41
In the year one hundred and seventy the yoke of the Gentiles was taken off from Israel.
42
And the people of Israel began to write in the instruments, and public records, The first year under Simon the high priest, the great captain and prince of the Jews.
43
In those days Simon besieged Gaza, and camped round about it, and he made engines, and set them to the city, and he struck one tower, and took it.
44
And they that were within the engine leaped into the city: and there was a great uproar in the city.
45
And they that were in the city went up with their wives and children upon the wall, with their garments rent, and they cried with a loud voice, beseeching Simon to grant them peace.