1 Maccabees 12

1And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:

2And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form.

3And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance as it was before.

4And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.

5And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

6Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.

7There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

8And Onias received the ambassador with honour: and received the letters wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.

9We, though we needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,

10Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.

11We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren.

12And we rejoice at your glory.

13But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us.

14But we would not be troublesome to you, nor the rest of our allies and friends in these wars.

15For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.

16We 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

23And 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.

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

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

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

27And 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.

28And 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.

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

30And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.

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

32And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.

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

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.

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

36And 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.

37And 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:

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

39Now 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:

40Fearing 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.

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

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

43But 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.

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

45Now 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.

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

47But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

48Now 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.

49Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain to destroy all Jonathan’s company.

50But 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.

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

52Whereupon 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.

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

54They 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.

1Et vidit Jonathas quia tempus eum juvat, et elegit viros, et misit eos Romam statuere et renovare cum eis amicitiam:

2et ad Spartiatas, et ad alia loca misit epistolas secundum eamdem formam:

3et abierunt Romam, et intraverunt curiam, et dixerunt: Jonathas summus sacerdos, et gens Judæorum miserunt nos, ut renovaremus amicitiam et societatem secundum pristinum.

4Et dederunt illis epistolas ad ipsos per loca, ut deducerent eos in terram Juda cum pace.

5Et hoc est exemplum epistolarum, quas scripsit Jonathas Spartiatis:

6Jonathas summus sacerdos, et seniores gentis, et sacerdotes, et reliquus populus Judæorum, Spartiatis fratribus salutem.

7Jampridem missæ erant epistolæ ad Oniam summum sacerdotem ab Ario, qui regnabat apud vos, quoniam estis fratres nostri, sicut rescriptum continet, quod subjectum est.

8Et suscepit Onias virum, qui missus fuerat, cum honore: et accepit epistolas, in quibus significabatur de societate et amicitia.

9Nos cum nullo horum indigeremus, habentes solatio sanctos libros, qui sunt in manibus nostris,

10maluimus mittere ad vos renovare fraternitatem et amicitiam, ne forte alieni efficiamur a vobis: multa enim tempora transierunt, ex quo misistis ad nos.

11Nos ergo in omni tempore sine intermissione in diebus solemnibus, et ceteris, quibus oportet, memores sumus vestri in sacrificiis quæ offerimus, et in observationibus, sicut fas est, et decet meminisse fratrum.

12Lætamur itaque de gloria vestra.

13Nos autem circumdederunt multæ tribulationes, et multa prælia, et impugnaverunt nos reges qui sunt in circuitu nostro.

14Noluimus ergo vobis molesti esse, neque ceteris sociis et amicis nostris in his præliis:

15habuimus enim de cælo auxilium, et liberati sumus nos, et humiliati sunt inimici nostri.

16Elegimus itaque Numenium Antiochi filium, et Antipatrem Jasonis filium, et misimus ad Romanos renovare cum eis amicitiam et societatem pristinam.

17Mandavimus itaque eis ut veniant etiam ad vos, et salutent vos, et reddant vobis epistolas nostras de innovatione fraternitatis nostræ.

18Et nunc benefacietis respondentes nobis ad hæc.

19Et hoc est rescriptum epistolarum quod miserat Oniæ:

20Arius rex Spartiatarum Oniæ sacerdoti magno salutem.

21Inventum est in scriptura de Spartiatis, et Judæis, quoniam sunt fratres, et quod sunt de genere Abraham.

22Et nunc ex quo hæc cognovimus, benefacitis scribentes nobis de pace vestra.

23Sed et nos rescripsimus vobis: Pecora nostra, et possessiones nostræ, vestræ sunt: et vestræ, nostræ: mandavimus itaque hæc nuntiari vobis.

24Et audivit Jonathas quoniam regressi sunt principes Demetrii cum exercitu multo supra quam prius, pugnare adversus eum:

25et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit eis in Amathite regione: non enim dederat eis spatium ut ingrederentur regionem ejus.

26Et misit speculatores in castra eorum: et reversi renuntiaverunt quod constituunt supervenire illis nocte.

27Cum occidisset autem sol, præcepit Jonathas suis vigilare, et esse in armis paratos ad pugnam tota nocte: et posuit custodes per circuitum castrorum.

28Et audierunt adversarii quod paratus est Jonathas cum suis in bello: et timuerunt, et formidaverunt in corde suo: et accenderunt focos in castris suis.

29Jonathas autem, et qui cum eo erant, non cognoverunt usque mane: videbant autem luminaria ardentia,

30et secutus est eos Jonathas, et non comprehendit eos: transierant enim flumen Eleutherum.

31Et divertit Jonathas ad Arabas, qui vocantur Zabadæi: et percussit eos, et accepit spolia eorum.

32Et junxit, et venit Damascum, et perambulabat omnem regionem illam.

33Simon autem exiit, et venit usque ad Ascalonem, et ad proxima præsidia: et declinavit in Joppen, et occupavit eam

34(audivit enim quod vellent præsidium tradere partibus Demetrii), et posuit ibi custodes ut custodirent eam.

35Et reversus est Jonathas, et convocavit seniores populi, et cogitavit cum eis ædificare præsidia in Judæa,

36et ædificare muros in Jerusalem, et exaltare altitudinem magnam inter medium arcis et civitatis, ut separaret eam a civitate, ut esset ipsa singulariter, et neque emant, neque vendant.

37Et convenerunt ut ædificarent civitatem: et cecidit murus qui erat super torrentem ab ortu solis, et reparavit eum, qui vocatur Caphetetha:

38et Simon ædificavit Adiada in Sephela, et munivit eam, et imposuit portas et seras.

39Et cum cogitasset Tryphon regnare Asiæ, et assumere diadema, et extendere manum in Antiochum regem:

40timens ne forte non permitteret eum Jonathas, sed pugnaret adversus eum, quærebat comprehendere eum, et occidere. Et exsurgens abiit in Bethsan.

41Et exivit Jonathas obviam illi cum quadraginta millibus virorum electorum in prælium, et venit Bethsan.

42Et vidit Tryphon quia venit Jonathas cum exercitu multo ut extenderet in eum manus: timuit,

43et excepit eum cum honore, et commendavit eum omnibus amicis suis, et dedit ei munera: et præcepit exercitibus suis ut obedirent ei, sicut sibi.

44Et dixit Jonathæ: Ut quid vexasti universum populum, cum bellum nobis non sit?

45et nunc remitte eos in domos suas: elige autem tibi viros paucos, qui tecum sint, et veni mecum Ptolemaidam, et tradam eam tibi, et reliqua præsidia, et exercitum, et universos præpositos negotii: et conversus abibo: propterea enim veni.

46Et credidit ei, et fecit sicut dixit: et dimisit exercitum, et abierunt in terram Juda.

47Retinuit autem secum tria millia virorum: ex quibus remisit in Galilæam duo millia: mille autem venerunt cum eo.

48Ut autem intravit Ptolemaidam Jonathas, clauserunt portas civitatis Ptolemenses, et comprehenderunt eum: et omnes qui cum eo intraverant, gladio interfecerunt.

49Et misit Tryphon exercitum et equites in Galilæam et in campum magnum, ut perderent omnes socios Jonathæ.

50At illi cum cognovissent quia comprehensus est Jonathas, et periit, et omnes qui cum eo erant, hortati sunt semetipsos, et exierunt parati in prælium.

51Et videntes hi qui insecuti fuerant, quia pro anima res est illis, reversi sunt:

52illi autem venerunt omnes cum pace in terram Juda. Et planxerunt Jonathan, et eos qui cum ipso fuerant, valde: et luxit Israël luctu magno.

53Et quæsierunt omnes gentes quæ erant in circuitu eorum conterere eos: dixerunt enim:

54Non habent principem et adjuvantem: nunc ergo expugnemus illos, et tollamus de hominibus memoriam eorum.

1And Jonathan saw that time was on his side, and he chose men, and he sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the peace agreement with them.

2And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form.

3And they went to Rome and entered into the senate house, and they said, “Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the peace and alliance, as it was before.”

4And they gave letters to them, to those in each place, so that they would lead them into the land of Judah with peace.

5And this is a copy of the letters that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:

6“Jonathan, the high priest, and the elders of the people, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brothers: greetings.

7Now, some time ago, letters were sent to Onias, the high priest from Arius, who reigned then among you, so that you would be our brothers, just as the copy that is written below states.

8And Onias received the man whom you had sent with honor. And he received the letters, in which was conveyed the alliance and peace treaty.

9We, though, have no need of these things, having for our solace the sacred books, which are in our hands.

10We prefer to send to you, so as to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should, in effect, become a stranger to you, for much time has passed since you sent to us.

11Therefore, we will remember you, at all times without ceasing, in our solemnities and other days, when it is fitting, in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, just as it is fitting and right to remember brothers.

12And so, we rejoice at your glory.

13But many tribulations and many wars have surrounded us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us.

14But we are not willing to trouble you, nor the rest of our allies and friends, about these battles.

15For we have assistance from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies have been humbled.

16And so, we have chosen Numenius, the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and we have sent them to the Romans, to renew the former peace treaty and alliance with them.

17And so, we have commanded them to also come to you, and to greet you, and to deliver our letters to you, about the renewal of our brotherhood.

18And now, you would do well to respond to us about these things.”

19And this is a copy of the letters that he sent to Onias:

20“Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the great priest: greetings.

21It is found in scripture, about the Spartans and the Jews, that they are brothers, and that they are of the family of Abraham.

22And since we know these things, you would do well to write to us about your peace.

23But we also have written back to you that our cattle and our possessions are yours, and yours are ours. And so, we have commanded that these things should be announced to you.”

24And Jonathan heard that the leaders from Demetrius had returned again with a greater army than before, so as to fight against him.

25And so, he departed from Jerusalem, and he met them in the region of Hamath. For he did not give them time to enter into his own region.

26And he sent spies into their camp, and, returning, they reported that they planned to come upon them in the night.

27And when the sun had set, Jonathan instructed his men to stand watch, and to be in arms, ready to fight, all night long, and he stationed guards around the camp.

28And the adversaries heard that Jonathan was prepared, with his own, for warfare. And they were struck with fear and dread in their heart. And they kindled fires in their camp.

29But Jonathan, and those who were with him, did not know about it until morning. For they saw the lights burning.

30And Jonathan pursued them, but did not overtake them. For they had crossed the river Eleutherus.

31And Jonathan diverted toward the Arabians, who are called Zabadeans. And he struck them and took their spoils.

32And he regrouped and came to Damascus, and he passed through all that region.

33But Simon went forth and came as far as Askalon, and the nearby fortresses, but he turned aside to Joppa and occupied it,

34(for he had heard that they intended to hand over the fortress that was on the side of Demetrius) and he stationed a guard there to keep it.

35And Jonathan returned, and he called together the elders of the people, and he decided with them to build fortresses in Judea,

36and to build up the walls in Jerusalem, and to raise a great height between the stronghold and the city, in order to separate it from the city, so that it would stand alone and would have neither buying, nor selling there.

37And they came together to build up the city. And the wall that was over the brook, toward the rising of the sun, was fallen. And he repaired that which is called Chaphenatha.

38And Simon rebuilt Adida in Shephelah, and he fortified it, and he set up gates and bars.

39And so, when Trypho had decided to reign over Asia, and to assume the diadem, and to extend his hand against king Antiochus,

40he was afraid, lest Jonathan might not permit him, but might fight against him. So he sought to seize him and to kill him. And he rose up and went to Bethshan.

41And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and he came to Bethshan.

42And when Trypho saw that Jonathan came with a great army to extend his hand against him, he was afraid.

43And so he received him with honor, and he commended him to all his friends, and he gave him gifts. And he instructed his troops to obey him, just as himself.

44And he said to Jonathan: “Why have you troubled all the people, when there is no war between us?

45And now, send them back to their houses, but choose for yourself a few men, who may remain with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to you, and the rest of the fortresses, and the army, and all who are in charge of governing, and I will turn and go away. For this is the reason that I came.”

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

47But he retained with him three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand came with him.

48But when Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, those of Ptolemais closed the gates of the city, and they captured him. And all those who entered with him, they executed with the sword.

49And Trypho sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all the associates of Jonathan.

50But, when they had thought that Jonathan had been captured and slain, along with all who were with him, they encouraged one another, and they went out prepared for battle.

51Then those who had pursued them, seeing that they stood for their lives, were turned back.

52And so, they all came into the land of Judah with peace. And they bewailed Jonathan, and those who had been with him, exceedingly. And Israel mourned with great lamentation.

53Then all the nations that were all around them sought to crush them. For they said:

54“They have no leader or helper. Now therefore, let us fight against them and take away the memory of them from among men.”