Antiochus VII threatens Simon
25 King Antiochus besieged Dor for a second time, continually making war engines and throwing his forces against it. He forced Trypho to stay inside and restricted his movement.
26
Simon sent two thousand select troops to fight for Antiochus. He also sent silver, gold, and a large amount of military equipment.
27
But Antiochus wouldn't accept them. He broke all the agreements that he had made with Simon in the past and became like a stranger to him.
28
He sent Athenobius, one of his leading political advisors, to talk with Simon: "You hold control of Joppa and Gazara and the elevated fortress in Jerusalem. They are cities of my kingdom.
29
You have devastated their territory. You have done great damage in the land. You have taken possession of many places in my kingdom.
30
Now hand over the cities that you have captured and the money you have received from the places you have conquered beyond Judea's borders.
31
Or you can pay me five hundred talents of silver for the destruction you have caused and five hundred more talents for the tribute money of the cities. Otherwise, I will come and make war on you."
32
So the king's advisor Athenobius came to Jerusalem. When he saw the magnificence of Simon, including his special cupboard that had gold and silver on it, all representing his considerable position, he was amazed. But he delivered the king's message.
33
Simon replied, "We haven't taken foreign land or property. We've taken only our ancestors' inheritance, which was unjustly stolen by our enemies.
34
Now that we have the opportunity, we will hold on firmly to their inheritance.
35
As for Joppa and Gazara, which you demand, they were causing a lot of problems for our people and land. But we'll give you one hundred talents for them." Athenobius did not say a word.
36
Instead, he returned with great anger and told the king what Simon had said. He also reported on Simon's wealth and all that he had seen, and the king was enraged.