My LORD’s Bible1 Maccabees 12
1Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
καὶ εἶδεν ιωναθαν ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς αὐτῷ συνεργεῖ καὶ ἐπελέξατο ἄνδρας καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς ῥώμην στῆσαι καὶ ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν
2He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.
καὶ πρὸς σπαρτιάτας καὶ τόπους ἑτέρους ἀπέστειλεν ἐπιστολὰς κατὰ τὰ αὐτά
3So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.
καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς ῥώμην καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸ βουλευτήριον καὶ εἶπον ιωναθαν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ τὸ ἔθνος τῶν ιουδαίων ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν φιλίαν ἑαυτοῖς καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν κατὰ τὸ πρότερον
4Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.
καὶ ἔδωκαν ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατὰ τόπον ὅπως προπέμπωσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς γῆν ιουδα μετ' εἰρήνης
5And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἔγραψεν ιωναθαν τοῖς σπαρτιάταις
6Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
ιωναθαν ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ ἡ γερουσία τοῦ ἔθνους καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς δῆμος τῶν ιουδαίων σπαρτιάταις τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς χαίρειν
7There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
ἔτι πρότερον ἀπεστάλησαν ἐπιστολαὶ πρὸς ονιαν τὸν ἀρχιερέα παρὰ ἀρείου τοῦ βασιλεύοντος ἐν ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐστὲ ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν ὡς τὸ ἀντίγραφον ὑπόκειται
8At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
καὶ ἐπεδέξατο ὁ ονιας τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν ἀπεσταλμένον ἐνδόξως καὶ ἔλαβεν τὰς ἐπιστολάς ἐν αἷς διεσαφεῖτο περὶ συμμαχίας καὶ φιλίας
9Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,
ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀπροσδεεῖς τούτων ὄντες παράκλησιν ἔχοντες τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια τὰ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν
10Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.
ἐπειράθημεν ἀποστεῖλαι τὴν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀδελφότητα καὶ φιλίαν ἀνανεώσασθαι πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐξαλλοτριωθῆναι ὑμῶν πολλοὶ γὰρ καιροὶ διῆλθον ἀφ' οὗ ἀπεστείλατε πρὸς ἡμᾶς
11We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:
ἡμεῖς οὖν ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἀδιαλείπτως ἔν τε ταῖς ἑορταῖς καὶ ταῖς λοιπαῖς καθηκούσαις ἡμέραις μιμνῃσκόμεθα ὑμῶν ἐφ' ὧν προσφέρομεν θυσιῶν καὶ ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς ὡς δέον ἐστὶν καὶ πρέπον μνημονεύειν ἀδελφῶν
12And we are right glad of your honour.
εὐφραινόμεθα δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ δόξῃ ὑμῶν
13As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.
ἡμᾶς δὲ ἐκύκλωσαν πολλαὶ θλίψεις καὶ πόλεμοι πολλοί καὶ ἐπολέμησαν ἡμᾶς οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ κύκλῳ ἡμῶν
14Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:
οὐκ ἠβουλόμεθα οὖν παρενοχλῆσαι ὑμῖν καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς συμμάχοις καὶ φίλοις ἡμῶν ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις τούτοις
15For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
ἔχομεν γὰρ τὴν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ βοήθειαν βοηθοῦσαν ἡμῖν καὶ ἐρρύσθημεν ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν καὶ ἐταπεινώθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἡμῶν
16For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.
ἐπελέξαμεν οὖν νουμήνιον ἀντιόχου καὶ ἀντίπατρον ἰάσονος καὶ ἀπεστάλκαμεν πρὸς ῥωμαίους ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν τὴν πρότερον
17We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
ἐνετειλάμεθα οὖν αὐτοῖς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς πορευθῆναι καὶ ἀσπάσασθαι ὑμᾶς καὶ ἀποδοῦναι ὑμῖν τὰς παρ' ἡμῶν ἐπιστολὰς περὶ τῆς ἀνανεώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀδελφότητος ἡμῶν
18Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
καὶ νῦν καλῶς ποιήσετε ἀντιφωνήσαντες ἡμῖν πρὸς ταῦτα
19And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἀπέστειλαν ονια
20Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
ἄρειος βασιλεὺς σπαρτιατῶν ονια ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ χαίρειν
21It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
εὑρέθη ἐν γραφῇ περί τε τῶν σπαρτιατῶν καὶ ιουδαίων ὅτι εἰσὶν ἀδελφοὶ καὶ ὅτι εἰσὶν ἐκ γένους αβρααμ
22Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.
καὶ νῦν ἀφ' οὗ ἔγνωμεν ταῦτα καλῶς ποιήσετε γράφοντες ἡμῖν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης ὑμῶν
23We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.
καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἀντιγράφομεν ὑμῖν τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ ὕπαρξις ὑμῶν ἡμῖν ἐστιν καὶ τὰ ἡμῶν ὑμῖν ἐστιν ἐντελλόμεθα οὖν ὅπως ἀπαγγείλωσιν ὑμῖν κατὰ ταῦτα
24Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius’ princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,
καὶ ἤκουσεν ιωναθαν ὅτι ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄρχοντες δημητρίου μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς ὑπὲρ τὸ πρότερον τοῦ πολεμῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν
25He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.
καὶ ἀπῆρεν ἐξ ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν αμαθῖτιν χώραν οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἀνοχὴν τοῦ ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ
26He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κατασκόπους εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ ὅτι οὕτως τάσσονται ἐπιπεσεῖν ἐπ' αὐτοὺς τὴν νύκτα
27Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth sentinels round about the host.
ὡς δὲ ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος ἐπέταξεν ιωναθαν τοῖς παρ' αὐτοῦ γρηγορεῖν καὶ εἶναι ἐπὶ τοῖς ὅπλοις ἑτοιμάζεσθαι εἰς πόλεμον δι' ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς καὶ ἐξέβαλεν προφύλακας κύκλῳ τῆς παρεμβολῆς
28But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.
καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ὑπεναντίοι ὅτι ἡτοίμασται ιωναθαν καὶ οἱ παρ' αὐτοῦ εἰς πόλεμον καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἔπτηξαν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνέκαυσαν πυρὰς ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ αὐτῶν
29Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.
ιωναθαν δὲ καὶ οἱ παρ' αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ἕως πρωί ἔβλεπον γὰρ τὰ φῶτα καιόμενα
30Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
καὶ κατεδίωξεν ιωναθαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ κατέλαβεν αὐτούς διέβησαν γὰρ τὸν ἐλεύθερον ποταμόν
31Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.
καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ιωναθαν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄραβας τοὺς καλουμένους ζαβαδαίους καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλαβεν τὰ σκῦλα αὐτῶν
32And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,
καὶ ἀναζεύξας ἦλθεν εἰς δαμασκὸν καὶ διώδευσεν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ χώρᾳ
33Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.
καὶ σιμων ἐξῆλθεν καὶ διώδευσεν ἕως ἀσκαλῶνος καὶ τὰ πλησίον ὀχυρώματα καὶ ἐξέκλινεν εἰς ιοππην καὶ προκατελάβετο αὐτήν
34For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius’ part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.
ἤκουσεν γὰρ ὅτι βούλονται τὸ ὀχύρωμα παραδοῦναι τοῖς παρὰ δημητρίου καὶ ἔθετο ἐκεῖ φρουράν ὅπως φυλάσσωσιν αὐτήν
35After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,
καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ιωναθαν καὶ ἐξεκκλησίασεν τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐβουλεύετο μετ' αὐτῶν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι ὀχυρώματα ἐν τῇ ιουδαίᾳ
36And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.
καὶ προσυψῶσαι τὰ τείχη ιερουσαλημ καὶ ὑψῶσαι ὕψος μέγα ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὸ διαχωρίζειν αὐτὴν τῆς πόλεως ἵνα ᾖ αὕτη κατὰ μόνας ὅπως μήτε ἀγοράζωσιν μήτε πωλῶσιν
37Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.
καὶ συνήχθησαν τοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἔπεσεν τοῦ τείχους τοῦ χειμάρρου τοῦ ἐξ ἀπηλιώτου καὶ ἐπεσκεύασεν τὸ καλούμενον χαφεναθα
38Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.
καὶ σιμων ᾠκοδόμησεν τὴν αδιδα ἐν τῇ σεφηλα καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἐπέστησεν θύρας καὶ μοχλούς
39Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.
καὶ ἐζήτησεν τρύφων βασιλεῦσαι τῆς ἀσίας καὶ περιθέσθαι τὸ διάδημα καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρα ἐπ' ἀντίοχον τὸν βασιλέα
40Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.
καὶ εὐλαβήθη μήποτε οὐκ ἐάσῃ αὐτὸν ιωναθαν καὶ μήποτε πολεμήσῃ πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ ἐζήτει συλλαβεῖν αὐτὸν τοῦ ἀπολέσαι καὶ ἀπάρας ἦλθεν εἰς βαιθσαν
41Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ιωναθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ ἐν τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάσιν ἀνδρῶν ἐπιλελεγμέναις εἰς παράταξιν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς βαιθσαν
42Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;
καὶ εἶδεν τρύφων ὅτι ἦλθεν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρας ἐπ' αὐτὸν εὐλαβήθη
43But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.
καὶ ἐπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ἐνδόξως καὶ συνέστησεν αὐτὸν πᾶσιν τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόματα καὶ ἐπέταξεν τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπακούειν αὐτοῦ ὡς αὑτοῦ
44Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?
καὶ εἶπεν τῷ ιωναθαν ἵνα τί ἐκόπωσας πάντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον πολέμου μὴ ἐνεστηκότος ἡμῖν
45Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.
καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον αὐτοὺς εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ἐπίλεξαι δὲ σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας ὀλίγους οἵτινες ἔσονται μετὰ σοῦ καὶ δεῦρο μετ' ἐμοῦ εἰς πτολεμαίδα καὶ παραδώσω σοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ὀχυρώματα καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις τὰς λοιπὰς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν χρειῶν καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἀπελεύσομαι τούτου γὰρ χάριν πάρειμι
46So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.
καὶ ἐμπιστεύσας αὐτῷ ἐποίησεν καθὼς εἶπεν καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν τὰς δυνάμεις καὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς γῆν ιουδα
47And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.
κατέλιπεν δὲ μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους ὧν δισχιλίους ἀφῆκεν ἐν τῇ γαλιλαίᾳ χίλιοι δὲ συνῆλθον αὐτῷ
48Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.
ὡς δὲ εἰσῆλθεν ιωναθαν εἰς πτολεμαίδα ἀπέκλεισαν οἱ πτολεμαεῖς τὰς πύλας καὶ συνέλαβον αὐτόν καὶ πάντας τοὺς συνεισελθόντας μετ' αὐτοῦ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ
49Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s company.
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τρύφων δυνάμεις καὶ ἵππον εἰς τὴν γαλιλαίαν καὶ τὸ πεδίον τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀπολέσαι πάντας τοὺς παρὰ ιωναθου
50But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.
καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι συνελήμφθη καὶ ἀπόλωλεν καὶ οἱ μετ' αὐτοῦ καὶ παρεκάλεσαν ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἐπορεύοντο συνεστραμμένοι ἕτοιμοι εἰς πόλεμον
51They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.
καὶ εἶδον οἱ διώκοντες ὅτι περὶ ψυχῆς αὐτοῖς ἐστιν καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν
52Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.
καὶ ἦλθον πάντες μετ' εἰρήνης εἰς γῆν ιουδα καὶ ἐπένθησαν τὸν ιωναθαν καὶ τοὺς μετ' αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα καὶ ἐπένθησεν πᾶς ισραηλ πένθος μέγα
53Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.
καὶ ἐζήτησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ κύκλῳ αὐτῶν ἐκτρῖψαι αὐτούς εἶπον γάρ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἄρχοντα καὶ βοηθοῦντα νῦν οὖν πολεμήσωμεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξάρωμεν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν