42
The people of Israel began to write in their documents and contracts, "In the first year of Simon the great high priest, commander and leader of the Jews."
43
In those days, Simon camped against Gazara and surrounded it with troops. He made a siege engine and brought it up to the city. He battered and captured one tower.
44
The men in the siege engine leaped out into the city, and a great tumult arose.
45
Together with their wives and children, the men went up on the wall with their clothes torn. They cried out loudly, asking Simon to make peace with them.
46
They said, "Don't treat us according to our wicked acts but according to your mercy."