1 Maccabees
12:1 Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and
sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had
with them.
12:2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the
same purpose.
12:3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan
the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the
end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league,
as in former time.
12:4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place
that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.
12:5 And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the
Lacedemonians:
12:6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests,
and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send
greeting:
12:7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from
Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren,
as the copy here underwritten doth specify.
12:8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably,
and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and
friendship.
12:9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the
holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,
12:10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of
brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you
altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.
12:11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other
convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and
in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our
brethren:
12:12 And we are right glad of your honour.
12:13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side,
forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.
12:14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our
confederates and friends, in these wars:
12:15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered
from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
12:16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he
son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we
had with them, and the former league.
12:17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you
our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
12:18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
12:19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
12:20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
12:21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren,
and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
12:22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to
write unto us of your prosperity.
12:23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and
our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report
unto you on this wise.
12:24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight
against him with a greater host than afore,
12:25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he
gave them no respite to enter his country.
12:26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that
they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.
12:27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to
watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to
fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.
12:28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for
battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled
fires in their camp.
12:29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they
saw the lights burning.
12:30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were
gone over the river Eleutherus.
12:31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans,
and smote them, and took their spoils.
12:32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the
country,
12:33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and
the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won
it.
12:34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took
Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.
12:35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the
people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in
Judea,
12:36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount
between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that
so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.
12:37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of
the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they
repaired that which was called Caphenatha.
12:38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and
bars.
12:39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus
the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.
12:40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he
would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan,
that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.
12:41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for
the battle, and came to Bethsan.
12:42 Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not
stretch his hand against him;
12:43 But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and
gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him,
as to himself.
12:44 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so
great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?
12:45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on
thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and
the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge:
as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.
12:46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host,
who went into the land of Judea.
12:47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two
thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.
12:48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut
the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with
the sword.
12:49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into
the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.
12:50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken
and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together,
prepared to fight.
12:51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready
to fight for their lives, turned back again.
12:52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they
bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore
afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.
12:53 Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them:
for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore
let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.
