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الثَّامِنُ

Chapter 8

 

8:1 Now Judas had heard of the fame of the
Romans, that they were mighty and valiant men, and such as would lovingly
accept all that joined themselves unto them, and make a league of amity with
all that came unto them; 2 And that they were men of great valour. It was told
him also of their wars and noble acts which they had done among the Galatians,
and how they had conquered them, and brought them under tribute; 3 And what
they had done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the
silver and gold which is there; 4 And that by their policy and patience they
had conquered all the place, though it were very far from them; and the kings
also that came against them from the uttermost part of the earth, till they had
discomfited them, and given them a great overthrow, so that the rest did give
them tribute every year:

 

5 Beside this, how they had discomfited in
battle Philip, and Perseus, king of the Citims, with others that lifted up
themselves against them, and had overcome them: 6 How also Antiochus the great
king of Asia, that came against them in battle, having an hundred and twenty
elephants, with horsemen, and chariots, and a very great army, was discomfited
by them; 7 And how they took him alive, and covenanted that he and such as
reigned after him should pay a great tribute, and give hostages, and that which
was agreed upon, 8 And the country of India, and Media and Lydia and of the
goodliest countries, which they took of him, and gave to king Eumenes:

 

9 Moreover how the Grecians had determined
to come and destroy them; 10 And that they, having knowledge thereof sent
against them a certain captain, and fighting with them slew many of them, and
carried away captives their wives and their children, and spoiled them, and
took possession of their lands, and pulled down their strong holds, and brought
them to be their servants unto this day:

 

11 It was told him besides, how they
destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms and isles that at
any time resisted them; 12 But with their friends and such as relied upon them
they kept amity: and that they had conquered kingdoms both far and nigh,
insomuch as all that heard of their name were afraid of them: 13 Also that,
whom they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and whom again they would, they
displace: finally, that they were greatly exalted: 14 Yet for all this none of
them wore a crown or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby: 15
Moreover how they had made for themselves a senate house, wherein three hundred
and twenty men sat in council daily, consulting alway for the people, to the
end they might be well ordered: 16 And that they committed their government to
one man every year, who ruled over all their country, and that all were obedient
to that one, and that there was neither envy nor emulation among them.

 

17 In consideration of these things, Judas
chose Eupolemus the son of John, the son of Accos, and Jason the son of
Eleazar, and sent them to Rome, to make a league of amity and confederacy with
them, 18 And to intreat them that they would take the yoke from them; for they
saw that the kingdom of the Grecians did oppress Israel with servitude.

 

19 They went therefore to Rome, which was a
very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said. 20
Judas Maccabeus with his brethren, and the people of the Jews, have sent us
unto you, to make a confederacy and peace with you, and that we might be
registered your confederates and friends. 21 So that matter pleased the Romans
well.

 

22 And this is the copy of the epistle
which the senate wrote back again in tables of brass, and sent to Jerusalem,
that there they might have by them a memorial of peace and confederacy: 23 Good
success be to the Romans, and to the people of the Jews, by sea and by land for
ever: the sword also and enemy be far from them,

 

24 If there come first any war upon the
Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion, 25 The
people of the Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all
their heart: 26 Neither shall they give any thing unto them that make war upon
them, or aid them with victuals, weapons, money, or ships, as it hath seemed
good unto the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants without taking any
thing therefore. 27 In the same manner also, if war come first upon the nation
of the Jews, the Romans shall help them with all their heart, according as the
time shall be appointed them: 28 Neither shall victuals be given to them that
take part against them, or weapons, or money, or ships, as it hath seemed good
to the Romans; but they shall keep their covenants, and that without deceit.

 

29 According to these articles did the
Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews. 30 Howbeit if hereafter the
one party or the other shall think to meet to add or diminish any thing, they
may do it at their pleasures, and whatsoever they shall add or take away shall
be ratified.

 

31 And as touching the evils that Demetrius
doeth to the Jews, we have written unto him, saying, Wherefore thou made thy
yoke heavy upon our friends and confederates the Jews? 32 If therefore they
complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee by
sea and by land.