2 Maccabees 4

This Simon now, of whom we spake afore, having been a betrayer of the money, and of his country, slandered Onias, as if he had terrified Heliodorus, and been the worker of these evils.

Ο δὲ προειρημένος Σίμων, ὁ τῶν χρημάτων καὶ τῆς πατρίδος ἐνδείκτης γεγονώς, ἐκακολόγει τὸν ᾿Ονίαν, ὡς αὐτός τε εἴη τὸν ῾Ηλιόδωρον ἐπισεσεικὼς καὶ τῶν κακῶν δημιουργὸς καθεστηκώς,

Thus was he bold to call him a traitor, that had deserved well of the city, and tendered his own nation, and was so zealous of the laws.

καὶ τὸν εὐεργέτην τῆς πόλεως καὶ τὸν κηδεμόνα τῶν ὁμοεθνῶν καὶ ζηλωτὴν τῶν νόμων ἐπίβουλον τῶν πραγμάτων ἐτόλμα λέγειν.

But when their hatred went so far, that by one of Simon’s faction murders were committed,

τῆς δὲ ἔχθρας ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον προβαινούσης, ὥστε καὶ διά τινος τῶν ὑπὸ τοῦ Σίμωνος δεδοκιμασμένων φόνους συντελεῖσθαι,

Onias seeing the danger of this contention, and that Apollonius, as being the governor of Celosyria and Phenice, did rage, and increase Simon’s malice,

συνορῶν ὁ ᾿Ονίας τὸ χαλεπὸν τῆς φιλονεικίας καὶ ᾿Απολλώνιον τὸν Μενεσθέως τὸν Κοίλης Συρίας καὶ Φοινίκης στρατηγὸν συναύξοντα τὴν κακίαν τοῦ Σίμωνος,

He went to the king, not to be an accuser of his countrymen, but seeking the good of all, both publick and private:

πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα διεκομίσθη οὐ γινόμενος τῶν πολιτῶν κατήγορος, τὸ δὲ συμφέρον κοινῇ καὶ κατ᾿ ἰδίαν παντὶ τῷ πλήθει σκοπῶν·

For he saw that it was impossible that the state should continue quiet, and Simon leave his folly, unless the king did look thereunto.

ἑώρα γὰρ ἄνευ βασιλικῆς προνοίας ἀδύνατον εἶναι τυχεῖν εἰρήνης ἔτι τὰ πράγματα καὶ τὸν Σίμωνα παῦλαν οὐ ληψόμενον τῆς ἀνοίας.

But after the death of Seleucus, when Antiochus, called Epiphanes, took the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias laboured underhand to be high priest,

Μεταλλάξαντος δὲ τὸν βίον Σελεύκου καὶ παραλαβόντος τὴν βασιλείαν ᾿Αντιόχου τοῦ προσαγορευθέντος ᾿Επιφανοῦς, ὑπενόθευσεν ᾿Ιάσων ὁ ἀδελφὸς ᾿Ονίου τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην,

Promising unto the king by intercession three hundred and threescore talents of silver, and of another revenue eighty talents:

ἐπαγγειλάμενος τῷ βασιλεῖ δι᾿ ἐντεύξεως ἀργυρίου τάλαντα ἑξήκοντα πρὸς τοῖς τριακοσίοις καὶ προσόδου τινὸς ἄλλης τάλαντα ὀγδοήκοντα.

Beside this, he promised to assign an hundred and fifty more, if he might have licence to set him up a place for exercise, and for the training up of youth in the fashions of the heathen, and to write them of Jerusalem by the name of Antiochians.

πρὸς δὲ τούτοις ὑπισχνεῖτο καὶ ἕτερα διαγράψαι πεντήκοντα πρὸς τοῖς ἑκατόν, ἐὰν συγχωρηθῇ διὰ τῆς ἐξουσίας αὐτοῦ γυμνάσιον καὶ ἐφηβεῖον αὐτῷ συστήσασθαι καὶ τοὺς ἐν ῾Ιεροσολύμοις ᾿Αντιοχεῖς ἀναγράψαι.

Which when the king had granted, and he had gotten into his hand the rule he forthwith brought his own nation to Greekish fashion.

ἐπινεύσαντος δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς κρατήσας, εὐθέως ἐπὶ τὸν ῾Ελληνικὸν χαρακτῆρα τοὺς ὁμοφύλους μετῆγε

And the royal privileges granted of special favour to the Jews by the means of John the father of Eupolemus, who went ambassador to Rome for amity and aid, he took away; and putting down the governments which were according to the law, he brought up new customs against the law:

καὶ τὰ κείμενα τοῖς ᾿Ιουδαίοις φιλάνθρωπα βασιλικὰ διὰ ᾿Ιωάννου τοῦ πατρὸς Εὐπολέμου, τοῦ ποιησαμένου τὴν πρεσβείαν ὑπὲρ φιλίας καὶ συμμαχίας πρὸς τοὺς Ῥωμαίους, παρώσατο. καὶ τὰς μὲν νομίμους καταλύων πολιτείας, παρανόμους ἐθισμοὺς ἐκαίνιζεν·

For he built gladly a place of exercise under the tower itself, and brought the chief young men under his subjection, and made them wear a hat.

ἀσμένως γὰρ ὑπ᾿ αὐτὴν τὴν ἀκρόπολιν γυμνάσιον καθίδρυσε καὶ τοὺς κρατίστους τῶν ἐφήβων ὑποτάσσων ὑπὸ πέτασον ἦγεν.

Now such was the height of Greek fashions, and increase of heathenish manners, through the exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly wretch, and no high priest;

ἦν δ᾿ οὕτως ἀκμή τις ῾Ελληνισμοῦ καὶ πρόσβασις ἀλλοφυλισμοῦ διὰ τὴν τοῦ ἀσεβοῦς καὶ οὐκ ἀρχιερέως ᾿Ιάσωνος ὑπερβάλλουσαν ἀναγνείαν,

That the priests had no courage to serve any more at the altar, but despising the temple, and neglecting the sacrifices, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise, after the game of Discus called them forth;

ὥστε μηκέτι περὶ τὰς τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου λειτουργίας προθύμους εἶναι τοὺς ἱερεῖς, ἀλλὰ τοῦ μὲν ναοῦ καταφρονοῦντες καὶ τῶν θυσιῶν ἀμελοῦντες ἔσπευδον μετέχειν τῆς ἐν παλαίστρᾳ παρανόμου χορηγίας μετὰ τὴν τοῦ δίσκου πρόκλησιν,

Not setting by the honours of their fathers, but liking the glory of the Grecians best of all.

καὶ τὰς μὲν πατρῴους τιμὰς ἐν οὐδενὶ τιθέμενοι, τὰς δὲ ῾Ελληνικὰς δόξας καλλίστας ἡγούμενοι.

By reason whereof sore calamity came upon them: for they had them to be their enemies and avengers, whose custom they followed so earnestly, and unto whom they desired to be like in all things.

ὧν χάριν περιέσχεν αὐτοὺς χαλεπὴ περίστασις, καὶ ὧν ἐζήλουν τὰς ἀγωγὰς καὶ καθάπαν ἤθελον ἐξομοιοῦσθαι, τούτους πολεμίους καὶ τιμωρητὰς ἔσχον·

For it is not a light thing to do wickedly against the laws of God: but the time following shall declare these things.

ἀσεβεῖν γὰρ εἰς τοὺς θείους νόμους οὐ ῥᾴδιον, ἀλλὰ ταῦτα ὁ ἀκόλουθος καιρὸς δηλώσει.

Now when the game that was used every fifth year was kept at Tyrus, the king being present,

ἀγομένου δὲ πενταετηρικοῦ ἀγῶνος ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ τοῦ βασιλέως παρόντος,

This ungracious Jason sent special messengers from Jerusalem, who were Antiochians, to carry three hundred drachms of silver to the sacrifice of Hercules, which even the bearers thereof thought fit not to bestow upon the sacrifice, because it was not convenient, but to be reserved for other charges.

ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιάσων ὁ μιαρὸς θεωροὺς ἀπὸ ῾Ιεροσολύμων ᾿Αντιοχεῖς ὄντας παρακομίζοντας ἀργυρίου δραχμὰς τριακοσίας εἰς τὴν τοῦ ῾Ηρακλέους θυσίαν, ἃς καὶ ἠξίωσαν οἱ παρακομίσαντες μὴ χρῆσθαι πρὸς θυσίαν διὰ τὸ μὴ καθήκειν, εἰς ἑτέραν δὲ καταθέσθαι δαπάνην.

This money then, in regard of the sender, was appointed to Hercules’ sacrifice; but because of the bearers thereof, it was employed to the making of gallies.

ἔπεσεν οὖν ταῦτα διὰ μὲν τὸν ἀποστείλαντα εἰς τὴν τοῦ ῾Ηρακλέους θυσίαν, ἕνεκεν δὲ τῶν παρακομιζόντων εἰς τὰς τῶν τριήρων κατασκευάς.

Now when Apollonius the son of Menestheus was sent into Egypt for the coronation of king Ptolemeus Philometor, Antiochus, understanding him not to be well affected to his affairs, provided for his own safety: whereupon he came to Joppa, and from thence to Jerusalem:

ἀποσταλέντος δὲ εἰς Αἴγυπτον ᾿Απολλωνίου τοῦ Μενεσθέως διὰ τὰ πρωτοκλίσια Πτολεμαίου τοῦ Φιλομήτορος Βασιλέως, μεταλαβὼν ᾿Αντίοχος ἀλλότριον αὐτὸν τῶν αὐτῶν γεγονέναι πραγμάτων, τῆς καθ᾿ αὑτὸν ἀσφαλείας ἐφρόντιζεν· ὅθεν εἰς ᾿Ιόππην παραγενόμενος κατήντησεν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα.

Where he was honourably received of Jason, and of the city, and was brought in with torch alight, and with great shoutings: and so afterward went with his host unto Phenice.

μεγαλοπρεπῶς δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ ᾿Ιάσωνος καὶ τῆς πόλεως παραδεχθείς, μετὰ δᾳδουχίας καὶ βοῶν εἰσπεπόρευται, εἶθ᾿ οὕτως εἰς τὴν Φοινίκην κατεστρατοπέδευσε.

Three years afterward Jason sent Menelaus, the aforesaid Simon’s brother, to bear the money unto the king, and to put him in mind of certain necessary matters.

μετὰ δὲ τριετῆ χρόνον ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιάσων Μενέλαον, τὸν τοῦ προσημαινομένου Σίμωνος ἀδελφόν, παρακομίζοντα τὰ χρήματα τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ περὶ πραγμάτων ἀναγκαίων ὑπομνηματισμοὺς τελέσοντα.

But he being brought to the presence of the king, when he had magnified him for the glorious appearance of his power, got the priesthood to himself, offering more than Jason by three hundred talents of silver.

ὁ δὲ συσταθεὶς τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ δοξάσας αὐτὸν τῷ προσώπῳ τῆς ἐξουσίας, εἰς ἑαυτὸν κατήντησε τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην, ὑπερβαλὼν τὸν ᾿Ιάσωνα τάλαντα ἀργυρίου τριακόσια.

So he came with the king’s mandate, bringing nothing worthy the high priesthood, but having the fury of a cruel tyrant, and the rage of a savage beast.

λαβὼν δὲ τὰς βασιλικὰς ἐντολὰς παρεγένετο, τῆς μὲν ἀρχιερωσύνης οὐδὲν ἄξιον φέρων, θυμοὺς δὲ ὠμοῦ τυράννου καὶ θηρὸς βαρβάρου ὀργὰς ἔχων.

Then Jason, who had undermined his own brother, being undermined by another, was compelled to flee into the country of the Ammonites.

καὶ ὁ μὲν ᾿Ιάσων ὁ τὸν ἴδιον ἀδελφὸν ὑπονοθεύσας, ὑπονοθευθεὶς ὑφ᾿ ἑτέρου, φυγὰς εἰς τὴν ᾿Αμμανῖτιν χώραν συνήλαστο.

So Menelaus got the principality: but as for the money that he had promised unto the king, he took no good order for it, albeit Sostratis the ruler of the castle required it:

ὁ δὲ Μενέλαος τῆς μὲν ἀρχῆς ἐκράτει, τῶν δὲ ἐπηγγελμένων τῷ βασιλεῖ χρημάτων οὐδὲν εὐτάκνει· ποιουμένου δὲ τὴν ἀπαίτησιν Σωστράτου τοῦ τῆς ἀκροπόλεως ἐπάρχου,

For unto him appertained the gathering of the customs. Wherefore they were both called before the king.

πρὸς τοῦτον γὰρ ἦν ἡ τῶν φόρων πρᾶξις, δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν οἱ δύο ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως προσεκλήθησαν,

Now Menelaus left his brother Lysimachus in his stead in the priesthood; and Sostratus left Crates, who was governor of the Cyprians.

καὶ ὁ μὲν Μενέλαος ἀπέλιπε τῆς ἀρχιερωσύνης διάδοχον Λυσίμαχον τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἀδελφόν, Σώστρατος δὲ Κράτητα τὸν ἐπὶ τῶν Κυπρίων.

While those things were in doing, they of Tarsus and Mallos made insurrection, because they were given to the king’s concubine, called Antiochus.

τοιούτων δὲ συνεστηκότων, συνέβη Ταρσεῖς καὶ Μαλλώτας στασιάζειν διὰ τὸ ᾿Αντιοχίδι τῇ παλλακῇ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν δωρεᾷ δεδόσθαι.

Then came the king in all haste to appease matters, leaving Andronicus, a man in authority, for his deputy.

θᾶττον οὖν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἧκε καταστεῖλε τὰ πράγματα, καταλιπὼν τὸν διαδεχόμενον ᾿Ανδρόνικον τῶν ἐν ἀξιώματι κειμένων.

Now Menelaus, supposing that he had gotten a convenient time, stole certain vessels of gold out of the temple, and gave some of them to Andronicus, and some he sold into Tyrus and the cities round about.

νομίσας δὲ ὁ Μενέλαος εἰληφέναι καιρὸν εὐφυῆ, χρυσώματά τινα τῶν τοῦ ἱεροῦ νοσφισάμενος ἐχαρίσατο τῷ ᾿Ανδρονίκῳ καὶ ἕτερα ἐτύγχανε πεπρακὼς εἴς τε Τύρον καὶ τὰς κύκλῳ πόλεις.

Which when Onias knew of a surety, he reproved him, and withdrew himself into a sanctuary at Daphne, that lieth by Antiochia.

ἃ καὶ σαφῶς ἐπεγνωκὼς ὁ ᾿Ονίας, παρήλεγχεν ἀποκεχωρηκὼς εἰς ἄσυλον τόπον ἐπὶ Δάφνης τῆς πρὸς ᾿Αντιόχειαν κειμένης.

Wherefore Menelaus, taking Andronicus apart, prayed, him to get Onias into his hands; who being persuaded thereunto, and coming to Onias in deceit, gave him his right hand with oaths; and though he were suspected by him, yet persuaded he him to come forth of the sanctuary: whom forthwith he shut up without regard of justice.

ὅθεν ὁ Μενέλαος λαβὼν ἰδίᾳ τὸν ᾿Ανδρόνικον, παρεκάλει χειρώσασθαι τὸν ᾿Ονίαν. ὁ δὲ παραγενόμενος ἐπὶ τὸν ᾿Ονίαν καὶ πεισθεὶς ἐπὶ δόλῳ καὶ δεξιὰς μεθ᾿ ὅρκων δούς, καίπερ ἐν ὑποψίᾳ κείμενος, ἔπεισεν ἐκ τοῦ ἀσύλου προελθεῖν, ὃν καὶ παραχρῆμα παρέκλεισεν οὐκ αἰδεσθεὶς τὸ δίκαιον.

For the which cause not only the Jews, but many also of other nations, took great indignation, and were much grieved for the unjust murder of the man.

δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν οὐ μόνον ᾿Ιουδαῖοι, πολλοὶ δὲ καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἐθνῶν ἐδείναζον καὶ ἐδυσφόρουν ἐπὶ τῷ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ἀδίκῳ φόνῳ.

And when the king was come again from the places about Cilicia, the Jews that were in the city, and certain of the Greeks that abhorred the fact also, complained because Onias was slain without cause.

τοῦ δὲ βασιλέως ἐπανελθόντος ἀπὸ τῶν κατὰ Κιλικίαν τόπων, ἐνετύγχανον οἱ κατὰ πόλιν ᾿Ιουδαῖοι, συμμισοπονηρούντων καὶ τῶν ῾Ελλήνων ὑπὲρ τοῦ παρὰ λόγον τὸν ᾿Ονίαν ἀπεκτάνθαι.

Therefore Antiochus was heartily sorry, and moved to pity, and wept, because of the sober and modest behaviour of him that was dead.

ψυχικῶς οὖν ὁ ᾿Αντίοχος ἐπιλυπηθεὶς καὶ τραπεὶς εἰς ἔλεον καὶ δακρύσας διὰ τὴν τοῦ μετηλλαχότος σωφροσύνην καὶ πολλὴν εὐταξίαν

And being kindled with anger, forthwith he took away Andronicus his purple, and rent off his clothes, and leading him through the whole city unto that very place, where he had committed impiety against Onias, there slew he the cursed murderer. Thus the Lord rewarded him his punishment, as he had deserved.

καὶ πυρωθεὶς τοῖς θυμοῖς, παραχρῆμα τὴν τοῦ ᾿Ανδρονίκου πορφύραν περιελόμενος καὶ τοὺς χιτῶνας περιρρήξας, περιαγαγὼν καθ᾿ ὅλην τὴν πόλιν, ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ τὸν τόπον, οὗπερ εἰς τὸν ᾿Ονίαν ἠσέβησεν, ἐκεῖ τὸν μιαιφόνον ἀπεκόσμησε, τοῦ Κυρίου τὴν ἀξία αὐτῷ κόλασιν ἀποδόντος.

Now when many sacrileges had been committed in the city by Lysimachus with the consent of Menelaus, and the fruit thereof was spread abroad, the multitude gathered themselves together against Lysimachus, many vessels of gold being already carried away.

γενομένων δὲ πολλῶν ἱεροσυλυμάτων κατὰ τὴν πόλιν ὑπὸ τοῦ Λυσιμάχου μετὰ τῆς Μενελάου γνώμης καὶ διαδοθείσης ἔξω τῆς φήμης, ἐπισυνήχθη τὸ πλῆθος ἐπὶ τὸν Λυσίμαχον, χρυσωμάτων ἤδη πολλῶν διενηνεγμένων.

Whereupon the common people rising, and being filled with rage, Lysimachus armed about three thousand men, and began first to offer violence; one Auranus being the leader, a man far gone in years, and no less in folly.

ἐπεγειρομένων δὲ τῶν ὄχλων καὶ ταῖς ὀργαῖς διεμπιπλαμένων, καθοπλίσας ὁ Λυσίμαχος πρὸς τρισχιλίους, κατήρξατο χειρῶν ἀδίκων, προηγησαμένου τινὸς τυράννου προβεβηκότος τὴν ἡλικίαν, οὐδὲν δὲ ἧττον καὶ τὴν ἄνοιαν.

They then seeing the attempt of Lysimachus, some of them caught stones, some clubs, others taking handfuls of dust, that was next at hand, cast them all together upon Lysimachus, and those that set upon them.

συνιδόντες δὲ καὶ τὴν ἐπίθεσιν τοῦ Λυσιμάχου, συναρπάσαντες οἱ μὲν πέτρους, οἱ δὲ ξύλων πάχη, τινὲς δὲ ἐκ τῆς παρακειμένης σποδοῦ δρασσόμενοι, φύρδην ἐνετίνασσον εἰς τοὺς περὶ τὸν Λυσίμαχον·

Thus many of them they wounded, and some they struck to the ground, and all of them they forced to flee: but as for the churchrobber himself, him they killed beside the treasury.

δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν πολλοὺς μὲν αὐτῶν τραυματίας ἐποίησαν, τινὰς δὲ καὶ κατέβαλον, πάντας δὲ εἰς φυγὴν συνήλασαν, αὐτὸν δὲ τὸν ἱερόσυλον παρὰ τὸ γαζοφυλάκιον ἐχειρώσαντο.

Of these matters therefore there was an accusation laid against Menelaus.

περὶ δὲ τούτων ἐνέστη κρίσις πρὸς τὸν Μενέλαον.

Now when the king came to Tyrus, three men that were sent from the senate pleaded the cause before him:

καταντήσαντος δὲ τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς Τύρον, ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν δικαιολογίαν ἐποιήσαντο οἱ πεμφθέντες ἄνδρες τρεῖς ὑπὸ τῆς γερουσίας.

But Menelaus, being now convicted, promised Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes to give him much money, if he would pacify the king toward him.

ἤδη δὲ λελειμμένος ὁ Μενέλαος ἐπηγγείλατο χρήματα ἱκανὰ τῷ Πτολεμαίῳ τῷ Δορυμένους πρὸς τὸ πεῖσαι τὸν βασιλέα.

Whereupon Ptolemee taking the king aside into a certain gallery, as it were to take the air, brought him to be of another mind:

ὅθεν ἀπολαβὼν ὁ Πτολεμαῖος εἴς τι περίστυλον ὡς ἀναψύξοντα τὸν βασιλέα μετέθηκε,

Insomuch that he discharged Menelaus from the accusations, who notwithstanding was cause of all the mischief: and those poor men, who, if they had told their cause, yea, before the Scythians, should have been judged innocent, them he condemned to death.

καὶ τὸν μὲν τῆς ὅλης κακίας Μενέλαον ἀπέλυσε τῶν κατηγορημάτων, τοῖς δὲ ταλαιπώροις, οἵτινες, εἰ καὶ ἐπὶ Σκυθῶν ἔλεγον, ἀπελύθησαν ἂν ἀκατάγνωστοι, τούτοις θάνατον ἐπέκρινε.

Thus they that followed the matter for the city, and for the people, and for the holy vessels, did soon suffer unjust punishment.

ταχέως οὖν τὴν ἄδικον ζημίαν ὑπέσχον οἱ ὑπὲρ πόλεως καὶ δήμων καὶ τῶν ἱερῶν σκευῶν προαγορεύσαντες.

Wherefore even they of Tyrus, moved with hatred of that wicked deed, caused them to be honourably buried.

δι᾿ ἣν αἰτίαν καὶ Τύριοι μισοπονηρήσαντες τὰ πρὸς τὴν κηδείαν αὐτῶν μεγαλοπρεπῶς ἐχορήγησαν.

And so through the covetousness of them that were of power Menelaus remained still in authority, increasing in malice, and being a great traitor to the citizens.

ὁ δὲ Μενέλαος διὰ τὰς τῶν κρατούντων πλεονεξίας ἔμενεν ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς ἐπιφυόμενος τῇ κακίᾳ, μέγας τῶν πολιτῶν ἐπίβουλος καθεστώς.