1 Maccabees 9

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 In the mean time when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.	1 When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army had fallen in battle, he again sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judah, along with the right wing of his army.
2 And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.	2 They took the road to Galilee, and camping opposite the ascent at Arbela, they captured it and killed many people.
3 In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:	3 In the first month of the year one hundred and fifty-two, they encamped against Jerusalem.
4 And they arose, and went to Berea with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.	4 Then they set out for Berea with twenty thousand men and two thousand cavalry.
5 Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:	5 Judas, with three thousand picked men, had camped at Elasa.
6 And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.	6 When his men saw the great number of the troops, they were very much afraid, and many slipped away from the camp, until only eight hundred men remained.
7 And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.	7 As Judas saw that his army was melting away just when the battle was imminent, he was panic-stricken, because he had no time to gather them together.
8 Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to fight against them.	8 But in spite of his discouragement, he said to those who remained: "Let us go forward to meet our enemies; perhaps we can put up a good fight against them."
9 But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but few.	9 They tried to dissuade him, saying: "We certainly cannot. Let us save our lives now, and come back with our kinsmen, and then fight against them. Now we are too few."
10 Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our glory.	10 But Judas said: "Far be it from me to do such a thing as to flee from them! If our time has come, let us die bravely for our kinsmen and not leave a stain upon our glory!"
11 And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.	11 Then the army of Bacchides moved out of camp and took its position for combat. The cavalry were divided into two squadrons, and the slingers and the archers came on ahead of the army, and all the valiant men were in the front line.
12 And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the trumpets:	12 Bacchides was on the right wing. Flanked by the two squadrons, the phalanx attacked as they blew their trumpets. Those who were on Judas' side also blew their trumpets.
13 And they also were on Judas' side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.	13 The earth shook with the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.
14 And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with him:	14 Seeing that Bacchides was on the right, with the main force of his army, Judas, with all the most stouthearted rallying to him,
15 And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued them even to the mount Azotus.	15 drove back the right wing and pursued them as far as the mountain slopes.
16 And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:	16 But when the men on the left wing saw that the right wing was driven back, they turned and followed Judas and his men, taking them in the rear.
17 And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many wounded of the one side and of the other.	17 The battle was fought desperately, and many on both sides fell wounded.
18 And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.	18 Then Judas fell, and the rest fled.
19 And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers in the city of Modin.	19 Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein.
20 And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.	20 All Israel bewailed him in great grief. They mourned for him many days, and they said,
21 And said: How is the mighty man fallen, that saved the people of Israel!	21 "How the mighty one has fallen, the savior of Israel!"
22 But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for they were very many.	22 The other acts of Judas, his battles, the brave deeds he performed, and his greatness have not been recorded; but they were very many.
23 And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.	23 After the death of Judas, the transgressors of the law raised their heads in every part of Israel, and all kinds of evildoers appeared.
24 In those days there was a very great famine, and they and all their country yielded to Bacchides.	24 In those days there was a very great famine, and the country deserted to them.
25 And Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country:	25 Bacchides chose impious men and made them masters of the country.
26 And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused them.	26 These sought out and hunted down the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who punished and derided them.
27 And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.	27 There had not been such great distress in Israel since the time prophets ceased to appear among the people.
28 And all the friends of Judas came together, and said to Jonathan:	28 Then all the friends of Judas came together and said to Jonathan:
29 Since thy brother Judas died, there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of our nation.	29 "Since your brother Judas died, there has been no one like him to oppose our enemies, Bacchides and those who are hostile to our nation.
30 Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince, and captain in his stead to fight our battles.	30 Now therefore we have chosen you today to be our ruler and leader in his place, and to fight our battle."
31 So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas his brother.	31 From that moment Jonathan accepted the leadership, and took the place of Judas his brother.
32 And Bacchides had knowledge of it, and sought to kill him.	32 When Bacchides learned of it, he sought to kill him.
33 And Jonathan and Simon his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake of Asphar,	33 But Jonathan and his brother Simon and all the men with him discovered this, and they fled to the desert of Tekoa and camped by the waters of the pool of Asphar.
34 And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself with all his army over the Jordan on the sabbath day.	34
35 And Jonathan sent his brother a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.	35 Jonathan sent his brother as leader of the convoy to ask permission of his friends, the Nabateans, to deposit with them their great quantity of baggage.
36 And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.	36 But the sons of Jambri from Medaba made a raid and seized and carried off John and everything he had.
37 After this it was told Jonathan, and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.	37 After this, word was brought to Jonathan and his brother Simon: "The sons of Jambri are celebrating a great wedding, and with a large escort they are bringing the bride, the daughter of one of the great princes of Canaan, from Nadabath."
38 And the remembered the blood of John their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.	38 Remembering the blood of John their brother, they went up and hid themselves under cover of the mountain.
39 And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments, and many weapons.	39 They watched, and suddenly saw a noisy crowd with baggage; the bridegroom and his friends and kinsmen had come out to meet the bride's party with tambourines and musicians and much equipment.
40 And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:	40 The Jews rose up against them from their ambush and killed them. Many fell wounded, and after the survivors fled toward the mountain, all their spoils were taken.
41 And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.	41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning, and the sound of music into lamentation.
42 And they took revenge for the blood of their brother: and they returned to the bank of the Jordan.	42 Having taken their revenge for the blood of their brother, the Jews returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
43 And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan with a great power.	43 When Bacchides heard of it, he came on the sabbath to the banks of the Jordan with a large force.
44 And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as yesterday, and the day before.	44 Then Jonathan said to his companions, "Let us get up now and fight for our lives, for today is not like yesterday and the day before.
45 And behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.	45 The battle is before us, and behind us are the waters of the Jordan on one side, marsh and thickets on the other, and there is no way of escape.
46 Now therefore cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.	46 Cry out now to Heaven for deliverance from our enemies."
47 And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.	47 When they joined battle, Jonathan raised his arm to strike Bacchides, but Bacchides backed away from him.
48 And Jonathan, and they that were with him leaped into the Jordan, and swam over the Jordan to them:	48 Jonathan and his men jumped into the Jordan and swam across to the other side, but the enemy did not pursue them across the Jordan.
49 And there fell of Bacchides' side that day a thousand man: and they returned to Jerusalem,	49 A thousand men on Bacchides' side fell that day.
50 And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, with high walls, and gates, and bars.	50 On returning to Jerusalem, Bacchides built strongholds in Judea: the Jericho fortress, as well as Emmaus, Beth-horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.
51 And he placed garrisons in them, that they might wage war against Israel:	51 In each he put a garrison to oppose Israel.
52 And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provisions of victuals:	52 He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gazara and the citadel, and put soldiers in them and stores of provisions.
53 And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.	53 He took as hostages the sons of the leaders of the country and put them in custody in the citadel at Jerusalem.
54 Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.	54 In the year one hundred and fifty-three, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary to be torn down, thus destroying the work of the prophets. But he only began to tear it down.
55 At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order concerning his house.	55 Just at that time he had a stroke, and his work was interrupted; his mouth was closed and he was paralyzed, so that he could no longer utter a word to give orders concerning his house.
56 And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.	56 Finally he died in great agony.
57 And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.	57 Seeing that Alcimus was dead, Bacchides returned to the king, and the land of Judah was quiet for two years. Bacchides and Jonathan
58 And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease, and without fear: now therefore let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one night.	58 Then all the transgressors of the law held a council and said: "Jonathan and his companions are living in peace and security. Now then, let us have Bacchides return, and he will capture all of them in a single night."
59 So they went, and gave him counsel.	59 So they went and took counsel with him.
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.	60 When Bacchides was setting out with a large force, he sent letters secretly to all his allies in Judea, telling them to seize Jonathan and his companions. They were not able to do this, however, because their plot became known.
61 And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and slew them.	61 In fact, Jonathan's men seized about fifty of the men of the country who were ringleaders in the mischief and put them to death.
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.	62 Then Jonathan and Simon and their companions withdrew to Bethbasi in the desert; they rebuilt and strengthened its fortifications that had been demolished.
63 And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.	63 When Bacchides learned of this, he gathered together his whole force and sent word to those who were in Judea.
64 And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought against it many days, and made engines.	64 He came and pitched his camp before Bethbasi, and constructing siege-machines, he fought against it for many days.
65 But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country: and came with a number of men.	65 Leaving his brother Simon in the city, Jonathan, accompanied by a small group of men, went out into the field.
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.	66 He struck down Odomera and his kinsmen and the sons of Phasiron in their encampment; these men had set out to go up to the siege with their forces.
67 But Simon and they that were with him, sallied out of the city, and burnt the engines.	67 Simon and his men then sallied forth from the city and set fire to the machines.
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.	68 They fought against Bacchides, and he was beaten. This caused him great distress. Because the enterprise he had planned came to nought,
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.	69 he was angry with the lawless men who had advised him to invade the province. He killed many of them and resolved to return to his own 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.	70 Jonathan learned of this and sent ambassadors to make peace with him and to obtain the release of the prisoners.
71 And he accepted it willingly, and did according to his words, and swore that the would do him no harm all the days of his life.	71 He agreed to do as Jonathan had asked. He swore an oath to him that he would never try to injure him for the rest of his life;
72 And he restored to him the prisoners which he before had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned and went away into his own country, and he came no more into their borders.	72 and he released the prisoners he had previously taken from the land of Judah. He returned to his own country and never came into their territory again.
73 So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people, and he destroyed the wicked out of Israel.	73 Then the sword ceased in Israel. Jonathan settled in Michmash; he began to judge the people and he destroyed the impious in Israel.