1 Maccabees, 11

1. And the king of Egypt gathered together a great host, like the sand that lieth upon the sea shore, and many ships, and went about through deceit to get Alexander's kingdom, and join it to his own.

1. But the king of Egypt assembled an army as numerous as the sands of the seashore, with many ships, for he intended to trick Alexander, take his kingdom and add it to his own.

2. Whereupon he took his journey into Spain in peaceable manner, so as they of the cities opened unto him, and met him: for king Alexander had commanded them so to do, because he was his brother in law.

2. He went to Syria with words of peace, and the inhabitants of the cities opened their gates to him. They came out to meet him, as Alexander had ordered,

3. Now as Ptolemee entered into the cities, he set in every one of them a garrison of soldiers to keep it.

3. because Ptolemy was his father-in-law. But as soon as Ptolemy entered the cities, he stationed garrisons in them.

4. And when he came near to Azotus, they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt, and Azotus and the suburbs thereof that were destroyed, and the bodies that were cast abroad and them that he had burnt in the battle; for they had made heaps of them by the way where he should pass.

4. When he reached Azotus, he was shown the burnt temple of Dagon, Azotus and its surroundings in ruins, the scattered corpses that had been abandoned, and the charred remains of those whom Jonathan burned to death in the battle, piled in heaps along the king's way.

5. Also they told the king whatsoever Jonathan had done, to the intent he might blame him: but the king held his peace.

5. They recounted to King Ptolemy everything Jonathan had done. They were hoping that the king would disapprove, but he said nothing.

6. Then Jonathan met the king with great pomp at Joppa, where they saluted one another, and lodged.

6. Jonathan went with great pomp to Joppa to meet the king. They greeted each other and spent the night there.

7. Afterward Jonathan, when he had gone with the king to the river called Eleutherus, returned again to Jerusalem.

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

8. King Ptolemee therefore, having gotten the dominion of the cities by the sea unto Seleucia upon the sea coast, imagined wicked counsels against Alexander.

8. King Ptolemy for his part seized the coastal cities as far as Deleucia by the sea, for he had made plans against King Alexander.

9. Whereupon he sent ambasadors unto king Demetrius, saying, Come, let us make a league betwixt us, and I will give thee my daughter whom Alexander hath, and thou shalt reign in thy father's kingdom:

9. He sent this message to Demetrius: "Come and let us forge an alliance. I will give you my daughter who was married to Alexander, and you will reign on the throne of your fathers.

10. For I repent that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me.

10. The fact is I now regret having given him my daughter, for he has tried to kill me."

11. Thus did he slander him, because he was desirous of his kingdom.

11. He accused Alexander because he wanted to take his kingdom.

12. Wherefore he took his daughter from him, and gave her to Demetrius, and forsook Alexander, so that their hatred was openly known.

12. Ptolemy took his daughter away and gave her to Demetrius. In this way, his enmity towards Alexander became public.

13. Then Ptolemee entered into Antioch, where he set two crowns upon his head, the crown of Asia, and of Egypt.

13. Ptolemy then entered Antioch and took for himself the crown of Asia. So he held two kingdoms: the kingdom of Egypt and the kingdom of Asia.

14. In the mean season was king Alexander in Cilicia, because those that dwelt in those parts had revolted from him.

14. At that time, Alexander was in Cilicia trying to quell a rebellion.

15. But when Alexander heard of this, he came to war against him: whereupon king Ptolemee brought forth his host, and met him with a mighty power, and put him to flight.

15. When he heard what had happened, he returned to fight Ptolemy. Ptolemy went out to meet him in battle with a strong army, and Alexander was defeated.

16. So Alexander fled into Arabia there to be defended; but king Ptolemee was exalted:

16. As he fled to Arabia and sought refuge there,

17. For Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander's head, and sent it unto Ptolemee.

17. Zabdiel the Arab cut his head off and sent it to Ptolemy.

18. King Ptolemee also died the third day after, and they that were in the strong holds were slain one of another.

18. But after three days, Ptolemy died, and immediately the Egyptian soldiers who guarded the fortified cities were killed by the local inhabitants.

19. By this means Demetrius reigned in the hundred threescore and seventh year.

19. In this way, Demetrius became king in the year one hundred and sixty-seven (167 B.C.).

20. At the same time Jonathan gathered together them that were in Judea to take the tower that was in Jerusalem: and he made many engines of war against it.

20. In those days, Jonathan assembled the Jewish army to attack the Citadel in Jerusalem which was occupied by the Syrians, and he prepared many siege engines.

21. Then came ungodly persons, who hated their own people, went unto the king, and told him that Jonathan besieged the tower,

21. But some wicked men who were traitors to their country, informed the king.

22. Whereof when he heard, he was angry, and immediately removing, he came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan, that he should not lay siege to the tower, but come and speak with him at Ptolemais in great haste.

22. When the king heard of it, he became angry and immediately set out for Ptolemias. From there he wrote to Jonathan telling him to stop the siege and to come to see him as soon as possible.

23. Nevertheless Jonathan, when he heard this, commanded to besiege it still: and he chose certain of the elders of Israel and the priests, and put himself in peril;

23. Jonathan received the message, but he ordered the siege to continue. Then he decided to risk himself, and went to see the king with the elders and priests of Israel.

24. And took silver and gold, and raiment, and divers presents besides, and went to Ptolemais unto the king, where he found favour in his sight.

24. Bringing gold, silver, fine garments and other presents, they went before the king in Ptolemias and won him over.

25. And though certain ungodly men of the people had made complaints against him,

25. Some traitors accused them.

26. Yet the king entreated him as his predecessors had done before, and promoted him in the sight of all his friends,

26. But the king in the presence of all his Friends treated Jonathan as kings before had treated him.

27. And confirmed him in the high priesthood, and in all the honours that he had before, and gave him preeminence among his chief friends.

27. He confirmed Jonathan's office as high priest with all the privileges he already had. And he numbered him among his first Friends.

28. Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.

28. Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judea and the three districts of Samaria from taxes, and promised him three hundred talents in return.

29. So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:

29. The king agreed and wrote to Jonathan regarding the matter in these terms:

30. King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:

30. "King Demetrius to Jonathan, to his brothers and to the whole Jewish nation, peace.

31. We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.

31. We are sending you a copy of the letter we have written to our kinsman Lasthenes that you may know:

32. King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:

32. King Demetrius greets his kinsman Lasthenes.

33. We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.

33. Because of their fidelity to us, we have decided to grant favors to the Jewish nation, who are our friends and who fulfill their obligations to us. We wish to reward their fidelity.

34. Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.

34. We confirm the possession of the territory of Judea and the three regions of Aphairema, Kydda and Ramathaim which have been annexed to Judea from Samaria, with all their dependencies. And to all who go up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifice, we grant exemption from the tax the king formerly received from them annually until now, from the produce of the soil and from the fruit of the trees.

35. And as for other things that belong unto us, of the tithes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.

35. In the same way, they shall also be exempt from the other taxes due to us, especially from the taxes on the produce of the salt mines, and the gold crowns they formerly offered us.

36. And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.

36. None of these privileges shall ever be annulled.

37. Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.

37. Have a copy of this decree made and delivered to Jonathan to be displayed on the Holy Mountain in a conspicuous place."

38. After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

38. King Demetrius was able to place the kingdom under his rule and no one dared oppose him, so he dismissed his army, sent all the men back to their homes, except the foreign troops he had recruited from the islands of the pagans. And this drew the hatred of all the troops who had served his fathers.

39. Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,

39. Then Trypho, one of Alexander's former supporters, took advantage of the army's discontent with Demetrius. He went to Iamleku the Arab who was in charge of the education of Antiochus, the son of Alexander.

40. And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.

40. Trypho persuaded him to hand the boy over to him in order to restore Antiochus to the throne of his father. He told him of all the decisions of Demetrius and the resentment of his soldiers towards him. And Trypho spent a long time there.

41. In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.

41. Meanwhile, Jonathan asked King Demetrius to withdraw the troops from the Citadel in Jerusalem and to call back the garrisons from the fortresses, since they were always fighting Israel.

42. So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.

42. Demetrius answered him, "Not only will I do this for you and for your people, but as soon as I have the occasion to do so.

43. Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.

43. For the present, you would do well to send me reinforcements, for all my soldiers have deserted me."

44. Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

44. Jonathan sent off three thousand valiant men to Antioch; they presented themselves before the king, and this made him very happy.

45. Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.

45. About a hundred and twenty thousand rebel inhabitants gathered at the center of the city intending to do away with the king.

46. Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the passages of the city, and began to fight.

46. Demetrius took refuge in the palace while the residents occupied the streets of the city and began to attack.

47. Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.

47. The king then called on the Jews to help him, and the Jews rallied round him. Then they spread out through the city and killed a hundred thousand men on that day.

48. Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.

48. They burned the city, seized a great deal of plunder, and saved the king.

49. So when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,

49. The Jews took control of the city. And the inhabitants were so discouraged that they begged the king,

50. Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from assaulting us and the city.

50. "Forgive us and stop the Jews from maltreating us and the city."

51. With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.

51. They threw down their arms and made peace. With this, the Jews merited the admiration of the king and they became famous throughout the kingdom. Then they returned to Jerusalem laden with booty.

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

52. But when Demetrius felt secure on his throne and the land was in peace,

53. Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.

53. he forgot his promises and changed his attitude towards Jonathan. He did not treat him with the same kindness as he had done before, but began to treat him very harshly.

54. After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.

54. After this Trypho came back with Antiochus who was still a boy. He was proclaimed and crowned king,

55. Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.

55. and the troops discharged by Demetrius rallied to him and fought against Demetrius who had to flee.

56. Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.

56. Trypho seized the elephants and occupied Antioch.

57. At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's friends.

57. Then the young Antiochus sent Jonathan this letter: "I confirm your office as High Priest and make you governor of four districts, and I include you among the Friends of the King."

58. Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.

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

59. His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt.

59. He also appointed Jonathan's brother Simon as general from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontiers of Egypt.

60. Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon, they of the city met him honourably.

60. Jonathan then began to make rounds of the region and the cities on the western side of the Euphrates. The whole Syrian army came to his aid. He came to Askalon and the inhabitants of that city went out to receive him with full honors.

61. From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.

61. From there he went to Gaza, but the people there closed their gates on him. So Jonathan laid siege to it and burned the suburbs of the city, plundering everything.

62. Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through the country unto Damascus.

62. Then the people of Gaza sought peace, and he made peace with them. But he took the sons of their elders as hostages and sent them away to Jerusalem. Then he traveled through the province until he reached Damascus.

63. Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,

63. Jonathan then received news that the generals of Demetrius were in Kadesh of Galilee with a great army and planned to capture him.

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

64. Leaving his brother Simon in Judea, he went out to meet them in battle.

65. Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:

65. Simon encamped against Beth-zur and laid siege to it for many days.

66. But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.

66. The inhabitants sued for peace, which he granted them. But he expelled them from the city and occupied it, and stationed a garrison there.

67. As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.

67. Meanwhile, Jonathan encamped with his army by the waters of Gennesaret; then early in the morning, they went to the plain of Hazor.

68. And, behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.

68. The army of the pagans went out to confront them on the plain, after laying an ambush for him in the mountains.

69. So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were of Jonathan's side fled;

69. As they advanced directly towards the Jews, the men in ambush broke cover and began to attack.

70. Insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the host.

70. The men of Jonathan's side fled. And only Mattathias, the son of Absalom, and Judas, the son of Chalphi, the leaders of his army remained with him.

71. Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.

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

72. Afterwards turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.

72. Then he faced his attackers, defeated them and put them to flight.

73. Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.

73. So the troops who had abandoned him came back to his side, and together they pursued the enemies as far as Kadesh where the enemy camp was, and there they, too, pitched camp.

74. So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

74. About three thousand pagans perished that day. Then Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.