2 Maccabees 15 #catechesis/bible/2-maccabees
[!abstract] Judas encouraged by a vision gains a glorious victory over Nicanor. The conclusion.
Book: 2 Maccabees · ← 2 Maccabees 14
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GR ὁ δὲ Νικάνωρ μεταλαβὼν τοὺς περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν ὄντας ἐν τοῖς κατὰ Σαμάρειαν τόποις ἐβουλεύσατο τῇ τῆς καταπαύσεως ἡμέρᾳ μετὰ πάσης ἀσφαλείας αὐτοῖς ἐπιβαλεῖν
LA Nicanor autem, ut comperit Judam esse in locis Samariæ, cogitavit cum omni impetu die sabbati committere bellum.
EN But when Nicanor understood that Judas was in the places of Samaria, he purposed to set upon him with all violence, on the sabbath day.
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GR τῶν δὲ κατὰ ἀνάγκην συνεπομένων αὐτῷ Ιουδαίων λεγόντων μηδαμῶς οὕτως ἀγρίως καὶ βαρβάρως ἀπολέσῃς δόξαν δὲ ἀπομέρισον τῇ προτετιμημένῃ ὑπὸ τοῦ πάντα ἐφορῶντος μεθ’ ἁγιότητος ἡμέρᾳ
LA Judæis vero qui illum per necessitatem sequebantur, dicentibus: Ne ita ferociter et barbare feceris, sed honorem tribue diei sanctificationis, et honora eum qui universa conspicit:
EN And when the Jews that were constrained to follow him, said: Do not act so fiercely and barbarously, but give honour to the day that is sanctified: and reverence him that beholds all things:
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GR ὁ δὲ τρισαλιτήριος ἐπηρώτησεν εἰ ἔστιν ἐν οὐρανῷ δυνάστης ὁ προστεταχὼς ἄγειν τὴν τῶν σαββάτων ἡμέραν
LA ille infelix interrogavit si est potens in cælo, qui imperavit agi diem sabbatorum.
EN That unhappy man asked, if there were a mighty One in heaven, that had commanded the sabbath day to be kept.
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GR τῶν δ’ ἀποφηναμένων ἔστιν ὁ κύριος ζῶν αὐτὸς ἐν οὐρανῷ δυνάστης ὁ κελεύσας ἀσκεῖν τὴν ἑβδομάδα
LA Et respondentibus illis: Est Dominus vivus ipse in cælo potens, qui jussit agi septimam diem:
EN And when they answered: There is the living Lord himself in heaven, the mighty One, that commanded the seventh day to be kept.
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GR ὁ δὲ ἕτερος κἀγώ φησιν δυνάστης ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὁ προστάσσων αἴρειν ὅπλα καὶ τὰς βασιλικὰς χρείας ἐπιτελεῖν ὅμως οὐ κατέσχεν ἐπιτελέσαι τὸ σχέτλιον αὐτοῦ βούλημα
LA at ille ait: Et ego potens sum super terram qui impero sumi arma, et negotia regis impleri. Tamen non obtinuit ut consilium perficeret.
EN Then he said: And I am mighty upon the earth, and I command to take arms, and to do the king’s business. Nevertheless he prevailed not to accomplish his design.
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GR καὶ ὁ μὲν Νικάνωρ μετὰ πάσης ἀλαζονείας ὑψαυχενῶν διεγνώκει κοινὸν τῶν περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν συστήσασθαι τρόπαιον
LA Et Nicanor quidem cum summa superbia erectus, cogitaverat commune trophæum statuere de Juda.
EN So Nicanor being puffed up with exceeding great pride, thought to set up a public monument of his victory over Judas.
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GR ὁ δὲ Μακκαβαῖος ἦν ἀδιαλείπτως πεποιθὼς μετὰ πάσης ἐλπίδος ἀντιλήμψεως τεύξασθαι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου
LA Machabæus autem semper confidebat cum omni spe auxilium sibi a Deo affuturum:
EN But Machabeus ever trusted with all hope that God would help them.
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GR καὶ παρεκάλει τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ μὴ δειλιᾶν τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν ἔφοδον ἔχοντας δὲ κατὰ νοῦν τὰ προγεγονότα αὐτοῖς ἀπ’ οὐρανοῦ βοηθήματα καὶ τὰ νῦν προσδοκᾶν τὴν παρὰ τοῦ παντοκράτορος ἐσομένην αὐτοῖς νίκην
LA et hortabatur suos ne formidarent ad adventum nationum, sed in mente haberent adjutoria sibi facta de cælo, et nunc sperarent ab Omnipotente sibi affuturam victoriam.
EN And he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the nations, but to remember the help they had before received from heaven, and now to hope for victory from the Almighty.
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GR καὶ παραμυθούμενος αὐτοὺς ἐκ τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν προσυπομνήσας δὲ αὐτοὺς καὶ τοὺς ἀγῶνας οὓς ἦσαν ἐκτετελεκότες προθυμοτέρους αὐτοὺς κατέστησεν
LA Et allocutus eos de lege et prophetis, admonens etiam certamina quæ fecerant prius, promptiores constituit eos:
EN And speaking to them out of the law, and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles they had fought before, he made them more cheerful:
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GR καὶ τοῖς θυμοῖς διεγείρας αὐτοὺς παρήγγειλεν ἅμα παρεπιδεικνὺς τὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν ἀθεσίαν καὶ τὴν τῶν ὅρκων παράβασιν
LA et ita animis eorum erectis simul ostendebat gentium fallaciam, et juramentorum prævaricationem.
EN Then after he had encouraged them, he showed withal the falsehood of the Gentiles, and their breach of oaths.
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GR ἕκαστον δὲ αὐτῶν καθοπλίσας οὐ τὴν ἀσπίδων καὶ λογχῶν ἀσφάλειαν ὡς τὴν ἐν τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς λόγοις παράκλησιν καὶ προσεξηγησάμενος ὄνειρον ἀξιόπιστον ὕπαρ τι πάντας ηὔφρανεν
LA Singulos autem illorum armavit, non clypei et hastæ munitione, sed sermonibus optimis et exhortationibus, exposito digno fide somnio, per quod universos lætificavit.
EN So he armed every one of them, not with defence of shield and spear, but with very good speeches, and exhortations, and told them a dream worthy to be believed, whereby he rejoiced them all.
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GR ἦν δὲ ἡ τούτου θεωρία τοιάδε Ονιαν τὸν γενόμενον ἀρχιερέα ἄνδρα καλὸν καὶ ἀγαθόν αἰδήμονα μὲν τὴν ἀπάντησιν πρᾶον δὲ τὸν τρόπον καὶ λαλιὰν προϊέμενον πρεπόντως καὶ ἐκ παιδὸς ἐκμεμελετηκότα πάντα τὰ τῆς ἀρετῆς οἰκεῖα τοῦτον τὰς χεῖρας προτείναντα κατεύχεσθαι τῷ παντὶ τῶν Ιουδαίων συστήματι
LA Erat autem hujuscemodi visus: Oniam, qui fuerat summus sacerdos, virum bonum et benignum, verecundum visu, modestum moribus, et eloquio decorum, et qui a puero in virtutibus exercitatus sit, manus protendentem orare pro omni populo Judæorum.
EN Now the vision was in this manner. Onias, who had been high priest, a good and virtuous man, modest in his looks, gentle in his manners, and graceful in speech, and who from a child was exercised in virtues holding up his hands, prayed for all the people of the Jews:
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GR εἶθ’ οὕτως ἐπιφανῆναι ἄνδρα πολιᾷ καὶ δόξῃ διαφέροντα θαυμαστὴν δέ τινα καὶ μεγαλοπρεπεστάτην εἶναι τὴν περὶ αὐτὸν ὑπεροχήν
LA Post hoc apparuisse et alium virum ætate et gloria mirabilem, et magni decoris habitudine circa illum.
EN After this there appeared also another man, admirable for age, and glory, and environed with great beauty and majesty:
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GR ἀποκριθέντα δὲ τὸν Ονιαν εἰπεῖν ὁ φιλάδελφος οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ πολλὰ προσευχόμενος περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τῆς ἁγίας πόλεως Ιερεμιας ὁ τοῦ θεοῦ προφήτης
LA Respondentem vero Oniam dixisse: Hic est fratrum amator, et populi Israël: hic est qui multum orat pro populo et universa sancta civitate, Jeremias propheta Dei.
EN Then Onias answering, said: This is a lover of his brethren, and of the people of Israel: this is he that prays much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremiah, the prophet of God.
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GR προτείναντα δὲ Ιερεμιαν τὴν δεξιὰν παραδοῦναι τῷ Ιουδα ῥομφαίαν χρυσῆν διδόντα δὲ προσφωνῆσαι τάδε
LA Extendisse autem Jeremiam dextram, et dedisse Judæ gladium aureum, dicentem:
EN Whereupon Jeremiah stretched forth his right hand, and gave to Judas a sword of gold, saying:
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GR λαβὲ τὴν ἁγίαν ῥομφαίαν δῶρον παρὰ τοῦ θεοῦ δι’ ἧς θραύσεις τοὺς ὑπεναντίους
LA Accipe sanctum gladium munus a Deo, in quo dejicies adversarios populi mei Israël.
EN Take this holy sword, a gift from God, wherewith you shall overthrow the adversaries of my people Israel.
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GR παρακληθέντες δὲ τοῖς Ιουδου λόγοις πάνυ καλοῖς καὶ δυναμένοις ἐπ’ ἀρετὴν παρορμῆσαι καὶ ψυχὰς νέων ἐπανδρῶσαι διέγνωσαν μὴ στρατεύεσθαι γενναίως δὲ ἐμφέρεσθαι καὶ μετὰ πάσης εὐανδρίας ἐμπλακέντες κρῖναι τὰ πράγματα διὰ τὸ καὶ τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὰ ἅγια καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν κινδυνεύειν
LA Exhortati itaque Judæ sermonibus bonis valde, de quibus extolli posset impetus, et animi juvenum confortari, statuerunt dimicare et confligere fortiter: ut virtus de negotiis judicaret, eo quod civitas sancta et templum periclitarentur.
EN Thus being exhorted with the words of Judas, which were very good, and proper to stir up the courage, and strengthen the hearts of the young men, they resolved to fight, and to set upon them manfully: that valour might decide the matter, because the holy city, and the temple were in danger.
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GR ἦν γὰρ ὁ περὶ γυναικῶν καὶ τέκνων ἔτι δὲ ἀδελφῶν καὶ συγγενῶν ἐν ἥττονι μέρει κείμενος αὐτοῖς μέγιστος δὲ καὶ πρῶτος ὁ περὶ τοῦ καθηγιασμένου ναοῦ φόβος
LA Erat enim pro uxoribus et filiis, itemque pro fratribus et cognatis, minor sollicitudo: maximus vero et primus pro sanctitate timor erat templi.
EN For their concern was less for their wives, and children, and for their brethren, and kinsfolk: but their greatest and principal fear was for the holiness of the temple.
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GR ἦν δὲ καὶ τοῖς ἐν τῇ πόλει κατειλημμένοις οὐ πάρεργος ἀγωνία ταρασσομένοις τῆς ἐν ὑπαίθρῳ προσβολῆς
LA Sed et eos qui in civitate erant, non minima sollicitudo habebat pro his qui congressuri erant.
EN And they also that were in the city, had no little concern for them that were to be engaged in battle.
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GR καὶ πάντων ἤδη προσδοκώντων τὴν ἐσομένην κρίσιν καὶ ἤδη προσμειξάντων τῶν πολεμίων καὶ τῆς στρατιᾶς ἐκταγείσης καὶ τῶν θηρίων ἐπὶ μέρος εὔκαιρον ἀποκατασταθέντων τῆς τε ἵππου κατὰ κέρας τεταγμένης
LA Et cum jam omnes sperarent judicium futurum, hostesque adessent atque exercitus esset ordinatus, bestiæ equitesque opportuno in loco compositi,
EN And now when all expected what judgment would be given, and the enemies were at hand, and the army was set in array, the beasts and the horsemen ranged in convenient places,
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GR συνιδὼν ὁ Μακκαβαῖος τὴν τῶν πληθῶν παρουσίαν καὶ τῶν ὅπλων τὴν ποικίλην παρασκευὴν τήν τε τῶν θηρίων ἀγριότητα ἀνατείνας τὰς χεῖρας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν ἐπεκαλέσατο τὸν τερατοποιὸν κύριον γινώσκων ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν δι’ ὅπλων καθὼς δὲ ἐὰν αὐτῷ κριθῇ τοῖς ἀξίοις περιποιεῖται τὴν νίκην
LA considerans Machabæus adventum multitudinis, et apparatum varium armorum, et ferocitatem bestiarum, extendens manus in cælum, prodigia facientem Dominum invocavit, qui non secundum armorum potentiam, sed prout ipsi placet, dat dignis victoriam.
EN Machabeus considering the coming of the multitude, and the divers preparations of armour, and the fierceness of the beasts, stretching out his hands to heaven, called upon the Lord, that works wonders, who gives victory to them that are worthy, not according to the power of their arms, but according as it seems good to him.
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GR ἔλεγεν δὲ ἐπικαλούμενος τόνδε τὸν τρόπον σύ δέσποτα ἀπέστειλας τὸν ἄγγελόν σου ἐπὶ Εζεκιου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ιουδαίας καὶ ἀνεῖλεν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς Σενναχηριμ εἰς ἑκατὸν ὀγδοήκοντα πέντε χιλιάδας
LA Dixit autem invocans hoc modo: Tu Domine, qui misisti angelum tuum sub Ezechia rege Juda, et interfecisti de castris Sennacherib centum octoginta quinque millia:
EN And in his prayer he said after this manner: You, O Lord, who sent your angel in the time of Ezechias, king of Juda, and killed a hundred and eighty-five thousand of the army of Sennacherib:
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GR καὶ νῦν δυνάστα τῶν οὐρανῶν ἀπόστειλον ἄγγελον ἀγαθὸν ἔμπροσθεν ἡμῶν εἰς δέος καὶ τρόμον
LA et nunc, dominator cælorum, mitte angelum tuum bonum ante nos in timore et tremore magnitudinis brachii tui,
EN Send now also, O Lord of heaven, your good angel before us, for the fear and dread of the greatness of your arm,
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GR μεγέθει βραχίονός σου καταπλαγείησαν οἱ μετὰ βλασφημίας παραγινόμενοι ἐπὶ τὸν ἅγιόν σου λαόν καὶ οὗτος μὲν ἐν τούτοις ἔληξεν
LA ut metuant qui cum blasphemia veniunt adversus sanctum populum tuum. Et hic quidem ita peroravit.
EN that they may be afraid, who come with blasphemy against your holy people. And thus he concluded his prayer.
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GR οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Νικάνορα μετὰ σαλπίγγων καὶ παιάνων προσῆγον
LA Nicanor autem et qui cum ipso erant, cum tubis et canticis admovebant.
EN But Nicanor, and they that were with him came forward, with trumpets and songs.
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GR οἱ δὲ περὶ τὸν Ιουδαν μετὰ ἐπικλήσεως καὶ εὐχῶν συνέμειξαν τοῖς πολεμίοις
LA Judas vero et qui cum eo erant, invocato Deo, per orationes congressi sunt:
EN But Judas, and they that were with him, encountered them, calling upon God by prayers:
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GR καὶ ταῖς μὲν χερσὶν ἀγωνιζόμενοι ταῖς δὲ καρδίαις πρὸς τὸν θεὸν εὐχόμενοι κατέστρωσαν οὐδὲν ἧττον μυριάδων τριῶν καὶ πεντακισχιλίων τῇ τοῦ θεοῦ μεγάλως εὐφρανθέντες ἐπιφανείᾳ
LA manu quidem pugnantes, sed Dominum cordibus orantes, prostraverunt non minus triginta quinque millia, præsentia Dei magnifice delectati.
EN So fighting with their hands, but praying to the Lord with their hearts, they slew no less than five and thirty thousand, being greatly cheered with the presence of God.
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GR γενόμενοι δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς χρείας καὶ μετὰ χαρᾶς ἀναλύοντες ἐπέγνωσαν προπεπτωκότα Νικάνορα σὺν τῇ πανοπλίᾳ
LA Cumque cessassent, et cum gaudio redirent, cognoverunt Nicanorem ruisse cum armis suis.
EN And when the battle was over, and they were returning with joy, they understood that Nicanor was slain in his armour.
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GR γενομένης δὲ κραυγῆς καὶ ταραχῆς εὐλόγουν τὸν δυνάστην τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ
LA Facto itaque clamore, et perturbatione excitata, patria voce omnipotentem Dominum benedicebant.
EN Then making a shout, and a great noise, they blessed the Almighty Lord in their own language.
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GR καὶ προσέταξεν ὁ καθ’ ἅπαν σώματι καὶ ψυχῇ πρωταγωνιστὴς ὑπὲρ τῶν πολιτῶν ὁ τὴν τῆς ἡλικίας εὔνοιαν εἰς ὁμοεθνεῖς διαφυλάξας τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος κεφαλὴν ἀποτεμόντας καὶ τὴν χεῖρα σὺν τῷ ὤμῳ φέρειν εἰς Ιεροσόλυμα
LA Præcepit autem Judas, qui per omnia corpore et animo mori pro civibus paratus erat, caput Nicanoris, et manum cum humero abscissam, Jerosolymam perferri.
EN And Judas, who was altogether ready, in body and mind, to die for his countrymen, commanded that Nicanor’s head, and his hand, with the shoulder, should be cut off, and carried to Jerusalem.
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GR παραγενόμενος δὲ ἐκεῖ καὶ συγκαλέσας τοὺς ὁμοεθνεῖς καὶ τοὺς ἱερεῖς πρὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου στήσας μετεπέμψατο τοὺς ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας
LA Quo cum pervenisset, convocatis contribulibus et sacerdotibus ad altare, accersiit et eos qui in arce erant.
EN And when he had come thither, having called together his countrymen, and the priests to the altar, he sent also for them that were in the castle,
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GR καὶ ἐπιδειξάμενος τὴν τοῦ μιαροῦ Νικάνορος κεφαλὴν καὶ τὴν χεῖρα τοῦ δυσφήμου ἣν ἐκτείνας ἐπὶ τὸν ἅγιον τοῦ παντοκράτορος οἶκον ἐμεγαλαύχησεν
LA Et ostenso capite Nicanoris, et manu nefaria quam extendens contra domum sanctam omnipotentis Dei magnifice gloriatus est.
EN and showing them the head of Nicanor, and the wicked hand, which he had stretched out, with proud boasts, against the holy house of the Almighty God,
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GR καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν τοῦ δυσσεβοῦς Νικάνορος ἐκτεμὼν ἔφη κατὰ μέρος δώσειν τοῖς ὀρνέοις τὰ δ’ ἐπίχειρα τῆς ἀνοίας κατέναντι τοῦ ναοῦ κρεμάσαι
LA Linguam etiam impii Nicanoris præcisam jussit particulatim avibus dari: manum autem dementis contra templum suspendi.
EN he commanded also, that the tongue of the wicked Nicanor should be cut out, and given by pieces to birds, and the hand of the furious man to be hanged up over against the temple.
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GR οἱ δὲ πάντες εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν εὐλόγησαν τὸν ἐπιφανῆ κύριον λέγοντες εὐλογητὸς ὁ διατηρήσας τὸν ἑαυτοῦ τόπον ἀμίαντον
LA Omnes igitur cæli benedixerunt Dominum, dicentes: Benedictus qui locum suum incontaminatum servavit.
EN Then all blessed the Lord of heaven, saying: Blessed be he that has kept his own place undefiled.
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GR ἐξέδησεν δὲ τὴν τοῦ Νικάνορος προτομὴν ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἐπίδηλον πᾶσιν καὶ φανερὸν τῆς τοῦ κυρίου βοηθείας σημεῖον
LA Suspendit autem Nicanoris caput in summa arce, ut evidens esset, et manifestum signum auxilii Dei.
EN And he hung up Nicanor’s head in the top of the castle, that it might be an evident and manifest sign of the help of God.
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GR ἐδογμάτισαν δὲ πάντες μετὰ κοινοῦ ψηφίσματος μηδαμῶς ἐᾶσαι ἀπαρασήμαντον τήνδε τὴν ἡμέραν
LA Itaque omnes communi consilio decreverunt nullo modo diem istum absque celebritate præterire:
EN And they all ordained by a common decree, by no means to let this day pass without solemnity:
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GR ἔχειν δὲ ἐπίσημον τὴν τρισκαιδεκάτην τοῦ δωδεκάτου μηνὸς Αδαρ λέγεται τῇ Συριακῇ φωνῇ πρὸ μιᾶς ἡμέρας τῆς Μαρδοχαϊκῆς ἡμέρας
LA habere autem celebritatem tertiadecima die mensis Adar, quod dicitur voce syriaca, pridie Mardochæi diei.
EN But to celebrate the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, called in the Syrian language, the day before Mardochias’ day.
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GR τῶν οὖν κατὰ Νικάνορα χωρησάντων οὕτως καὶ ἀπ’ ἐκείνων τῶν καιρῶν κρατηθείσης τῆς πόλεως ὑπὸ τῶν Εβραίων καὶ αὐτὸς αὐτόθι τὸν λόγον καταπαύσω
LA Igitur his erga Nicanorem gestis, et ex illis temporibus ab Hebræis civitate possessa, ego quoque in his faciam finem sermonis.
EN So these things being done with relation to Nicanor, and from that time the city being possessed by the Hebrews, I also will here make an end of my narration.
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GR καὶ εἰ μὲν καλῶς εὐθίκτως τῇ συντάξει τοῦτο καὶ αὐτὸς ἤθελον εἰ δὲ εὐτελῶς καὶ μετρίως τοῦτο ἐφικτὸν ἦν μοι
LA Et si quidem bene, et ut historiæ competit, hoc et ipse velim: sin autem minus digne, concedendum est mihi.
EN Which if I have done well, and as it becomes the history, it is what I desired: but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me.
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[!note]- If not so perfectly, etc…
This is not said with regard to the truth of the narration; but with regard to the style and manner of writing: which in the sacred penmen is not always the most accurate. See St. Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:6. Commentary on the Old Testament (1752)
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GR καθάπερ γὰρ οἶνον κατὰ μόνας πίνειν ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ὕδωρ πάλιν πολέμιον ὃν δὲ τρόπον οἶνος ὕδατι συγκερασθεὶς ἡδὺς καὶ ἐπιτερπῆ τὴν χάριν ἀποτελεῖ οὕτως καὶ τὸ τῆς κατασκευῆς τοῦ λόγου τέρπει τὰς ἀκοὰς τῶν ἐντυγχανόντων τῇ συντάξει ἐνταῦθα δὲ ἔσται ἡ τελευτή
LA Sicut enim vinum semper bibere, aut semper aquam, contrarium est; alternis autem uti, delectabile: ita legentibus si semper exactus sit sermo, non erit gratus. Hic ergo erit consummatus.
EN For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other: so if the speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers. But here it shall be ended.
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