¹Nicanor autem,But when Nicanor discovered Judas to be in the places of Samaria,ut comperit Judam esse in locis Samariæ,he decided to meet him in warfare with all violence,cogitavit cum omni impetu die sabbati committere bellum.on the Sabbath day.

¹Nicanor autem,But when Nicanor discovered Judas to be in the places of Samaria,ut comperit Judam esse in locis Samariæ,he decided to meet him in warfare with all violence,cogitavit cum omni impetu die sabbati committere bellum.on the Sabbath day.

²Judæis vero qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus:In truth, the Jews who followed him out of necessity were saying:Ne ita ferociter et barbare feceris,“Do not act so fiercely and barbarously,sed honorem tribue diei sanctificationis, et honora eum qui universa conspicit:but give honor to the day of sanctification and reverence to him who beholds all things.”

²Judæis vero qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus:In truth, the Jews who followed him out of necessity were saying:Ne ita ferociter et barbare feceris,“Do not act so fiercely and barbarously,sed honorem tribue diei sanctificationis, et honora eum qui universa conspicit:but give honor to the day of sanctification and reverence to him who beholds all things.”

³ille infelix interrogavit si est potens in cælo,That unhappy man asked, “Is there a powerful One in heaven,qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum.who commanded the day of the Sabbath to be kept.”

³ille infelix interrogavit si est potens in cælo,That unhappy man asked, “Is there a powerful One in heaven,qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum.who commanded the day of the Sabbath to be kept.”

⁴Et respondentibus illis:And they responded to him,Est Dominus vivus ipse in cælo potens,“There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the powerful One,qui jussit agi septimam diem:who ordered the seventh day to be kept.”

⁴Et respondentibus illis:And they responded to him,Est Dominus vivus ipse in cælo potens,“There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the powerful One,qui jussit agi septimam diem:who ordered the seventh day to be kept.”

⁵at ille ait:And so he said:Et ego potens sum super terram qui impero sumi arma, et negotia regis impleri.“I also am powerful upon the earth, so I command arms to be taken up and the king’s plans to be fulfilled.”Tamen non obtinuit ut consilium perficeret.Nevertheless, he did not succeed in accomplishing his plan.

⁵at ille ait:And so he said:Et ego potens sum super terram qui impero sumi arma, et negotia regis impleri.“I also am powerful upon the earth, so I command arms to be taken up and the king’s plans to be fulfilled.”Tamen non obtinuit ut consilium perficeret.Nevertheless, he did not succeed in accomplishing his plan.

⁶Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia erectus,And Nicanor, being certainly lifted up with the greatest arrogance,cogitaverat commune trophæum statuere de Juda.had decided to establish a public monument of his victory over Judas.

⁶Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia erectus,And Nicanor, being certainly lifted up with the greatest arrogance,cogitaverat commune trophæum statuere de Juda.had decided to establish a public monument of his victory over Judas.

⁷Machabæus autem semper confidebat cum omni spe auxilium sibi a Deo affuturum:But Maccabeus, as always, trusted with all hope that God would be present to help them.

⁷Machabæus autem semper confidebat cum omni spe auxilium sibi a Deo affuturum:But Maccabeus, as always, trusted with all hope that God would be present to help them.

⁸et hortabatur suos ne formidarent ad adventum nationum,And he exhorted his own not to fear the arrival of the nations,sed in mente haberent adjutoria sibi facta de cælo,but to keep in mind the assistance they had received before from heaven,et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam.and now to hope for a future victory from the Almighty.

⁸et hortabatur suos ne formidarent ad adventum nationum,And he exhorted his own not to fear the arrival of the nations,sed in mente haberent adjutoria sibi facta de cælo,but to keep in mind the assistance they had received before from heaven,et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam.and now to hope for a future victory from the Almighty.

⁹Et allocutus eos de lege et prophetis,And speaking to them from the law and the prophets,admonens etiam certamina quæ fecerant prius,reminding them even of the conflicts they had fought before,promptiores constituit eos:he made them more willing.

⁹Et allocutus eos de lege et prophetis,And speaking to them from the law and the prophets,admonens etiam certamina quæ fecerant prius,reminding them even of the conflicts they had fought before,promptiores constituit eos:he made them more willing.

¹⁰et ita animis eorum erectis simul ostendebat gentium fallaciam, et juramentorum prævaricationem.And so, having raised up their courage, at the same time he revealed the deceitful plan of the Gentiles and their betrayal of the oaths.

¹⁰et ita animis eorum erectis simul ostendebat gentium fallaciam, et juramentorum prævaricationem.And so, having raised up their courage, at the same time he revealed the deceitful plan of the Gentiles and their betrayal of the oaths.

¹¹Singulos autem illorum armavit,Then he armed every one of them,non clypei et hastæ munitione,not with the weapons of shield and spear,sed sermonibus optimis et exhortationibus,but with the best speeches and exhortations;exposito digno fide somnio,and he explained to them a dream,per quod universos lætificavit.worthy to be believed, in which he rejoiced with them all.

¹¹Singulos autem illorum armavit,Then he armed every one of them,non clypei et hastæ munitione,not with the weapons of shield and spear,sed sermonibus optimis et exhortationibus,but with the best speeches and exhortations;exposito digno fide somnio,and he explained to them a dream,per quod universos lætificavit.worthy to be believed, in which he rejoiced with them all.

¹²Erat autem hujuscemodi visus:Now the vision was in this manner:Oniam,Onias,qui fuerat summus sacerdos,who had been high priest,virum bonuma good and kind man,et benignum,modest in appearance,verecundum visu,gentle in manners,modestum moribus,and noble in speech,et eloquio decorum,and who from boyhood was trained in the virtues,et qui a puero in virtutibus exercitatus sit,extending his hands,manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Judæorum.prayed on behalf of all the people of the Jews.

¹²Erat autem hujuscemodi visus:Now the vision was in this manner:Oniam,Onias,qui fuerat summus sacerdos,who had been high priest,virum bonuma good and kind man,et benignum,modest in appearance,verecundum visu,gentle in manners,modestum moribus,and noble in speech,et eloquio decorum,and who from boyhood was trained in the virtues,et qui a puero in virtutibus exercitatus sit,extending his hands,manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Judæorum.prayed on behalf of all the people of the Jews.

¹³Post hoc apparuisseAfter this,et alium virum ætatethere appeared also another man,et gloria mirabilem,admirable in age and glory,et magni decoris habitudine circa illum.and with a bearing of great dignity about him.

¹³Post hoc apparuisseAfter this,et alium virum ætatethere appeared also another man,et gloria mirabilem,admirable in age and glory,et magni decoris habitudine circa illum.and with a bearing of great dignity about him.

¹⁴Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse:In truth,Hic est fratrum amator,Onias responded by saying:et populi Israël:“This one loves his brothers and the people of Israel.hic est qui multum orat pro populoThis is he who prays greatly for the people and for all the holy city:et universa sancta civitate,Jeremiah,Jeremias propheta Dei.the prophet of God.”

¹⁴Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse:In truth,Hic est fratrum amator,Onias responded by saying:et populi Israël:“This one loves his brothers and the people of Israel.hic est qui multum orat pro populoThis is he who prays greatly for the people and for all the holy city:et universa sancta civitate,Jeremiah,Jeremias propheta Dei.the prophet of God.”

¹⁵Extendisse autem Jeremiam dextram,Then Jeremiah extended his right hand,et dedisse Judæ gladium aureum,and he gave to Judas a sword of gold,dicentem:saying:

¹⁵Extendisse autem Jeremiam dextram,Then Jeremiah extended his right hand,et dedisse Judæ gladium aureum,and he gave to Judas a sword of gold,dicentem:saying:

¹⁶Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo,“Receive this holy sword as a gift from God,in quo dejicies adversarios populi mei Israël.with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel.”

¹⁶Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo,“Receive this holy sword as a gift from God,in quo dejicies adversarios populi mei Israël.with it you shall cast down the adversaries of my people Israel.”

¹⁷Exhortati itaque Judæ sermonibus bonis valde,And so,de quibus extolli posset impetus,having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas,et animi juvenum confortari,by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened,statuerunt dimicare et confligere fortiter:they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude,ut virtus de negotiis judicaret,so that virtue would judge the matter,eo quod civitas sancta et templum periclitarentur.because the holy city and the temple were in peril.

¹⁷Exhortati itaque Judæ sermonibus bonis valde,And so,de quibus extolli posset impetus,having been exhorted by the very good words of Judas,et animi juvenum confortari,by which the readiness and courage of the young men were able to be raised and strengthened,statuerunt dimicare et confligere fortiter:they resolved to strive and to contend with fortitude,ut virtus de negotiis judicaret,so that virtue would judge the matter,eo quod civitas sancta et templum periclitarentur.because the holy city and the temple were in peril.

¹⁸Erat enim pro uxoribus et filiis,For their concern was less for their wives and sons,itemque pro fratribus et cognatis,and likewise less for their brothers and relatives;minor sollicitudo:in truth,maximus vero et primus pro sanctitate timor erat templi.their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.

¹⁸Erat enim pro uxoribus et filiis,For their concern was less for their wives and sons,itemque pro fratribus et cognatis,and likewise less for their brothers and relatives;minor sollicitudo:in truth,maximus vero et primus pro sanctitate timor erat templi.their greatest and first fear was for the sanctity of the temple.

¹⁹Sed et eos qui in civitate erant, non minima sollicitudo habebat pro his qui congressuri erant.But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.

¹⁹Sed et eos qui in civitate erant, non minima sollicitudo habebat pro his qui congressuri erant.But those also who were in the city had no small concern for those who had gathered together.

²⁰Et cum jam omnes sperarent judicium futurum,And, when all now hoped that judgment would soon occur,hostesque adessent atque exercitus esset ordinatus,and when the enemies were near, and the army was set in order,bestiæ equitesque opportuno in loco compositi,with the beasts and the horsemen positioned in strategic places,

²⁰Et cum jam omnes sperarent judicium futurum,And, when all now hoped that judgment would soon occur,hostesque adessent atque exercitus esset ordinatus,and when the enemies were near, and the army was set in order,bestiæ equitesque opportuno in loco compositi,with the beasts and the horsemen positioned in strategic places,

²¹considerans Machabæus adventum multitudinis,Maccabeus, considering the arrival of the multitude,et apparatum varium armorum,and the various preparations of weapons,et ferocitatem bestiarum,and the fierceness of the beasts,extendens manus in cælum,extending his hands to heaven,prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit,called upon the Lord, who works miracles,qui non secundum armorum potentiam,who gives victory to those who are worthy,sed prout ipsi placet,not according to the power of the weapons,dat dignis victoriam.but just as it pleases him.

²¹considerans Machabæus adventum multitudinis,Maccabeus, considering the arrival of the multitude,et apparatum varium armorum,and the various preparations of weapons,et ferocitatem bestiarum,and the fierceness of the beasts,extendens manus in cælum,extending his hands to heaven,prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit,called upon the Lord, who works miracles,qui non secundum armorum potentiam,who gives victory to those who are worthy,sed prout ipsi placet,not according to the power of the weapons,dat dignis victoriam.but just as it pleases him.

²²Dixit autem invocans hoc modo:Then, calling out in this way, he said:Tu Domine,“You, O Lord,qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Juda,who sent your Angel under Hezekiah, king of Judah,et interfecisti de castris Sennacherib centum octoginta quinque millia:and who killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib,

²²Dixit autem invocans hoc modo:Then, calling out in this way, he said:Tu Domine,“You, O Lord,qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Juda,who sent your Angel under Hezekiah, king of Judah,et interfecisti de castris Sennacherib centum octoginta quinque millia:and who killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib,

²³et nunc,now also,dominator cælorum,O Ruler of the heavens,mitte angelum tuum bonum ante nos in timoresend your good Angel before us,et tremore magnitudinis brachii tui,who are in fear and trembling at the greatness of your arm,

²³et nunc,now also,dominator cælorum,O Ruler of the heavens,mitte angelum tuum bonum ante nos in timoresend your good Angel before us,et tremore magnitudinis brachii tui,who are in fear and trembling at the greatness of your arm,

²⁴ut metuant qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum.so that those who approach against your holy people with blasphemy may be afraid.” And in this way,Et hic quidem ita peroravit.indeed, he concluded his prayer.

²⁴ut metuant qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum.so that those who approach against your holy people with blasphemy may be afraid.” And in this way,Et hic quidem ita peroravit.indeed, he concluded his prayer.

²⁵Nicanor autem et qui cum ipso erant,But Nicanor, and those who were with him,cum tubis et canticis admovebant.advanced with trumpets and songs.

²⁵Nicanor autem et qui cum ipso erant,But Nicanor, and those who were with him,cum tubis et canticis admovebant.advanced with trumpets and songs.

²⁶Judas vero et qui cum eo erant,In truth, Judas, and those who were with him,invocato Deo, per orationes congressi sunt:calling upon God through prayers, came together against them.

²⁶Judas vero et qui cum eo erant,In truth, Judas, and those who were with him,invocato Deo, per orationes congressi sunt:calling upon God through prayers, came together against them.

²⁷manu quidem pugnantes,Indeed, fighting with their hands,sed Dominum cordibus orantes,but praying to the Lord with their hearts,prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque millia,they struck down no less than thirty-five thousand,præsentia Dei magnifice delectati.being delighted by the presence of God.

²⁷manu quidem pugnantes,Indeed, fighting with their hands,sed Dominum cordibus orantes,but praying to the Lord with their hearts,prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque millia,they struck down no less than thirty-five thousand,præsentia Dei magnifice delectati.being delighted by the presence of God.

²⁸Cumque cessassent, et cum gaudio redirent,And when they had ceased and were returning with gladness,cognoverunt Nicanorem ruisse cum armis suis.they realized, by his armor, that Nicanor had been slain.

²⁸Cumque cessassent, et cum gaudio redirent,And when they had ceased and were returning with gladness,cognoverunt Nicanorem ruisse cum armis suis.they realized, by his armor, that Nicanor had been slain.

²⁹Facto itaque clamore,And so,et perturbatione excitata,making a loud noise and inciting a disturbance,patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant.they blessed the Almighty Lord in the language of the fathers.

²⁹Facto itaque clamore,And so,et perturbatione excitata,making a loud noise and inciting a disturbance,patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant.they blessed the Almighty Lord in the language of the fathers.

³⁰Præcepit autem Judas,But Judas,qui per omnia corpore et animo mori pro civibus paratus erat,who was prepared throughout all his body and soul to die for his citizens,caput Nicanoris,instructed that Nicanor’s head,et manum cum humero abscissam,and his hand with the arm,Jerosolymam perferri.should be cut off and carried through to Jerusalem.

³⁰Præcepit autem Judas,But Judas,qui per omnia corpore et animo mori pro civibus paratus erat,who was prepared throughout all his body and soul to die for his citizens,caput Nicanoris,instructed that Nicanor’s head,et manum cum humero abscissam,and his hand with the arm,Jerosolymam perferri.should be cut off and carried through to Jerusalem.

³¹Quo cum pervenisset,When it arrived,convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus ad altare,having called together his fellow tribesmen, and the priests to the altar,accersiit et eos qui in arce erant.he summoned those also who were in the stronghold.

³¹Quo cum pervenisset,When it arrived,convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus ad altare,having called together his fellow tribesmen, and the priests to the altar,accersiit et eos qui in arce erant.he summoned those also who were in the stronghold.

³²Et ostenso capite Nicanoris,And he displayed the head of Nicanor,et manu nefaria quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est.and his nefarious hand, which he had extended against the holy house of Almighty God with magnificent boasting.

³²Et ostenso capite Nicanoris,And he displayed the head of Nicanor,et manu nefaria quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est.and his nefarious hand, which he had extended against the holy house of Almighty God with magnificent boasting.

³³Linguam etiam impii Nicanoris præcisam jussit particulatim avibus dari:He even ordered now that the tongue of the impious Nicanor should be cut up and given in pieces to the birds,manum autem dementis contra templum suspendi.but that the hand of this demented man should be suspended opposite the temple.

³³Linguam etiam impii Nicanoris præcisam jussit particulatim avibus dari:He even ordered now that the tongue of the impious Nicanor should be cut up and given in pieces to the birds,manum autem dementis contra templum suspendi.but that the hand of this demented man should be suspended opposite the temple.

³⁴Omnes igitur cæli benedixerunt Dominum,Therefore, they all blessed the Lord of heaven,dicentes: Benedictus qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit.saying, “Blessed is he who has kept his own place uncontaminated.”

³⁴Omnes igitur cæli benedixerunt Dominum,Therefore, they all blessed the Lord of heaven,dicentes: Benedictus qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit.saying, “Blessed is he who has kept his own place uncontaminated.”

³⁵Suspendit autem Nicanoris caput in summa arce,Then he suspended Nicanor’s head at the top of the stronghold,ut evidens esset,so that it would be an evidentet manifestum signum auxilii Dei.and manifest sign of the assistance of God.

³⁵Suspendit autem Nicanoris caput in summa arce,Then he suspended Nicanor’s head at the top of the stronghold,ut evidens esset,so that it would be an evidentet manifestum signum auxilii Dei.and manifest sign of the assistance of God.

³⁶Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate præterire:And so, they all decreed by common counsel in no way to let this day pass without celebration,

³⁶Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate præterire:And so, they all decreed by common counsel in no way to let this day pass without celebration,

³⁷habere autem celebritatem tertiadecima die mensis Adar,but to hold a celebration on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar,quod dicitur voce syriaca,which was called in the Syrian language:pridie Mardochæi diei.the day before Mardochias’ day.

³⁷habere autem celebritatem tertiadecima die mensis Adar,but to hold a celebration on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar,quod dicitur voce syriaca,which was called in the Syrian language:pridie Mardochæi diei.the day before Mardochias’ day.

³⁸Igitur his erga Nicanorem gestis,Therefore, these things were accomplished concerning Nicanor,et ex illis temporibus ab Hebræis civitate possessa,and from that time the city was possessed by the Hebrews.ego quoque in his faciam finem sermonis.And so, I will bring an end to my narration here.

³⁸Igitur his erga Nicanorem gestis,Therefore, these things were accomplished concerning Nicanor,et ex illis temporibus ab Hebræis civitate possessa,and from that time the city was possessed by the Hebrews.ego quoque in his faciam finem sermonis.And so, I will bring an end to my narration here.

³⁹Et si quidem bene,And, indeed, if I have done well,et ut historiæ competit,so as to have made an adequate history,hoc et ipse velim:this also is what I wanted.sin autem minus digne,But if it is less than worthy,concedendum est mihi.may it be permitted me.

³⁹Et si quidem bene,And, indeed, if I have done well,et ut historiæ competit,so as to have made an adequate history,hoc et ipse velim:this also is what I wanted.sin autem minus digne,But if it is less than worthy,concedendum est mihi.may it be permitted me.

⁴⁰Sicut enim vinum semper bibere,For, just as it is adverse to drink always wine,aut semper aquam,or always water,contrarium est; alternis autem uti,so also it is pleasant to use sometimes the one,delectabile:and sometimes the other. So,ita legentibus si semper exactus sit sermo, non erit gratus.if the words were always exact, it would not be pleasing to the readers.Hic ergo erit consummatus.Therefore, here it shall be completed.

⁴⁰Sicut enim vinum semper bibere,For, just as it is adverse to drink always wine,aut semper aquam,or always water,contrarium est; alternis autem uti,so also it is pleasant to use sometimes the one,delectabile:and sometimes the other. So,ita legentibus si semper exactus sit sermo, non erit gratus.if the words were always exact, it would not be pleasing to the readers.Hic ergo erit consummatus.Therefore, here it shall be completed.