1 And now it came to pass that I received an epistle from Ammoron, the king, stating that if I would deliver up those prisoners of war whom we had taken that he would deliver up the city of Antiparah unto us.

1  Y aconteció que recibí una epístola del rey Ammorón, en la que me decía que si yo le entregaba los prisioneros de guerra que habíamos tomado, él nos entregaría la ciudad de Antipara.

2 But I sent an epistle unto the king, that we were sure our forces were sufficient to take the city of Antiparah by our force; and by delivering up the prisoners for that city we should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver up our prisoners on exchange.

2  Pero envié una epístola al rey, de que estábamos seguros de que nuestras fuerzas eran suficientes para tomar la ciudad de Antipara con nuestras tropas; y que con entregarle los prisioneros por esa ciudad nos consideraríamos imprudentes, y que sólo entregaríamos nuestros prisioneros a canje de otros.

3 And Ammoron refused mine epistle, for he would not exchange prisoners; therefore we began to make preparations to go against the city of Antiparah.

3  Y Ammorón rechazó mi epístola, porque no quería hacer el canje de prisioneros; por lo tanto, empezamos los preparativos para marchar contra la ciudad de Antipara.

4 But the people of Antiparah did leave the city, and fled to their other cities, which they had possession of, to fortify them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our hands.

4  Pero la gente de Antipara abandonó la ciudad, y huyó a las otras ciudades que poseían, para fortificarlas; y de este modo la ciudad de Antipara cayó en nuestras manos.

5 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the reign of the judges.

5  Y así concluyó el año veintiocho del gobierno de los jueces.

6 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the twenty and ninth year, we received a supply of provisions, and also an addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and from the land round about, to the number of six thousand men, besides sixty of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their brethren, my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we were strong, yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us.

6  Y sucedió que a principios del año veintinueve, recibimos un abastecimiento de provisiones de la tierra de Zarahemla y sus alrededores, y también un refuerzo de seis mil hombres para nuestro ejército, además de sesenta de los hijos de los ammonitas que habían llegado para unirse a sus hermanos, mi pequeña compañía de dos mil. Y he aquí, éramos fuertes; sí, y nos trajeron abundancia de provisiones.

7 And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a battle with the army which was placed to protect the city Cumeni.

7  Y aconteció que era nuestro deseo trabar batalla con el ejército que estaba colocado para proteger la ciudad de Cumeni.

8 And now behold, I will show unto you that we soon accomplished our desire; yea, with our strong force, or with a part of our strong force, we did surround, by night, the city Cumeni, a little before they were to receive a supply of provisions.

8  Y he aquí, te manifestaré que no tardamos en realizar nuestro deseo; sí, con nuestro fuerte ejército, o sea, con una parte de nuestro fuerte ejército, rodeamos la ciudad de Cumeni durante la noche, un poco antes que recibieran un abastecimiento de provisiones.

9 And it came to pass that we did camp round about the city for many nights; but we did sleep upon our swords, and keep guards, that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay us, which they attempted many times; but as many times as they attempted this their blood was spilt.

9  Y ocurrió que estuvimos acampados alrededor de la ciudad durante varias noches; pero dormíamos sobre nuestras espadas y poníamos guardias, a fin de que los lamanitas no cayeran sobre nosotros durante la noche y nos mataran, cosa que intentaron muchas veces; pero cuantas veces lo intentaron, se vertió su sangre.

10 At length their provisions did arrive, and they were about to enter the city by night. And we, instead of being Lamanites, were Nephites; therefore, we did take them and their provisions.

10  Llegaron por fin sus provisiones, y estaban ya a punto de entrar en la ciudad durante la noche. Y en lugar de ser lamanitas, éramos nosotros los nefitas; por tanto, nos apoderamos de ellos y de sus provisiones.

11 And notwithstanding the Lamanites being cut off from their support after this manner, they were still determined to maintain the city; therefore it became expedient that we should take those provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to the land of Zarahemla.

11  Y no obstante que los lamanitas quedaron privados de su sostén de esta manera, aún estaban resueltos a retener la ciudad; por tanto, se hizo necesario que tomáramos aquellas provisiones y las enviáramos a Judea, y nuestros prisioneros a la tierra de Zarahemla.

12 And it came to pass that not many days had passed away before the Lamanites began to lose all hopes of succor; therefore they yielded up the city unto our hands; and thus we had accomplished our designs in obtaining the city Cumeni.

12  Y acaeció que no habían pasado muchos días, cuando los lamanitas empezaron a perder toda esperanza de recibir ayuda; por tanto, entregaron la ciudad en nuestras manos; y así habíamos realizado nuestros proyectos de apoderarnos de la ciudad de Cumeni.

13 But it came to pass that our prisoners were so numerous that, notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were obliged to employ all our force to keep them, or to put them to death.

13  Pero ocurrió que nuestros prisioneros eran tan numerosos que, a pesar de nuestro gran número, nos vimos obligados a emplear todas nuestras fuerzas para vigilarlos, o quitarles la vida.

14 For behold, they would break out in great numbers, and would fight with stones, and with clubs, or whatsoever thing they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war.

14  Porque he aquí, se sublevaban en grandes números, y peleaban con piedras, con palos o cualquier cosa que llegara a sus manos, de modo que matamos a más de dos mil de ellos después que se hubieron entregado como prisioneros de guerra.

15 Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should put an end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to the land of Zarahemla; and also our provisions were not any more than sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which we had taken from the Lamanites.

15  Por tanto, nos fue menester o quitarles la vida o custodiarlos, espada en mano, hasta la tierra de Zarahemla; y además, nuestras provisiones apenas eran suficientes para nuestra propia gente, a pesar de lo que habíamos tomado de los lamanitas.

16 And now, in those critical circumstances, it became a very serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of war; nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of Zarahemla; therefore we selected a part of our men, and gave them charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of Zarahemla.

16  Y en estas circunstancias críticas, llegó a ser un asunto grave determinar concerniente a estos prisioneros de guerra. No obstante, determinamos enviarlos a la tierra de Zarahemla; por tanto, escogimos una parte de nuestros hombres, y les encargamos nuestros prisioneros para descender con ellos a la tierra de Zarahemla.

17 But it came to pass that on the morrow they did return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of provisions and also a numerous army of men.

17  Pero sucedió que volvieron a la mañana siguiente; mas no les preguntamos acerca de los prisioneros, porque he aquí, los lamanitas ya estaban sobre nosotros, y volvieron oportunamente para salvarnos de caer en manos de los lamanitas. Pues he aquí, Ammorón había enviado en su auxilio un nuevo abastecimiento de provisiones y también un numeroso ejército.

18 And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were about to overpower us.

18  Y sucedió que los hombres que habíamos enviado con los prisioneros llegaron oportunamente para contenerlos cuando estaban a punto de vencernos.

19 But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites, and did administer death unto all those who opposed them.

19  Pero he aquí, mi pequeña compañía de dos mil sesenta combatió desesperadamente; sí, se mantuvieron firmes ante los lamanitas e hicieron morir a cuantos se les oponían.

20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were firm and undaunted.

20  Y mientras que el resto de nuestro ejército se encontraba a punto de ceder ante los lamanitas, he aquí, estos dos mil sesenta permanecieron firmes e impávidos.

21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

21  Sí, y obedecieron y procuraron cumplir con exactitud toda orden; sí, y les fue hecho según su fe; y me acordé de las palabras que, según me dijeron, sus madres les habían enseñado.

22 And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites; therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti.

22  Y he aquí, es a éstos, mis hijos, y a los hombres que habíamos elegido para escoltar a los prisioneros, a quienes debemos esta gran victoria; porque fueron ellos los que vencieron a los lamanitas; por tanto, los hicieron retroceder hasta la ciudad de Manti.

23 And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great loss.

23  Y nosotros retuvimos nuestra ciudad de Cumeni, y no fuimos todos destruidos por la espada; no obstante, habíamos sufrido grandes bajas.

24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds should be dressed.

24  Y aconteció que después de haber huido los lamanitas, inmediatamente di órdenes de que mis hombres que habían sido heridos fuesen recogidos de entre los muertos, e hice que les vendaran sus heridas.

25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.

25  Y aconteció que doscientos, de mis dos mil sesenta, se habían desmayado por la pérdida de sangre. Sin embargo, mediante la bondad de Dios, y para nuestro gran asombro, y también para el gozo de todo nuestro ejército, ni uno solo de ellos había perecido; sí, y no hubo entre ellos uno solo que no hubiese recibido muchas heridas.

26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

26  Y su preservación fue asombrosa para todo nuestro ejército; sí, que ellos hubiesen sido librados mientras que hubo un millar de nuestros hermanos que fueron muertos. Y lo atribuimos con justicia al milagroso poder de Dios, por motivo de su extraordinaria fe en lo que se les había enseñado a creer: que había un Dios justo, y que todo aquel que no dudara, sería preservado por su maravilloso poder.

27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

27  Ésta, pues, fue la fe de aquellos de que he hablado; son jóvenes, y sus mentes son firmes, y ponen su confianza en Dios continuamente.

28 And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead and also the dead of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with.

28  Y ocurrió que después de haber atendido a nuestros heridos, y de haber enterrado a nuestros muertos, y también a los muertos de los lamanitas, que eran muchos, he aquí, interrogamos a Gid concerniente a los prisioneros con los que habían empezado a descender a la tierra de Zarahemla.

29 Now Gid was the chief captain over the band who was appointed to guard them down to the land.

29  Y era Gid el capitán en jefe de la escolta que se había nombrado para custodiarlos hasta allá.

30 And now, these are the words which Gid said unto me: Behold, we did start to go down to the land of Zarahemla with our prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our armies, who had been sent out to watch the camp of the Lamanites.

30  Y éstas son las palabras que Gid me dijo: He aquí, partimos para descender a la tierra de Zarahemla con nuestros prisioneros. Y aconteció que encontramos a los espías de nuestros ejércitos, que habían sido enviados para vigilar el campamento de los lamanitas.

31 And they cried unto us, saying—Behold, the armies of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni; and behold, they will fall upon them, yea, and will destroy our people.

31  Y nos gritaron, diciendo: He aquí, los ejércitos de los lamanitas marchan hacia la ciudad de Cumeni; y he aquí, caerán sobre ellos, sí, y destruirán a nuestra gente.

32 And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries, which caused them to take courage; and they did rise up in rebellion against us.

32  Y sucedió que nuestros prisioneros oyeron sus gritos, lo que hizo que cobraran ánimo; y se rebelaron contra nosotros.

33 And it came to pass because of their rebellion we did cause that our swords should come upon them. And it came to pass that they did in a body run upon our swords, in the which, the greater number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us.

33  Y aconteció que por motivo de su rebelión, hicimos que nuestras espadas descendieran sobre ellos. Y ocurrió que se lanzaron en masa contra nuestras espadas, con lo cual resultó muerta la mayor parte de ellos; y los demás se abrieron paso y huyeron de nosotros.

34 And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake them, we took our march with speed towards the city Cumeni; and behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our brethren in preserving the city.

34  Y he aquí, cuando huyeron y no los pudimos alcanzar, emprendimos la marcha rápidamente hacia la ciudad de Cumeni; y he aquí, llegamos a tiempo para ayudar a nuestros hermanos a retener la ciudad.

35 And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us.

35  Y he aquí, nuevamente somos librados de las manos de nuestros enemigos. Y bendito es el nombre de nuestro Dios porque, he aquí, él es quien nos ha librado; sí, el que ha hecho esta gran cosa por nosotros.

36 Now it came to pass that when I, Helaman, had heard these words of Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the goodness of God in preserving us, that we might not all perish; yea, and I trust that the souls of them who have been slain have entered into the rest of their God.

36  Y acaeció que cuando yo, Helamán, hube oído estas palabras de Gid, me llené de un gozo muy grande a causa de la bondad de Dios en protegernos para que no pereciéramos todos; sí, y confío en que las almas de los que han muerto hayan entrado en el reposo de su Dios.