3 Maccabees 3
On discovering this, so incensed was the wicked king, that he no longer confined his rage to the Jews in Alexandria. Laying his hand more heavily upon those who lived in the country, he gave orders that they should be quickly collected into one place, and most cruelly deprived of their lives.
Α καὶ μεταλαμβάνων ὁ δυσσεβὴς ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον ἐχόλησεν, ὥστε οὐ μόνον τοῖς κατ’ ᾿Αλεξάνδρειαν διοργίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ τοῖς ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ βαρυτέρως ἐναντιωθῆναι καὶ προστάξαι σπεύσαντας συναγαγεῖν πάντας ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ καὶ χειρίστῳ μόρῳ τοῦ ζῆν μεταστῆσαι.
Сїѧ̑ ᲂу҆вѣ́давъ нечести́вый въ толи́ко разгнѣ́ванїе прїи́де, ꙗ҆́кѡ не то́кмѡ на сꙋ́щихъ во а҆леѯандрі́и разгнѣ́васѧ, но и҆ сꙋ́щымъ во странѣ̀ тѧ́жцѣ сопроти́висѧ и҆ повелѣ̀ тща́тельнѣ всѣ́хъ собра́ти въ кꙋ́пꙋ и҆ лютѣ́йшею сме́ртїю живота̀ лиши́ти.
While this was going on, an invidious rumour was uttered abroad by men who had banded together to injure the Jewish race. The purport of their charge was, that the Jews kept them away from the ordinances of the law.
τούτων δὲ οἰκονομουμένων φήμη δυσμενὴς ἐξηχεῖτο κατὰ τοῦ γένους ἀνθρώποις συμφρονοῦσιν εἰς κακοποίησιν, ἀφορμῆς διδομένης εἰς διάθεσιν, ὡς ἂν ἀπὸ τῶν νομίμων αὐτοὺς κωλυόντων.
Си̑мъ же ᲂу҆стро́єнымъ бы́вшымъ, вѣ́сть ѕла́ѧ происхожда́ше на ро́дъ (і҆ꙋде́йскїй), человѣ́кѡмъ согласꙋ́ющымъ на ѕлотворе́нїе, є҆гда̀ вина̀ даде́сѧ ко ᲂу҆ставле́нїю, а҆́ки бы и҆̀мъ возбранѧ́ли ѿ зако́нѡвъ.
Now, while the Jews always maintained a feeling of un-swerving loyalty towards the kings, yet, as they worshipped God, and observed his law, they made certain distinctions, and avoided certain things. Hence some persons held them in odium; although, as they adorned their conversation with works of righteousness, they had established themselves in the good opinion of the world.
οἱ δὲ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τὴν μὲν πρὸς τοὺς βασιλεῖς εὔνοιαν καὶ πίστιν ἀδιάστροφον ἦσαν διαφυλάσσοντες,
Но і҆ꙋде́є бѣ́хꙋ сохранѧ́юще ко царє́мъ ᲂу҆́бѡ неразвра́тное послꙋша́нїе и҆ вѣ́рность, чествꙋ́юще же бг҃а и҆ зако́на є҆гѡ̀ держа́шесѧ, ѿлꙋче́нїе творѧ́хꙋ въ нѣ́кїихъ и҆ ѿмѣ̑ны: є҆ѧ́же ра́ди вины̀ нѣ̑кїимъ ненави́дими ꙗ҆влѧ́хꙋсѧ: пра́ведныхъ же благотворе́нїемъ ᲂу҆краша́юще сожи́тельство, всѣ̑мъ человѣ́кѡмъ благопрїѧ́тни сотвори́шасѧ.
What all the rest of mankind said, was, however, made of no account by the foreigners;
τὴν μὲν οὖν περὶ τοῦ γένους ἐν πᾶσι θρυλουμένην εὐπραξίαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι οὐδαμῶς διηριθμήσαντο,
Оу҆тѣша́хꙋ же и҆ негодова́хꙋ и҆ минꙋ́ти си̑мъ вско́рѣ непщева́хꙋ, и҆́бо не бꙋ́детъ та́кѡ презрѣ́но толи́кое мно́жество ничто́же согрѣши́вшее.
who said much of the exclusiveness of the Jews with regard to their worship and meats; they alleged that they were men unsociable, hostile to the king’s interests, refusing to associate with him or his troops. By this way of speaking, they brought much odium upon them.
τὴν δὲ περὶ τῶν προσκυνήσεων καὶ τροφῶν διάστασιν ἐθρύλουν, φάσκοντες μήτε τῷ βασιλεῖ μήτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν ὁμοσπόνδους τοὺς ἀνθρώπους γενέσθαι, δυσμενεῖς δὲ εἶναι καὶ μέγα τι τοῖς πράγμασιν ἐναντιουμένους· καὶ οὐ τῷ τυχόντι περιῆψαν ψόγῳ.
И҆ ᲂу҆жѐ нѣ́цыи сосѣ́ди и҆ дрꙋ́зи и҆ сокꙋпе́чствꙋющїи, та́йнѡ нѣ́кїихъ призва́вше, вѣ́рность даѧ́хꙋ помога́ти и҆ всѧ́кое ᲂу҆се́рдїе твори́ти къ защище́нїю.
Nor was this unexpected uproar and sudden conflux of people unobserved by the Greeks who lived in the city, concerning men who had never harmed them: yet to aid them was not in their power, since all was oppression around; but they encouraged them in their troubles, and expected a favourable turn of affairs:
οἱ δὲ κατὰ τὴν πόλιν ῞Ελληνες οὐδὲν ἠδικημένοι, ταραχὴν ἀπροσδόκητον περὶ τοὺς ἀνθρώπους θεωροῦντες καὶ συνδρομὰς ἀπροσκόπτους γινομένας, βοηθεῖν μὲν οὐκ ἔσθενον, τυραννικὴ γὰρ ἦν ἡ διάθεσις, παρεκάλουν δὲ καὶ δυσφόρως εἶχον καὶ μεταπεσεῖσθαι ταῦτα ὑπελάμβανον·
Ѻ҆́нъ же ᲂу҆̀бо по настоѧ́щемꙋ благоде́нствїю разгордѣва́ѧсѧ и҆ не зрѧ̀ вели́кагѡ бг҃а держа́вы, непщꙋ́ѧ же вы́нꙋ въ сицево́мъ пребыва́ти ѕлосовѣ́тїи, написа̀ на нѧ̀ посла́нїе сицево́е:
He who knoweth all things, will not, [said they,] disregard so great a people.
μὴ γὰρ οὕτως παροραθήσεσθαι τηλικοῦτο σύστεμα μηδὲν ἠγνοηκός.
ца́рь птоломе́й фїлопа́тѡръ сꙋ́щымъ во є҆гѵ́птѣ и҆ по мѣстѡ́мъ страти́гѡмъ и҆ во́инѡмъ ра́доватисѧ и҆ здра́вствовати: здра́встꙋю же и҆ а҆́зъ са́мъ, и҆ ве́щы на́шѧ:
Some of the neighbors, friends, and fellow dealers of the Jews, even called them secretly to an interview, pledged them their assistance, and promised to do their very utmost for them.
ἤδη δὲ καί τινες γείτονές τε καὶ φίλοι καὶ συμπραγματευόμενοι μυστικῶς τινας ἐπισπώμενοι, πίστεις ἐδίδουν συνασπιεῖν καὶ πᾶν ἐκτενὲς προσοίσεσθαι πρὸς ἀντίληψιν.
по бы́вшей на́мъ ра́ти во а҆сі́и, ю҆́же вѣ́сте и҆ вы̀, ꙗ҆́же богѡ́въ неча́ѧннымъ споборе́нїемъ и҆ на́шею си́лою разꙋ́мнѡ въ до́брый коне́цъ приведе́сѧ, сꙋди́хомъ не нꙋ́ждею ѻ҆рꙋ́жїѧ, но кро́тостїю и҆ мно́гимъ человѣ́колюбїемъ благоꙋстро́ити живꙋ́щыѧ въ кїлисѷрі́и и҆ фїнїкі́и ꙗ҆зы́ки и҆ благотвори́ти ра́достнѣ:
Now the king, elated with his prosperous fortune, and not regarding the superior power of God, but thinking to persevere in his present purpose, wrote the following letter to the prejudice of the Jews.
᾿Εκεῖνος μὲν οὖν τῇ κατὰ τὸ παρὸν εὐημερίᾳ γεγαυρωμένος καὶ οὐ καθορῶν τὸ τοῦ μεγίστου Θεοῦ κράτος, ὑπολαμβάνων δὲ διηνεκῶς ἐν τῇ αὐτῇ διαμένειν βουλῇ, ἔγραψε κατ’ αὐτῶν ἐπιστολὴν τήνδε·
и҆ сꙋ́щымъ во градѣ́хъ ка́пищємъ да́вше дохо́ды премнѡ́ги, прїидо́хомъ и҆ во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ, возше́дше почти́ти хра́мъ сꙋемꙋ́дренныхъ и҆ никогда́же престаю́щихъ ѿ безꙋ́мїѧ:
King Ptolemy Philopater, to the commanders and soldiers in Egypt, and in all places, health and happiness!
«Βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ τοῖς κατ’ Αἴγυπτον καὶ κατὰ τόπον στρατηγοῖς καὶ στρατιώταις χαίρειν καὶ ἐρρῶσθαι·
ѻ҆ни́ же сло́вомъ ᲂу҆́бѡ прїѧ́ша на́ше прише́ствїе, дѣ́ломъ же ле́стнѣ, возжелѣ́вшымъ на́мъ вни́ти во хра́мъ и҆́хъ и҆ лѣ́потными и҆ добрѣ́йшими да̑ры почти́ти, ті́и по дре́вней (свое́й) го́рдости возбрани́ша на́мъ вни́ти, немощнѣ́йшїи (сꙋ́ще) на́шеѧ си́лы, за человѣколю́бїе, є҆́же и҆́мамы ко всѣ̑мъ человѣ́кѡмъ,
I am right well; and so, too, are my affairs.
ἔρρωμαι δὲ καὶ ἐγὼ αὐτὸς καὶ τὰ πράγματα ἡμῶν.
свое́ же ѕломы́слїе къ на́мъ ꙗ҆вле́нно показа́вше, а҆́ки є҆ди́ни то́чїю ѿ ꙗ҆зы̑къ царє́мъ и҆ и҆́хъ благодѣ́телємъ вы̑и не покарѧ́юще, ничто́же пра́ведно хо́щꙋтъ носи́ти:
Since our Asiatic campaign, the particulars of which ye know, and which by the aid of the gods, not lightly given, and by our own vigour, has been brought to a successful issue according to our expectation,
τῆς εἰς τὴν ᾿Ασίαν γενομένης ἡμῖν ἐπιστρατείας, ἧς ἴστε καὶ αὐτοί, τῇ τῶν θεῶν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπροπτώτῳ συμμαχίᾳ καὶ τῇ ἡμετέρᾳ δὲ ῥώμῃ κατὰ λόγον ἐπ’ ἄριστον τέλος ἀχθείσης,
мы́ же си́хъ безꙋ́мїе ᲂу҆смотри́вше, и҆ съ побѣ́дою возврати́вшесѧ, и҆ во є҆гѵ́птѣ со всѣ́ми ꙗ҆зы̑ки любочеловѣ́чнѣ срѣ́тившесѧ, ꙗ҆́коже подоба́ше, сотвори́хомъ:
we resolved, not with strength of spear, but with gentleness and much humanity, as it were to nurse the inhabitants of Coele-Syria and Phoenicia, and to be their willing benefactors.
ἡγησάμεθα μὴ βίᾳ δόρατος, ἐπιεικείᾳ δὲ καὶ πολλῇ φιλανθρωπίᾳ τιθηνήσασθαι τὰ κατοικοῦντα Κοίλην Συρίαν καὶ Φοινίκην ἔθνη εὐ ποιῆσαί τε ἀσμένως.
и҆ въ тѣ́хъ ко є҆диноплеме́нникѡмъ и҆́хъ непамѧтоѕло́бїе всѣ̑мъ сказꙋ́юще, и҆ ра́ди споборе́нїѧ, и҆ ввѣ́рєнныѧ съ простото́ю и҆̀мъ и҆здре́вле безчи́слєнныѧ ве́щы дерзнꙋ́вше премѣни́ти, восхотѣ́хомъ и҆ гражда́нства а҆леѯандрі́йскагѡ сподо́бити и҆̀хъ и҆ прича́стники всегда̀ жерцє́мъ поста́вити:
So, having bestowed considerable sums of money upon the temples of the several cities, we proceeded even as far as Jerusalem; and went up to honour the temple of these wretched beings who never cease from their folly.
καὶ τοῖς κατὰ πόλεσιν ἱεροῖς ἀπονείμαντες προσόδους πλείστας, προήχθημεν καὶ εἰς τὰ ῾Ιεροσόλυμα ἀναβάντες τιμῆσαι τὸ ἱερὸν τῶν ἀλιτηρίων καὶ μηδέποτε ληγόντων τῆς ἀνοίας.
ѻ҆ни́ же въ проти́вность прїе́млюще, и҆ приро́днымъ ѕлонра́вїемъ до́брое ѿри́нꙋвше, и҆ прⷭ҇нѡ въ ѕло́е ᲂу҆клонѧ́ющесѧ, не то́кмѡ ѿри́нꙋша честно́е гражда́нство, но и҆ гнꙋша́ютсѧ сло́вомъ и҆ дѣ́ломъ, молча́нїемъ тѣ́хъ, и҆̀же немно́гїи ѿ ни́хъ къ на́мъ неле́стнѣ доброжела́тельни сꙋ́ть, по всѧ́къ ча́съ ча́юще, ꙗ҆́кѡ мы̀ вско́рѣ нестро́йнымъ житїе́мъ низврати́мъ и҆справлє́нїѧ.
To outward appearance they received us willingly; but belied that appearance by their deeds. When we were eager to enter their temple, and to honour it with the most beautiful and exquisite gifts,
οἱ δὲ λόγῳ μὲν τὴν ἡμετέραν ἀποδεξάμενοι παρουσίαν, τῷ δὲ πράγματι νόθως, προθυμηθέντων ἡμῶν εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν ναὸν αὐτῶν καὶ τοῖς ἐκπρεπέσι καὶ καλλίστοις ἀναθήμασι τιμῆσαι,
Тѣ́мже и҆ показа́ньми до́брѣ ᲂу҆вѣща́вшесѧ, ꙗ҆́кѡ сі́и по всѧ́комꙋ ѡ҆́бразꙋ ѕломы́слѧтъ на́мъ, и҆ мы̀ проразꙋмѣва́юще, да не когда̀ внеза́пнꙋ пото́мъ мѧте́жꙋ наше́дшꙋ на ны̀, си́хъ нечести́выхъ созадѝ преда́телей и҆ ва́рварѡвъ воз̾имѣ́емъ сꙋпоста́тѡвъ,
they were so carried away by their old arrogance, as to forbid us the entrance; while we, out of our forbearance toward all men, refrained from exercising our power upon them.
τύφοις φερόμενοι παλαιοτέροις, εἶρξαν ἡμᾶς τῆς εἰσόδου, ἀπολειπόμενοι τῆς ἡμετέρας ἀλκῆς δι’ ἣν ἔχομεν πρὸς ἅπαντας ἀνθρώπους φιλανθρωπίαν.
повелѣ́хомъ ᲂу҆̀бо, є҆гда̀ прїи́детъ къ ва́мъ посла́нїе сїѐ, вско́рѣ во є҆ди́нъ ча́съ вышепи́санныхъ собра́вше съ жена́ми и҆ ча̑ды, съ доса́дою и҆ ѡ҆ѕлобле́нїемъ посла́ти къ на́мъ ᲂу҆́зами желѣ́зными ѿвсю́дꙋ ѡ҆кова́нныхъ, на лю́тое и҆ ѕлосла́вное подоба́ющее ѕломы́слѧщымъ ᲂу҆бїе́нїе:
And thus, exhibiting their enmity against us, they alone among the nations lift up their heads against kings and benefactors, as men unwilling to submit to any thing reasonable.
τὴν δὲ αὐτῶν εἰς ἡμᾶς δυσμένειαν ἔκδηλον καθιστάντες, ὡς μονώτατοι τῶν ἐθνῶν βασιλεῦσι καὶ τοῖς ἑαυτῶν εὐεργέταις ὑψαυχενοῦντες, οὐδὲν γνήσιον βούλονται φέρειν.
по ᲂу҆мꙋче́нїи бо си́хъ ᲂу҆пова́емъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ въ про́чее вре́мѧ соверше́ннѡ на́мъ ве́щы во благостоѧ́нїи и҆ въ предо́брѣмъ состоѧ́нїи ᲂу҆стро́ѧтсѧ.
We then, having endeavoured to make allowance for the madness of these persons, and on our victorious return treating all people in Egypt courteously, acted in a manner which was befitting.
ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ τούτων ἀνοίᾳ συμπεριενεχθέντες καὶ μετὰ νίκης διακομισθέντες καὶ εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον τοῖς πᾶσιν ἔθνεσι φιλανθρώπως ἀπαντήσαντες καθὼς ἔπρεπεν ἐποιήσαμεν.
А҆́ще же кто̀ скры́етъ коего́ либо і҆ꙋде́анина, ѿ ста́ра да́же до младе́нца и҆ да́же до ссꙋ́щихъ, прелютѣ́йшими мꙋ́ками ᲂу҆мꙋ́ченъ бꙋ́детъ со всѣ́мъ до́момъ:
Accordingly, bearing no ill-will against their kinsmen [at Jerusalem,] but rather remembering our connection with them, and the numerous matters with sincere heart from a remote period entrusted to them, we wished to venture a total alteration of their state, by bestowing upon them the rights of citizens of Alexandria, and to admit them to the everlasting rites of our solemnities.
ἐν δὲ τούτοις πρὸς τοὺς ὁμοφύλους αὐτῶν ἀμνησικακίαν ἅπασι γνωρίζοντες, διά τε τὴν συμμαχίαν καὶ τὰ πεπιστευμένα μετὰ ἁπλότητος αὐτοῖς ἀρχῆθεν μύρια πράγματα τολμήσαντες ἐξαλλοιῶσαι, ἐβουλήθημεν καὶ πολιτείας αὐτοὺς ᾿Αλεξανδρέων καταξιῶσαι καὶ μετόχους τῶν ἀεὶ ἱερέων καταστῆσαι.
а҆́ще же кто̀ возвѣсти́тъ, се́й прїи́метъ и҆мѣ́нїе подпа́дшагѡ ка́зни, є҆ще́ же и҆ ѿ ца́рскагѡ сребра̀ дра́хмъ двѣ̀ ты́сѧщы, и҆ свобо́дꙋ полꙋчи́тъ, и҆ ᲂу҆вѣнча́етсѧ:
All this, however, they have taken in a very different spirit. With their innate malignity, they have spurned the fair offer; and constantly inclining to evil,
οἱ δὲ τοὐναντίον ἐκδεχόμενοι καὶ τῇ συμφύτῳ κακοηθείᾳ τὸ καλὸν ἀπωσάμενοι, διηνεκῶς δὲ εἰς τὸ φαῦλον ἐκνεύοντες,
всѧ́ко же мѣ́сто, и҆дѣ́же а҆́ще ꙗ҆́тъ бꙋ́детъ весьма̀ кры́ющьсѧ і҆ꙋде́анинъ, пꙋ́сто и҆ ѻ҆гне́мъ сожже́но да бꙋ́детъ, и҆ всѧ́комꙋ сме́ртномꙋ є҆стествꙋ̀ по всемꙋ̀ неключи́мо да бꙋ́детъ въ вѣ́чное вре́мѧ. И҆ ᲂу҆́бѡ посла́нїѧ ѡ҆́бразъ си́це напи́санъ бы́сть.
have rejected the inestimable rights. Not only so, but by using speech, and by refraining from speech, they abhor the few among them who are heartily disposed towards us; ever deeming that their ignoble course of procedure will force us to do away with our reform.
οὐ μόνον ἀπεστρέψαντο τὴν ἀτίμητον πολιτείαν, ἀλλὰ καὶ βδελύσσονται λόγῳ τε καὶ σιγῇ τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς ὀλίγους πρὸς ἡμᾶς γνησίως διακειμένους, παρέκαστα ὑφορώμενοι διὰ τῆς δυσκλεεστάτης ἐμβιώσεως διὰ τάχους ἡμᾶς καταστρέψαι τὰ κατορθώματα.
Having then, received certain proofs that these [Jews] bear us every sort of ill-will, we must look forward to the possibility of some sudden tumult among ourselves, when these impious men may turn traitors and barbarous enemies.
διὸ καὶ τεκμηρίοις καλῶς πεπεισμένοι, τούτους κατὰ πάντα δυσνοεῖν ἡμῖν τρόπον καὶ προνοούμενοι μήποτε αἰφνιδίου μετέπειτα ταραχῆς ἐνστάσης ἡμῖν τοὺς δυσσεβεῖς τούτους κατὰ νώτου προδότας καὶ βαρβάρους ἔχωμεν πολεμίους
As soon, therefore, as the contents of this letter become known to you, in that same hour we order those [Jews] who dwell among you, with wives and children, to be sent to us, vilified and abused, in chains of iron, to undergo a death, cruel and ignominious, suitable to men disaffected.
προστετάχαμεν ἅμα τῷ προσπεσεῖν τὴν ἐπιστολὴν τήνδε αὐθωρεὶ τοὺς ἐννεμομένους σὺν γυναιξὶ καὶ τέκνοις μετὰ ὕβρεων καὶ σκυλμῶν ἀποστεῖλαι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐν δεσμοῖς σιδηροῖς πάντοθεν κατακεκλεισμένους, εἰς ἀνήκεστον καὶ δυσκλεῆ πρέποντα δυσμενέσι φόνον.
For by the punishment of them in one body we perceive that we have found the only means of establishing our affairs for the future on a firm and satisfactory basis.
τούτων γὰρ ὁμοῦ κολασθέντων, διειλήφαμεν εἰς τὸν ἐπίλοιπον χρόνον τελείως ἡμῖν τὰ πράγματα ἐν εὐσταθείᾳ καὶ βελτίστῃ διαθέσει κατασταθήσεσθαι.
Whosoever shall shield a Jew, whether it be old man, child, or suckling, shall with his whole house be tortured to death.
ὃς δι’ ἂν σκεπάσῃ τινὰ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ἀπὸ γηραιοῦ μέχρι νηπίου μέχρι τῶν ὑπομαστιδίων, αἰσχίσταις βασάνοις ἀποτυμπανισθήσεται πανοικί.
Whoever shall inform against the [Jews,] besides receiving the property of the person charged, shall be presented with two thousand drachmae from the royal treasury, shall be made free, and shall be crowned.
μηνύειν δὲ τὸν βουλόμενον, ἐφ’ ᾧ τὴν οὐσίαν τοῦ ἐμπίπτοντος ὑπὸ τὴν εὔθυναν λήψεται καὶ ἐκ τοῦ βασιλικοῦ ἀργυρίου δραχμὰς δισχιλίας καὶ τῆς ἐλευθερίας τεύξεται καὶ στεφανωθήσεται.
Whatever place shall shelter a Jew, shall, when he is hunted forth, be put under the ban of fire, and be for ever rendered useless to every living being for all time to come.
πᾶς δὲ τόπος, οὗ ἐὰν φωραθῇ τὸ σύνολον σκεπαζόμενος ᾿Ιουδαῖος, ἄβατος καὶ πυριφλεγὴς γινέσθω καὶ πάσῃ θνητῇ φύσει κατὰ πάντα ἄχρηστος φανήσεται εἰς τὸν ἀεὶ χρόνον».