2 Macabeus 11

1Decorrido algum tempo, Lísias, tutor e parente do rei, regente do reino, sentindo muito pesar pelo que tinha acontecido,

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

2reuniu aproximadamente oitenta mil homens e toda a sua cavalaria e se pôs a caminho contra os judeus. Estava resolvido a transformar Jerusalém numa cidade grega,

2And 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,

3submeter o templo a um imposto semelhante aos dos templos pagãos e oferecer em leilão, a cada ano, a dignidade de sumo sacerdote.

3And 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:

4Sem refletir no poder de Deus, ensoberbecia-se com a multidão de sua infantaria, seus milhares de cavaleiros e oitenta elefantes.

4Not 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.

5Penetrando, pois, na Judeia, aproximou-se de Betsur, que é uma praça forte, a cerca de cinco esquenos das vizinhanças de Jerusalém, e sitiou-a.*

5So 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.

6Logo, porém, que Macabeu e os que estavam com ele souberam que Lísias sitiava suas fortalezas, rogaram ao Senhor, juntamente com o povo, entre gemidos e lágrimas, para que ele se dignasse enviar um bom anjo para salvar Israel.

6Now 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.

7O próprio Maca­beu foi o primeiro a pegar em armas, encorajando os demais a se exporem ao perigo com ele, para socorrer seus irmãos. Atacaram todos com ânimo resoluto.

7Then 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.

8Ainda não se haviam afastado de Jerusalém, quando apareceu diante deles um cavaleiro vestido de branco, empunhando armas de ouro.

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

9Então, bendisseram todos juntos ao Senhor e, repletos de coragem, sentiram-se prontos a transpassar não só os homens, mas os mais ferozes animais e até muralhas de ferro.

9Then 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.

10Marcharam, pois, em ordem de batalha, com esse auxiliar enviado do céu pelo Senhor misericordioso.

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

11Como leões, atiraram-se sobre os inimigos, trucidaram onze mil infantes e seiscentos cavaleiros, e forçaram os demais a fugir.

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

12A maior parte destes, feridos, sem armas, pôs-se a salvo. O próprio Lísias salvou-se, fugindo vergonhosamente.

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

13Mas Lísias era inteligente. Refletiu, pois, na derrota e concluiu que os hebreus eram invencíveis porque o Deus poderoso combatia com eles.

13Who, 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,

14Enviou-lhes uma proposta em condições justas, prometendo-lhes persuadir o rei a tornar-se amigo deles.

14And 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.

15Macabeu aceitou todas as propostas de Lísias, vendo nisso apenas utilidade, porque tudo o que ele mesmo pedira por carta a Lísias em favor dos judeus, o rei concedera.

15Then 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.

16Eis em que termos Lísias escreveu aos judeus:

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

17“Lísias ao povo judeu, saudações! João e Absalão, vossos mensageiros, entregaram-me vossas propostas e rogaram-me que as cumprisse.

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

18Expus, portanto, ao rei tudo o que devia comunicar-lhe, e ele anuiu a tudo o que era possível.

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

19Se vós, pois, permanecerdes nessas boas disposições para com o Estado, continuarei doravante a obter-vos favores.

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

20Eu incumbi vossos mensageiros e os meus de tratarem convosco as cláusulas da proposta e os pormenores.

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

21Passai bem. Ano cento e quarenta e oito, aos vinte e quatro do mês de Dióscoro”.

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

22Era este o conteúdo da carta do rei: “O rei Antíoco a seu irmão Lísias, saudações!

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

23Tendo partido nosso pai para junto dos deuses, desejamos que os povos que pertencem ao nosso reino possam dedicar-se tranquilamente aos seus negócios.

23Since 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.

24Soubemos, no entanto, que os judeus resistem em adotar os costumes helênicos, conforme a decisão de nosso pai, mas preferem conservar suas tradições e pedem que lhes deixemos seus costumes.

24We 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.

25Querendo, pois, que esse povo viva igualmente em paz, decretamos que o templo lhes seja restituí­do e que possam viver segundo as leis de seus antepassados.

25Wherefore 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.

26Farás bem em lhes mandar mensageiros, para concluir a paz com eles, de modo que, conhecendo nossas intenções, fiquem tranquilos e voltem sem receio a seus afazeres”.

26Thou 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.

27Eis a carta do rei ao povo judeu: “O rei Antíoco, ao conselho dos anciãos e aos demais judeus, saudações!

27And 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:

28Fazemos votos de que estejais passando bem. Também nós estamos com boa saúde!

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

29Contou-nos Menelau que desejais retornar aos vossos negócios.

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

30A todos os que vierem para o meio deles até o dia trinta do mês de Xântico, eu estenderei a mão.

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

31Permito também aos judeus que usem seus próprios alimentos e sigam seus costumes, como outrora. Nenhum deles será molestado por transgressões passadas.

31And 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.

32Incumbi Menelau de ir tranquilizar-vos.

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

33Passai bem! Ano cento e quarenta e oito, no dia quinze do mês de Xântico”.

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

34Do mesmo modo, os romanos envia­ram aos judeus uma carta nestes termos: “Quinto Mêmio e Tito Mânio, legados romanos, ao povo judeu, saudações!

34The 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.

35Damos nosso assentimento a tudo o que Lísias, parente do rei, vos outorgou.

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

36Quanto ao que ele julgou necessário submeter ao rei, enviai-nos alguém sem demora, a fim de que, após um exame, possamos falar-lhe de modo mais vantajoso para vós, porque vamos para Antioquia.

36But 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.

37Apressai-vos, pois, em nos enviar mensageiros para que saibamos bem quais são vossos desejos.

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

38Passai bem! Ano cento e quarenta e oito, no dia quinze do mês de Xântico”.

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