1 sed parvo post tempore
Lysias procurator regis et propinquus ac negotiorum praepositus
graviter ferens de his quae acciderant
2 congregatis octoginta milibus et equitatu universo
veniebat adversus Iudaeos
existimans se civitatem quidem captam gentibus habitaculum facturum
3 templum vero in pecuniae quaestu
sicut cetera delubra gentium habiturum
et per singulos annos venale sacerdotium
4 nusquam recogitans Dei potestatem sed mente effrenatus
in multitudine peditum et in milibus equitum
et in octoginta elefantis confidebat
5 ingressus autem Iudaeam
et adpropians Bethsurae quod erat in angusto loco
ab Hierosolyma intervallo quinque stadiorum
illud praesidium expugnabat
6 ut autem Macchabeus et qui cum eo erant
cognoverunt expugnari praesidia
cum fletu et lacrimis rogabant Dominum et omnis turba simul
ut bonum angelum mitteret ad salutem Israhel
7 et ipse primus Macchabeus sumptis armis ceteros adhortatus est
simul secum periculum subire et ferre auxilium fratribus suis
8 cumque pariter prompto animo procederent Hierosolymis
apparuit praecedens eos eques in veste candida
armis aureis hastam vibrans
9 tum simul omnes benedixerunt
misericordem Dominum
et convaluerunt animis
non solum homines sed et bestias ferocissimas et muros ferreos parati
penetrare
10 ibant igitur prompti
de caelo habentes adiutorem et miserantem eos Dominum
11 leonum autem impetu inruentes hostibus
prostraverunt ex eis undecim milia peditum
et equites mille sescentos
12 universos autem in fugam verterunt
plures vero ex eis vulnerati nudi evaserunt
sed et ipse Lysias turpiter fugiens evasit
13 et quia non insensatus erat
secum ipse reputans factam erga se diminutionem
et intellegens invictos esse Hebraeos
Dei auxilio nitentes
misit ad eos
14 promisitque consensurum se omnibus quae iusta sunt
et regem conpulsurum amicum fieri
15 annuit autem Macchabeus precibus Lysiae
in omnibus utilitati consulens
et quaecumque Macchabeus scripsit Lysiae de Iudaeis
ea rex concessit
16 nam erant scriptae Iudaeis epistulae a Lysia quidem
hunc modum continentes
Lysias populo Iudaeorum salutem
17 Iohannes et Abessalom qui missi sunt a vobis
tradentes scripta postulabant
ut ea quae per illos significabantur implerem
18 quaecumque igitur regi potuerunt perferri exposui
et quae res permittebat concessit
19 si igitur in negotiis fidem conservaveritis etiam deinceps
honorum vobis causa esse temptabo
20 de ceteris autem per singula verbo mandavi
et istis et his qui a me missi sunt conloqui vobiscum
21 bene valete
anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo
dioscori die mensis vicesima et quarta
22 regis autem epistula ista continebat
rex Antiochus Lysiae fratri salutem
23 patre nostro inter deos translato
nos volentes eos qui sunt in regno nostro sine tumultu agere
et rebus suis adhibere diligentiam
24 audivimus Iudaeos non consensisse patri
ut transferrentur ad ritum Graecorum
sed tenere velle suum institutum
ac propterea postulare concedi sibi legitima
sua
25 volentes igitur hanc quoque gentem quietam esse
statuentes iudicavimus templum restitui illis
ut agerent secundum maiorum suorum consuetudinem
26 bene igitur feceris si miseris ad eos et dextram dederis
ut cognita nostra voluntate bono animo sint
et utilitatibus propriis deserviant
27 ad Iudaeos autem regis epistula talis erat
rex Antiochus senatui Iudaeorum et ceteris Iudaeis salutem
28 si valetis sic estis ut volumus
sed et ipsi bene valemus
29 adiit nos Menelaus dicens
velle vos descendere ad vestros qui sunt apud nos
30 his igitur qui commeant usque ad diem tricesimum mensis xandici
damus dextras securitatis
31 ut Iudaei utantur cibis et legibus suis sicut et prius
et nemo eorum ullo modo molestiam patiatur
de his quae per ignorantiam gesta sunt
32 misi autem et Menelaum qui vos adloquatur
33 valete
anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo
xandici mensis quintadecima
34 miserunt autem etiam Romani epistulam ita se habentem
Quintus Memmius et Titus Manilius legati Romanorum populo Iudaeorum salutem
35 de his quae Lysias cognatus regis concessit vobis
et nos concessimus
36 de quibus autem iudicavit referendum
confestim aliquem mittite
diligentius inter vos conferentes
ut decernamus sicut congruit vobis
nos enim Antiochiam accedimus
37 ideoque festinate scribere
ut nos quoque sciamus cuius estis voluntatis 38 bene valete
anno centesimo quadragesimo octavo
quintadecima die mensis xandici
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.
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,
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
8 And as they were at Jerusalem, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armour of gold.
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.
10 Thus they marched forward in their armour, having an helper from heaven: for the Lord was merciful unto them.
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.
12 Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.
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,
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.
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.
16 For there were letters written unto the Jews from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Jews sendeth greeting:
17 John and Absolom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.
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.
19 And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavour to be a means of your good.
20 But of the particulars I have given order both to these and the other that came from me, to commune with you.
21 Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
22 Now the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sendeth greeting:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
28 If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.
29 Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
30 Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthicus with security.
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.
32 I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.
33 Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.
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.
35 Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
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.
37 Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
38 Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthicus.