The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 622

12:16. We have chosen, therefore, Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance.

12:17. And we have commanded them to go also to you, and salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

12:18. And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto.

12:19. And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:

12:20. Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the high priest, greeting.

12:21. It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.

12:22. And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.

12:23. And we also have written back to you, That our cattle, and our possessions, are yours: and yours, ours. We, therefore, have commanded that these things should be told you.

12:24. Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.

12:25. So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.

12:26. And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back, and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.

12:27. And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.

12:28. And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle: and they were struck with fear and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.

12:29. But Jonathan, and they that were with him, knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

12:30. And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had pa.s.sed the river Eleutherus.

12:31. And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians, that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.

12:32. And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and pa.s.sed through all that country.

12:33. Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,

12:34. (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius) and he put a garrison there to keep it.

12:35. And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people; and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,

12:36. And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.

12:37. And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook, towards the east, was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:

12:38. And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.

12:39. Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:

12:40. Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.

12:41. And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.

12:42. Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him.

12:43. But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.

12:44. And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?

12:45. Now, therefore, send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.

12:46. And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:

12:47. But he kept with him 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 of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.

12:49. Then Tryphon sent an army and hors.e.m.e.n into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

12:50. But they, when they understood that Jonathan, and all that were with him, were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.

12:51. Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.

12:52. Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda and they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.

12:53. Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:

12:54. They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore, let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst men.

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 a.s.sembled 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.