Uzbrukums Jafai, Jamnai un Kaspinai
1 Kad šīs vienošanās bija noslēgtas, Līsijs devās pie ķēniņa, bet jūdi pievērsās zemkopībai. 2 Tomēr daži vietējie karavadoņi – Timotejs un Apollonijs, Gennaja dēls, arī Hieronīms un Dēmofonts un vēl arī Kipras pārvaldnieks Nikanors – neļāva viņiem mierīgi dzīvot un pastāvēt. 3 Bet jafieši izdarīja vēl kādu bezdievīgu ļaundarību – viņi uzaicināja tur dzīvojošos jūdus ar sievām un bērniem iekāpt laivās, kuras viņi iepriekš bija sagatavojuši, it kā nekādu ļaunumu tiem negatavodami. 4 Kad jūdi, gribēdami saglabāt mieru, bez jebkādām aizdomām piekrita, jo paši pēc pilsētas kopīga lēmuma aizveda viņus prom no krasta un noslīcināja – ne mazāk kā divsimt cilvēku. 5 Kad Jūda uzzināja par nodarīto zvērību viņa cilts brāļiem, viņš to paziņoja saviem vīriem 6 un, piesaucis taisnīgo soģi Dievu, devās pret nešķīstajiem slepkavām, kas bija nobendējuši viņa brāļus. Naktī viņš aizdedzināja ostu, nosvilināja laivas un visus, kas tur bija sabēguši, nodūra. 7 Tā kā šī vieta bija no visām pusēm ieskauta, viņš atkāpās ar nodomu vēl kādreiz atgriezties, lai izdeldētu visus jafiešu pilsoņus. 8 Bet, uzzinājis, ka arī jamnieši gatavo ļaundarības pret tur dzīvojošiem jūdiem, 9 viņš naktī uzbruka un aizdedzināja ostu ar visiem kuģiem, tā ka liesmas atblāzma sniedzās līdz Jeruzālemei, kas atradās divsimt četrdesmit stadiju attālumā.
10 Kad viņi, dodamies pret Timoteju, bija no tās vietas atvirzījušies deviņus stadijus, viņiem uzbruka arābi, skaitā ne mazāk kā pieci tūkstoši un vēl piecsimt jātnieku. 11 Cīņa bija asa. Kad, Dievam palīdzot, Jūda ar savējiem guva uzvaru, sakautie nomadi lūdza noslēgt ar viņiem mieru un apsolīja dot ganāmpulkus un arī citādi būt noderīgi. 12 Jūda, saprazdams, ka viņi patiesi daudzās lietās var būt noderīgi, piekrita slēgt mieru. Pēc miera noslēgšanas jūdi devās uz savām teltīm.
13 Vēl Jūda uzbruka kādai pilsētai, kurai bija stipri tilti un apkārt uzcelti aizsargmūri, tajā dzīvoja daudz ļaužu no dažādām tautām, tās vārds bija Kaspina. 14 Tie, kas atradās pilsētā, paļāvās uz aizsargmūru stiprumu un pārtikas rezervēm, tāpēc izturējās izaicinoši pret Jūdas vīriem, lamāja tos un zaimoja, runādami, kā neklājas. 15 Bet Jūda un viņa vīri, aicinājuši palīgā vareno pasaules Valdnieku, kurš bez mūrus graujošām mašīnām un viltīgi izgudrotām ierīcēm Jozuas laikā sagrāva Jēriku, kā zvēri metās pret mūri. 16 Pēc Dieva gribas viņi pilsētu ieņēma un nogalināja neizsakāmi daudzus, likās pat, ka tuvējais ezers divu stadiju platumā ir pilns ar tajā saplūdušajām asinīm.
Cīņa ziemeļaustrumos
17 Kad viņi bija attālinājušies no tās vietas septiņsimt piecdesmit stadijus, tie nonāca Harakā pie jūdiem, kurus sauc par tūbianiešiem. 18 Timoteju šajā vietā viņi neatrada, jo viņš, neko neizdarījis, bija to pametis, bet vienā vietā bija atstājis spēcīgu sardzes posteni. 19 Divi Makabeja karavadoņi – Dositejs un Sosipatrs – devās turp un nogalināja vairāk nekā desmit tūkstošus vīru, kurus Timotejs bija atstājis nocietinātajā vietā. 20 Tad Makabejs sadalīja savu karaspēku pulkos un, šos divus iecēlis pulku priekšgalā, devās ar simt divdesmit tūkstošiem kājnieku un divtūkstoš piecsimt jātniekiem pret Timoteju. 21 Uzzinājis par Jūdas tuvošanos, Timotejs aizsūtīja sievietes un bērnus un arī visu mantību uz pilsētu, ko sauc Karniona. Apkārtnes šaurības dēļ šī nocietinātā vieta bija grūti pieejama un neērta aplenkšanai. 22 Kad ienaidnieki ieraudzīja Jūdas pirmo pulku, viņus pārņēma šausmas un izbailes visa redzētā priekšā un viņi metās bēgt kur kurais; lielākoties viņi paši cits citu ievainoja un sadūra ar asajiem zobeniem. 23 Jūda neatlaidīgi vajāja bezdievjus un, kaujot ar zobenu, nogalināja trīsdesmit tūkstošus vīru. 24 Pats Timotejs nonāca Dositeja un Sosipatra vīru rokās. Viņš lūdza saudzēt viņa dzīvību, likdams lietā viltību, jo daudziem jūdiem vecāki, citiem – brāļi bija pie viņa un varot taču gadīties, ka viņi piedzīvo necienīgu izturēšanos pret sevi. 25 Ar daudziem zvērestiem viņš pārliecināja, ka savu solījumu pildīs – atdos tos atpakaļ sveikus un neskartus. Tad jūdi, lai glābtu savus brāļus, palaida viņu vaļā.
26 Pēc tam Jūda devās pret Karnionu un Atergateionu un nogalināja aptuveni divdesmit piecus tūkstošus cilvēku. 27 Pēc šīs uzvaras un ienaidnieku iznīcināšanas viņš devās karagājienā pret nocietināto pilsētu Efronu. Tur mitinājās daudz dažādu cilšu, tur bija apmeties arī Līsijs; spēcīgi jaunieši, nostājušies mūra priekšā, drosmīgi atvairīja uzbrukumus; pilsētā bija lielas ieroču un bultu rezerves. 28 Bet viņi, piesaukuši palīgā vareno Valdnieku, kas ar savu spēku izdeldē ienaidnieku cīņas sparu, ieņēma pilsētu un, pārņēmuši to savā varā, no visiem, kas bija pilsētā, nogalināja divdesmit piecus tūkstošus iedzīvotāju. 29 Aizgājuši no turienes, viņi devās pret skitu pilsētu, kas no Jeruzālemes bija seši simti stadiju attālumā. 30 Bet jūdi, kas tur bija apmetušies, apliecināja, ka skiti pret viņiem izturas labvēlīgi un lielajās posta dienās bijuši pretimnākoši. 31 Pateikušies skitiem un pamudinājuši viņus arī turpmāk saglabāt labvēlīgu attieksmi pret jūdu cilti, viņi atgriezās Jeruzālemē, jo tuvojās Būdiņu svētki.
Cīņa pret Gorgiju
32 Pēc Vasarsvētkiem viņi sāka karagājienu pret Gorgiju, Idūmejas militāro karavadoni. 33 Viņi devās ceļā ar trīstūkstoš kājniekiem un četrsimt jātniekiem. 34 Kad viņi nonāca viens pret otru, daži jūdi krita. 35 Jātnieks Dositejs, kas bija Bakinora vadītajā pulkā, ļoti spēcīgs vīrs, aizturēja Gorgiju un, saņēmis to aiz apmetņa, veda, stingri turēdams, jo viņš gribēja šo nolādēto vīru saņemt gūstā dzīvu. Tad kāds trāķiešu jātnieks metās viņam virsū un nocirta roku pie pleca, bet Gorgijs aizbēga uz Marisu. 36 Bet tie, kas cīnījās kopā ar Esdrinu, ilgstošā cīņā sāka pagurt. Tad Jūda, piesaukdams Kungu, lūdza būt viņiem par sabiedroto un kara priekšvadoni. 37 Savā tēvu valodā skaļi saukdams un skandēdams slavas dziesmas, viņš negaidīti izrāvās strauji uz priekšu un metās pret tiem, kas bija kopā ar Gorgiju, un piespieda viņus bēgt.
Kritušo apbedīšana
38 Tad ar visu karaspēku viņš devās uz Odollamas pilsētu. Tā kā bija pienākusi septītā diena, viņi pēc paražas tur šķīstījās un svinēja sabatu. 39 Nākamajā dienā Jūdas karavīri gāja uzlasīt kritušos un apglabāt tēvu kapos pie viņu tuviniekiem – kā tas viņiem bija parasts. 40 Pie katra kritušā zem hitona viņi atrada Jamnijas elku dieviem veltītas svētlietas, ko jūdiem aizliedz likums. Visiem tūlīt kļuva skaidrs, ka šī iemesla dēļ viņi bija krituši. 41 Visi slavēja Kungu, taisnīgo Soģi, kas visu apslēpto dara atklātu. 42 Tad viņi pievērsās lūgšanām un lūdza, lai visa apgrēcība tiktu dzēsta. Bet krietnais Jūda aicināja ļaudis sargāties, lai nekristu grēkā, kad viņi paši savām acīm redzējuši, kas bija noticis kritušo grēka dēļ. 43 Savācis no vīriem divus tūkstošus sudraba drahmu, viņš tās nosūtīja uz Jeruzālemi, lai par grēku tiktu pienests upuris; tā darīdams, viņš rīkojās cēli, tādēļ ka domāja par augšāmcelšanos. 44 Jo, ja viņam nebūtu bijusi cerība uz kritušo augšāmcelšanos, tad lieki un bezjēdzīgi būtu bijis lūgties par kritušajiem. 45 Tātad viņš ņēma vērā, ka tos, kas dievbijīgi aizmieg mūža miegā, sagaida skaists iepriecinājums – tā bija svēta un dievbijīga doma. Tādēļ viņš gādāja apžēlošanas upuri par kritušajiem – lai viņi tiek vaļā no grēka.
1 When these covenants were made, Lysias went unto the king, and the Jews were about their husbandry.
2 But of the governours of several places, Timotheus, and Apollonius the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and beside them Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to be quiet and live in peace.
3 The men of Joppa also did such an ungodly deed: they prayed the Jews that dwelt among them to go with their wives and children into the boats which they had prepared, as though they had meant them no hurt.
4 Who accepted of it according to the common decree of the city, as being desirous to live in peace, and suspecting nothing: but when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no less than two hundred of them.
5 When Judas heard of this cruelty done unto his countrymen, he commanded those that were with him to make them ready.
6 And calling upon God the righteous Judge, he came against those murderers of his brethren, and burnt the haven by night, and set the boats on fire, and those that fled thither he slew.
7 And when the town was shut up, he went backward, as if he would return to root out all them of the city of Joppa.
8 But when he heard that the Jamnites were minded to do in like manner unto the Jews that dwelt among them,
9 He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set fire on the haven and the navy, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem two hundred and forty furlongs off.
10 Now when they were gone from thence nine furlongs in their journey toward Timotheus, no fewer than five thousand men on foot and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians set upon him.
11 Whereupon there was a very sore battle; but Judas’ side by the help of God got the victory; so that the Nomades of Arabia, being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising both to give him cattle, and to pleasure him otherwise.
12 Then Judas, thinking indeed that they would be profitable in many things, granted them peace: whereupon they shook hands, and so they departed to their tents.
13 He went also about to make a bridge to a certain strong city, which was fenced about with walls, and inhabited by people of divers countries; and the name of it was Caspis.
14 But they that were within it put such trust in the strength of the walls and provision of victuals, that they behaved themselves rudely toward them that were with Judas, railing and blaspheming, and uttering such words as were not to be spoken.
15 Wherefore Judas with his company, calling upon the great Lord of the world, who without rams or engines of war did cast down Jericho in the time of Joshua, gave a fierce assault against the walls,
16 And took the city by the will of God, and made unspeakable slaughters, insomuch that a lake two furlongs broad near adjoining thereunto, being filled full, was seen running with blood.
17 Then departed they from thence seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and came to Characa unto the Jews that are called Tubieni.
18 But as for Timotheus, they found him not in the places: for before he had dispatched any thing, he departed from thence, having left a very strong garrison in a certain hold.
19 Howbeit Dositheus and Sosipater, who were of Maccabeus’ captains, went forth, and slew those that Timotheus had left in the fortress, above ten thousand men.
20 And Maccabeus ranged his army by bands, and set them over the bands, and went against Timotheus, who had about him an hundred and twenty thousand men of foot, and two thousand and five hundred horsemen.
21 Now when Timotheus had knowledge of Judas’ coming, he sent the women and children and the other baggage unto a fortress called Carnion: for the town was hard to besiege, and uneasy to come unto, by reason of the straitness of all the places.
22 But when Judas his first band came in sight, the enemies, being smitten with fear and terror through the appearing of him who seeth all things, fled amain, one running into this way, another that way, so as that they were often hurt of their own men, and wounded with the points of their own swords.
23 Judas also was very earnest in pursuing them, killing those wicked wretches, of whom he slew about thirty thousand men.
24 Moreover Timotheus himself fell into the hands of Dositheus and Sosipater, whom he besought with much craft to let him go with his life, because he had many of the Jews’ parents, and the brethren of some of them, who, if they put him to death, should not be regarded.
25 So when he had assured them with many words that he would restore them without hurt, according to the agreement, they let him go for the saving of their brethren.
26 Then Maccabeus marched forth to Carnion, and to the temple of Atargatis, and there he slew five and twenty thousand persons.
27 And after he had put to flight and destroyed them, Judas removed the host toward Ephron, a strong city, wherein Lysias abode, and a great multitude of divers nations, and the strong young men kept the walls, and defended them mightily: wherein also was great provision of engines and darts.
28 But when Judas and his company had called upon Almighty God, who with his power breaketh the strength of his enemies, they won the city, and slew twenty and five thousand of them that were within,
29 From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred furlongs from Jerusalem,
30 But when the Jews that dwelt there had testified that the Scythopolitans dealt lovingly with them, and entreated them kindly in the time of their adversity;
31 They gave them thanks, desiring them to be friendly still unto them: and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks approaching.
32 And after the feast, called Pentecost, they went forth against Gorgias the governor of Idumea,
33 Who came out with three thousand men of foot and four hundred horsemen.
34 And it happened that in their fighting together a few of the Jews were slain.
35 At which time Dositheus, one of Bacenor’s company, who was on horseback, and a strong man, was still upon Gorgias, and taking hold of his coat drew him by force; and when he would have taken that cursed man alive, a horseman of Thracia coming upon him smote off his shoulder, so that Gorgias fled unto Marisa.
36 Now when they that were with Gorgias had fought long, and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord, that he would shew himself to be their helper and leader of the battle.
37 And with that he began in his own language, and sung psalms with a loud voice, and rushing unawares upon Gorgias’ men, he put them to flight.
38 So Judas gathered his host, and came into the city of Odollam, And when the seventh day came, they purified themselves, as the custom was, and kept the sabbath in the same place.
39 And upon the day following, as the use had been, Judas and his company came to take up the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen in their fathers’ graves.
40 Now under the coats of every one that was slain they found things consecrated to the idols of the Jamnites, which is forbidden the Jews by the law. Then every man saw that this was the cause wherefore they were slain.
41 All men therefore praising the Lord, the righteous Judge, who had opened the things that were hid,
42 Betook themselves unto prayer, and besought him that the sin committed might wholly be put out of remembrance. Besides, that noble Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forsomuch as they saw before their eyes the things that came to pass for the sins of those that were slain.
43 And when he had made a gathering throughout the company to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, he sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection:
44 For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead.
45 And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.
