ ἡ γερουσία τοῦ ἔθνους καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς δῆμος τῶν Ἰουδαίων Σπαρτιάταις τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς χαίρειν.

6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, to the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

7 ἔτι πρότερον ἀπεστάλησαν ἐπιστολαὶ πρὸς Ὀνίαν τὸν ἀρχιερέα παρὰ Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλεύοντος ἐν ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐστὲ ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ὡς τὸ ἀντίγραφον ὑπόκειται.

7 There were letters sent in times past to Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then amongst you, to signify that you⌃ are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten does specify.

8 καὶ ἐπεδέξατο Ὀνίας τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν ἀπεσταλμένον ἐνδόξως καὶ ἔλαβε τὰς ἐπιστολάς, ἐν αἷς διεσαφεῖτο περὶ συμμαχίας καὶ φιλίας.

8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

9 καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀπροσδεεῖς τούτων ὄντες, παράκλησιν ἔχοντες τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια τὰ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν,

9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

10 ἐπειράθημεν ἀποστεῖλαι τὴν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀδελφότητα καὶ φιλίαν ἀνανεώσασθαι πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐξαλλοτριωθῆναι ὑμῶν· πολλοὶ γὰρ καιροὶ διῆλθον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἀπεστείλατε πρὸς ἡμᾶς.

10 Have nevertheless attempted to send to you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you⌃ sent to us.

11 ἡμεῖς οὖν ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἀδιαλείπτως ἔν τε ταῖς ἑορταῖς καὶ ταῖς λοιπαῖς καθηκούσαις ἡμέραις μιμνησκόμεθα ὑμῶν ἐφ᾿ ὧν προσφέρομεν θυσιῶν καὶ ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ὡς δέον ἐστὶ καὶ πρέπον μνημονεύειν ἀδελφῶν·

11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becomes us to think upon our brethren:

12 εὐφραινόμεθα δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ δόξῃ ὑμῶν.

12 And we are right glad of your honour.

13 ἡμᾶς δὲ ἐκύκλωσαν πολλαὶ θλίψεις καὶ πόλεμοι πολλοί, καὶ ἐπολέμησαν ἡμᾶς οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ κύκλῳ ἡμῶν.

13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

14 καὶ οὐκ ἠβουλόμεθα οὖν παρενοχλεῖν ὑμῖν καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς συμμάχοις καὶ φίλοις ἡμῶν ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις τούτοις·

14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome to you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

15 ἔχομεν γὰρ τὴν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ βοήθειαν βοηθοῦσαν ἡμῖν καὶ ἐρρύσθημεν ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐταπεινώθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἡμῶν.

15 For we have help from heaven that helps us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

16 ἐπελέξαμεν οὖν Νουμήνιον Ἀντιόχου καὶ Ἀντίπατρον Ἰάσωνος καὶ ἀπεστάλκαμεν πρὸς Ρωμαίους ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν τὴν προτέραν.

16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them to the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

17 ἐνετειλάμεθα οὖν αὐτοῖς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς πορευθῆναι καὶ ἀσπάσασθαι ὑμᾶς καὶ ἀποδοῦναι ὑμῖν τὰς παρ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐπιστολὰς περὶ τῆς ἀνανεώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀδελφότητος ἡμῶν.

17 We commanded them also to go to you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

18 καὶ νῦν καλῶς ποιήσετε ἀντιφωνήσοντες ἡμῖν πρὸς ταῦτα’.

18 Therefore now you⌃ shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

19 Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν, ὧν ἀπέστειλαν Ὀνίᾳ·

19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

20 ‘ Ἄρειος βασιλεὺς Σπαρτιατῶν Ὀνίᾳ ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ χαίρειν.

20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

21 εὑρέθη ἐν γραφῇ περί τε τῶν Σπαρτιατῶν καὶ Ἰουδαίων, ὅτι εἰσὶν ἀδελφοὶ καὶ ὅτι εἰσὶν ἐκ γένους Ἁβραάμ.

21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

22 καὶ νῦν ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἔγνωμεν ταῦτα, καλῶς ποιήσετε γράφοντες ἡμῖν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης ὑμῶν,

22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, you⌃ shall do well to write to us of your prosperity.

23 καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἀντιγράφομεν ὑμῖν τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ ὕπαρξις ὑμῶν ἡμῖν ἐστι, καὶ τὰ ἡμῶν ὑμῖν ἐστιν. ἐντελλόμεθα οὖν ὅπως ἀπαγγείλωσιν ὑμῖν κατὰ ταῦτα’.

23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report to you on this wise.

24 Καὶ ἤκουσεν Ἰωνάθαν ὅτι ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Δημητρίου μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς ὑπὲρ τὸ πρότερον τοῦ πολεμῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν.

24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than before,

25 καὶ ἀπῇρεν ἐξ Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν Ἀμαθῖτιν χώραν· οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἀνοχὴν ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ.

25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

26 καὶ ἀπέστειλε κατασκόπους εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ, ὅτι οὕτω τάσσονται ἐπιπεσεῖν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὴν νύκτα.

26 He sent spies also to their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

27 ὡς δὲ ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος, ἐπέταξεν Ἰωνάθαν τοῖς παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ γρηγορεῖν καὶ εἶναι ἐπὶ τοῖς ὅπλοις καὶ ἑτοιμάζεσθαι εἰς πόλεμον δι᾿ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς καὶ ἐξέβαλε προφύλακας κύκλῳ τῆς παρεμβολῆς.

27 Therefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth sentinels round about the host.

28 καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ὑπεναντίοι ὅτι ἡτοίμασται Ἰωνάθαν καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς πόλεμον, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἔπτηξαν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνέκαυσαν πυρὰς ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ αὐτῶν.

28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

29 Ἰωνάθαν δὲ καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ἕως πρωΐ, ἔβλεπον γὰρ τὰ φῶτα καιόμενα.

29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

30 καὶ κατεδίωξεν Ἰωνάθαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ κατέλαβεν αὐτούς, διέβησαν γὰρ τὸν Ἐλεύθερον ποταμόν.

30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

31 καὶ ἐξέκλινεν Ἰωνάθαν ἐπὶ τοὺς Ἄραβας τοὺς καλουμένους Ζαβαδαίους καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ σκῦλα αὐτῶν.

31 Therefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and struck them, and took their spoils.

32 καὶ ἀναζεύξας ἦλθεν εἰς Δαμασκὸν καὶ διώδευσεν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ χώρᾳ.

32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,

33 καὶ Σίμων ἐξῆλθε καὶ διώδευσεν ἕως Ἀσκάλωνος καὶ τῶν πλησίον ὀχυρωμάτων, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν εἰς Ἰόππην καὶ προκατελάβετο αὐτήν·

33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country to Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.

34 ἤκουσεν γὰρ ὅτι βούλονται τὸ ὀχύρωμα παραδοῦναι τοῖς παρὰ Δημητρίου· καὶ ἔθετο ἐκεῖ φρουράν, ὅπως φυλάσσωσιν αὐτήν.

34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold to them that took Demetrius' part; therefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

35 καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ἰωνάθαν καὶ ἐξεκκλησίασε τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο μετ᾿ αὐτῶν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι ὀχυρώματα ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ

35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

36 καὶ προσυψῶσαι τὰ τείχη Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ ὑψῶσαι ὕψος μέγα ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὸ διαχωρίζειν αὐτὴν τῆς πόλεως, ἵνα ᾖ αὕτη κατὰ μόνας, ὅπως μήτε ἀγοράζωσι μήτε πωλῶσι.

36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

37 καὶ συνήχθησαν τοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἤγγισε τοῦ τείχους τοῦ χειμάρρου τοῦ ἐξ ἀπηλιώτου, καὶ ἐπεσκεύασαν τὸ καλούμενον Χαφεναθά.

37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall towards the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

38 καὶ Σίμων ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν Ἀδιδὰ ἐν τῇ Σεφήλᾳ καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἐπέστησε θύρας καὶ μοχλούς.

38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

39 Καὶ ἐζήτησε Τρύφων βασιλεῦσαι τῆς Ἀσίας καὶ περιθέσθαι τὸ διάδημα καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρα ἐπὶ Ἀντίοχον τὸν βασιλέα.

39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

40 καὶ ἐφοβήθη μήποτε οὐκ ἐάσῃ αὐτὸν Ἰωνάθαν καὶ μήποτε πολεμήσῃ πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ ἐζήτει πόρον τοῦ συλλαβεῖν τὸν Ἰωνάθαν τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτόν, καὶ ἀπάρας ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; therefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

41 καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ἰωνάθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ ἐν τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάσιν ἀνδρῶν ἐπιλελεγμέναις εἰς παράταξιν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.

42 καὶ εἶδε Τρύφων ὅτι πάρεστιν Ἰωνάθαν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς, καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρας ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν εὐλαβήθη,

42 Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he dared not stretch his hand against him;

43 καὶ ἐπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ἐνδόξως καὶ συνέστησεν αὐτὸν πᾶσι τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόματα καὶ ἐπέταξε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπακούειν αὐτῷ ὡς ἑαυτῷ.

43 But received him honourably, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient to him, as to himself.

44 καὶ εἶπε τῷ Ἰωνάθαν· ἱνατί ἔκοψας πάντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, πολέμου μὴ ἐνεστηκότος ἡμῖν;

44 To Jonathan also he said, Why have you brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war between us?

45 καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον αὐτοὺς εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν, ἐπίλεξαι δὲ σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας ὀλίγους, οἵτινες ἔσονται μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ δεῦρο μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ παραδώσω σοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ὀχυρώματα καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις τὰς λοιπὰς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν χρειῶν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἀπελεύσομαι· τούτου γὰρ χάριν πάρειμι.

45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on you, and come you with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it you, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

46 καὶ ἐμπιστεύσας αὐτῷ ἐποίησε καθὼς εἶπε, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλε τὰς δυνάμεις, καὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα.

46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

47 κατέλιπε δὲ μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους, ὧν δισχιλίους ἀφῆκεν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, χίλιοι δὲ συνῆλθον αὐτῷ.

47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

48 ὡς δὲ εἰσῆλθεν Ἰωνάθαν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, ἀπέκλεισαν οἱ Πτολεμαεῖς τὰς πύλας καὶ συνέλαβον αὐτόν, καὶ πάντας τοὺς εἰσελθόντας μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ.

48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they killed with the sword.

49 καὶ ἀπέστειλε Τρύφων δυνάμεις καὶ ἵππον εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ τὸ πεδίον τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀπολέσαι πάντας τοὺς παρὰ Ἰωνάθαν.

49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

50 καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι συνελήφθη Ἰωνάθαν καὶ ἀπόλωλε καὶ οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρεκάλεσαν ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἐπορεύοντο συνεστραμμένοι ἕτοιμοι εἰς πόλεμον.

50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.

51 καὶ εἶδον οἱ διώκοντες ὅτι περὶ ψυχῆς αὐτοῖς ἐστι, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν.

51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

52 καὶ ἦλθον πάντες μετ᾿ εἰρήνης εἰς γῆν Ἰούδα καὶ ἐπένθησαν τὸν Ἰωνάθαν καὶ τοὺς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα· καὶ ἐπένθησε πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ πένθος μέγα.

52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; therefore all Israel made great lamentation.

53 καὶ ἐζήτησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ κύκλῳ αὐτῶν ἐκτρίψαι αὐτούς· εἶπαν γάρ· οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἄρχοντα καὶ βοηθοῦντα· νῦν οὖν πολεμήσωμεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξάρωμεν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν.

53 Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from amongst men.