2 Maccabees 14

1 Três anos mais tarde, Judas e seus companheiros souberam que Demétrio, filho de Seleuco, tinha chegado pelo porto de Trípolis com um poderoso exército e uma grande esquadra.

2 Soube também que o país caíra em suas mãos e que havia causado a perda de Antíoco e de seu tutor Lísias.

3 Ora, certo Alcimo, outrora sumo sacerdote, mas voluntariamente comprometido por ocasião da introdução dos costumes pagãos, vendo que de nenhum lado lhe restava esperança de salvação, nem possibilidade de achegar-se ainda ao altar,

4 veio ter com o rei Demétrio. Isso foi pelo ano cento e cinquenta e um. Ofereceu-lhe uma coroa de ouro, uma palma e, além disso, alguns ramos de oliveira, dos que se oferecem no templo. Naquele dia, contudo, não disse nada.

5 Encontrou, porém, ocasião oportuna para executar sua maldade, quando foi chamado ao conselho por Demétrio e interrogado sobre as disposições e os intentos dos judeus.

6 Respondeu ele: "Aqueles judeus, que se chamam assideus, em cuja frente se encontra Judas Macabeu, fomentam a guerra e as sedições e impedem que o reino goze de paz.

7 Eis por que, despojado de minha dignidade hereditária, quero dizer do sumo sacerdócio: vim aqui

8 primeiramente porque tenho realmente cuidado dos interesses do rei; depois, em consideração aos meus compatriotas, porque a irreflexão dos que citei mergulha toda a nossa raça num grande mal.

9 Reconhecido isso, ó rei, pela benevolência que testemunhas a todos, toma as medidas necessárias para a salvação de nosso país e de nossa raça ameaçada,

10 porque, enquanto Judas estiver vivo, é impossível que haja paz".

11 Mal acabara ele de falar, os demais amigos do rei, hostis à causa de Judas, puseram-se a incitar Demétrio.

12 Este designou imediatamente Nicanor, ex-comandante do corpo de elefantes, e promoveu-o a general da Judeia, ordenando-lhe

13 que partisse a fim de matar Judas, dispersar suas tropas e restabelecer Alcimo como sacerdote do grande templo.

14 Aqueles que na Judeia tinham fugido de Judas colocaram-se ao lado dos gentios sob a chefia de Nicanor, como se os infortúnios e males dos judeus lhes devessem redundar em outros tantos êxitos.

15 Os judeus, ao ouvirem falar da expedição de Nicanor e do ataque dos gentios, cobriram a cabeça de pó e imploraram àquele que estabelecera seu povo para sempre e que continuamente, de modo visível, defendia sua herança.

16 Por ordem do chefe, partiu logo o exército e encontrou o inimigo perto da aldeia de Dessau.

17 Embora Simão, irmão de Judas, estivesse em presença de Nicanor, adiou o ataque em vista do súbito terror produzido aos seus pelo inimigo.

18 De seu lado, Nicanor, conhecendo a coragem dos homens de Judas e a grandeza de ânimo com que eles se atiravam ao combate pela pátria, temeu expor-se a uma decisão pelo sangue.

19 Enviou, pois, Posidônio, Teódoto e Matatias, para oferecer a mão aos judeus e receber a deles.

20 As propostas de paz foram por muito tempo examinadas. Cada chefe as comunicou às suas tropas e foram aceitas unanimemente.

21 Foi fixado um dia para uma conferência dos chefes sobre esse assunto. De um lado e de outro avançou um carro e colocaram cadeiras de honra.

22 Judas postou homens armados em lugares estratégicos, prontos para qualquer eventua­lidade, se os adversários os viessem trair. A conferência dos chefes foi satisfatória.

23 Nicanor passou a residir em Jerusalém, sem fazer ali mal algum. Despediu até mesmo a multidão das tropas que ele havia trazido consigo.

24 Estava constantemente em companhia de Judas, sentindo amizade para com ele.

25 Instou para que ele se casasse e que tivesse filhos. Judas casou-se, gozou de tranquilidade e desfrutou a vida.

26 Verificando Alcimo os sentimentos recíprocos de ambos os chefes, investigou as cláusulas do tratado e dirigiu-se a Demétrio, acusando Nicanor de conjurar contra o Estado, porque havia designado para seu lugar-tenente Judas, o próprio inimigo do reino.

27 Exasperado e excitado pelas calúnias desse bandido, escreveu o rei a Nicanor, dizendo-lhe que estava descontente com os tratados realizados e ordenava-lhe que lhe enviasse preso Macabeu o mais depressa possível, para Antioquia.

28 Ao receber a carta, Nicanor ficou consternado e triste por ter de romper seus contratos, sem que Judas tivesse agido mal.

29 Mas, como ele não podia contrariar as ordens do rei, procurava uma ocasião para executar essa ordem por algum ardil.

30 Reparando Macabeu que Nicanor se mostrava mais rude para com sua pessoa e com uma atitude mais indiferente, achou que esse procedimento nada indicava de bom. Reunindo, pois, um grupo dos seus partidários, ocultou-se de Nicanor.

31 Quando o outro reconheceu que havia sido logrado, dirigiu-se ao grande e sublime templo, no momento em que os sacerdotes ofereciam o sacrifício e deu-lhes ordem de entregarem esse homem.

32 Os sacerdotes, porém, juraram-lhe que não sabiam onde se achava o que ele procurava.

33 Então, estendendo a mão para o templo, jurou: "Se não me entregardes Judas preso, arrasarei até o solo este santuário de Deus, derribarei o altar e no mesmo lugar edificarei um magnífico templo a Dioniso".

34 Ditas essas palavras, ele se retirou. Os sacerdotes, então, ergueram as mãos para o céu e invocaram aquele que sempre pelejou pelo nosso povo:

35 "Senhor do universo – exclamaram eles –, vós, que bastais a vós mesmo, quisestes possuir entre nós um templo por habitação.

36 Ó fonte santa de toda santidade, conservai, pois, sempre livre de toda profanação esta casa que há pouco foi purificada".

37 Aconteceu também que Razias, um dos anciãos de Jerusalém, foi denunciado a Nicanor. Era um homem dedicado aos seus concidadãos, de grande reputação e cognominado "pai dos judeus", por causa de sua benevolência.

38 Anteriormente, por ocasião da resistência ao paganismo, havia sido acusado de judaísmo e pelo judaísmo ele se havia exposto de corpo e alma com extremo zelo.

39 Nicanor, que pretendia dar uma prova de sua hostilidade para com os judeus, enviou mais de quinhentos homens para apoderar-se dele,

40 supondo que, prendendo-o, causaria aos judeus um golpe penoso.

41 Como essa tropa foi apoderar-se da torre e forçar a entrada, uma vez que havia sido dada a ordem de atear fogo e incendiar as portas, Razias, quando ia ser preso, transpassou-se com a própria espada,

42 preferindo morrer honradamente antes que cair nas mãos dos ímpios e padecer ultrajes indignos de seu nobre nascimento.

43 Na precipitação, porém, dirigiu mal o golpe e, enquanto os soldados forçavam do lado de fora contra as portas, ele correu animosamente para cima do muro e, com coragem, atirou-se sobre a multidão.

44 As pessoas afastaram-se com rapidez e Razias tombou no espaço deixado vazio.

45 Todavia, ainda respirando, cheio de ardor, ergueu-se e, embora o sangue lhe jorrasse como uma fonte de suas horríveis feridas, atravessou a multidão numa carreira. Em seguida, de pé sobre uma rocha escarpada

46 e já inteiramente exangue, arrancou com as próprias mãos as entranhas que saíam, e lançou-as sobre os inimigos. Foi assim seu fim, pedindo ao Senhor da vida e do espírito que lhos restituísse um dia.

1 Three years later, news was brought to Judas and his company that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having sailed into the harbor of Tripolis with a mighty army and a fleet, 2 had taken possession of the country, having made away with Antiochus and his guardian Lysias.

3 But one Alcimus, who had formerly been high priest, and had willfully polluted himself in the times when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, considering that there was no deliverance for him in any way, nor any more access to the holy altar, 4 came to King Demetrius in about the one hundred fifty-first year, presenting to him a crown of gold and a palm, and beside these some of the festal olive boughs of the temple. For that day, he held his peace; 5 but having gotten opportunity to further his own madness, being called by Demetrius into a meeting of his council, and asked how the Jews stood affected and what they intended, he answered:

6 "Those of the Jews called *14:6 That is, Chasidim. Hasidaeans, whose leader is Judas Maccabaeus, keep up war and are seditious, not allowing the kingdom to find tranquillity. 7 Therefore, having laid aside my ancestral glory—I mean the high priesthood—I have now come *14:7 Some authorities read a second time. here, 8 first for the genuine care I have for the things that concern the king, and secondly because I have regard also to my own fellow citizens. For through the unadvised dealing of those of whom I spoke before, our whole race is in no small misfortune. 9 O king, having informed yourself of these things, take thought both for our country and for our race, which is surrounded by enemies, according to the gracious kindness with which you receive all. 10 For as long as Judas remains alive, it is impossible for the government to find peace. 11 When he had spoken such words as these, at once *14:11 Or, the king’s friends likewise the rest of the king’s *14:11 See 2 Maccabees 8:9. friends, having ill will against Judas, inflamed Demetrius yet more. 12 He immediately appointed Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and made him governor of Judea. He sent him out, 13 giving him written instructions to kill Judas himself and to scatter those who were with him, and to set up Alcimus as high priest of the *14:13 Gr. greatest. great temple. 14 Those in Judea who *14:14 See 2 Maccabees 5:27. had driven Judas into exile thronged to Nicanor in flocks, supposing that the misfortunes and calamities of the Jews would be successes to themselves.

15 But when the Jews heard of Nicanor’s advance and the assault of the heathen, they sprinkled dirt on their heads and made solemn prayers to him who had established his own people for evermore, and who always, making manifest his presence, upholds those who are his own heritage. 16 *14:16 The Greek text of this verse and the next is corrupt. When the leader had given orders, he immediately set out from there and joined battle with them at a village called Lessau. 17 But Simon, the brother of Judas, had encountered Nicanor, yet not till late, having been delayed by reason of the sudden consternation caused by his adversaries.

18 Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the valor of those who were with Judas, and their courage in fighting for their country, shrank from bringing the matter to the decision of the sword. 19 Therefore he sent Posidonius, Theodotus, and Mattathias to give and receive pledges of friendship. 20 So when these proposals had been long considered, and the leader had made the *14:20 Or, people Gr. multitudes. troops acquainted with them, and it appeared that they were all of like mind, they consented to the covenants. 21 They appointed a day on which to meet together by themselves. A chariot came forward from each army. They set up seats of honor. 22 Judas stationed armed men ready in convenient places, lest perhaps there should suddenly be treachery on the part of the enemy. They held a conference as was appropriate. 23 Nicanor waited in Jerusalem, and did nothing to cause disturbance, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered together. 24 He kept Judas always in his presence. He had gained a hearty affection for the man. 25 He urged him to marry and have children. He married, settled quietly, and took part in common life.

26 But Alcimus, perceiving the good will that was between them, *14:26 Or, and the covenants that had been made, took occasion and cameand having taken possession of the covenants that had been made, came to Demetrius and told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government, for he had appointed that conspirator against his kingdom, Judas, to be his successor. 27 The king, falling into a rage, and being exasperated by the false accusations of that most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was displeased at the covenants, and commanding him to send Maccabaeus prisoner to Antioch in all haste. 28 When this message came to Nicanor, he was confounded, and was very troubled at the thought of annulling the articles that had been agreed upon, the man having done no wrong; 29 but because there was no opposing the king, he watched his time to execute this purpose by strategy. 30 But Maccabaeus, when he perceived that Nicanor was behaving more harshly in his dealings with him, and that he had become ruler in his customary bearing, understanding that this harshness came not of good, gathered together not a few of his men, and concealed himself from Nicanor.

31 But the other,*14:31 Or, though he was conscious that he had been nobly defeated by when he became aware that he had been bravely defeated by the strategy of Judas,*14:31 Gr. the man came to the great*14:31 Gr. greatest. and holy temple, while the priests were offering the usual sacrifices, and commanded them to hand over the man. 32 When they declared with oaths that they had no knowledge where the man was whom he sought, 33 he stretched out his right hand toward the sanctuary, and swore this oath: "If you won’t deliver up to me Judas as a prisoner, I will level this *14:33 Or, chapel Gr. enclosure. temple of God even with the ground, break down the altar, and I will erect here a temple to Dionysus for all to see.

34 And having said this, he departed. But the priests, stretching forth their hands toward heaven, called upon him who always fights for our nation, in these words: 35 "You, O Lord of the universe, who in yourself have need of nothing, were well pleased that a sanctuary of your habitation*14:35 Gr. tabernacling. should be set among us. 36 So now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep undefiled forever this house that has been recently cleansed."

37 Now information was given to Nicanor against one Razis, an elder of Jerusalem, who was a lover of his countrymen and a man of very good report, and one called Father of the Jews for his good will. 38 For in the former times when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, he had been accused of following the Jews’ religion, and had risked body and life with all earnestness for the religion of the Jews. 39 Nicanor, wishing to make evident the ill will that he bore against the Jews, sent above five hundred soldiers to seize him; 40 for he thought by seizing him to inflict an injury on them. 41 But when the *14:41 Or, people Gr. multitudes. troops were at the point of taking the tower, and were forcing the door of the court, and asked for fire to burn the doors, he, being surrounded on every side, fell upon his sword, 42 choosing rather to die nobly than to fall into the hands of the wicked wretches, and suffer outrage unworthy of his own nobleness. 43 But since he missed his stroke through the excitement of the struggle, and the crowds were now rushing within the door, he ran bravely up to the wall and cast himself down bravely among the crowds. 44 But as they quickly gave back, a space was made, and he fell on the middle of *14:44 Or, the void place his side. 45 Still having breath within him, and being inflamed with anger, he rose up, and though his blood gushed out in streams and his wounds were grievous, he ran through the crowds, and standing upon a steep rock, 46 when as his blood was now well near spent, he drew forth his bowels through the wound, and taking them in both his hands he shook them at the crowds. Calling upon him who is Lord of life and spirit to restore him *14:46 Some authorities read the same. these again, he died like this.