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第13章

the life of flavius josephus-第13章

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to contain themselves no longer; (and perhaps the providence of
God hereby procuring my deliverance; for had not this been so; I
had certainly been destroyed by John;) said; 〃O you people of
Tiberias! leave off this inquiry about the twenty pieces of gold;
for Josephus hath not deserved to die for them; but he hath
deserved it by his desire of tyrannizing; and by cheating the
multitude of the Galileans with his speeches; in order to gain
the dominion over them。〃 When he had said this; they presently
laid hands upon me; and endeavored to kill me: but as soon as
those that were with me saw what they did; they drew their
swords; and threatened to smite them; if they offered any
violence to me。 The people also took up stones; and were about to
throw them at Jonathan; and so they snatched me from the violence
of my enemies。

59。 But as I was gone out a little way; I was just upon meeting
John; who was marching with his armed men。 So I was afraid of
him; and turned aside; and escaped by a narrow passage to the
lake; and seized on a ship; and embarked in it; and sailed over
to Tarichese。 So; beyond my expectation; I escaped this danger。
Whereupon I presently sent for the chief of the Galileans; and
told them after what manner; against all faith given; I had been
very near to destruction from Jonathan and his colleagues; and
the people of Tiberias。 Upon which the multitude of the Galileans
were very。 angry; and encouraged me to delay no longer to make
war upon them; but to permit them to go against John; and utterly
to destroy him; as well as Jonathan and his colleagues。 However;
I restrained them; though they were in such a rage; and desired
them to tarry a while; till we should be informed what orders
those ambassadors; that were sent by them to the city of
Jerusalem; should bring thence; for I told them that it was best
for them to act according to their determination; whereupon they
were prevailed on。 At which time; also; John; when the snares he
had laid did not take effect; returned back to Gischala。

60。 Now; in a few days; those ambassadors whom he had sent; came
back again and informed us; that the people were greatly provoked
at Ananus; and Simon the son of Gamaliel; and their friends;
that; without any public determination; they had sent to Galilee;
and had done their endeavors that I might be turned out of the
government。 The ambassadors said further; that the people were
ready to burn their houses。 They also brought letters; whereby
the chief men of Jerusalem; at the earnest petition of the
people; confirmed me in the government of Galilee; and enjoined
Jonathan and his colleagues to return home quickly。 When I had
gotten these letters; I came to the village Arbela; where I
procured an assembly of the Galileans to meet; and bid the
ambassadors declare to them the anger of the people of Jerusalem
at what had been done by Jonathan and his colleagues; and how
much they hated their wicked doings; and how they had confirmed
me in the government of their country; as also what related to
the order they had in writing for Jonathan and his colleagues to
return home。 So I immediately sent them the letter; and bid him
that carried it to inquire; as well as he could; how they
intended to act 'on this occasion。'

61。 Now; when they had received that letter; and were thereby
greatly disturbed; they sent for John; and for the senators of
Tiberias; and for the principal men of the Gabarens; and proposed
to hold a council; and desired them to consider what was to be
done by them。 However; the governors of Tiberias were greatly
disposed to keep the government to themselves; for they said it
was not fit to desert their city; now it was committed to their
trust; and that otherwise I should not delay to fall upon them;
for they pretended falsely that so I had threatened to do。 Now
John was not only of their opinion; but advised them; that two of
them should go to accuse me before the multitude 'at Jerusalem';
that I do not manage the affairs of Galilee as I ought to do; and
that they would easily persuade the people; because of their
dignity; and because the whole multitude are very mutable。 When;
therefore; it appeared that John had suggested the wisest advice
to them; they resolved that two of them; Jonathan and Ananias;
should go to the people of Jerusalem; and the other two 'Simon
and Joazar' should be left behind to tarry at Tiberins。 They also
took along with them a hundred soldiers for their guard。

62。 However; the governors of Tiberias took care to have their
city secured with walls; and commanded their inhabitants to take
their arms。 They also sent for a great many soldiers from John;
to assist them against me; if there should be occasion for them。
Now John was at Gischala。 Jonathan; therefore; and those that
were with him; when they were departed from Tiberias; and as soon
as they were come to Dabaritta; a village that lay in the utmost
parts of Galilee; in the great plain; they; about midnight; fell
among the guards I had set; who both commanded them to lay aside
their weapons; and kept them in bonds upon the place; as I had
charged them to do。 This news was written to me by Levi; who had
the command of that guard committed to him by me。 Hereupon I said
nothing of it for two days; and; pretending to know nothing about
it; I sent a message to the people of Tiberias; and advised them
to lay their arms aside; and to dismiss their men; that they
might go home。 But; supposing that Jonathan; and those that were
with him; were already arrived at Jerusalem; they made
reproachful answers to me; yet was I not terrified thereby; but
contrived another stratagem against them; for I did not think it
agreeable with piety to kindle the fire of war against the
citizens。 As I was desirous to draw those men away from Tiberias;
I chose out ten thousand of the best of my armed men; and divided
them into three bodies; and ordered them to go privately; and lie
still as an ambush; in the villages。 I also led a thousand into
another village; which lay indeed in the mountains; as did the
others; but only four furlongs distant from Tiberias; and gave
orders; that when they saw my signal; they should come down
immediately; while I myself lay with my soldiers in the sight of
every body。 Hereupon the people of Tiberias; at the sight of me;
came running out of the city perpetually; and abused me greatly。
Nay; their madness was come to that height; that they made a
decent bier for me; and; standing about it; they mourned over me
in the way of jest and sport; and I could not but be myself in a
pleasant humor upon the sight of this madness of theirs。

63。 And now being desirous to catch Simon by a wile; and Joazar
with him; I sent a message to them; and desired them to come a
little way out of the city; and many of their friends to guard
them; for I said I would come down to them; and make a league
with them; and divide the government of Galilee with them。
Accordingly; Simon was deluded on account of his imprudence; and
out of the hopes of gain; and did not delay to come; but Joazar;
suspecting snares were laid for him; staid behind。 So when Simon
was come out; and his friends with him; for his guard; I met him;
and saluted him with great civility; and professed that I was
obliged to him for his coming up to me; but a little while
afterward I walked along with him as though I would say something
to him by myself; and when I had drawn him a good way from his
friends; I took him about the middle; and gave him to my friends
that were with me; to carry him into a village; and; commanding
my armed men to come down; I with them made an assault upon
Tiberias。 Now; as the fight grew hot on both sides; and the
soldiers belonging to Tiberias were in a fair way to conquer me;
(for my armed men were already fled away;) I saw the posture of
my affairs; and encouraging those that were with me; I pursued
those of Tiberias; even when they were already conquerors; into
the city。 I also sent another band of soldiers into the city by
the lake; and gave them orders to set on fire the first house
they could seize upon。 When this was done; the people of
Tiberin

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