2 Macabeus 14

1Três anos depois, Judas soube que Demétrio, filho de Selêuco, tendo entrado pelo porto de Trípoli com grande exército e frota,

1After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,

2se apoderara do país e matara Antíoco e Lísias, seu tutor.

2Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.

3Ora, um certo Alcimo, que fora sumo sacerdote e se contaminara voluntariamente no tempo da mistura com os gentios, vendo que de modo algum podia salvar-se nem ter mais acesso ao santo altar,

3Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,

4foi ter com o rei Demétrio no ano cento e cinquenta e um, oferecendo-lhe uma coroa de ouro e uma palma, e também dos ramos que se usavam solenemente no templo; e naquele dia ficou calado.

4Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.

5Mas, achando ocasião para levar adiante o seu louco intento, e sendo chamado ao conselho por Demétrio e interrogado sobre a disposição e os intentos dos judeus, respondeu:

5Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto:

6Aqueles dos judeus que se chamam assideus, cujo chefe é Judas Macabeu, alimentam a guerra e são sediciosos, e não deixam o reino ficar em paz.

6Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.

7Por isso eu, privado da honra de meus antepassados, isto é, do sumo sacerdócio, vim agora aqui,

7Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors’ honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:

8primeiro, pelo sincero cuidado que tenho das coisas que dizem respeito ao rei, e, em segundo lugar, porque procuro o bem dos meus concidadãos; pois toda a nossa nação está em não pequena miséria pela imprudência dos acima mencionados.

8First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforesaid.

9Portanto, ó rei, visto que conheces todas estas coisas, cuida do país e da nossa nação, oprimida por todos os lados, segundo a clemência que prontamente mostras a todos.

9Wherefore, O king, seeing knowest all these things, be careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest unto all.

10Pois, enquanto Judas viver, é impossível que o estado fique em paz.

10For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.

11Mal disse ele isto, os outros amigos do rei, hostis a Judas, inflamaram ainda mais Demétrio.

11This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king’s friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.

12E logo, chamando Nicanor, que fora comandante dos elefantes, e fazendo-o governador da Judeia, enviou-o,

12And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him forth,

13ordenando-lhe que matasse Judas, e dispersasse os que estavam com ele, e fizesse Alcimo sumo sacerdote do grande templo.

13Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.

14Então os gentios que haviam fugido da Judeia diante de Judas vieram em bandos juntar-se a Nicanor, julgando que as desgraças e calamidades dos judeus seriam a sua prosperidade.

14Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.

15Quando os judeus souberam da vinda de Nicanor e de que os gentios se haviam levantado contra eles, espalharam terra sobre as cabeças e suplicaram àquele que estabelecera o seu povo para sempre e que sempre socorre a sua porção com manifestações da sua presença.

15Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s coming, and that the heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had established his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.

16Então, à ordem do chefe, partiram logo dali e se aproximaram deles junto à aldeia de Dessau.

16So at the commandment of the captain they removed straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of Dessau.

17Ora, Simão, irmão de Judas, travara combate com Nicanor, mas sofreu um pequeno revés pelo súbito silêncio dos inimigos.

17Now Simon, Judas’ brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his enemies.

18Contudo, Nicanor, ouvindo falar da valentia dos que estavam com Judas e da coragem com que pelejavam pela pátria, não ousou decidir a questão pela espada.

18Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword.

19Por isso enviou Posidônio, Teódoto e Matatias para fazer a paz.

19Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, to make peace.

20E, depois de muito deliberarem, e tendo o chefe comunicado o assunto à multidão, e parecendo que todos eram do mesmo parecer, consentiram nos acordos,

20So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the covenants,

21e marcaram um dia para se encontrarem a sós; e, chegado o dia, puseram-se assentos para cada um deles.

21And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them,

22Judas pôs homens armados prontos em lugares convenientes, para que os inimigos não cometessem de repente alguma traição; e assim tiveram uma conferência pacífica.

22Judas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.

23Então Nicanor permaneceu em Jerusalém e não fez mal algum, mas despediu as multidões que acorriam a ele.

23Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him.

24E não queria ter Judas longe da sua vista; pois amava o homem de coração.

24And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he loved the man from his heart.

25Também lhe rogou que se casasse e tivesse filhos; e ele se casou, viveu tranquilo e gozou da vida.

25He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, was quiet, and took part of this life.

26Mas Alcimo, percebendo a amizade que havia entre eles e considerando os acordos que tinham sido feitos, foi ter com Demétrio e disse-lhe que Nicanor não era leal ao governo, pois nomeara Judas, traidor do reino, como sucessor do rei.

26But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state; for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be the king’s successor.

27Então o rei, enfurecido e irritado pelas acusações daquele malvado, escreveu a Nicanor, dizendo que estava muito descontente com os acordos, e ordenando-lhe que enviasse o Macabeu preso, a toda pressa, para Antioquia.

27Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.

28Quando isto chegou aos ouvidos de Nicanor, ficou muito perturbado e levou a mal ter de anular o que fora acordado, não tendo o homem culpa alguma.

28When this came to Nicanor’s hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.

29Mas, como não havia modo de se opor ao rei, espreitava a ocasião de executar isto com astúcia.

29But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy.

30Contudo, quando o Macabeu viu que Nicanor começava a ser áspero com ele e o tratava com mais dureza do que costumava, percebendo que tal aspereza não vinha de coisa boa, reuniu não poucos dos seus e se afastou de Nicanor.

30Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.

31Mas o outro, reconhecendo que fora habilmente enganado por Judas, veio ao grande e santo templo e ordenou aos sacerdotes, que ofereciam os sacrifícios costumados, que lhe entregassem o homem.

31But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas’ policy, came into the great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

32E, jurando eles que não sabiam onde estava o homem que ele procurava,

32And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,

33estendeu a mão direita para o templo e fez este juramento: Se não me entregardes Judas preso, arrasarei este templo de Deus, e derrubarei o altar, e levantarei aqui um templo magnífico a Baco.

33He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If ye will not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.

34Ditas estas palavras, retirou-se. Então os sacerdotes, levantando as mãos para o céu, invocaram aquele que sempre foi o defensor da nossa nação, dizendo assim:

34After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven, and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;

35Tu, ó Senhor de todas as coisas, que de nada necessitas, quiseste que o templo da tua habitação estivesse entre nós.

35Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us:

36Agora, pois, ó Senhor santo de toda santidade, guarda para sempre sem mancha esta casa, que há pouco foi purificada, e fecha toda boca injusta.

36Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.

37Ora, foi denunciado a Nicanor um certo Razias, um dos anciãos de Jerusalém, amigo dos seus concidadãos e homem de muito boa fama, que pela sua benevolência era chamado pai dos judeus.

37Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.

38Pois nos tempos anteriores, quando não se misturavam com os gentios, fora acusado de judaísmo, e expusera com todo o ardor o corpo e a vida pelo judaísmo.

38For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion of the Jews.

39Então Nicanor, querendo mostrar o ódio que tinha aos judeus, enviou mais de quinhentos soldados para o prender;

39So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him:

40pois pensava que, prendendo-o, faria grande mal aos judeus.

40For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.

41Mas, quando a multidão estava para tomar a torre e forçava a porta de entrada, e mandava trazer fogo para a queimar, ele, cercado por todos os lados, lançou-se sobre a sua espada,

41Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell upon his sword;

42preferindo morrer nobremente a cair nas mãos dos ímpios e sofrer ultrajes indignos da sua nobreza.

42Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:

43Mas, errando o golpe pela pressa, e precipitando-se a multidão pelas portas, subiu corajosamente ao muro e lançou-se valorosamente sobre a multidão.

43But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.

44Mas, afastando-se eles depressa e abrindo-se um espaço, caiu no meio do espaço vazio.

44But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell down into the midst of the void place.

45Contudo, respirando ainda, inflamado de ira, levantou-se; e, embora o sangue lhe corresse como fontes e as feridas fossem graves, atravessou correndo o meio da multidão; e, pondo-se de pé sobre uma rocha escarpada,

45Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock,

46estando já esgotado de sangue, arrancou as entranhas e, tomando-as com ambas as mãos, lançou-as sobre a multidão; e, invocando o Senhor da vida e do espírito para que lhas restituísse de novo, assim morreu.

46When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore him those again, he thus died.