21
"It can't be! The mighty hero and savior of Israel has been killed!"
22
The other deeds of Judas, his battles, his courageous deeds, and his great accomplishments, were too many to write down.
23
After the death of Judas, the lawless traitors began to reappear everywhere in Judea, and all the wicked people returned.
24
Also at that time there was a severe famine, and the whole country went over to the side of the renegades.
25
Bacchides deliberately appointed some renegade Jews as rulers over the country.
26
These men hunted down the friends of Judas and brought them all before Bacchides, and he subjected them to torture and humiliation.
27
It was a time of great trouble for Israel, worse than anything that had happened to them since the time prophets ceased to appear among them.
28
Then all the friends of Judas came together and said to Jonathan,
29
"Since your brother Judas died, there has been no one like him to lead us against our enemies, against Bacchides and those of our own nation who oppose us.
30
So today we choose you to succeed him as our ruler and commander to carry on our war."
31
Jonathan accepted the leadership that day and took the place of his brother Judas.