1 Maccabees 5

1 Ora, ouvindo falar da reconstrução do altar e da restauração do templo, os povos circunvizinhos encolerizaram-se muito e,

2 tomada a resolução de exterminar toda a raça de Jacó, que viviam entre eles, puseram-se a matá-los e a persegui-los.

3 Por eles perseguirem desse modo Israel, Judas atacou os filhos de Esaú na Idumeia, junto de Acrabatena, infligiu-lhes uma grande derrota, esmagou-os e apoderou-se de seus despojos.

4 Lembrou-se igualmente da malícia dos filhos de Beã, armadilha e perigo para seu povo, por causa das emboscadas que eles armavam nos caminhos.

5 Foram rechaçados em suas torres, onde ele os sitiou e os exterminou, queimando as torres com todos os que ali se achavam.

6 Em seguida atacou os amonitas, entre os quais ele descobriu um forte exército e numeroso povo, sob a chefia de Timóteo.

7 Travou com eles numerosos combates e os aniquilou por completo.

8 Apoderou-se da cidade de Jazer e de seus arrabaldes e voltou depois à Judeia.

9 No entanto, as nações de Galaad se coligaram contra os israelitas, que habitavam em seu território, com a intenção de exterminá-los, mas estes se refugiaram no forte de Datema.

10 Dali enviaram uma mensagem a Judas e a seus irmãos, nestes termos: "As nações, que nos cercam, se uniram contra nós e querem exterminar-nos.

11 Prepararam-se para vir tomar a fortaleza em que nos achamos refugiados. É Timóteo quem comanda suas tropas.

12 Vinde, pois, agora nos livrar de suas mãos, porque muitos dos nossos foram mortos.

13 Mataram todos os nossos irmãos que se achavam na região de Tobias, levaram consigo suas mulheres, seus filhos e seus bens e mataram lá perto de cem mil homens."

14 Quando ainda se estava lendo essa carta, eis que chegam outros mensageiros da Galileia, com as vestes em farrapos e portadores de notícias idênticas,

15 dizendo: "Congregaram-se contra nós nações de Ptolemaida, de Tiro e de Sidônia e de toda a Galileia das Nações, para nos destruir inteiramente".

16 Logo que Judas e o povo souberam da situação, organizaram uma grande assembleia para deliberar sobre o que deviam fazer em favor dos irmãos atacados e provados.

17 Disse Judas a seu irmão Simão: "Escolhe alguns homens e põe-te a caminho para livrar teus irmãos da Galileia. Jônatas, meu irmão, e eu iremos à terra de Galaad".

18 Para guardar a Judeia deixou ali José, filho de Zacarias, e Azarias, chefe do povo, à frente do restante do exército,

19 com esta ordem: "Governai este povo e, até nossa volta, evitai toda luta com os gentios".

20 A Simão foram dados três mil homens para se dirigir à Galileia, e a Judas oito mil para ocupar a terra de Galaad.

21 Simão tomou, portanto, o caminho da Galileia e travou muitos combates, esmagando diante de si as nações,

22 as quais perseguiu até as portas de Ptole­maida. Perto de três mil gentios caíram e ele se apoderou de seus despojos.

23 Com grandes manifestações de regozijo, conduziu à Judeia os judeus que se achavam na Galileia e em Arbates, bem como suas mulheres, seus filhos e tudo o que eles possuíam.

24 Por seu lado, Judas Macabeu e seu irmão Jônatas atravessaram o Jordão e marcharam três dias pelo deserto.

25 Encontraram-se com os nabateus, os quais se aproximaram deles pacificamente e lhes contaram tudo aquilo que tinha acontecido a seus irmãos em Galaad,

26 dizendo que muitos dentre eles haviam sido encerrados em Bosora e em Bosor, em Alimas, em Casfo, em Maced e em Carnain, todas elas cidades grandes e fortificadas.

27 "Eles estão também reunidos – acrescentaram eles – nas outras cidades de Galaad. Seus inimigos se preparam para atacar amanhã suas fortificações, apoderar-se deles e exterminá-los num só dia."

28 Judas mudou de caminho e atravessou o deserto para alcançar Bosora de improviso. Tomou a cidade, mandou passar a fio de espada todos os homens, apoderou-se dos espólios e incendiou a cidade.

29 Na mesma noite, partiu e atacou a fortaleza.

30 No entanto, ao romper do dia, seus homens, erguendo os olhos, viram uma multidão incalculável carregando escadas e máquinas para escalar de assalto a fortaleza. Era o ataque aos sitiados.

31 Enquanto a cidade erguia um clamor, misturado ao som das trombetas e um ruído formidável, viu Judas que o ataque se travava

32 e disse a seus homens: "Pelejai hoje por vossos irmãos".

33 Separou-os em três batalhões e apareceu na retaguarda do inimigo, tocando as trombetas e erguendo preces em alta voz.

34 O exército de Timóteo conheceu que era Macabeu e fugiu diante dele. Sofreu uma grande derrota e tombaram nesse dia oito mil homens.

35 Judas voltou-se em seguida para Alimas. Atacou-a e conquistou-a de assalto. Matou todos os homens, tomou seus despojos e incendiou-a.

36 Dali continuou e apoderou-se de Casfo, de Maced, de Bosor e das outras cidades do Galaad.

37 Depois de tudo o que temos acabado de dizer, Timóteo reuniu um novo exército, acampou do outro lado da corrente, defronte de Rafon.

38 Imediatamente Judas mandou alguém espionar sua posição e trouxeram-lhe a notícia: "Todas as nações circunvizinhas se uniram contra nós formando um poderoso exército.

39 Tomaram em seu auxílio mercenários árabes e se estabeleceram do outro lado do rio, prontos a atravessá-lo, para vir atacar-te". Judas foi então contra ele.

40 Ao chegar Judas com suas tropas à torrente, disse Timóteo, por sua vez, aos oficiais de seu exército: "Se ele atravessar primeiro a torrente contra nós, não lhe poderemos resistir, porque terá vantagem sobre nós.

41 Mas, se ele temer passar e acampar do outro lado do rio, atravessaremos e teremos vantagem sobre ele!".

42 Ora, logo que chegaram à torrente, Judas dispôs ao longo do rio os escribas do povo, com a seguinte ordem: "Não deixeis ninguém se instalar por aqui, mas venham todos ao combate".

43 E foi ele o primeiro a se arrojar e todo o povo o seguiu. Os gentios foram derrotados diante de seus olhos, lançaram suas armas e fugiram para o templo de Carnain.

44 Os judeus, porém, apoderaram-se da cidade e incendiaram o templo com todos aqueles que lá se achavam. Carnain foi assolada e ninguém pôde mais resistir a Judas.

45 Este reuniu então todos os judeus da terra do Galaad, do menor ao maior, as mulheres, as crian­ças e seus haveres, uma multidão enorme que ele resolveu conduzir à terra de Judá.

46 Caminharam até Efron, cidade grande e bem fortificada, que se achava no caminho. Não se podia contorná-la nem pela direita, nem pela esquerda, mas era preciso atravessá-la.

47 Os habitantes fecharam as portas e se entrincheiraram com pedras. Judas, todavia, enviou-lhes mensageiros com palavras de paz:

48 "Atravessaremos vossa terra para irmos à nossa. Ninguém vos molestará, apenas queremos passar". Mas eles não lhes quiseram abrir o acesso.

49 Então, Judas ordenou que cada um em seu posto se dispusesse para a luta.

50 Todos os homens do exército se prepararam, pois. Durante todo o dia e toda a noite a cidade foi atacada, até cair em suas mãos.

51 Passaram a fio de espada todos os homens, destruíram completamente a cidade, apoderaram-se dos espólios e atravessaram por cima dos seus cadáveres.

52 Depois a caravana passou o Jordão, para chegar à grande planície, em frente de Betsã.

53 Em caminho, Judas não cessava de ajuntar os retardatários e de encorajar a multidão até que chegassem à terra de Judá.

54 Escalaram o monte Sião com alegria e regozijo e ofereceram holocaustos por terem voltado em paz, sem que nenhum deles tivesse sucumbido.

55 Ora, enquanto Judas se achava em Galaad com Jônatas, e seu irmão Simão na Galileia diante de Ptolemaida,

56 José, filho de Zacarias, e Azarias, à frente de suas tropas, souberam de seus feitos heroicos e de suas proezas.

57 "Façamos também célebre nosso nome – disse um para o outro – e vamos combater nações vizinhas."

58 Transmitiram ordens às forças, que eles tinham consigo e marcharam contra Jâmnia.

59 Mas Górgias saiu da cidade com seus homens para opor-se à sua investida.

60 José e Azarias foram postos em fuga e perseguidos até as fronteiras da Judeia. Pereceram nesse dia cerca de dois mil homens de Israel, e foi grande a derrota do povo,

61 isso porque não ouviram Judas, supondo que mostrariam seu valor,

62 mas não pertenciam à raça desses homens a quem era dado salvar Israel.

63 O valente Judas e seus irmãos foram de modo particular honrados por todo o povo de Israel e por todas as nações onde se ouviam seus nomes.

64 Vinham em grande número para aclamá-los.

65 Entrementes, Judas e seus irmãos partiram para combater os filhos de Esaú, que habitavam no sul. Abateu Hebron e seus arrabaldes, destruiu as fortificações e queimou todas as torres dos arredores.

66 Partiu ainda para atingir a terra dos estrangeiros e atravessou Marisa.

67 Naquele dia, pereceram alguns sacerdotes no combate, por terem querido mostrar sua valentia, saindo imprudentemente para travarem combate.

68 Judas voltou para Azoto, na terra dos estrangeiros, derrubou seus altares, queimou seus ídolos, sujeitou suas cidades à pilhagem e em seguida voltou para a terra de Judá.

1 It came to pass, when the Gentiles all around heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated as before, they were exceedingly angry. 2 They took counsel to destroy the race of Jacob that was in the midst of them, and they began to kill and destroy among the people. 3 Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumaea at Akrabattine, because they besieged Israel. He struck them with a great slaughter, humbled them, and took their spoils. 4 He remembered the wickedness of the children of*5:4 Compare 2 Maccabees 10:18-23. Baean, who were a snare and a stumbling block to the people, lying in wait for them on the highways. 5 They were shut up by him in the towers. He encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned with fire the towers of the place with all who were in them. 6 He passed over to the children of Ammon, and found a mighty band and many people, with Timotheus for their leader. 7 He fought many battles with them, and they were defeated before his face. He struck them, 8 and took possession of Jazer and its villages,*5:8 Gr. daughters. Compare Numbers 21:25. and returned again into Judea.

9 The Gentiles who were in Gilead gathered themselves together against the Israelites who were on their borders, to destroy them. They fled to the stronghold of Dathema, 10 and sent letters to Judas and his kindred, saying, "The Gentiles who are around us are gathered together against us to destroy us. 11 They are preparing to come and get possession of the stronghold where we fled for refuge, and Timotheus is the leader of their army. 12 Now therefore come and deliver us from their hand, for many of us have fallen. 13 All our kindred who were in the land of *5:13 Compare 2 Maccabees 12:17. Tubias have been put to death. They have carried their wives, their children, and their stuff into captivity. They destroyed about a thousand men there."

14 While the letters were still being read, behold, other messengers came from Galilee with their clothes torn, bringing a similar report, 15 saying, "People of Ptolemais, of Tyre, of Sidon, and all Galilee of the*5:15 Gr. foreigners. Gentiles have gathered together to destroy us."

16 Now when Judas and the people heard these words, a great congregation assembled together to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and under attack. 17 Judas said to Simon his brother, "Choose men and go deliver your kindred who are in Galilee, but Jonathan my brother and I will go into the land of Gilead." 18 He left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the army, in Judea, to guard it. 19 He commanded them, saying, "Take charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until we return." 20 Then three thousand men were assigned to go into Galilee with Simon, but eight thousand men were assigned to Judas to go into the land of Gilead.

21 Simon went into Galilee and fought many battles with the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were defeated before him. 22 He pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais. About three thousand men of the Gentiles fell, and he took their spoils. 23 They took to them those who were in Galilee and in Arbatta, with their wives, their children, and all that they had, and brought them into Judea with great gladness. 24 Judas Maccabaeus and his brother Jonathan passed over the Jordan, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness. 25 They met with the Nabathaeans, and these met them in a peaceful manner and told them all things that had happened to their kindred in the land of Gilead, 26 and how many of them were shut up in Bosora, Bosor, Alema,*5:26 Compare 2 Maccabees 12:13. Casphor, Maked, and*5:26 compare 2 Maccabees 12:21. Carnaim—all these cities are strong and large— 27 and how they were shut up in the rest of the cities of the land of Gilead, and that tomorrow they planned to encamp against the strongholds, and to take them, and to destroy all these men in one day.

28 Judas and his army turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness to Bosora; and he took the city, and killed all the males with the edge of the sword, took all their spoils, and burned the city with fire. 29 He left there at night, and went until he came to the stronghold. 30 When the morning came, they lifted up their eyes and saw many people who couldn’t be counted, bearing ladders and engines of war, to take the stronghold; and they were fighting against them. 31 Judas saw that the battle had begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven, with trumpets and a great sound, 32 and he said to the men of his army, "Fight today for your kindred!" 33 Then he went out behind them in three companies. They sounded with their trumpets and cried out in prayer. 34 And the army of Timotheus perceived that it was Maccabaeus, and they fled from before him. He struck them with a great slaughter. About eight thousand men of them fell on that day.

35 He turned away to Mizpeh and fought against it, took it, killed all its males, took its spoils, and burned it with fire. 36 From there he marched and took*5:36 See 1 Maccabees 5:26 Casphor, Maked, Bosor, and the other cities of the land of Gilead.

37 Now after these things, Timotheus gathered another army and encamped near Raphon beyond the brook. 38 Judas sent men to spy on the army; and they brought him word, saying, "All the Gentiles who are around us are gathered together to them, an exceedingly great army. 39 They have hired Arabians to help them, and are encamped beyond the brook, ready to come against you to battle." So Judas went to meet them.

40 Timotheus said to the captains of his army when Judas and his army drew near to the brook of water, "If he crosses over to us first, we won’t be able to withstand him, for he will certainly defeat us; 41 but if he is afraid, and encamps beyond the river, we will cross over to him, and defeat him." 42 Now when Judas came near to the water brook, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook, and commanded them, saying, "Allow no man to encamp, but let all come to the battle." 43 Then he crossed over against them first, and all the people after him; and all the Gentiles were defeated before his face, and threw away their weapons, and fled to the temple at *5:43 See 1 Maccabees 5:26. Carnaim. 44 They took the city and burned the temple with fire, together with all who were in it. Carnaim was subdued. They couldn’t stand any longer before the face of Judas.

45 Judas gathered together all Israel, those who were in the land of Gilead, from the least to the greatest, with their wives, their children, and their stuff, an exceedingly great army, that they might come into the land of Judah. 46 They came as far as Ephron, and this same city was large and very strong. It was on the road where they were going. They couldn’t turn away from it on the right hand or on the left, but needed to pass through the middle of it. 47 The people of the city shut them out and blocked the gates with stones. 48 Judas sent to them with words of peace, saying, "We will pass through your land to go into our own land, and no one will harm you. We will only pass by on our feet." But they wouldn’t open to him. 49 Then Judas commanded proclamation to be made in the army, that each man should encamp in the place where he was. 50 So the men of the army encamped, and fought against the city all that day and all that night, and the city was delivered into his hands. 51 He destroyed all the males with the edge of the sword, razed the city, took its plunder, and passed through the city over those who were slain. 52 They went over the Jordan into the great plain near Bethshan. 53 And Judas gathered together those who lagged behind and encouraged the people all the way through, until he came into the land of Judah. 54 They went up to mount Zion with gladness and joy, and offered whole burnt offerings, because not so much as one of them was slain until they returned in peace.

55 In the days when Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Gilead, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais, 56 Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, rulers of the army, heard of their exploits and of the war, and what things they had done. 57 They said, "Let’s also get us a name, and let’s go fight against the Gentiles who are around us." 58 So they gave orders to the men of the army that was with them, and went toward Jamnia. 59 Gorgias and his men came out of the city to meet them in battle. 60 Joseph and Azarias were put to flight, and were pursued to the borders of Judea. About two thousand men of Israel fell on that day. 61 There was a great overthrow among the people, because they didn’t listen to Judas and his kindred, thinking to do some exploit. 62 But they were not of the family of those men by whose hand deliverance was given to Israel.

63 The man Judas and his kindred were glorified exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and of all the Gentiles, wherever their name was heard of. 64 Men gathered together to them, acclaiming them.

65 Judas and his kindred went out and fought against the children of Esau in the land toward the south. He struck Hebron and its villages,*5:65 Gr. daughters. Compare Numbers 21:25. pulled down its strongholds, and burned its towers all around. 66 He marched to go into the land of the*5:66 Gr. foreigners. Philistines, and he went through*5:66 Or, Marisa See Josephus, Antiquities 12:8. 6, and 2 Maccabees 12:35. Samaria. 67 In that day certain priests, desiring to do exploits there, were slain in battle, when they went out to battle unadvisedly. 68 But Judas turned toward Azotus, to the land of the*5:68 Gr. foreigners. Philistines, pulled down their altars, burned the carved images of their gods with fire, took the plunder of their cities, and returned into the land of Judah.