1 Maccabees, 11

1. The king of Egypt then assembled an army as numerous as the sands of the seashore, with many ships, and set out to take possession of Alexander's kingdom by a ruse and add it to his own kingdom.

1. Then the king of Egypt gathered great forces, like the sand by the seashore, and many ships; and he tried to get possession of Alexander's kingdom by trickery and add it to his own kingdom.

2. He set off for Syria with protestations of peace, and the people of the towns opened their gates to him and came out to meet him, since King Alexander's orders were to welcome him, Ptolemy being his father-in-law.

2. He set out for Syria with peaceable words, and the people of the cities opened their gates to him and went to meet him, for Alexander the king had commanded them to meet him, since he was Alexander's father-in-law.

3. On entering the towns, however, Ptolemy quartered troops as a garrison in each one.

3. But when Ptolemy entered the cities he stationed forces as a garrison in each city.

4. When he reached Azotus he was shown the burnt-out temple of Dagon, with Azotus and its suburbs in ruins, corpses scattered here and there, and the charred remains of those whom Jonathan had burnt to death in the battle, piled into heaps along his route.

4. When he approached Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagon burned down, and Azotus and its suburbs destroyed, and the corpses lying about, and the charred bodies of those whom Jonathan had burned in the war, for they had piled them in heaps along his route.

5. They explained to the king what Jonathan had done, hoping for his disapproval; but the king said nothing.

5. They also told the king what Jonathan had done, to throw blame on him; but the king kept silent.

6. Jonathan went in state to meet the king at Joppa, where they greeted each other and spent the night.

6. Jonathan met the king at Joppa with pomp, and they greeted one another and spent the night there.

7. Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus, and then returned to Jerusalem.

7. And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river called Eleutherus; then he returned to Jerusalem.

8. King Ptolemy for his part occupied the coastal towns as far as Seleucia on the coast, all the while maturing his wicked designs against Alexander.

8. So King Ptolemy gained control of the coastal cities as far as Seleucia by the sea, and he kept devising evil designs against Alexander.

9. He sent envoys to King Demetrius to say, 'Come and let us make a treaty; I shall give you my daughter, whom Alexander now has, and you shall rule your father's kingdom.

9. He sent envoys to Demetrius the king, saying, "Come, let us make a covenant with each other, and I will give you in marriage my daughter who was Alexander's wife, and you shall reign over your father's kingdom.

10. I regret having given my daughter to that man, since he has tried to kill me.'

10. For I now regret that I gave him my daughter, for he has tried to kill me."

11. He made this accusation because he coveted his kingdom.

11. He threw blame on Alexander because he coveted his kingdom.

12. Having carried off his daughter and bestowed her on Demetrius, he broke with Alexander, and their enmity became open.

12. So he took his daughter away from him and gave her to Demetrius. He was estranged from Alexander, and their enmity became manifest.

13. Ptolemy next entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he now wore on his head the two crowns of Egypt and Asia.

13. Then Ptolemy entered Antioch and put on the crown of Asia. Thus he put two crowns upon his head, the crown of Egypt and that of Asia.

14. King Alexander was in Cilicia at the time, since the people of those parts had risen in revolt,

14. Now Alexander the king was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of that region were in revolt.

15. but when he heard the news, he advanced on his rival to give battle, while Ptolemy for his part also took the field, met him with a strong force and routed him.

15. And Alexander heard of it and came against him in battle. Ptolemy marched out and met him with a strong force, and put him to flight.

16. Alexander fled to Arabia for refuge, and King Ptolemy reigned supreme.

16. So Alexander fled into Arabia to find protection there, and King Ptolemy was exalted.

17. Zabdiel the Arab cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.

17. And Zabdiel the Arab cut off the head of Alexander and sent it to Ptolemy.

18. Three days later King Ptolemy died, and the Egyptian garrisons in the strongholds were killed by the local inhabitants.

18. But King Ptolemy died three days later, and his troops in the strongholds were killed by the inhabitants of the strongholds.

19. So Demetrius became king in the year 167.

19. So Demetrius became king in the one hundred and sixty-seventh year.

20. At the same time, Jonathan mustered the men of Judaea for an assault on the Citadel of Jerusalem, and they set up numerous siege-engines against it.

20. In those days Jonathan assembled the men of Judea to attack the citadel in Jerusalem, and he built many engines of war to use against it.

21. But some renegades who hated their nation made their way to the king and told him that Jonathan was besieging the Citadel.

21. But certain lawless men who hated their nation went to the king and reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.

22. The king was angered by the news. No sooner had he been informed than he set out and came to Ptolemais. He wrote to Jonathan, telling him to raise the siege and to meet him for a conference in Ptolemais as soon as possible.

22. When he heard this he was angry, and as soon as he heard it he set out and came to Ptolemais; and he wrote Jonathan not to continue the siege, but to meet him for a conference at Ptolemais as quickly as possible.

23. When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders for the siege to continue; he then selected a deputation from the elders of Israel and the priests, and took the deliberate risk

23. When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders to continue the siege; and he chose some of the elders of Israel and some of the priests, and put himself in danger,

24. of himself taking silver and gold, clothing and numerous other presents, and going to Ptolemais to face the king, whose favour he succeeded in winning;

24. for he went to the king at Ptolemais, taking silver and gold and clothing and numerous other gifts. And he won his favor.

25. and although one or two renegades of his nation brought charges against him,

25. Although certain lawless men of his nation kept making complaints against him,

26. the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him, and promoted him in the presence of all his friends.

26. the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him; he exalted him in the presence of all his friends.

27. He confirmed him in the high-priesthood and whatever other distinctions he already held, and had him ranked among the First Friends.

27. He confirmed him in the high priesthood and in as many other honors as he had formerly had, and made him to be regarded as one of his chief friends.

28. Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judaea and the three Samaritan districts from taxation, promising him three hundred talents in return.

28. Then Jonathan asked the king to free Judea and the three districts of Samaria from tribute, and promised him three hundred talents.

29. The king consented, and wrote Jonathan a rescript covering the whole matter, in these terms:

29. The king consented, and wrote a letter to Jonathan about all these things; its contents were as follows:

30. 'King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and to the Jewish nation, greetings.

30. "King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

31. 'We have written to Lasthenes our cousin concerning you, and now send you this copy of our rescript for your own information:

31. This copy of the letter which we wrote concerning you to Lasthenes our kinsman we have written to you also, so that you may know what it says.

32. "King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes, greetings.

32. `King Demetrius to Lasthenes his father, greeting.

33. "The nation of the Jews is our ally; they fulfil their obligations to us, and in view of their goodwill towards us we have decided to show them our bounty.

33. To the nation of the Jews, who are our friends and fulfil their obligations to us, we have determined to do good, because of the good will they show toward us.

34. We confirm them in their possession of the territory of Judaea and the three districts of Aphairema, Lydda and Ramathaim; these were annexed to Judaea from Samaritan territory, with all their dependencies, in favour of all who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the royal dues which the king formerly received from them every year, from the yield of the soil and the fruit crops.

34. We have confirmed as their possession both the territory of Judea and the three districts of Aphairema and Lydda and Rathamin; the latter, with all the region bordering them, were added to Judea from Samaria. To all those who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, we have granted release from the royal taxes which the king formerly received from them each year, from the crops of the land and the fruit of the trees.

35. As regards our other rights over the tithes and taxes due to us, over the salt marshes, and the crown taxes due to us, as from today we release them from them all.

35. And the other payments henceforth due to us of the tithes, and the taxes due to us, and the salt pits and the crown taxes due to us -- from all these we shall grant them release.

36. None of these grants will be revoked henceforth or anywhere.

36. And not one of these grants shall be canceled from this time forth for ever.

37. You will make yourself responsible for having a copy of this made, to be given to Jonathan and displayed on the holy mountain in a conspicuous place." '

37. Now therefore take care to make a copy of this, and let it be given to Jonathan and put up in a conspicuous place on the holy mountain.'"

38. When King Demetrius saw that the country was at peace under his rule and that no resistance was offered him, he dismissed his forces, and sent all the men home, except for the foreign troops that he had recruited in the foreign island, thus incurring the enmity of the veterans who had served his ancestors.

38. Now when Demetrius the king saw that the land was quiet before him and that there was no opposition to him, he dismissed all his troops, each man to his own place, except the foreign troops which he had recruited from the islands of the nations. So all the troops who had served his fathers hated him.

39. Now Trypho, one of Alexander's former supporters, noting that all the troops were muttering against Demetrius, went to see Iamleku, the Arab who was bringing up Antiochus, Alexander's young son,

39. Now Trypho had formerly been one of Alexander's supporters. He saw that all the troops were murmuring against Demetrius. So he went to Imalkue the Arab, who was bringing up Antiochus, the young son of Alexander,

40. and repeatedly urged him to let him have the boy, so that he might succeed his father as king; he told him of Demetrius' decision and of the resentment it had aroused among his troops. He spent a long time there.

40. and insistently urged him to hand Antiochus over to him, to become king in place of his father. He also reported to Imalkue what Demetrius had done and told of the hatred which the troops of Demetrius had for him; and he stayed there many days.

41. Jonathan, meanwhile, sent to ask King Demetrius to withdraw the garrisons from the Citadel in Jerusalem and from the other fortresses, since they were constantly fighting Israel.

41. Now Jonathan sent to Demetrius the king the request that he remove the troops of the citadel from Jerusalem, and the troops in the strongholds; for they kept fighting against Israel.

42. Demetrius sent word back to Jonathan, 'Not only will I do this for you and for your nation, but I shall heap honours on you and your nation if I find a favourable opportunity.

42. And Demetrius sent this message to Jonathan, "Not only will I do these things for you and your nation, but I will confer great honor on you and your nation, if I find an opportunity.

43. For the present, you would do well to send me reinforcements, since all my troops have deserted.'

43. Now then you will do well to send me men who will help me, for all my troops have revolted."

44. Jonathan sent three thousand experienced soldiers to him in Antioch; when they reached the king, he was delighted at their arrival.

44. So Jonathan sent three thousand stalwart men to him at Antioch, and when they came to the king, the king rejoiced at their arrival.

45. The citizens crowded together in the centre of the city, to the number of some hundred and twenty thousand, intending to kill the king.

45. Then the men of the city assembled within the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand, and they wanted to kill the king.

46. The king took refuge in the palace, while the citizens occupied the thoroughfares of the city and began to attack.

46. But the king fled into the palace. Then the men of the city seized the main streets of the city and began to fight.

47. The king then called on the Jews for help; and these all rallied round him, then fanned out through the city, and that day killed about a hundred thousand of its inhabitants.

47. So the king called the Jews to his aid, and they all rallied about him and then spread out through the city; and they killed on that day as many as a hundred thousand men.

48. They fired the city, seizing a great deal of plunder at the same time, and secured the king's safety.

48. They set fire to the city and seized much spoil on that day, and they saved the king.

49. When the citizens saw that the Jews had the city at their mercy, their courage failed them, and they made an abject appeal to the king,

49. When the men of the city saw that the Jews had gained control of the city as they pleased, their courage failed and they cried out to the king with this entreaty,

50. 'Give us the right hand of peace, and let the Jews stop their fight against us and the city.'

50. "Grant us peace, and make the Jews stop fighting against us and our city."

51. They threw down their arms and made peace. The Jews were covered in glory, in the eyes of the king and of everyone else in his kingdom. Having won renown in his kingdom, they returned to Jerusalem laden with booty.

51. And they threw down their arms and made peace. So the Jews gained glory in the eyes of the king and of all the people in his kingdom, and they returned to Jerusalem with much spoil.

52. Thus, King Demetrius sat all the more securely on his royal throne, and the country was quiet under his government.

52. So Demetrius the king sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.

53. But he gave the lie to all the promises he had made, and changed his attitude to Jonathan, giving nothing in return for the services Jonathan had rendered him, but thwarting him at every turn.

53. But he broke his word about all that he had promised; and he became estranged from Jonathan and did not repay the favors which Jonathan had done him, but oppressed him greatly.

54. After this, Trypho came back with the little boy Antiochus, who became king and was crowned.

54. After this Trypho returned, and with him the young boy Antiochus who began to reign and put on the crown.

55. All the troops that Demetrius had summarily dismissed rallied to Antiochus, and made war on Demetrius, who turned tail and fled.

55. All the troops that Demetrius had cast off gathered around him, and they fought against Demetrius, and he fled and was routed.

56. Trypho captured the elephants and seized Antioch.

56. And Trypho captured the elephants and gained control of Antioch.

57. Young Antiochus then wrote as follows to Jonathan: 'I confirm you in the high-priesthood and set you over the four districts and appoint you one of the Friends of the King.'

57. Then the young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying, "I confirm you in the high priesthood and set you over the four districts and make you one of the friends of the king."

58. He sent him a service of gold plate, and granted him the right to drink from gold vessels, and to wear the purple and the golden brooch.

58. And he sent him gold plate and a table service, and granted him the right to drink from gold cups and dress in purple and wear a gold buckle.

59. He appointed his brother Simon commander-in-chief of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontiers of Egypt.

59. Simon his brother he made governor from the Ladder of Tyre to the borders of Egypt.

60. Jonathan then set out and made a progress through Transeuphrates and its towns, and the entire Syrian army rallied to his support. He came to Ascalon and was received in state by the inhabitants.

60. Then Jonathan set forth and traveled beyond the river and among the cities, and all the army of Syria gathered to him as allies. When he came to Askalon, the people of the city met him and paid him honor.

61. From there he proceeded to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out, so he laid siege to it, burning down its suburbs and plundering them.

61. From there he departed to Gaza, but the men of Gaza shut him out. So he beseiged it and burned its suburbs with fire and plundered them.

62. The people of Gaza then pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them; but he took the sons of their chief men as hostages and sent them away to Jerusalem. He then travelled through the country as far as Damascus.

62. Then the people of Gaza pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them, and took the sons of their rulers as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. And he passed through the country as far as Damascus.

63. Jonathan now learned that Demetrius' generals had arrived at Kadesh in Galilee with a large army, intending to remove him from office,

63. Then Jonathan heard that the officers of Demetrius had come to Kadesh in Galilee with a large army, intending to remove him from office.

64. and went to engage them, leaving his brother Simon inside the country.

64. He went to meet them, but left his brother Simon in the country.

65. Simon laid siege to Beth-Zur, attacking it day after day, and blockading the inhabitants

65. Simon encamped before Beth-zur and fought against it for many days and hemmed it in.

66. till they sued for peace, which he granted them, though he expelled them from the town and occupied it, stationing a garrison there.

66. Then they asked him to grant them terms of peace, and he did so. He removed them from there, took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it.

67. Jonathan and his army, meanwhile, having pitched camp by the Lake of Gennesar, rose early, and by morning were already in the plain of Hazor.

67. Jonathan and his army encamped by the waters of Gennesaret. Early in the morning they marched to the plain of Hazor,

68. The foreigners' army advanced to fight them on the plain, having first positioned an ambush for him in the mountains. While the main body was advancing directly towards the Jews,

68. and behold, the army of the foreigners met him in the plain; they had set an ambush against him in the mountains, but they themselves met him face to face.

69. the troops in ambush broke cover and attacked first.

69. Then the men in ambush emerged from their places and joined battle.

70. All the men with Jonathan fled; no one was left, except Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son of Chalphi, the generals of his army.

70. All the men with Jonathan fled; not one of them was left except Mattathias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Chalphi, commanders of the forces of the army.

71. At this, Jonathan tore his garments, put dust on his head, and prayed.

71. Jonathan rent his garments and put dust on his head, and prayed.

72. Then he returned to the fight and routed the enemy, who fled.

72. Then he turned back to the battle against the enemy and routed them, and they fled.

73. When the fugitives from his own forces saw this, they came back to him and joined in the pursuit as far as Kadesh where the enemy encampment was, and there they themselves pitched camp.

73. When his men who were fleeing saw this, they returned to him and joined him in the pursuit as far as Kadesh, to their camp, and there they encamped.

74. About three thousand of the foreign troops fell that day. Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem.

74. As many as three thousand of the foreigners fell that day. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.