A short time after this Lysias the king’s lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,

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

It was but a short respite they had; Lysias, a kinsman of Antiochus that was regent and managed his affairs for him, was not a little concerned over these happenings,

Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:

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

and he marched on Judaea at the head of eighty thousand men, with all the cavalry he could muster. Here was a city worth the capture, for Gentile folk to dwell in;

And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:

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

here was a temple that would yield a fine spoil, as temples did everywhere; a priesthood, too, that might be put up for sale year after year.

Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.

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

Of all this he bethought him, never of God’s avenging power; blindly he trusted in his foot-soldiers by the ten thousand, his horsemen by the thousand, in his elephants that numbered four score.

So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.

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

Upon marching into Judaea he first reached Bethsura, that stood in a narrow pass five furlongs away from Jerusalem, and laid siege to the citadel of it.

But when Machabeus and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.

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.

What did Machabaeus and his fellows, when they learned that the siege of the fortress was already begun? Most piteously they besought the Lord, amid the tears of a whole populace, a gracious angel he would send out for Israel’s deliverance.

Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.

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

Then they armed for battle, Machabaeus himself the first of all, as he summoned the rest to share with him the hour of danger, for the relief of their brethren.

And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusalem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.

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

So, in good heart, they set out together, and before they left Jerusalem a vision came to them; of a rider that went before them in white array, with armour of gold, brandishing his spear.

Then they all together blessed the merciful Lord, and took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, and walls of iron.

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

How they blessed God’s mercy, all of them, at the sight! How their courage rose, a match for all it should encounter, men or wild beast or walls of iron!

So they went on courageously, having a helper from heaven, and the Lord who shewed mercy to them.

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

They marched on, ready for battle, sure now of a heavenly champion, and of the Lord’s favour;

And rushing violently upon the enemy, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand six hundred horsemen:

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

and when they charged the enemy, they were very lions for valour. At their onslaught, fell eleven thousand of the foot, fell a thousand and six hundred of the horse;

And put all the rest to flight: and many of them being wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.

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

and the whole army took to its heels, for the most part wounded and disarmed; Lysias himself, ingloriously enough, turned and fled.

And as he was a man of understanding, considering with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:

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

Yet good sense he lacked not; great loss he had sustained, and, let the Hebrews continue to rely for aid upon divine Omnipotence, he saw there was no conquering them. So he wrote,

And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.

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

offering to conclude honourable terms with them, and secure them the king’s friendship.

Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common good in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.

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

As for Machabaeus, he consented to what Lysias asked, having no thought but for the common good; and the written terms he proposed to Lysias in the Jewish people’s name received the royal assent.

For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.

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

The letter sent to the Jews by Lysias was after this manner: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, all health!

John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.

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

Your envoys, John and Abesalom, handed me a written petition, and desired that I would give effect to the terms of it.

Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.

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

All that needed to be known, I have made clear to the king’s grace, and he has granted what grant he could.

If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.

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

Doubt not I will be a good suitor in your cause hereafter, so you abide loyal to the king’s interest.

But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.

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

Meanwhile I have given a verbal message to your envoys and mine, which they will impart to you.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.

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

Farewell. Given on this twenty-fourth day of Dioscorus, in the hundred and forty-eighth year.

But the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.

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

And of the king’s own letter, the tenour was this: King Antiochus, to his good cousin Lysias, all health!

Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns,

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

Now that our father has found his place among the gods, it is for us to see that our subjects live at peace, and go quietly about their business.

And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.

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.

But of one nation, the Jews, we hear that they resisted our father’s will, who would have had them conform to the Greek way of living; to their own tradition they hold fast, and their plea is, we should grant them the enjoyment of their rights in the matter.

Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.

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

And whereas we would have this nation live peaceably like the rest, we enact and decree that their temple should be restored to them, and that they should follow the custom of their forefathers.

Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.

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

Do us the kindness, then, to send word and give them assurance of this; our will made known, let them take heart, and order their own affairs contentedly.

But the king’s letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.

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

To the Jews themselves the king wrote as follows: King Antiochus, to the elders and people of the Jews, all health!

If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves also are well.

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

Thrive you as well as ourselves, we are well content.

Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.

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

Menelaus has brought us word, you would fain have free intercourse with the men of your race who dwell in these parts;

We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,

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

and we hereby grant safe conduct to all of you that would travel here, up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus …

That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws as before, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.

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

That the Jewish folk may eat what food they will, use what laws they will, according to their ancient custom; and if aught has been done amiss through inadvertence, none of them, for that cause, shall be molested.

And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.

Misimus autem et Menelaum, qui vos alloquatur.

We are sending Menelaus besides, to give a charge to you.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

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

Farewell. Given on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus, in the hundred and forty-eighth year.

The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.

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

The Romans, too, wrote to them after the manner following; Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, envoys of Rome, to the Jewish people, all health!

Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted you, we also have granted.

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

The privileges Lysias has granted you in the name of his royal cousin, we hereby ratify.

But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.

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

Other matters he has remitted to the king’s decision; take counsel among yourselves, and let us know at once what your mind is, if you would have us order all to your liking. Even now we are on the road to Antioch;

And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.

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

write speedily, to let us know how you are minded.

Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

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

Farewell. Given on the twenty-fifth day of Xanthicus, in the hundred and forty-eighth year.