60
And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea, to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.
61
And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and slew them.
62
And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.
63
And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.
64
And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought against it many days, and made engines.
65
But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country: and came with a number of men.
66
And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.
67
But Simon and they that were with him, sallied out of the city, and burnt the engines.
68
And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.
69
And he was angry with the wicked men that had given him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their country.
70
And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore to him the prisoners.