|
|
 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, 2 And made
many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,
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.
4 And he gathered a mighty strong host and
ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.
5 And after these things he fell sick,
and perceived that he should die. 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. 7 So Alexander reigned twelve
years, and then died. 8 And his
servants bare rule every one in his place. 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.
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.
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. 12 So this
device pleased them well.
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: 14
Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs
of the heathen: 15 And made
themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves
to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.
16 Now when the kingdom was established
before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion
of two realms. 17 Wherefore he
entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and
horsemen, and a great navy, 18 And
made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and
fled; and many were wounded to death. 19
Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took
the spoils thereof.
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, 21
And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the
golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,
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. 23 He took also the silver and
the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he
found.
24 And when he had taken all away, he
went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.
25 Therefore there was a great
mourning in Israel, in every place where they were; 26
So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and
young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed.
27 Every bridegroom took up lamentation,
and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness,
28 The land also was moved for the
inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion.
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, 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. 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.
32 But the women and children took they
captive, and possessed the cattle.
33 Then builded they the city of David
with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold
for them. 34 And they put therein a
sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein.
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: 36
For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an
evil adversary to Israel.
37 Thus they shed innocent blood on
every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it: 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.
39 Her sanctuary was laid waste like a
wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her
honour into contempt. 40 As had been
her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into
mourning.
41 Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his
whole kingdom, that all should be one people, 42
And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed
according to the commandment of the king. 43
Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and
sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath.
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, 45 And
forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and
that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days:
46 And pollute the sanctuary and holy people:
47 Set up altars, and groves, and chapels
of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts:
48 That they should also leave their
children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of
uncleanness and profanation: 49 To
the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances.
50 And whosoever would not do according
to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die. 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.
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; 53 And drove the
Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour.
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; 55 And burnt incense
at the doors of their houses, and in the streets.
56 And when they had rent in pieces the
books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire.
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. 58
Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month,
to as many as were found in the cities. 59
Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice
upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God.
60 At which time according to the
commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to
be circumcised.
61 And they hanged the infants about
their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them.
62 Howbeit many in Israel were fully
resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing.
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. 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 And he had
five sons, Joannan, called Caddis: 3
Simon; called Thassi: 4
Judas, who was called Maccabeus: 5
Eleazar, called Avaran: and Jonathan, whose surname was Apphus.
6 And when he saw the blasphemies that
were committed in Juda and Jerusalem, 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?
8 Her temple is become as a man without
glory. 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. 10 What
nation hath not had a part in her kingdom and gotten of her spoils?
11 All her ornaments are taken away; of a
free woman she is become a bondslave. 12
And, behold, our sanctuary, even our beauty and our glory, is
laid waste, and the Gentiles have profaned it. 13
To what end therefore shall we live any longer?
14 Then Mattathias and his sons rent
their clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourned very sore.
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. 16 And when
many of Israel came unto them, Mattathias also and his sons came together.
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:
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.
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: 20 Yet
will I and my sons and my brethren walk in the covenant of our fathers.
21 God forbid that we should forsake the
law and the ordinances. 22 We will
not hearken to the king’s words, to go from our religion, either on the right
hand, or the left.
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.
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.
25 Also the king’s commissioner, who
compelled men to sacrifice, he killed at that time, and the altar he pulled
down. 26 Thus dealt he zealously for
the law of God like as Phinees did unto Zambri the son of Salom.
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. 28
So he and his sons fled into the mountains, and left all that ever they had in
the city.
29 Then many that sought after justice
and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there:
30 Both they, and their children, and their
wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them.
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, 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.
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.
34 But they said, We will not come
forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, to profane the sabbath day.
35 So then they gave them the battle
with all speed. 36 Howbeit they
answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places
where they lay hid; 37 But said, Let
us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put
us to death wrongfully. 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.
39 Now when Mattathias and his friends
understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. 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.
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
in the secret places.
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. 43 Also all
they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto
them. 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.
45 Then Mattathias and his friends went
round about, and pulled down the altars: 46
And what children soever they found within the coast of Israel
uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly. 47
They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in
their hand. 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.
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:
50 Now therefore, my sons, be ye zealous
for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.
51 Call to remembrance what acts our
fathers did in their time; so shall ye receive great honour and an everlasting
name. 52 Was not Abraham found
faithful in temptation, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness?
53 Joseph in the time of his distress kept
the commandment and was made lord of Egypt. 54
Phinees our father in being zealous and fervent obtained the
covenant of an everlasting priesthood.
55 Jesus for fulfilling the word was
made a judge in Israel. 56 Caleb for
bearing witness before the congregation received the heritage of the land.
57 David for being merciful
possessed the throne of an everlasting kingdom. 58
Elias for being zealous and fervent for the law was taken up into
heaven. 59 Ananias, Azarias, and
Misael, by believing were saved out of the flame. 60
Daniel for his innocency was delivered from the mouth of
lions. 61 And thus consider ye
throughout all ages, that none that put their trust in him shall be overcome.
62 Fear not then the words of a
sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms. 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.
64 Wherefore, ye my sons, be valiant and
shew yourselves men in the behalf of the law; for by it shall ye obtain glory.
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. 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.
67 Take also unto you all those that
observe the law, and avenge ye the wrong of your people.
68 Recompense fully the heathen, and take heed to the
commandments of the law. 69 So he
blessed them, and was gathered to his fathers. 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. 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
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.
4 In his acts he was like a lion, and
like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey. 5
For He pursued the wicked, and sought them out, and burnt up
those that vexed his people. 6
Wherefore the wicked shrunk for fear of him, and all the workers of iniquity
were troubled, because salvation prospered in his hand.
7 He grieved also many kings, and made
Jacob glad with his acts, and his memorial is blessed for ever.
8 Moreover he went through the cities of
Juda, destroying the ungodly out of them, and turning away wrath from Israel:
9 So that he was renowned unto the
utmost part of the earth, and he received unto him such as were ready to perish.
10 Then Apollonius gathered the Gentiles
together, and a great host out of Samaria, to fight against Israel.
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. 12
Wherefore Judas took their spoils, and Apollonius’ sword also, and therewith he
fought all his life long.
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; 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. 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. 16
And when he came near to the going up of Bethhoron, Judas went
forth to meet him with a small company: 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?
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:
19 For the victory of battle
standeth not in the multitude of an host; but strength cometh from heaven.
20 They come against us in much
pride and iniquity to destroy us, and our wives and children, and to spoil us:
21 But we fight for our lives and
our laws. 22 Wherefore the Lord
himself will overthrow them before our face: and as for you, be ye not afraid of
them.
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. 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.
25 Then began the fear of Judas and
his brethren, and an exceeding great dread, to fall upon the nations round about
them: 26 Insomuch as his fame came
unto the king, and all nations talked of the battles of Judas.
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. 28
He opened also his treasure, and gave his soldiers pay for
a year, commanding them to be ready whensoever he should need them.
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; 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.
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. 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: 33 And to bring up his son
Antiochus, until he came again.
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:
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;
36 And that he should place strangers in
all their quarters, and divide their land by lot. 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.
38 Then Lysias chose Ptolemee the son of
Dorymenes, Nicanor, and Gorgias, mighty men of the king’s friends:
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. 40
So they went forth with all their power, and came and pitched by
Emmaus in the plain country.
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.
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; 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.
44 Then was the congregation gathered
together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask
mercy and compassion.
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. 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.
47 Then they fasted that day, and put on
sackcloth, and cast ashes upon their heads, and rent their clothes,
48 And laid open the book of the law,
wherein the heathen had sought to paint the likeness of their images.
49 They brought also the priests’ garments,
and the firstfruits, and the tithes: and the Nazarites they stirred up, who had
accomplished their days.
50 Then cried they with a loud voice
toward heaven, saying, What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry
them away? 51 For thy sanctuary is
trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heaviness, and brought low.
52 And lo, the heathen are assembled
together against us to destroy us: what things they imagine against us, thou
knowest. 53 How shall we be able to
stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help? 54
Then sounded they with trumpets, and cried with a loud
voice.
55 And after this Judas ordained
captains over the people, even captains over thousands, and over hundreds, and
over fifties, and over tens. 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.
57 So the camp removed, and pitched upon
the south side of Emmaus. 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: 59
For it is better for us to die in battle, than to behold
the calamities of our people and our sanctuary. 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; 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. 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
While as yet the forces were dispersed from the camp.
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
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. 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.
8 Then said Judas to the men that were
with him, Fear ye not their multitude, neither be ye afraid of their assault.
9 Remember how our fathers were
delivered in the Red sea, when Pharaoh pursued them with an army.
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:
11 That so all the heathen may know that there is one who
delivereth and saveth Israel.
12 Then the strangers lifted up their
eyes, and saw them coming over against them. 13
Wherefore they went out of the camp to battle; but they that were
with Judas sounded their trumpets. 14
So they joined battle, and the heathen being discomfited fled
into the plain. 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.
16 This done, Judas returned again with
his host from pursuing them, 17 And
said to the people, Be not greedy of the spoil inasmuch as there is a battle
before us, 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.
19 As Judas was yet speaking these
words, there appeared a part of them looking out of the mountain:
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: 21 When
therefore they perceived these things, they were sore afraid, and seeing also
the host of Judas in the plain ready to fight, 22
They fled every one into the land of strangers.
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. 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. 25
Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.
26 Now all the strangers that had
escaped came and told Lysias what had happened: 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.
28 The next year therefore following
Lysias gathered together threescore thousand choice men of foot, and five
thousand horsemen, that he might subdue them. 29
So they came into Idumea, and pitched their tents at Bethsura,
and Judas met them with ten thousand men.
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;
31 Shut up this army in the hand of
thy people Israel, and let them be confounded in their power and horsemen:
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: 33 Cast them down
with the sword of them that love thee, and let all those that know thy name
praise thee with thanksgiving.
34 So they joined battle; and there were
slain of the host of Lysias about five thousand men, even before them were they
slain.
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.
36 Then said Judas and his brethren,
Behold, our enemies are discomfited: let us go up to cleanse and dedicate the
sanctuary. 37 Upon this all the host
assembled themselves together, and went up into mount Sion.
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; 39 They rent
their clothes, and made great lamentation, and cast ashes upon their heads,
40 And fell down flat to the ground
upon their faces, and blew an alarm with the trumpets, and cried toward heaven.
41 Then Judas appointed certain men to
fight against those that were in the fortress, until he had cleansed the
sanctuary. 42 So he chose priests of
blameless conversation, such as had pleasure in the law:
43 Who cleansed the sanctuary, and bare out the defiled
stones into an unclean place. 44 And
when as they consulted what to do with the altar of burnt offerings, which was
profaned; 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, 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.
47 Then they took whole stones according
to the law, and built a new altar according to the former;
48 And made up the sanctuary, and the
things that were within the temple, and hallowed the courts.
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.
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. 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.
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, 53
And offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new
altar of burnt offerings, which they had made. 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.
55 Then all the people fell upon
their faces, worshipping and praising the God of heaven, who had given them good
success.
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. 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. 58 Thus was there very
great gladness among the people, for that the reproach of the heathen was put
away.
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. 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.
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. 2
Wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them,
and thereupon they began to slay and destroy the people.
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.
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
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.
6 Afterward he passed over to the
children of Ammon, where he found a mighty power, and much people, with
Timotheus their captain. 7 So he
fought many battles with them, till at length they were discomfited before him;
and he smote them. 8 And when he had
taken Jazar, with the towns belonging thereto, he returned into Judea.
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.
10 And sent letters unto Judas and his
brethren, The heathen that are round about us are assembled together against us
to destroy us: 11 And they are
preparing to come and take the fortress whereunto we are fled, Timotheus being
captain of their host.
12 Come now therefore, and deliver us
from their hands, for many of us are slain: 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.
14 While these letters were yet reading,
behold, there came other messengers from Galilee with their clothes rent, who
reported on this wise, 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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
20 Now unto Simon were given three thousand
men to go into Galilee, and unto Judas eight thousand men for the country of
Galaad.
21 Then went Simon into Galilee, where
he fought many battles with the heathen, so that the heathen were discomfited by
him. 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. 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.
24 Judas Maccabeus also and his brother
Jonathan went over Jordan, and travelled three days’ journey in the wilderness,
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:
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: 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.
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, 29 From
whence he removed by night, and went till he came to the fortress.
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.
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, 32 He said unto his
host, Fight this day for your brethren. 33
So he went forth behind them in three companies, who sounded
their trumpets, and cried with prayer.
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.
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 burnt it with fire. 36
From thence went he, and took Casphon, Maged, Bosor, and
the other cities of the country of Galaad.
37 After these things gathered Timotheus
another host and encamped against Raphon beyond the brook.
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. 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.
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: 41 But if he be afraid,
and camp beyond the river, we shall go over unto him, and prevail against him.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
47 Then they of the city shut them out, and
stopped up the gates with stones. 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.
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. 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:
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.
52 After this went they over Jordan into
the great plain before Bethsan. 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. 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.
55 Now what time as Judas and Jonathan
were in the land of Galaad, and Simon his brother in Galilee before Ptolemais,
56 Joseph the son of Zacharias, and
Azarias, captains of the garrisons, heard of the valiant acts and warlike deeds
which they had done. 57 Wherefore
they said, Let us also get us a name, and go fight against the heathen that are
round about us.
58 So when they had given charge unto
the garrison that was with them, they went toward Jamnia.
59 Then came Gorgias and his men out of the city to fight
against them. 60 And so it was, that
Joseph and Azarias 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.
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. 62
Moreover these men came not of the seed of those, by whose hand
deliverance was given unto Israel. 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; 64 Insomuch as the people
assembled unto them with joyful acclamations.
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. 66
From thence he removed to go into the land of the Philistines,
and passed through Samaria.
67 At that time certain priests,
desirous to shew their valour, were slain in battle, for that they went out to
fight unadvisedly. 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;
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. 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,
4 Rose up against him in battle: so he
fled, and departed thence with great heaviness, and returned to Babylon.
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 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: 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.
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.
9 And there he continued many days: for his
grief was ever more and more, and he made account that he should die.
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. 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.
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.
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.
14 Then called he for Philip, one of his
friends, who he made ruler over all his realm, 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.
16 So king Antiochus died there in the
hundred forty and ninth year. 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.
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. 19
Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people
together to besiege them. 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.
21 Howbeit certain of them that were
besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:
22 And they went unto the king, and
said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?
23 We have been willing to serve thy
father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;
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.
25 Neither have they stretched out their
hand against us only, but also against their borders. 26
And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at
Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.
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.
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. 29
There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of
the sea, bands of hired soldiers. 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.
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.
32 Upon this Judas removed from the
tower, and pitched in Bathzacharias, over against the king’s camp.
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.
34 And to the end they might provoke the
elephants to fight, they shewed them the blood of grapes and mulberries.
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.
36 These were ready at every occasion:
wheresoever the beast was, and whithersoever the beast went, they went also,
neither departed they from him. 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.
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.
39 Now when the sun shone upon the shields
of gold and brass, the mountains glistered therewith, and shined like lamps of
fire. 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. 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.
42 Then Judas and his host drew near,
and entered into battle, and there were slain of the king’s army six hundred
men. 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,
44 Put himself in jeopardy, to the end he
might deliver his people, and get him a perpetual name: 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. 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.
47 Howbeit the rest of the Jews seeing the
strength of the king, and the violence of his forces, turned away from them.
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. 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.
50 So the king took Bethsura, and set a
garrison there to keep it. 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.
52 Whereupon they also made engines
against their engines, and held them battle a long season.
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;)
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.
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, 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. 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: 58
Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make
peace with them, and with all their nation; 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.
60 So the king and the princes were
content: wherefore he sent unto them to make peace; and they accepted thereof.
61 Also the king and the princes
made an oath unto them: whereupon they went out of the strong hold.
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. 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.
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. 3 Wherefore,
when he knew it, he said, Let me not see their faces. 4
So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the
throne of his kingdom, 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: 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 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.
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, 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.
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. 11
But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were
come with a great power.
12 Then did there assemble unto Alcimus
and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice. 13
Now the Assideans were the first among the children of
Israel that sought peace of them: 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. 15
So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we
will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends. 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,
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. 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.
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. 20
Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a
power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king. 21
But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood.
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.
23 Now when Judas saw all the mischief
that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, even above the
heathen, 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.
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.
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. 27
So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto
Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,
28 Let there be no battle between me and
you; I will come with a few men, that I may see you in peace.
29 He came therefore to Judas, and they
saluted one another peaceably. Howbeit the enemies were prepared to take away
Judas by violence. 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.
31 Nicanor also, when he saw that his
counsel was discovered, went out to fight against Judas beside Capharsalama:
32 Where there were slain of
Nicanor’s side about five thousand men, and the rest fled into the city of
David.
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. 34
But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them
shamefully, and spake proudly, 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.
36 Then the priests entered in, and
stood before the altar and the temple, weeping, and saying,
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:
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.
39 So Nicanor went out of Jerusalem, and
pitched his tents in Bethhoron, where an host out of Syria met him.
40 But Judas pitched in Adasa with three
thousand men, and there he prayed, saying, 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. 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.
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.
44 Now when Nicanor’s host saw that he
was slain, they cast away their weapons, and fled. 45
Then they pursued after them a day’s journey, from Adasa
unto Gazera, sounding an alarm after them with their trumpets.
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.
47 Afterwards they took the spoils, and
the prey, and smote off Nicanor’s head, and his right hand, which he stretched
out so proudly, and brought them away, and hanged them up toward Jerusalem.
48 For this cause the people
rejoiced greatly, and they kept that day a day of great gladness.
49 Moreover they ordained to keep yearly
this day, being the thirteenth of Adar.
50 Thus the land of Juda was in rest a
little while.
Chapter 8
8:1 Now Judas had heard of the fame of
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; 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; 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; 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:
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: 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; 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 And the country
of India, and Media and Lydia and of the goodliest countries, which they took of
him, and gave to king Eumenes:
9 Moreover how the Grecians had
determined to come and destroy them; 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:
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; 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: 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: 14
Yet for all this none of them wore a crown or was clothed
in purple, to be magnified thereby: 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: 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 emulation among them.
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, 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.
19 They went therefore to Rome, which
was a very great journey, and came into the senate, where they spake and said.
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. 21 So that
matter pleased the Romans well.
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:
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,
24 If there come first any war upon the
Romans or any of their confederates throughout all their dominion,
25 The people of the Jews shall help them,
as the time shall be appointed, with all their heart: 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. 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:
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.
29 According to these articles did the
Romans make a covenant with the people of the Jews. 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.
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?
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: 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.
3 Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second
year they encamped before Jerusalem: 4
From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand
footmen and two thousand horsemen.
5 Now Judas had pitched his tents at
Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him: 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
12 As for Bacchides, he was in the right
wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets.
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. 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,
15 Who discomfited the right wing, and
pursued them unto the mount Azotus. 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: 17 Whereupon
there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.
18 Judas also was killed, and the remnant
fled.
19 Then Jonathan and Simon took Judas
their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin.
20 Moreover they bewailed him, and all
Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying,
21 How is the valiant man fallen, that
delivered Israel! 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.
2
3 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. 24
In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason
whereof the country revolted, and went with them. 25
Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords
of the country. 26 And they made
enquiry and search for Judas’ friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took
vengeance of them, and used them despitefully. 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.
28 For this cause all Judas’ friends
came together, and said unto Jonathan, 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. 30 Now therefore
we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that
thou mayest fight our battles. 31
Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up
instead of his brother Judas. 32 But
when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him
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.
34 Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Jordan
with all his host upon the sabbath day. 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. 36 But the
children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and
went their way with it.
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. 38
Therefore they remembered John their brother, and went up, and
hid themselves under the covert of the mountain: 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.
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. 41
Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise
of their melody into lamentation. 42
So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they
turned again to the marsh of Jordan.
43 Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he
came on the sabbath day unto the banks of Jordan with a great power.
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: 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.
46 Wherefore cry ye now unto heaven,
that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. 47
With that they joined battle, and Jonathan stretched forth
his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.
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. 49 So there were
slain of Bacchides’ side that day about a thousand men.
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.
51 And in them he set a garrison, that they
might work malice upon Israel. 52 He
fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in
them, and provision of victuals. 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.
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 55 And as he began to
pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprises 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.
56 So Alcimus died at that time with great
torment.
57 Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus
was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea was in rest two
years. 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. 59 So they went
and consulted with him. 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.
61 Wherefore they took of the men of the
country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them.
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.
63 Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together
all his host, and sent word to them that were of Judea.
64 Then went he and laid siege against
Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war.
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. 66 And he
smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
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, 68 And
fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him
sore: for his counsel and travail was in vain. 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.
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. 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. 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.
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,
2 Now when king Demetrius heard thereof, he
gathered together an exceeding great host, and went forth against him to fight.
3 Moreover Demetrius sent letters
unto Jonathan with loving words, so as he magnified him. 4
For said he, Let us first make peace with him, before he
join with Alexander against us: 5
Else he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against
his brethren and his people. 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.
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: 8 Who were sore afraid, when
they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an host.
9 Whereupon they of the tower
delivered their hostages unto Jonathan, and he delivered them unto their
parents.
10 This done, Jonathan settled himself
in Jerusalem, and began to build and repair the city. 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.
12 Then the strangers, that were in the
fortresses which Bacchides had built, fled away; 13
Insomuch as every man left his place, and went into his own
country. 14 Only at Bethsura certain
of those that had forsaken the law and the commandments remained still: for it
was their place of refuge.
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, 16 He said, Shall
we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and
confederate.
17 Upon this he wrote a letter, and sent
it unto him, according to these words, saying, 18
King Alexander to his brother Jonathan sendeth greeting:
19 We have heard of thee, that thou art a
man of great power, and meet to be our friend. 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. 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.
22 Whereof when Demetrius heard, he was
very sorry, and said, 23 What have
we done, that Alexander hath prevented us in making amity with the Jews to
strengthen himself? 24 I also will
write unto them words of encouragement, and promise them dignities and gifts,
that I may have their aid. 25 He
sent unto them therefore to this effect: King Demetrius unto the people of the
Jews sendeth greeting: 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.
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, 28 And will grant you many
immunities, and give you rewards.
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, 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.
31 Let Jerusalem also be holy and free,
with the borders thereof, both from tenths and tributes.
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.
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. 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. 35
Also no man shall have authority to meddle with or to
molest any of them in any matter.
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.
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.
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.
39 As for Ptolemais, and the land
pertaining thereto, I give it as a free gift to the sanctuary at Jerusalem for
the necessary expenses of the sanctuary. 40
Moreover I give every year fifteen thousand shekels of silver out
of the king’s accounts from the places appertaining. 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.
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. 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.
44 For the building also and repairing of
the works of the sanctuary expenses shall be given of the king’s accounts.
45 Yea, and for the building of the
walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, expenses shall be
given out of the king’s accounts, as also for the building of the walls in
Judea.
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. 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.
48 Then gathered king Alexander great
forces, and camped over against Demetrius. 49
And after the two kings had joined battle, Demetrius’ host fled:
but Alexander followed after him, and prevailed against them.
50 And he continued the battle very sore
until the sun went down: and that day was Demetrius slain.
51 Afterward Alexander sent ambassadors
to Ptolemee king of Egypt with a message to this effect:
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; 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:
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.
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. 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.
57 So Ptolemee went out of Egypt with
his daughter Cleopatra, and they came unto Ptolemais in the hundred threescore
and second year: 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.
59 Now king Alexander had written unto
Jonathan, that he should come and meet him. 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.
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. 62
Yea more than that, the king commanded to take off his garments,
and clothe him in purple: and they did so. 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.
64 Now when his accusers saw that he was
honoured according to the proclamation, and clothed in purple, they fled all
away. 65 So the king honoured him,
and wrote him among his chief friends, and made him a duke, and partaker of his
dominion. 66 Afterward Jonathan
returned to Jerusalem with peace and gladness.
67 Furthermore in the; hundred
threescore and fifth year came Demetrius son of Demetrius out of Crete into the
land of his fathers: 68 Whereof when
king Alexander heard tell, he was right sorry, and returned into Antioch.
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,
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?
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.
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 stand
before our face; for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own
land. 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.
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.
75 And he pitched his tents against Joppa:
but; they of Joppa shut him out of the city, because Apollonius had a garrison
there.
76 Then Jonathan laid siege unto it:
whereupon they of the city let him in for fear: and so Jonathan won Joppa.
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.
78 Then Jonathan followed after him to
Azotus, where the armies joined battle. 79
Now Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen in ambush.
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.
81 But the people stood still, as
Jonathan had commanded them: and so the enemies’ horses were tired.
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. 83 The horsemen
also, being scattered in the field, fled to Azotus, and went into Bethdagon,
their idol’s temple, for safety.
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. 85
Thus there were burned and slain with the sword well nigh
eight thousand men. 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. 87
After this returned Jonathan and his host unto Jerusalem,
having any spoils.
88 Now when king Alexander heard these
things, he honoured Jonathan yet more. 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. 2 Whereupon he took his
journey into Syria 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.
3 Now as Ptolemee entered into the
cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it.
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. 5 Also they told the
king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the
king held his peace.
6 Then Jonathan met the king with great
pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.
7 Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with
the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem.
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. 9
Whereupon he sent ambassadors 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: 10
For I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he
sought to slay me. 11 Thus did he
slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.
12 Wherefore he took his daughter from
him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was
openly known. 13 Then Ptolemee
entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia,
and of Egypt.
14 In the mean season was king Alexander
in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.
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.
16 So Alexander fled into Arabia there
to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted: 17
For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it
unto Ptolemee.
18 King Ptolemee also died the third day
after, and they that were in the strong holds were slain one of another.
19 By this means Demetrius reigned in the
hundred threescore and seventh year.
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. 21
Then came ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto
the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower,
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.
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; 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.
25 And though certain ungodly men of the
people had made complaints against him, 26
Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before,
and promoted him in the sight of all his friends, 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.
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.
29 So the king consented, and wrote letters
unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:
30 King Demetrius unto his brother
Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:
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.
32 King Demetrius unto his father
Lasthenes sendeth greeting: 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.
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.
35 And as for other things that belong
unto us, of the tithes and |
