6 — 2 Machabees

1But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God:Ma di li a poco mandò il re un certo senatore Antiocheno a costringere i Giudei ad abbandonare le leggi della patria, e di Dio:BVT not long after the king sent a certaine ancient man of Antioch, that should compel the Iewes to remoue them selues from the lawes of their fathers and of God:Sed non post multum temporis, misit rex senem quemdam Antiochenum, qui compelleret Judæos ut se transferrent a patriis et Dei legibus: 2And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Garazim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the place.E a profanare eziandio il tempio di Gerusalemme, e dargli il nome di Giove Olimpio, e a quello di Garizim il nome di Giove straniero, quali erano gli abitanti di quel luogo.to contaminate also the temple that was in Ierusalem, and to cal it by the name of Iupiter Olympius: and in Garizim, according as they were that inhabited the place, of Iupiter Hospitalis.contaminare etiam quod in Jerosolymis erat templum, et cognominare Jovis Olympii: et in Garizim, prout erant hi qui locum inhabitabant, Jovis hospitalis. 3And very bad was this invasion of evils, and grievous to all.Orrenda, e terribile per tutti era l'inondazione di tanti mali.And the inuasion of the euiles was sore and grieucus to al:Pessima autem et universis gravis erat malorum incursio: 4For the temple was full of the riot and revellings of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful.Perocché il tempio era pieno di lascivie, e di crapule de' Gentili, e di gente, che peccava colle meretrici, e le donne entravano sfacciatamente ne' luoghi sacrati, portandovi cose, che non eran permesse.for the temple was ful of the lecherie and glottonie of the Gentiles: & of them that played the harlots with whoores. And wemen thrusting themselues of their owne accord into the sacred houses, bringing in thouse thinges which were not lawful.nam templum luxuria et comessationibus gentium erat plenum, et scortantium cum meretricibus: sacratisque ædibus mulieres se ultro ingerebant, intro ferentes ea quæ non licebat. 5The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws.E l'altare stesso era pieno di cose illecite, e vietate dalle leggi.The altar also was ful of vnlawful thinges, which were forbidden by the lawes.Altare etiam plenum erat illicitis, quæ legibus prohibebantur.

6And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew.Non si osservavano più i sabati, né si celebravano i dì solenni secondo il costume, e nissuno ardiva di confessare ingenuamente di esser Giudeo.And neither were the Sabbaths kept, not the soleme dayes of the fathers obserued neither plainely did anie man confesse him selfe to be a Iewe.Neque autem sabbata custodiebantur, neque dies solemnes patrii servabantur, nec simpliciter Judæum se esse quisquam confitebatur. 7But they were led by bitter constraint on the king’s birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus.Ed eran condotti per dura necessità, ai sacrifizj nel dì natalizio del re, e quando si celebrava la festa di Bacco eran costretti d'andare attorno coronati di ellera in onore di lui.But they were led with bitter necessitie in the kings birth day to sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to goe about crowned with Iuie vnto Bacchus.Ducebantur autem cum amara necessitate in die natalis regis ad sacrificia: et cum Liberi sacra celebrarentur, cogebantur hedera coronati Libero circuire. 8And there went out a decree into the neighbouring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice:E a suggestione di quelli di Tolemaide fu pubblicato nelle vicine città dei Gentili un editto, affinchè anche in quei luoghi fosser costretti nella stessa forma, i Giudei a sacrificare:And there went forth a decree into the next cities of the Gentiles, the Ptolomeans geuing the aduise, that they also in like manner should doe against the Iewes, that they sacrifice:Decretum autem exiit in proximas gentilium civitates, suggerentibus Ptolemæis, ut pari modo et ipsi adversus Judæos agerent, ut sacrificarent: 9And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen.E quelli, che non volessero accomodarsi agli usi de' Gentili fossero uccisi. Era pertanto uno spettacolo degno di compassione.and them that would not paste to the ordinances of the heathen, they should kil. A man then might see the miserie.eos autem qui nollent transire ad instituta gentium, interficerent: erat ergo videre miseriam. 10For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city, with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls.Imperocché furono accusate due donne per aver circoncisi i loro figliuoli, e condottele in pubblica mostra per la città coi bambini attaccati alle mammelle, le precipitarono poi dalle mura.For. two wemen were accused to haue circuncided their children: whom, the infantes hanging at their breasts, when they had openly led them about through the citie, they threwe downe headlong by the walles.Duæ enim mulieres delatæ sunt natos suos circumcidisse: quas, infantibus ad ubera suspensis, cum publice per civitatem circumduxissent, per muros præcipitaverunt.

11And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day.Altri poi, che si erano adunati nelle vicine caverne per celebrar di nascosto il giorno del sabato, essendo stati denunziati a Filippo furon brugiati vivi, perché ebbero scrupolo di aiutarsi colle loro forze per riguardo alla religione, e alla santità di quel giorno.And others coming together to the next caues, & secretely 2. keping the day of the Sabbath, when they were discouered to Philip, were burnt with fyre, because they feared for religion and obseruance, to helpe themselues with their hand.Alii vero, ad proximas coëuntes speluncas, et latenter sabbati diem celebrantes, cum indicati essent Philippo, flammis succensi sunt, eo quod verebantur propter religionem et observantiam manu sibimet auxilium ferre. 12Now I beseech those that shall read this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for the correction of our nation.Or io prego quelli, che leggeranno questo libro, che non prendano scandalo per tali sinistri avvenimenti, ma riflettano, che le cose che avvennero furon destinate all'ammenda, e non per lo sterminio di nostra nazione.But I beseech them that shal read this booke, that they abhorre not for the aduersities, but that they account those thinges, which haue happened, not to be for the destruction, but for the chastening of our stocke.Obsecro autem eos qui hunc librum lecturi sunt, ne abhorrescant propter adversos casus: sed reputent ea quæ acciderunt, non ad interitum, sed ad correptionem esse generis nostri. 13For it is a token of great goodness, when sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are presently punished.Perocché indizio di gran benevolenza egli è il non permettere ai peccatori di seguire per lungo tempo i loro capricci, ma dar prontamente di mano al castigo.For not to suffer sinners a long time to doe as they wil, but forthwith to punish, is a token of a great benefite.Etenim multo tempore non sinere peccatoribus ex sententia agere, sed statim ultiones adhibere, magni beneficii est indicium. 14For, not as with other nations, (whom the Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of judgment shall come, he may punish them in the fulness of their sins:)Perocché non fa egli come colle altre nazioni, le quali il Signore aspetta pazientemente a punirle venuto che sia il dì del Giudizio, colmata già la in misura de' lor peccati;For, not as in other nations our Lord patiently expecteth, that when the day of iudgement shal come, he may punish them in the fulnes of sinnes:Non enim, sicut in aliis nationibus, Dominus patienter exspectat, ut eas cum judicii dies advenerit, in plenitudine peccatorum puniat: 15Doth he also deal with us, so as to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.Non così ha egli disposto riguardo a noi, né a punirci aspetta che siano riuniti al loro termine i nostri peccati:so also doth he determine in vs, that our sinnes being come to the end, so at length he may punish vs.ita et in nobis statuit ut, peccatis nostris in finem devolutis, ita demum in nos vindicet.

16And therefore he never withdraweth his mercy from us: but though he chastise his people with adversity he forsaketh them not.Così egli non allontana giammai la sua misericordia da noi, e correggendoci colle avversità non abbandona il suo popolo.For which cause he neuer certes remoueth away his mercie from vs: but chastening his people by aduersitie, he forsaketh them not.Propter quod numquam quidem a nobis misericordiam suam amovet: corripiens vero in adversis, populum suum non dereliquit. 17But let this suffice in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the narration.Ma bastino queste poche parole per avvertimento dei leggitori: venghiamo oramai alla narrazione.But let these thinges be sayd of vs in few wordes for an admonition of the readers. And now we must come to the storie.Sed hæc nobis ad commonitionem legentium dicta sint paucis. Jam enim veniendum est ad narrationem. 18Eleazar one of the chief of the scribes, a man advanced in years, and of a comely countenance, was pressed to open his mouth to eat swine’s flesh.Eleazaro adunque uno de' primi dottori della legge, uomo di età avanzata, e di bell'aspetto, voleano quelli costringere a mangiar della carne di porco aprendogli a forza la bocca.Therfore Eleazarus one of the chief of the Scribes, a man striken in age, and comely of countenance, with open mouth gaping was compelled to eate swines flesh.Igitur Eleazarus, unus de primoribus scribarum, vir ætate provectus, et vultu decorus, aperto ore hians compellebatur carnem porcinam manducare. 19But he, choosing rather a most glorious death than a hateful life, went forward voluntarily to the torment.Ma egli preferendo una gloriosissima morte ad una odiosa vita, volontariamente s'incamminava al supplizio.But he embracing rather a most glorious death then an hateful life, went before voluntarily to the punishment.At ille gloriosissimam mortem magis quam odibilem vitam complectens, voluntarie præibat ad supplicium. 20And considering in what manner he was to come to it, patiently bearing, he determined not to do any unlawful things for the love of life.E mirando, a quel che gli convenisse di fare, serbando stabile la pazienza, determinò di non far cosa illecita per amor della vita.And considering how he ought to come patiently susteyning, he determined not to committe vnalwful thinges for loue of life.Intuens autem quemadmodum oporteret accedere, patienter sustinens, destinavit non admittere illicita propter vitæ amorem. 21But they that stood by, being moved with wicked pity, for the old friendship they had with the man, taking him aside, desired that flesh might be brought which it was lawful for him to eat, that he might make as if he had eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the sacrifice:Or quelli, che eran presenti, per una ingiusta compassione, e per l'amore che a lui portavano da lungo tempo, prendendolo a parte lo pregavano a permettere, che si portassero delle carni, di quelle ch'ei potea mangiare, per fingere ch'egli avesse mangiato, secondo l'ordine del re, delle carni del sacrificio;But they that stood by, moued with vnlawful pitie, for the old frendshipe of the man, taking him in secrete, desired that flesh might be brought, which it was lawful for him to eate, that he might feyne to haue eaten, as the king had commanded, of the flesh of the sacrifice:Hi autem qui astabant, iniqua miseratione commoti propter antiquam viri amicitiam, tollentes eum secreto rogabant afferri carnes quibus vesci ei licebat, ut simularetur manducasse sicut rex imperaverat de sacrificii carnibus,

22That by so doing he might be delivered from death; and for the sake of their old friendship with the man, they did him this courtesy.Affinchè per tal mezzo si liberasse dalla morte: e questa umanità usavan con lui per l'antico affetto, che gli portavano.that by this fact he might be deliuered from death: and for the old freindshipe of the man, they did him this courtesie.ut hoc facto, a morte liberaretur: et propter veterem viri amicitiam, hanc in eo faciebant humanitatem. 23But he began to consider the dignity of his age, and his ancient years, and the inbred honour of his grey head, and his good life and conversation from a child; and he answered without delay, according to the ordinances of the holy law made by God, saying, that he would rather be sent into the other world.Ma egli investitosi di alti sentimenti degni di sua età, e vecchiezza, e dell'antica natia nobiltà, e dell'ottima maniera di vita osservata fin da fanciullo, secondo i dettami della legge santa data da Dio, rispose subito, e disse, che avrebbe voluto esser prima gettato nell'inferno.But he begane to thinke vpon the worthie preeminence of his age and ancientnes, and the houre heares of natural nobilitie, & his doinges from a childe of very good conuersation, and according to the ordinances, and the holie law made of God, he answered quickly, saying: that he would rather be sent vnto hel.At ille cogitare cœpit ætatis ac senectutis suæ eminentiam dignam, et ingenitæ nobilitatis canitiem, atque a puero optimæ conversationis actus: et secundum sanctæ et a Deo conditæ legis constituta, respondit cito, dicens præmitti se velle in infernum. 24For it doth not become our age, said he, to dissemble: whereby many young persons might think that Eleazar, at the age of fourscore and ten years, was gone over to the life of the heathens:Imperocché, disse egli, non è cosa conveniente alla nostra età il fingere; e di ciò n'avverrebbe, che molti giovani immaginandosi, che Eleazaro sui novant'anni abbia fatto passaggio alla maniera di vivere dell'altre genti,For it is not meete, quoth he, for our age to feyne: that manie young men thinking, that Eleazarus of foure score yeare & tenne is passed to the life of Aliens:Non enim ætati nostræ dignum est, inquit, fingere: ut multi adolescentium, arbitrantes Eleazarum nonaginta annorum transisse ad vitam alienigenarum, 25And so they, through my dissimulation, and for a little time of a corruptible life, should be deceived, and hereby I should bring a stain and a curse upon my old age.Eglino pure per la mia finzione, e per questo poco di vita corruttibile cadrebbero in errore, ed io alla mia vecchiezza procaccerei infamia, ed esecrazione.they also through my dissimulation, and for a litle time of corruptible life, may be deceiued, and hereby I may purchase a stayne, and a curse to mine old age.et ipsi propter meam simulationem, et propter modicum corruptibilis vitæ tempus decipiantur, et per hoc maculam atque execrationem meæ senectuti conquiram.

26For though, for the present time, I should be delivered from the punishments of men, yet should I not escape the hand of the Almighty neither alive nor dead.Perocché quand'anche io potessi adesso sottrarmi ai supplizj degli uomini, non potrei però né vivo, né morto, fuggir di mano all'Onnipotente.For although at this present time I be deliuered from the punishments of men, yet neither aliue nor dead shal I escape the hand of the Almightie.Nam etsi in præsenti tempore suppliciis hominum eripiar, sed manum Omnipotentis nec vivus, nec defunctus, effugiam. 27Wherefore, by departing manfully out of this life, I shall shew myself worthy of my old age:Per la qual cosa morendo con fortezza darommi a conoscere degno della vecchiezza:Wherfore in departing manfully out of this life, I shal appeare worthie of mine old age:Quam ob rem fortiter vita excedendo, senectute quidem dignus apparebo: 28And I shall leave an example of fortitude to young men, if with a ready mind and constancy I suffer an honourable death, for the most venerable and most holy laws. And having spoken thus, he was forthwith carried to execution.E un grand'esempio lascerò alla gioventù sopportando con animo volonteroso, e costante una onorevol morte per le gravissime, e santissime nostre leggi. Detto questo fu strascinato al supplizio.and to yong men I shal leaue a constant example, if with readie mind and stoutly I suffer an honest death, for the most graue and most holie lawes. These thinges being spoken, forthwith he was drawen to execution.adolescentibus autem exemplum forte relinquam, si prompto animo ac fortiter pro gravissimis ac sanctissimis legibus honesta morte perfungar. His dictis, confestim ad supplicium trahebatur. 29And they that led him, and had been a little before more mild, were changed to wrath for the words he had spoken, which they thought were uttered out of arrogancy.E quelli, che lo conducevano, e so gli eran mostrati più amorevoli si acceser di sdegno per le parole dette da lui, le quali credevan procedere da arroganza.And they that led him, and had bene a litle before more milde, were turned into wrath for the wordes spoken of him, which they thought were vttered through arrogancie.Hi autem qui eum ducebant, et paulo ante fuerant mitiores, in iram conversi sunt propter sermones ab eo dictos, quos illi per arrogantiam prolatos arbitrabantur. 30But when he was now ready to die with the stripes, he groaned: and said: O Lord, who hast the holy knowledge, thou knowest manifestly that whereas I might be delivered from death, I suffer grievous pains in body: but in soul am well content to suffer these things, because I fear thee.Ma nel tempo, che lo martoriavano colle percosse gettò egli un sospiro e disse: Signore, che hai la scienza santa, tu sai certamente come potendo io liberarmi dalla morte sostengo atroci dolori nel corpo, ma secondo lo spirito volentieri patisco tali cose pel tuo timore.But when he was now in killing with the strokes, he groned, and sayd: O Lord, which hast the holie knowlege, thou knowest manifestly that wheras I might be deliuered from death, I doe susteyne sore paines of the bodie: but according to the soule, for thy feare I doe willingly suffer these thinges.Sed cum plagis perimeretur, ingemuit, et dixit: Domine, qui habes sanctam scientiam, manifeste tu scis quia cum a morte possem liberari, duros corporis sustineo dolores: secundum animam vero propter timorem tuum libenter hæc patior.

31Thus did this man die, leaving not only to young men, but also to the whole nation, the memory of his death, for an example of virtue and fortitude.Or questi in tal modo finì di vivere, lasciando non solo ai giovani, ma anche a tutta la nazione la memoria della sua morte per esempio di virtù, e di fortezza.And this man certes in this maner departed this life, leauing not only to yong men, but also to the whole nation the memorie of his death for an example of vertue and fortitude.Et iste quidem hoc modo vita decessit, non solum juvenibus, sed et universæ genti memoriam mortis suæ ad exemplum virtutis et fortitudinis derelinquens.