1 Now when Jonathan saw that the time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

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

2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

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

3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.

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

4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place, that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

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

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

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

6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other people of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

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

7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

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

8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

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

9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, for that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

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

10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.

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

11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:

11 Nos 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.

12 And we are right glad of your honour.

12 Lætamur itaque de gloria vestra.

13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

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

14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

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

15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

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

16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

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

17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

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

18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

18 Et nunc benefacietis respondentes nobis ad hæc.

19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

19 ¶ Et hoc est rescriptum epistolarum quod miserat Oniæ:

20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

20 Arius rex Spartiatarum Oniæ sacerdoti magno salutem.

21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

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

22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

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

23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.

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

24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,

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

25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

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

26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

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

27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.

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

28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

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

29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

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

30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

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

31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

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

32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country.

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

33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppe, and won it.

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

34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

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

35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

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

36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

36 et 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.

37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

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

38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

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

39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

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

40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

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

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

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

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

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

43 But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.

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

44 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou put all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?

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

45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

45 et 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.

46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

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

47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

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

48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

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

49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

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

50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight.

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

51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

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

52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

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

53 Then all the heathen that were round about them sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.

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

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