1 Not long after this, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure for the things that were done.

1 Sed parvo post tempore, Lysias procurator regis et propinquus, ac negotiorum præpositus, graviter ferens de his quæ acciderant,

2 And 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,

2 congregatis octoginta millibus, et equitatu universo, veniebat adversus Judæos, existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum,

3 And 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:

3 templum vero in pecuniæ quæstum, sicut cetera delubra gentium, habiturum, et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium:

4 Not 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.

4 nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem, sed mente effrenatus in multitudine peditum, et in millibus equitum, et in octoginta elephantis confidebat.

5 So 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.

5 Ingressus autem Judæam, et appropians Bethsuræ, quæ erat in angusto loco, ab Jerosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum, illud præsidium expugnabat.

6 Now 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.

6 Ut autem Machabæus et qui cum eo erant cognoverunt expugnari præsidia, cum fletu et lacrimis rogabant Dominum, et omnis turba simul, ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israël.

7 Then 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.

7 Et ipse primus Machabæus, sumptis armis, ceteros adhortatus est simul secum periculum subire, et ferre auxilium fratribus suis.

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

8 Cumque pariter prompto animo procederent, Jerosolymis apparuit præcedens eos eques in veste candida, armis aureis hastam vibrans.

9 Then 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.

9 Tunc omnes simul benedixerunt misericordem Dominum, et convaluerunt animis: non solum homines, sed et bestias ferocissimas, et muros ferreos parati penetrare.

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

10 Ibant igitur prompti, de cælo habentes adjutorem et miserantem super eos Dominum.

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

11 Leonum autem more impetu irruentes in hostes, prostraverunt ex eis undecim millia peditum, et equitum mille sexcentos:

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

12 universos autem in fugam verterunt, plures autem ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt. Sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit.

13 Who, 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,

13 ¶ Et quia non insensatus erat, secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem, et intelligens invictos esse Hebræos, omnipotentis Dei auxilio innitentes, misit ad eos:

14 And 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.

14 promisitque se consensurum omnibus quæ justa sunt, et regem compulsurum amicum fieri.

15 Then 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.

15 Annuit autem Machabæus precibus Lysiæ, in omnibus utilitati consulens: et quæcumque Machabæus scripsit Lysiæ de Judæis, ea rex concessit.

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

16 Nam erant scriptæ Judæis epistolæ a Lysia quidem hunc modum continentes: Lysias populo Judæorum salutem.

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

17 Joannes et Abesalom, qui missi fuerant a vobis, tradentes scripta, postulabant ut ea quæ per illos significabantur, implerem.

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

18 Quæcumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri, exposui: et quæ res permittebat, concessit.

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

19 Si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis, et deinceps bonorum vobis causa esset, tentabo.

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

20 De ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi et istis, et his, qui a me missi sunt, colloqui vobiscum.

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

21 Bene valete. Anno centesimo, quadragesimo octavo mensis Dioscori, die vigesima et quarta.

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

22 ¶ Regis autem epistola ista continebat: Rex Antiochus Lysiæ fratri salutem.

23 Since 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.

23 Patre nostro inter deos translato, nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere, et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam,

24 We understand also that the Jews would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom 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.

24 audivimus Judæos non consensisse patri meo ut transferrentur ad ritum Græcorum, sed tenere velle suum institutum, ac propterea postulare a nobis concedi sibi legitima sua.

25 Wherefore 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.

25 Volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse, statuentes judicavimus templum restitui illis, ut agerent secundum suorum majorum consuetudinem.

26 Thou 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.

26 Bene igitur feceris, si miseris ad eos et dexteram dederis: ut cognita nostra voluntate, bono animo sint, et utilitatibus propriis deserviant.

27 And 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:

27 ¶ Ad Judæos vero regis epistola talis erat: Rex Antiochus senatui Judæorum, et ceteris Judæis salutem.

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

28 Si valetis, sic estis ut volumus: sed et ipsi bene valemus.

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

29 Adiit nos Menelaus, dicens velle vos descendere ad vestros, qui sunt apud nos.

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

30 His igitur qui commeant usque ad diem trigesimum mensis Xanthici, damus dextras securitatis,

31 And 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.

31 ut Judæi utantur cibis et legibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur de his quæ per ignorantiam gesta sunt.

32 I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.

32 Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

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

33 Valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, Xanthici mensis quintadecima die.

34 The 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.

34 ¶ Miserunt autem etiam Romani epistolam, ita se habentem: Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum, populo Judæorum salutem.

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

35 De his quæ Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis, et nos concessimus.

36 But 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.

36 De quibus autem ad regem judicavit referendum, confestim aliquem mittere, diligentius inter vos conferentes, ut decernamus, sicut congruit vobis: nos enim Antiochiam accedimus.

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

37 Ideoque festinate rescribere, ut nos quoque sciamus cujus estis voluntatis.

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

38 Bene valete. Anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo, quintadecima die mensis Xanthici.