1.论罗马人的名声当时犹大听闻罗马人的名声，说他们势力强大，对所有与他们结盟的人都友善相待，对前来投靠的人也以友谊相许。A Eulogy of the Romans Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were very strong and were well-disposed toward all who made an alliance with them, that they pledged friendship to those who came to them,
2.而且他们非常强壮。有人将他们的争战告诉了他，以及他们在那些族中（高卢人中所行）的英勇事迹，说他们如何击败了他们，迫使他们进贡，and that they were very strong. Men told him of their wars and of the brave deeds which they were doing among the Gauls, how they had defeated them and forced them to pay tribute,
3.以及他们在西班牙境内为控制那里的银矿和金矿所做的事，and what they had done in the land of Spain to get control of the silver and gold mines there,
4.他们如何凭借筹谋与忍耐，控制了那远在千里之外的整个地区。他们又制服了从地极前来攻击他们的诸王，直到将他们击败，使其遭受重大灾祸；其余的则年年向他们进贡。and how they had gained control of the whole region by their planning and patience, even though the place was far distant from them. They also subdued the kings who came against them from the ends of the earth, until they crushed them and inflicted great disaster upon them; the rest paid them tribute every year.
5.腓力和马其顿王珀尔修斯，以及其他起来反抗他们的人，都在战场上被他们击败并征服了。Philip, and Per′seus king of the Macedonians, and the others who rose up against them, they crushed in battle and conquered.
6.他们又打败了亚细亚王安提阿哥大帝，他带着一百二十只大象，以及骑兵、战车和一支极庞大的军兵前来与他们争战，结果被他们击溃了。They also defeated Anti′ochus the Great, king of Asia, who went to fight against them with a hundred and twenty elephants and with cavalry and chariots and a very large army. He was crushed by them;
7.他们活捉了他，并下令他以及日后继位者须缴纳沉重的贡赋，交出人质，并割让部分最富庶的省份。they took him alive and decreed that he and those who should reign after him should pay a heavy tribute and give hostages and surrender some of their best provinces,
8.印度国，以及米底亚和吕底亚。这些地方他们从他手中夺去，交给做王的欧革乃德。the country of India and Media and Lydia. These they took from him and gave to Eu′menes the king.
9.希腊人计划前来毁灭他们。The Greeks planned to come and destroy them,
10.但这事被他们知道了，他们就派遣一位将军攻打希腊人，向他们发起攻击。他们许多人受伤并倒下了，罗马人掳走了他们的妻子和儿女；他们掠夺他们，征服了那地，拆毁了他们的坚固堡垒，并且奴役他们直到今日。but this became known to them, and they sent a general against the Greeks and attacked them. Many of them were wounded and fell, and the Romans took captive their wives and children; they plundered them, conquered the land, tore down their strongholds, and enslaved them to this day.
11.其余的王国和岛屿，凡曾抵挡他们的，他们都加以毁灭，使其沦为奴役；The remaining kingdoms and islands, as many as ever opposed them, they destroyed and enslaved;
12.但他们与朋友及依靠他们的人保持了友谊。他们征服了远近的诸王，凡是听闻他们声名的人都畏惧他们。but with their friends and those who rely on them they have kept friendship. They have subdued kings far and near, and as many as have heard of their fame have feared them.
13.他们想要帮助谁、使其为王，就使其为王；他们想要废黜谁，就废黜谁；他们已经大受尊荣。Those whom they wish to help and to make kings, they make kings, and those whom they wish they depose; and they have been greatly exalted.
14.尽管如此，他们中没有一个人戴上王冠，也没有穿紫色衣服以显骄傲。Yet for all this not one of them has put on a crown or worn purple as a mark of pride,
15.但他们为自己建造了一座议事厅，每天有三百二十位议员不断地商议如何妥善治理百姓。but they have built for themselves a senate chamber, and every day three hundred and twenty senators constantly deliberate concerning the people, to govern them well.
16.他们每年信任一个人来治理他们，控制他们所有的土地；他们都听从这一个人，他们之间没有嫉妒和猜忌。They trust one man each year to rule over them and to control all their land; they all heed the one man, and there is no envy or jealousy among them.
17.与罗马结盟 犹大于是挑选了阿科斯之子约翰的儿子欧波勒穆，以及以利亚撒的儿子耶孙，派遣他们前往罗马，以建立友好同盟关系。An Alliance with Rome So Judas chose Eupol′emus the son of John, son of Accos, and Jason the son of Elea′zar, and sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance,
18.并要挣脱轭的束缚；因为他们看见希腊国已经完全奴役以色列了。and to free themselves from the yoke; for they saw that the kingdom of the Greeks was completely enslaving Israel.
19.他们前往罗马，旅途漫长；进入元老院议事厅后，发言如下：They went to Rome, a very long journey; and they entered the senate chamber and spoke as follows:
20.犹大，又名马加比，他和弟兄们以及犹太众民派我们到你们那里去，要与你们订立盟约和和平，好使我们被记入你们的盟友和朋友之中。“Judas, who is also called Maccabe′us, and his brothers and the people of the Jews have sent us to you to establish alliance and peace with you, that we may be enrolled as your allies and friends.”
21.这个提议让他们很高兴。The proposal pleased them,
22.这是他们回复的书信的副本，刻在铜版上，送至耶路路撒冷，在那里作为和平与联盟的纪念保存and this is a copy of the letter which they wrote in reply, on bronze tablets, and sent to Jerusalem to remain with them there as a memorial of peace and alliance:
23.愿罗马人和犹太民族无论在海上陆地都永远平安昌盛，愿刀剑与仇敌远离他们。“May all go well with the Romans and with the nation of the Jews at sea and on land for ever, and may sword and enemy be far from them.
24.如果战争首先降临罗马或其统辖之下的任何盟友，If war comes first to Rome or to any of their allies in all their dominion,
25.犹太民族将全心全意作为他们的盟友，按照时机向他们所指示的而行动。the nation of the Jews shall act as their allies wholeheartedly, as the occasion may indicate to them.
26.对于与之作战的敌人,他们不得提供或供给粮食、武器、金钱或船只,此乃罗马之决定;他们应恪守义务,而不得接受任何回报。And to the enemy who makes war they shall not give or supply grain, arms, money, or ships, as Rome has decided; and they shall keep their obligations without receiving any return.
27.同样地，如果战争首先临到犹太人的国度，罗马人必甘愿照着时机的需要，充当他们的盟友。In the same way, if war comes first to the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall willingly act as their allies, as the occasion may indicate to them.
28.根据罗马的决议，不得向敌方的盟军提供任何谷物、武器、金钱或船只；他们必须遵守这些义务，且须诚实无欺，不得弄虚作假。And to the enemy allies shall be given no grain, arms, money, or ships, as Rome has decided; and they shall keep these obligations and do so without deceit.
29.于是罗马人依照这些条款与犹太民族订立条约。Thus on these terms the Romans make a treaty with the Jewish people.
30.若本条款生效后,双方决定增删任何内容,应自行酌定,其所作的任何增删均属有效。If after these terms are in effect both parties shall determine to add or delete anything, they shall do so at their discretion, and any addition or deletion that they may make shall be valid.
31.至于德米特里王对他们所行的不义之事，我们曾写信给他这样说：“你为何将你的轭加在我们朋友和同盟者犹太人身上呢？”“And concerning the wrongs which King Deme′trius is doing to them we have written to him as follows, ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy upon our friends and allies the Jews?
32.如果他们再向你求援，我们必将保护他们的权利，并在海上和陆地上与你们作战。If now they appeal again for help against you, we will defend their rights and fight you on sea and on land.’”