Nicanor autem, ut comperit Judam esse in locis Samariæ, cogitavit cum omni impetu die sabbati committere bellum.

When Nicanor was told, Judas was in the Samaritan country, he would have pressed home the attack against him, there and then, on the sabbath day.

But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence on the sabbath day.

Judæis vero qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus: Ne ita ferociter et barbare feceris, sed honorem tribue diei sanctificationis, et honora eum qui universa conspicit:

But the Jews gainsaid him; for there were Jews that fought, unwillingly enough, under his orders. What, said they, wouldst thou fight beast-fashion, without mercy? This holy day respect thou needs must, in his honour that is God all-seeing.

And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is sanctified: and reverence him that beholdeth all things:

ille infelix interrogavit si est potens in cælo, qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum.

Why, where is he then, said the impious wretch, this God who would have sabbath kept? In the heavens?

That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.

Et respondentibus illis: Est Dominus vivus ipse in cælo potens, qui jussit agi septimam diem:

In heaven he is, sure enough, they answered, the living Lord our master, that gave orders the seventh day should be observed.

And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept,

at ille ait: Et ego potens sum super terram qui impero sumi arma, et negotia regis impleri. Tamen non obtinuit ut consilium perficeret.

So be it, said he, and I am your master on earth, and my orders are, To arms, and despatch the king’s business! Yet carry out his design they would not.

Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king’s business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to accomplish his design.

Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia erectus, cogitaverat commune trophæum statuere de Juda.

Such an empty braggart was this Nicanor, he thought to make a single victory of it, over all the Jews at once;

So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.

Machabæus autem semper confidebat cum omni spe auxilium sibi a Deo affuturum:

Machabaeus on his side kept ever his confidence, yet with the sure hope, God would bring him aid.

But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help them.

et hortabatur suos ne formidarent ad adventum nationum, sed in mente haberent adjutoria sibi facta de cælo, et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam.

And for his men he had the same encouragement; let them never be daunted by the onslaught of the heathen, but rather bethink them of heaven’s mercies in time past, and look to God Omnipotent for victory.

And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations, but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now to hope for victory from the Almighty.

Et allocutus eos de lege et prophetis, admonens etiam certamina quæ fecerant prius, promptiores constituit eos:

Of the law and the prophets he spoke to them, and reminded them of their old battles, till all were eager for the fight;

And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made them more cheerful:

et ita animis eorum erectis simul ostendebat gentium fallaciam, et juramentorum prævaricationem.

nor was it enough to arouse their ardour; he shewed them, too, how treacherous the heathen had proved, and how forsworn.

Then after he had encouraged them, he shewed withal the falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.

Singulos autem illorum armavit, non clypei et hastæ munitione, sed sermonibus optimis et exhortationibus, exposito digno fide somnio, per quod universos lætificavit.

Thus it was his care to arm them, not with shield or spear for their defence, but with excellent words of good cheer.A dream of his he told them, most worthy of credence, that brought comfort to one and all.

So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and spear, but with very good speeches and exhortations, and told them a dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.

Erat autem hujuscemodi visus: Oniam, qui fuerat summus sacerdos, virum bonum et benignum, verecundum visu, modestum moribus, et eloquio decorum, et qui a puero in virtutibus exercitatus sit, manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Judæorum.

And what saw he? Onias, that had once been high priest, appeared to him; an excellent good man this, modest of mien, courteous, well-spoken, and from his boyhood schooled in all the virtues. With hands outstretched, he stood there praying for the Jewish folk.

Now the vision was in this manner: Onias who had been high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his manners, and graceful in his speech, and who from a child was exercised in virtues, holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:

Post hoc apparuisse et alium virum ætate et gloria mirabilem, et magni decoris habitudine circa illum.

Then he was ware of another, a man of great age and reverence, nothing about him but was most worshipful;

After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:

Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse: Hic est fratrum amator, et populi Israël: hic est qui multum orat pro populo et universa sancta civitate, Jeremias propheta Dei.

who this might be, Onias told him forthwith: Here is one that loves our brethren, the people of Israel, well; one that for Israel and for every stone of the holy city prays much; God’s prophet Jeremias.

Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremias the prophet of God.

Extendisse autem Jeremiam dextram, et dedisse Judæ gladium aureum, dicentem:

And with that, Jeremias reached forward to Judas, and gave him a golden sword;

Whereupon Jeremias stretched forth his right hand, and gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:

Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo, in quo dejicies adversarios populi mei Israël.

This holy sword take thou, he said, God’s gift; this wielding, all the enemies of my people Israel thou shalt lay low.

Take this holy sword a gift from God, wherewith thou shalt overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.

Exhortati itaque Judæ sermonibus bonis valde, de quibus extolli posset impetus, et animi juvenum confortari, statuerunt dimicare et confligere fortiter: ut virtus de negotiis judicaret, eo quod civitas sancta et templum periclitarentur.

A most noble harangue, and one very apt to rouse the emulation of his followers, and to stiffen their courage. No wonder if they resolved they would put it to the touch, and manfully engage the enemy; valour should decide all. Was not the holy city, was not the temple itself in jeopardy?

Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully: that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city and the temple were in danger.

Erat enim pro uxoribus et filiis, itemque pro fratribus et cognatis, minor sollicitudo: maximus vero et primus pro sanctitate timor erat templi.

For wives and children, for brethren and kindred, their concern was less; of the perils they dreaded, profanation of the temple was first and foremost.

For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolks: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple.

Sed et eos qui in civitate erant, non minima sollicitudo habebat pro his qui congressuri erant.

And what of those who were left in the city? No common anxiety they felt for these others that were going into battle.

And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for them that were to be engaged in battle.

Et cum jam omnes sperarent judicium futurum, hostesque adessent atque exercitus esset ordinatus, bestiæ equitesque opportuno in loco compositi,

Now was the hour of decision; the enemy was at the gates, drawn up in full array; here were the elephants, here was the cavalry, posted at points of vantage.

And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the horsemen ranged in convenient places,

considerans Machabæus adventum multitudinis, et apparatum varium armorum, et ferocitatem bestiarum, extendens manus in cælum, prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit, qui non secundum armorum potentiam, sed prout ipsi placet, dat dignis victoriam.

Judas, when he saw the number of his assailants, how manifold were their appointments, how fierce the temper of the beasts, was fain to lift hands heavenward, and to the Lord make his appeal; the Lord, that is wondrous in his doings, and at his own pleasure crowns right, not might, with victory.

Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that worketh wonders, who giveth victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of their arms, but according as it seemeth good to him.

Dixit autem invocans hoc modo: Tu Domine, qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Juda, et interfecisti de castris Sennacherib centum octoginta quinque millia:

And this was the manner of his praying: Lord, in the days of Ezechias thou didst send thy angel, and take toll of a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of Sennacherib!

And in his prayer he said after this manner: Thou, O Lord, who didst send thy angel in the time of Ezechias king of Juda, and didst kill a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:

et nunc, dominator cælorum, mitte angelum tuum bonum ante nos in timore et tremore magnitudinis brachii tui,

Ruler of heaven, some friendly angel of thine this day escort us; dread and dismay let thy outstretched hand inspire,

Send now also, O Lord of heaven, thy good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of thy arm,

ut metuant qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum. Et hic quidem ita peroravit.

to the confusion of yonder blasphemers that levy war on thy holy people! And so he brought his prayer to an end.

That they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against thy holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.

Nicanor autem et qui cum ipso erant, cum tubis et canticis admovebant.

By this, Nicanor’s army was coming forward to the attack, with blowing of trumpets and with songs of battle.

But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with trumpets and songs.

Judas vero et qui cum eo erant, invocato Deo, per orationes congressi sunt:

But Judas and his company went to meet them calling still upon God for his succour;

But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them, calling upon God by prayers:

manu quidem pugnantes, sed Dominum cordibus orantes, prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque millia, præsentia Dei magnifice delectati.

and ever while hand fought, heart prayed. Such joy had they of God’s present assistance, they cut down a full thirty-five thousand of the enemy;

So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God.

Cumque cessassent, et cum gaudio redirent, cognoverunt Nicanorem ruisse cum armis suis.

when they let be, and returned in triumph from the pursuit, news greeted them Nicanor himself had armed for the fight, and lay there dead.

And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.

Facto itaque clamore, et perturbatione excitata, patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant.

What a cry was then raised, what a stir, what hymns they sang, in the speech of their own country, to God Omnipotent!

Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the Almighty Lord in their own language.

Præcepit autem Judas, qui per omnia corpore et animo mori pro civibus paratus erat, caput Nicanoris, et manum cum humero abscissam, Jerosolymam perferri.

And Judas? Not for nothing had he devoted body and soul, this long while, to the service of his fellow countrymen! Nicanor’s head, and one of his arms cut off from the shoulder downwards, he bade them carry to Jerusalem;

And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor’s head, and his hand with the shoulder should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.

Quo cum pervenisset, convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus ad altare, accersiit et eos qui in arce erant.

and there he called the tribesmen together, ranged the priests about the altar, and sent his summons to the heathen that garrisoned the citadel.

And when he was come thither, having called together his countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castle,

Et ostenso capite Nicanoris, et manu nefaria quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est.

Head and hand he shewed them of the godless Nicanor, the hand that was stretched out so boastfully against the holy temple of the Almighty,

And shewing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the Almighty God,

Linguam etiam impii Nicanoris præcisam jussit particulatim avibus dari: manum autem dementis contra templum suspendi.

bidding them cut the blaspheming tongue in pieces and cast it to the birds, nail the rash hand to the temple’s face.

He commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor, should be cut out and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple.

Omnes igitur cæli benedixerunt Dominum, dicentes: Benedictus qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit.

None but praised the Lord of heaven at the sight; Blessed be the Lord, they cried, that has kept his house undefiled still!

Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that hath kept his own place undefiled.

Suspendit autem Nicanoris caput in summa arce, ut evidens esset, et manifestum signum auxilii Dei.

As for Nicanor’s head, Judas hung it at the top of the citadel, to be a clear and evident token, how God gives aid.

And he hung up Nicanor’s head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.

Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate præterire:

And all with one consent made a decree, never should that day pass unobserved;

And they all ordained by a common decree, by no means to let this day pass without solemnity:

habere autem celebritatem tertiadecima die mensis Adar, quod dicitur voce syriaca, pridie Mardochæi diei.

they would keep holiday on the thirteenth of the Syrian month Adar, which is the eve of Mardochaeus’ feast.

But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called, in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias’ day.

Igitur his erga Nicanorem gestis, et ex illis temporibus ab Hebræis civitate possessa, ego quoque in his faciam finem sermonis.

Such was the history of Nicanor; and since that time the city has been in Jewish possession. Here, then, I will make an end of writing;

So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my narration.

Et si quidem bene, et ut historiæ competit, hoc et ipse velim: sin autem minus digne, concedendum est mihi.

if it has been done workmanly, and in historian’s fashion, none better pleased than I; if it is of little merit, I must be humoured none the less.

Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.

Sicut enim vinum semper bibere, aut semper aquam, contrarium est; alternis autem uti, delectabile: ita legentibus si semper exactus sit sermo, non erit gratus. Hic ergo erit consummatus.

Nothing but wine to take, nothing but water, thy health forbids; vary thy drinking, and thou shalt find content. So it is with reading; if the book be too nicely polished at every point, it grows wearisome. So here we will have done with it.

For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers. But here it shall be ended.