1 et rex Antiochus perambulavit superiores regiones
et audivit esse civitatem Elymaidem in Perside nobilissimam
et copiosam in argento et auro
2 templumque in ea locuples valde
et illic velamina aurea et loricae et scuta
quae reliquit Alexander Philippi rex Macedo
qui regnavit primus in Graecia
3 et venit et quaerebat civitatem capere et praedare eam
et non potuit
quoniam innotuit sermo his qui erant in civitate
4 et insurrexerunt in proelium
et fugit inde et abiit cum tristitia magna
et reversus est Babyloniam
5 et venit qui nuntiaret ei in Perside
quia fugata sunt castra quae erant in terra Iuda
6 et quia abiit Lysias cum virtute forti in primis
et fugatus est a facie Iudaeorum
et invaluerunt armis et viribus et spoliis multis
quas ceperunt
7 et quia diruerunt abominationem quam aedificaverat super altare
quod erat in Hierusalem
et sanctificationem sicut prius circumdederunt muris excelsis
sed et Bethsuram civitatem suam
8 et factum est ut audivit rex sermones istos expavit
et commotus est valde
et decidit in lectum et incidit in languorem prae tristitia
quia non est factum sicut cogitabat
9 et erat illic dies multos
quia renovata est in eo tristitia magna et arbitratus est se mori
10 et vocavit omnes amicos suos et dixit illis
recessit somnus ab oculis meis
et concidi et corrui corde prae sollicitudine
11 et dixi in corde meo in quantam tribulationem deveni
et in quos fluctus tristitiae in qua nunc sum
qui iucundus eram et dilectus in potestate mea
12 nunc vero reminiscor malorum quae feci in Hierusalem
unde abstuli omnia spolia argentea et aurea
quae erant in ea
et misi auferri habitantes Iudaeam sine causa
13 cognovi ergo quia propterea invenerunt me mala ista
et ecce pereo tristitia magna in terra aliena
14 et vocavit Philippum unum de amicis suis
et praeposuit eum super universum regnum suum
15 et dedit ei diadema et stolam suam et anulum
ut adduceret Antiochum filium suum et nutriret eum et regnaret
16 et mortuus est illic Antiochus rex
anno centesimo quadragesimo et nono
17 et cognovit Lysias quoniam mortuus est rex
et constituit regnare Antiochum filium eius
quem nutrivit adulescentem
et vocavit nomen eius Eupator
18 et hii qui erant in arce concluserant Israhel in circuitu sanctorum
et quaerebant eis mala semper ad firmamentum gentium
19 et cogitavit Iudas disperdere eos
et convocavit universum populum ut obsiderent eos
20 et coirent simul
et obsederunt eos anno centesimo quinquagesimo
et fecerunt ballistas et machinas
21 et exierunt quidam ex eis qui obsidebantur
et adiunxerunt se illis aliqui ex impiis Israhel
22 et abierunt ad regem et dixerunt
quousque non facies iudicium et vindicas fratres nostros
23 nos decrevimus servire patri tuo
et ambulare in praeceptis eius et obsequi edictis eius
24 et filii populi nostri propter hoc abalienabantur se a
nobis
et quicumque inveniebantur ex nobis interficiebantur
et hereditates nostrae diripiebantur
25 et non ad nos tantum extenderunt manum
sed et in omnes fines nostros
26 et ecce adplicuerunt hodie ad arcem in Hierusalem occupare eam
et munitionem in Bethsuram munierunt
27 et nisi praeveneris eos velocius maiora quam haec facient
nec poteris obtinere eos
28 et iratus est rex ut audivit
et convocavit omnes amicos suos et principes exercitus sui
et eos qui super equites erant
29 sed et de regnis aliis et insulis et maritimis
venerunt ad eum exercitus conducticius
30 et erat numerus exercitus centum milia peditum
et viginti milia equitum
et elefanti triginta duo docti ad proelium
31 et venerunt per Idumeam et adplicuerunt ad Bethsuram
et pugnaverunt dies multos et fecerunt machinas
et exierunt et succenderunt eas igni et pugnaverunt viriliter
32 et recessit Iudas ab arce
et admovit castra ad Bethzacara
contra castra regis
33 et surrexit ante lucem
et concitavit exercitus impetum contra viam Bethzacara
et conparaverunt se exercitus in proelium et tubis cecinerunt
34 et elefantis ostenderunt sanguinem uvae et mori
ad acuendos eos in proelium
35 et diviserunt bestias per legiones
et adstiterunt singulis elefantis mille viri in loricis concatenatis
et galeae aereae in capitibus eorum
et quingenti equites ordinati unicuique bestiae electi erant
36 hii ante tempus ubicumque erat bestia erant
et quocumque ibat ibant non discedebant ab ea
37 sed et turres ligneas super eos firmae protegentes
super singulas bestias
et super eas machinae
et super singulas viri virtutis triginta duo qui pugnabant desuper
et intus magister bestiae
38 et residuum equitatum hinc et inde statuit in duas partes tubis
et exercitum commovere et perurguere
constipati in legionibus eius
39 et ut refulsit sol in clypeos aureos et aereos
resplenduerunt montes ab eis
resplenduerunt sicut lampades ignis
40 et distincta est pars exercitus regis per montes excelsos
et alii per loca humilia
et ibant caute et ordinate
41 et commovebantur omnes inhabitantes a voce multitudinis eorum
et incessu turbae et conlisionis armorum
erat enim exercitus magnus valde et fortis
42 et adpropiavit Iudas et exercitus eius in proelium
et ceciderunt de exercitu regis sescenti viri
43 et vidit Eleazar filius Saura unam de bestiis loricatam loricis regis
et erat eminens super ceteras bestias
et visum est ei quod in ea esset rex
44 et dedit se ut liberaret populum suum
et adquireret sibi nomen aeternum
45 et cucurrit ad eam audaciter in medio legionis
interficiens a dextris et a sinistris
et cadebant ab eo huc et illuc
46 et ivit sub pedes elefanti
et subposuit ei et occidit eum
et cecidit in terram super ipsum et mortuus est illic
47 et videntes virtutem regis et impetum exercitus eius
deverterunt ab eis
48 castra autem regis ascenderunt contra eos in Hierusalem
et adplicuit castra rex ad Iudaeam et montem
Sion
49 et fecit pacem cum his qui erant in Bethsuram
et exierunt de civitate quia non erant eis ibi alimenta conclusis
quia sabbata erant terrae
50 et conprehendit rex Bethsuram
et constituit illic custodiam servare eam
51 et convertit castra ad locum sanctificationis dies multos
et statuit illic ballistas et machinas et ignis iacula
et tormenta ad lapides iactandos et spicula
et scorpios ad mittendas sagittas et fundibula
52 fecerunt autem et ipsi machinas adversus machinas eorum
et pugnaverunt dies multos
53 escae autem non erant in civitate eo quod septimus annus esset
et qui remanserant in Iudaea de gentibus
consumpserant reliquias eorum quae repositae fuerant
54 et remanserunt in sanctis viri pauci quoniam obtinuerat eos fames
et dispersi sunt unusquisque in locum suum
55 et audivit Lysias quod Philippus
quem constituit rex Antiochus cum adhuc viveret
et nutriret Antiochum filium suum ut regnaret
56 et reversus esset a Perside et Media
et exercitus qui abierat cum ipso
et quia quaerit suscipere regni negotia
57 festinavit ire et dicere ad regem et duces exercitus
deficimus cotidie et esca nobis modica est
et locus quem obsidemus est munitus
et incumbit nobis ordinare de regno
58 nunc itaque demus dextras hominibus istis
et faciamus cum illis pacem et cum omni gente eorum
59 et constituamus illis ut ambulent in legitimis suis sicut prius
propter legitima enim ipsorum quae despeximus
irati sunt et fecerunt omnia haec
60 et placuit sermo in conspectu regis et principum
et misit ad eos pacem facere et receperunt illam
61 et iuravit illis rex et principes et exierunt de munitione
62 et intravit rex montem Sion et vidit munitionem loci
et rupit ius iuramenti quod iuravit
et mandavit destruere murum in gyro
63 et discessit festinanter et reversus est Antiochiam
et invenit Philippum dominantem civitati
et pugnavit adversus eum et occupavit civitatem
1 About that time king Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;
2 And that there was in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates, and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned first among the Grecians, had left there.
3 Wherefore he came and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, because they of the city, having had warning thereof,
4 Rose up against him in battle: so he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Babylon.
5 Moreover there came one who brought him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against the land of Judea, were put to flight:
6 And that Lysias, who went forth first with a great power was driven away of the Jews; and that they were made strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had gotten of the armies, whom they had destroyed:
7 Also that they had pulled down the abomination, which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem, and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before, and his city Bethsura.
8 Now when the king heard these words, he was astonished and sore moved: whereupon he laid him down upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he looked for.
9 And there he continued many days: for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die.
10 Wherefore he called for all his friends, and said unto them, The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and my heart faileth for very care.
11 And I thought with myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood of misery is it, wherein now I am! for I was bountiful and beloved in my power.
12 But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause.
13 I perceive therefore that for this cause these troubles are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land.
14 Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler over all his realm,
15 And gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up his son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the kingdom.
16 So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.
17 Now when Lysias knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus his son, whom he had brought up being young, to reign in his stead, and his name he called Eupator.
18 About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the heathen.
19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them.
20 So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.
21 Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:
22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?
23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;
24 For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us: moreover as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.
25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.
26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.
27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.
28 Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.
29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
30 So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.
31 These went through Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and fought valiantly.
32 Upon this Judas removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king’s camp.
33 Then the king rising very early marched fiercely with his host toward Bathzacharias, where his armies made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets.
34 And to the end they might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.
35 Moreover they divided the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they appointed a thousand men, armed with coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads; and beside this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.
36 These were ready at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also, neither departed they from him.
37 And upon the beasts were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of them, and were girt fast unto them with devices: there were also upon every one two and thirty strong men, that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him.
38 As for the remnant of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side at the two parts of the host giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the ranks.
39 Now when the sun shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of fire.
40 So part of the king’s army being spread upon the high mountains, and part on the valleys below, they marched on safely and in order.
41 Wherefore all that heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the rattling of the harness, were moved: for the army was very great and mighty.
42 Then Judas and his host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king’s army six hundred men.
43 Eleazar also, surnamed Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him,
44 Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name:
45 Wherefore he ran upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides.
46 Which done, he crept under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him: whereupon the elephant fell down upon him, and there he died.
47 Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.
48 Then the king’s army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king pitched his tents against Judea, and against mount Sion.
49 But with them that were in Bethsura he made peace: for they came out of the city, because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest to the land.
50 So the king took Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it.
51 As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days: and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.
52 Whereupon they also made engines against their engines, and held them battle a long season.
53 Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, and they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue of the store;)
54 There were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did so prevail against them, that they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place.
55 At that time Lysias heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king,
56 Was returned out of Persia and Media, and the king’s host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of the affairs.
57 Wherefore he went in all haste, and said to the king and the captains of the host and the company, We decay daily, and our victuals are but small, and the place we lay siege unto is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us:
58 Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make peace with them, and with all their nation;
59 And covenant with them, that they shall live after their laws, as they did before: for they are therefore displeased, and have done all these things, because we abolished their laws.
60 So the king and the princes were content: wherefore he sent unto them to make peace; and they accepted thereof.
61 Also the king and the princes made an oath unto them: whereupon they went out of the strong hold.
62 Then the king entered into mount Sion; but when he saw the strength of the place, he broke his oath that he had made, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.
63 Afterward departed he in all haste, and returned unto Antiochia, where he found Philip to be master of the city: so he fought against him, and took the city by force.