Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Nicanor, learning that Judas and his men were in the region of Samaria, resolved to attack them with full safety on the day of rest.
2| But the Jews who were following him under compulsion said, "Do not destroy them so savagely and barbarously, but give honor to the day that has been set apart with holiness by the One who watches over all things."
3| But the thrice-cursed man asked whether there was a Sovereign in heaven who had commanded that the sabbath day be kept.
4| And when they declared, "The Lord lives, he himself is the Sovereign in heaven, who commanded the seventh day to be observed,"
5| the other said, "And I am a sovereign on earth, who commands that arms be taken up and the king's business be carried out." Nevertheless he was not able to accomplish his brutal design.
6| So Nicanor, holding his neck high with full confidence, had determined to set up a public monument over Judas and his men.
7| But the Maccabee remained unceasingly confident, with every hope of obtaining help from the Lord.
8| And he urged those with him not to fear the assault of the nations, but keeping in mind the help that had come to them from heaven in times past, to expect also now the victory that would be given them by the Almighty.
9| And encouraging them from the law and the prophets, and reminding them besides of the struggles they had already brought to completion, he made them more eager still.
10| And having stirred their spirits, he gave his orders, at the same time pointing out the faithlessness of the nations and their violation of oaths.
11| And he armed each of them, not so much with the safety of shields and spears as with the encouragement of good words, and he cheered them all beyond measure by relating a dream worthy of belief.
12| The vision was this: Onias, who had been high priest, a good and noble man, modest in bearing, gentle in manner, fitting in speech, and practiced from childhood in every point of virtue, was seen stretching out his hands and praying for the whole body of the Jews.
13| Then in the same way there appeared a man distinguished by gray hair and glory, of a marvelous and most majestic dignity.
14| And Onias answered and said, "This is the man who loves his brothers, who prays much for the people and the holy city — Jeremiah, the prophet of God."
15| And Jeremiah, stretching out his right hand, gave to Judas a golden sword, and in giving it he spoke as follows:
16| "Receive this consecrated blade, given to you by God, and with it strike down your foes."
17| Encouraged by the words of Judas, which were altogether noble and able to stir them to virtue and to make the souls of the young men brave, they resolved not merely to make camp but to engage bravely, and having grappled with the enemy with all manliness to decide the matter, since the city and the holy things and the temple were in danger.
18| For their concern over wives and children, and over brothers and kinsfolk, weighed with them less; but the greatest and first fear was for the temple that had been consecrated.
19| And for those shut up in the city it was no small agony either, being troubled about the assault in the open field.
20| And now, with everyone already awaiting the coming decision, and the enemy already drawing near and the army drawn up, and the elephants stationed at the opportune point, and the cavalry arranged on the wings,
21| the Maccabee, observing the presence of the crowds and the varied array of weapons and the fierceness of the elephants stationed at the opportune point, raised his arms toward the sky and cried out to the Lord who performs wonders, knowing that victory does not come by arms, but that he grants it to the worthy in whatever way seems best to him.
22| And calling upon him he spoke in this manner: "You, Master, sent your angel in the days of Hezekiah king of Judea, and he destroyed a hundred and eighty-five thousand from the camp of Sennacherib.
23| And now, Sovereign of the heavens, send a good angel before us, for fear and trembling.
24| By the greatness of your arm let those who come with blasphemy against your holy people be struck with terror." And with these words he finished.
25| Then Nicanor's men advanced with trumpets and battle songs;
26| but Judas and his men engaged the enemy with invocation and prayers.
27| And fighting with their hands while praying to God in their hearts, they struck down no fewer than thirty-five thousand, greatly rejoicing in God's manifest care.
28| And when they had finished the business and were withdrawing joyfully, they recognized that Nicanor had fallen, still in his armor.
29| And amid shouting and uproar, they blessed the Sovereign in their ancestral tongue.
30| And he who in body and soul was in every way the foremost champion for his fellow citizens, who had kept the goodwill of his youth toward his countrymen, ordered them to cut off Nicanor's head, and his hand together with the shoulder, and carry them to Jerusalem.
31| And when he arrived there, and had called together his countrymen and placed the priests in front of the altar, he sent word for those in the citadel to come forward.
32| And displaying the head of the vile Nicanor and the hand of the blasphemer, which he had stretched out against the holy house of the Almighty and boasted over,
33| and having cut out the tongue of the impious Nicanor, he said it should be given piece by piece to the birds, and that the reward of his folly should be hung up opposite the temple.
34| And they all blessed the Lord who had appeared, saying, "Blessed is he who has kept his own place undefiled."
35| And he hung Nicanor's head from the citadel, plain for all to see and a clear sign of the Lord's help.
36| And they all decreed by a common vote never to let this day pass unmarked, but to keep the thirteenth day of the twelfth month distinguished — called Adar in the native tongue — the day before the day of Mordecai.
37| Since, then, matters concerning Nicanor turned out in this way, and from those times the city has been held by the Hebrews, I too will bring my account to a close here.
38| And if it is well and fittingly composed, that is what I myself wished; but if it is poor and mediocre, that was the best I was able to do.
39| For just as it is unpleasant to drink wine alone, or again water by itself, while wine mixed with water is pleasant and gives delight, so also the skillful arrangement of the narrative delights the ears of those who take up the account. And here shall be the end.