Septuagint (Greek Old Testament)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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,

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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:

and we are right glad of your honour.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Then all the heathen that were round about them 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.

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

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

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,

by reason whereof all my brethren are slain for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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