1 Maccabees
The Books of the Maccabees
Two books written a century before the birth of Jesus, 1 and 2 Maccabees, tell the inspiring story of the Jewish people fighting for the right to worship God. Written during the time between the Old and New Testaments, these books are from a collection call the Apocrypha (meaning "hidden" books). They are not considered part of the Hebrew or Protestant Bibles.
Both books tell about the war that erupted in Israel afar Alexander the Great conquered the Middle East. After Alexander's death in 232 B.C., the Syrian empire grew very powerful, invaded Israel, and began pressuring the Jews to give up their religion and start worshipping Greek gods.
For years most Jews refused. But in 175 B.C. a new Syrian king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, decided to force the Jews to obey. He killed 40,000 Jews, enslaved 40,000 others, turned the Jewish Temple into a temple for the Greek god Zeus, and ordered Jews to offer sacrifices to the Greek deities. In retaliation, one man and his five sons, who were nicknamed the Maccabee (meaning "the hammerers"), overthrew the Syrians and ruled Israel themselves until the Romans took over 100 years later.
chapter 1
1:1 And it happened,
after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land
of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned
in his stead, the first over Greece,
1:2 And made many wars,
and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,
1:3 And went through to
the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth
was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.
1:4 And he gathered a
mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became
tributaries unto him.
1:5 And after these things
he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.
1:6 Wherefore he called
his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from
his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.
1:7 So Alexander reigned
twelve years, and then died.
1:8 And his servants bare
rule every one in his place.
1:9 And after his death
they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years:
and evils were multiplied in the earth.
1:10 And there came out
of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king,
who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and
seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
1:11 In those days went
there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make
a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from
them we have had much sorrow.
1:12 So this device pleased
them well.
1:13 Then certain of
the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them
licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:
1:14 Whereupon they built
a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:
1:15 And made themselves
uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen,
and were sold to do mischief.
1:16 Now when the kingdom
was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might
have the dominion of two realms.
1:17 Wherefore he entered
into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen,
and a great navy,
1:18 And made war against
Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were
wounded to death.
1:19 Thus they got the
strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.
1:20 And after that Antiochus
had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and
went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,
1:21 And entered proudly
into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light,
and all the vessels thereof,
1:22 And the table of
the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold,
and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple,
all which he pulled off.
1:23 He took also the
silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures
which he found.
1:24 And when he had
taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and
spoken very proudly.
1:25 Therefore there
was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;
1:26 So that the princes
and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty
of women was changed.
1:27 Every bridegroom
took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,
1:28 The land also was
moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with
confusion.
1:29 And after two years
fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of
Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude,
1:30 And spake peaceable
words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he
fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people
of Israel.
1:31 And when he had
taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses
and walls thereof on every side.
1:32 But the women and
children took they captive, and possessed the cattle.
1:33 Then builded they
the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and
made it a stronghold for them.
1:34 And they put therein
a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
1:35 They stored it also
with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of
Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare:
1:36 For it was a place
to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel.
1:37 Thus they shed innocent
blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it:
1:38 Insomuch that the
inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an
habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her;
and her own children left her.
1:39 Her sanctuary was
laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths
into reproach her honour into contempt.
1:40 As had been her
glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning.
1:41 Moreover king Antiochus
wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people,
1:42 And every one should
leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the
king.
1:43 Yea, many also of
the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned
the sabbath.
1:44 For the king had
sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should
follow the strange laws of the land,
1:45 And forbid burnt
offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they
should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
1:46 And pollute the
sanctuary and holy people:
1:47 Set up altars, and
groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts:
1:48 That they should
also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with
all manner of uncleanness and profanation:
1:49 To the end they
might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.
1:50 And whosoever would
not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die.
1:51 In the selfsame
manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people,
commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city.
1:52 Then many of the
people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so
they committed evils in the land;
1:53 And drove the Israelites
into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
1:54 Now the fifteenth
day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the
abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout
the cities of Juda on every side;
1:55 And burnt incense
at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
1:56 And when they had
rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.
1:57 And whosoever was
found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the
king's commandment was, that they should put him to death.
1:58 Thus did they by
their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in
the cities.
1:59 Now the five and
twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was
upon the altar of God.
1:60 At which time according
to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children
to be circumcised.
1:61 And they hanged
the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had
circumcised them.
1:62 Howbeit many in
Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean
thing.
1:63 Wherefore the rather
to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane
the holy covenant: so then they died.
1:64 And there was very
great wrath upon Israel.
chapter 2
2:1 In those days arose
Mattathias the son of John, the son of Simeon, a priest of the sons of Joarib,
from Jerusalem, and dwelt in Modin.
2:2 And he had five sons,
Joannan, called Caddis:
2:3 Simon; called Thassi:
2:4 Judas, who was called
Maccabeus:
2:5 Eleazar, called Avaran:
and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.
2:6 And when he saw the
blasphemies that were committed in Juda and Jerusalem,
2:7 He said, Woe is me!
wherefore was I born to see this misery of my people, and of the holy city,
and to dwell there, when it was delivered into the hand of the enemy, and the
sanctuary into the hand of strangers?
2:8 Her temple is become
as a man without glory.
2:9 Her glorious vessels
are carried away into captivity, her infants are slain in the streets, her young
men with the sword of the enemy.
2:10 What nation hath
not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?
2:11 All her ornaments
are taken away; of a free woman she is become a bondslave.
2:12 And, behold, our
sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is laid waste, and the Gentiles have
profaned it.
2:13 To what end therefore
shall we live any longer?
2:14 Then Mattathias
and his sons rent their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
2:15 In the mean while
the king's officers, such as compelled the people to revolt, came into the city
Modin, to make them sacrifice.
2:16 And when many of
Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.
2:17 Then answered the
king's officers, and said to Mattathias on this wise, Thou art a ruler, and
an honourable and great man in this city, and strengthened with sons and brethren:
2:18 Now therefore come
thou first, and fulfil the king's commandment, like as all the heathen have
done, yea, and the men of Juda also, and such as remain at Jerusalem: so shalt
thou and thy house be in the number of the king's friends, and thou and thy
children shall be honoured with silver and gold, and many rewards.
2:19 Then Mattathias
answered and spake with a loud voice, Though all the nations that are under
the king's dominion obey him, and fall away every one from the religion of their
fathers, and give consent to his commandments:
2:20 Yet will I and my
sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers.
2:21 God forbid that
we should forsake the law and the ordinances.
2:22 We will not hearken
to the king's words, to go from our religion, either on the right hand, or the
left.
2:23 Now when he had
left speaking these words, there came one of the Jews in the sight of all to
sacrifice on the altar which was at Modin, according to the king's commandment.
2:24 Which thing when
Mattathias saw, he was inflamed with zeal, and his reins trembled, neither could
he forbear to shew his anger according to judgment: wherefore he ran, and slew
him upon the altar.
2:25 Also the king's
commissioner, who compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the
altar he pulled down.
2:26 Thus dealt he zealously
for the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.
2:27 And Mattathias cried
throughout the city with a loud voice, saying, Whosoever is zealous of the law,
and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me.
2:28 So he and his sons
fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in the city.
2:29 Then many that sought
after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there:
2:30 Both they, and their
children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore
upon them.
2:31 Now when it was
told the king's servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of
David, that certain men, who had broken the king's commandment, were gone down
into the secret places in the wilderness,
2:32 They pursued after
them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and
made war against them on the sabbath day.
2:33 And they said unto
them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according
to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.
2:34 But they said, We
will not come forth, neither will we do the king's commandment, to profane the
sabbath day.
2:35 So then they gave
them the battle with all speed.
2:36 Howbeit they answered
them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they
lay hid;
2:37 But said, Let us
die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put
us to death wrongfully.
2:38 So they rose up
against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives
and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.
2:39 Now when Mattathias
and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore.
2:40 And one of them
said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our
lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the
earth.
2:41 At that time therefore
they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath
day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that
were murdered im the secret places.
2:42 Then came there
unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such
as were voluntarily devoted unto the law.
2:43 Also all they that
fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them.
2:44 So they joined their
forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath:
but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.
2:45 Then Mattathias
and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars:
2:46 And what children
soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised
valiantly.
2:47 They pursued also
after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand.
2:48 So they recovered
the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither
suffered they the sinner to triumph.
2:49 Now when the time
drew near that Mattathias should die, he said unto his sons, Now hath pride
and rebuke gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation:
2:50 Now therefore, my
sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your
fathers.
2:51 Call to remembrance
what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and
an everlasting name.
2:52 Was not Abraham
found faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
2:53 Joseph in the time
of his distress kept the commandment and was made lord of Egypt.
2:54 Phinees our father
in being zealous and fervent obtained the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
2:55 Jesus for fulfilling
the word was made a judge in Israel.
2:56 Caleb for bearing
witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.
2:57 David for being
merciful possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom.
2:58 Elias for being
zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into heaven.
2:59 Ananias, Azarias,
and Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame.
2:60 Daniel for his innocency
was delivered from the mouth of lions.
2:61 And thus consider
ye throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.
2:62 Fear not then the
words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.
2:63 To day he shall
be lifted up and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into
his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.
2:64 Wherefore, ye my
sons, be valiant and shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it
shall ye obtain glory.
2:65 And behold, I know
that your brother Simon is a man of counsel, give ear unto him alway: he shall
be a father unto you.
2:66 As for Judas Maccabeus,
he hath been mighty and strong, even from his youth up: let him be your captain,
and fight the battle of the people.
2:67 Take also unto you
all those that observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people.
2:68 Recompense fully
the heathen, and take heed to the commandments of the law.
2:69 So he blessed them,
and was gathered to his fathers.
2:70 And he died in the
hundred forty and sixth year, and his sons buried him in the sepulchres of his
fathers at Modin, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.
chapter 3
3:1 Then his son Judas,
called Maccabeus, rose up in his stead.
3:2 And all his brethren
helped him, and so did all they that held with his father, and they fought with
cheerfulness the battle of Israel.
3:3 So he gat his people
great honour, and put on a breastplate as a giant, and girt his warlike harness
about him, and he made battles, protecting the host with his sword.
3:4 In his acts he was
like a lion, and like a lion's whelp roaring for his prey.
3:5 For He pursued the
wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up those that vexed his people.
3:6 Wherefore the wicked
shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity were troubled, because
salvation prospered in his hand.
3:7 He grieved also many
kings, and made Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever.
3:8 Moreover he went through
the cities of Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath
from Israel:
3:9 So that he was renowned
unto the utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready
to perish.
3:10 Then Apollonius
gathered the Gentiles together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against
Israel.
3:11 Which thing when
Judas perceived, he went forth to meet him, and so he smote him, and slew him:
many also fell down slain, but the rest fled.
3:12 Wherefore Judas
took their spoils, and Apollonius' sword also, and therewith he fought all his
life long.
3:13 Now when Seron,
a prince of the army of Syria, heard say that Judas had gathered unto him a
multitude and company of the faithful to go out with him to war;
3:14 He said, I will
get me a name and honour in the kingdom; for I will go fight with Judas and
them that are with him, who despise the king's commandment.
3:15 So he made him ready
to go up, and there went with him a mighty host of the ungodly to help him,
and to be avenged of the children of Israel.
3:16 And when he came
near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went forth to meet him with a small
company:
3:17 Who, when they saw
the host coming to meet them, said unto Judas, How shall we be able, being so
few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seeing we are ready
to faint with fasting all this day?
3:18 Unto whom Judas
answered, It is no hard matter for many to be shut up in the hands of a few;
and with the God of heaven it is all one, to deliver with a great multitude,
or a small company:
3:19 For the victory
of battle standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from
heaven.
3:20 They come against
us in much pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and
to spoil us:
3:21 But we fight for
our lives and our laws.
3:22 Wherefore the Lord
himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid
of them.
3:23 Now as soon as he
had left off speaking, he leapt suddenly upon them, and so Seron and his host
was overthrown before him.
3:24 And they pursued
them from the going down of Bethhoron unto the plain, where were slain about
eight hundred men of them; and the residue fled into the land of the Philistines.
3:25 Then began the fear
of Judas and his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations
round about them:
3:26 Insomuch as his
fame came unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.
3:27 Now when king Antiochus
heard these things, he was full of indignation: wherefore he sent and gathered
together all the forces of his realm, even a very strong army.
3:28 He opened also his
treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for a year, commanding them to be ready
whensoever he should need them.
3:29 Nevertheless, when
he saw that the money of his treasures failed and that the tributes in the country
were small, because of the dissension and plague, which he had brought upon
the land in taking away the laws which had been of old time;
3:30 He feared that he
should not be able to bear the charges any longer, nor to have such gifts to
give so liberally as he did before: for he had abounded above the kings that
were before him.
3:31 Wherefore, being
greatly perplexed in his mind, he determined to go into Persia, there to take
the tributes of the countries, and to gather much money.
3:32 So he left Lysias,
a nobleman, and one of the blood royal, to oversee the affairs of the king from
the river Euphrates unto the borders of Egypt:
3:33 And to bring up
his son Antiochus, until he came again.
3:34 Moreover he delivered
unto him the half of his forces, and the elephants, and gave him charge of all
things that he would have done, as also concerning them that dwelt in Juda and
Jerusalem:
3:35 To wit, that he
should send an army against them, to destroy and root out the strength of Israel,
and the remnant of Jerusalem, and to take away their memorial from that place;
3:36 And that he should
place strangers in all their quarters, and divide their land by lot.
3:37 So the king took
the half of the forces that remained, and departed from Antioch, his royal city,
the hundred forty and seventh year; and having passed the river Euphrates, he
went through the high countries.
3:38 Then Lysias chose
Ptolemee the son of Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king's
friends:
3:39 And with them he
sent forty thousand footmen, and seven thousand horsemen, to go into the land
of Juda, and to destroy it, as the king commanded.
3:40 So they went forth
with all their power, and came and pitched by Emmaus in the plain country.
3:41 And the merchants
of the country, hearing the fame of them, took silver and gold very much, with
servants, and came into the camp to buy the children of Israel for slaves: a
power also of Syria and of the land of the Philistines joined themselves unto
them.
3:42 Now when Judas and
his brethren saw that miseries were multiplied, and that the forces did encamp
themselves in their borders: for they knew how the king had given commandment
to destroy the people, and utterly abolish them;
3:43 They said one to
another, Let us restore the decayed fortune of our people, and let us fight
for our people and the sanctuary.
3:44 Then was the congregation
gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might
pray, and ask mercy and compassion.
3:45 Now Jerusalem lay
void as a wilderness, there was none of her children that went in or out: the
sanctuary also was trodden down, and aliens kept the strong hold; the heathen
had their habitation in that place; and joy was taken from Jacob, and the pipe
with the harp ceased.
3:46 Wherefore the Israelites
assembled themselves together, and came to Maspha, over against Jerusalem; for
in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.
3:47 Then they fasted
that day, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their
clothes,
3:48 And laid open the
book of the law, wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their
images.
3:49 They brought also
the priests' garments, and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites
they stirred up, who had accomplished their days.
3:50 Then cried they
with a loud voice toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither
shall we carry them away?
3:51 For thy sanctuary
is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought
low.
3:52 And lo, the heathen
are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against
us, thou knowest.
3:53 How shall we be
able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help?
3:54 Then sounded they
with trumpets, and cried with a loud voice.
3:55 And after this Judas
ordained captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds,
and over fifties, and over tens.
3:56 But as for such
as were building houses, or had betrothed wives, or were planting vineyards,
or were fearful, those he commanded that they should return, every man to his
own house, according to the law.
3:57 So the camp removed,
and pitched upon the south side of Emmaus.
3:58 And Judas said,
arm yourselves, and be valiant men, and see that ye be in readiness against
the morning, that ye may fight with these nations, that are assembled together
against us to destroy us and our sanctuary:
3:59 For it is better
for us to die in battle, than to behold the calamities of our people and our
sanctuary.
3:60 Nevertheless, as
the will of God is in heaven, so let him do.
chapter 4
4:1 Then took Gorgias five
thousand footmen, and a thousand of the best horsemen, and removed out of the
camp by night;
4:2 To the end he might
rush in upon the camp of the Jews, and smite them suddenly. And the men of the
fortress were his guides.
4:3 Now when Judas heard
thereof he himself removed, and the valiant men with him, that he might smite
the king's army which was at Emmaus,
4:4 While as yet the forces
were dispersed from the camp.
4:5 In the mean season
came Gorgias by night into the camp of Judas: and when he found no man there,
he sought them in the mountains: for said he, These fellows flee from us
4:6 But as soon as it
was day, Judas shewed himself in the plain with three thousand men, who nevertheless
had neither armour nor swords to their minds.
4:7 And they saw the camp
of the heathen, that it was strong and well harnessed, and compassed round about
with horsemen; and these were expert of war.
4:8 Then said Judas to
the men that were with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid
of their assault.
4:9 Remember how our fathers
were delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
4:10 Now therefore let
us cry unto heaven, if peradventure the Lord will have mercy upon us, and remember
the covenant of our fathers, and destroy this host before our face this day:
4:11 That so all the
heathen may know that there is one who delivereth and saveth Israel.
4:12 Then the strangers
lifted up their eyes, and saw them coming over against them.
4:13 Wherefore they went
out of the camp to battle; but they that were with Judas sounded their trumpets.
4:14 So they joined battle,
and the heathen being discomfited fled into the plain.
4:15 Howbeit all the
hindmost of them were slain with the sword: for they pursued them unto Gazera,
and unto the plains of Idumea, and Azotus, and Jamnia, so that there were slain
of them upon a three thousand men.
4:16 This done, Judas
returned again with his host from pursuing them,
4:17 And said to the
people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle before us,
4:18 And Gorgias and
his host are here by us in the mountain: but stand ye now against our enemies,
and overcome them, and after this ye may boldly take the spoils.
4:19 As Judas was yet
speaking these words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain:
4:20 Who when they perceived
that the Jews had put their host to flight and were burning the tents; for the
smoke that was seen declared what was done:
4:21 When therefore they
perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also the host of Judas
in the plain ready to fight,
4:22 They fled every
one into the land of strangers.
4:23 Then Judas returned
to spoil the tents, where they got much gold, and silver, and blue silk, and
purple of the sea, and great riches.
4:24 After this they
went home, and sung a song of thanksgiving, and praised the Lord in heaven:
because it is good, because his mercy endureth forever.
4:25 Thus Israel had
a great deliverance that day.
4:26 Now all the strangers
that had escaped came and told Lysias what had happened:
4:27 Who, when he heard
thereof, was confounded and discouraged, because neither such things as he would
were done unto Israel, nor such things as the king commanded him were come to
pass.
4:28 The next year therefore
following Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and
five thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them.
4:29 So they came into
Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura, and Judas met them with ten thousand
men.
4:30 And when he saw
that mighty army, he prayed and said, Blessed art thou, O Saviour of Israel,
who didst quell the violence of the mighty man by the hand of thy servant David,
and gavest the host of strangers into the hands of Jonathan the son of Saul,
and his armourbearer;
4:31 Shut up this army
in the hand of thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their power
and horsemen:
4:32 Make them to be
of no courage, and cause the boldness of their strength to fall away, and let
them quake at their destruction:
4:33 Cast them down with
the sword of them that love thee, and let all those that know thy name praise
thee with thanksgiving.
4:34 So they joined battle;
and there were slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, even before
them were they slain.
4:35 Now when Lysias
saw his army put to flight, and the manliness of Judas' soldiers, and how they
were ready either to live or die valiantly, he went into Antiochia, and gathered
together a company of strangers, and having made his army greater than it was,
he purposed to come again into Judea.
4:36 Then said Judas
and his brethren, Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse
and dedicate the sanctuary.
4:37 Upon this all the
host assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion.
4:38 And when they saw
the sanctuary desolate, and the altar profaned, and the gates burned up, and
shrubs growing in the courts as in a forest, or in one of the mountains, yea,
and the priests' chambers pulled down;
4:39 They rent their
clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads,
4:40 And fell down flat
to the ground upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried
toward heaven.
4:41 Then Judas appointed
certain men to fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed
the sanctuary.
4:42 So he chose priests
of blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law:
4:43 Who cleansed the
sanctuary, and bare out the defiled stones into an unclean place.
4:44 And when as they
consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was profaned;
4:45 They thought it
best to pull it down, lest it should be a reproach to them, because the heathen
had defiled it: wherefore they pulled it down,
4:46 And laid up the
stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, until there should
come a prophet to shew what should be done with them.
4:47 Then they took whole
stones according to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
4:48 And made up the
sanctuary, and the things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
4:49 They made also new
holy vessels, and into the temple they brought the candlestick, and the altar
of burnt offerings, and of incense, and the table.
4:50 And upon the altar
they burned incense, and the lamps that were upon the candlestick they lighted,
that they might give light in the temple.
4:51 Furthermore they
set the loaves upon the table, and spread out the veils, and finished all the
works which they had begun to make.
4:52 Now on the five
and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is called the month Casleu, in the
hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning,
4:53 And offered sacrifice
according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made.
4:54 Look, at what time
and what day the heathen had profaned it, even in that was it dedicated with
songs, and citherns, and harps, and cymbals.
4:55 Then all the people
fell upon their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given
them good success.
4:56 And so they kept
the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness,
and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise.
4:57 They decked also
the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold, and with shields; and the gates
and the chambers they renewed, and hanged doors upon them.
4:58 Thus was there very
great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put
away.
4:59 Moreover Judas and
his brethren with the whole congregation of Israel ordained, that the days of
the dedication of the altar should be kept in their season from year to year
by the space of eight days, from the five and twentieth day of the month Casleu,
with mirth and gladness.
4:60 At that time also
they builded up the mount Sion with high walls and strong towers round about,
lest the Gentiles should come and tread it down as they had done before.
4:61 And they set there
a garrison to keep it, and fortified Bethsura to preserve it; that the people
might have a defence against Idumea.
chapter 5
5:1 Now when the nations
round about heard that the altar was built and the sanctuary renewed as before,
it displeased them very much.
5:2 Wherefore they thought
to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them, and thereupon they began
to slay and destroy the people.
5:3 Then Judas fought
against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabattine, because they besieged
Gael: and he gave them a great overthrow, and abated their courage, and took
their spoils.
5:4 Also he remembered
the injury of the children of Bean, who had been a snare and an offence unto
the people, in that they lay in wait for them in the ways.
5:5 He shut them up therefore
in the towers, and encamped against them, and destroyed them utterly, and burned
the towers of that place with fire, and all that were therein.
5:6 Afterward he passed
over to the children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people,
with Timotheus their captain.
5:7 So he fought many
battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him; and he smote
them.
5:8 And when he had taken
Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea.
5:9 Then the heathen that
were at Galaad assembled themselves together against the Israelites that were
in their quarters, to destroy them; but they fled to the fortress of Dathema.
5:10 And sent letters
unto Judas and his brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled
together against us to destroy us:
5:11 And they are preparing
to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being captain
of their host.
5:12 Come now therefore,
and deliver us from their hands, for many of us are slain:
5:13 Yea, all our brethren
that were in the places of Tobie are put to death: their wives and their children
also they have carried away captives, and borne away their stuff; and they have
destroyed there about a thousand men.
5:14 While these letters
were yet reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their
clothes rent, who reported on this wise,
5:15 And said, They of
Ptolemais, and of Tyrus, and Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles, are assembled
together against us to consume us.
5:16 Now when Judas and
the people heard these words, there assembled a great congregation together,
to consult what they should do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and
assaulted of them.
5:17 Then said Judas
unto Simon his brother, Choose thee out men, and go and deliver thy brethren
that are in Galilee, for I and Jonathan my brother will go into the country
of Galaad.
5:18 So he left Joseph
the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the people, with the remnant
of the host in Judea to keep it.
5:19 Unto whom he gave
commandment, saying, Take ye the charge of this people, and see that ye make
not war against the heathen until the time that we come again.
5:20 Now unto Simon were
given three thousand men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men
for the country of Galaad.
5:21 Then went Simon
into Galilee, where he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen
were discomfited by him.
5:22 And he pursued them
unto the gate of Ptolemais; and there were slain of the heathen about three
thousand men, whose spoils he took.
5:23 And those that were
in Galilee, and in Arbattis, with their wives and their children, and all that
they had, took he away with him, and brought them into Judea with great joy.
5:24 Judas Maccabeus
also and his brother Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days' journey
in the wilderness,
5:25 Where they met with
the Nabathites, who came unto them in a peaceable manner, and told them every
thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Galaad:
5:26 And how that many
of them were shut up in Bosora, and Bosor, and Alema, Casphor, Maked, and Carnaim;
all these cities are strong and great:
5:27 And that they were
shut up in the rest of the cities of the country of Galaad, and that against
to morrow they had appointed to bring their host against the forts, and to take
them, and to destroy them all in one day.
5:28 Hereupon Judas and
his host turned suddenly by the way of the wilderness unto Bosora; and when
he had won the city, he slew all the males with the edge of the sword, and took
all their spoils, and burned the city with fire,
5:29 From whence he removed
by night, and went till he came to the fortress.
5:30 And betimes in the
morning they looked up, and, behold, there was an innumerable people bearing
ladders and other engines of war, to take the fortress: for they assaulted them.
5:31 When Judas therefore
saw that the battle was begun, and that the cry of the city went up to heaven,
with trumpets, and a great sound,
5:32 He said unto his
host, Fight this day for your brethren.
5:33 So he went forth
behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets, and cried with prayer.
5:34 Then the host of
Timotheus, knowing that it was Maccabeus, fled from him: wherefore he smote
them with a great slaughter; so that there were killed of them that day about
eight thousand men.
5:35 This done, Judas
turned aside to Maspha; and after he had assaulted it he took and slew all the
males therein, and received the spoils thereof and and burnt it with fire.
5:36 From thence went
he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and the other cities of the country of Galaad.
5:37 After these things
gathered Timotheus another host and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.
5:38 So Judas sent men
to espy the host, who brought him word, saying, All the heathen that be round
about us are assembled unto them, even a very great host.
5:39 He hath also hired
the Arabians to help them and they have pitched their tents beyond the brook,
ready to come and fight against thee. Upon this Judas went to meet them.
5:40 Then Timotheus said
unto the captains of his host, When Judas and his host come near the brook,
if he pass over first unto us, we shall not be able to withstand him; for he
will mightily prevail against us:
5:41 But if he be afraid,
and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him.
5:42 Now when Judas came
near the brook, he caused the scribes of the people to remain by the brook:
unto whom he gave commandment, saying, Suffer no man to remain in the camp,
but let all come to the battle.
5:43 So he went first
over unto them, and all the people after him: then all the heathen, being discomfited
before him, cast away their weapons, and fled unto the temple that was at Carnaim.
5:44 But they took the
city, and burned the temple with all that were therein. Thus was Carnaim subdued,
neither could they stand any longer before Judas.
5:45 Then Judas gathered
together all the Israelites that were in the country of Galaad, from the least
unto the greatest, even their wives, and their children, and their stuff, a
very great host, to the end they might come into the land of Judea.
5:46 Now when they came
unto Ephron, (this was a great city in the way as they should go, very well
fortified) they could not turn from it, either on the right hand or the left,
but must needs pass through the midst of it.
5:47 Then they of the
city shut them out, and stopped up the gates with stones.
5:48 Whereupon Judas
sent unto them in peaceable manner, saying, Let us pass through your land to
go into our own country, and none shall do you any hurt; we will only pass through
on foot: howbeit they would not open unto him.
5:49 Wherefore Judas
commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the host, that every man should
pitch his tent in the place where he was.
5:50 So the soldiers
pitched, and assaulted the city all that day and all that night, till at the
length the city was delivered into his hands:
5:51 Who then slew all
the males with the edge of the sword, and rased the city, and took the spoils
thereof, and passed through the city over them that were slain.
5:52 After this went
they over Jordan into the great plain before Bethsan.
5:53 And Judas gathered
together those that came behind, and exhorted the people all the way through,
till they came into the land of Judea.
5:54 So they went up
to mount Sion with joy and gladness, where they offered burnt offerings, because
not one of them were slain until they had returned in peace.
5:55 Now what time as
Judas and Jonathan were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee
before Ptolemais,
5:56 Joseph the son of
Zacharias, and Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts
and warlike deeds which they had done.
5:57 Wherefore they said,
Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are round about
us.
5:58 So when they had
given charge unto the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia.
5:59 Then came Gorgias
and his men out of the city to fight against them.
5:60 And so it was, that
Joseph and Azaras were put to flight, and pursued unto the borders of Judea:
and there were slain that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men.
5:61 Thus was there a
great overthrow among the children of Israel, because they were not obedient
unto Judas and his brethren, but thought to do some valiant act.
5:62 Moreover these men
came not of the seed of those, by whose hand deliverance was given unto Israel.
5:63 Howbeit the man
Judas and his brethren were greatly renowned in the sight of all Israel, and
of all the heathen, wheresoever their name was heard of;
5:64 Insomuch as the
the people assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.
5:65 Afterward went Judas
forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esau in the land
toward the south, where he smote Hebron, and the towns thereof, and pulled down
the fortress of it, and burned the towers thereof round about.
5:66 From thence he removed
to go into the land of the Philistines, and passed through Samaria.
5:67 At that time certain
priests, desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they
went out to fight unadvisedly.
5:68 So Judas turned
to Azotus in the land of the Philistines, and when he had pulled down their
altars, and burned their carved images with fire, and spoiled their cities,
he returned into the land of Judea.
chapter 6
6:1 About that time king
Antiochus travelling through the high countries heard say, that Elymais in the
country of Persia was a city greatly renowned for riches, silver, and gold;
6:2 And that there was
in it a very rich temple, wherein were coverings of gold, and breastplates,
and shields, which Alexander, son of Philip, the Macedonian king, who reigned
first among the Grecians, had left there.
6:3 Wherefore he came
and sought to take the city, and to spoil it; but he was not able, because they
of the city, having had warning thereof,
6:4 Rose up against him
in battle: so he fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned
to Babylon.
6:5 Moreover there came
one who brought him tidings into Persia, that the armies, which went against
the land of Judea, were put to flight:
6:6 And that Lysias, who
went forth first with a great power was driven away of the Jews; and that they
were made strong by the armour, and power, and store of spoils, which they had
gotten of the armies, whom they had destroyed:
6:7 Also that they had
pulled down the abomination, which he had set up upon the altar in Jerusalem,
and that they had compassed about the sanctuary with high walls, as before,
and his city Bethsura.
6:8 Now when the king
heard these words, he was astonished and sore moved: whereupon he laid him down
upon his bed, and fell sick for grief, because it had not befallen him as he
looked for.
6:9 And there he continued
many days: for his grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he
should die.
6:10 Wherefore he called
for all his friends, and said unto them, The sleep is gone from mine eyes, and
my heart faileth for very care.
6:11 And I thought with
myself, Into what tribulation am I come, and how great a flood of misery is
it, wherein now I am! for I was bountiful and beloved in my power.
6:12 But now I remember
the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and
silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without
a cause.
6:13 I perceive therefore
that for this cause these troubles are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through
great grief in a strange land.
6:14 Then called he for
Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler over all his realm,
6:15 And gave him the
crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up his son Antiochus,
and nourish him up for the kingdom.
6:16 So king Antiochus
died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.
6:17 Now when Lysias
knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus his son, whom he had brought
up being young, to reign in his stead, and his name he called Eupator.
6:18 About this time
they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites round about the sanctuary,
and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the heathen.
6:19 Wherefore Judas,
purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them.
6:20 So they came together,
and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot
against them, and other engines.
6:21 Howbeit certain
of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined
themselves:
6:22 And they went unto
the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge
our brethren?
6:23 We have been willing
to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;
6:24 For which cause
they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us: moreover as
many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.
6:25 Neither have they
stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.
6:26 And, behold, this
day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also
and Bethsura have they fortified.
6:27 Wherefore if thou
dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, neither
shalt thou be able to rule them.
6:28 Now when the king
heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains
of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.
6:29 There came also
unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.
6:30 So that the number
of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and
two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.
6:31 These went through
Idumea, and pitched against Bethsura, which they assaulted many days, making
engines of war; but they of Bethsura came out, and burned them with fire, and
fought valiantly.
6:32 Upon this Judas
removed from the tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king's
camp.
6:33 Then the king rising
very early marched fiercely with his host toward Bathzacharias, where his armies
made them ready to battle, and sounded the trumpets.
6:34 And to the end they
might provoke the elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and
mulberries.
6:35 Moreover they divided
the beasts among the armies, and for every elephant they appointed a thousand
men, armed with coats of mail, and with helmets of brass on their heads; and
beside this, for every beast were ordained five hundred horsemen of the best.
6:36 These were ready
at every occasion: wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went,
they went also, neither departed they from him.
6:37 And upon the beasts
were there strong towers of wood, which covered every one of them, and were
girt fast unto them with devices: there were also upon every one two and thirty
strong men, that fought upon them, beside the Indian that ruled him.
6:38 As for the remnant
of the horsemen, they set them on this side and that side at the two parts of
the host giving them signs what to do, and being harnessed all over amidst the
ranks.
6:39 Now when the sun
shone upon the shields of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith,
and shined like lamps of fire.
6:40 So part of the king's
army being spread upon the high mountains, and part on the valleys below, they
marched on safely and in order.
6:41 Wherefore all that
heard the noise of their multitude, and the marching of the company, and the
rattling of the harness, were moved: for the army was very great and mighty.
6:42 Then Judas and his
host drew near, and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king's
army six hundred men.
6:43 Eleazar also, surnamed
Savaran, perceiving that one of the beasts, armed with royal harness, was higher
than all the rest, and supposing that the king was upon him,
6:44 Put himself in jeopardy,
to the end he might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name:
6:45 Wherefore he ran
upon him courageously through the midst of the battle, slaying on the right
hand and on the left, so that they were divided from him on both sides.
6:46 Which done, he crept
under the elephant, and thrust him under, and slew him: whereupon the elephant
fell down upon him, and there he died.
6:47 Howbeit the rest
of the Jews seeing the strength of the king, and the violence of his forces,
turned away from them.
6:48 Then the king's
army went up to Jerusalem to meet them, and the king pitched his tents against
Judea, and against mount Sion.
6:49 But with them that
were in Bethsura he made peace: for they came out of the city, because they
had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest to the land.
6:50 So the king took
Bethsura, and set a garrison there to keep it.
6:51 As for the sanctuary,
he besieged it many days: and set there artillery with engines and instruments
to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.
6:52 Whereupon they also
made engines against their engines, and held them battle a long season.
6:53 Yet at the last,
their vessels being without victuals, (for that it was the seventh year, and
they in Judea that were delivered from the Gentiles, had eaten up the residue
of the store;)
6:54 There were but a
few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did so prevail against them, that
they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place.
6:55 At that time Lysias
heard say, that Philip, whom Antiochus the king, whiles he lived, had appointed
to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king,
6:56 Was returned out
of Persia and Media, and the king's host also that went with him, and that he
sought to take unto him the ruling of the affairs.
6:57 Wherefore he went
in all haste, and said to the king and the captains of the host and the company,
We decay daily, and our victuals are but small, and the place we lay siege unto
is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us:
6:58 Now therefore let
us be friends with these men, and make peace with them, and with all their nation;
6:59 And covenant with
them, that they shall live after their laws, as they did before: for they are
therefore displeased, and have done all these things, because we abolished their
laws.
6:60 So the king and
the princes were content: wherefore he sent unto them to make peace; and they
accepted thereof.
6:61 Also the king and
the princes made an oath unto them: whereupon they went out of the strong hold.
6:62 Then the king entered
into mount Sion; but when he saw the strength of the place, he broke his oath
that he had made, and gave commandment to pull down the wall round about.
6:63 Afterward departed
he in all haste, and returned unto Antiochia, where he found Philip to be master
of the city: so he fought against him, and took the city by force.
chapter 7
7:1 In the hundred and one
and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came
up with a few men unto a city of the sea coast, and reigned there.
7:2 And as he entered
into the palace of his ancestors, so it was, that his forces had taken Antiochus
and Lysias, to bring them unto him.
7:3 Wherefore, when he
knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces.
7:4 So his host slew them.
Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom,
7:5 There came unto him
all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, having Alcimus, who was desirous to
be high priest, for their captain:
7:6 And they accused the
people to the king, saying, Judas and his brethren have slain all thy friends,
and driven us out of our own land.
7:7 Now therefore send
some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havock he hath made
among us, and in the king's land, and let him punish them with all them that
aid them.
7:8 Then the king chose
Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the flood, and was a great
man in the kingdom, and faithful to the king,
7:9 And him he sent with
that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should
take vengeance of the children of Israel.
7:10 So they departed,
and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they sent messengers
to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully.
7:11 But they gave no
heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with a great power.
7:12 Then did there assemble
unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice.
7:13 Now the Assideans
were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them:
7:14 For said they, One
that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do
us no wrong.
7:15 So he spake unto
them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we will procure the harm neither
of you nor your friends.
7:16 Whereupon they believed
him: howbeit he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according
to the words which he wrote,
7:17 The flesh of thy
saints have they cast out, and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem,
and there was none to bury them.
7:18 Wherefore the fear
and dread of them fell upon all the people, who said, There is neither truth
nor righteousness in them; for they have broken the covenant and oath that they
made.
7:19 After this, removed
Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and
took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people also,
and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit.
7:20 Then committed he
the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him: so Bacchides went
to the king.
7:21 But Alcimus contended
for the high priesthood.
7:22 And unto him resorted
all such as troubled the people, who, after they had gotten the land of Juda
into their power, did much hurt in Israel.
7:23 Now when Judas saw
all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites,
even above the heathen,
7:24 He went out into
all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted
from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country.
7:25 On the other side,
when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew
that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said
all the worst of them that he could.
7:26 Then the king sent
Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that bare deadly hate unto Israel,
with commandment to destroy the people.
7:27 So Nicanor came
to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully
with friendly words, saying,
7:28 Let there be no
battle between me and you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in
peace.
7:29 He came therefore
to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared
to take away Judas by violence.
7:30 Which thing after
it was known to Judas, to wit, that he came unto him with deceit, he was sore
afraid of him, and would see his face no more.
7:31 Nicanor also, when
he saw that his counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside
Capharsalama:
7:32 Where there were
slain of Nicanor's side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the
city of David.
7:33 After this went
Nicanor up to mount Sion, and there came out of the sanctuary certain of the
priests and certain of the elders of the people, to salute him peaceably, and
to shew him the burnt sacrifice that was offered for the king.
7:34 But he mocked them,
and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly,
7:35 And sware in his
wrath, saying, Unless Judas and his host be now delivered into my hands, if
ever I come again in safety, I will burn up this house: and with that he went
out in a great rage.
7:36 Then the priests
entered in, and stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying,
7:37 Thou, O Lord, didst
choose this house to be called by thy name, and to be a house of prayer and
petition for thy people:
7:38 Be avenged of this
man and his host, and let them fall by the sword: remember their blasphemies,
and suffer them not to continue any longer.
7:39 So Nicanor went
out of Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria
met him.
7:40 But Judas pitched
in Adasa with three thousand men, and there he prayed, saying,
7:41 O Lord, when they
that were sent from the king of the Assyrians blasphemed, thine angel went out,
and smote an hundred fourscore and five thousand of them.
7:42 Even so destroy
thou this host before us this day, that the rest may know that he hath spoken
blasphemously against thy sanctuary, and judge thou him according to his wickedness.
7:43 So the thirteenth
day of the month Adar the hosts joined battle: but Nicanor's host was discomfited,
and he himself was first slain in the battle.
7:44 Now when Nicanor's
host saw that he was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled.
7:45 Then they pursued
after them a day's journey, from Adasa unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after
them with their trumpets.
7:46 Whereupon they came
forth out of all the towns of Judea round about, and closed them in; so that
they, turning back upon them that pursued them, were all slain with the sword,
and not one of them was left.
7:47 Afterwards they
took the spoils, and the prey, and smote off Nicanors head, and his right hand,
which he stretched out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up
toward Jerusalem.
7:48 For this cause the
people rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness.
7:49 Moreover they ordained
to keep yearly this day, being the thirteenth of Adar.
7:50 Thus the land of
Juda was in rest a little while.
chapter 8
8:1 Now Judas had heard
of the 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;
8:2 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;
8:3 And what they had
done in the country of Spain, for the winning of the mines of the silver and
gold which is there;
8:4 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:
8:5 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:
8:6 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;
8:7 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,
8:8 And the country of
India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries, which they took of
him, and gave to king Eumenes:
8:9 Moreover how the Grecians
had determined to come and destroy them;
8:10 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:
8:11 It was told him
besides, how they destroyed and brought under their dominion all other kingdoms
and isles that at any time resisted them;
8:12 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:
8:13 Also that, whom
they would help to a kingdom, those reign; and whom again they would, they displace:
finally, that they were greatly exalted:
8:14 Yet for all this
none of them wore a crown or was clothed in purple, to be magnified thereby:
8:15 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:
8:16 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 emmulation
among them.
8:17 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,
8:18 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.
8:19 They went therefore
to Rome, which was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they
spake and said.
8:20 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.
8:21 So that matter pleased
the Romans well.
8:22 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:
8:23 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,
8:24 If there come first
any war upon the Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,
8:25 The people of the
Jews shall help them, as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart:
8:26 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.
8:27 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:
8:28 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.
8:29 According to these
articles did the Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews.
8:30 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.
8:31 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?
8:32 If therefore they
complain any more against thee, we will do them justice, and fight with thee
by sea and by land.
chapter 9
9:1 Furthermore, when Demetrius
heard the Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus
into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of
his host:
9:2 Who went forth by
the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which
is in Arbela, and after they had won it, they slew much people.
9:3 Also the first month
of the hundred fifty and second year they encamped before Jerusalem:
9:4 From whence they removed,
and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
9:5 Now Judas had pitched
his tents at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
9:6 Who seeing the multitude
of the other army to he so great were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves
out of the host, insomuch as abode of them no more but eight hundred men.
9:7 When Judas therefore
saw that his host slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore
troubled in mind, and much distressed, for that he had no time to gather them
together.
9:8 Nevertheless unto
them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure
we may be able to fight with them.
9:9 But they dehorted
him, saying, We shall never be able: let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter
we will return with our brethren, and fight against them: for we are but few.
9:10 Then Judas said,
God forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them: if our time
be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honour.
9:11 With that the host
of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their
horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going
before the host and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men.
9:12 As for Bacchides,
he was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded
their trumpets.
9:13 They also of Judas'
side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the
noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night.
9:14 Now when Judas perceived
that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took
with him all the hardy men,
9:15 Who discomfited
the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Azotus.
9:16 But when they of
the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed
upon Judas and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind:
9:17 Whereupon there
was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.
9:18 Judas also was killed,
and the remnant fled.
9:19 THen Jonathan and
Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers
in Modin.
9:20 Moreover they bewailed
him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying,
9:21 How is the valiant
man fallen, that delivered Israel!
9:22 As for the other
things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his
greatness, they are not written: for they were very many.
9:23 Now after the death
of Judas the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the coasts of Israel,
and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity.
9:24 In those days also
was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went
with them.
9:25 Then Bacchides chose
the wicked men, and made them lords of the country.
9:26 And they made enquiry
and search for Judas' friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance
of them, and used them despitefully.
9:27 So was there a great
affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet
was not seen among them.
9:28 For this cause all
Judas' friends came together, and said unto Jonathan,
9:29 Since thy brother
Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides,
and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us.
9:30 Now therefore we
have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou
mayest fight our battles.
9:31 Upon this Jonathan
took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother
Judas.
9:32 But when Bacchides
gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him
9:33 Then Jonathan, and
Simon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the
wilderness of Thecoe, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool Asphar.
9:34 Which when Bacchides
understood, he came near to Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath day.
9:35 Now Jonathan had
sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabathites,
that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much.
9:36 But the children
of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their
way with it.
9:37 After this came
word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great
marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as
being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan.
9:38 Therefore they remembered
John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the
mountain:
9:39 Where they lifted
up their eyes, and looked, and, behold, there was much ado and great carriage:
and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with
drums, and instruments of musick, and many weapons.
9:40 Then Jonathan and
they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in
ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, as many fell down dead, and
the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.
9:41 Thus was the marriage
turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.
9:42 So when they had
avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of
Jordan.
9:43 Now when Bacchides
heard hereof, he came on the sabbath day unto the banks of Jordan with a great
power.
9:44 Then Jonathan said
to his company, Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not
with us to day, as in time past:
9:45 For, behold, the
battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Jordan on this side and
that side, the marsh likewise and wood, neither is there place for us to turn
aside.
9:46 Wherefore cry ye
now unto heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies.
9:47 With that they joined
battle, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned
back from him.
9:48 Then Jonathan and
they that were with him leapt into Jordan, and swam over unto the other bank:
howbeit the other passed not over Jordan unto them.
9:49 So there were slain
of Bacchides' side that day about a thousand men.
9:50 Afterward returned
Bacchides to Jerusalem and repaired the strong cites in Judea; the fort in Jericho,
and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Thamnatha, Pharathoni, and Taphon,
these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates and with bars.
9:51 And in them he set
a garrison, that they might work malice upon Israel.
9:52 He fortified also
the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision
of victuals.
9:53 Besides, he took
the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower
at Jerusalem to be kept.
9:54 Moreover in the
hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that the
wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down
also the works of the prophets
9:55 And as he began
to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprizes hindered:
for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no
more speak any thing, nor give order concerning his house.
9:56 So Alcimus died
at that time with great torment.
9:57 Now when Bacchides
saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea
was in rest two years.
9:58 Then all the ungodly
men held a council, saying, Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease, and
dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall
take them all in one night.
9:59 So they went and
consulted with him.
9:60 Then removed he,
and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea,
that they should take Jonathan and those that were with him: howbeit they could
not, because their counsel was known unto them.
9:61 Wherefore they took
of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons,
and slew them.
9:62 Afterward Jonathan,
and Simon, and they that were with him, got them away to Bethbasi, which is
in the wilderness, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong.
9:63 Which thing when
Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them that
were of Judea.
9:64 Then went he and
laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and made
engines of war.
9:65 But Jonathan left
his brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country, and
with a certain number went he forth.
9:66 And he smote Odonarkes
and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
9:67 And when he began
to smite them, and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went out of
the city, and burned up the engines of war,
9:68 And fought against
Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore: for his
counsel and travail was in vain.
9:69 Wherefore he was
very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the country,
inasmuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country.
9:70 Whereof when Jonathan
had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make peace
with him, and deliver them the prisoners.
9:71 Which thing he accepted,
and did according to his demands, and sware unto him that he would never do
him harm all the days of his life.
9:72 When therefore he
had restored unto him the prisoners that he had taken aforetime out of the land
of Judea, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came he any
more into their borders.
9:73 Thus the sword ceased
from Israel: but Jonathan dwelt at Machmas, and began to govern the people;
and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel.
chapter 10
10:1 In the hundred and
sixtieth year Alexander, the son of Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, went up and
took Ptolemais: for the people had received him, by means whereof he reigned
there,
10:2 Now when king Demetrius
heard thereof, he gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth
against him to fight.
10:3 Moreover Demetrius
sent letters unto Jonathan with loving words, so as he magnified him.
10:4 For said he, Let
us first make peace with him, before he join with Alexander against us:
10:5 Else he will remember
all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brethren and his
people.
10:6 Wherefore he gave
him authority to gather together an host, and to provide weapons, that he might
aid him in battle: he commanded also that the hostages that were in the tower
should be delivered him.
10:7 Then came Jonathan
to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the audience of all the people, and of
them that were in the tower:
10:8 Who were sore afraid,
when they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an
host.
10:9 Whereupon they of
the tower delivered their hostages unto Jonathan, and he delivered them unto
their parents.
10:10 This done, Jonathan
settled himself in Jerusalem, and began to build and repair the city.
10:11 And he commanded
the workmen to build the walls and the mount Sion and about with square stones
for fortification; and they did so.
10:12 Then the strangers,
that were in the fortresses which Bacchides had built, fled away;
10:13 Insomuch as every
man left his place, and went into his own country.
10:14 Only at Bethsura
certain of those that had forsaken the law and the commandments remained still:
for it was their place of refuge.
10:15 Now when king
Alexander had heard what promises Demetrius had sent unto Jonathan: when also
it was told him of the battles and noble acts which he and his brethren had
done, and of the pains that they had endured,
10:16 He said, Shall
we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and confederate.
10:17 Upon this he wrote
a letter, and sent it unto him, according to these words, saying,
10:18 King Alexander
to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting:
10:19 We have heard
of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and meet to be our friend.
10:20 Wherefore now
this day we ordain thee to be the high priest of thy nation, and to be called
the king's friend; (and therewithal he sent him a purple robe and a crown of
gold:) and require thee to take our part, and keep friendship with us.
10:21 So in the seventh
month of the hundred and sixtieth year, at the feast of the tabernacles, Jonathan
put on the holy robe, and gathered together forces, and provided much armour.
10:22 Whereof when Demetrius
heard, he was very sorry, and said,
10:23 What have we done,
that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to strengthen
himself?
10:24 I also will write
unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts, that
I may have their aid.
10:25 He sent unto them
therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the Jews sendeth
greeting:
10:26 Whereas ye have
kept covenants with us, and continued in our friendship, not joining yourselves
with our enemies, we have heard hereof, and are glad.
10:27 Wherefore now
continue ye still to be faithful unto us, and we will well recompense you for
the things ye do in our behalf,
10:28 And will grant
you many immunities, and give you rewards.
10:29 And now do I free
you, and for your sake I release all the Jews, from tributes, and from the customs
of salt, and from crown taxes,
10:30 And from that
which appertaineth unto me to receive for the third part or the seed, and the
half of the fruit of the trees, I release it from this day forth, so that they
shall not be taken of the land of Judea, nor of the three governments which
are added thereunto out of the country of Samaria and Galilee, from this day
forth for evermore.
10:31 Let Jerusalem
also be holy and free, with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.
10:32 And as for the
tower which is at Jerusalem, I yield up authority over it, and give the high
priest, that he may set in it such men as he shall choose to keep it.
10:33 Moreover I freely
set at liberty every one of the Jews, that were carried captives out of the
land of Judea into any part of my kingdom, and I will that all my officers remit
the tributes even of their cattle.
10:34 Furthermore I
will that all the feasts, and sabbaths, and new moons, and solemn days, and
the three days before the feast, and the three days after the feast shall be
all of immunity and freedom for all the Jews in my realm.
10:35 Also no man shall
have authority to meddle with or to molest any of them in any matter.
10:36 I will further,
that there be enrolled among the king's forces about thirty thousand men of
the Jews, unto whom pay shall be given, as belongeth to all king's forces.
10:37 And of them some
shall be placed in the king's strong holds, of whom also some shall be set over
the affairs of the kingdom, which are of trust: and I will that their overseers
and governors be of themselves, and that they live after their own laws, even
as the king hath commanded in the land of Judea.
10:38 And concerning
the three governments that are added to Judea from the country of Samaria, let
them be joined with Judea, that they may be reckoned to be under one, nor bound
to obey other authority than the high priest's.
10:39 As for Ptolemais,
and the land pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at
Jerusalem for the necessary expences of the sanctuary.
10:40 Moreover I give
every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out of the king's accounts from
the places appertaining.
10:41 And all the overplus,
which the officers payed not in as in former time, from henceforth shall be
given toward the works of the temple.
10:42 And beside this,
the five thousand shekels of silver, which they took from the uses of the temple
out of the accounts year by year, even those things shall be released, because
they appertain to the priests that minister.
10:43 And whosoever
they be that flee unto the temple at Jerusalem, or be within the liberties hereof,
being indebted unto the king, or for any other matter, let them be at liberty,
and all that they have in my realm.
10:44 For the building
also and repairing of the works of the sanctuary expences shall be given of
the king's accounts.
10:45 Yea, and for the
building of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about,
expences shall be given out of the king's accounts, as also for the building
of the walls in Judea.
10:46 Now when Jonathan
and the people heard these words, they gave no credit unto them, nor received
them, because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel; for
he had afflicted them very sore.
10:47 But with Alexander
they were well pleased, because he was the first that entreated of true peace
with them, and they were confederate with him always.
10:48 Then gathered
king Alexander great forces, and camped over against Demetrius.
10:49 And after the
two kings had joined battle, Demetrius' host fled: but Alexander followed after
him, and prevailed against them.
10:50 And he continued
the battle very sore until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.
10:51 Afterward Alexander
sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect:
10:52 Forasmuch as I
am come again to my realm, and am set in the throne of my progenitors, and have
gotten the dominion, and overthrown Demetrius, and recovered our country;
10:53 For after I had
joined battle with him, both he and his host was discomfited by us, so that
we sit in the throne of his kingdom:
10:54 Now therefore
let us make a league of amity together, and give me now thy daughter to wife:
and I will be thy son in law, and will give both thee and her as according to
thy dignity.
10:55 Then Ptolemee
the king gave answer, saying, Happy be the day wherein thou didst return into
the land of thy fathers, and satest in the throne of their kingdom.
10:56 And now will I
do to thee, as thou hast written: meet me therefore at Ptolemais, that we may
see one another; for I will marry my daughter to thee according to thy desire.
10:57 So Ptolemee went
out of Egypt with his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the
hundred threescore and second year:
10:58 Where king Alexander
meeting him, he gave unto him his daughter Cleopatra, and celebrated her marriage
at Ptolemais with great glory, as the manner of kings is.
10:59 Now king Alexander
had written unto Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.
10:60 Who thereupon
went honourably to Ptolemais, where he met the two kings, and gave them and
their friends silver and gold, and many presents, and found favour in their
sight.
10:61 At that time certain
pestilent fellows of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against
him, to accuse him: but the king would not hear them.
10:62 Yea more than
that, the king commanded to take off his garments, and clothe him in purple:
and they did so.
10:63 And he made him
sit by himself, and said into his princes, Go with him into the midst of the
city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter,
and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.
10:64 Now when his accusers
saw that he was honored according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple,
they fled all away.
10:65 So the king honoured
him, and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker
of his dominion.
10:66 Afterward Jonathan
returned to Jerusalem with peace and gladness.
10:67 Furthermore in
the; hundred threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of
Crete into the land of his fathers:
10:68 Whereof when king
Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch.
10:69 Then Demetrius
made Apollonius the governor of Celosyria his general, who gathered together
a great host, and camped in Jamnia, and sent unto Jonathan the high priest,
saying,
10:70 Thou alone liftest
up thyself against us, and I am laughed to scorn for thy sake, and reproached:
and why dost thou vaunt thy power against us in the mountains?
10:71 Now therefore,
if thou trustest in thine own strength, come down to us into the plain field,
and there let us try the matter together: for with me is the power of the cities.
10:72 Ask and learn
who I am, and the rest that take our part, and they shall tell thee that thy
foot is not able to to flight in their own land.
10:73 Wherefore now
thou shalt not be able to abide the horsemen and so great a power in the plain,
where is neither stone nor flint, nor place to flee unto.
10:74 So when Jonathan
heard these words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind, and choosing ten
thousand men he went out of Jerusalem, where Simon his brother met him for to
help him.
10:75 And he pitched
his tents against Joppa: but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because
Apollonius had a garrison there.
10:76 Then Jonathan
laid siege unto it: whereupon they of the city let him in for fear: and so Jonathan
won Joppa.
10:77 Whereof when Apollonius
heard, he took three thousand horsemen, with a great host of footmen, and went
to Azotus as one that journeyed, and therewithal drew him forth into the plain.
because he had a great number of horsemen, in whom he put his trust.
10:78 Then Jonathan
followed after him to Azotus, where the armies joined battle.
10:79 Now Apollonius
had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.
10:80 And Jonathan knew
that there was an ambushment behind him; for they had compassed in his host,
and cast darts at the people, from morning till evening.
10:81 But the people
stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so the enemies' horses were
tired.
10:82 Then brought Simon
forth his host, and set them against the footmen, (for the horsemen were spent)
who were discomfited by him, and fled.
10:83 The horsemen also,
being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon, their
idol's temple, for safety.
10:84 But Jonathan set
fire on Azotus, and the cities round about it, and took their spoils; and the
temple of Dagon, with them that were fled into it, he burned with fire.
10:85 Thus there were
burned and slain with the sword well nigh eight thousand men.
10:86 And from thence
Jonathan removed his host, and camped against Ascalon, where the men of the
city came forth, and met him with great pomp.
10:87 After this returned
Jonathan and his host unto Jerusalem, having any spoils.
10:88 Now when king
ALexander heard these things, he honoured Jonathan yet more.
10:89 And sent him a
buckle of gold, as the use is to be given to such as are of the king's blood:
he gave him also Accaron with the borders thereof in possession.
chapter 11
11:1 And the king of Egypt
gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore,
and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander's kingdom, and
join it to his own.
11:2 Whereupon he took
his journey into Spain in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened
unto him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because
he was his brother in law.
11:3 Now as Ptolemee
entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers
to keep it.
11:4 And when he came
near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Azotus
and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad
and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by
the way where he should pass.
11:5 Also they told the
king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the
king held his peace.
11:6 Then Jonathan met
the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.
11:7 Afterward Jonathan,
when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again
to Jerusalem.
11:8 King Ptolemee therefore,
having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea
coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.
11:9 Whereupon he sent
ambasadors unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league betwixt us,
and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in
thy father's kingdom:
11:10 For I repent that
I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me.
11:11 Thus did he slander
him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.
11:12 Wherefore he took
his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so
that their hatred was openly known.
11:13 Then Ptolemee
entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia,
and of Egypt.
11:14 In the mean season
was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted
from him.
11:15 But when Alexander
heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemee brought forth
his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.
11:16 So Alexander fled
into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted:
11:17 For Zabdiel the
Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemee.
11:18 King Ptolemee
also died the third day after, and they that were in the strong holds were slain
one of another.
11:19 By this means
Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year.
11:20 At the same time
Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea to take the tower that was
in Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.
11:21 Then came ungodly
persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan
besieged the tower,
11:22 Whereof when he
heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote
unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak
with him at Ptolemais in great haste.
11:23 Nevertheless Jonathan,
when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the
elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;
11:24 And took silver
and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto
the king, where he found favour in his sight.
11:25 And though certain
ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,
11:26 Yet the king entreated
him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all
his friends,
11:27 And confirmed
him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave
him preeminence among his chief friends.
11:28 Then Jonathan
desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three
governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred
talents.
11:29 So the king consented,
and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:
11:30 King Demetrius
unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
11:31 We send you here
a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning
you, that ye might see it.
11:32 King Demetrius
unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:
11:33 We are determined
to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants
with us, because of their good will toward us.
11:34 Wherefore we have
ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema
and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria,
and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem,
instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out
of the fruits of the earth and of trees.
11:35 And as for other
things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as
also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge
them of them all for their relief.
11:36 And nothing hereof
shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.
11:37 Now therefore
see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan,
and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.
11:38 After this, when
king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance
was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place,
except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the
heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.
11:39 Moreover there
was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all
the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought
up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,
11:40 And lay sore upon
him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's
stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of
war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.
11:41 In the mean time
Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out
of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.
11:42 So Demetrius sent
unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but
I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.
11:43 Now therefore
thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone
from me.
11:44 Upon this Jonathan
sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king,
the king was very glad of their coming.
11:45 Howbeit they that
were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to
the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.
11:46 Wherefore the
king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city,
and began to fight.
11:47 Then the king
called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves
through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.
11:48 Also they set
fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.
11:49 So when they of
the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was
abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,
11:50 Grant us peace,
and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.
11:51 With that they
cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight
of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned
to Jerusalem, having great spoils.
11:52 So king Demetrius
sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.
11:53 Nevertheless he
dissembled in all that ever he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither
rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but
troubled him very sore.
11:54 After this returned
Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.
11:55 Then there gathered
unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against
Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.
11:56 Moreover Tryphon
took the elephants, and won Antioch.
11:57 At that time young
Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high priesthood,
and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's
friends.
11:58 Upon this he sent
him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and
to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.
11:59 His brother Simon
also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the borders
of Egypt.
11:60 Then Jonathan
went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces
of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon,
they of the city met him honourably.
11:61 From whence he
went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it,
and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.
11:62 Afterward, when
they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took
the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed
through the country unto Damascus.
11:63 Now when Jonathan
heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee, with
a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,
11:64 He went to meet
them, and left Simon his brother in the country.
11:65 Then Simon encamped
against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:
11:66 But they desired
to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence,
and took the city, and set a garrison in it.
11:67 As for Jonathan
and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in
the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.
11:68 And, behold, the
host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for
him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.
11:69 So when they that
lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were of Jonathan's
side fled;
11:70 Insomuch as there
was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the
son of Calphi, the captains of the host.
11:71 Then Jonathan
rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.
11:72 Afterwards turning
again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
11:73 Now when his own
men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued
them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.
11:74 So there were
slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned
to Jerusalem.
chapter 12
12:1 Now when Jonathan
saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to
confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.
12:2 He sent letters
also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.
12:3 So they went unto
Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the
people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship,
which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.
12:4 Upon this the Romans
gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them
into the land of Judea peaceably.
12:5 And this is the
copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:
12:6 Jonathan the high
priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the
Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:
12:7 There were letters
sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then
among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten
doth specify.
12:8 At which time Onias
entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters,
wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
12:9 Therefore we also,
albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture
in our hands to comfort us,
12:10 Have nevertheless
attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest
we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed
since ye sent unto us.
12:11 We therefore at
all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do
remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason
is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:
12:12 And we are right
glad of your honour.
12:13 As for ourselves,
we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that
are round about us have fought against us.
12:14 Howbeit we would
not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends,
in these wars:
12:15 For we have help
from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and
our enemies are brought under foot.
12:16 For this cause
we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent
them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former
league.
12:17 We commanded them
also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning
the renewing of our brotherhood.
12:18 Wherefore now
ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
12:19 And this is the
copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
12:20 Areus king of
the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
12:21 It is found in
writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of
the stock of Abraham:
12:22 Now therefore,
since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your
prosperity.
12:23 We do write back
again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We
do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.
12:24 Now when Jonathan
heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host
than afore,
12:25 He removed from
Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite
to enter his country.
12:26 He sent spies
also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed
to come upon them in the night season.
12:27 Wherefore so soon
as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms,
that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels
round about the host.
12:28 But when the adversaries
heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled
in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.
12:29 Howbeit Jonathan
and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.
12:30 Then Jonathan
pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river
Eleutherus.
12:31 Wherefore Jonathan
turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took
their spoils.
12:32 And removing thence,
he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,
12:33 Simon also went
forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining,
from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.
12:34 For he had heard
that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore
he set a garrison there to keep it.
12:35 After this came
Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted
with them about building strong holds in Judea,
12:36 And making the
walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the
city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men
might neither sell nor buy in it.
12:37 Upon this they
came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the
brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called
Caphenatha.
12:38 Simon also set
up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.
12:39 Now Tryphon went
about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might
set the crown upon his own head.
12:40 Howbeit he was
afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him;
wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he
removed, and came to Bethsan.
12:41 Then Jonathan
went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came
to Bethsan.
12:42 Now when Tryphon
saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against
him;
12:43 But received him
honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and
commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.
12:44 Unto Jonathan
also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing
there is no war betwixt us?
12:45 Therefore send
them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with
me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and
forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for
this is the cause of my coming.
12:46 So Jonathan believing
him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.
12:47 And with himself
he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee,
and one thousand went with him.
12:48 Now as soon as
Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him,
and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.
12:49 Then sent Tryphon
an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy
all Jonathan's company.
12:50 But when they
knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged
one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.
12:51 They therefore
that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their
lives, turned back again.
12:52 Whereupon they
all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan,
and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel
made great lamentation.
12:53 Then all the heathen
that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have
no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and
take away their memorial from among men.
chapter 13
13:1 Now when Simon heard
that Tryphon had gathered together a great host to invade the land of Judea,
and destroy it,
13:2 And saw that the
people was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered
the people together,
13:3 And gave them exhortation,
saying, Ye yourselves know what great things I, and my brethren, and my father's
house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles
which we have seen.
13:4 By reason whereof
all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.
13:5 Now therefore be
it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of trouble: for
I am no better than my brethren.
13:6 Doubtless I will
avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our children: for all
the heathen are gathered to destroy us of very malice.
13:7 Now as soon as the
people heard these words, their spirit revived.
13:8 And they answered
with a loud voice, saying, Thou shalt be our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan
thy brother.
13:9 Fight thou our battles,
and whatsoever, thou commandest us, that will we do.
13:10 So then he gathered
together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem,
and he fortified it round about.
13:11 Also he sent Jonathan
the son of Absolom, and with him a great power, to Joppa: who casting out them
that were therein remained there in it.
13:12 So Tryphon removed
from Ptolemaus with a great power to invade the land of Judea, and Jonathan
was with him in ward.
13:13 But Simon pitched
his tents at Adida, over against the plain.
13:14 Now when Tryphon
knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join
battle with him, he sent messengers unto him, saying,
13:15 Whereas we have
Jonathan thy brother in hold, it is for money that he is owing unto the king's
treasure, concerning the business that was committed unto him.
13:16 Wherefore now
send an hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when
he is at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will let him go.
13:17 Hereupon Simon,
albeit he perceived that they spake deceitfully unto him yet sent he the money
and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred
of the people:
13:18 Who might have
said, Because I sent him not the money and the children, therefore is Jonathan
dead.
13:19 So he sent them
the children and the hundred talents: howbeit Tryphon dissembled neither would
he let Jonathan go.
13:20 And after this
came Tryphon to invade the land, and destroy it, going round about by the way
that leadeth unto Adora: but Simon and his host marched against him in every
place, wheresoever he went.
13:21 Now they that
were in the tower sent messengers unto Tryphon, to the end that he should hasten
his coming unto them by the wilderness, and send them victuals.
13:22 Wherefore Tryphon
made ready all his horsemen to come that night: but there fell a very great
snow, by reason whereof he came not. So he departed, and came into the country
of Galaad.
13:23 And when he came
near to Bascama he slew Jonathan, who was buried there.
13:24 Afterward Tryphon
returned and went into his own land.
13:25 Then sent Simon,
and took the bones of Jonathan his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city
of his fathers.
13:26 And all Israel
made great lamentation for him, and bewailed him many days.
13:27 Simon also built
a monument upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren, and raised it
aloft to the sight, with hewn stone behind and before.
13:28 Moreover he set
up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and
his four brethren.
13:29 And in these he
made cunning devices, about the which he set great pillars, and upon the pillars
he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by the armour ships carved,
that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea.
13:30 This is the sepulchre
which he made at Modin, and it standeth yet unto this day.
13:31 Now Tryphon dealt
deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him.
13:32 And he reigned
in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity
upon the land.
13:33 Then Simon built
up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great
walls, and gates, and bars, and laid up victuals therein.
13:34 Moreover Simon
chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an
immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to spoil.
13:35 Unto whom king
Demetrius answered and wrote after this manner:
13:36 King Demetrius
unto Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and
nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
13:37 The golden crown,
and the scarlet robe, which ye sent unto us, we have received: and we are ready
to make a stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to confirm
the immunities which we have granted.
13:38 And whatsoever
covenants we have made with you shall stand; and the strong holds, which ye
have builded, shall be your own.
13:39 As for any oversight
or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also, which
ye owe us: and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall no
more be paid.
13:40 And look who are
meet among you to be in our court, let then be enrolled, and let there be peace
betwixt us.
13:41 Thus the yoke
of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year.
13:42 Then the people
of Israel began to write in their instruments and contracts, In the first year
of Simon the high priest, the governor and leader of the Jews.
13:43 In those days
Simon camped against Gaza and besieged it round about; he made also an engine
of war, and set it by the city, and battered a certain tower, and took it.
13:44 And they that
were in the engine leaped into the city; whereupon there was a great uproar
in the city:
13:45 Insomuch as the
people of the city rent their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their
wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them
peace.
13:46 And they said,
Deal not with us according to our wickedness, but according to thy mercy.
13:47 So Simon was appeased
toward them, and fought no more against them, but put them out of the city,
and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with
songs and thanksgiving.
13:48 Yea, he put all
uncleanness out of it, and placed such men there as would keep the law, and
made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwellingplace for himself.
13:49 They also of the
tower in Jerusalem were kept so strait, that they could neither come forth,
nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell: wherefore they were in great distress
for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine.
13:50 Then cried they
to Simon, beseeching him to be at one with them: which thing he granted them;
and when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions:
13:51 And entered into
it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and
first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and
cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a
great enemy out of Israel.
13:52 He ordained also
that that day should be kept every year with gladness. Moreover the hill of
the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he
dwelt himself with his company.
13:53 And when Simon
saw that John his son was a valiant man, he made him captain of all the hosts;
and he dwelt in Gazera.
chapter 14
14:1 Now in the hundred
threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and
went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphone.
14:2 But when Arsaces,
the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders,
he sent one of his princes to take him alive:
14:3 Who went and smote
the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he
was put in ward.
14:4 As for the land
of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his
nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them
well.
14:5 And as he was honourable
in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance
to the isles of the sea,
14:6 And enlarged the
bounds of his nation, and recovered the country,
14:7 And gathered together
a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and
the tower, out of the which he took all uncleaness, neither was there any that
resisted him.
14:8 Then did they till
their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the
field their fruit.
14:9 The ancient men
sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men
put on glorious and warlike apparel.
14:10 He provided victuals
for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable
name was renowned unto the end of the world.
14:11 He made peace
in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy:
14:12 For every man
sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them:
14:13 Neither was there
any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown
in those days.
14:14 Moreover he strengthened
all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and
every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away.
14:15 He beautified
the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple.
14:16 Now when it was
heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very
sorry.
14:17 But as soon as
they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled
the country, and the cities therein:
14:18 They wrote unto
him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and league which they had made
with Judas and Jonathan his brethren:
14:19 Which writings
were read before the congregation at Jerusalem.
14:20 And this is the
copy of the letters that the Lacedemonians sent; The rulers of the Lacedemonians,
with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and
residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting:
14:21 The ambassadors
that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour: wherefore
we were glad of their coming,
14:22 And did register
the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius
son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews' ambassadors, came unto
us to renew the friendship they had with us.
14:23 And it pleased
the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage
in publick records, to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a
memorial thereof: furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the
high priest.
14:24 After this Simon
sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight
to confirm the league with them.
14:25 Whereof when the
people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons?
14:26 For he and his
brethren and the house of his father have established Israel, and chased away
in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty.
14:27 So then they wrote
it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion: and this is
the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred
threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest,
14:28 At Saramel in
the great congregation of the priests, and people, and rulers of the nation,
and elders of the country, were these things notified unto us.
14:29 Forasmuch as oftentimes
there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary,
and the law, Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, together
with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of
their nation did their nation great honour:
14:30 (For after that
Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was
added to his people,
14:31 Their enemies
prepared to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands
on the sanctuary:
14:32 At which time
Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance,
and armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages,
14:33 And fortified
the cities of Judea, together with Bethsura, that lieth upon the borders of
Judea, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison
of Jews there:
14:34 Moreover he fortified
Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gazera, that bordereth upon Azotus, where
the enemies had dwelt before: but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with
all things convenient for the reparation thereof.)
14:35 The people therefore
sang the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation,
made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things,
and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought
by all means to exalt his people.
14:36 For in his time
things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country,
and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves
a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the sanctuary, and
did much hurt in the holy place:
14:37 But he placed
Jews therein. and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and
raised up the walls of Jerusalem.
14:38 King Demetrius
also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things,
14:39 And made him one
of his friends, and honoured him with great honour.
14:40 For he had heard
say, that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and
brethren; and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Simon honourably;
14:41 Also that the
Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high
priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;
14:42 Moreover that
he should be their captain, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set
them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the
fortresses, that, I say, he should take charge of the sanctuary;
14:43 Beside this, that
he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should
be made in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold:
14:44 Also that it should
be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or
to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or
to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold;
14:45 And whosoever
should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished.
14:46 Thus it liked
all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as hath been said.
14:47 Then Simon accepted
hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of
the Jews and priests, and to defend them all.
14:48 So they commanded
that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be
set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place;
14:49 Also that the
copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and
his sons might have them.
chapter 15
15:1 Moreover Antiochus
son of Demetrius the king sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon
the priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people;
15:2 The contents whereof
were these: King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation,
and to the people of the Jews, greeting:
15:3 Forasmuch as certain
pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to
challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate, and to that end
have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of
war;
15:4 My meaning also
being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed
it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate:
15:5 Now therefore I
confirm unto thee all the oblations which the kings before me granted thee,
and whatsoever gifts besides they granted.
15:6 I give thee leave
also to coin money for thy country with thine own stamp.
15:7 And as concerning
Jerusalem and the sanctuary, let them be free; and all the armour that thou
hast made, and fortresses that thou hast built, and keepest in thine hands,
let them remain unto thee.
15:8 And if anything
be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven thee from this time forth
for evermore.
15:9 Furthermore, when
we have obtained our kingdom, we will honour thee, and thy nation, and thy temple,
with great honour, so that your honour shall be known throughout the world.
15:10 In the hundred
threescore and fourteenth year went Antiochus into the land of his fathers:
at which time all the forces came together unto him, so that few were left with
Tryphon.
15:11 Wherefore being
pursued by king Antiochus, he fled unto Dora, which lieth by the sea side:
15:12 For he saw that
troubles came upon him all at once, and that his forces had forsaken him.
15:13 Then camped Antiochus
against Dora, having with him an hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and
eight thousand horsemen.
15:14 And when he had
compassed the city round about, and joined ships close to the town on the sea
side, he vexed the city by land and by sea, neither suffered he any to go out
or in.
15:15 In the mean season
came Numenius and his company from Rome, having letters to the kings and countries;
wherein were written these things:
15:16 Lucius, consul
of the Romans unto king Ptolemee, greeting:
15:17 The Jews' ambassadors,
our friends and confederates, came unto us to renew the old friendship and league,
being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews:
15:18 And they brought
a shield of gold of a thousand pound.
15:19 We thought it
good therefore to write unto the kings and countries, that they should do them
no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries, nor yet aid their
enemies against them.
15:20 It seemed also
good to us to receive the shield of them.
15:21 If therefore there
be any pestilent fellows, that have fled from their country unto you, deliver
them unto Simon the high priest, that he may punish them according to their
own law.
15:22 The same things
wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces,
15:23 And to all the
countries and to Sampsames, and the Lacedemonians, and to Delus, and Myndus,
and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus,
and Rhodus, and Aradus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus,
and Cyprus, and Cyrene.
15:24 And the copy hereof
they wrote to Simon the high priest.
15:25 So Antiochus the
king camped against Dora the second day, assaulting it continually, and making
engines, by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could neither go out nor
in.
15:26 At that time Simon
sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much
armour.
15:27 Nevertheless he
would not receive them, but brake all the covenants which he had made with him
afore, and became strange unto him.
15:28 Furthermore he
sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say,
Ye withhold Joppa and Gazera; with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are
cities of my realm.
15:29 The borders thereof
ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many
places within my kingdom.
15:30 Now therefore
deliver the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places, whereof
ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judea:
15:31 Or else give me
for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done,
and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: if not, we will
come and fight against you
15:32 So Athenobius
the king's friend came to Jerusalem: and when he saw the glory of Simon, and
the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was astonished,
and told him the king's message.
15:33 Then answered
Simon, and said unto him, We have neither taken other men's land, nor holden
that which appertaineth to others, but the inheritance of our fathers, which
our enemies had wrongfully in possession a certain time.
15:34 Wherefore we,
having opportunity, hold the inheritance of our fathers.
15:35 And whereas thou
demandest Joppa and Gazera, albeit they did great harm unto the people in our
country, yet will we give thee an hundred talents for them. Hereunto Athenobius
answered him not a word;
15:36 But returned in
a rage to the king, and made report unto him of these speeches, and of the glory
of Simon, and of all that he had seen: whereupon the king was exceeding wroth.
15:37 In the mean time
fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias.
15:38 Then the king
made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an host of footmen and
horsemen,
15:39 And commanded
him to remove his host toward Judea; also he commanded him to build up Cedron,
and to fortify the gates, and to war against the people; but as for the king
himself, he pursued Tryphon.
15:40 So Cendebeus came
to Jamnia and began to provoke the people and to invade Judea, and to take the
people prisoners, and slay them.
15:41 And when he had
built up Cedrou, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that
issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judea, as the king had
commanded him.
chapter 16
16:1 Then came up John
from Gazera, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done.
16:2 Wherefore Simon
called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I, and my brethren,
and my father's house, have ever from my youth unto this day fought against
the enemies of Israel; and things have prospered so well in our hands, that
we have delivered Israel oftentimes.
16:3 But now I am old,
and ye, by God's mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my
brother, and go and fight for our nation, and the help from heaven be with you.
16:4 So he chose out
of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against
Cendebeus, and rested that night at Modin.
16:5 And when as they
rose in the morning, and went into the plain, behold, a mighty great host both
of footmen and horsemen came against them: howbeit there was a water brook betwixt
them.
16:6 So he and his people
pitched over against them: and when he saw that the people were afraid to go
over the water brook, he went first over himself, and then the men seeing him
passed through after him.
16:7 That done, he divided
his men, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: for the enemies'
horsemen were very many.
16:8 Then sounded they
with the holy trumpets: whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight,
so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold.
16:9 At that time was
Judas John's brother wounded; but John still followed after them, until he came
to Cedron, which Cendebeus had built.
16:10 So they fled even
unto the towers in the fields of Azotus; wherefore he burned it with fire: so
that there were slain of them about two thousand men. Afterward he returned
into the land of Judea in peace.
16:11 Moreover in the
plain of Jericho was Ptolemeus the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance
of silver and gold:
16:12 For he was the
high priest's son in law.
16:13 Wherefore his
heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon
consulted deceitfully against Simon and his sons to destroy them.
16:14 Now Simon was
visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering
of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias
and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month,
called Sabat:
16:15 Where the son
of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold, called Docus, which
he had built, made them a great banquet: howbeit he had hid men there.
16:16 So when Simon
and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their
weapons, and came upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his
two sons, and certain of his servants.
16:17 In which doing
he committed a great treachery, and recompensed evil for good.
16:18 Then Ptolemee
wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to
aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities.
16:19 He sent others
also to Gazera to kill John: and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto
him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards.
16:20 And others he
sent to take Jerusalem, and the mountain of the temple.
16:21 Now one had run
afore to Gazera and told John that his father and brethren were slain, and,
quoth he, Ptolemee hath sent to slay thee also.
16:22 Hereof when he
heard, he was sore astonished: so he laid hands on them that were come to destroy
him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away.
16:23 As concerning
the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and
the building of the walls which he made, and his doings,
16:24 Behold, these
are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from the time he was made high
priest after his father.