Before Book 46 2 Machabees
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1 Machabees Chapter 13
Simon is made captain general in the room of his brother. Jonathan is slain by Tryphon. Simon is favoured by Demetrius: he taketh Gaza, and the castle of Jerusalem.
13:1. Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy it.
13:2. And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,
13:3. And exhorted them, saying: You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws, and the sanctuary, and the distresses that we have seen:
13:4. By reason whereof all my brethren have lost their lives for Israel's sake, and I am left alone.
13:5. And now far be it from me to spare my life in any time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.
13:6. I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered together to destroy us out of mere malice.
13:7. And the spirit of the people was enkindled as soon as they heard these words:
13:8. And they answered with a loud voice, saying: Thou art our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, thy brother:
13:9. Fight thou our battles, and we will do whatsoever thou shalt say to us.
13:10. So gathering together all the men of war, he made haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.
13:11. And he sent Jonathan, the son of Absalom, and with him a new army, into Joppe, and he cast out them that were in it, and himself remained there.
13:12. And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a great army, to invade the land of Juda, and Jonathan was with him in custody.
13:13. But Simon pitched in Addus, over against the plain.
13:14. And when Tryphon understood that Simon was risen up in the place of his brother, Jonathan, and that he meant to join battle with him, he sent messengers to him,
13:15. Saying: We have detained thy brother, Jonathan, for the money that he owed in the king's account, by reason of the affairs which he had the management of.
13:16. But now send a hundred talents of silver, and his two sons for hostages, that when he is set at liberty he may not revolt from us, and we will release him.
13:17. Now Simon knew that he spoke deceitfully to him; nevertheless, he ordered the money and the children to be sent, lest he should bring upon himself a great hatred of the people of Israel, who might have said:
13:18. Because he sent not the money and the children therefore is he lost.
13:19. So he sent the children and the hundred talents and he lied, and did not let Jonathan go.
13:20. And after this, Tryphon entered within the country, to destroy it: and they went about by the way that leadeth to Ador: and Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever they went.
Simon and his army marched to every place whithersoever they went... That is, whithersoever Tryphon and his horsemen went in order to oppose them.
13:21. And they that were in the castle, sent messengers to Tryphon, that he should make haste to come through the desert, and send them victuals.
13:22. And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen to come that night; but there fell a very great snow, and he came not into the country of Galaad.
13:23. And when he approached to Bascama, he slew Jonathan and his sons there.
13:24. And Tryphon returned, and went into his own country.
13:25. And Simon sent, and took the bones of Jonathan, his brother, and buried them in Modin, the city of his fathers.
13:26. And all Israel bewailed him with great lamentation: and they mourned for him many days.
13:27. And Simon built over the sepulchre of his father and of his brethren, a building lofty to the sight, of polished stone, behind and before:
13:28. And he set up seven pyramids, one against another, for his father, and his mother, and his four brethren:
13:29. And round about these he set great pillars; and upon the pillars, arms, for a perpetual memory; and by the arms, ships carved, which might be seen by all that sailed on the sea.
13:30. This is the sepulchre that he made in Modin, even unto this day.
13:31. But Tryphon, when he was upon a journey with the young king, Antiochus, treacherously slew him.
13:32. And he reigned in his place, and put on the crown of Asia: and brought great evils upon the land.
13:33. And Simon built up the strong holds of Judea, fortifying them with high towers, and great walls, and gates and bars: and he stored up victuals in the fortresses.
13:34. And Simon chose men, and sent to king Demetrius, to the end that he should grant an immunity to the land; for all that Tryphon did, was to spoil.
13:35. And king Demetrius, in answer to this request, wrote a letter in this manner:
13:36. King Demetrius to Simon, the high priest, and friend of kings, and to the ancients, and to the nation of the Jews, greeting:
13:37. The golden crown, and the palm, which you sent, we have received: and we are ready to make a firm peace with you, and to write to the king's chief officers to release you the things that we have released.