1
Furthermore, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host,
2
who went forth by the way that leadeth to Gilgal, and pitched their tents before Mesaloth, which is in Arbela; and after they had won it, they slew many people.
3
Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year, they encamped before Jerusalem,
4
from whence they removed and went to Berea with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
5
Now Judas had pitched his tents at Elasa, and three thousand chosen men with him,
6
who, seeing the multitude of the other army to be so great, were sore afraid, whereupon many removed themselves out of the host, insomuch that there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.
7
When Judas therefore saw that his host slipped away and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sorely troubled in mind and much distressed, for he had no time to gather them together.
8
Nevertheless unto those who remained he said, "Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if perhaps we may be able to fight against them."
9
But they attempted to dissuade him, saying, "We shall never be able. Let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren and fight against them; for we are but few."
10
Then Judas said, "God forbid that I should do this thing, and flee away from them! If our time has come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honor."
11
With that, the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents and stood arrayed against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host; and those who marched in the forefront were all mighty men.
12
As for Bacchides, he was on the right wing; so the host drew near on the two parts and sounded their trumpets.
13
Those also on Judas' side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night.
14
Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right wing, he took with him all the hardy men,
15
who discomfited the right wing and pursued them unto Mount Azotus.
16
But when those on the left wing saw that those on the right wing were discomfited, they followed Judas and those who were with him hard at the heels from behind.
17
Thereupon there was a severe battle, insomuch that many were slain on both sides.
18
Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.
19
Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulcher of his fathers in Modin.
20
Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him and mourned many days, saying,
21
"How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Israel!"
22
As for the other things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did and his greatness, they are not written, for they were very many.
23
Now after the death of Judas, the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the regions of Israel, and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity.
24
In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason of which the country revolted and went with them.
25
Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country.
26
And they made inquiry and search for Judas' friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance upon them and used them spitefully.
27
So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them.
28
For this cause all Judas' friends came together and said unto Jonathan,
29
"Since thy brother Judas died we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies and Bacchides, and against those of our nation who are our adversaries.
30
"Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles."
31
Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up in the stead of his brother Judas.
32
But when Bacchides got knowledge thereof, he sought to slay him.
33
Then Jonathan and Simon his brother and all who were with him, perceiving this, fled into the Wilderness of Tekoa and pitched their tents by the water of the pool of Asphar.
34
When Bacchides understood this, he came near to the Jordan with all his host upon the Sabbath day.
35
Now Jonathan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabateans that they might leave with them their baggage, which was much.
36
But the children of Jambri came out of Medeba, and seized John and all that he had, and went their way with it.
37
After this came word to Jonathan and Simon his brother that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabath with a great train, she being the daughter of one of the great princes of Canaan.
38
Therefore they remembered John their brother and went up and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain,
39
where they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, there was much ado and much baggage; and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums and instruments of music and many weapons.
40
Then Jonathan and those who were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such manner that many fell down dead; and the remnant fled into the mountain, and they took all their spoils.
41
Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.
42
So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned back to the marsh of the Jordan.
43
Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the Sabbath day unto the banks of the Jordan with great power.
44
Then Jonathan said to his company, "Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us today as in time past.
45
For behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood; neither is there a place for us to turn aside.
46
Therefore cry ye now unto heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies."
47
With that they joined in battle; and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.
48
Then Jonathan and those who were with him leaped into the Jordan and swam over unto the farther bank; however the other passed not over the Jordan unto them.
49
So there were slain on Bacchides' side that day about a thousand men.
50
Afterwards Bacchides returned to Jerusalem and repaired the strong cites in Judea: the fort in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Beth-horon, and Bethel, and Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon; these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates and with bars.
51
And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Israel.
52
He fortified also the city of Beth-zur, and Gazara and the tower, and put forces in them and provisions of victuals.
53
Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Jerusalem to be kept.
54
Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works of the prophets.
55
And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued and his enterprises hindered; for his mouth was stopped and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing nor give orders concerning his house.
56
So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.
57
Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead he returned to the king, whereupon the land of Judea was at rest two years.
58
Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, "Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease and dwell without care. Now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them all in one night."
59
So they went and consulted with him.
60
Then Bacchides removed and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea that they should take Jonathan and those who were with him; however they could not, because their counsel was known unto them.
61
Therefore Jonathan and his company took from the men of the country, who were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons and slew them.
62
Afterwards Jonathan and Simon and those who were with them got away unto Bethbasi, which is in the wilderness; and they repaired the ruins thereof and made it strong.
63
When Bacchides found this out, he gathered together all his host and sent word to those who were of Judea.
64
Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season, and made engines of war.
65
But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city and went forth himself into the country; and with a small number went he forth.
66
And he smote Odomera and his brethren and the children of Phasiron in their tents.
67
And when Jonathan began to smite them and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went out of the city and burned up the engines of war,
68
and fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them. And they afflicted him sorely, for his counsel and travail were in vain.
69
Therefore he was very wroth at the wicked men who gave him counsel to come into the country, insomuch that he slew many of them and purposed to return into his own country.
70
When Jonathan had knowledge thereof, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end that he should make peace with him and deliver them the prisoners.
71
This thing he accepted, and did according to Jonathan's demands, and swore unto him that he would never do him harm all the days of his life.
72
When therefore he had restored unto Jonathan the prisoners that he had taken previously out of the land of Judea, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came he any more into their borders.
73
Thus the sword ceased from Israel. But Jonathan dwelt at Michmash and began to govern the people, and he destroyed the ungodly men out of Israel.