Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Not long after this — a very short time indeed — Lysias, the king's guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of affairs, took what had happened very hard,
2| and gathering about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry, he came against the Jews, intending to turn the city into a settlement for Greeks,
3| to make the temple a source of tribute money, like the sacred precincts of the other nations, and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year,
4| giving no thought whatever to God's might, but swollen with pride over his tens of thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
5| Entering Judea, he drew near Bethsura, a fortified place about five schoinoi from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.
6| When Maccabeus and his men learned that he was besieging the strongholds, they begged the Lord with wailing and tears, together with the crowds, to send a good angel to save Israel.
7| Maccabeus himself took up arms first and urged the others to risk themselves alongside him and go to the aid of their brothers; and together they set out eagerly.
8| While they were still there near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared leading them, dressed in white, brandishing weapons of gold.
9| Then all together they blessed the merciful God, and their spirits were so strengthened that they stood ready to wound not only men but the fiercest beasts, and even walls of iron.
10| They advanced in battle order, having as their ally the one from heaven, since the Lord had shown them mercy.
11| Falling upon the enemy like lions, they struck down eleven thousand of their infantry and sixteen hundred of their cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
12| Most of them escaped stripped and wounded; and Lysias himself escaped only by a shameful flight.
13| But he was not without sense; weighing within himself the defeat he had suffered, and realizing that the Hebrews were unconquerable because the mighty God fought on their side, he sent word
14| and persuaded them to come to terms on every just condition, promising also that he would persuade the king, compelling him to become their friend.
15| Maccabeus agreed to everything Lysias asked, having regard for what was advantageous; for whatever Maccabeus submitted to Lysias in writing concerning the Jews, the king granted.
16| For the letters written to the Jews on Lysias's part read as follows: Lysias, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
17| John and Abessalom, sent by you, having delivered the signed memorandum, asked about the matters set out in it.
18| Whatever needed to be brought before the king, I made clear; and what could be granted, he granted.
19| If then you maintain your goodwill toward our affairs, I will try in what remains to be a cause of good things for you.
20| Concerning these matters I have instructed these men, and those sent from me, to discuss them with you in detail.
21| Farewell. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, on the twenty-fourth of Dios Corinthios.
22| The king's letter read as follows: King Antiochus, to his brother Lysias, greetings.
23| Since our father has passed to the gods, wishing that those within the kingdom be free from disturbance so they may attend to their own affairs,
24| and having heard that the Jews did not agree to our father's policy of converting them to Greek customs, but preferred to keep their own way of life and asked that their own laws be permitted them,
25| choosing therefore that this nation too should be free from disturbance, we decide that their temple be restored to them, and that they may go on living by the practices handed down from their forebears.
26| You will do well, then, to send to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that, knowing our intention, they may be of good cheer and go about their own affairs with contentment.
27| To the nation, the king's letter was as follows: King Antiochus, to the council of elders of the Jews and to the other Jews, greetings.
28| Farewell. May it be as we wish; we ourselves are in good health.
29| Menelaus has informed us that you wish to go down and return to your own affairs.
30| To those, then, who go down by the thirtieth of Xanthicus there will be a pledge of safety and immunity,
31| so that the Jews may make use of their own food and laws just as before; and none of them shall be troubled in any way for offenses committed in ignorance.
32| I have also sent Menelaus to encourage you.
33| Farewell. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, on the fifteenth of Xanthicus.
34| The Romans also sent them a letter to the same effect: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greetings.
35| Whatever Lysias the king's kinsman has granted you, we too approve.
36| But as for the matters he decided should be referred to the king, send someone at once to look into them, so that we may put forward what is fitting for you; for we are on our way to Antioch.
37| Therefore hurry, and send some men, so that we too may learn what your judgment is.
38| Farewell. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, on the fifteenth of Xanthicus.