3 Maccabees Chapter 1: World English Bible Classic

Deuterocanon · Apocrypha · Traducción al español en preparación

Traducción al español en preparación

¹ Now Philopater, on learning from those who came back that Antiochus had made himself master of the places which belonged to himself, sent orders to all his infantry and cavalry, took with him his sister Arsinoe, and marched out as far as the parts of Raphia, where Antiochus and his forces encamped. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

² And one Theodotus, intending to carry out his design, took with him the bravest of the armed men who had been before committed to his trust by Ptolemy, and got through at night to the tent of Ptolemy, to kill him on his own responsibility, and so to end the war. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

³ But Dositheus, called the son of Drimulus, by birth a Jew, afterward a renegade from the laws and observances of his country, conveyed Ptolemy away, and made an obscure person lie down in his stead in the tent. It turned out that this man received the fate which was meant for the other. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁴ A fierce battle then took place. The men of Antiochus were prevailing. Arsinoe continually went up and down the ranks, and with dishevelled hair, with tears and entreaties, begged the soldiers to fight bravely for themselves, their children, and wives, and promised that if they proved conquerors, she would give them each two minas of gold. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁵ It thus fell out that their enemies were defeated in hand-to-hand encounter, and that many of them were taken prisoners. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁶ Having vanquished this attempt, the king then decided to proceed to the neighboring cities, and encourage them. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁷ By doing this, and by making donations to their temples, he inspired his subjects with confidence. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁸ The Jews sent some of their council and of their elders to him. The greetings, welcoming gifts, and congratulations of the past, given by them, filled him with the greater eagerness to visit their city. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

⁹ Having arrived at Jerusalem, sacrificed, and offered thank-offerings to the Greatest God, and done whatever else was suitable to the sanctity of the place, and entered the inner court, (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁰ he was so impressed with the magnificence of the place, and so wondered at the orderly arrangements of the temple, that he considered entering the sanctuary itself. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹¹ When they told him that this was not permissible, none of the nation, not even the priests in general, but only the supreme high priest of all, and he only once in a year, was allowed to go in, he would by no means give way. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹² Then they read the law to him, but he persisted in intruding, exclaiming that he ought to be allowed. He said, “Even if they were deprived of this honor, I shouldn’t be.” (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹³ He asked why, when he entered all the other temples, did none of the priests who were present forbid him. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁴ He was thoroughly answered by someone, that he did wrong to boast of this. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁵ “Well, since I have done this,” said he, “be the cause what it may, shall I not enter with or without your consent?” (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁶ When the priests fell down in their sacred vestments imploring the Greatest God to come and help in time of need, and to avert the violence of the fierce aggressor, and when they filled the temple with lamentations and tears, (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁷ then those who had been left behind in the city were scared, and rushed out, uncertain of the event. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁸ Virgins, who had been shut up within their chambers, came out with their mothers, scattering dust and ashes on their heads, and filling the streets with outcries. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

¹⁹ Women who had recently been arrayed for marriage left their bridal chambers, left the reserve that befitted them, and ran around the city in a disorderly manner. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁰ New-born babes were deserted by the mothers or nurses who waited upon them—some here, some there, in houses, or in fields; these now, with an ardor which could not be checked, swarmed into the Most High temple. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²¹ Various prayers were offered up by those who assembled in this place because of the unholy attempt of the king. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²² Along with these there were some of the citizens who took courage and would not submit to his obstinacy and his intention of carrying out his purpose. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²³ Calling out to arms, and to die bravely in defense of the law of their fathers, they created a great uproar in the place, and were with difficulty brought back by the aged and the elders to the station of prayer which they had occupied before. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁴ During this time, the multitude kept on praying. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁵ The elders who surrounded the king tried in many ways to divert his arrogant mind from the design which he had formed. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁶ He, in his hardened mood, insensible to all persuasion, was going onward with the view of carrying out this design. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁷ Yet even his own officers, when they saw this, joined the Jews in an appeal to Him who has all power to aid in the present crisis, and not wink at such haughty lawlessness. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁸ Such was the frequency and the vehemence of the cry of the assembled crowd, that an indescribable noise ensued. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)

²⁹ Not the men only, but the very walls and floor seemed to sound out, all things preferring death rather than to see the place defiled. (English source shown until the Spanish translation is ready)