Category: 1 Maccabees

1 And the king of Egypt gathered together an army, like the sand that is along the shore of the sea, and many ships. And he sought to obtain the kingdom of Alexander by deceit, and to add it to his own kingdom.

2 And he departed into Syria with words of peace, and they opened the cities to him, and they were meeting with him. For king Alexander had commanded them to go out to meet him, because he was his father-in-law.

3 But when Ptolemy entered a city, he placed garrisons of soldiers in each of the cities.

4 And when he drew near to Azotus, they revealed to him that the temple of Dagon had been burned with fire, and Azotus and its suburbs had been demolished, and bodies had been abandoned, and that, for those who had been cut to pieces in the war, they had made a tomb along the way.

5 And they told the king that Jonathan had done these things, so as to make him hated. But the king remained silent.

6 And Jonathan went to meet the king at Joppa with glory, and they greeted one another, and they stayed there.

7 And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river, which is called Eleutherus. And he returned to Jerusalem.

8 But king Ptolemy obtained the dominion of the coastal cities, as far as Seleucia, and he devised evil plans against Alexander.

9 And he sent ambassadors to Demetrius, saying: “Come, let us compose a pact between us, and I will give you my daughter, whom Alexander had, and you will reign in the kingdom of your father.

10 For I regret that I have given him my daughter. For he has sought to kill me.”

11 And he slandered him, because he coveted his kingdom.

12 And he took away his daughter, and he gave her to Demetrius, and he alienated himself from Alexander, and his hostilities were made manifest.

13 And Ptolemy entered Antioch, and he placed two diadems upon his head, that of Egypt, and that of Asia.

14 Now king Alexander was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of those places were rebelling.

15 And when Alexander heard of it, he came against him in warfare. And king Ptolemy led forth his army, and he met him with a strong hand, and he put him to flight.

16 And Alexander fled into Arabia, so as to be protected there. And king Ptolemy was exalted.

17 And Zabdiel the Arab took off the head of Alexander, and he sent it to Ptolemy.

18 And king Ptolemy died on the third day, and those who were in the strongholds were destroyed by those who were in the camp.

19 And Demetrius reigned in the one hundred and sixty-seventh year.

20 In those days, Jonathan gathered together those who were in Judea, in order to fight against the stronghold that was in Jerusalem. And they made many machines of war against it.

21 And so, certain men of iniquity, who hated their own people, went forth to king Demetrius, and they reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the stronghold.

22 And when he heard it, he became angry. And immediately he came to Ptolemais, and he wrote to Jonathan that he should not besiege the stronghold, but that he should meet with him promptly, for a discussion.

23 But when Jonathan heard this, he ordered them to besiege it. And he chose some from the elders of Israel and from the priests, and he put himself in danger.

24 And he took gold, and silver, and vestments, and many other presents, and he went to the king at Ptolemais, and he found favor in his sight.

25 And some of the iniquitous from his nation came forward with objections against him.

26 And the king treated him just as those who were before him had treated him. And he exalted him in the sight of all his friends.

27 And he confirmed him in the high priesthood and in all the other honors that he held before, and he made him the leader of his friends.

28 And Jonathan requested of the king that he would make Judea free from tribute, along with the three districts, and Samaria, and its confines. And he promised him three hundred talents.

29 And the king consented. And he wrote letters to Jonathan about all these things, continuing in this way:

30 “King Demetrius to his brother Jonathan, and to the nation of the Jews: greetings.

31 We are sending you a copy of the letter that we wrote to Lasthenes, our parent, about you, so that you will know.

32 ‘King Demetrius to Lasthenes, his parent: greetings.

33 We have determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends and who keep to what is just with us, because of their good will, which they hold toward us.

34 Therefore, we have assigned to them all the parts of Judea, and the three cities, Lydda and Ramatha, which were added to Judea from Samaria, and all their confines, to be set apart for all those sacrificing in Jerusalem, in place of that which the king previously received from them each year, and in place of the fruits of the land and of the fruit trees.

35 And, as for the rest of that which pertains to us from tithes and tributes, from this time forward, we release them from these, as well as from the drying areas of salt and the crowns that were presented to us.

36 All these, we concede to them, and nothing of these shall be revoked, from this time forward and for all time.

37 Now, therefore, take care to make a copy of these things, and let it be given to Jonathan and set upon the holy mountain, in an honorable place.’ ”

38 And king Demetrius, seeing that the land was quieted in his sight and that nothing resisted him, sent all his forces away, each one to his own place, except the foreign army, which he had drawn together from the islands of the nations. And so all the troops of his fathers were hostile to him.

39 But there was a certain one, Trypho, who was previously on Alexander’s side. And he saw that all the army murmured against Demetrius, and so he went to Imalkue the Arab, who raised Antiochus, the son of Alexander.

40 And he persuaded him to deliver him to him, so that he would reign in his father’s place. And he reported to him what Demetrius had done, and that his army was hostile to him. And he remained there for many days.

41 And Jonathan sent to king Demetrius, so that he would cast out those who were in the stronghold in Jerusalem and those who were with the garrisons, because they fought against Israel.

42 And Demetrius sent to Jonathan, saying: “I will not only do this for you and your people, but I will elevate your glory and your nation, when opportunity shall serve.

43 Now, therefore, you will do well if you send men as auxiliaries to me. For all my army has withdrawn from me.”

44 And Jonathan sent three thousand strong men to him at Antioch. And they came to the king, and the king was delighted at their arrival.

45 And those who were of the city gathered together, one hundred and twenty thousand men, and they wanted to execute the king.

46 And the king fled into the royal court. And those who were of the city, occupied the passageways of the city, and they began to fight.

47 And the king called the Jews to his assistance. And they came together before him at the same time, and then they all dispersed themselves throughout the city.

48 And they killed, in that day, one hundred thousand men, and they set fire to the city, and they seized many spoils in that day, and they freed the king.

49 And those who were of the city saw that the Jews had taken the city, just as they wanted, and they were weakened in their resolve, and they cried out to the king with supplication, saying,

50 “Grant us a pledge, and let the Jews cease from assailing us and the city.”

51 And they threw down their arms, and they made peace. And the Jews were glorified in the sight of the king and in the sight of all who were in his realm. And they became renowned in the kingdom, and they returned to Jerusalem, holding many spoils.

52 And so king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom. And the land was quieted in his sight.

53 And he falsified everything whatsoever that he had said. And he alienated himself from Jonathan, and he did not repay him according to the benefits that he had received in tribute from him. And he vexed him greatly.

54 But after this, Trypho returned, and with him was Antiochus, the adolescent boy, and he reigned, and he put a diadem on himself.

55 And there assembled before him all the troops, which Demetrius had dispersed, and they fought against him. And he turned his back and fled.

56 And Trypho took the elephants, and he obtained Antioch.

57 And young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying: “I confirm you in the priesthood, and I appoint you over the four cities, so as to be among the king’s friends.”

58 And he sent him vessels of gold for his ministry, and he gave him the authority to drink from gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to have a golden clasp.

59 And he appointed his brother Simon as governor, from the borders of Tyre, all the way to the borders of Egypt.

60 Then Jonathan went out, and he passed through the cities across the river. And all the armies of Syria were gathered together in assistance to him, and he came to Askalon, and those from the city met him honorably.

61 And he went from there to Gaza. And those who were in Gaza closed themselves in. And so he besieged it, and he burned all that was around the city, and he plundered it.

62 And those of Gaza petitioned Jonathan, and he pledged to them with his right hand, and he accepted their sons as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. And he traveled through the country, as far as Damascus.

63 And Jonathan heard that the leaders of Demetrius were acting treacherously at Kadesh, which is in Galilee, with a great army, intending to remove him from the affairs of the kingdom.

64 And he went to meet them. But he left his brother Simon behind in the countryside.

65 And Simon took a position against Bethzur, and he assailed it for many days, and he closed them in.

66 And they asked him to accept a pledge, and he granted this to them. And he cast them out of there, and he seized the city, and he placed a garrison in it.

67 And Jonathan and his camp took a position by the water of Gennesaret, and, before first light, they were standing watch in the plains of Hazor.

68 And behold, an army of foreigners met him in the plains. And they set up an ambush against him in the mountains. But he met them from the opposite direction.

69 Yet those lying in ambush then rose up from their places and joined them in combat.

70 And all those who were from Jonathan’s side fled, and not one of them was left, except Mattathias, the son of Absalom, and Judas, the son of Chalphi, the leader of military training.

71 And so Jonathan tore his garments, and he placed dirt on his head, and he prayed.

72 And Jonathan turned back toward them in battle, and he put them to flight, and they fought.

73 And when those from his side, who had fled, saw this, they returned to him, and with him they all pursued them, even to Kadesh, to their camp, and they even passed beyond there.

74 And there fell from the foreigners on that day three thousand men. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

1 And Jonathan saw that time was on his side, and he chose men, and he sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the peace agreement with them.

2 And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form.

3 And they went to Rome and entered into the senate house, and they said, “Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the peace and alliance, as it was before.”

4 And they gave letters to them, to those in each place, so that they would lead them into the land of Judah with peace.

5 And this is a copy of the letters that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

6 “Jonathan, the high priest, and the elders of the people, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brothers: greetings.

7 Now, some time ago, letters were sent to Onias, the high priest from Arius, who reigned then among you, so that you would be our brothers, just as the copy that is written below states.

8 And Onias received the man whom you had sent with honor. And he received the letters, in which was conveyed the alliance and peace treaty.

9 We, though, have no need of these things, having for our solace the sacred books, which are in our hands.

10 We prefer to send to you, so as to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should, in effect, become a stranger to you, for much time has passed since you sent to us.

11 Therefore, we will remember you, at all times without ceasing, in our solemnities and other days, when it is fitting, in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, just as it is fitting and right to remember brothers.

12 And so, we rejoice at your glory.

13 But many tribulations and many wars have surrounded us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.

14 But we are not willing to trouble you, nor the rest of our allies and friends, about these battles.

15 For we have assistance from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies have been humbled.

16 And so, we have chosen Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and we have sent them to the Romans, to renew the former peace treaty and alliance with them.

17 And so, we have commanded them to also come to you, and to greet you, and to deliver our letters to you, about the renewal of our brotherhood.

18 And now, you would do well to respond to us about these things.”

19 And this is a copy of the letters that he sent to Onias:

20 “Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the great priest: greetings.

21 It is found in scripture, about the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brothers, and that they are of the family of Abraham.

22 And since we know these things, you would do well to write to us about your peace.

23 But we also have written back to you that our cattle and our possessions are yours, and yours are ours. And so, we have commanded that these things should be announced to you.”

24 And Jonathan heard that the leaders from Demetrius had returned again with a greater army than before, so as to fight against him.

25 And so, he departed from Jerusalem, and he met them in the region of Hamath. For he did not give them time to enter into his own region.

26 And he sent spies into their camp, and, returning, they reported that they planned to come upon them in the night.

27 And when the sun had set, Jonathan instructed his men to stand watch, and to be in arms, ready to fight, all night long, and he stationed guards around the camp.

28 And the adversaries heard that Jonathan was prepared, with his own, for warfare. And they were struck with fear and dread in their heart. And they kindled fires in their camp.

29 But Jonathan, and those who were with him, did not know about it until morning. For they saw the lights burning.

30 And Jonathan pursued them, but did not overtake them. For they had crossed the river Eleutherus.

31 And Jonathan diverted toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadeans. And he struck them and took their spoils.

32 And he regrouped and came to Damascus, and he passed through all that region.

33 But Simon went forth and came as far as Askalon, and the nearby fortresses, but he turned aside to Joppa and occupied it,

34 (for he had heard that they intended to hand over the fortress that was on the side of Demetrius) and he stationed a guard there to keep it.

35 And Jonathan returned, and he called together the elders of the people, and he decided with them to build fortresses in Judea,

36 and to build up the walls in Jerusalem, and to raise a great height between the stronghold and the city, in order to separate it from the city, so that it would stand alone and would have neither buying, nor selling there.

37 And they came together to build up the city. And the wall that was over the brook, toward the rising of the sun, was fallen. And he repaired that which is called Chaphenatha.

38 And Simon rebuilt Adida in Shephelah, and he fortified it, and he set up gates and bars.

39 And so, when Trypho had decided to reign over Asia, and to assume the diadem, and to extend his hand against king Antiochus,

40 he was afraid, lest Jonathan might not permit him, but might fight against him. So he sought to seize him and to kill him. And he rose up and went to Bethshan.

41 And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and he came to Bethshan.

42 And when Trypho saw that Jonathan came with a great army to extend his hand against him, he was afraid.

43 And so he received him with honor, and he commended him to all his friends, and he gave him gifts. And he instructed his troops to obey him, just as himself.

44 And he said to Jonathan: “Why have you troubled all the people, when there is no war between us?

45 And now, send them back to their houses, but choose for yourself a few men, who may remain with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to you, and the rest of the fortresses, and the army, and all who are in charge of governing, and I will turn and go away. For this is the reason that I came.”

46 And Jonathan believed him, and he did as he said. And he sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Judah.

47 But he retained with him three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand came with him.

48 But when Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, those of Ptolemais closed the gates of the city, and they captured him. And all those who entered with him, they executed with the sword.

49 And Trypho sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all the associates of Jonathan.

50 But, when they had thought that Jonathan had been captured and slain, along with all who were with him, they encouraged one another, and they went out prepared for battle.

51 Then those who had pursued them, seeing that they stood for their lives, were turned back.

52 And so, they all came into the land of Judah with peace. And they bewailed Jonathan, and those who had been with him, exceedingly. And Israel mourned with great lamentation.

53 Then all the nations that were all around them sought to crush them. For they said:

54 “They have no leader or helper. Now therefore, let us fight against them and take away the memory of them from among men.”

1 And Simon heard that Trypho had gathered together an immense army to come to the land of Judah and to lay waste to it.

2 Seeing that the people were fearful and trembling, he went up to Jerusalem, and he gathered together the people.

3 And exhorting them, he said: “You know what great battles I, and my brothers, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws and for the holy places, and the anguish that we have seen.

4 As a result these things, all my brothers have perished for the sake of Israel, and I have been left alone.

5 And now, it is not necessary for me to spare my life in any time of tribulation. For I am not better than my brothers.

6 And so, I will vindicate my people and the sanctuary, and likewise our children and wives. For all the Gentiles have gathered together to crush us, solely out of malice.”

7 And the spirit of the people was immediately enkindled, when they heard these words.

8 And they responded with a loud voice, saying: “You are our leader in place of Judas and of Jonathan, your brother.

9 Fight our battles, and we will do whatever you tell us to do.”

10 And so, gathering together all the men of war, he accelerated the completion of all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it all around.

11 And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with him a new army, into Joppa, and he cast out those who were in it, and he himself remained there.

12 And Trypho moved from Ptolemais, with a great army, to come into the land of Judah, and Jonathan was with him in custody.

13 But Simon took up a position at Addus, opposite the face of the plains.

14 And when Trypho realized that Simon rose up in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he would be joining in battle with him, he sent messengers to him,

15 saying: “We have detained your brother, Jonathan, because of the money that he owed to the king’s account, because of the matters for which he was responsible.

16 And now, send a hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, so that when he is dismissed, he may not flee from us. And then we will release him.”

17 And Simon knew that he was speaking deceitfully to him. Yet he ordered the money and the boys to be given, lest he should bring upon himself a great hostility from the people of Israel, who might have said,

18 “It is because he did not send the money and the boys that he perished.”

19 So he sent the boys and one hundred talents. And he was lying and did not dismiss Jonathan.

20 And after this, Trypho came into the country, to crush it. And they circled around by the way that leads to Adora. And Simon and his camp marched into every place, wherever they went.

21 But those who were in the stronghold sent messengers to Trypho, so that he would hurry to come through the desert, and to send them provisions.

22 And Trypho prepared all his horsemen to arrive on that night. But there was a very great snowfall, and he did not come into Gilead.

23 And when he approached toward Baskama, he killed Jonathan and his sons there.

24 And Trypho turned back and went into his own land.

25 And Simon sent and took the bones of Jonathan, his brother, and he buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.

26 And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation. And they mourned him for many days.

27 And Simon built, over the sepulcher of his father and of his brothers, a building, lofty to see, of polished stone, front and back.

28 And he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brothers.

29 And around these he placed great columns; and upon the columns, weapons, as a continual memorial; and beside the weapons, carvings of ships, which might be seen by all those who sail the sea.

30 This is the sepulcher that he made in Modin, even to this day.

31 But Trypho, when he was on a journey with the young king, Antiochus, killed him by deceit.

32 And he reigned in his place, and he put on the diadem of Asia, and he caused great scourges upon the land.

33 And Simon built up the strongholds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars. And he placed provisions in the fortresses.

34 And Simon chose men, and he sent to king Demetrius, so that he would grant a remission to the region, for all that Trypho did was to carry out plundering.

35 And king Demetrius responded to this word, and he wrote a letter in this manner:

36 “King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest and friend of kings, and to the elders, and to the people of the Jews: greetings.

37 The golden crown and the bahem that you sent, we have received. And we are prepared to make a great peace with you, and to write to the officers of the king to remit to you the things that we have released.

38 For whatever we have established remains in force for you. The strongholds that you have built, let them be yours.

39 Likewise, any oversight or fault, even to this day, we forgive it, along with the crown that you owed. And if anything else was taxed in Jerusalem, now let it not be taxed.

40 And if any of you is fit to be enrolled among our own, let them be enrolled. And let there be peace between us.”

41 In the one hundred and seventieth year, the yoke of the Gentiles was taken away from Israel.

42 And the people of Israel began to write in the tablets and the public records, in the first year under Simon: high priest, great commander, and leader of the Jews.

43 In those days, Simon took up a position at Gaza, and he encamped around it, and he made machines of war, and he applied them to the city, and he struck one tower and captured it.

44 And those who were within the machine broke forth into the city. And a great commotion occurred in the city.

45 And those who were in the city ascended upon the wall, with their wives and children, having torn their tunics. And they cried out with a loud voice, asking Simon to grant them a pledge.

46 And they said, “Do not repay us according to our malice, but according to your mercy.”

47 And weeping, Simon did not destroy them. Yet he cast them out of the city, and he cleansed the buildings, in which there had been idols. And then he entered into it with hymns, blessing the Lord.

48 And, having cast out of it all uncleanness, he placed in it men who would observe the law. And he fortified it and made it his dwelling place.

49 But those who were in the stronghold of Jerusalem were prohibited from going out and entering the region, and from buying and selling. And they were very hungry, and many of them perished through famine.

50 And they cried out to Simon, that they might receive a pledge, and he granted it to them. And he cast them out of there, and he cleansed the stronghold from contaminations.

51 And they entered into it on the twenty-third day of the second month, in the one hundred and seventy-first year, with thanksgiving, and palm branches, and lyres, and cymbals, and psalteries, and hymns, and canticles, because a great enemy had been crushed out of Israel.

52 And he established that these days should be kept every year with rejoicing.

53 And he fortified the mountain of the temple, which was near the stronghold, and he lived there himself, along with those who were with him.

54 And Simon saw that John, his son, was a valiant man in battle. And so he appointed him as commander of all the forces. And he lived in Gazara.

1 In the one hundred and seventy-second year, king Demetrius gathered together his army, and he went into Media to obtain auxiliaries to fight against Trypho.

2 And Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius entered his confines, and so he sent one of his princes to capture him alive and to bring him to him.

3 And he went out and struck the camp of Demetrius. And captured him and brought him to Arsaces, and he placed him under guard.

4 And the entire land of Judah was quiet during all the days of Simon, and he sought what was good for his people. And his power and his glory pleased them through all his days.

5 And, with all his glory, he accepted Joppa as a port, and he made it an entrance to the islands of the sea.

6 And he enlarged the boundaries of his nation, and he controlled the countryside.

7 And he gathered together many captives, and he was the ruler of Gazara and Bethzur, and the stronghold. And he took uncleanness away from it, and there was no one who could withstand him.

8 And each one cultivated his land in peace, and the land of Judah produced its fruits, and the trees of the fields their fruit.

9 All the elders sat in the streets, and they discussed what was good for the country, and the youths clothed themselves in glory and in the robes of war.

10 And he gave tributes of provisions to the cities, and he decreed that they would have equipment for fortification, so that the fame of his glory was renowned, even to the ends of the earth.

11 He caused there to be peace over the land, and Israel was rejoicing with great joy.

12 And each one sat under his vine and under his fig tree. And there was no one who would terrify them.

13 There was nothing left of those who might fight against them in the land; kings had been crushed in those days.

14 And he confirmed all the humble of his people, and he sought the law, and he took away every iniquity and evil.

15 He glorified the sanctuary, and he multiplied the vessels of the holy places.

16 And it was heard at Rome, and even in Sparta, that Jonathan had passed away. And they were very sorrowful.

17 But when they heard that Simon, his brother, had been made high priest in his place, and that he obtained the entire country and the cities in it,

18 they wrote to him on tablets of brass, so as to renew the friendship and alliance, which they had made with Judas and with Jonathan, his brothers.

19 And they were read in the sight of the assembly at Jerusalem. And this is a copy of the letters that the Spartans sent:

20 “The leaders and the cities of the Spartans, to Simon, the great priest, and to the elders, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, their brothers: greetings.

21 The ambassadors who were sent to our people have reported to us of your glory, and honor, and rejoicing. And we were glad at their arrival.

22 And we wrote down what was said by them in the councils of the people, as follows: ‘Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, ambassadors of the Jews, came to us to renew the former friendship with us.

23 And it pleased the people to receive the men gloriously, and to place a copy of their words in a section of the public books, so as to be a memorial for the people of the Spartans. Furthermore, we have written a copy of them to Simon, the great priest.’ ”

24 But after this, Simon sent Numenius to Rome, in possession of a great shield of gold, weighing over a thousand pounds, to confirm the association with them.

25 But when the people of Rome had heard these words, they said: “With what deeds of thanksgiving shall we repay Simon and his sons?

26 For he has vindicated his brothers, and he has fought off the enemies of Israel from them.” And so, they decreed him free, and they registered it on tablets of brass and placed it in an inscription on mount Zion.

27 And this is a copy of the writing: “On the eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the one hundred and seventy-second year, the third year under Simon, the great priest at Asaramel,

28 in a great convocation of the priests, and the people, and the leaders of the nation, and the elders of the country, these things were noted: ‘Now there have often been battles in our country.

29 And Simon, the son of Mattathias, of the sons of Jarib, and his brothers, have put themselves in danger, and have withstood the enemies of their nation, so as to establish their holy places and the law. And they have glorified their people with great glory.

30 And Jonathan gathered together his nation, and he was made their great priest, and he was laid to rest among his people.

31 And their enemies wanted to trample and lay waste to their country, and to extend their hands against their holy places.

32 Then Simon resisted, and he fought for his nation, and he requested much money, and he armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages.

33 And he fortified the cities of Judea and Bethzur, which are along the borders of Judea, where the weaponry of the enemies was before. And he placed a garrison of Jewish men there.

34 And he fortified Joppa, which is by the sea, and Gazara, which is on the border of Azotus, where the enemies stayed before, and he placed Jews there. And he positioned with them whatever was fitting for their preparations.

35 And the people saw the acts of Simon, and the glory that he intended to bring to his nation, and they made him their commander and first priest, because he had done all these things, and because of the justice and faith that he maintained for his nation, and because he sought to exalt his people by all means.

36 And in his days, there was prosperity by his hands, so that the Gentiles were taken away from their country, and also those who were in the city of David, in Jerusalem, in the stronghold, from which they went out and contaminated all the places that were around the sanctuary, and from which they brought a great scourging against chastity.

37 And he placed in it Jewish men, as a means of protection for the region and the city, and he raised the walls of Jerusalem.

38 And king Demetrius confirmed him in the high priesthood.

39 According to these things, he made him his friend, and he glorified him with great glory.

40 For he heard that the Romans had called the Jews their friends, and associates, and brothers, and that they received the ambassadors of Simon with glory,

41 and that the Jews and their priests had consented that he should be their governor and high priest unceasingly, until there should arise a faithful prophet,

42 and that he should be the commander over them, and that he should take care of the sanctuary, and that he should appoint foremen over their works, and over the country, and over the weapons, and over the strongholds,

43 and that he should take care of the holy places, and that he should be obeyed by all, and that all the records in the country should be recorded in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple and gold,

44 and that it should not be lawful for any of the people or the priests to make void any of these things, nor to contradict things that are said by him, nor to call together an assembly in the country without him, nor to be clothed in purple, nor to use a clasp of gold.

45 And whoever will do otherwise, or who will make void any of these things, shall be guilty.

46 And it pleased all the people to appoint Simon, and to act according to these words.

47 And Simon accepted it, and he was pleased to perform the office of the high priesthood, and to be the commander and leader of the people of the Jews, and of the priests, and to be foremost over them all.

48 And they asked that this writing be placed on tablets of brass, and be placed within the precinct of the sanctuary in a celebrated place,

49 and that a copy of these be placed in the treasury, so that Simon and his sons may have it.’ “

1 And king Antiochus, the son of Demetrius, sent letters from the islands of the sea to Simon, the priest and leader of the nation of the Jews, and to all the people.

2 And these continued in this way: “King Antiochus to Simon, the great priest, and to the people of the Jews: greetings.

3 Since certain pestilent persons have obtained the kingdom of our fathers, it is my will, then, to vindicate the kingdom and to restore it, just as it was before. And so, I have chosen a great army, and I have built ships of war.

4 Furthermore, I intend to pass through the region, so that I may take revenge on those who have corrupted our country and who have desolated many cities in my kingdom.

5 Now, therefore, I confirm to you all the oblations that all the kings before me have remitted to you, and whatever other gifts they remitted to you.

6 And I permit you to make a striking of your own coins for your country.

7 Moreover, let Jerusalem be holy and free. And all the weapons that have been made, and the fortresses that you have constructed, or that you hold, let them remain with you.

8 And all that is owed to the king, and what should belong to the king in the future, from this time and for all time, is remitted to you.

9 Yet, when we have obtained our kingdom, we will glorify you, and your nation, and the temple with great glory, so much so that your glory shall be made manifest in all the earth.”

10 In the one hundred and seventy-fourth year, Antiochus went into the land of his fathers, and all the armies came over to him, so that few were left with Trypho.

11 And king Antiochus followed him as he fled along the sea coast and came to Dora.

12 For he knew that evils had gathered together upon him, and that his troops had forsaken him.

13 And Antiochus took up a position above Dora, with one hundred and twenty thousand men of warfare and eight thousand horsemen.

14 And he encircled the city, and the ships drew near by sea. And they assailed the city by land and by sea, and they permitted no one to go in or out.

15 But Numenius, and those who had been with him, came from the city of Rome, having letters written to the kings and the regions, in which was contained these things:

16 “Lucius, consul of the Romans, to king Ptolemy: greetings.

17 The ambassadors of the Jews, our friends, came to us, to renew the former friendship and alliance, having been sent from Simon, the leader of the priests and the people of the Jews.

18 And they also brought a shield of gold of over a thousand pounds.

19 And so, it was pleasing to us to write to the kings and the regions, that they should do no harm to them, nor fight against them, and their cities, and their regions, and that they should bear no assistance to those fighting against them.

20 And it seemed good to us to receive the shield from them.

21 If, therefore, those who are pestilent have taken refuge with you from their region, hand them over to Simon, the leader of the priests, so that he may give a verdict to them according to their law.”

22 These same things were written to king Demetrius, and to Attalus, and to Ariarathes, and to Arsaces,

23 and to all the regions, and to Lampsacus and to the Spartans, and to Delos, and Myndos, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Rhodes, and Phaselis, and Gortyna, and Gnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.

24 Moreover, they wrote a copy of these things to Simon, the leader of the priests and the people of the Jews.

25 But king Antiochus positioned his camp near Dora a second time, moving his hand against it continually, and making machines of war. And he enclosed Trypho, lest he escape.

26 And Simon sent two thousand chosen men to him as auxiliaries, and silver, and gold, and an abundance of equipment.

27 And he was not willing to receive them, but he broke all of the pact that he made with him before, and he alienated himself from him.

28 And he sent to him Athenobius, one of his friends, to deal with him, saying: “You hold Joppa and Gazara, and the stronghold that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my kingdom.

29 You have desolated their parts, and you have caused a great scourging in the land, and you have become ruler throughout many places in my kingdom.

30 Now, therefore, hand over the cities that you occupy, and the tributes of the places where you have become ruler beyond the borders of Judea.

31 But if not, give me for them five hundred talents of silver, and for the destruction that you have caused, and for the tributes of the cities, another five hundred talents. But if not, we will come and fight against you.”

32 So Athenobius, the friend of the king, came to Jerusalem and saw the glory of Simon, and his splendor in gold and silver, and his abundance of equipment, and he was astonished. And he repeated the words of the king to him.

33 And Simon responded to him, and he said to him: “We have not taken foreign land, nor do we hold anything foreign, but we hold the inheritance of our fathers, which was for some time unjustly possessed by our enemies.

34 In truth, since we have the opportunity, we claim the inheritance of our fathers.

35 And as to Joppa and Gazara, which you demand, they brought a great scourging on the people and our country. For these, we will give one hundred talents.” And Athenobius did not respond a word to him.

36 But, returning with anger to the king, he reported to him these words, and the glory of Simon, and all that he had seen. And the king became angry with a great anger.

37 But Trypho fled by ship to Orthosia.

38 And the king appointed Cendebeus as commander of the seacoast, and he gave him an army of foot soldiers and horsemen.

39 And he commanded him to move with his camp against the face of Judea. And he commanded him to build up Kedron, and to barricade the gates of the city, and to make war against the people. But the king pursued Trypho.

40 And Cendebeus passed through to Jamnia, and he began to provoke the populace, and to trample Judea, and to take the people captive, and to execute, and to build up Kedron.

41 And he stationed horsemen and an army there, so that they could go out and travel through the ways of Judea, as the king appointed him to do.

1 And so, John came up from Gazara, and he reported to Simon, his father, what Cendebeus had done against their people.

2 And Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and he said to them: “I and my brothers, and my father’s house, have fought against the enemies of Israel from our youth, even to this day. And this work has prospered in our hands, so that we have delivered Israel several times.

3 And now that I am old, you must act in place of me and my brothers, and go out to fight for our nation. Truly, may the help of heaven be with you.”

4 Then he chose from the region twenty thousand men of warfare, and horsemen; and they started out toward Cendebeus. And they rested in Modin.

5 And they rose up in the morning and went out into the plains. And behold, an abundant army of foot soldiers and horsemen was there to meet them, and there was a river flowing between them.

6 And he and his people moved their camp opposite their face, and he saw the trepidation of the people to cross over the river, and so he crossed over first. And seeing him, the men also crossed after him.

7 And he divided the people and the horsemen into the midst of the foot soldiers. But the horsemen of the adversary were exceedingly numerous.

8 And they sounded the holy trumpets. And Cendebeus and his army were turned back. And many of them fell wounded. But the rest fled into the fortress.

9 Then Judas, the brother of John, was wounded. But John pursued them, until he came to Kedron, which he had built.

10 And they fled all the way to the towers that were in the fields of Azotus, and he burnt them with fire. And there fell of them two thousand men, and he returned to Judea in peace.

11 Now Ptolemy, the son of Abubus, was appointed commander over the plain of Jericho, and he held much silver and gold.

12 For he was the son-in-law of the high priest.

13 And his heart was exalted, and he wanted to obtain the region, and he devised treachery against Simon and his sons, so as to destroy them.

14 Now when Simon was traveling through the cities that were in the region of Judea, and acting with concern for them, he went down to Jericho, he and Mattathias and Judas, his sons, in the one hundred and seventy-seventh year, in the eleventh month; this is the month of Shevat.

15 And the son of Abubus received them, with deceitfulness, into a little fortress, which is called Dok, that he had built. And he made them a great feast, and he hid men there.

16 And when Simon and his sons became inebriated, Ptolemy and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and entered into the gathering. And they killed him, and his two sons, and some of his servants.

17 And he committed a great treachery in Israel, and he repaid good with evil.

18 And Ptolemy wrote about these things, and he sent to the king, so that he would send him an army to assist him, and he could deliver to him the region, and their cities and tributes.

19 And he sent others to Gazara to destroy John. And he sent letters to the tribunes to come to him, and he would give them silver, and gold, and gifts.

20 And he sent others to occupy Jerusalem and the mountain of the temple.

21 Now a certain one, running ahead, reported to John in Gazara, that his father and his brothers perished, and that “he sent to kill you also.”

22 But when he heard it, he was very afraid, and he apprehended the men who came to destroy him, and he killed them. For he knew that they sought to destroy him.

23 And the rest of the stories about John, and his wars, and the virtuous deeds that he performed with fortitude, and the building of the walls that he raised, and the things that he did,

24 behold, these have been written in the book of the days of his priesthood, from the time that he became high priest, after his father.