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Chapter 12
Jonathas seeing that the time
was *mete for him, chose certain men and sent them to Rome for to
stablish and renew the friendship with them. He sent letters also
unto *Sparta and to other places in like manner. So they went unto
Rome, and entered into the *council, and said: Jonathas the high
priest and the people of the Jews sent us unto you, for to renew the
old friendship and bond of love. Upon this the Romans gave them free
passports, that men should lead them home into the land of Jewry
peaceably. And this is a copy of the letters that Jonathas wrote
unto *Sparcians:
Jonathas the high priest with the elders, priests, and the
other people of the Jews, send greeting unto the Sparcians their
brethren. There were letters sent long ago unto Onias the high
priest, from *Arius which then reigned among you: that ye are our
brethren, as the writing made thereupon, specifieth. And Onias
entreated the ambassador that was sent, honorably, and received the
letters: wherein there was mention of the bond of love and
friendship. But as for us, we need no such writings: for why ? we
have the holy books of scripture in our hands to our comfort.
Nevertheless we had rather send unto you, for the renewing of the
brotherhood and friendship: lest we should be strange unto you, for
it is long, since the time that ye sent words unto us. Wherefore in
the sacrifices which we offer and other ceremonies upon the high
solemn days and other, we always remember you without ceasing ( like
as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren ) yee
and are right glad of your prosperous honor.
And though we have had great troubles and wars, so that the
kings about us have foughten against us: Yet we would not be
grievous unto you ner to others of our lovers and friends in these
wars. For we have had help from heaven, so that we are delivered,
and our enemies subdued. Wherefore we chose Numenius the son of
Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the
Romans, for to renew the old bond of friendship and love with them.
We commanded them also to come unto you, to salute you, and to
deliver you our letters, concerning the renovation of our
brotherhood. And now ye shall do right well, to give us an answer
there unto.
And this is the copy of the writing which *Arius the king of
*Sparta sent unto Onias: Arius the king of the Sparcians sendeth
greeting unto Onias the high priest. It is found in writing, that
the Sparcians and Jews are brethren, and come out of the generation
of Abraham. And now for so much as this is come to our knowledge, ye
shall do well, to write unto us of your prosperity. As for us, we
have written our mind unto you: Our cattle and goods are yours, and
yours ours. These things have we commanded to be showed unto you.
When Jonathas heard, that Demetrius princes were come to fight
against him, with a greater host than afore, he went from Jerusalem,
and met them in the land of *Hemath, for he gave them no space to
come into his own country. And he sent spies unto their tents, which
came again and told him that they were appointed to come upon them
in the night season. Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathas
commanded his men to watch all the night, and be ready with weapons
for to fight: and set watchmen round about the host. But when the
adversaries heard that Jonathas was ready with his men to the
battle, they feared, and were afraid in their hearts, and kindled
fires in their tents, break up, and got them away. Nevertheless
Jonathas and his company knew it not till the morning, for they saw
the *fires burning.
Then Jonathas followed upon them, but he might not overtake
them, for they were gone over the water Eleutherus. So Jonathas
departed unto the Arabians, ( who were called Zabadei ) slew them,
and took their goods. He proceeded further also, and came unto
Damascus, and went through all that country. But Simon his brother
took his journey and came to Ascalon, and to the next strong holds:
departing unto Joppa, and won it. For he had heard that they would
stand of Demetrius part: wherefore he set men of war into the city,
to keep it. After this came Jonathas home again, and called the
elders of the people together, and devised with them for to build up
the strong holds in Jewry, and the walls of Jerusalem, to set up an
high wall between the castle and the city, for to separate it from
the city, that so it might be alone, and that men should neither buy
nor sell in it.
Upon this they came together for to build up the city: and for
much as the wall upon the brook on the *west side ( called
Caphenthetah ) was fallen down, they repaired it. And Simon set up
Adiadah in Sephelah, and made it strong setting ports and locks upon
it. Now Tryphon went purposed to reign in Asia, to be crowned, and
to slay the king Antiochus: he was afraid that Jonathas would not
*suffer him, but would fight against him. Wherefore he went about to
take Jonathas, and to kill him. So he departed, and came unto
Bethsan. Then went Jonathas forth against him to the battle with
forty thousand chosen men, and came unto Bethsan also. But when
Tryphon saw that Jonathas came with so great an Host to destroy him,
he was afraid: and therefore received him honorably, commended him
unto all his friends, and gave him rewards, and commanded his men of
war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.
And said unto Jonathas: Why hast thou caused this people to
take such travail, seeing there is no war betwixt us? Therefore send
them home again, and choose certain men to wait upon thee, and come
thou with me to Ptolemais: for I will give it thee, with the other
strong holds, men of war and their officers: As for me, I must
depart this is only the cause of my coming. Jonathas believed him,
and did as he said, putting away his host, which went into the land
of Juda. He kept but three thousand by him, whereof he sent two
thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with himself.
Now as soon as Jonathas entered into Ptolemais, the citizens
sparred the gates of the city, and took him, and slew all them with
the sword, that came in with him. Then sent Tryphon an Host of
footmen and horsemen into Galilee and into the great plain field, to
destroy all Jonathass company. But when they knew that Jonathas was
taken, and they slain that waited upon him: they took counsel
together, and came forth ready to the battle. So when they which
followed upon them, saw that it was a matter of life, they turned
back again. As for the other, they went into the land of Juda
peaceably, and bewailed Jonathas, and them that were with him right
sore: And Israel made great lamentation. Then all the Heathen that
were round about them, sought to destroy them For they said: now
they have no captain, nor any man to help them, Therefore let us
overcome them, and root out their name from among men.
*mete(worthy) *Sparta (kjv = the Lacedemonians) *council, (kjv =
senate)
*Sparcians: (kjv =the Lacedemonians) *Arius (kjv =Darius) *Arius (kjv=Oniares)
*Sparta (kjv= the Lacedemonians) *Hemath, (kjv=Amathis) *fires (kjv
= lights)
*west (kjv =east) *suffer (allow)
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Chapter 13
Now when Simon heard that
Tryphon gathered a great Host, to come into the land of Juda, and to
destroy it, And saw that the people was in great fearfulness and
care: He came up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together, and
gave them exhortation, saying: Ye know what great battles I and my
brethren, and my fathers house, have stricken for the law and the
Sanctuary, and what manner of troubles we have seen: Through
occasion whereof, all my brethren are slain for Israels sake, and I
am left alone. And now let me not spare mine own life in any manner
of trouble, for I am no better than my brethren: but will avenge my
people and the Sanctuary, our children and our wives: for all the
Heathen are gathered together to destroy us of very malice.
In these words the hearts of the people were kindled together,
so that they cried with a loud voice, saying: Thou shalt be our
captain instead of Judas and Jonathas thy brother, order thou our
battle, and whatsoever thou commandest us, we shall do it. So he
gathered all the men of war, making haste to finish the walls of
Jerusalem, which he made strong round about. Then sent he Jonathas
the son of Absolomus with a fresh host unto Joppa, which drove them
out that were in the castle, and remained there himself. Tryphon
also removed from Ptolemais with a great army, to come into the land
of Juda, and Jonathas with him in ward. And Simon pitched his tents
at Addus before the plain field.
But when Tryphon knew that Simon stood up instead of his
brother Jonathas, and that he would war against him: he sent
messengers unto him, saying: Whereas we have kept Jonathas thy
brother, it is for money that he is owing in the kings *accompte,
concerning the business that he had in hand. Wherefore send now an
hundred talents of silver, and his two sons for surety, that when he
is let forth he shall not forsake us: and we shall send him again.
Nevertheless Simon knew, that he disassembled in his words: yet
commanded he the money and the children to be delivered unto him:
least he should be the greater enemy against the people of Israel,
and said: because he sent him not the money and the children,
therefore is Jonathas dead.
So Simon sent him the children and an hundred talents, but he
dissembled and would not let Jonathas go. Afterward came Tryphon
into the land, to destroy it, and went round about by the way, that
leadeth unto Adora: But wheresoever they went, thither went Simon
and his host also. Now they that were in the castle, sent messengers
unto Tryphon, that he should make haste to come by the wilderness,
and to send them victuals: And Tryphon made ready all his horsemen
to come that same night. Nevertheless it was a very great snow, so
that he came not in Galaadithim. And when he drew nye Baschama, he
slew Jonathas and his sons there, and then turned for to go into his
own land.
Then sent Simon for to set his brothers dead corpse, and
buried it in Modin his fathers city. So all Israel bewailed him with
great lamentation, and mourned for him very long. And Simon made
upon the sepulchre of his father and his brethren a building high to
look unto of free stone behind and before: and set up *seven
pillars, one against another,( for his father, and his mother, and
four brethren ) and set great pillars round about, with arms upon
them for a perpetual memory, and carved ships beside the arms: that
they might be seen of men sailing in the sea.
Now Tryphon went forth to walk with the young king Antiochus,
he slew him treacherously, and he reigned in his stead, crowned
himself king of Asia, and did much evil in the land. Simon also
built up the castles in Jewry, making them strong with high towers,
great walls, ports, and locks, and laid up victuals in the
strongholds. And Simon chose certain men, and sent them to king
Demetrius: to desire him, that he would discharge the land from all
bondage, for Tryphon had spoiled it very sore. Where upon Demetrius
the king answered him, and wrote unto him after this manner.
Demetrius the king sendeth greeting unto Simon the high priest
his friend, with the elders and people of the Jews. The golden crown
and precious stone that ye sent unto us, have we received: and are
ready to make a steadfast peace with you, yea and to write unto our
officers, for to release you, concerning the things wherein we made
you free: and the and the appointment that we make with you shall be
firm and stable. The strong holds which ye have builded, shall be
your own. As for any over sight or fault committed unto this day, we
forgive it, and the crown tax that ye ought us also. And where as
was any other tribute in Jerusalem, it shall now be no tribute: And
look who are *mete among you to be in our court, let them be written
up, that there may be peace betwixt us.
Thus the yoke of the Heathen was taken from Israel, in the
hundred and seventieth year. And the people of the Jews began to
write in their letters and acts on this manner. In the first year of
Simon the high priest, and prince of the Jews.
In those days went Simon unto Gaza, and besieged it round
about, where he set up ordinance of war. And won a tower which he
took. So they gat into the tower leapt in the city, which was in a
great fear: Insomuch that the people of the city rent their clothes,
and climbed up upon the walls with their wives and children,
beseeching Simon to be at one with them: saying:
O' reward us not after our wickedness, but be gracious unto
us, and we shall do thee service. Then Simon for very pity, would
fight no more against them, but put them out of the city, and caused
the houses ( wherein the Images were ) to be cleansed: and so
entered the city with Psalms of praise, giving thanks unto the Lord.
(kjv leaves out thanks unto the Lord) So when he had cast all
abominations out of the city, he set much men in it as to keep the
law of **God and made the city strong and builded a dwelling place
for himself.
Now when they in the castle at Jerusalem were kept so
straightly, that they could not come forth, ner into the country,
and might neither buy nor sell: they were very hungry, and many of
them famished to death: In so much that they besought Simon to be at
one with them, which he granted them. So he had put them out from
thence, and cleansed the castle from filthiness. And upon the twenty
third day of the second month in the hundred seventy first year they
entered into it with thanksgiving and branches of palm trees, with
harps, *crowdes, cymbals, and*lutes, singing psalmes, and songs of
praise unto God, for that the great enemy of Israel was over come.
And Simon ordained that same day should be kept every year in
gladness, and made strong the hill of the temple that was beside the
castle, where he dwelt himself with his company. Simon also
perceiving that Jhon his son was a mighty man of arms, made him
captain of all the hosts, and caused him to dwell at Gaza.
*accompte(may be accomplishments/
account), *seven pillars, (kjv = seven pyramids)
*mete (worthy) **to keep the law of *God (kjv leaves out "of God")
*crowdes, (may be chords "stringed instruments") *lutes, (half pear
shaped stringed instruments)
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Chapter 14
In the hundred and seventy
second year gathered king Demetrius his host, and departed unto
Media, to get him help for to fight against Tryphon. Now when
Arsaces the king of Persia and Media heard, that Demetrius was
entered within his borders: he sent one of his princes to take him
alive, and to bring him unto him. So he went and slew Demetrius
host, took himself, brought him to Arsaces, which kept him inward.
And all the land of Juda was in rest, so long as Simon lived for he
sought the wealth of his people, therefore were they glad to have
him for their ruler, and to do him worship alway.
Simon won the city of Joppa for an haven town, and made it an
entrance into the Isles of the sea. He enlarged the borders of his
people, and conquered them more lands: He gathered up many of their
people that were prisoners: he had the dominion of Gaza, Bethsura,
and the castle, which he cleansed from filthiness, and there was no
man that resisted him: So that every man tilled his own ground in
peace, the land of Juda and the trees gave their fruit and increase.
*The elders sat all in judgement, and took their devise for the
wealth of the land: the young men put on *worship and harness upon
them. He provided victuals for the cities, and made goodly strong
holds of them: so that the fame of his worship was spoken unto the
end of the world. For he made peace throughout the land, and Israel
was full of mirth and joy.
Every man sat under his vine and his fig trees, and there was
no man to *fray them away. There was none in the land to fight
against them, for then the kings were overcome. He helped those that
were in adversity among his people, he was diligent to see the law
kept: as for such as were ungodly and wicked he took them away. He
set up the Sanctuary, and increased the holy vessels of the temple.
When the Romans and Spartians had gotten word, that Jonathas
was dead, they were right sorry. But when they heard that Simon his
brother was made high priest in his stead, and how he had won the
land again with the cities in it: They wrote unto him in tables of *latin
to renew the friendship, bond of love, which they had made afore
with Judas and Jonathas his brethren. Which writings were read
before the congregation at Jerusalem.
And this is the copy of the letters, that the *Spartians sent:
The Senators and citizens of Sparta send greeting unto Simon the
great priest with the elders, priests, and the other people of the
Jews their brethren: When your ambassadors that were sent unto our
people, certified us of your worship, honor and prosperous wealth:
we were glad of their coming, and have written the errand which they
spake before the council of the people: namely, that Numenius the
son of Antiochus, And Antipater son of Jason the Jews ambassadors
are come unto us, for to renew the old friendship with us. Upon this
the people consented, that the men should be honorably entreated,
and that the copy of their errand should be written in the special
books of the people, for a perpetual memory unto to the Spartians:
yee and that we should send a copy of the same unto Simon the great
Priest.
After this did Simon send Numenius unto Rome, with a golden
shield of a thousand pound weight to confirm the friendship with
them: which when the Romans understood, they said: What thanks shall
we recompense again unto Simon and his children? For he hath
stablished his brethren and overcome the enemies of Israel.
Wherefore they grant him to be free. And all this wrote the Jews in
tablets of latin, and nailed it unto the pillars upon the mount Sion.
The copy of the writing is this:
The eighteenth day of the month Elul, in the hundred and
seventy second year in the third year of Simon the high priest, in
the great congregation of the priests, rulers of the people, and
elders of the country at *Asarame, were these words openly declared:
For so much as there was much war in our land, therefore Simon
the son of Matathiah (come of the children of Jareb ) and his
brethren, put themselves in peril, and resisted the enemies of their
people: * that their Sanctuary and law might be maintained, and did
their people great worship. Jonathas in like manner, after that he
had governed his people and been their high priest: died, and layeth
buried beside his elders.
After that would their enemies have trodden their holy things
under foot, destroyed their land, and utterly wasted their
Sanctuary. Then Simon withstood them, and fought for his people,
spent much of his own money, weaponed the valiant men of his people,
gave them wages, made strong the cities of Juda, with Bethsura, that
lieth upon the borders of Jewry ( where the ordinance of their
enemies lay sometime ) and set Jews there for to keep it.
He made fast Joppa also, which lieth upon the sea, and Gaza
that bordereth upon Azotus ( where the enemies dwelt afore ) and
there he set Jews to keep it: and whatsoever was *mete for the
subduing of the adversaries, that laid he therein. Now when the
people saw the noble acts of Simon, and what worship he purposed to
do for them, his godly behavior, and faithfulness which he kept unto
them, and how he sought by all ways the wealth of his people,
because he did all this, therefore they chose him to be their prince
and high priest. And in his time they prospered well by him, so that
the Heathen were taken out of their land: and they also which were
in the city of David at Jerusalem in the castle ( where they went
out and defiled all the things that were about the Sanctuary, and
did great harm unto cleanliness ), and set up the walls of
Jerusalem.
And King Demetrius confirmed him in his high priesthood, made
him his friend, and did him great worship. For he heard that the
Romans called the Jews their friends, lovers and brethren: how
honorably they received Simons ambassadors: how the Jews and priests
consented that he should be their prince and high priest perpetually
( till God raised up the true prophet ) and that he should be their
captain, to care for the Sanctuary, and set officers upon the works
thereof, over the land, over the weapons, over the houses of
defense, to make provision for the holy things, and to be obeyed of
every man, and all the writings in the land to be made in his name:
that he should be clothed in purple and gold, that it should be
lawful for none of the people nor priests to break any of these
things, to withstand his words, ner call any congregation in the
land without him: that he should be clothed in purple and wear a
collar of gold: And if there be any which disobeyed or break this
ordinance, that he should be punished.
So all the people consented to allow Simon to do according to
these words. Simon also himself took it upon him, and was content to
be high priest, the captain and prince of the Jews and priests, and
to govern them all. And they commanded to maker this writing in
tables of *latin and fasten it to the compass of the Sanctuary in an
open place: and to lay up a copy of the same in the treasury, that
Simon and his posterity might have it.
*The elders sat all in judgement, (kjv =in the streets, communing
together of good things) *worship and harness upon them. (kjv
=glorious and warlike apparel)
*fray (wear down, dispute, frighten) They wrote unto him in tables
of *latin (kjv= brass)
*Spartians (kjv =Lacedemonians) *Asarame, (kjv=Saramel) * that their
Sanctuary and law might be maintained, (* this line not in the kjv).
*mete (worthy)
this writing in tables of *latin (kjv =brass)
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Chapter 15
Moreover, king Antiochus the son
of Demetrius sent letters from the Isles of the sea, unto Simon the
high priest and prince of the Jews, and to all the people,
containing these words: Antiochus the king sendeth greeting unto
Simon the high priest and to the people of the Jews For so much as
certain *wicked men have gotten the kingdom of our progenitors, I am
purposed to challenge the realm again, and to restore it to the old
estate.
Wherefore I have gathered *a great host and made ships of war:
that I may go through the country, and be avenged of them which have
destroyed our land, and wasted many cities in my realm. And now
therefore I make thee free also from all the tributes, whereof all
kings my progenitors have charged thee, and from other customs (
where from they have released thee ) whatsoever they be: Yee I give
thee leave to smite money of thy own within thy land. As for
Jerusalem, I will that it be holy and free: and all the weapons and
houses of defense which thou hast builded and keepest in thine
hands, shall be thine. Where as anything is or shall be owing unto
the king. I forgive it thee, from this time forth for evermore. And
when we have obtained our kingdom, we shall do thee, thy people and
the temple great worship: so that your honor shall be known
throughout the whole world.
In the hundred and seventy fourth year went Antiochus into his
fathers land, and all the men of war came together unto him, so that
few were left with Tryphon.
So the king Antiochus followed upon him, but he fled unto
Dora, which lieth by the sea side: for he saw that there was
mischief coming to him, and that his host had forsaken him. Then
came Antiochus unto Dora with an hundred and twenty thousand men of
arms upon foot, and eight thousand horsemen. So he compassed the
city round about, and the ships came by the sea. Thus they vexed the
city by land by water, in so much that they *suffered no man to go
in nor out.
In the mean season came Numenius ( and they that had been with
him ) from the city of Rome, having letters written unto the kings
and provinces, wherein were contained these words: Lucius the mayor
of Rome sendeth greeting unto Ptolomy the king. The ambassadors of
the Jews our friends being sent from Simon the high priest and from
the people of the Jews, came unto us, for to renew the old
friendship, and bond of love, and brought a shield of gold weighing
a thousand pound, which we were content to receive of them.
Wherefore we thought it good to write unto the kings and provinces,
to do them no harm, nor to take part against them, their cities ner
countries neither to maintain their enemies against them. If there
be any wicked persons therefore fled from their country unto you,
deliver them unto Simon the high priest, that he may punish them
according to their own law.
The same words wrote the Romans also unto Demetrius the king,
to Attalus, *Araba, and Arsaces and to all regions: as Samsanes, to
them of *Sparta, Delo, *Mido *Sidon Caria, Samos Pamphylia, Lycia, *Alicarnassum
and to the Rhodes, to *Falelis, Coo, Sida, Arado, Gortina, Gnidum,
to Cypres, and to Cyren. And of every letter they sent a copy to
Simon the high priest and to the people of the Jews. So Antiochus
the king brought his host unto Dora the second time, to take it:
where he made diverse ordinances of war, and kept Tryphon in, that
he should not come forth. Then sent Simon Antiochus two thousand
chosen men to help him with gold, silver and other plenteous gear:
Nevertheless he would not receive them, but brake all the covenant
which he made with Simon afore, and withdrew himself from him.
He sent Athenobius also a friend of his unto Simon, for to
reason with him saying: Ye withhold from me Joppa and Gaza ( with
the castle that is at Jerusalem ) which are cities of my realm,
whose borders ye have destroyed, and done great evil in the land,
having the domination in many other places of my kingdom. Wherefore
deliver now the cities which ye have taken with the tributes of the
places that ye have rule upon without the borders of Jewry: Or else
give me five hundred talents of silver, yee and for the harm that ye
have done in the cities and for the tributes of the same, other five
hundred talents. If no, we shall come and fight against you.
So Athenobius the kings friend came to Jerusalem, and when he
saw the great worship and honor of Simon in gold, silver and so
great plenty of *ornaments: he marveled, and told Simon as the king
commanded him. Then answered Simon and said unto him: As for us, we
have neither taken other mens land, ner withholden them, but only
our fathers heretage, which our enemies had unrighteously in
possession a certain time. This heretage of our fathers have we
challenged in the process of time. And whereas thou complainest
concerning Joppa and Gaza, they did great harm to our people and in
our land, yet will we give an hundred talents for them.
Nevertheless Athenobius answered him not one word, but turned
again wrothfully unto the king, and told him all these words, and
the great dignity of Simon with all that he had seen, and the king
was very angry. In the mean time fled Tryphon by ship unto Orthosida.
Then the king made Cendebeus captain of the sea coast, and gave him
an host of footmen and horsemen, commanding him to remove the host
toward Jewry, and to build up the city of Cedron, to make up the
ports, and to war against the people of the Jews. As for the king
himself, he followed upon Tryphon. So Cendebeus came to Jamnia, and
began to vex the people, to tread down Jewry, to take the people
prisoners, to slay them and to built up Cedron: where he set
horsemen and other men of war, that they might come forth and go
through the streets of Jewry, like as the king had commanded him.
*wicked (kjv =pestilent) *a great host (kjv =multitude of foreign
soldiers) *suffered (allowed) *Araba, (kjv=Ariarathes) *Sparta (kjv=
Lacedemonians) *Mido (kjv = Myndus)
*Sidon (kjv Sicyon) *Alicarnassum (kjv Halicarnassus) *Falelis (kjv
Aradus)
*ornaments: (kjv =the cupboard of gold and silver plate)
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Chapter 16
Then came Jhon from Gaza, and
told Simon his father, what Cendebeus had done among their people.
Upon this called Simon two of his eldest sons, Judas and Jhon, and
said unto them: I and my brethren and my fathers house, have ever
from our youth up unto this day, foughten against the enemies of
Israel, and *God gave us good fortune to deliver Israel often times.
And now for so much as I am old, be ye instead of me and my brother,
to go forth and fight for our people, and the help of God be with
you. So he chose twenty thousand fighting men of the country, with
horsemen also, which went out against Cendebeus and rested at Modin.
In the morning they rose, and went into the plain field: and
behold, a mighty great host came against them, both of footmen and
horsemen. Now was there was a water brook betwixt them, and Jhon
removed the host toward them. And when he saw that the people were
afraid to go over the waterbrook, he went over first himself: and
the men seeing this, followed him.
Then Jhon set his horsemen and footmen in order, the one by
the other, for their enemies horsemen were very many. But when they
blew up the priests trumpets, Cendebeus fled with his Host, whereof
many were slain, and the remnant gat them to their strong hold.
Judas also Jhons brother was wounded at the same time. And Jhon
followed still upon the enemies, till he came to Cedron which he
builded. The enemies fled also unto the towers that were in the
fields of Azotus, and those did Jhon burn up. Thus there were slain
of two thousand men of them, and Jhon turned again peaceably in to
Jewry.
And in the field of Jericho was Ptolemy the son of Abobus made
captain: which because he had abundance of silver and gold( for he
had married the daughter of Simon the high priest ) waxed *proud in
his mind, and thought to conquer the land, imagining falsehood
against Simon and his sons, to destroy them. Now as Simon was going
about through the cities, that were in the country of Jewry, and
*caring for them: he came down to Jericho, with Matathiah and Judas
his sons, in the hundred and seventy seventh year, in the eleventh
month, called Sabat. Then Ptolomy the son of Abobus received them (
but with deceit ) into a strong house of his called Doch, which he
had builded, where he made them a banquet.
So when Simon and his sons were merry and had drunken well,
Ptolomy stood up with his men ( whom he had hid there ) and took
their weapons, entered into the banquet house, and slew Simon with
his two sons, and certain of his servants. Such great unfaithfulness
did Ptolomy in Israel and recompensed evil for good. Then wrote this
Ptolomy the same unto king Antiochus, requiring him that he should
send him an host to help him: and so should he deliver him the land,
with the cities and tributes of the same. He sent other men also
unto Gaza, for to take Jhon: and wrote unto the captains to come to
him, and he should give them silver, gold, and rewards.
And to Jerusalem he sent other, to take it and the Sanctuary.
Then ran one before, and told Jhon in Gaza that is father and
his brethren were slain, and how that Ptolomy had sent to slay him
also. When Jhon heard this he was sore abashed, and layed hands of
them that were come to destroy him, and slew them: for he knew, that
they went about to kill him.
As for other things concerning Jhon, of his wars, of his noble
acts,( wherein he behaved himself manfully ) of the building of
walls which he made, and other of his deeds: they are written in the
chronicles of his priesthood, from the time forth that he was made
high priest after his father.
*God gave us good fortune to deliver Israel often times. (kjv
=things have prospered so well in our hands, that we have delivered
Israel oftentimes.) *proud in his mind, (kjv= his heart being lifted
up) *caring for them: (kjv = taking care for the good ordering of
them)
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