top 2 Maccabees ch 7

Chapter 7

Verses: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42]
1 Συνέβη καὶ ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὺς μητρὸς συλλημφθέντας ἀναγκάζεσθαι ὑπὸ βασιλέως ἀθεμίτων ὑείων κρεῶν ἐφάπτεσθαι μάστιξιν καὶ νευραῖς αἰκιζομένους. 1 It came to pass also, that seven brethren with their mother were taken, and compelled by the king against the law to taste swine’s flesh, and were tormented with scourges and whips.
2 εἷς αὐτῶν γενόμενος προήγορος οὕτως ἔφη τί μέλλεις ἐρωτᾶν καὶ μανθάνειν ; ἕτοιμοι ἀποθνῄσκειν ἐσμὲν παραβαίνειν τοὺς πατρίους νόμους. 2 But one of them that spake first said thus, What wouldest thou ask or learn of us? we are ready to die, rather than to transgress the laws of our fathers.
3 ἔκθυμος γενόμενος βασιλεὺς προσέταξεν τήγανα καὶ λέβητας ἐκπυροῦν. 3 Then the king, being in a rage, commanded pans and caldrons to be made hot:
4  παραχρῆμα ἐκπυρωθέντων γενόμενον αὐτῶν προήγορον προσέταξεν γλωσσοτομεῖν καὶ περισκυθίσαντας ἀκρωτηριάζειν λοιπῶν ἀδελφῶν καὶ μητρὸς συνορώντων. 4 Which forthwith being heated, he commanded to cut out the tongue of him that spake first, and to cut off the utmost parts of his body, the rest of his brethren and his mother looking on.
5 ἄχρηστον αὐτὸν ὅλοις γενόμενον ἐκέλευσεν τῇ πυρᾷ προσάγειν ἔμπνουν καὶ τηγανίζειν. ἀτμίδος ἐφ᾿ ἱκανὸν διαδιδούσης τηγάνου παρεκάλουν τῇ μητρὶ γενναίως τελευτᾶν λέγοντες οὕτως 5 Now when he was thus maimed in all his members, he commanded him being yet alive to be brought to the fire, and to be fried in the pan: and as the vapour of the pan was for a good space dispersed, they exhorted one another with the mother to die manfully, saying thus,
6  κύριος ἐφορᾷ καὶ ταῖς ἀληθείαις ἐφ᾿ παρακαλεῖται, καθάπερ πρόσωπον ἀντιμαρτυρούσης ᾠδῆς διεσάφησεν Μωυσῆς λέγων καὶ δούλοις παρακληθήσεται. 6 The Lord God looketh upon us, and in truth hath comfort in us, as Moses in his song, which witnessed to their faces, declared, saying, And he shall be comforted in his servants.

7 μεταλλάξαντος πρώτου τρόπον τοῦτον δεύτερον ἦγον ἐμπαιγμὸν καὶ κεφαλῆς δέρμα ταῖς θριξὶν περισύραντες ἐπηρώτων εἰ φάγεσαι τιμωρηθῆναι σῶμα μέλος; 7 So when the first was dead after this number, they brought the second to make him a mocking stock: and when they had pulled off the skin of his head with the hair, they asked him, Wilt thou eat, before thou be punished throughout every member of thy body?
8  ἀποκριθεὶς τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ προσεῖπεν οὐχί. διόπερ καὶ οὗτος τὴν ἑξῆς ἔλαβεν βάσανον ὡς πρῶτος. 8 But he answered in his own language, and said, No. Wherefore he also received the next torment in order, as the former did.
9  ἐσχάτῃ πνοῇ γενόμενος εἶπεν σὺ , ἀλάστωρ, ἐκ παρόντος ζῆν ἀπολύεις, βασιλεὺς ἀποθανόντας ὑπὲρ νόμων εἰς αἰώνιον ἀναβίωσιν ἀναστήσει. 9 And when he was at the last gasp, he said, Thou like a fury takest us out of this present life, but the King of the world shall raise us up, who have died for his laws, unto everlasting life.

10  τοῦτον τρίτος ἐνεπαίζετο καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν αἰτηθεὶς ταχέως προέβαλεν καὶ χεῖρας εὐθαρσῶς προέτεινεν 10 After him was the third made a mocking stock: and when he was required, he put out his tongue, and that right soon, holding forth his hands manfully.
11 καὶ γενναίως εἶπεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ταῦτα κέκτημαι καὶ τοὺς νόμους ὑπερορῶ ταῦτα καὶ παρ᾿ ταῦτα πάλιν ἐλπίζω κομίσασθαι· 11 And said courageously, These I had from heaven; and for his laws I despise them; and from him I hope to receive them again.
12 ὥστε αὐτὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς ἐκπλήσσεσθαι τὴν νεανίσκου ψυχήν ὡς οὐδενὶ ἀλγηδόνας ἐτίθετο. 12 Insomuch that the king, and they that were with him, marvelled at the young man’s courage, for that he nothing regarded the pains.

13 καὶ μεταλλάξαντος τέταρτον ἐβασάνιζον αἰκιζόμενοι. 13 Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and mangled the fourth in like manner.
14 καὶ γενόμενος πρὸς τελευτᾶν οὕτως ἔφη αἱρετὸν μεταλλάσσοντας ὑπ᾿ ὑπὸ προσδοκᾶν ἐλπίδας πάλιν ἀναστήσεσθαι ὑπ᾿ · σοὶ ἀνάστασις εἰς ζωὴν οὐκ ἔσται. 14 So when he was ready to die he said thus, It is good, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God to be raised up again by him: as for thee, thou shalt have no resurrection to life.

15 ἐχομένως πέμπτον προσάγοντες ᾐκίζοντο. 15 Afterward they brought the fifth also, and mangled him.
16  πρὸς αὐτὸν ἰδὼν εἶπεν ἐξουσίαν ἔχων φθαρτὸς ὢν θέλεις ποιεῖς· μὴ δόκει γένος ὑπὸ καταλελεῖφθαι· 16 Then looked he unto the king, and said, Thou hast power over men, thou art corruptible, thou doest what thou wilt; yet think not that our nation is forsaken of God;
17 σὺ καρτέρει καὶ θεώρει μεγαλεῖον κράτος, ὡς καὶ σπέρμα βασανιεῖ. 17 But abide a while, and behold his great power, how he will torment thee and thy seed.

18  τοῦτον ἦγον ἕκτον, καὶ μέλλων ἀποθνῄσκειν ἔφη μὴ πλανῶ μάτην, ἑαυτοὺς ταῦτα πάσχομεν ἁμαρτόντες εἰς , ἄξια θαυμασμοῦ γέγονεν· 18 After him also they brought the sixth, who being ready to die said, Be not deceived without cause: for we suffer these things for ourselves, having sinned against our God: therefore marvellous things are done unto us.
19 σὺ μὴ νομίσῃς ἀθῷος ἔσεσθαι θεομαχεῖν ἐπιχειρήσας. 19 But think not thou, that takest in hand to strive against God, that thou shalt escape unpunished.

20 ὑπεραγόντως μήτηρ θαυμαστὴ καὶ μνήμης ἀγαθῆς ἀξία, ἀπολλυμένους υἱοὺς ἑπτὰ συνορῶσα μιᾶς ὑπὸ καιρὸν ἡμέρας εὐψύχως ἔφερεν κύριον ἐλπίδας. 20 But the mother was marvellous above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope that she had in the Lord.
21 ἕκαστον αὐτῶν παρεκάλει τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ γενναίῳ πεπληρωμένη φρονήματι καὶ θῆλυν λογισμὸν ἄρσενι θυμῷ διεγείρασα λέγουσα πρὸς αὐτούς 21 Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them,
22 οὐκ οἶδ᾿ ὅπως εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἐφάνητε κοιλίαν, οὐδὲ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν ἐχαρισάμην, καὶ τὴν ἑκάστου στοιχείωσιν οὐκ διερρύθμισα· 22 I cannot tell how ye came into my womb: for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you;
23 τοιγαροῦν κτίστης πλάσας ἀνθρώπου γένεσιν καὶ πάντων ἐξευρὼν γένεσιν καὶ πνεῦμα καὶ τὴν ζωὴν πάλιν ἀποδίδωσιν ἐλέους, ὡς ὑπερορᾶτε ἑαυτοὺς τοὺς νόμους. 23 But doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws’ sake.

24  Ἀντίοχος οἰόμενος καταφρονεῖσθαι καὶ τὴν ὀνειδίζουσαν ὑφορώμενος φωνὴν ἔτι νεωτέρου περιόντος οὐ μόνον λόγων ἐποιεῖτο τὴν παράκλησιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ὅρκων ἐπίστου ἅμα πλουτιεῖν καὶ μακαριστὸν ποιήσειν μεταθέμενον πατρίων καὶ φίλον ἕξειν καὶ ἐμπιστεύσειν. 24 Now Antiochus, thinking himself despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the youngest was yet alive, did not only exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs.
25  νεανίου μηδαμῶς προσέχοντος προσκαλεσάμενος βασιλεὺς τὴν παρῄνει γενέσθαι μειρακίου σύμβουλον σωτηρίᾳ. 25 But when the young man would in no case hearken unto him, the king called his mother, and exhorted her that she would counsel the young man to save his life.
26  παραινέσαντος ἐπεδέξατο πείσειν υἱόν· 26 And when he had exhorted her with many words, she promised him that she would counsel her son.
27 προσκύψασα χλευάσασα ὠμὸν τύραννον οὕτως ἔφησεν τῇ πατρίῳ φωνῇ υἱέ, ἐλέησόν τὴν γαστρὶ περιενέγκασάν μῆνας ἐννέα καὶ θηλάσασάν ἔτη τρία καὶ ἐκθρέψασάν καὶ ἀγαγοῦσαν εἰς τὴν ἡλικίαν ταύτην καὶ τροφοφορήσασαν. 27 But she bowing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner; O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee such three years, and nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age, and endured the troubles of education.
28 ἀξιῶ , τέκνον, ἀναβλέψαντα εἰς οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ἰδόντα γνῶναι οὐκ ἐξ ὄντων ἐποίησεν αὐτὰ , καὶ γένος οὕτω γίνεται. 28 I beseech thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not; and so was mankind made likewise.
29 μὴ φοβηθῇς δήμιον τοῦτον, ἀλλὰ ἀδελφῶν ἄξιος γενόμενος ἐπίδεξαι θάνατον, ἐλέει ἀδελφοῖς κομίσωμαί 29 Fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren.

30 ἔτι ταύτης καταληγούσης νεανίας εἶπεν τίνα μένετε; ὑπακούω προστάγματος βασιλέως, προστάγματος ἀκούω νόμου δοθέντος πατράσιν Μωυσέως. 30 Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king’s commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses.
31 σὺ κακίας εὑρετὴς γενόμενος εἰς τοὺς Ἑβραίους οὐ μὴ διαφύγῃς χεῖρας 31 And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of God.
32  ἁμαρτίας πάσχομεν. 32 For we suffer because of our sins.
33 εἰ χάριν ἐπιπλήξεως καὶ παιδείας ζῶν κύριος βραχέως ἐπώργισται, καὶ πάλιν καταλλαγήσεται ἑαυτοῦ δούλοις. 33 And though the living Lord be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one again with his servants.
34 σὺ δέ ἀνόσιε καὶ πάντων μιαρώτατε, μὴ μάτην μετεωρίζου φρυαττόμενος ἀδήλοις ἐλπίσιν τοὺς οὐρανίους παῖδας ἐπαιρόμενος χεῖρα· 34 But thou, O godless man, and of all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of God:
35 οὔπω τὴν παντοκράτορος ἐπόπτου κρίσιν ἐκπέφευγας. 35 For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.
36 οἱ ἀδελφοὶ βραχὺν ὑπενέγκαντες πόνον ἀενάου ὑπὸ διαθήκην πεπτώκασιν· σὺ τῇ κρίσει δίκαια πρόστιμα ὑπερηφανίας ἀποίσῃ. 36 For our brethren, who now have suffered a short pain, are dead under God’s covenant of everlasting life: but thou, through the judgment of God, shalt receive just punishment for thy pride.
37  δέ καθάπερ οἱ , καὶ σῶμα καὶ ψυχὴν προδίδωμι πατρίων νόμων ἐπικαλούμενος ἵλεως ταχὺ ἔθνει γενέσθαι καὶ ἐτασμῶν καὶ μαστίγων ἐξομολογήσασθαι διότι αὐτὸς ἐστιν, 37 But I, as my brethren, offer up my body and life for the laws of our fathers, beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is God;
38  ἐμοὶ καὶ ἀδελφοῖς στῆσαι τὴν παντοκράτορος ὀργὴν τὴν σύμπαν γένος ἐπηγμένην. 38 And that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly brought upon our nation, may cease.

39 ἔκθυμος γενόμενος βασιλεὺς τούτῳ τοὺς ἄλλους χειρίστως ἀπήντησεν πικρῶς φέρων μυκτηρισμῷ. 39 Than the king’ being in a rage, handed him worse than all the rest, and took it grievously that he was mocked.
40 καὶ οὗτος καθαρὸς μετήλλαξεν παντελῶς πεποιθώς. 40 So this man died undefiled, and put his whole trust in the Lord.

41 ἐσχάτη υἱῶν μήτηρ ἐτελεύτησεν. 41 Last of all after the sons the mother died.

42  τοὺς σπλαγχνισμοὺς καὶ ὑπερβαλλούσας αἰκίας τοσοῦτον δεδηλώσθω. 42 Let this be enough now to have spoken concerning the idolatrous feasts, and the extreme tortures.