Gottes Neue Bibel

The Second Book of Maccabees

Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic

- Kapitel 11 -

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

1
A short time after this Lysias the king’s lieutenant, and cousin, and who had chief charge over all the affairs, being greatly displeased with what had happened,
2
Gathered together fourscore thousand men, and all the horsemen, and came against the Jews, thinking to take the city, and make it a habitation of the Gentiles:
3
And to make a gain of the temple, as of the other temples of the Gentiles, and to set the high priesthood to sale every year:
4
Never considering the power of God, but puffed up in mind, and trusting in the multitude of his foot soldiers, and the thousands of his horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.
5
So he came into Judea, and approaching to Bethsura, which was in a narrow place, the space of five furlongs from Jerusalem, he laid siege to that fortress.
6
But when Machabeus and they that were with him, understood that the strong holds were besieged, they and all the people besought the Lord with lamentations and tears, that he would send a good angel to save Israel.
7
Then Machabeus himself, first taking his arms, exhorted the rest to expose themselves together with him, to the danger, and to succour their brethren.
8
And when they were going forth together with a willing mind, there appeared at Jerusatem a horseman going before them in white clothing, with golden armour, shaking a spear.
9
Then they all together blessed merciful Lord, and took great courage, being ready to break through not only men, but also the fiercest beasts, walls of iron.
10
So they went on courageously, having a helper from Peaven, and the who shewed mercy to them.
11
And rushing violently upon the my, like lions, they slew of them eleven thousand footmen, and one thousand hundred horsemen:
12
And put all the rest to flight: many of them being wounded, escaped naked: yea and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and escaped.
13
And as he was a man of understanding considering with himself, the loss he had suffered, and perceiving that the Hebrews could not be overcome, because they relied upon the help of the Almighty God, he sent to them:
14
And promised that he would agree to all things that are just, and that he would persuade the king to be their friend.
15
Then Machabeus consented to the request of Lysias, providing for the common Food in all things, and whatsoever Machabeus wrote to Lysias concerning the Jews, the king allowed of.
16
For there were letters written to the Jews from Lysias, to this effect: Lysias to the people of the Jews, greeting.
17
John and Abesalom who were sent from you, delivering your writings, requested that I would accomplish those things which were signified by them.
18
Therefore whatsoever things could be reported to the king I have represented to him: and he hath granted as much as the matter permitted.
19
If therefore you will keep yourselves loyal in affairs, hereafter also I will endeavour to be a means of your good.
20
But as concerning other particulars, I have given orders by word both to these, and to them that are sent by me, to commune with you.
21
Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the four and twentieth day of the month of Dioscorus.
22
But the king’s letter contained these words: King Antiochus to Lysias his brother, greeting.
23
Our father being translated amongst the gods, we are desirous that they that are in our realm should live quietly, and apply themselves diligently to their own concerns,
24
And we have heard that the Jews would not consent to my father to turn to the rites of the Greeks, but that they would keep to their own manner of living, and therefore that they request us to allow them to live after their own laws.
25
Wherefore being desirous that this nation also should be at rest, we have ordained and decreed, that the temple should be restored to them, and that they may live according to the custom of their ancestors.
26
Thou shalt do well therefore to send to them, and grant them peace, that our pleasure being known, they may be of good comfort, and look to their own affairs.
27
But the king’s letter to the Jews was in this manner: King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews, and to the rest of the Jews, greeting.
28
If you are well, you are as we desire, we ourselves also are well.
29
Menelaus came to us, saying that you desired to come down to your countrymen, that are with us.
30
We grant therefore a safe conduct to all that come and go, until the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus,
31
That the Jews may use their own Bind of meats, and their own laws as before, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance.
32
And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you.
33
Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.
34
The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.
35
Whatsoever Lysias the king’s cousin hath granted you, we also have granted.
36
But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch.
37
And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are.
38
Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

Lysias is overthrown by Judas. He sues for peace.

1
Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,
2
collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Jews, planing to make the city a home for Greeks,
3
and to levy tribute on the temple, as (a)on the other sacred places of the nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.
4
He took no account of God’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
5
Coming into Judea and approaching Bethsuron, which was a strong place and about five stadia(b) away from Jerusalem, he pressed it hard.
6
When Maccabaeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.
7
Maccabaeus himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.
8
As they were there, close to Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing(c) weapons of gold.
9
They all together praised the merciful God, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to (d)assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,
10
they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for the Lord had mercy on them.
11
Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
12
Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.
13
But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Hebrews could not be overcome because the Almighty God fought on their side, he sent again
14
and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and (e) promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.
15
Maccabaeus gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maccabaeus delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Jews the king allowed.
16
The letter written to the Jews from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the (f)people of the Jews, greetings.
17
John and Absalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
18
Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
19
If then you will all preserve your good will toward the government, I will also endeavor in the future to contribute to your good.
20
Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.
21
Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month (g)Dioscorinthius.”
22
And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greetings.
23
Seeing that our father passed to the gods having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom (h)should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
24
we, having heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Greeks, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their law be allowed to them—
25
choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
26
You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”
27
And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.
28
If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
29
Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
30
They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our (i)friendship, with full permission
31
that the Jews use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.
32
Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
33
Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
34
The Romans also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
35
In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
36
But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antioch.
37
Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
38
(j)Farewell. Written in the one hundred forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.

Fußnoten

(a)11:3 Or, on all the sacred places of the heathen
(b)11:5 One stadia was roughly 189 meters or 618 feet, so 5 stadia was about a little less than 1 km or a little more than half a mile.
(c)11:8 Gr. a panoply.
(d)11:9 Gr. wound.
(e)11:14 The Greek text here is corrupt.
(f)11:16 Gr. multitude.
(g)11:21 This month name is not found elsewhere, and is perhaps corrupt.
(h)11:23 Or, should not be disquieted but
(i)11:30 Gr. right hand.
(j)11:38 Gr. Be in good health.