7 — 2 Machabees

1It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine’s flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges.Accadde ancora, che sette fratelli furon presi insieme colla lor madre, e a forza di frustate, e di nerbate volea costringerli il re a mangiare delle carni di porco in odio della legge.AND it came to passe, that seuen brethren together with their mother being apprehended, to be compelled by the king to eate against the law swines flesh, were tormented with whippes and scourges.Contigit autem et septem fratres una cum matre sua apprehensos compelli a rege edere contra fas carnes porcinas, flagris et taureis cruciatos. 2But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers.Ma uno di essi, che era il primogenito, disse: Che cerchi tu, o che vuoi sapere da noi? Noi siamo pronti a morire piuttosto che trasgredire le leggi paterne dateci da Dio.But one of them which was the first, sayd thus: What seekest thou, and what wilt thou lerne of vs? we are readie to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God, coming from our fathers.Unus autem ex illis, qui erat primus, sic ait: Quid quæris, et quid vis discere a nobis ? parati sumus mori, magis quam patrias Dei leges prævaricari. 3Then the king being angry, commanded fryingpans and brazen caldrons to be made hot: which forthwith being heated,E sdegnato il re comandò, che si mettesser sul fuoco delle padelle, e delle caldaie di bronzo: e quando elle furono bollenti,The king therfore being wrath commanded frying pannes, and brasen pottes to be heated:Iratus itaque rex, jussit sartagines et ollas æneas succendi: quibus statim succensis, 4He commanded to cut out the tongue of him that had spoken first: and the skin of his head being drawn off, to chop off also the extremities of his hands and feet, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.Comandò, che a quello che avea parlato il primo fosse tagliata la lingua, e gli fosse strappata la pelle dal capo, e gli fosser troncate le estremità delle mani, e de' piedi a vista degli altri fratelli, e della madre.the which forth with being heated, he commanded his tongue, that had spoken first, to be cut out: and the skinne of his head being drawen of, the endes also of his handes and feete to be chopped of, the rest of his bretheren, and his mother looking on.jussit ei qui prior fuerat locutus amputari linguam, et cute capitis abstracta, summas quoque manus et pedes ei præscindi, ceteris ejus fratribus et matre inspicientibus.

5And when he was now maimed in all parts, he commanded him, being yet alive, to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the fryingpan: and while he was suffering therein long torments, the rest, together with the mother, exhorted one another to die manfully,E quando ei fu ridotto a un'assoluta impotenza ordinò, che lo accostassero al fuoco, e spirante tutt'ora fu arrostito nella padella, nella quale egli fu lungamente tormentato, esortandosi frattanto gli uni gli altri i fratelli colla madre a morir con fortezza,And when he was now made in al partes vnprofitable, he commanded fire to be put vnto him, and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying panne: wherin when he was long tormented, the rest together with the mother exhorted one an other to dye manfully,Et cum jam per omnia inutilis factus esset, jussit ignem admoveri, et adhuc spirantem torreri in sartagine: in qua cum diu cruciaretur, ceteri una cum matre invicem se hortabantur mori fortiter, 6Saying: The Lord God will look upon the truth, and will take pleasure in us, as Moses declared in the profession of the canticle; And in his servants he will take pleasure.Dicendo: Il Signore Dio volgerà gli occhi alla verità, e si consolerà in noi, come nel cantico della protesta disse Mosè: Egli si consolerà ne' suoi servi.saying: Our Lord God wil behold the truth, and wil take pleasure in vs, as Moyses declared in the profession of the Canticle: And in his seruants he wil take pleasure.dicentes: Dominus Deus aspiciet veritatem, et consolabitur in nobis, quemadmodum in protestatione cantici declaravit Moyses: Et in servis suis consolabitur. 7So when the first was dead after this manner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him if he would eat, before he were punished throughout the whole body in every limb.Morto adunque che fu in tal guisa il primo condussero agli strazj il secondo, e strappatagli la cotenna dal capo lo interrogavano se volesse mangiare prima di essere tormentato in tutti i membri del corpo.That first therfore being dead in this maner, they brought the next to make him a mocking stocke: & the skinne of his head with the heares being drawen of, they asked if he would eare, before that he were punished throughout the whole bodie in euerie member.Mortuo itaque illo primo hoc modo, sequentem deducebant ad illudendum: et cute capitis ejus cum capillis abstracta, interrogabant si manducaret, priusquam toto corpore per membra singula puniretur. 8But he answered in his own language, and said: I will not do it. Wherefore he also, in the next place, received the torments of the first:Ma egli in lingua della patria rispose, e disse: Nol farò. Onde anche questo sopportò al suo luogo i tormenti del primo:But he answering in his countrie speach, said: I wil not doe it. Wherfore this also in the next place, receiued the torments of the first:At ille respondens patria voce, dixit: Non faciam. Propter quod et iste, sequenti loco, primi tormenta suscepit:

9And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life.E vicino a rendere l'ultimo spirito disse così: Tu, o uomo iniquissimo, distruggi noi nella vita presente, ma il Re dell'universo risusciterà per la vita eterna noi, che muoiamo per le sue leggi.and being at the verie last gaspe, thus he said: Thou in dede ô most wicked man in this present life destroyest vs: but the king of the world wil raise vs vp which dye for his lawes, in the resurrection of eternal life.et in ultimo spiritu constitutus, sic ait: Tu quidem scelestissime in præsenti vita nos perdis: sed Rex mundi defunctos nos pro suis legibus in æternæ vitæ resurrectione suscitabit. 10After him the third was made a mocking-stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:Dopo di questo venne straziato il terzo, il quale alla prima richiesta messe fuori la lingua, e stese costantemente le mani:After him the third is had in derision, and being demanded his tongue, he quickly put it forth, and constantly stretched out his handes:Post hunc tertius illuditur, et linguam postulatus cito protulit, et manus constanter extendit: 11And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them, because I hope to receive them again from him.E con fidanza disse: Dal cielo ebbi in dono queste cose, ma per amor delle leggi di Dio io le disprezzo, perocché ho speranza, che mi saran rendute da lui:and with confidence he said: From heauen doe I possesse these, but for the lawes of God now doe I contemne these selfe same, because I hope that I shal receiue them againe of him.et cum fiducia ait: E cælo ista possideo, sed propter Dei leges nunc hæc ipsa despicio, quoniam ab ipso me ea recepturum spero: 12So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man’s courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing.Ammirarono e il re, e la sua comitiva lo spirito di quel giovinetto, che nessun caso facea de' tormenti.So that the king, and they that were with him merueled at the yong mans courege, because he estemed the torments as nothing.ita ut rex, et qui cum ipso erant, mirarentur adolescentis animum, quod tamquam nihilum duceret cruciatus. 13And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner.E morto quello, allo stesso modo tormentavano il quarto.And this being thus dead, the fourth they vexed in like maner tormenting him.Et hoc ita defuncto, quartum vexabant similiter torquentes.

14And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him; for, as to thee, thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.Ed egli stando già per morire disse così: Ell'è cosa molto buona l'essere uccisi dagli uomini colla speranza in Dio di essere da lui nuovamente risuscitati: perocché la tua risurrezione non sarà per la vita.And when he was now euen to dye, thus he said: It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspect hope of God, that they shal be raysed vp againe by him. For to thee there shal not be resurrection vnto life.Et cum jam esset ad mortem, sic ait: Potius est ab hominibus morti datos spem exspectare a Deo, iterum ab ipso resuscitandos: tibi enim resurrectio ad vitam non erit. 15And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he, looking upon the king,E preso il quinto lo martoriavano; ed egli mirando il re, disse:And when they had brought the fifth, they tormented him. But he looking vpon him,Et cum admovissent quintum, vexabant eum. At ille respiciens in eum, 16Said: Whereas thou hast power among men though thou art corruptible, thou dost what thou wilt but think not that our nation is forsaken by God.Avendo tu tra gli uomini potestà, benché tu sii uomo corruttibile, tu fai quel che ti piace: non creder però, che la nostra stirpe sia da Dio abbandonata:sayd: Thou hauing power among men, wheras thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt: but thinke not that our stock is forsaken of God.dixit: Potestatem inter homines habens, cum sis corruptibilis, facis quod vis: noli autem putare genus nostrum a Deo esse derelictum: 17But stay patiently a while, and thou shalt see his great power, in what manner he will torment thee and thy seed.Ma tu abbi pazienza, e vedrai la potestà grande di lui, e com' egli tormenterà te, e la tua stirpe.And doe thou patiently abide, and thou shalt see his great power, in what sort he wil torment thee, and thy seede.tu autem patienter sustine, et videbis magnam potestatem ipsius, qualiter te et semen tuum torquebit. 18After him they brought the sixth, and he being ready to die, spoke thus: Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God, and things worthy of admiration are done to us:Dopo questo fu condotto il sesto, e questi presso al morire disse: Guardati dal vanamente ingannarti; perocché noi per nostra colpa sopportiam questo, avendo peccato contro il nostro Dio; e terribili cose ci sono avvenute:After him they brought the sixth, and he beginning to dye, sayd thus: Be not deceiued vainely: for we suffer this for our owne sakes, sinning against our God, and thinges worthie of admiration are done in vs:Post hunc ducebant sextum, et is, mori incipiens, sic ait: Noli frustra errare: nos enim propter nosmetipsos hæc patimur, peccantes in Deum nostrum, et digna admiratione facta sunt in nobis:

19But do not think that thou shalt escape unpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.Ma tu non credere, che abbia ad essere senza castigo l'ardimento, che hai di combattere contro Dio.but doe not thinke that thou shalt escape vnpunished, for that thou hast attempted to fight against God.tu autem ne existimes tibi impune futurum, quod contra Deum pugnare tentaveris. 20Now the mother was to be admired above measure, and worthy to be remembered by good men, who beheld her seven sons slain in the space of one day, and bore it with a good courage, for the hope that she had in God:Ma la madre oltre modo ammirabile, e degna della ricordanza de' buoni, la quale in veggendo sette figliuoli, che nello spazio di un sol giorno perivano, di buon animo ciò sopportava per la speranza che aveva in Dio:But the mother aboue measure meruelous, and worthie of good mens memorie, which beholding her seuen sonnes perishing in one dayes space, bare it with a good hart, for the hope that she had in God:Supra modum autem mater mirabilis, et bonorum memoria digna, quæ pereuntes septem filios sub unius diei tempore conspiciens, bono animo ferebat propter spem quam in Deum habebat: 21And she bravely exhorted every one of them in her own language, being filled with wisdom; and joining a man’s heart to a woman’s thought,Ella piena di saggezza a uno a uno gli esortava nel linguaggio della patria, e alla tenerezza di donna univa un coraggio virile,exhorted euerie one of them in their countrie language manfully, being replenished with wisedome: and ioyning a mans hart to a womans cogitation,singulos illorum hortabatur voce patria fortiter, repleta sapientia: et, femineæ cogitationi masculinum animum inserens, 22She said to them: I know not how you were formed in my womb; for I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither did I frame the limbs of every one of you.Ella diceva loro: Io non so in qual modo voi veniste ad essere nel mio seno: perocché non fui io, che diedi a voi spirito, e anima, e vita, né io messi insieme le membra di ciascheduno.she sayd to them: I know not how you appeared in my wombe: for neither did I geue you spirit and soule and life, and the members of euerie one I my selfe framed not.dixit ad eos: Nescio qualiter in utero meo apparuistis, neque enim ego spiritum et animam donavi vobis et vitam, et singulorum membra non ego ipsa compegi: 23But the Creator of the world, that formed the nativity of man, and that found out the origin of all, he will restore to you again, in his mercy, both breath and life, as now you despise yourselves for the sake of his laws.Ma il Creatore del mondo, che stabilì la generazione dell'uomo, e a tutte le cose diede il principio, renderà, egli a voi di bel nuovo per sua misericordia e spirito, e vita, perché voi adesso per amore delle sue leggi non curate di voi medesimi.But in deede the Creator of the world, that hath formed the natiuitie of man, and that inuented the origine of al, & he wil restore againe with mercie vnto you spirit and life, as now you despise your selues for his lawes.sed enim mundi Creator, qui formavit hominis nativitatem, quique omnium invenit originem, et spiritum vobis iterum cum misericordia reddet et vitam, sicut nunc vosmetipsos despicitis propter leges ejus.

24Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and withal despising the voice of the upbraider, when the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with an oath, that he would make him a rich and a happy man, and, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers, would take him for a friend, and furnish him with things necessary.Ma Antioco stimandosi vilipeso, e credendosi che quelle voci lo insultassero, rimanendovi tutt'ora il più giovine, non solamente lo esortava colle parole, ma con giuramento gli prometteva di farlo ricco, e beato, e che quando avesse abbandonate le leggi paterne lo avrebbe tenuto tra' suoi amici, e gli avrebbe dato tutto quello, che gli bisognasse.But Antiochus thinking himselfe contemned, and withal despising the voice of the vpbrayder, when the yonger was yet aliue, he did not only exhort with wordes, but also with oth he affirmed that he would make him rich & happie, and being turned from the lawes of his fathers, he would account him a freind, and geue him thinges necessarie.Antiochus autem, contemni se arbitratus, simul et exprobrantis voce despecta, cum adhuc adolescentior superesset, non solum verbis hortabatur, sed et cum juramento affirmabat se divitem et beatum facturum, et translatum a patriis legibus amicum habiturum, et res necessarias ei præbiturum. 25But when the young man was not moved with these things, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deal with the young man to save his life.Ma non piegandosi per ciò il giovinetto, il re chiamò la madre, e la consigliava a salvare il figliuolo.But when the yong man was not inclined to these thinges, the king called the mother, and counselled her to deale with the yong man to saue his life.Sed ad hæc cum adolescens nequaquam inclinaretur, vocavit rex matrem, et suadebat ei ut adolescenti fieret in salutem. 26And when he had exhorted her with many words she promised that she would counsel her son.E quando egli la ebbe esortata con lungo ragionamento, ella promise di persuadere il suo figliuolo.And when he had exhorted her in manie wordes, she promised that she would counsel her sonne.Cum autem multis eam verbis esset hortatus, promisit suasurum se filio suo. 27So bending herself towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she said in her own language: My son have pity upon me, that bore thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age.Per la qual cosa chinandosi a lui, deridendo il tiranno crudele disse in linguaggio della patria: Figliuol mio, abbi pietà di me, che ti ho portata nove mesi nell'utero, e per tre anni ti allattai, e ti nutrii, e a quest'età ti ho condotto.Therfore bending towards him, mocking the cruel tyrant, she sayd in her countrie language: My sonne haue pitie on me, which haue borne thee in my wombe nine moneths, and gaue thee milke for three yeares, and nourished thee, and brought thee vnto this age.Itaque inclinata ad illum, irridens crudelem tyrannum, ait patria voce: Fili mi, miserere mei, quæ te in utero novem mensibus portavi, et lac triennio dedi et alui, et in ætatem istam perduxi.

28I beseech thee, my son, look upon heaven and earth, and all that is in them, and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind also:Io ti chieggo, figliuol mio, che tu guardi il cielo, e la terra, e tutte le cose, che vi si contengono, e sappi, che e quelle cose, e l'umana progenie creò Dio dal niente:I beseech thee my sonne, that thou looke to heauen and earth, and to al thinges that are in them: and vnderstand that God of nothing made them and mankinde:Peto, nate, ut aspicias ad cælum et terram, et ad omnia quæ in eis sunt, et intelligas quia ex nihilo fecit illa Deus, et hominum genus: 29So thou shalt not fear this tormentor, but being made a worthy partner with thy brethren, receive death, that in that mercy I may receive thee again with thy brethren.Così avverrà, che non temerai questo carnefice, ma fatto degno di aver comune la sorte co' tuoi fratelli, abbraccia la morte, affinchè in quel tempo di misericordia io te riabbia insieme co' tuoi fratelli.so shal it come to passe, that thou wilt not feare this tormenter but being made a worthie partaker with thy bretheren, take thou death, that in that mercie I may receiue thee againe with thy bretheren.ita fiet, ut non timeas carnificem istum, sed dignus fratribus tuis effectus particeps, suscipe mortem, ut in illa miseratione cum fratribus tuis te recipiam. 30While she was yet speaking these words, the young man said: For whom do you stay? I will not obey the commandment of the king, but the commandment of the law which was given us by Moses.Prima che ella avesse finito di dire, il giovinetto disse: Chi aspettate? Io non ubbidisco al comando del re, ma al precetto della legge data a noi da Mosè.When she as yet was saying these thinges, the yong man sayd: For whom stay you? I obey not the commandement of the king, but the commandement of the law, which was geuen vs by Moyses.Cum hæc illa adhuc diceret, ait adolescens: Quem sustinetis ? non obedio præcepto regis, sed præcepto legis, quæ data est nobis per Moysen. 31But thou that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hand of God.Ma tu, inventore di tutti i mali contro gli Ebrei, non fuggirai la mano di Dio.But thou that art become the inuenter of al malice against the Hebrewes, shal not escape the hand of God.Tu vero, qui inventor omnis malitiæ factus es in Hebræos, non effugies manum Dei. 32For we suffer thus for our sins.Perocché noi queste cose patiamo pe' nostri peccati.For we for our sinnes doe suffer these thinges.Nos enim pro peccatis nostris hæc patimur. 33And though the Lord, our God, is angry with us a little while, for our chastisement and correction, yet he will be reconciled again to his servants.E se il Signore Dio nostro si è adirato per breve tempo con noi affin di gastigarci, e di correggerci, egli però si riconcilierà di nuovo co' servi suoi.And if the Lord our God hath bene angrie with vs a litle for rebuke & correction: yet he wil be reconciled againe to his seruants.Et si nobis propter increpationem et correptionem Dominus Deus noster modicum iratus est: sed iterum reconciliabitur servis suis.

34But thou, O wicked, and of all men most flagitious, be not lifted up without cause with vain hopes, whilst thou art raging against his servants.Ma tu, o scellerato, e il più reo di tutti gli uomini, non ti lusingare inutilmente con vane speranze infuriando contro i servi di Dio:But thou ô wicked, and of al men most flagicious, be not in vaine extolled with vaine hopes, inflamed against his seruantes.Tu autem, o sceleste, et omnium hominum flagitiosissime, noli frustra extolli vanis spebus in servos ejus inflammatus: 35For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of the Almighty God, who beholdeth all things.Perocché non ancora hai fuggito il giudizio di Dio onnipotente, che vede il tutto.For thou hast not yet escaped the iudgement of the almightie God, and him that beholdeth al thinges.nondum enim omnipotentis Dei, et omnia inspicientis, judicium effugisti. 36For my brethren having now undergone a short pain, are under the covenant of eternal life: but thou, by the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.Perocché i miei fratelli per avere sofferto adesso un breve dolore sono già nell'alleanza della vita eterna: ma tu per giusto giudizio di Dio soffrirai i gastighi dovuti alla tua superbia.For my bretheren hauing now susteyned short payne, are become vnder the testament of eternal life: but thou by the iudgement of God shalt receiue iust punishment for thy pride.Nam fratres mei, modico nunc dolore sustentato, sub testamento æternæ vitæ effecti sunt: tu vero judicio Dei justas superbiæ tuæ pœnas exsolves. 37But I, like my brethren, offer up my life and my body for the laws of our fathers: calling upon God to be speedily merciful to our nation, and that thou by torments and stripes mayst confess that he alone is God.Or io ad imitazione de' miei fratelli dell'anima, e del corpo mio fo sagrifizio in difesa delle leggi de' padri miei, pregando Dio che tanto più presto si plachi col nostro popolo, e che tu trai tormenti, e le percosse abbi a confessare, che egli solo è Dio.And I as also my brethren doe yeld my life and my bodie for the lawes of our fathets: inuocating God to be propicious to our nation quickly, and that thou with torments and stripes maist confesse that he onlie is God.Ego autem, sicut fratres mei, animam et corpus meum trado pro patriis legibus, invocans Deum maturius genti nostræ propitium fieri, teque cum tormentis et verberibus confiteri quod ipse est Deus solus. 38But in me, and in my brethren, the wrath of the Almighty, which hath justly been brought upon all our nation, shall cease.L'ira dell'Onnipotente, la quale giustamente percuote la nostra stirpe, avrà fine alla morte mia, e de' miei fratelli.But in me and in my brethren shal the wrath of the Almightie cease, which hath iustly bene brought vpon al our stocke.In me vero et in fratribus meis desinet Omnipotentis ira, quæ super omne genus nostrum juste superducta est.

39Then the king being incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly than all the rest, taking it grievously that he was mocked.Allora il re ardendo di sdegno esercitò la sua crudeltà sopra di questo più che sopra gli altri, non potendo soffrire di essere schernito.Then the king incensed with anger, raged against him more cruelly aboue al the rest, taking it grieuously that he was mocked.Tunc rex accensus ira in hunc, super omnes crudelius desævit, indigne ferens se derisum. 40So this man also died undefiled, wholly trusting in the Lord.Morì adunque anche questo senza contaminarsi, con totale fidanza in Dio.And this same therfore died vnspotted, wholy trusting in our Lord.Et hic itaque mundus obiit, per omnia in Domino confidens. 41And last of all, after the sons, the mother also was consumed.E alla fine dopo i figliuoli fu uccisa anche la madre.And last of al after the sonnes the mother also was consumed.Novissime autem post filios, et mater consumpta est. 42But now there is enough said of the sacrifices and of the excessive cruelties.Ma abbastanza si è parlato de' sagrifizj, e delle orrende crudeltà.Therfore of the sacrifices, and of the exceeding cruelties there is ynough sayd.Igitur de sacrificiis et de nimiis crudelitatibus satis dictum est.