FIRST MACCABEES 9.31-10.11

"...we have chosen you in his place, that you might be a ruler over us, to be our leader and to wage war against our enemies." ^31 And Jonathan accepted the leadership at that time and rose up in place of his brother Judas. ^32 When Bacchides The Seleucid general and governor who opposed the Maccabees learned of this, he sought to kill Jonathan and his brother Simon. ^33 But they fled to the wilderness of Tekoa and came to camp by the waters of Asphar original: "Aktasapha". ^34 And Bacchides learned of this on the Sabbath day, and he himself came and camped with all his forces on the other side of the Jordan River. ^35 And Jonathan sent his brother John, a commander of the people, who was a leader of a great multitude, to appeal to the Nabateans original: "Abaratans", their friends, asking them to take charge of their baggage and all the goods that remained in their possession. ^36 But the sons of Jambri, who were in Medeba original: "Damaspa", came out and seized John and took him away with all the goods they had with them.

^37 After these events, it was reported to Jonathan and his brother Simon that the sons of Jambri were celebrating a wedding; they were bringing the bride from Nadabath original: "Abghadata", the daughter of one of the great nobles of the Canaanites, with a great procession and immense pomp. ^38 Remembering the death of their brother John, they went up and hid in a cave in the mountainside. ^39 They lifted their eyes and saw a great commotion and much baggage; the bridegroom came out with his friends and brothers, with trumpets and drums and various musicians, and many armed men. ^40 Then Jonathan and his men rose up from their ambush and killed many of them, wounding others, while the rest fled; they took all their goods as spoil and silenced the music. ^41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning, and the voice of their musicians into lamentation and wailing. ^42 Having fully avenged the blood of their brother, they returned to the marshes of the Jordan River.

^43 When Bacchides heard of this, he took his army and marched against them, reaching the banks of the Jordan on the Sabbath day. ^44 Jonathan said to his troops, "Come, let us stand and fight for our lives, for today is not like yesterday or the days before. ^45 Behold, the battle is before us; there is no place to hide and no plain to flee to, and the waters of the Jordan surround us on every side. ^46 Now, cry out to Heaven that you may be delivered from the hands of our enemies." After saying these words, he joined the battle and lunged at Bacchides. ^47 Just as he was about to strike him, Bacchides recoiled and escaped. ^48 Then Jonathan and those with him leaped into the Jordan and swam to the other side original: "from the cave". ^49 That day, a thousand men of Bacchides' army fell from the Judean company, and they returned to Jerusalem.

^50 Then they began to build fortified cities in the land of Judea: the fortresses of Jericho, Emmaus, Beth-horon, Bethel, Thamnata-Pharathon original: "Mnnatharowthay", and Tephon original: "Stephay", with high walls, strong gates, and firm bars. ^51 He placed garrisons in them to harass the Israelites. ^52 He also fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gezer, and the Citadel The Akra in Jerusalem, placing many troops and ample provisions in them. ^53 He took the sons of the leaders of the land as hostages and put them under guard in the Citadel of Jerusalem.

^54 In the one hundred and fifty-third year of the Seleucid era, approx. 159 BCE, in the second month, Alcimus original: "Jakimos," the Hellenizing High Priest commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary be torn down, thus destroying the work of the prophets. ^55 At that very time, Alcimus was struck with a stroke, and his work

was halted. His mouth was shut and he was paralyzed, unable to speak a single word or give orders concerning his house. ^56 And Alcimus died at that time in great agony. ^57 When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the King, and the land of Judea had peace for two years.

^58 Then the lawless men plotted together, saying, "Behold, Jonathan and those with him are living in peace and security. Now, let us bring Bacchides, and he will capture them all in a single night." ^59 They went and consulted with him. ^60 He set out to come quickly with a large army. He sent secret letters to all his associates in Judea to seize Jonathan and his companions, but they were unable to do so, for their plot became known. ^61 Jonathan's men seized fifty of the ringleaders of this wickedness in the land and executed them. ^62 Then Jonathan, Simon, and their followers retreated to Beth-basi original: "Bethbes" in the wilderness; they rebuilt its ruins and fortified it. ^63 When Bacchides learned of this, he gathered all his host and came to besiege it. ^64 He fought against Beth-basi for many days and set up siege engines around it.

^65 Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city and went out into the countryside with a small number of men. ^66 He struck down Odomera and his brothers, and the sons of Phasiron in their tents, and began to attack the besieging forces. ^67 Then Simon and those with him broke out of the city and set fire to the siege engines. ^68 They fought against Bacchides and defeated him; his plan and his expedition were in vain. ^69 He was enraged with the lawless men who had advised him to come into the land; he killed many of them and decided to return to his own country. ^70 When Jonathan learned of this, he sent envoys to him to make peace and to have the captives returned. ^71 Bacchides agreed and did as Jonathan requested, swearing that he would never again seek to harm him as long as he lived. ^72 He returned the captives he had previously taken from the land of Judea and went back to his own land, never again entering their borders. ^73 Thus the sword ceased in Israel. Jonathan lived in Michmash and began to judge his people, destroying the lawless from Israel.

10

In the one hundred and sixtieth year approx. 152 BCE, Alexander Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus, set out and took the city of Ptolemais. The people welcomed him, and he began his reign there. ^2 When King Demetrius heard of this, he gathered a large army and went out to meet him in battle. ^3 Demetrius sent words of peace to Jonathan to honor him, ^4 for he said, "Let us hurry to make a treaty of peace with him before he makes one with Alexander against us. ^5 For I remember the evils we did to him, his brothers, and his people." ^6 He gave Jonathan authority to gather an army and prepare weapons to be his ally, and he ordered that the hostages in the Citadel be released to him. ^7 So Jonathan came to Jerusalem and read the letters before all the people and those in the fortress. ^8 They were very afraid when they heard that the King had given him authority to raise an army. ^9 However, they released the hostages to him, and he returned them to their families. ^10 Jonathan settled in Jerusalem and began to rebuild and renovate the city. ^11 He told those who were doing the work...