2 Maccabees 14

1 Μετὰ δὲ τριετῆ χρόνον προσέπεσε τοῖς περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν, Δημήτριον τὸν τοῦ Σελεύκου διὰ τοῦ κατὰ Τρίπολιν λιμένος εἰσπλεύσαντα μετὰ πλήθους ἰσχυροῦ καὶ στόλου,

1 After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,

2 κεκρατηκέναι τῆς χώρας, ἐπανελόμενον Ἀντίοχον καὶ τὸν τούτου ἐπίτροπον Λυσίαν.

2 Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.

3 Ἄλκιμος δέ τις προγενόμενος ἀρχιερεὺς, ἑκουσίως δὲ μεμολυμμένος ἐν τοῖς τῆς ἐπιμιξίας χρόνοις, συννοήσας ὅτι καθʼ ὁντιναοῦν τρόπον οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ σωτηρία, οὐδὲ πρὸς ἅγιον θυσιαστήριον ἔτι πρόσοδος,

3 Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,

4 ἧκε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Δημήτριον πρώτῳ καὶ πεντηκοστῷ καὶ ἑκατοστῷ ἔτει, προσάγων αὐτῷ στέφανον χρυσοῦν καὶ φοίνικα, πρὸς δὲ τούτοις τῶν νομιζομένων θαλλῶν τοῦ ἱεροῦ· καὶ τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἡσυχίαν ἔσχε.

4 Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fifties year, presenting to him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.

5 Καιρὸν δὲ λαβὼν τῆς ἰδίας ἀνοίας συνεργὸν, προσκληθεὶς εἰς συνέδριον ὑπὸ τοῦ Δημητρίου, καὶ ἐπερωτηθεὶς ἐν τίνι διαθέσει καὶ βουλῇ καθεστήκασιν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, πρὸς ταῦτα ἔφη,

5 Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereto:

6 οἱ λεγόμενοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων Ἀσιδαῖοι, ὧν ἀφηγεῖται Ἰούδας ὁ Μακκαβαῖος, πολεμοτροφοῦσι καὶ στασιάζουσιν, οὐκ ἐῶντες τὴν βασιλείαν εὐσταθείας τυχεῖν.

6 Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.

7 Ὅθεν ἀφελόμενος τὴν προγονικὴν δόξαν, λέγω δὴ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην, δεῦρο νῦν ἐλήλυθα.

7 Therefore I, being deprived of my ancestors' honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come here:

8 Πρῶτον μὲν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀνηκόντων τῷ βασιλεῖ γνησίως φρονῶν, δεύτερον δὲ καὶ τῶν ἰδίων πολιτῶν στοχαζόμενος· τῇ μὲν γὰρ τῶν προειρημένων ἀλογιστίᾳ τὸ σύμπαν ἡμῶν γένος οὐ μικρῶς ἀκληρεῖ.

8 First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of my own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforesaid.

9 Ἕκαστα δὲ τούτων ἐπεγνωκὼς σὺ βασιλεῦ, καὶ τῆς χώρας καὶ τοῦ περιϊσταμένου γένους ἡμῶν προνοήθητι, καθʼ ἣν ἔχεις πρὸς ἅπαντας εὐαπάντητον φιλανθρωπίαν.

9 Therefore, O king, seeing know all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that you readily show to all.

10 Ἄχρι γὰρ Ἰούδας περίεστιν, ἀδύνατον εἰρήνης τυχεῖν τὰ πράγματα.

10 For as long as Judas lives, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.

11 Τοιούτων δὲ ῥηθέντων ὑπὸ τούτου, θᾶττον οἱ λοιποὶ φίλοι δυσμενῶς ἔχοντες τὰ πρὸς τὸν Ἰούδαν προσεπύρωσαν τὸν Δημήτριον.

11 This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.

12 Προσκαλεσάμενος δὲ εὐθέως Νικάνορα τὸν γενόμενον ἐλεφαντάρχην, καὶ στρατηγὸν ἀναδείξας τῆς Ἰουδαίας, ἐξαπέστειλε,

12 And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,

13 δοὺς ἐντολὰς, αὐτὸν μὲν τὸν Ἰούδαν ἐπανελέσθαι, τοὺς δὲ σὺν αὐτῷ σκορπίσαι, καταστῆσαι δὲ Ἄλκιμον ἀρχιερέα τοῦ μεγίστου ἱεροῦ.

13 Commanding him to kill Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.

14 Τὰ δὲ ἐκ τῆς Ἰουδαίας πεφυγαδευκότα τὸν Ἰούδαν ἔθνη συνέμισγον ἀγεληδὸν τῷ Νικάνορι, τὰς τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἀτυχίας καὶ συμφορὰς, ἰδίας εὐημερίας δοκοῦντες ἔσεσθαι.

14 Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.

15 Ἀκούσαντες δὲ τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος ἔφοδον καὶ τὴν ἐπίθεσιν τῶν ἐθνῶν, καταπασάμενοι γῆν ἐλιτάνευον τὸν ἄχρι αἰῶνος συστήσαντα τὸν ἑαυτοῦ λαὸν, ἀεὶ δὲ μετʼ ἐπιφανείας ἀντιλαμβανόμενον τῆς ἑαυτοῦ μερίδος.

15 Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helps his portion with manifestation of his presence.

16 Προστάξαντος δὲ τοῦ ἡγουμένου, ἐκεῖθεν εὐθέως ἀνέζευξαν, καὶ συμμίσγουσιν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ κώμην Δεσσαού.

16 So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near to them at the town of Dessau.

17 Σίμων δὲ ὁ ἀδελφὸς Ἰούδα συμβεβληκῶς ἦν τῷ Νικάνορι, βραχέως δὲ διὰ τὴν αἰφνίδιον τῶν ἀντιπάλων ἀφασίαν ἐπταικώς.

17 Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.

18 Ὅμως δὲ ἀκούων ὁ Νικάνωρ ἣν εἶχον οἱ περὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν ἀνδραγαθίαν, καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὑπὲρ τῆς πατρίδος ἀγῶσιν εὐψυχίαν, ἐπευλαβεῖτο τὴν κρίσιν διʼ αἱμάτων ποιήσασθαι·

18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, dared not try the matter by the sword.

19 Διόπερ ἔπεμψε Ποσιδώνιον καὶ Θεόδοτον καὶ Ματταθίαν, δοῦναι καὶ λαβεῖν δεξιάς.

19 Therefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.

20 Πλείονος δὲ γενομένης περὶ τούτων ἐπισκέψεως, καὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος τοῖς πλήθεσιν ἀνακοινωσαμένου, καὶ φανείσης ὁμοψήφου γνώμης, ἐπένευσαν ταῖς συνθήκαις.

20 So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,

21 Ἐτάξαντο δὲ ἡμέραν ἐν ᾗ κατʼ ἰδίαν ἥξουσιν εἰς τὸ αὐτό· καὶ προῆλθε, καὶ παρʼ ἑκάστου διαφόρους ἔθεσαν δίφρους.

21 And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,

22 Διέταξεν Ἰούδας ἐνόπλους ἑτοίμους ἐν τοῖς ἐπικαίροις τόποις, μήποτε ἐκ τῶν πολεμίων αἰφνιδίως κακουργία γένηται· τὴν ἁρμόζουσαν ἐποιήσαντο κοινολογίαν.

22 Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceful conference.

23 Διέτριβεν δὲ ὁ Νικάνωρ ἐν Ἱεροσολύμοις, καὶ ἔπραττεν οὐθὲν ἄτοπον· τοὺς δὲ συναχθέντας ἀγελαίους ὄχλους ἀπέλυσε.

23 Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking to him.

24 Καὶ εἶχε τὸν Ἰούδαν διαπαντὸς ἐν προσώπῳ, ψυχικῶς τῷ ἀνδρὶ προσεκέκλιτο.

24 And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he love the man from his heart

25 Παρεκάλεσεν αὐτὸν γῆμαι καὶ παιδοποιήσασθαι· ἐγάμησεν, εὐστάθησεν, ἐκοινώνησε βίου.

25 He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.

26 Ὁ δὲ Ἄλκιμος συνιδὼν τὴν πρὸς ἀλλήλους εὔνοιαν καὶ τὰς γενομένας συνθήκας, ἀναλαβὼν, ἧκε πρὸς τὸν Δημήτριον, καὶ ἔλεγε τὸν Νικάνορα ἀλλότρια φρονεῖν τῶν πραγμάτων· τὸν γὰρ ἐπίβουλον τῆς βασιλείας Ἰούδαν διάδοχον ἀναδέδειχεν ἑαυτοῦ.

26 But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was between them, and considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected towards the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king's successor.

27 Ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἔκθυμος γενόμενος, καὶ ταῖς τοῦ παμπονήρου ἐρεθισθεὶς διαβολαῖς, ἔγραψε Νικάνορι φάσκων, ὑπὲρ μὲν τῶν συνθηκῶν βαρέως φέρειν, κελεύων δὲ τὸν Μακκαβαῖον δέσμιον ἐξαποστέλλειν ταχέως εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν.

27 Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.

28 Προσπεσόντων δὲ τούτων τῷ Νικάνορι, συνεκέχυτο καὶ δυσφόρως ἔφερεν, εἰ τὰ διεσταλμένα ἀθετήσει μηδὲν τʼ ἀνδρὸς ἠδικηκότος.

28 When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.

29 Ἐπεὶ δὲ τῷ βασιλεῖ ἀντιπράττειν οὐκ ἦν, εὔκαιρον ἐτήρει στρατηγήματι τοῦτʼ ἐπιτελέσαι.

29 But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.

30 Ὁ δὲ Μακκαβαῖος αὐστηρότερον διεξάγοντα συνιδὼν τὸν Νικάνορα πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ τὴν εἰθισμένην ἀπάντησιν ἀγριωτέραν ἐσχηκότα, νοήσας οὐκ ἀπὸ τοῦ βελτίστου τὴν αὐστηρίαν εἶναι, συστρέψας οὐκ ὀλίγους τῶν περὶ ἑαυτὸν, συνεκρύπτετο τὸν Νικάνορα.

30 Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish to him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.

31 Συγγνοὺς δὲ ὁ ἕτερος ὅτι γενναίως ὑπὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἐστρατήγηται, παραγενόμενος ἐπὶ τὸ μέγιστον καὶ ἅγιον ἱερὸν, τῶν ἱερέων τὰς καθηκούσας θυσίας προσαγόντων, ἐκέλευσε παραδιδόναι τὸν ἄνδρα.

31 But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas' policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

32 Τῶν δὲ μεθʼ ὅρκων φασκόντων μὴ γινώσκειν ποῦ ποτʼ ἐστὶν ὁ ζητούμενος,

32 And when they swore that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,

33 προτείνας τὴν δεξιὰν εἰς τὸν νεὼν, ταῦτα ὤμοσεν, ἐὰν μὴ δέσμιόν μοι τὸν Ἰούδαν παραδῶτε, τόνδε τοῦ Θεοῦ σηκὸν εἰς πεδίον ποιήσω, καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κατασκάφω, καὶ ἱερὸν ἐνταῦθα τῷ Διονύσῳ ἐπιφανὲς ἀναστήσω.

33 He stretched out his right hand towards the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If you⌃ will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple to Bacchus.

34 Τοσαῦτα δὲ εἰπὼν ἀπῆλθεν· οἱ δὲ ἱερεῖς προτείναντες τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, ἐπεκαλοῦντο τὸν διαπαντὸς ὑπέρμαχον τοῦ ἔθνους ἡμῶν, ταῦτα λέγοντες,

34 After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands towards heaven, and implored him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;

35 σὺ, Κύριε, τῶν ὅλων ἀπροσδεὴς ὑπάρχων, εὐδόκησας ναὸν τῆς σῆς κατασκηνώσεως ἐν ἡμῖν γενέσθαι.

35 You, O Lord of all things, who have need of nothing, was pleased that the temple of your habitation should be amongst us:

36 Καὶ νῦν, ἅγιε παντὸς ἁγιασμοῦ Κύριε διατήρησον εἰς αἰῶνα ἀμίαντον τόνδε τὸν προσφάτως κεκαθαρισμένον οἶκον.

36 Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.

37 Ῥαζὶς δέ τις τῶν ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων πρεσβυτέρων, ἐμηνύθη τῷ Νικάνορι, ἀνὴρ φιλοπολίτης καὶ σφόδρα καλῶς ἀκούων, καὶ κατὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν πατὴρ τῶν Ἰουδαίων προσαγορευόμενος.

37 Now was there accused to Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.

38 Ἦν γὰρ ἐν τοῖς ἔμπροσθεν χρόνοις τῆς ἀμιξίας κρίσιν εἰσενηνεγμένος Ἰουδαϊσμοῦ, καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἰουδαϊσμοῦ παραβεβλημένος μετὰ πάσης ἐκτενίας.

38 For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.

39 Βουλόμενος δὲ Νικάνωρ πρόδηλον ποιῆσαι ἣν εἶχε πρὸς τοὺς Ἰουδαίους δυσμένειαν, ἀπέστειλε στρατιώτας ὑπὲρ τοὺς πεντακοσίους συλλαβεῖν αὐτόν.

39 So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare to the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him:

40 Ἔδοξε γὰρ, ἐκεῖνον συλλαβὼν, τούτοις ἐργάσασθαι συμφοράν,

40 For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.

41 Τῶν δὲ πληθῶν μελλόντων τὸν πύργον καταλαβέσθαι, καὶ τὴν αὐλαίαν θύραν βιαζομένων, καὶ κελευόντων πῦρ προσάγειν καὶ τὰς θύρας ὑφάπτειν, περικατάληπτος γενόμενος ὑπέθηκεν ἑαυτῷ ξίφος,

41 Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword;

42 εὐγενῶς θέλων ἀποθανεῖν, ἤπερ τοῖς ἀλιτηρίοις ὑποχείριος γενέσθαι, καὶ τῆς ἰδίας εὐγενείας ἀναξίως ὑβρισθῆναι.

42 Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:

43 Τῇ δὲ πληγῇ μὴ κατευθικτήσας διὰ τὴν τοῦ ἀγῶνος σπουδὴν, καὶ τῶν ὄχλων εἴσω τῶν θυρωμάτων εἰσβαλόντων, ἀναδραμὼν γενναίως ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος, κατεκρήμνισεν ἑαυτὸν ἀνδρείως εἰς τοὺς ὄχλους.

43 But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully amongst the thickest of them.

44 Τῶν δὲ ταχέως ἀναποδισάντων, γενομένου διαστήματος ἦλθε κατὰ μέσον τὸν κενεῶνα.

44 But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.

45 Ἔτι δὲ ἔμπνους ὑπάρχων καὶ πεπυρωμένος τοῖς θυμοῖς, ἐξαναστὰς φερομένων κρουνηδὸν τῶν αἱμάτων, καὶ δυσχερῶν ὄντων τῶν τραυμάτων, δρόμῳ τοὺς ὄχλους διελθὼν, καὶ στὰς ἐπί τινος πέτρας ἀποῤῥωγάδος,

45 Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,

46 παντελῶς ἔξαιμος ἤδη γενόμενος, προβαλὼν τὰ ἔντερα, καὶ λαβὼν ἑκατέραις ταῖς χερσὶν, ἐνέσεισε τοῖς ὄχλοις· καὶ ἐπικαλεσάμενος τὸν δεσπόζοντα τῆς ζωῆς καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος, ταῦτα αὐτῷ πάλιν ἀποδοῦναι, τόνδε τὸν τρόπον μετήλλαξεν.

46 When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.