1 Maccabees 12

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:	1 When Jonathan saw that the times favored him, he sent selected men to Rome to confirm and renew his friendship with the Romans.
2 And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form.	2 He also sent letters to Sparta and other places for the same purpose.
3 And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance as it was before.	3 After reaching Rome, the men entered the senate chamber and said, "The high priest Jonathan and the Jewish people have sent us to renew the earlier friendship and alliance between you and them."
4 And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.	4 The Romans gave them letters addressed to the authorities in the various places, requesting them to provide the envoys with safe conduct to the land of Judah.
5 And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:	5 This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6 Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.	6 "Jonathan the high priest, the senate of the nation, the priests, and the rest of the Jewish people send greetings to their brothers the Spartans.
7 There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.	7 Long ago a letter was sent to the high priest Onias from Arius, who then reigned over you, stating that you are our brothers, as the attached copy shows.
8 And Onias received the ambassador with honour: and received the letters wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.	8 Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which clearly referred to alliance and friendship.
9 We, though we needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,	9 Though we have no need of these things, since we have for our encouragement the sacred books that are in our possession,
10 Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.	10 we have ventured to send word to you for the renewal of brotherhood and friendship, so as not to become strangers to you altogether; a long time has passed since your mission to us.
11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren.	11 We, on our part, have never ceased to remember you in the sacrifices and prayers that we offer on our feasts and other appropriate days, as it is right and proper to remember brothers.
12 And we rejoice at your glory.	12 We likewise rejoice in your renown.
13 But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us.	13 But many hardships and wars have beset us, and the kings around us have attacked us.
14 But we would not be troublesome to you, nor the rest of our allies and friends in these wars.	14 We did not wish to be troublesome to you and to the rest of our allies and friends in these wars;
15 For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.	15 with the help of Heaven for our support, we have been saved from our enemies, and they have been humbled.
16 We have chosen therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans to renew with them the former amity and alliance.	16 So we have chosen Numenius, son of Antiochus, and Antipater, son of Jason, and we have sent them to the Romans to renew our former friendship and alliance with them.
17 And we have commanded them to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.	17 We have also ordered them to come to you and greet you, and to deliver to you our letter about the renewal of our brotherhood.
18 And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto.	18 Therefore kindly send us an answer on this matter."
19 And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:	19 This is a copy of the letter that was sent to Onias:
20 Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting.	20 "Arius, king of the Spartans, sends greetings to Onias the high priest.
21 It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.	21 A document has been found stating that the Spartans and the Jews are brothers; both nations descended from Abraham.
22 And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.	22 Now that we have learned this, kindly write to us about your welfare.
23 And we also have written back to you: That our cattle, and our possessions are yours: and yours, ours. We therefore have commanded that these things should be told you.	23 We, on our part, are informing you that your cattle and your possessions are ours, and ours are yours. We have, therefore, given orders that you should be told of this."
24 Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.	24 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had returned to attack him with a stronger army than before.
25 So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.	25 He set out from Jerusalem and went into the country of Hamath to meet them, giving them no time to enter his province.
26 And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.	26 The spies he had sent into their camp came back and reported that the enemy had made ready to attack the Jews that very night.
27 And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.	27 Therefore, when the sun set, Jonathan ordered his men to be on guard and to remain armed, ready for combat, throughout the night. He also set outposts all around the camp.
28 And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they were struck with fear, and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.	28 When the enemy heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, their hearts sank with fear and dread. They lighted fires and then withdrew.
29 But Jonathan and they that were with him knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.	29 But because Jonathan and his men were watching the lights burning, they did not know what had happened until morning.
30 And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.	30 Then Jonathan pursued them, but he could not overtake them, for they had crossed the river Eleutherus.
31 And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.	31 So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, overwhelming and plundering them.
32 And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.	32 Then he marched on to Damascus and traversed that whole region.
33 Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,	33 Simon also set out and went as far as Ashkalon and its neighboring strongholds. He then turned to Joppa and occupied it,
34 (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius,) and he put a garrison there to keep it.	34 for he heard that its men had intended to hand over this stronghold to the supporters of Demetrius. He left a garrison there to guard it.
35 And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people, and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,	35 When Jonathan returned, he assembled the elders of the people, and with them he made plans for building strongholds in Judea,
36 And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.	36 for making the walls of Jerusalem still higher, and for erecting a high barrier between the citadel and the city, that would isolate the citadel and so prevent its garrison from commerce with the city.
37 And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook towards the east was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:	37 The people therefore worked together on building up the city, for part of the east wall above the ravine had collapsed. The quarter called Chaphenatha was also repaired.
38 And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.	38 Simon likewise built up Adida in the Shephelah, and strengthened its fortifications by providing them with gates and bars.
39 Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia, and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:	39 Trypho was determined to become king of Asia, assume the crown, and do away with King Antiochus.
40 Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.	40 But he was afraid that Jonathan would not permit him, but would fight against him. Looking for a way to seize and kill him, he set out and reached Beth-shan.
41 And Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethsan.	41 Jonathan marched out against him with forty thousand picked fighting men and came to Beth-shan.
42 Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him,	42 But when Trypho saw that Jonathan had arrived with a large army he was afraid to offer him violence.
43 But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.	43 Instead, he received him with honor, introduced him to all his friends, and gave him presents. He also ordered his friends and soldiers to obey him as they would himself.
44 And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?	44 Then he said to Jonathan: "Why have you put all your soldiers to so much trouble when we are not at war?
45 Now therefore send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.	45 Pick out a few men to stay with you, send the rest back home, and then come with me to Ptolemais. I will hand it over to you together with other strongholds and their garrisons, as well as the officials, then I will leave and go home. That is why I came here."
46 And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:	46 Jonathan believed him and did as he said. He dismissed his troops, and they returned to the land of Judah.
47 But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.	47 But he kept with him three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand to Galilee while one thousand accompanied him.
48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates of the city, and took him: and all them that came in with him they slew with the sword.	48 Then as soon as Jonathan had entered Ptolemais, the men of the city closed the gates and seized him; all who had entered with him, they killed with the sword.
49 Then Tryphon sent an army and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain to destroy all Jonathan's company.	49 Trypho sent soldiers and cavalry to Galilee and the Great Plain to destroy all Jonathan's men.
50 But they, when they understood that Jonathan and all that were with him were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.	50 These, upon learning that Jonathan had been captured and his companions killed, encouraged one another and went out in compact body ready to fight.
51 Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.	51 As their pursuers saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, they turned back.
52 Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda. And they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.	52 Thus all these men of Jonathan came safely into the land of Judah. They mourned over Jonathan and his men, and were in great fear, and all Israel fell into deep mourning.
53 Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:	53 All the nations round about sought to destroy them. They said, "Now that they have no leader to help them, let us make war on them and wipe out their memory from among men."
54 They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst mem.