1.利西雅围攻伯利恒的撒不很久以后，国王的监护人和亲属利西雅，他负责管理政府，因为发生了这些事，他非常愤怒，Lys′ias Besieges Beth-zur Very soon after this, Lys′ias, the king’s guardian and kinsman, who was in charge of the government, being vexed at what had happened,
2.他聚集了大约八万名男子和所有他的骑兵，对犹太人发起攻击，他打算把这座城市变成希腊人的居住地gathered about eighty thousand men and all his cavalry and came against the Jews. He intended to make the city a home for Greeks,
3.并且像对待其他国家的圣地一样向圣殿征税，每年将高祭司的职位卖给出价最高的人。and to levy tribute on the temple as he did on the sacred places of the other nations, and to put up the high priesthood for sale every year.
4.他根本没有考虑上帝的力量，而是因为自己拥有万名步兵、千名骑兵和八十头大象而变得骄傲自大。He took no account whatever of the power of God, but was elated with his ten thousands of infantry, and his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
5.入侵犹大，他接近伯斯尔，这是一个距离耶路撒冷约五里的堡垒之地，并对其施加强大压力。Invading Judea, he approached Beth-zur, which was a fortified place about five leagues from Jerusalem, and pressed it hard.
6.当马加比和他的战士们听说吕西亚围攻要塞时，他们和所有的人民一起，带着哀叹和眼泪，祈求上帝派遣一位良善的天使来拯救以色列。When Maccabe′us and his men got word that Lys′ias was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people, with lamentations and tears, besought the Lord to send a good angel to save Israel.
7.马加比自己第一个拿起武器，并且催促其他人与他一起冒着生命危险去帮助他们的兄弟。于是他们急切地一起冲出去。Maccabe′us himself was the first to take up arms, and he urged the others to risk their lives with him to aid their brethren. Then they eagerly rushed off together.
8.就在那里，当他们还在耶路撒冷附近的时候，一个骑马的人出现在他们的前面，穿着白衣，挥舞着金色的武器。And there, while they were still near Jerusalem, a horseman appeared at their head, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold.
9.他们一起赞美仁慈的神，并在心中得以坚强，准备不仅要对抗人，也要对抗最凶猛的野兽或铁墙。And they all together praised the merciful God, and were strengthened in heart, ready to assail not only men but the wildest beasts or walls of iron.
10.他们按着战阵前进，因为他们有天上的帮助，耶和华怜悯他们。They advanced in battle order, having their heavenly ally, for the Lord had mercy on them.
11.他们像狮子一样向敌人冲去，杀死了一万一千名敌兵和一千六百名骑兵，并使其余的敌人全部逃跑。They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, and slew eleven thousand of them and sixteen hundred horsemen, and forced all the rest to flee.
12.他们大多数人伤痕累累、赤身裸体地逃跑了，利西亚自己也狼狈地逃跑了。Most of them got away stripped and wounded, and Lys′ias himself escaped by disgraceful flight.
13.他并不缺乏智慧，他思考了自己所遭遇的失败，并意识到希伯来人是不可战胜的，因为全能的上帝站在他们一边。于是他派人去见他们And as he was not without intelligence, he pondered over the defeat which had befallen him, and realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sent to them
14.并说服他们以公平的条件解决一切问题，承诺他会说服国王，迫使国王成为他们的朋友。and persuaded them to settle everything on just terms, promising that he would persuade the king, constraining him to be their friend.
15.马加比在考虑到共同利益的情况下，同意了利西亚的一切要求，因为国王已经批准了马加比交给利西亚的书面请求中犹太人提出的每一项要求。Maccabe′us, having regard for the common good, agreed to all that Lys′ias urged. For the king granted every request in behalf of the Jews which Maccabe′us delivered to Lys′ias in writing.
16.利西亚使犹太人得平安 利西亚写信给犹太人，大意如下：利西亚致犹太人众民问好。Lys′ias Makes Peace with the Jews The letter written to the Jews by Lys′ias was to this effect: “Lys′ias to the people of the Jews, greeting.
17.约翰和亚布撒仑已经将你们签署的信件送达，并询问了信中提到的相关事务。John and Ab′salom, who were sent by you, have delivered your signed communication and have asked about the matters indicated therein.
18.我已经将所有需要禀报给王的事情都禀报给他了，他也同意了所有可行的事情。I have informed the king of everything that needed to be brought before him, and he has agreed to what was possible.
19.如果你们愿意保持对政府的良好意愿，我将努力在未来促进你们的福利。If you will maintain your good will toward the government, I will endeavor for the future to help promote your welfare.
20.关于这些事及其细节，我已命令这些人和我的代表与你商议。And concerning these matters and their details, I have ordered these men and my representatives to confer with you.
21.再见。一四八年，第欧斯科林斯二十四。Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Dioscorin′thius twenty-fourth.”
22.王的信是这样写的：“王安提阿古致他的兄弟吕西亚问安。The king’s letter ran thus: “King Anti′ochus to his brother Lys′ias, greeting.
23.我们的父亲已经归于神明，我们希望王国的臣民能够在不受干扰的情况下处理自己的事务。Now that our father has gone on to the gods, we desire that the subjects of the kingdom be undisturbed in caring for their own affairs.
24.我们听说犹太人不愿意同意父亲改变为希腊风俗，而是喜欢他们自己的生活方式，并要求允许他们自己的风俗。We have heard that the Jews do not consent to our father’s change to Greek customs but prefer their own way of living and ask that their own customs be allowed them.
25.因此，我们决定让这个国家也免于动乱，我们的决定是将他们的神庙归还给他们，并让他们按照祖先的风俗生活。Accordingly, since we choose that this nation also be free from disturbance, our decision is that their temple be restored to them and that they live according to the customs of their ancestors.
26.你们将会做得很好，于是派人送信给他们并给予他们友好的保证，这样他们就能知道我们的政策并保持高昂的士气，高高兴兴地处理他们自己的事务。You will do well, therefore, to send word to them and give them pledges of friendship, so that they may know our policy and be of good cheer and go on happily in the conduct of their own affairs.”
27.致国家的王书如下：“王安提阿古致犹太人的议会和其他犹太人，问安。To the nation the king’s letter was as follows: “King Anti′ochus to the senate of the Jews and to the other Jews, greeting.
28.你们若平安，就是我们所愿的，我们也都平安。If you are well, it is as we desire. We also are in good health.
29.米拿苏已经告诉我们，你愿意回到家乡处理自己的事务。Menela′us has informed us that you wish to return home and look after your own affairs.
30.因此，在Xan′thicus三十日之前回家的那些人，将会得到我们的友谊保证和充分的许可Therefore those who go home by the thirtieth day of Xan′thicus will have our pledge of friendship and full permission
31.为了让犹太人像以前一样享有自己的食物和法律，不要因为他们过去出于无知而做过的事就骚扰他们。for the Jews to enjoy their own food and laws, just as formerly, and none of them shall be molested in any way for what he may have done in ignorance.
32.我也派了米拿苏来勉励你们。And I have also sent Menela′us to encourage you.
33.再见。一四八年，桑提库斯十五日。Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xan′thicus fifteenth.”
34.罗马人也给他们送了一封信，内容如下：罗马的使者昆图斯·梅米乌斯和提图斯·马尼乌斯致犹太人的信，问安。The Romans also sent them a letter, which read thus: “Quintus Mem′mius and Titus Man′ius, envoys of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting.
35.关于王的亲戚吕西亚所给你的，我们也表示同意。With regard to what Lys′ias the kinsman of the king has granted you, we also give consent.
36.至于他已经决定要提交给王的那些事，你们考虑过后，立即派人前来，我们好提出适合你们的建议，因为我们正前往安提阿。But as to the matters which he decided are to be referred to the king, as soon as you have considered them, send some one promptly, so that we may make proposals appropriate for you. For we are on our way to Antioch.
37.因此请赶快派几个人来，我们好知道你的判断。Therefore make haste and send some men, so that we may have your judgment.
38.再见。一四八年，桑提库斯十五日。Farewell. The one hundred and forty-eighth year, Xan′thicus fifteenth.”