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MACCABEES 1 CHAPTERS 11-16

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ΜΑΚΚΑΒΑΙΩΝ Α
 

11

ΚΑΙ ὁ βασιλεὺς Αἰγύπτου ἤθροισε δυνάμεις πολλὰς ὡς τὴν ἄμμον τὴν περὶ τὸ χεῖλος τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ πλοῖα πολλὰ καὶ ἐζήτησε κατακρατῆσαι τῆς βασιλείας ᾿Αλεξάνδρου δόλῳ καὶ προσθεῖναι αὐτὴν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ.

2 καὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς Συρίαν λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς, καὶ ἤνοιγον αὐτῷ οἱ ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων καὶ συνήντων αὐτῷ, ὅτι ἐντολὴ ἦν ᾿Αλεξάνδρου τοῦ βασιλέως συναντᾶν αὐτῷ διὰ τὸ πενθερὸν αὐτοῦ εἶναι.

3 ὡς δὲ εἰσεπορεύετο εἰς τὰς πόλεις ὁ Πτολεμαῖος, ἀπέτασσε τὰς δυνάμεις φρουρὰν ἐν ἑκάστῃ πόλει.

4 ὡς δὲ ἤγγισεν ᾿Αζώτου, ἔδειξαν αὐτῷ τὸ ἱερὸν Δαγὼν ἐμπεπυρισμένον καὶ ῎Αζωτον καὶ τὰ περιπόλια αὐτῆς καθῃρημένα καὶ τὰ σώματα ἐρριμμένα καὶ τοὺς ἐμπεπυρισμένους, οὓς ἐνεπύρισεν ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ· ἐποίησαν γὰρ θημωνίας αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ αὐτοῦ.

5 καὶ διηγήσαντο τῷ βασιλεῖ ἃ ἐποίησεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν εἰς τὸ ψογίσαι αὐτόν· καὶ ἐσίγησεν ὁ βασιλεύς.

6 καὶ συνήντησεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τῷ βασιλεῖ εἰς ᾿Ιόππην μετὰ δόξης, καὶ ἠσπάσαντο ἀλλήλους καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν ἐκεῖ.

7 καὶ ἐπορεύθη ᾿Ιωνάθαν μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἕως τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ καλουμένου ᾿Ελευθέρου καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ.

8 ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος ἐκυρίευσε τῶν πόλεων τῆς παραλίας ἕως Σελευκείας τῆς παραθαλασσίας καὶ διελογίζετο περὶ ᾿Αλεξάνδρου λογισμοὺς πονηρούς.

9 καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρέσβεις πρὸς Δημήτριον τὸν βασιλέα λέγων· δεῦρο συνθώμεθα πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς διαθήκην, καὶ δώσω σοι τὴν θυγατέρα μου, ἣν ἔχει ᾿Αλέξανδρος, καὶ βασιλεύσεις τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ πατρός σου·

10 μεταμεμέλημαι γὰρ δοὺς αὐτῷ τὴν θυγατέρα μου, ἐζήτησε γὰρ ἀποκτεῖναί με.

11 καὶ ἐψόγισεν αὐτὸν χάριν τοῦ ἐπιθυμῆσαι αὐτὸν τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ·

12 καὶ ἀφελόμενος αὐτοῦ τὴν θυγατέρα ἔδωκεν αὐτὴν τῷ Δημητρίῳ καὶ ἠλλοτριώθη τῷ ᾿Αλεξάνδρῳ καὶ ἐφάνη ἡ ἔχθρα αὐτῶν.

13 καὶ εἰσῆλθε Πτολεμαῖος εἰς ᾿Αντιόχειαν καὶ περιέθετο τὸ διάδημα τῆς ᾿Ασίας· καὶ περιέθετο δύο διαδήματα περὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, τὸ τῆς ᾿Ασίας καὶ Αἰγύπτου.

14 ᾿Αλέξανδρος δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἦν ἐν Κιλικίᾳ κατὰ τοὺς καιροὺς ἐκείνους, ὅτι ἀπεστάτουν οἱ ἀπὸ τῶν τόπων ἐκείνων.

15 καὶ ἤκουσεν ᾿Αλέξανδρος καὶ ἦλθεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν πολέμῳ. καὶ ἐξήγαγε Πτολεμαῖος τὴν δύναμιν καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτῷ ἐν χειρὶ ἰσχυρᾷ καὶ ἐτροπώσατο αὐτόν.

16 καὶ ἔφυγεν ᾿Αλέξανδρος εἰς τὴν ᾿Αραβίαν τοῦ σκεπασθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐκεῖ. ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος ὑψώθη.

17 καὶ ἀφεῖλε Ζαβδιὴλ ὁ ῎Αραψ τὴν κεφαλὴν ᾿Αλεξάνδρου καὶ ἀπέστειλε τῷ Πτολεμαίῳ.

18 καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Πτολεμαῖος ἀπέθανεν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, καὶ οἱ ὄντες ἐν τοῖς ὀχυρώμασιν ἀπώλοντο ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν τοῖς ὀχυρώμασι.

19 καὶ ἐβασίλευσε Δημήτριος ἔτους ἑβδόμου καὶ ἑξηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ.

20 ᾿Εν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις συνήγαγεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοὺς ἐκ τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας τοῦ ἐκπολεμῆσαι τὴν ἄκραν τὴν ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὴν μηχανὰς πολλάς.

21 καὶ ἐπορεύθησάν τινες μισοῦντες τὸ ἔθνος αὐτῶν ἄνδρες παράνομοι πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ ὅτι ᾿Ιωνάθαν περικάθηται τὴν ἄκραν.

22 καὶ ἀκούσας ὠργίσθη· ὡς δὲ ἤκουσεν, εὐθέως ἀναζεύξας ἦλθεν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα καὶ ἔγραψεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῦ μὴ περικαθῆσθαι τῇ ἄκρᾳ καὶ τοῦ ἀπαντῆσαι αὐτὸν αὐτῷ συμμίσγειν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα τὴν ταχίστην.

23 ὡς δὲ ἤκουσεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν, ἐκέλευσε περικαθῆσθαι καὶ ἐπέλεξε τῶν πρεσβυτέρων ᾿Ισραὴλ καὶ τῶν ἱερέων καὶ ἔδωκεν ἑαυτὸν τῷ κινδύνῳ·

24 καὶ λαβὼν ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ ἱματισμὸν καὶ ἕτερα ξένια πλείονα ἐπορεύθη πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα καὶ εὗρε χάριν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.

25 καὶ ἐνετύγχανον κατ᾿ αὐτοῦ τινες ἄνομοι τῶν ἐκ τοῦ ἔθνους.

26 καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεὺς καθὼς ἐποίησαν αὐτῷ οἱ πρὸ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὕψωσεν αὐτὸν ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν φίλων αὐτοῦ,

27 καὶ ἔστησεν αὐτῷ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην καὶ ὅσα ἄλλα εἶχε τίμια τὸ πρότερον καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν τῶν πρώτων φίλων ἡγεῖσθαι.

28 καὶ ἠξίωσεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τὸν βασιλέα ποιῆσαι τὴν ᾿Ιουδαίαν ἀφορολόγητον καὶ τὰς τρεῖς τοπαρχίας καὶ τὴν Σαμαρεῖτιν καὶ ἐπηγγείλατο αὐτῷ τάλαντα τριακόσια.

29 καὶ εὐδόκησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ἔγραψε τῷ ᾿Ιωνάθαν ἐπιστολὰς περὶ πάντων τούτων ἐχούσας τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον·

30 «Βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος ᾿Ιωνάθαν τῷ ἀδελφῷ χαίρειν, καὶ ἔθνει ᾿Ιουδαίων.

31 τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῆς ἐπιστολῆς, ἧς ἐγράψαμεν Λασθένει τῷ συγγενεῖ ἡμῶν περὶ ὑμῶν, γεγράφαμεν καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς ὅπως εἰδῆτε.

32 βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος Λασθένει τῷ πατρὶ χαίρειν.

33 τῷ ἔθνει τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων φίλοις ἡμῶν καὶ συντηροῦσι τὰ πρὸς ἡμᾶς δίκαια ἐκρίναμεν ἀγαθοποιῆσαι χάριν τῆς ἐξ αὐτῶν εὐνοίας πρὸς ἡμᾶς.

34 ἑστάκαμεν οὖν αὐτοῖς τά τε ὅρια τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας καὶ τοὺς τρεῖς νομούς, ᾿Αφαίρεμα καὶ Λύδδαν καὶ Ραμαθέμ, οἵτινες προσετέθησαν τῇ ᾿Ιουδαίᾳ ἀπὸ τῆς Σαμαρείτιδος, καὶ πάντα τὰ συγκυροῦντα αὐτοῖς πᾶσι τοῖς θυσιάζουσιν εἰς ῾Ιεροσόλυμα, ἀντὶ τῶν βασιλικῶν, ὧν ἐλάμβανεν ὁ βασιλεὺς παρ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸ πρότερον κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἀπὸ τῶν γεννημάτων τῆς γῆς καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀκροδρύων.

35 καὶ τὰ ἄλλα τὰ ἀνήκοντα ἡμῖν ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν τῶν δεκατῶν καὶ τῶν τελῶν τῶν ἀνηκόντων ἡμῖν καὶ τὰς τοῦ ἁλὸς λίμνας καὶ τοὺς ἀνήκοντας ἡμῖν στεφάνους, πάντα ἐπαρκῶς παρίεμεν αὐτοῖς.

36 καὶ οὐκ ἀθετηθήσεται οὐδὲ ἓν τούτων ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον.

37 νῦν οὖν ἐπιμέλεσθε τοῦ ποιῆσαι τούτων ἀντίγραφον καὶ δοθήτω ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ τεθήτω ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ ἁγίῳ ἐν τόπῳ ἐπισήμῳ».

38 Καὶ εἶδε Δημήτριος ὁ βασιλεὺς ὅτι ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐδὲν αὐτῷ ἀνθειστήκει, καὶ ἀπέλυσε πάσας τὰς δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ ἕκαστον εἰς τὸν ἴδιον τόπον, πλὴν τῶν ξένων δυνάμεων, ὧν ἐξενολόγησεν ἀπὸ τῶν νήσων τῶν ἐθνῶν· καὶ ἤχθραναν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ.

39 Τρύφων δὲ ἦν τῶν παρὰ ᾿Αλέξάνδρου τὸ πρότερον καὶ εἶδεν ὅτι πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις καταγογγύζουσι τοῦ Δημητρίου, καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Εἰμαλκουαὶ τὸν ῎Αραβα, ὃς ἔτρεφε τὸν ᾿Αντίοχον τὸ παιδάριον τὸ τοῦ ᾿Αλεξάνδρου.

40 καὶ προσήδρευεν αὐτῷ, ὅπως παραδοῖ αὐτὸν αὐτῷ, ὅπως βασιλεύσῃ ἀντὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ. καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ ὅσα συνετέλεσε Δημήτριος καὶ τὴν ἔχθραν, ἣν ἐχθραίνουσιν αὐτῷ αἱ δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ ἡμέρας πολλάς.

41 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν πρὸς Δημήτριον τὸν βασιλέα, ἵνα ἐκβάλῃ τοὺς ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἐξ ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ τοὺς ἐν τοῖς ὀχυρώμασιν· ἦσαν γὰρ πολεμοῦντες τὸν ᾿Ισραήλ.

42 καὶ ἀπέστειλε Δημήτριος πρὸς ᾿Ιωνάθαν λέγων· οὐ μόνον ταῦτα ποιήσω σοι καὶ τῷ ἔθνει σου, ἀλλὰ δόξῃ δοξάσω σε καὶ τὸ ἔθνος σου, ἐὰν εὐκαιρίας τύχω.

43 νῦν οὖν ὀρθῶς ποιήσεις ἀποστείλας μοι ἄνδρας, οἳ συμμαχήσουσιν, ὅτι ἀπέστησαν πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις μου.

44 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους δυνατοὺς ἰσχύϊ αὐτῷ εἰς ᾿Αντιόχειαν, καὶ ἤλθοσαν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ ηὐφράνθη ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τῇ ἐφόδῳ αὐτῶν.

45 καὶ ἐπισυνήχθησαν οἱ ἐκ τῆς πόλεως εἰς μέσον τῆς πόλεως εἰς ἀνδρῶν δώδεκα μυριάδας ἀνδρῶν καὶ ἠβούλοντο ἀνελεῖν τὸν βασιλέα.

46 καὶ ἔφυγεν ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς τὴν αὐλήν, καὶ κατελάβοντο οἱ ἐκ τῆς πόλεως τὰς διόδους τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἤρξαντο πολεμεῖν.

47 καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς ᾿Ιουδαίους ἐπὶ βοήθειαν, καὶ ἐπισυνήχθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν πάντες ἅμα καὶ διεσπάρησαν ἐν τῇ πόλει πάντες ἅμα καὶ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν τῇ πόλει ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἰς μυριάδας δέκα·

48 καὶ ἐνεπύρισαν τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἐλάβοσαν σκῦλα πολλὰ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἔσωσαν τὸν βασιλέα.

49 καὶ εἶδον οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως ὅτι κατεκράτησαν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι τῆς πόλεως ὡς ἠβούλοντο, καὶ ἠσθένησαν ταῖς διανοίαις αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκέκραξαν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα μετὰ δεήσεως λέγοντες·

50 δὸς ἡμῖν δεξιὰς καὶ παυσάσθωσαν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι πολεμοῦντες ἡμᾶς καὶ τὴν πόλιν.

51 καὶ ἔρριψαν τὰ ὅπλα καὶ ἐποίησαν εἰρήνην καὶ ἐδοξάσθησαν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι ἐναντίον τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἐνώπιον πάντων τῶν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἔχοντες σκῦλα πολλά.

52 καὶ ἐκάθησε Δημήτριος ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ θρόνου τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ.

53 καὶ ἐψεύσατο πάντα, ὅσα εἶπε, καὶ ἠλλοτριώθη τῷ ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ οὐκ ἀνταπέδωκε κατὰ τὰς εὐνοίας, ἃς ἀνταπέδωκεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἔθλιβεν αὐτὸν σφόδρα.

54 Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀπέστρεψε Τρύφων καὶ ᾿Αντίοχος μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ παιδάριον νεώτερον· καὶ ἐβασίλευσε καὶ ἐπέθετο διάδημα.

55 καὶ ἐπισυνήχθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις, ἃς ἀπεσκόρπισε Δημήτριος, καὶ ἐπολέμησαν πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ ἔφυγε καὶ ἐτροπώθη.

56 καὶ ἔλαβε Τρύφων τὰ θηρία καὶ κατεκράτησεν ᾿Αντιοχείας.

57 καὶ ἔγραψεν ᾿Αντίοχος ὁ νεώτερος τῷ ᾿Ιωνάθαν λέγων· ἵστημί σοι τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην καὶ καθίστημί σε ἐπὶ τῶν τεσσάρων νομῶν καὶ εἶναί σε τῶν φίλων τοῦ βασιλέως.

58 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτῷ χρυσώματα καὶ διακονίαν καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ἐξουσίαν πίνειν ἐν χρυσώμασι καὶ εἶναι ἐν πορφύρᾳ καὶ ἔχειν πόρπην χρυσῆν·

59 καὶ Σίμωνα τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ κατέστησε στρατηγὸν ἀπὸ τῆς κλίμακος Τύρου ἕως τῶν ὁρίων Αἰγύπτου.

60 καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ διεπορεύετο πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσι, καὶ ἠθροίσθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις Συρίας εἰς συμμαχίαν, καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς ᾿Ασκάλωνα, καὶ ἀπήντησαν αὐτῷ οἱ ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ἐνδόξως.

61 καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Γάζαν, καὶ ἀπέκλεισαν οἱ ἀπὸ Γάζης, καὶ περιεκάθισε περὶ αὐτὴν καὶ ἐνεπύρισε τὰ περιπόλια αὐτῆς πυρὶ καὶ ἐσκύλευσεν αὐτά.

62 καὶ ἠξίωσαν οἱ ἀπὸ Γάζης τὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς δεξιὰς καὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς υἱοὺς ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν εἰς ὅμηρα καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ· καὶ διῆλθε τὴν χώραν ἕως Δαμασκοῦ.

63 καὶ ἤκουσεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὅτι παρῆσαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Δημητρίου εἰς Κάδης τὴν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς βουλόμενοι μεταστῆσαι αὐτὸν τῆς χρείας.

64 καὶ συνήντησεν αὐτοῖς, τὸν δὲ ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ Σίμωνα κατέλιπεν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ.

65 καὶ παρενέβαλε Σίμων ἐπὶ Βαιθσούρᾳ καὶ ἐπολέμει αὐτὴν ἡμέρας πολλὰς καὶ συνέκλεισεν αὐτήν.

66 καὶ ἠξίωσαν αὐτὸν τοῦ δεξιὰς λαβεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἐξέβαλεν αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖθεν καὶ κατελάβετο τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἔθετο ἐπ᾿ αὐτῇ φρουράν.

67 καὶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ τὸ ὕδωρ Γεννησάρ, καὶ ὤρθρισαν τὸ πρωΐ εἰς τὸ πεδίον Νασώρ.

68 καὶ ἰδοὺ παρεμβολὴ ἀλλοφύλων ἀπήντα αὐτῷ ἐν τῷ πεδίῳ καὶ ἐξέβαλον ἔνεδρον ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσιν, αὐτοὶ δὲ ἀπήντησαν ἐξεναντίας.

69 τὰ δὲ ἔνεδρα ἐξανέστησαν ἐκ τῶν τόπων αὐτῶν καὶ συνῆψαν πόλεμον. καὶ ἔφυγον οἱ παρὰ ᾿Ιωνάθαν πάντες,

70 οὐδὲ εἷς κατελείφθη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν, πλὴν Ματταθίας ὁ τοῦ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμου καὶ ᾿Ιούδας ὁ τοῦ Χαλφὶ ἄρχοντες τῆς στρατιᾶς τῶν δυνάμεων.

71 καὶ διέρρηξεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέθετο γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ προσηύξατο.

72 καὶ ὑπέστρεψε πρὸς αὐτοὺς πολέμῳ καὶ ἐτροπώσατο αὐτούς, καὶ ἔφυγον.

73 καὶ εἶδον οἱ φεύγοντες οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ ἐδίωκον μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἕως Κάδης ἕως τῆς παρεμβολῆς αὐτῶν καὶ παρενέβαλον ἐκεῖ.

74 καὶ ἔπεσον ἐκ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἰς ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους. καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλήμ.

12

ΚΑΙ εἶδεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὅτι ὁ καιρὸς αὐτῷ συνεργεῖ, καὶ ἐπέλεξεν ἄνδρας καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς Ρώμην στῆσαι καὶ ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν.

2 καὶ πρὸς Σπαρτιάτας καὶ τόπους ἑτέρους ἀπέστειλεν ἐπιστολὰς κατὰ τὰ αὐτά.

3 καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν εἰς Ρώμην καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὸ βουλευτήριον καὶ εἶπον· ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ τὸ ἔθνος τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ἀπέστειλεν ἡμᾶς ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν φιλίαν αὐτοῖς καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν κατὰ τὸ πρότερον.

4 καὶ ἔδωκαν ἐπιστολὰς αὐτοῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατὰ τόπον, ὅπως προπέμπωσιν αὐτοὺς εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα μετ᾿ εἰρήνης.

5 Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν ὧν ἔγραψεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῖς Σπαρτιάταις·

6 «᾿Ιωνάθαν ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ ἡ γερουσία τοῦ ἔθνους καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς δῆμος τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων Σπαρτιάταις τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς χαίρειν.

7 ἔτι πρότερον ἀπεστάλησαν ἐπιστολαὶ πρὸς ᾿Ονίαν τὸν ἀρχιερέα παρὰ Δαρείου τοῦ βασιλεύοντος ἐν ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐστὲ ἀδελφοὶ ἡμῶν, ὡς τὸ ἀντίγραφον ὑπόκειται.

8 καὶ ἐπεδέξατο ᾿Ονίας τὸν ἄνδρα τὸν ἀπεσταλμένον ἐνδόξως καὶ ἔλαβε τὰς ἐπιστολάς, ἐν αἷς διεσαφεῖτο περὶ συμμαχίας καὶ φιλίας.

9 καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν ἀπροσδεεῖς τούτων ὄντες, παράκλησιν ἔχοντες τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια τὰ ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν,

10 ἐπειράθημεν ἀποστεῖλαι τὴν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀδελφότητα καὶ φιλίαν ἀνανεώσασθαι πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἐξαλλοτριωθῆναι ὑμῶν· πολλοὶ γὰρ καιροὶ διῆλθον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἀπεστείλατε πρὸς ἡμᾶς.

11 ἡμεῖς οὖν ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ ἀδιαλείπτως ἔν τε ταῖς ἑορταῖς καὶ ταῖς λοιπαῖς καθηκούσαις ἡμέραις μιμνησκόμεθα ὑμῶν ἐφ᾿ ὧν προσφέρομεν θυσιῶν καὶ ἐν ταῖς προσευχαῖς, ὡς δέον ἐστὶ καὶ πρέπον μνημονεύειν ἀδελφῶν·

12 εὐφραινόμεθα δὲ ἐπὶ τῇ δόξῃ ὑμῶν.

13 ἡμᾶς δὲ ἐκύκλωσαν πολλαὶ θλίψεις καὶ πόλεμοι πολλοί, καὶ ἐπολέμησαν ἡμᾶς οἱ βασιλεῖς οἱ κύκλῳ ἡμῶν.

14 καὶ οὐκ ἠβουλόμεθα οὖν παρενοχλεῖν ὑμῖν καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς συμμάχοις καὶ φίλοις ἡμῶν ἐν τοῖς πολέμοις τούτοις·

15 ἔχομεν γὰρ τὴν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ βοήθειαν βοηθοῦσαν ἡμῖν καὶ ἐρρύσθημεν ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐταπεινώθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ ἡμῶν.

16 ἐπελέξαμεν οὖν Νουμήνιον ᾿Αντιόχου καὶ ᾿Αντίπατρον ᾿Ιάσωνος καὶ ἀπεστάλκαμεν πρὸς Ρωμαίους ἀνανεώσασθαι τὴν πρὸς αὐτοὺς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν τὴν προτέραν.

17 ἐνετειλάμεθα οὖν αὐτοῖς καὶ πρὸς ὑμᾶς πορευθῆναι καὶ ἀσπάσασθαι ὑμᾶς καὶ ἀποδοῦναι ὑμῖν τὰς παρ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐπιστολὰς περὶ τῆς ἀνανεώσεως καὶ τῆς ἀδελφότητος ἡμῶν.

18 καὶ νῦν καλῶς ποιήσετε ἀντιφωνήσοντες ἡμῖν πρὸς ταῦτα».

19 Καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν, ὧν ἀπέστειλαν ᾿Ονίᾳ·

20 «῎Αρειος βασιλεὺς Σπαρτιατῶν ᾿Ονίᾳ ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ χαίρειν.

21 εὑρέθη ἐν γραφῇ περί τε τῶν Σπαρτιατῶν καὶ ᾿Ιουδαίων, ὅτι εἰσὶν ἀδελφοὶ καὶ ὅτι εἰσὶν ἐκ γένους ῾Αβραάμ.

22 καὶ νῦν ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἔγνωμεν ταῦτα, καλῶς ποιήσετε γράφοντες ἡμῖν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης ὑμῶν,

23 καὶ ἡμεῖς δὲ ἀντιγράφομεν ὑμῖν τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ ὕπαρξις ὑμῶν ἡμῖν ἐστι, καὶ τὰ ἡμῶν ὑμῖν ἐστιν. ἐντελλόμεθα οὖν ὅπως ἀπαγγείλωσιν ὑμῖν κατὰ ταῦτα».

24 Καὶ ἤκουσεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὅτι ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄρχοντες Δημητρίου μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς ὑπὲρ τὸ πρότερον τοῦ πολεμῆσαι πρὸς αὐτόν.

25 καὶ ἀπῇρεν ἐξ ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἀπήντησεν αὐτοῖς εἰς τὴν ᾿Αμαθῖτιν χώραν· οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἀνοχὴν ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτοῦ.

26 καὶ ἀπέστειλε κατασκόπους εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ, ὅτι οὕτω τάσσονται ἐπιπεσεῖν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὴν νύκτα.

27 ὡς δὲ ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος, ἐπέταξεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῖς παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ γρηγορεῖν καὶ εἶναι ἐπὶ τοῖς ὅπλοις καὶ ἑτοιμάζεσθαι εἰς πόλεμον δι᾿ ὅλης τῆς νυκτὸς καὶ ἐξέβαλε προφύλακας κύκλῳ τῆς παρεμβολῆς.

28 καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ὑπεναντίοι ὅτι ἡτοίμασται ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ εἰς πόλεμον, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἔπτηξαν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνέκαυσαν πυρὰς ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ αὐτῶν.

29 ᾿Ιωνάθαν δὲ καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ἕως πρωΐ, ἔβλεπον γὰρ τὰ φῶτα καιόμενα.

30 καὶ κατεδίωξεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ κατέλαβεν αὐτούς, διέβησαν γὰρ τὸν ᾿Ελεύθερον ποταμόν.

31 καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ἐπὶ τοὺς ῎Αραβας τοὺς καλουμένους Ζαβαδαίους καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ σκῦλα αὐτῶν.

32 καὶ ἀναζεύξας ἦλθεν εἰς Δαμασκὸν καὶ διώδευσεν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ χώρᾳ.

33 καὶ Σίμων ἐξῆλθε καὶ διώδευσεν ἕως ᾿Ασκάλωνος καὶ τῶν πλησίον ὀχυρωμάτων, καὶ ἐξέκλινεν εἰς ᾿Ιόππην καὶ προκατελάβετο αὐτήν·

34 ἤκουσεν γὰρ ὅτι βούλονται τὸ ὀχύρωμα παραδοῦναι τοῖς παρὰ Δημητρίου· καὶ ἔθετο ἐκεῖ φρουράν, ὅπως φυλάσσωσιν αὐτήν.

35 καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ ἐξεκκλησίασε τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο μετ᾿ αὐτῶν τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι ὀχυρώματα ἐν τῇ ᾿Ιουδαίᾳ

36 καὶ προσυψῶσαι τὰ τείχη ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ὑψῶσαι ὕψος μέγα ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὸ διαχωρίζειν αὐτὴν τῆς πόλεως, ἵνα ᾖ αὕτη κατὰ μόνας, ὅπως μήτε ἀγοράζωσι μήτε πωλῶσι.

37 καὶ συνήχθησαν τοῦ οἰκοδομεῖν τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἤγγισε τοῦ τείχους τοῦ χειμάρρου τοῦ ἐξ ἀπηλιώτου, καὶ ἐπεσκεύασαν τὸ καλούμενον Χαφεναθά.

38 καὶ Σίμων ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν ᾿Αδιδὰ ἐν τῇ Σεφήλᾳ καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἐπέστησε θύρας καὶ μοχλούς.

39 Καὶ ἐζήτησε Τρύφων βασιλεῦσαι τῆς ᾿Ασίας καὶ περιθέσθαι τὸ διάδημα καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρα ἐπὶ ᾿Αντίοχον τὸν βασιλέα.

40 καὶ ἐφοβήθη μήποτε οὐκ ἐάσῃ αὐτὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ μήποτε πολεμήσῃ πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ ἐζήτει πόρον τοῦ συλλαβεῖν τὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῦ ἀπολέσαι αὐτόν, καὶ ἀπάρας ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

41 καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῷ ἐν τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάσιν ἀνδρῶν ἐπιλελεγμέναις εἰς παράταξιν καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Βαιθσάν.

42 καὶ εἶδε Τρύφων ὅτι πάρεστιν ᾿Ιωνάθαν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς, καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρας ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν εὐλαβήθη,

43 καὶ ἐπεδέξατο αὐτὸν ἐνδόξως καὶ συνέστησεν αὐτὸν πᾶσι τοῖς φίλοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόματα καὶ ἐπέταξε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτοῦ ὑπακούειν αὐτῷ ὡς ἑαυτῷ.

44 καὶ εἶπε τῷ ᾿Ιωνάθαν· ἱνατί ἔκοψας πάντα τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, πολέμου μὴ ἐνεστηκότος ἡμῖν;

45 καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον αὐτοὺς εἰς τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν, ἐπίλεξαι δὲ σεαυτῷ ἄνδρας ὀλίγους, οἵτινες ἔσονται μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ δεῦρο μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, καὶ παραδώσω σοι αὐτὴν καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ὀχυρώματα καὶ τὰς δυνάμεις τὰς λοιπὰς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν χρειῶν, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας ἀπελεύσομαι· τούτου γὰρ χάριν πάρειμι.

46 καὶ ἐμπιστεύσας αὐτῷ ἐποίησε καθὼς εἶπε, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλε τὰς δυνάμεις, καὶ ἀπῆλθον εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα.

47 κατέλιπε δὲ μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ ἄνδρας τρισχιλίους, ὧν δισχιλίους ἀφῆκεν ἐν τῇ Γαλιλαίᾳ, χίλιοι δὲ συνῆλθον αὐτῷ.

48 ὡς δὲ εἰσῆλθεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν εἰς Πτολεμαΐδα, ἀπέκλεισαν οἱ Πτολεμαεῖς τὰς πύλας καὶ συνέλαβον αὐτόν, καὶ πάντας τοὺς εἰσελθόντας μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀπέκτειναν ἐν ρομφαίᾳ.

49 καὶ ἀπέστειλε Τρύφων δυνάμεις καὶ ἵππον εἰς τὴν Γαλιλαίαν καὶ τὸ πεδίον τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀπολέσαι πάντας τοὺς παρὰ ᾿Ιωνάθαν.

50 καὶ ἐπέγνωσαν ὅτι συνελήφθη ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ ἀπόλωλε καὶ οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ παρεκάλεσαν ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἐπορεύοντο συνεστραμμένοι ἕτοιμοι εἰς πόλεμον.

51 καὶ εἶδον οἱ διώκοντες ὅτι περὶ ψυχῆς αὐτοῖς ἐστι, καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν.

52 καὶ ἦλθον πάντες μετ᾿ εἰρήνης εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ἐπένθησαν τὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν καὶ τοὺς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα· καὶ ἐπένθησε πᾶς ᾿Ισραὴλ πένθος μέγα.

53 καὶ ἐζήτησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ κύκλῳ αὐτῶν ἐκτρίψαι αὐτούς· εἶπαν γάρ· οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἄρχοντα καὶ βοηθοῦντα· νῦν οὖν πολεμήσωμεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξάρωμεν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν.

 
13

ΚΑΙ ἤκουσε Σίμων ὅτι συνήγαγε Τρύφων δύναμιν πολλὴν τοῦ ἐλθεῖν εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ἐκτρῖψαι αὐτήν.

2 καὶ εἶδε τὸν λαὸν ὅτι ἐστὶν ἔντρομος καὶ ἔμφοβος, καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἤθροισε τὸν λαὸν

3 καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· αὐτοὶ οἴδατε ὅσα ἐγὼ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός μου ἐποιήσαμεν περὶ τῶν νόμων καὶ τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ τοὺς πολέμους καὶ τὰς στενοχωρίας, ἃς εἴδομεν.

4 τούτου χάριν ἀπώλοντο οἱ ἀδελφοί μου πάντες χάριν τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ, καὶ κατελείφθην ἐγὼ μόνος.

5 καὶ νῦν μή μοι γένοιτο φείσασθαί μου τῆς ψυχῆς ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ θλίψεως, οὐ γάρ εἰμι κρείσσων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου.

6 πλὴν ἐκδικήσω περὶ τοῦ ἔθνους μου καὶ περὶ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ περὶ τῶν γυναικῶν καὶ τῶν τέκνων ἡμῶν, ὅτι συνήχθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἐκτρῖψαι ἡμᾶς ἔχθρας χάριν.

7 καὶ ἀνεζωοπύρησε τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ λαοῦ ἅμα τῷ ἀκοῦσαι τῶν λόγων τούτων,

8 καὶ ἀπεκρίθησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγοντες· σὺ εἶ ἡμῶν ἡγούμενος ἀντὶ ᾿Ιούδα καὶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου·

9 πολέμησον τὸν πόλεμον ἡμῶν, καὶ πάντα, ὅσα ἂν εἴπῃς ἡμῖν, ποιήσομεν.

10 καὶ συνήγαγε πάντας τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς πολεμιστὰς καὶ ἐτάχυνε τοῦ τελέσαι τὰ τείχη ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν κυκλόθεν.

11 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τὸν τοῦ ᾿Αβεσσαλώμου καὶ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν ἱκανὴν εἰς ᾿Ιόππην, καὶ ἐξέβαλε τοὺς ὄντας ἐν αὐτῇ καὶ ἔμεινεν ἐκεῖ ἐν αὐτῇ.

12 Καὶ ἀπῇρε Τρύφων ἀπὸ Πτολεμαΐδος μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς εἰσελθεῖν εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα, καὶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐν φυλακῇ.

13 Σίμων δὲ παρενέβαλεν ἐν ᾿Αδιδὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ πεδίου.

14 καὶ ἐπέγνω Τρύφων ὅτι ἀνέστη Σίμων ἀντὶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὅτι συνάπτειν αὐτῷ μέλλει πόλεμον, καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτὸν πρέσβεις λέγων·

15 περὶ ἀργυρίου, οὗ ὤφειλεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν ὁ ἀδελφός σου εἰς τὸ βασιλικὸν δι᾿ ἃς εἶχε χρείας, συνέχομεν αὐτόν·

16 καὶ νῦν ἀπόστειλον ἀργυρίου τάλαντα ἑκατὸν καὶ δύο τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ὅμηρα, ὅπως μὴ ἀφεθεὶς ἀποστατήσῃ ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀφήσομεν αὐτόν.

17 καὶ ἔγνω Σίμων ὅτι δόλῳ λαλοῦσι πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ πέμπει τοῦ λαβεῖν τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὰ παιδάρια, μήποτε ἔχθραν ἄρῃ μεγάλην πρὸς τὸν λαὸν

18 λέγων· ὅτι οὐκ ἀπέστειλα αὐτῷ τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὰ παιδάρια, καὶ ἀπώλετο.

19 καὶ ἀπέστειλε τὰ παιδάρια καὶ τὰ ἑκατὸν τάλαντα, καὶ διεψεύσατο καὶ οὐκ ἀφῆκε τὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν.

20 καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἦλθε Τρύφων τοῦ ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν καὶ ἐκτρῖψαι αὐτήν, καὶ ἐκύκλωσεν ὁδὸν τὴν εἰς ῎Αδωρα. καὶ Σίμων καὶ ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ ἀντιπαρῆγεν αὐτῷ εἰς πάντα τόπον, οὗ ἂν ἐπορεύετο.

21 οἱ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἀπέστελλον πρὸς Τρύφωνα πρεσβευτὰς κατασπεύδοντας αὐτὸν τοῦ ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτοὺς διὰ τῆς ἐρήμου καὶ ἀποστεῖλαι αὐτοῖς τροφάς.

22 καὶ ἡτοίμασε Τρύφων πᾶσαν τὴν ἵππον αὐτοῦ ἐλθεῖν ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἦν χιὼν πολλὴ σφόδρα, καὶ οὐκ ἦλθε διὰ τὴν χιόνα· καὶ ἀπῇρε καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν Γαλααδῖτιν.

23 ὡς δὲ ἤγγισε τῆς Βασκαμᾶ, ἀπέκτεινε τὸν ᾿Ιωνάθαν, καὶ ἐτάφη ἐκεῖ.

24 καὶ ἐπέστρεψε Τρύφων καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.

25 Καὶ ἀπέστειλε Σίμων καὶ ἔλαβε τὰ ὀστᾶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔθαψεν αὐτὰ ἐν Μωδεΐν πόλει τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ.

26 καὶ ἐκόψαντο αὐτὸν πᾶς ᾿Ισραὴλ κοπετὸν μέγαν καὶ ἐπένθησαν αὐτὸν ἡμέρας πολλάς.

27 καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε Σίμων ἐπὶ τὸν τάφον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ὕψωσεν αὐτὸν τῇ ὁράσει λίθῳ ξεστῷ ἐκ τῶν ὄπισθεν καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἔμπροσθεν.

28 καὶ ἔστησεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὰ ἑπτὰ πυραμίδας, μίαν κατέναντι τῆς μιᾶς τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τῇ μητρὶ καὶ τοῖς τέσσαρσιν ἀδελφοῖς.

29 καὶ ταύταις ἐποίησε μηχανήματα περιθεὶς στύλους μεγάλους καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐπὶ τοῖς στύλοις πανοπλίας εἰς ὄνομα αἰώνιον καὶ παρὰ ταῖς πανοπλίαις πλοῖα ἐπιγεγλυμμένα εἰς τὸ θεωρεῖσθαι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν πλεόντων τὴν θάλασσαν.

30 οὗτος ὁ τάφος ὃν ἐποίησεν ἐν Μωδεΐν, ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.

31 ῾Ο δὲ Τρύφων ἐπορεύετο δόλῳ μετὰ ᾿Αντιόχου τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ νεωτέρου καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτὸν

32 καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ περιέθετο διάδημα τῆς ᾿Ασίας καὶ ἐποίησε πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

33 καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε Σίμων τὰ ὀχυρώματα τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας, καὶ περιετείχισε πύργοις ὑψηλοῖς καὶ τείχεσι μεγάλοις καὶ πύλαις καὶ μοχλοῖς καὶ ἔθετο βρώματα ἐν τοῖς ὀχυρώμασι.

34 καὶ ἐπέλεξε Σίμων ἄνδρας καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς Δημήτριον τὸν βασιλέα τοῦ ποιῆσαι ἄφεσιν τῇ χώρᾳ, ὅτι πᾶσαι αἱ πράξεις Τρύφωνος ἦσαν ἁρπαγαί.

35 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτῷ Δημήτριος ὁ βασιλεὺς κατὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ καὶ ἔγραψεν αὐτῷ ἐπιστολὴν τοιαύτην·

36 «Βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος Σίμωνι ἀρχιερεῖ καὶ φίλῳ βασιλέων καὶ πρεσβυτέροις καὶ ἔθνει ᾿Ιουδαίων χαίρειν.

37 τὸν στέφανον τὸν χρυσοῦν καὶ τὴν βαΐνην, ἣν ἀπεστείλατε, κεκομίσμεθα καὶ ἕτοιμοί ἐσμεν τοῦ ποιεῖν ὑμῖν εἰρήνην μεγάλην καὶ γράφειν τοῖς ἐπὶ τῶν χρειῶν τοῦ ἀφιέναι ὑμῖν ἀφέματα.

38 καὶ ὅσα ἑστήκαμεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς, ἕστηκε, καὶ τὰ ὀχυρώματα, ἃ ᾠκοδομήκατε, ὑπαρχέτω ὑμῖν.

39 ἀφίεμεν δὲ ἀγνοήματα καὶ τὰ ἁμαρτήματα ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν στέφανον, ὃν ὠφείλετε, καὶ εἴ τι ἄλλο ἐτελωνεῖτο ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, μηκέτι τελωνείσθω.

40 καὶ εἴ τινες ἐπιτήδειοι ὑμῶν γραφῆναι εἰς τοὺς περὶ ἡμᾶς, ἐγγραφέσθωσαν, καὶ γινέσθω ἀναμέσον ἡμῶν εἰρήνη».

41 ἔτους ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ ᾔρθη ὁ ζυγὸς τῶν ἐθνῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ,

42 καὶ ἤρξατο ὁ λαὸς ᾿Ισραὴλ γράφειν ἐν ταῖς συγγραφαῖς καὶ συναλλάγμασιν ἔτους πρώτου ἐπὶ Σίμωνος ἀρχιερέως μεγάλου καὶ στρατηγοῦ καὶ ἡγουμένου ᾿Ιουδαίων.

43 ᾿Εν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις παρενέβαλε Σίμων ἐπὶ Γάζαρα καὶ ἐκύκλωσεν αὐτὴν παρεμβολαῖς καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑλεπόλεις καὶ προσήγαγε τῇ πόλει καὶ ἐπάταξε πύργον ἕνα καὶ κατελάβετο.

44 καὶ ἐξήλλοντο οἱ ἐν τῇ ἑλεπόλει εἰς τὴν πόλιν, καὶ ἐγένετο κίνημα μέγα ἐν τῇ πόλει.

45 καὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ ἐν τῇ πόλει σὺν ταῖς γυναιξὶ καὶ τοῖς τέκνοις ἐπὶ τὸ τεῖχος διερρηχότες τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν καὶ ἐβόησαν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἀξιοῦντες Σίμωνα δεξιὰς αὐτοῖς δοῦναι

46 καὶ εἶπαν· μὴ ἡμῖν χρήσῃ κατὰ τὰς πονηρίας ἡμῶν, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου.

47 καὶ συνελύθη Σίμων αὐτοῖς καὶ οὐκ ἐπολέμησεν αὐτούς· καὶ ἐξέβαλεν αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἐκαθάρισε τὰς οἰκίας, ἐν αἷς ἦν τὰ εἴδωλα, καὶ οὕτως εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτὴν ὑμνῶν καὶ εὐλογῶν.

48 καὶ ἐξέβαλεν ἐξ αὐτῆς πᾶσαν ἀκαθαρσίαν καὶ κατῴκισεν ἐκεῖ ἄνδρας, οἵτινες τὸν νόμον ποιοῦσι, καὶ προσωχύρωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἑαυτῷ ἐν αὐτῇ οἴκησιν.

49 οἱ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἄκρας ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ἐκωλύοντο ἐκπορεύεσθαι καὶ εἰσπορεύεσθαι εἰς τὴν χώραν καὶ ἀγοράζειν καὶ πωλεῖν καὶ ἐπείνασαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἀπώλοντο ἐξ αὐτῶν ἱκανοὶ τῇ λιμῷ.

50 καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς Σίμωνα δεξιὰς λαβεῖν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἐξέβαλεν αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ἐκαθάρισε τὴν ἄκραν ἀπὸ τῶν μιασμάτων.

51 καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς αὐτὴν τῇ τρίτῃ καὶ εἰκάδι τοῦ δευτέρου μηνὸς ἔτους ἑνὸς καὶ ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ μετὰ αἰνέσεως καὶ βαΐων καὶ ἐν κινύραις καὶ ἐν κυμβάλοις καὶ ἐν νάβλαις καὶ ἐν ὕμνοις καὶ ἐν ᾠδαῖς, ὅτι συνετρίβη ἐχθρὸς μέγας ἐξ ᾿Ισραήλ.

52 καὶ ἔστησε κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν τοῦ ἄγειν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην μετ᾿ εὐφροσύνης. καὶ προσωχύρωσε τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἱεροῦ τὸ παρὰ τὴν ἄκραν· καὶ ᾤκει ἐκεῖ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

53 καὶ εἶδε Σίμων τὸν ᾿Ιωάννην υἱὸν αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἀνήρ ἐστι, καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὸν ἡγούμενον τῶν δυνάμεων πασῶν· καὶ ᾤκει ἐν Γαζάροις.

14

ΚΑΙ ἐν ἔτει δευτέρῳ καὶ ἑβδομηκοστῷ καὶ ἑκατοστῷ συνήγαγε Δημήτριος ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς Μηδίαν τοῦ ἐπισπάσασθαι βοήθειαν αὐτῷ, ὅπως πολεμήσῃ τὸν Τρύφωνα.

2 καὶ ἤκουσεν ᾿Αρσάκης ὁ βασιλεὺς τῆς Περσίδος καὶ Μηδίας ὅτι ἦλθε Δημήτριος εἰς τὰ ὅρια αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἕνα τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτοῦ συλλαβεῖν αὐτὸν ζῶντα.

3 καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἐπάταξε τὴν παρεμβολὴν Δημητρίου καὶ συνέλαβεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἤγαγεν αὐτὸν πρὸς ᾿Αρσάκην, καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὸν ἐν φυλακῇ.

4 Καὶ ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ ᾿Ιούδα πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας Σίμωνος, καὶ ἐζήτησαν ἀγαθὰ τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἤρεσεν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἐξουσία αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡ δόξα αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.

5 καὶ μετὰ πάσης τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ἔλαβε τὴν ᾿Ιόππην εἰς λιμένα καὶ ἐποίησεν εἴσοδον ταῖς νήσοις τῆς θαλάσσης.

6 καὶ ἐπλάτυνε τὰ ὅρια τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκράτησε τῆς χώρας.

 7 καὶ συνήγαγεν αἰχμαλωσίαν πολλὴν καὶ ἐκυρίευσε Γαζάρων καὶ Βαιθσούρων καὶ τῆς ἄκρας· καὶ ἐξῇρε τὰς ἀκαθαρσίας ἐξ αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἀντικείμενος αὐτῷ.

8 καὶ ἦσαν γεωργοῦντες τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν μετ᾿ εἰρήνης, καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐδίδου τὰ γεννήματα αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ ξύλα τῶν πεδίων τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῶν.

9 πρεσβύτεροι ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις ἐκάθηντο, πάντες περὶ ἀγαθῶν ἐκοινολογοῦντο, καὶ οἱ νεανίσκοι ἐνεδύσαντο δόξας καὶ στολὰς πολέμου.

10 ταῖς πόλεσιν ἐχορήγησε βρώματα καὶ ἔταξεν αὐτὰς ἐν σκεύεσιν ὀχυρώσεως, ἕως ὅτου ὠνομάσθη τὸ ὄνομα τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ ἕως ἄκρου τῆς γῆς.

11 ἐποίησε τὴν εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ εὐφράνθη ᾿Ισραὴλ εὐφροσύνην μεγάλην.

12 καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἕκαστος ὑπὸ τὴν ἄμπελον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν συκῆν αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐκφοβῶν αὐτούς.

13 καὶ ἐξέλιπεν ὁ πολεμῶν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ οἱ βασιλεῖς συνετρίβησαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις.

14 καὶ ἐστήρισε πάντας τοὺς ταπεινοὺς τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ· τὸν νόμον ἐξεζήτησε καὶ ἐξῇρε πάντα ἄνομον καὶ πονηρόν·

15 τὰ ἅγια ἐδόξασε, καὶ ἐπλήθυνε τὰ σκεύη τῶν ἁγίων.

16 Καὶ ἠκούσθη ἐν Ρώμῃ, ὅτι ἀπέθανεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν, καὶ ἕως Σπάρτης, καὶ ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα.

17 ὡς δὲ ἤκουσαν, ὅτι Σίμων ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ γέγονεν ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ ἐπικρατεῖ τῆς χώρας καὶ τῶν πόλεων τῶν ἐν αὐτῇ,

18 ἔγραψαν πρὸς αὐτὸν δέλτοις χαλκαῖς τοῦ ἀνανεώσασθαι πρὸς αὐτὸν φιλίαν καὶ τὴν συμμαχίαν, ἣν ἔστησαν πρὸς ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ ᾿Ιωνάθαν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ.

19 καὶ ἀνεγνώσθησαν ἐνώπιον τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ.

20 καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν ἐπιστολῶν, ὧν ἀπέστειλαν οἱ Σπαρτιάται· «Σπαρτιατῶν ἄρχοντες καὶ ἡ πόλις Σίμωνι ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις καὶ τοῖς ἱερεῦσι καὶ τῷ λοιπῷ δήμῳ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ἀδελφοῖς χαίρειν.

21 οἱ πρεσβευταὶ οἱ ἀποσταλέντες πρὸς τὸν δῆμον ἡμῶν ἀπήγγειλαν ἡμῖν περὶ τῆς δόξης ὑμῶν καὶ τιμῆς, καὶ ηὐφράνθημεν ἐπὶ τῇ ἐφόδῳ αὐτῶν.

22 καὶ ἀνεγράψαμεν τὰ ὑπ᾿ αὐτῶν εἰρημένα ἐν ταῖς βουλαῖς τοῦ δήμου οὕτως· Νουμήνιος ᾿Αντιόχου καὶ ᾿Αντίπατρος ᾿Ιάσωνος πρεσβευταὶ ᾿Ιουδαίων ἤλθοσαν πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀνανεούμενοι τὴν πρὸς ἡμᾶς φιλίαν.

23 καὶ ἤρεσε τῷ δήμῳ ἐπιδέξασθαι τοὺς ἄνδρας ἐνδόξως καὶ τοῦ θέσθαι τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῶν λόγων αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς ἀποδεδειγμένοις τῶ δήμῳ βιβλίοις τοῦ ἔχειν μνημόσυνον τὸν δῆμον τῶν Σπαρτιατῶν. τὸ δὲ ἀντίγραφον τούτων ἐγράψαμεν Σίμωνι τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ». -

24 Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀπέστειλε Σίμων τὸν Νουμήνιον εἰς Ρώμην ἔχοντα ἀσπίδα χρυσῆν μεγάλην ὁλκῆς μνῶν χιλίων εἰς τὸ στῆσαι πρὸς αὐτοὺς τὴν συμμαχίαν.

25 ῾Ως δὲ ἤκουσεν ὁ δῆμος τῶν λόγων τούτων, εἶπαν· τίνα χάριν ἀποδώσομεν Σίμωνι καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ;

26 ἐστήρισε γὰρ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπολέμησαν τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ᾿Ισραὴλ ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἔστησαν αὐτῷ ἐλευθερίαν. καὶ κατέγραψαν ἐν δέλτοις χαλκαῖς καὶ ἔθεντο ἐν στήλαις ἐν ὄρει Σιών.

27 καὶ τοῦτο τὸ ἀντίγραφον τῆς γραφῆς· «᾿Οκτωκαιδεκάτῃ ᾿Ελούλ, ἔτους δευτέρου καὶ ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ - καὶ τοῦτο τρίτον ἔτος ἐπὶ Σίμωνος ἀρχιερέως

28 ἐν ἀσαραμὲλ - ἐπὶ συναγωγῆς μεγάλης ἱερέων καὶ λαοῦ καὶ ἀρχόντων ἔθνους καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τῆς χώρας ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν·

29 ἐπεὶ πολλάκις ἐγενήθησαν πόλεμοι ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ, Σίμων δὲ ὁ υἱὸς Ματταθίου ὁ υἱὸς τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ιωαρὶβ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ ἔδωκαν ἑαυτοὺς τῷ κινδύνῳ καὶ ἀντέστησαν τοῖς ὑπεναντίοις τοῦ ἔθνους αὐτῶν, ὅπως σταθῇ τὰ ἅγια αὐτῶν καὶ ὁ νόμος, καὶ δόξῃ μεγάλῃ ἐδόξασαν τὸ ἔθνος αὐτῶν.

30 καὶ ἤθροισεν ᾿Ιωνάθαν τὸ ἔθνος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτοῖς ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ προσετέθη πρὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ,

31 καὶ ἐβουλήθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν ἐμβατεῦσαι εἰς τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν τοῦ ἐκτρῖψαι τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκτεῖναι χεῖρας ἐπὶ τὰ ἅγια αὐτῶν.

32 τότε ἀνέστη Σίμων, καὶ ἐπολέμησε περὶ τοῦ ἔθνους αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐδαπάνησε χρήματα πολλὰ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ καὶ ὡπλοδότησε τοὺς ἄνδρας τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ ἔθνους αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ὀψώνια

33 καὶ ὠχύρωσε τὰς πόλεις τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας καὶ τὴν Βαιθσούραν τὴν ἐπὶ τῶν ὁρίων τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας, οὗ ἦν τὰ ὅπλα τῶν πολεμίων τὸ πρότερον, καὶ ἔθετο ἐκεῖ φρουρὰν ἄνδρας ᾿Ιουδαίους.

34 καὶ ᾿Ιόππην ὠχύρωσε τὴν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τὴν Γάζαρα τὴν ἐπὶ τῶν ὁρίων ᾿Αζώτου, ἐν ᾗ ᾤκουν οἱ πολέμιοι τὸ πρότερον ἐκεῖ, καὶ κατῴκισεν ἐκεῖ ᾿Ιουδαίους, καὶ ὅσα ἐπιτήδεια ἦν πρὸς τὴν τούτων ἐπανόρθωσιν, ἔθετο ἐν αὐτοῖς.

35 καὶ εἶδεν ὁ λαὸς τὴν πρᾶξιν τοῦ Σίμωνος καὶ τὴν δόξαν, ἣν ἐβουλεύσατο ποιῆσαι τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔθεντο αὐτὸν ἡγούμενον αὐτῶν καὶ ἀρχιερέα διὰ τὸ αὐτὸν πεποιηκέναι πάντα ταῦτα καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην καὶ τὴν πίστιν, ἣν συνετήρησε τῷ ἔθνει αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐζήτησε παντὶ τρόπῳ ὑψῶσαι τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.

36 καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ εὐωδώθη ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐξαρθῆναι τὰ ἔθνη ἐκ τῆς χώρας αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ἐν τῇ πόλει Δαυὶδ τοὺς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, οἳ ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς ἄκραν, ἐξ ἧς ἐξεπορεύοντο καὶ ἐμίαινον κύκλῳ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ ἐποίουν πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐν τῇ ἁγνείᾳ.

37 καὶ κατῴκισεν ἐν αὐτῇ ἄνδρας ᾿Ιουδαίους καὶ ὠχύρωσεν αὐτὴν πρὸς ἀσφάλειαν τῆς χώρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως καὶ ὕψωσε τὰ τείχη ῾Ιερουσαλήμ,

38 καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Δημήτριος ἔστησεν αὐτῷ τὴν ἀρχιερωσύνην κατὰ ταῦτα

39 καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτὸν τῶν φίλων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐδόξασεν αὐτὸν δόξῃ μεγάλῃ.

40 ἤκουσε γὰρ ὅτι προσηγόρευνται οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι ὑπὸ Ρωμαίων φίλοι καὶ σύμμαχοι καὶ ἀδελφοί, καὶ ὅτι ἀπήντησαν τοῖς πρεσβευταῖς Σίμωνος ἐνδόξως,

41 καὶ ὅτι εὐδόκησαν οἱ ᾿Ιουδαῖοι καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς τοῦ εἶναι Σίμωνα ἡγούμενον καὶ ἀρχιερέα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἕως τοῦ ἀναστῆναι προφήτην πιστὸν

42 καὶ τοῦ εἶναι ἐπ᾿ αὐτῶν στρατηγὸν καὶ ὅπως μέλῃ αὐτῷ περὶ τῶν ἁγίων καθιστάναι αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τῶν ἔργων αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς χώρας καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ὅπλων καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ὀχυρωμάτων,

43 καὶ ὅπως μέλῃ αὐτῷ περὶ τῶν ἁγίων, καὶ ὅπως ἀκούηται ὑπὸ πάντων, καὶ ὅπως γράφωνται ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ πᾶσαι συγγραφαὶ ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ, καὶ ὅπως περιβάλληται πορφύραν καὶ χρυσοφορῇ·

44 καὶ οὐκ ἐξέσται οὐδενὶ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ τῶν ἱερέων ἀθετῆσαί τι τούτων καὶ ἀντειπεῖν τοῖς ὑπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ρηθησομένοις καὶ ἐπισυστρέψαι συστροφὴν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ ἄνευ αὐτοῦ καὶ περιβάλλεσθαι πορφύραν καὶ ἐμπορποῦσθαι πόρπην χρυσῆν·

45 ὃς δ᾿ ἂν παρὰ ταῦτα ποιήσῃ ἢ ἀθετήσῃ τι τούτων, ἔνοχος ἔσται». -

46 καὶ εὐδόκησε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς θέσθαι Σίμωνι καὶ ποιῆσαι κατὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους.

47 καὶ ἐπεδέξατο Σίμων καὶ εὐδόκησεν ἀρχιερατεύειν καὶ εἶναι στρατηγὸς καὶ ἐθνάρχης τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ ἱερέων καὶ τοῦ προστατῆσαι πάντων.

48 καὶ τὴν γραφὴν ταύτην εἶπον θέσθαι ἐν δέλτοις χαλκαῖς καὶ στῆσαι αὐτὰς ἐν περιβόλῳ τῶν ἁγίων ἐν τόπῳ ἐπισήμῳ,

49 τὰ δὲ ἀντίγραφα αὐτῶν θέσθαι ἐν τῷ γαζοφυλακίῳ, ὅπως ἔχῃ Σίμων καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ.

 
15

ΚΑΙ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ ᾿Αντίοχος υἱὸς Δημητρίου τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπιστολὰς ἀπὸ τῶν νήσων τῆς θαλάσσης Σίμωνι ἱερεῖ καὶ ἐθνάρχῃ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων καὶ παντὶ τῷ ἔθνει.

2 καὶ ἦσαν περιέχουσαι τὸν τρόπον τοῦτον· «Βασιλεὺς ᾿Αντίοχος Σίμωνι ἱερεῖ μεγάλῳ καὶ ἐθνάρχῃ καὶ ἔθνει ᾿Ιουδαίων χαίρειν,

3 ἐπειδὴ ἄνδρες λοιμοὶ κατεκράτησαν τῆς βασιλείας τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, βούλομαι δὲ ἀντιποιήσασθαι τῆς βασιλείας, ὅπως ἀποκαταστήσω αὐτὴν ὡς ἦν τὸ πρότερον, ἐξενολόγησα δὲ πλῆθος δυνάμεων καὶ κατεσκεύασα πλοῖα πολεμικά,

4 βούλομαι δὲ ἐκβῆναι κατὰ τὴν χώραν, ὅπως μετέλθω τοὺς κατεφθαρκότας τὴν χώραν ἡμῶν καὶ τοὺς ἠρημωκότας πόλεις πολλὰς ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ·

5 νῦν οὖν ἵστημί σοι πάντα τὰ ἀφαιρέματα, ἃ ἀφῆκάν σοι οἱ πρὸ ἐμοῦ βασιλεῖς καὶ ὅσα ἄλλα δόματα ἀφῆκάν σοι.

6 καὶ ἐπέτρεψά σοι ποιῆσαι κόμμα ἴδιον νόμισμα τῇ χώρᾳ σου,

7 ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ δὲ καὶ τὰ ἅγια εἶναι ἐλεύθερα· καὶ πάντα τὰ ὅπλα ὅσα κατεσκεύασας, καὶ τὰ ὀχυρώματα, ἃ ᾠκοδόμησας ὧν κρατεῖς, μενέτω σοι.

8 καὶ πᾶν ὀφείλημα βασιλικὸν καὶ τὰ ἐσόμενα βασιλικά, ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν καὶ εἰς τὸν ἅπαντα χρόνον ἀφιέσθω σοι·

9 ὡς δ᾿ ἂν κρατήσωμεν τῆς βασιλείας ἡμῶν, δοξάσομέν σε καὶ τὸ ἔθνος σου καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν δόξῃ μεγάλῃ, ὥστε φανερὰν γενέσθαι τὴν δόξαν ὑμῶν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ». -

10 ῎Ετους τετάρτου καὶ ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ ἐξῆλθεν ᾿Αντίοχος εἰς τὴν γῆν πατέρων αὐτοῦ, καὶ συνῆλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν πᾶσαι αἱ δυνάμεις, ὥστε ὀλίγους εἶναι τοὺς καταλειφθέντας σὺν Τρύφωνι.

11 καὶ ἐδίωξεν αὐτὸν ᾿Αντίοχος ὁ βασιλεύς, καὶ ἦλθε φεύγων εἰς Δωρᾶ τὴν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης·

12 εἶδε γὰρ ὅτι συνῆκται ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν τὰ κακά, καὶ ἀφῆκαν αὐτὸν αἱ δυνάμεις.

13 καὶ παρενέβαλεν ᾿Αντίοχος ἐπὶ Δωρᾶ καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ δώδεκα μυριάδες ἀνδρῶν πολεμιστῶν καὶ ὀκτακισχιλία ἵππος.

14 καὶ ἐκύκλωσε τὴν πόλιν, καὶ τὰ πλοῖα ἀπὸ θαλάσσης συνῆψαν, καὶ ἔθλιβε τὴν πόλιν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τῆς θαλάσσης, καὶ οὐκ εἴασεν οὐδένα ἐκπορεύεσθαι καὶ εἰσπορεύεσθαι.

15 Καὶ ἦλθε Νουμήνιος καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐκ Ρώμης ἔχοντες ἐπιστολὰς τοῖς βασιλεῦσι καὶ ταῖς χώραις, ἐν αἷς ἐγέγραπτο τάδε·

16 «Λεύκιος ὕπατος Ρωμαίων Πτολεμαίῳ βασιλεῖ χαίρειν.

17 οἱ πρεσβευταὶ τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων ἦλθον πρὸς ἡμᾶς, φίλοι ἡμῶν καὶ σύμμαχοι, ἀνανεούμενοι τὴν ἐξ ἀρχῆς φιλίαν καὶ συμμαχίαν, ἀπεσταλμένοι ἀπὸ Σίμωνος τοῦ ἀρχιερέως καὶ τοῦ δήμου τῶν ᾿Ιουδαίων·

18 ἤνεγκαν δὲ ἀσπίδα χρυσῆν ἀπὸ μνῶν χιλίων.

19 ἤρεσεν οὖν ἡμῖν γράψαι τοῖς βασιλεῦσι καὶ ταῖς χώραις ὅπως μὴ ἐκζητήσωσιν αὐτοῖς κακὰ καὶ μὴ πολεμήσωσιν αὐτοὺς καὶ τὰς πόλεις αὐτῶν καὶ τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν καὶ ἵνα μὴ συμμαχήσωσι τοῖς πολεμοῦσιν αὐτούς.

20 ἔδοξε δὲ ἡμῖν δέξασθαι τὴν ἀσπίδα παρ᾿ αὐτῶν.

21 εἴ τινες οὖν λοιμοὶ διαπεφεύγασιν ἐκ τῆς χώρας αὐτῶν πρὸς ἡμᾶς, παράδοτε αὐτοὺς Σίμωνι τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ, ὅπως ἐκδικήσῃ ἐν αὐτοῖς κατὰ τὸν νόμον αὐτῶν».

22 Καὶ τὰ αὐτὰ ἔγραψε Δημητρίῳ τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ ᾿Αττάλῳ, ᾿Αριαράθῃ καὶ ᾿Αρσάκῃ

23 καὶ εἰς πάσας τὰς χώρας καὶ Σαμψάμῃ καὶ Σπαρτιάταις καὶ εἰς Δῆλον καὶ Μύνδον καὶ Σικυῶνα καὶ εἰς τὴν Καρίαν καὶ εἰς Σάμον καὶ εἰς τὴν Παμφυλίαν καὶ εἰς τὴν Λυκίαν καὶ εἰς ῾Αλικαρνασσὸν καὶ εἰς Ρόδον καὶ εἰς Φασηλίδα καὶ εἰς Κῶ καὶ εἰς Σίδην καὶ εἰς ῎Αραδον καὶ εἰς Γόρτυναν καὶ Κνίδον καὶ Κύπρον καὶ Κυρήνην.

24 τὸ δὲ ἀντίγραφον αὐτῶν ἔγραψαν Σίμωνι τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ.

25 ᾿Αντίοχος δὲ ὁ βασιλεὺς παρενέβαλεν ἐπὶ Δωρᾶ ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ, προσάγων διὰ παντὸς αὐτῇ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ μηχανὰς ποιούμενος καὶ συνέκλεισε τὸν Τρύφωνα τοῦ μὴ εἰσπορεύεσθαι καὶ ἐκπορεύεσθαι.

26 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτῷ Σίμων δισχιλίους ἄνδρας ἐκλεκτοὺς συμμαχῆσαι αὐτῷ καὶ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ σκεύη ἱκανά.

27 καὶ οὐκ ἠβούλετο αὐτὰ δέξασθαι, ἀλλ᾿ ἠθέτησε πάντα, ὅσα συνέθετο αὐτῷ τὸ πρότερον, καὶ ἠλλοτριοῦντο αὐτῷ.

28 καὶ ἀπέστειλε πρὸς αὐτὸν ᾿Αθηνόβιον ἕνα τῶν φίλων αὐτοῦ κοινολογησάμενον αὐτῷ λέγων· ὑμεῖς κατακρατεῖτε τῆς ᾿Ιόππης καὶ Γαζάρων καὶ τῆς ἄκρας τῆς ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, πόλεις τῆς βασιλείας μου.

29 τὰ ὅρια αὐτῶν ἠρημώσατε καὶ ἐποιήσατε πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐκυριεύσατε τόπων πολλῶν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ μου.

30 νῦν οὖν παράδοτε τὰς πόλεις, ἃς κατελάβεσθε, καὶ τοὺς φόρους τῶν τόπων, ὧν κατεκυριεύσατε ἐκτὸς τῶν ὁρίων τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας.

31 εἰ δὲ μή, δότε ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν πεντακόσια τάλαντα ἀργυρίου καὶ τῆς καταφθορᾶς, ἧς κατεφθάρκατε, καὶ τῶν φόρων τῶν πόλεων ἄλλα τάλαντα πεντακόσια· εἰ δὲ μή, παραγενόμενοι ἐκπολεμήσομεν ὑμᾶς.

32 καὶ ἦλθεν ᾿Αθηνόβιος φίλος τοῦ βασιλέως εἰς ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ εἶδε τὴν δόξαν Σίμωνος καὶ κυλικεῖον μετὰ χρυσωμάτων καὶ ἀργυρωμάτων καὶ παράστασιν ἱκανὴν καὶ ἐξίστατο καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῶ τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βασιλέως.

33 καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς Σίμων εἶπεν αὐτῷ· οὔτε γῆν ἀλλοτρίαν εἰλήφαμεν οὔτε ἀλλοτρίων κεκρατήκαμεν, ἀλλὰ τῆς κληρονομίας τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν, ὑπὸ δὲ ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν ἔν τινι καιρῷ ἀκρίτως κατεκρατήθη·

34 ἡμεῖς δὲ καιρὸν ἔχοντες ἀντεχόμεθα τῆς κληρονομίας τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν.

35 περὶ δὲ ᾿Ιόππης καὶ Γαζάρων, ὧν αἰτεῖς, αὗται ἐποίουν ἐν τῷ λαῷ πληγὴν μεγάλην κατὰ τὴν χώραν ἡμῶν, τούτων δώσομεν τάλαντα ἑκατόν. καὶ οὐκ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ᾿Αθηνόβιος λόγον,

36 ἀπέστρεψε δὲ μετὰ θυμοῦ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν αὐτῷ τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ τὴν δόξαν Σίμωνος καὶ πάντα, ὅσα εἶδε, καὶ ὠργίσθη ὁ βασιλεὺς ὀργὴν μεγάλην.

37 Τρύφων δὲ ἐμβὰς εἰς πλοῖον ἔφυγεν εἰς ᾿Ορθωσιάδα.

38 καὶ κατέστησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸν Κενδεβαῖον στρατηγὸν τῆς παραλίας καὶ δυνάμεις πεζικὰς καὶ ἱππικὰς ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ·

39 καὶ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ παρεμβαλεῖν κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας καὶ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ οἰκοδομῆσαι τὴν Κεδρὼν καὶ ὀχυρῶσαι τὰς πύλας καὶ ὅπως πολεμήσῃ τὸν λαόν· ὁ δὲ βασιλεὺς ἐδίωκε τὸν Τρύφωνα.

40 καὶ παρεγενήθη Κενδεβαῖος εἰς ᾿Ιάμνειαν καὶ ἤρξατο τοῦ ἐρεθίζειν τὸν λαὸν καὶ ἐμβατεύειν εἰς τὴν ᾿Ιουδαίαν καὶ αἰχμαλωτίζειν τὸν λαὸν καὶ φονεύειν,

41 καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν Κεδρὼν καὶ ἔταξεν ἐκεῖ ἱππεῖς καὶ δυνάμεις, ὅπως ἐκπορευόμενοι ἐξοδεύωσι τὰς ὁδοὺς τῆς ᾿Ιουδαίας, καθὰ συνέταξεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεύς.

16

ΚΑΙ ἀνέβη ᾿Ιωάννης ἐκ Γαζάρων καὶ ἀπήγγειλε Σίμωνι τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ἃ συνετέλει Κενδεβαῖος.

2 καὶ ἐκάλεσε Σίμων τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους ᾿Ιούδαν καὶ ᾿Ιωάννην καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἐγὼ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός μου ἐπολεμήσαμεν τοὺς πολεμίους ᾿Ισραὴλ ἀπὸ νεότητος ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, καὶ εὐωδώθη ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν ἡμῶν ρύσασθαι τὸν ᾿Ισραὴλ πλεονάκις.

3 νῦν δὲ γεγήρακα, καὶ ὑμεῖς δὲ ἐν τῶ ἐλέει ἱκανοί ἐστε ἐν τοῖς ἔτεσι· γίνεσθε ἀντ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου καὶ ἐξελθόντες ὑπερμαχεῖτε ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἔθνους ἡμῶν, ἡ δὲ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ βοήθεια ἔστω μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν.

4 καὶ ἐπέλεξεν ἐκ τῆς χώρας εἴκοσι χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν πολεμιστῶν καὶ ἱππεῖς, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἐπὶ τὸν Κενδεβαῖον καὶ ἐκοιμήθησαν ἐν Μωδεΐν.

5 καὶ ἀναστάντες τὸ πρωΐ ἐπορεύοντο εἰς τὸ πεδίον, καὶ ἰδοὺ δύναμις πολλὴ εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτοῖς, πεζικὴ καὶ ἱππεῖς, καὶ ἦν χειμάρρους ἀναμέσον αὐτῶν.

6 καὶ παρενέβαλε κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν αὐτὸς καὶ ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ. καὶ εἶδε τὸν λαὸν δειλούμενον διαπερᾶσαι τὸν χειμάρρουν καὶ διεπέρασε πρῶτος· καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες καὶ διεπέρασαν κατόπισθεν αὐτοῦ.

7 καὶ διεῖλε τὸν λαὸν καὶ τοὺς ἱππεῖς ἐν μέσῳ τῶν πεζῶν· ἡ δὲ ἵππος τῶν ὑπεναντίων πολλὴ σφόδρα.

8 καὶ ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς ἱεραῖς σάλπιγξι, καὶ ἐτροπώθη Κενδεβαῖος καὶ ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔπεσον ἐξ αὐτῶν τραυματίαι πολλοί· οἱ δὲ καταλειφθέντες ἔφυγον εἰς τὸ ὀχύρωμα.

9 τότε ἐτραυματίσθη ᾿Ιούδας ὁ ἀδελφὸς ᾿Ιωάννου· ᾿Ιωάννης δὲ κατεδίωξεν αὐτοὺς ἕως ἦλθεν εἰς Κεδρών, ἣν ᾠκοδόμησε.

10 καὶ ἔφυγον ἕως εἰς τοὺς πύργους τοὺς ἐν τοῖς ἀγροῖς ᾿Αζώτου, καὶ ἐνεπύρισεν αὐτὴν ἐν πυρί, καὶ ἔπεσον ἐξ αὐτῶν εἰς ἄνδρας δισχιλίους καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν εἰς γῆν ᾿Ιούδα μετ᾿ εἰρήνης.

11 Καὶ Πτολεμαῖος ὁ τοῦ ᾿Αβούβου ἦν καθεσταμένος στρατηγὸς εἰς τὸ πεδίον ῾Ιεριχὼ καὶ ἔσχεν ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον πολύ·

12 ἦν γὰρ γαμβρὸς τοῦ ἀρχιερέως.

13 καὶ ὑψώθη ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἠβουλήθη κατακρατῆσαι τῆς χώρας καὶ ἐβουλεύετο δόλῳ κατὰ Σίμωνος καὶ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ ἆραι αὐτούς.

14 Σίμων δὲ ἦν ἐφοδεύων τὰς πόλεις τὰς ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ καὶ φροντίζων τῆς ἐπιμελείας αὐτῶν· καὶ κατέβη εἰς ῾Ιεριχὼ αὐτὸς καὶ Ματταθίας καὶ ᾿Ιούδας οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἔτους ἑβδόμου καὶ ἑβδομηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ ἐν μηνὶ ἑνδεκάτῳ (οὗτος ὁ μὴν Σαβάτ).

15 καὶ ὑπεδέξατο αὐτοὺς ὁ τοῦ ᾿Αβούβου εἰς τὸ ὀχυρωμάτιον τὸ καλούμενον Δὼκ μετὰ δόλου, ὃ ᾠκοδόμησε, καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτοῖς πότον μέγαν καὶ ἐνέκρυψεν ἐκεῖ ἄνδρας.

16 καὶ ὅτε ἐμεθύσθη Σίμων καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ, ἐξανέστη Πτολεμαῖος καὶ οἱ παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐλάβοσαν τὰ ὅπλα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπεισήλθοσαν τῷ Σίμωνι εἰς τὸ συμπόσιον καὶ ἀπέκτειναν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς δύο υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καί τινας τῶν παιδαρίων αὐτοῦ.

17 καὶ ἐποίησεν ἀθεσίαν μεγάλην, καὶ ἀπέδωκε κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν.

18 καὶ ἔγραψε ταῦτα Πτολεμαῖος καὶ ἀπέστειλε τῷ βασιλεῖ, ὅπως ἀποστείλῃ αὐτῷ δυνάμεις εἰς βοήθειαν καὶ παραδῷ αὐτῷ τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς πόλεις.

19 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἑτέρους εἰς Γάζαρα ἆραι τὸν ᾿Ιωάννην, καὶ τοῖς χιλιάρχοις ἀπέστειλεν ἐπιστολὰς παραγενέσθαι πρὸς αὐτόν, ὅπως δῷ αὐτοῖς ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ δόματα,

20 καὶ ἑτέρους ἀπέστειλε καταλαβέσθαι τὴν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ τὸ ὄρος τοῦ ἱεροῦ.

21 καὶ προδραμών τις ἀπήγγειλεν ᾿Ιωάννῃ εἰς Γάζαρα ὅτι ἀπώλετο ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ὅτι ἀπέσταλκε καὶ σὲ ἀποκτεῖναι.

22 καὶ ἀκούσας ἐξέστη σφόδρα καὶ συνέλαβε τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς ἐλθόντας ἀπολέσαι αὐτὸν καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτούς, ἐπέγνω γὰρ ὅτι ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν ἀπολέσαι.

23 Καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ τῶν λόγων ᾿Ιωάννου καὶ τῶν πολέμων αὐτοῦ καὶ τῶν ἀνδραγαθιῶν αὐτοῦ, ὧν ἠνδραγάθησε, καὶ τῆς οἰκοδομῆς τῶν τειχέων, ὧν ᾠκοδόμησε, καὶ τῶν πράξεων αὐτοῦ,

24 ἰδοὺ ταῦτα γέγραπται ἐπὶ βιβλίῳ ἡμερῶν ἀρχιερωσύνης αὐτοῦ, ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἐγενήθη ἀρχιερεὺς μετὰ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ.

MACCABEES 1

11

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 customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.

36 And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.

37 Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.

38 After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

39 Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander’s part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,

40 And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father’s stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.

41 In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.

42 So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.

43 Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.

44 Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

45 Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.

46 Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.

47 Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.

48 Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.

49 So when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,

50 Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.

51 With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.

52 So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.

53 Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.

54 After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.

55 Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.

56 Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.

57 At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king’s friends.

58 Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.

59 His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt.

60 Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon, they of the city met him honourably.

61 From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.

62 Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through the country unto Damascus.

63 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,

64 He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.

65 Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:

66 But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.

67 As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.

68 And, behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.

69 So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were of Jonathan’s side fled;

70 Insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the host.

71 Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.

72 Afterwards turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.

73 Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.

74 So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

12

Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

2 He sent letters also to the Spartans, and to other places, for the same purpose.

3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.

4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

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

6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.

11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:

12 And we are right glad of your honour.

13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

20 Areus king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting:

21 It is found in writing, that the Spartans and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our’s, and our’s are your’s We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.

24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,

25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth sentinels round about the host.

28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,

33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.

34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius’ part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.

42 Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;

43 But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.

44 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?

45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan’s company.

50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.

51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

53 Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.

13

Now when Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a great host to invade the land of Judea, and destroy it,

2 And saw that the people was in great trembling and fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together,

3 And gave them exhortation, saying, Ye yourselves know what great things I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, the battles also and troubles which we have seen.

4 By reason whereof all my brethren are slain for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone.

5 Now therefore be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of trouble: for I am no better than my brethren.

6 Doubtless I will avenge my nation, and the sanctuary, and our wives, and our children: for all the heathen are gathered to destroy us of very malice.

7 Now as soon as the people heard these words, their spirit revived.

8 And they answered with a loud voice, saying, Thou shalt be our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan thy brother.

9 Fight thou our battles, and whatsoever, thou commandest us, that will we do.

10 So then he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.

11 Also he sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, and with him a great power, to Joppa: who casting out them that were therein remained there in it.

12 So Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great power to invade the land of Judea, and Jonathan was with him in ward.

13 But Simon pitched his tents at Adida, over against the plain.

14 Now when Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers unto him, saying,

15 Whereas we have Jonathan thy brother in hold, it is for money that he is owing unto the kings treasure, concerning the business that was committed unto him.

16 Wherefore now send an hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons for hostages, that when he is at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will let him go.

17 Hereupon Simon, albeit he perceived that they spake deceitfully unto him yet sent he the money and the children, lest peradventure he should procure to himself great hatred of the people:

18 Who might have said, Because I sent him not the money and the children, therefore is Jonathan dead.

19 So he sent them the children and the hundred talents: howbeit Tryphon dissembled neither would he let Jonathan go.

20 And after this came Tryphon to invade the land, and destroy it, going round about by the way that leadeth unto Adora: but Simon and his host marched against him in every place, wheresoever he went.

21 Now they that were in the tower sent messengers unto Tryphon, to the end that he should hasten his coming unto them by the wilderness, and send them victuals.

22 Wherefore Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night: but there fell a very great snow, by reason whereof he came not. So he departed, and came into the country of Galaad.

23 And when he came near to Bascama he slew Jonathan, who was buried there.

24 Afterward Tryphon returned and went into his own land.

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

26 And all Israel made great lamentation for him, and bewailed him many days.

27 Simon also built a monument upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren, and raised it aloft to the sight, with hewn stone behind and before.

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

29 And in these he made cunning devices, about the which he set great pillars, and upon the pillars he made all their armour for a perpetual memory, and by the armour ships carved, that they might be seen of all that sail on the sea.

30 This is the sepulchre which he made at Modin, and it standeth yet unto this day.

31 Now Tryphon dealt deceitfully with the young king Antiochus, and slew him.

32 And he reigned in his stead, and crowned himself king of Asia, and brought a great calamity upon the land.

33 Then Simon built up the strong holds in Judea, and fenced them about with high towers, and great walls, and gates, and bars, and laid up victuals therein.

34 Moreover Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end he should give the land an immunity, because all that Tryphon did was to spoil.

35 Unto whom king Demetrius answered and wrote after this manner:

36 King Demetrius unto Simon the high priest, and friend of kings, as also unto the elders and nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:

37 The golden crown, and the scarlet robe, which ye sent unto us, we have received: and we are ready to make a stedfast peace with you, yea, and to write unto our officers, to confirm the immunities which we have granted.

38 And whatsoever covenants we have made with you shall stand; and the strong holds, which ye have builded, shall be your own.

39 As for any oversight or fault committed unto this day, we forgive it, and the crown tax also, which ye owe us: and if there were any other tribute paid in Jerusalem, it shall no more be paid.

40 And look who are meet among you to be in our court, let then be enrolled, and let there be peace betwixt us.

41 Thus the yoke of the heathen was taken away from Israel in the hundred and seventieth year.

42 Then the people of Israel began to write in their instruments and contracts, In the first year of Simon the high priest, the governor and leader of the Jews.

43 In those days Simon camped against Gaza and besieged it round about; he made also an engine of war, and set it by the city, and battered a certain tower, and took it.

44 And they that were in the engine leaped into the city; whereupon there was a great uproar in the city:

45 Insomuch as the people of the city rent their clothes, and climbed upon the walls with their wives and children, and cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.

46 And they said, Deal not with us according to our wickedness, but according to thy mercy.

47 So Simon was appeased toward them, and fought no more against them, but put them out of the city, and cleansed the houses wherein the idols were, and so entered into it with songs and thanksgiving.

48 Yea, he put all uncleanness out of it, and placed such men there as would keep the law, and made it stronger than it was before, and built therein a dwellingplace for himself.

49 They also of the tower in Jerusalem were kept so strait, that they could neither come forth, nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell: wherefore they were in great distress for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine.

50 Then cried they to Simon, beseeching him to be at one with them: which thing he granted them; and when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions:

51 And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel.

52 He ordained also that that day should be kept every year with gladness. Moreover the hill of the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he dwelt himself with his company.

53 And when Simon saw that John his son was a valiant man, he made him captain of all the hosts; and he dwelt in Gazera.

14

Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphon.

2 But when Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive:

3 Who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward.

4 As for the land of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well.

5 And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea,

6 And enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country,

7 And gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleanness, neither was there any that resisted him.

8 Then did they till their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit.

9 The ancient men sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel.

10 He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world.

11 He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy:

12 For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them:

13 Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days.

14 Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away.

15 He beautified the sanctuary, and multiplied vessels of the temple.

16 Now when it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead, they were very sorry.

17 But as soon as they heard that his brother Simon was made high priest in his stead, and ruled the country, and the cities therein:

18 They wrote unto him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and league which they had made with Judas and Jonathan his brethren:

19 Which writings were read before the congregation at Jerusalem.

20 And this is the copy of the letters that the Spartans sent; The rulers of the Spartans, with the city, unto Simon the high priest, and the elders, and priests, and residue of the people of the Jews, our brethren, send greeting:

21 The ambassadors that were sent unto our people certified us of your glory and honour: wherefore we were glad of their coming,

22 And did register the things that they spake in the council of the people in this manner; Numenius son of Antiochus, and Antipater son of Jason, the Jews’ ambassadors, came unto us to renew the friendship they had with us.

23 And it pleased the people to entertain the men honourably, and to put the copy of their ambassage in publick records, to the end the people of the Lacedemonians might have a memorial thereof: furthermore we have written a copy thereof unto Simon the high priest.

24 After this Simon sent Numenius to Rome with a great shield of gold of a thousand pound weight to confirm the league with them.

25 Whereof when the people heard, they said, What thanks shall we give to Simon and his sons?

26 For he and his brethren and the house of his father have established Israel, and chased away in fight their enemies from them, and confirmed their liberty. So then they wrote it in tables of brass, which they set upon pillars in mount Sion:

27  and this is the copy of the writing; The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred threescore and twelfth year, being the third year of Simon the high priest,

28 At Saramel in the great congregation of the priests, and people, and rulers of the nation, and elders of the country, were these things notified unto us.

29 Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary, and the law, Simon the son of Mattathias, of the posterity of Jarib, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honour:

30 (For after that Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was added to his people,

31 Their enemies prepared to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the sanctuary:

32 At which time Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation and gave them wages,

33 And fortified the cities of Judea, together with Bethsura, that lieth upon the borders of Judea, where the armour of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Jews there:

34 Moreover he fortified Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gazera, that bordereth upon Azotus, where the enemies had dwelt before: but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof.)

35 The people therefore sang the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people.

36 For in his time things prospered in his hands, so that the heathen were taken out of their country, and they also that were in the city of David in Jerusalem, who had made themselves a tower, out of which they issued, and polluted all about the sanctuary, and did much hurt in the holy place:

37 But he placed Jews therein. and fortified it for the safety of the country and the city, and raised up the walls of Jerusalem.

38 King Demetrius also confirmed him in the high priesthood according to those things,

39 And made him one of his friends, and honoured him with great honour.

40 For he had heard say, that the Romans had called the Jews their friends and confederates and brethren; and that they had entertained the ambassadors of Simon honourably;

41 Also that the Jews and priests were well pleased that Simon should be their governor and high priest for ever, until there should arise a faithful prophet;

42 Moreover that he should be their captain, and should take charge of the sanctuary, to set them over their works, and over the country, and over the armour, and over the fortresses, that, I say, he should take charge of the sanctuary;

43 Beside this, that he should be obeyed of every man, and that all the writings in the country should be made in his name, and that he should be clothed in purple, and wear gold:

44 Also that it should be lawful for none of the people or priests to break any of these things, or to gainsay his words, or to gather an assembly in the country without him, or to be clothed in purple, or wear a buckle of gold;

45 And whosoever should do otherwise, or break any of these things, he should be punished.

46 Thus it liked all the people to deal with Simon, and to do as hath been said.

47 Then Simon accepted hereof, and was well pleased to be high priest, and captain and governor of the Jews and priests, and to defend them all.

48 So they commanded that this writing should be put in tables of brass, and that they should be set up within the compass of the sanctuary in a conspicuous place;

49 Also that the copies thereof should be laid up in the treasury, to the end that Simon and his sons might have them.

15

Moreover Antiochus son of Demetrius the king sent letters from the isles of the sea unto Simon the priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people;

2 The contents whereof were these: King Antiochus to Simon the high priest and prince of his nation, and to the people of the Jews, greeting:

3 Forasmuch as certain pestilent men have usurped the kingdom of our fathers, and my purpose is to challenge it again, that I may restore it to the old estate, and to that end have gathered a multitude of foreign soldiers together, and prepared ships of war;

4 My meaning also being to go through the country, that I may be avenged of them that have destroyed it, and made many cities in the kingdom desolate:

5 Now therefore I confirm unto thee all the oblations which the kings before me granted thee, and whatsoever gifts besides they granted.

6 I give thee leave also to coin money for thy country with thine own stamp.

7 And as concerning Jerusalem and the sanctuary, let them be free; and all the armour that thou hast made, and fortresses that thou hast built, and keepest in thine hands, let them remain unto thee.

8 And if anything be, or shall be, owing to the king, let it be forgiven thee from this time forth for evermore.

9 Furthermore, when we have obtained our kingdom, we will honour thee, and thy nation, and thy temple, with great honour, so that your honour shall be known throughout the world.

10 In the hundred threescore and fourteenth year went Antiochus into the land of his fathers: at which time all the forces came together unto him, so that few were left with Tryphon.

11 Wherefore being pursued by king Antiochus, he fled unto Dora, which lieth by the sea side:

12 For he saw that troubles came upon him all at once, and that his forces had forsaken him.

13 Then camped Antiochus against Dora, having with him an hundred and twenty thousand men of war, and eight thousand horsemen.

14 And when he had compassed the city round about, and joined ships close to the town on the sea side, he vexed the city by land and by sea, neither suffered he any to go out or in.

15 In the mean season came Numenius and his company from Rome, having letters to the kings and countries; wherein were written these things:

16 Lucius, consul of the Romans unto king Ptolemee, greeting:

17 The Jews’ ambassadors, our friends and confederates, came unto us to renew the old friendship and league, being sent from Simon the high priest, and from the people of the Jews:

18 And they brought a shield of gold of a thousand pound.

19 We thought it good therefore to write unto the kings and countries, that they should do them no harm, nor fight against them, their cities, or countries, nor yet aid their enemies against them.

20 It seemed also good to us to receive the shield of them.

21 If therefore there be any pestilent fellows, that have fled from their country unto you, deliver them unto Simon the high priest, that he may punish them according to their own law.

22 The same things wrote he likewise unto Demetrius the king, and Attalus, to Ariarathes, and Arsaces,

23 And to all the countries and to Sampsames, and the Spartans, and to Delus, and Myndus, and Sicyon, and Caria, and Samos, and Pamphylia, and Lycia, and Halicarnassus, and Rhodus, and Aradus, and Cos, and Side, and Aradus, and Gortyna, and Cnidus, and Cyprus, and Cyrene.

24 And the copy hereof they wrote to Simon the high priest.

25 So Antiochus the king camped against Dora the second day, assaulting it continually, and making engines, by which means he shut up Tryphon, that he could neither go out nor in.

26 At that time Simon sent him two thousand chosen men to aid him; silver also, and gold, and much armour.

27 Nevertheless he would not receive them, but brake all the covenants which he had made with him afore, and became strange unto him.

28 Furthermore he sent unto him Athenobius, one of his friends, to commune with him, and say, Ye withhold Joppa and Gazera; with the tower that is in Jerusalem, which are cities of my realm.

29 The borders thereof ye have wasted, and done great hurt in the land, and got the dominion of many places within my kingdom.

30 Now therefore deliver the cities which ye have taken, and the tributes of the places, whereof ye have gotten dominion without the borders of Judea:

31 Or else give me for them five hundred talents of silver; and for the harm that ye have done, and the tributes of the cities, other five hundred talents: if not, we will come and fight against you

32 So Athenobius the king’s friend came to Jerusalem: and when he saw the glory of Simon, and the cupboard of gold and silver plate, and his great attendance, he was astonished, and told him the king’s message.

33 Then answered Simon, and said unto him, We have neither taken other men’s land, nor holden that which appertaineth to others, but the inheritance of our fathers, which our enemies had wrongfully in possession a certain time.

34 Wherefore we, having opportunity, hold the inheritance of our fathers.

35 And whereas thou demandest Joppa and Gazera, albeit they did great harm unto the people in our country, yet will we give thee an hundred talents for them. Hereunto Athenobius answered him not a word;

36 But returned in a rage to the king, and made report unto him of these speeches, and of the glory of Simon, and of all that he had seen: whereupon the king was exceeding wroth.

37 In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosias.

38 Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him an host of footmen and horsemen,

39 And commanded him to remove his host toward Judea; also he commanded him to build up Cedron, and to fortify the gates, and to war against the people; but as for the king himself, he pursued Tryphon.

40 So Cendebeus came to Jamnia and began to provoke the people and to invade Judea, and to take the people prisoners, and slay them.

41 And when he had built up Cedron, he set horsemen there, and an host of footmen, to the end that issuing out they might make outroads upon the ways of Judea, as the king had commanded him.

16

Then came up John from Gazera, and told Simon his father what Cendebeus had done.

2 Wherefore Simon called his two eldest sons, Judas and John, and said unto them, I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have ever from my youth unto this day fought against the enemies of Israel; and things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered Israel oftentimes.

3 But now I am old, and ye, by God’s mercy, are of a sufficient age: be ye instead of me and my brother, and go and fight for our nation, and the help from heaven be with you.

4 So he chose out of the country twenty thousand men of war with horsemen, who went out against Cendebeus, and rested that night at Modin.

5 And when as they rose in the morning, and went into the plain, behold, a mighty great host both of footmen and horsemen came against them: howbeit there was a water brook betwixt them.

6 So he and his people pitched over against them: and when he saw that the people were afraid to go over the water brook, he went first over himself, and then the men seeing him passed through after him.

7 That done, he divided his men, and set the horsemen in the midst of the footmen: for the enemies’ horsemen were very many.

8 Then sounded they with the holy trumpets: whereupon Cendebeus and his host were put to flight, so that many of them were slain, and the remnant gat them to the strong hold.

9 At that time was Judas John’s brother wounded; but John still followed after them, until he came to Cedron, which Cendebeus had built.

10 So they fled even unto the towers in the fields of Azotus; wherefore he burned it with fire: so that there were slain of them about two thousand men. Afterward he returned into the land of Judea in peace.

11 Moreover in the plain of Jericho was Ptolemeus the son of Abubus made captain, and he had abundance of silver and gold:

12 For he was the high priest’s son in law.

13 Wherefore his heart being lifted up, he thought to get the country to himself, and thereupon consulted deceitfully against Simon and his sons to destroy them.

14 Now Simon was visiting the cities that were in the country, and taking care for the good ordering of them; at which time he came down himself to Jericho with his sons, Mattathias and Judas, in the hundred threescore and seventeenth year, in the eleventh month, called Sabat:

15 Where the son of Abubus receiving them deceitfully into a little hold, called Docus, which he had built, made them a great banquet: howbeit he had hid men there.

16 So when Simon and his sons had drunk largely, Ptolemee and his men rose up, and took their weapons, and came upon Simon into the banqueting place, and slew him, and his two sons, and certain of his servants.

17 In which doing he committed a great treachery, and recompensed evil for good.

18 Then Ptolemee wrote these things, and sent to the king, that he should send him an host to aid him, and he would deliver him the country and cities.

19 He sent others also to Gazera to kill John: and unto the tribunes he sent letters to come unto him, that he might give them silver, and gold, and rewards.

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

21 Now one had run afore to Gazera and told John that his father and brethren were slain, and, quoth he, Ptolemee hath sent to slay thee also.

22 Hereof when he heard, he was sore astonished: so he laid hands on them that were come to destroy him, and slew them; for he knew that they sought to make him away.

23 As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings,

24 Behold, these are written in the chronicles of his priesthood, from the time he was made high priest after his father.
 

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