2 Maccabees 11

1Shortly afterward, Lysias, who was the king's guardian and kinsman and in charge of the government, was greatly upset at what had happened,

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

2and gathered about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry to come against the Jews. He purposed to make the city a home for Greeks,

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

3to levy taxes on the temple, as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year.

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

4He took no account at all of God's power, but was elated with his countless thousands of infantry and his thousands of cavalry, plus his eighty elephants.

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

5Thus he entered Judea and drew near Beth-zur, a fortified place about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and besieged it.

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

6When Maccabeus and his men heard of this, that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people begged the Lord with lamentations and tears to send a good angel to save Israel.

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

7Maccabeus himself was the first to bear arms, and he pleaded with the others to join with him in risking their lives to go help their brothers. Then they eagerly set out together.

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

8But in that place, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared before them, clothed in white and brandishing a full armor of gold.

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

9Then together they all blessed the merciful God and were strengthened in heart, ready to bring damage not only on humans but on the most savage of beasts or walls of iron.

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

10Because the Lord had mercy on them, they advanced with their weapons, having with them their ally from heaven.

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

11They hurled themselves against the enemy like lions and overthrew eleven thousand of them, as well as sixteen hundred cavalry, and forced all of them to flee.

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

12Most of them escaped, wounded and naked, and Lysias himself escaped by a disgraceful flight.

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

13But as Lysias was not lacking in intelligence, he discussed the loss that had happened to him. He realized the Hebrews were unconquerable, because the Almighty God was their ally.

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

14So he sent a message and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms. Moreover, perhaps he could also persuade the king and compel him to become their friend.

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

15Then Maccabeus agreed to everything Lysias urged, since he was concerned about what was best for all. For whatever Maccabeus gave to Lysias in writing concerning the Jews, the king granted.

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

16Four letters were written to the Jews from Lysias, encompassing the following: 'Lysias to the people of the Jews, greetings.

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

17John and Absalom, who were sent by you, have given us your signed communication and asked about the matters addressed in it.

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

18Accordingly, I reported to the king whatever was necessary to bring him, and he granted whatever was possible.

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

19If you will keep your goodwill toward the government, I will try in the future to promote your welfare.

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

20So in behalf of these things and their details, I have ordered that these men and my representatives confer with you.

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

21Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, the twenty-fourth of Dioscorinthius.'

ἔρρωσθε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Διὸς Κορινθίου τετράδι καὶ εἰκάδι

22Now the king's letters contained the following: 'King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greetings.

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

23Since our father has departed to the gods, we desire the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.

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

24We understand the Jews do not approve of our father's change to Greek customs, but choose their own way of life and ask that their customs be granted them.

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

25Since therefore we prefer for this nation to be free from disturbance, our decision is for their temple to be returned to them and for them to live according to the customs of their forefathers.

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

26Therefore, you will do well to send word to them and give them assurances of friendship, so they may know our policy. Be in good spirits, and continue gladly to help them in their own affairs.'

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

27The king's letter to the nation was as follows: 'King Antiochus to the Jewish senate and the rest of the Jews, greetings.

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

28If you are healthy, this would be as we desire. We are also in good health.

εἰ ἔρρωσθε εἴη ἂν ὡς βουλόμεθα καὶ αὐτοὶ δὲ ὑγιαίνομεν

29Menelaus has told us you wish to return home and attend to your own affairs.

ἐνεφάνισεν ἡμῖν Μενέλαος βούλεσθαι κατελθόντας ὑμᾶς γίνεσθαι πρὸς τοῖς ἰδίοις

30Therefore, those who return home by the thirtieth of Xanthicus will have our pledge of friendship, with freedom from fear,

τοῖς οὖν καταπορευομένοις μέχρι τριακάδος Ξανθικοῦ ὑπάρξει δεξιὰ μετὰ τῆς ἀδείας

31for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws as before; and none of them shall be troubled in any way for things done in ignorance.

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

32I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.

πέπομφα δὲ καὶ τὸν Μενέλαον παρακαλέσοντα ὑμᾶς

33Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.'

ἔρρωσθε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Ξανθικοῦ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ

34The Romans also sent them a letter, which read as follows: 'Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, legates of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.

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

35We also approve of those things concerning which Lysias the kinsman of the king has granted you.

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

36But the matters he decided to report to the king, as soon as you have considered these things, send someone promptly that we may explain what is suitable for you, for we are on our way to Antioch.

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

37For this reason make haste and send someone to let us know your intentions.

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

38Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, the fifteenth of Xanthicus.'

ὑγιαίνετε ἔτους ἑκατοστοῦ τεσσαρακοστοῦ ὀγδόου Ξανθικοῦ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ