24
Later, Simon sent Numenius to Rome with the gift of a large gold shield weighing half a ton, to confirm the Jews' alliance with the Romans.
25
When the people of Israel heard about all this, they asked themselves, "How can we express our thanks to Simon and his sons?
26
He, his brothers, and his father's whole family have been towers of strength for our nation. They have fought off our enemies and set the nation free." So they recorded this on bronze tablets and set them up on columns on Mount Zion.
27
The inscription read as follows: "On the eighteenth day of the month of Elul in the year 172, that is, in the third year of Simon, the High Priest,
28
at a great assembly of priests, people, officials, and national leaders the following facts were made known to us:
29
Often when wars broke out in the country, Simon son of Mattathias, a priest of the Jehoiarib family, and his brothers risked their lives in protecting our nation, our Temple, and our Law against our enemies. They have brought great glory to our nation.
30
Jonathan united our people and became the High Priest before he died.
31
The enemies of the Jews plotted to invade the land and defile the Temple.
32
Then Simon assumed command and fought for his country. He spent a large amount of his own money to provide weapons and wages for his nation's armed forces.
33
He fortified the towns of Judea, and especially Bethzur on the border, where enemy weapons had previously been stored. He stationed a detachment of soldiers there.
34
He fortified the seaport of Joppa and the city of Gezer on the border of Azotus, which was previously occupied by enemy soldiers. He settled Jews there and provided the towns with everything that the people needed.