1 Maccabees 11

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 The king of Egypt gathered his forces, as numerous as the sands of the seashore, and many ships; and he sought by deceit to take Alexander's kingdom and add it to his own.	1 The king of Egypt then assembled an army as numerous as the sands of the seashore, with manyships, and set out to take possession of Alexander's kingdom by a ruse and add it to his own kingdom.
2 He entered Syria with peaceful words, and the people in the cities opened their gates to welcome him, as King Alexander had ordered them to do, since Ptolemy was his father-in-law.	2 He set off for Syria with protestations of peace, and the people of the towns opened their gates to himand came out to meet him, since King Alexander's orders were to welcome him, Ptolemy being his father-in-law.
3 But when Ptolemy entered the cities, he stationed garrison troops in each one.	3 On entering the towns, however, Ptolemy quartered troops as a garrison in each one.
4 When he reached Azotus, he was shown the temple of Dagon destroyed by fire, Azotus and its suburbs demolished, corpses lying about, and the charred bodies of those burned by Jonathan in the war and stacked up along his route.	4 When he reached Azotus he was shown the burnt-out temple of Dagon, with Azotus and its suburbsin ruins, corpses scattered here and there, and the charred remains of those whom Jonathan had burnt to deathin the battle, piled into heaps along his route.
5 To prejudice the king against Jonathan, he was told what the latter had done; but the king said nothing.	5 They explained to the king what Jonathan had done, hoping for his disapproval; but the king saidnothing.
6 Jonathan met the king with pomp at Joppa, and they greeted each other and spent the night there.	6 Jonathan went in state to meet the king at Joppa, where they greeted each other and spent the night.
7 Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus and then returned to Jerusalem.	7 Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus, and then returned to Jerusalem.
8 Plotting evil against Alexander, King Ptolemy took possession of the cities along the seacoast as far as Seleucia-by-the-Sea.	8 King Ptolemy for his part occupied the coastal towns as far as Seleucia on the coast, al the whilematuring his wicked designs against Alexander.
9 He sent ambassadors to King Demetrius, saying: "Come, let us make a pact with each other; I will give you my daughter whom Alexander has married, and you shall reign over your father's kingdom.	9 He sent envoys to King Demetrius to say, 'Come and let us make a treaty; I shall give you mydaughter, whom Alexander now has, and you shal rule your father's kingdom.
10 I regret that I gave him my daughter, for he has sought to kill me."	10 I regret having given my daughter to that man, since he has tried to kil me.'
11 His real reason for accusing Alexander, however, was that he coveted Alexander's kingdom.	11 He made this accusation because he coveted his kingdom.
12 After taking his daughter away and giving her to Demetrius, Ptolemy broke with Alexander; their enmity became open.	12 Having carried off his daughter and bestowed her on Demetrius, he broke with Alexander, and theirenmity became open.
13 Then Ptolemy entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he thus wore two crowns on his head, that of Egypt and that of Asia.	13 Ptolemy next entered Antioch and assumed the crown of Asia; he now wore on his head the twocrowns of Egypt and Asia.
14 King Alexander was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of that region had revolted.	14 King Alexander was in Cilicia at the time, since the people of those parts had risen in revolt,
15 When Alexander heard the news, he came to challenge Ptolemy in battle. Ptolemy marched out and met him with a strong force and put him to flight.	15 but when he heard the news, he advanced on his rival to give battle, while Ptolemy for his part alsotook the field, met him with a strong force and routed him.
16 Alexander fled to Arabia to seek protection. King Ptolemy's triumph was complete	16 Alexander fled to Arabia for refuge, and King Ptolemy reigned supreme.
17 when the Arab Zabdiel cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.	17 Zabdiel the Arab cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.
18 But three days later King Ptolemy himself died, and his men in the fortified cities were killed by the inhabitants of the strongholds.	18 Three days later King Ptolemy died, and the Egyptian garrisons in the strongholds were kil ed by thelocal inhabitants.
19 Thus Demetrius became king in the year one hundred and sixty-seven.	19 So Demetrius became king in the year 167.
20 At that time Jonathan gathered together the men of Judea to attack the citadel in Jerusalem, and they set up many machines against it.	20 At the same time, Jonathan mustered the men of Judaea for an assault on the Citadel of Jerusalem,and they set up numerous siege-engines against it.
21 Some transgressors of the law, enemies of their own nation, went to the king and informed him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.	21 But some renegades who hated their nation made their way to the king and told him that Jonathanwas besieging the Citadel.
22 When Demetrius heard this, he was furious, and set out immediately for Ptolemais. He wrote to Jonathan to discontinue the siege and to meet him for a conference at Ptolemais as soon as possible.	22 The king was angered by the news. No sooner had he been informed than he set out and came toPtolemais. He wrote to Jonathan, tel ing him to raise the siege and to meet him for a conference in Ptolemais assoon as possible.
23 On hearing this, Jonathan ordered the siege to continue. He selected some elders and priests of Israel and exposed himself to danger	23 When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders for the siege to continue; he then selected a deputationfrom the elders of Israel and the priests, and took the deliberate risk
24 by going to the king at Ptolemais. He brought with him silver, gold apparel, and many other presents, and found favor with the king.	24 of himself taking silver and gold, clothing and numerous other presents, and going to Ptolemais toface the king, whose favour he succeeded in winning;
25 Although some impious men of his own nation brought charges against him,	25 and although one or two renegades of his nation brought charges against him,
26 the king treated him just as his predecessors had done and showed him great honor in the presence of all his Friends.	26 the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him, and promoted him in the presence of alhis friends.
27 He confirmed him in the high priesthood and in all the honors he had previously held, and had him enrolled among his Chief Friends.	27 He confirmed him in the high-priesthood and whatever other distinctions he already held, and hadhim ranked among the First Friends.
28 Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judea and the three districts of Samaria from tribute, promising him in return three hundred talents.	28 Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judaea and the three Samaritan districts from taxation,promising him three hundred talents in return.
29 The king agreed and wrote the following letter to Jonathan about all these matters: Pact with Demetrius	29 The king consented, and wrote Jonathan a rescript covering the whole matter, in these terms:
30 "King Demetrius sends greetings to his brother Jonathan and to the Jewish nation.	30 'King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother, and to the Jewish nation, greetings.
31 We are sending you, for your information, a copy of the letter that we wrote to Lasthenes our kinsman concerning you.	31 'We have written to Lasthenes our cousin concerning you, and now send you this copy of ourrescript for your own information:
32 "'King Demetrius sends greetings to his father Lasthenes.	32 "King Demetrius to his father Lasthenes, greetings.
33 Because of the good will they show us, we have decided to bestow benefits on the Jewish nation, who are our friends and who observe their obligations to us.	33 "The nation of the Jews is our al y; they fulfil their obligations to us, and in view of their goodwilltowards us we have decided to show them our bounty.
34 Therefore we confirm their possession, not only of the territory of Judea, but also of the three districts of Aphairema, Lydda, and Ramathaim. These districts, together with all their dependencies, were transferred from Samaria to Judea in favor of all those who offer sacrifices for us in Jerusalem instead of paying the royal taxes that formerly the king received from them each year from the produce of the soil and the fruit of the trees.	34 We confirm them in their possession of the territory of Judaea and the three districts of Aphairema,Lydda and Ramathaim; these were annexed to Judaea from Samaritan territory, with al their dependencies, infavour of al who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the royal dues which the king formerly received fromthem every year, from the yield of the soil and the fruit crops.
35 From this day on we grant them release from payment of all other things that would henceforth be due to us, that is, of tithes and tribute and of the tax on the salt pans and the crown tax.	35 As regards our other rights over the tithes and taxes due to us, over the salt marshes, and the crowntaxes due to us, as from today we release them from them al .
36 Henceforth none of these provisions shall ever be revoked.	36 None of these grants will be revoked henceforth or anywhere.
37 Be sure, therefore, to have a copy of these instructions made and given to Jonathan, that it may be displayed in a conspicuous place on the holy hill.'"	37 You wil make yourself responsible for having a copy of this made, to be given to Jonathan anddisplayed on the holy mountain in a conspicuous place." '
38 When King Demetrius saw that the land was peaceful under his rule and that he had no opposition, he dismissed his entire army, every man to his home, except the foreign troops which he had hired from the islands of the nations. So all the soldiers who had served under his predecessors hated him.	38 When King Demetrius saw that the country was at peace under his rule and that no resistance wasoffered him, he dismissed his forces, and sent al the men home, except for the foreign troops that he hadrecruited in the foreign island, thus incurring the enmity of the veterans who had served his ancestors.
39 When a certain Trypho, who had previously belonged to Alexander's party, saw that all the troops were grumbling at Demetrius, he went to Imalkue the Arab, who was bringing up Alexander's young son Antiochus.	39 Now Trypho, one of Alexander's former supporters, noting that al the troops were muttering againstDemetrius, went to see Iamleku, the Arab who was bringing up Antiochus, Alexander's young son,
40 Trypho kept urging Imalkue to hand over the boy to him, that he might make him king in his father's place. During his stay there of many days, he told him of all that Demetrius had done and of the hatred that his soldiers had for him.	40 and repeatedly urged him to let him have the boy, so that he might succeed his father as king; hetold him of Demetrius' decision and of the resentment it had aroused among his troops. He spent a long timethere.
41 Meanwhile Jonathan sent the request to King Demetrius to withdraw his troops from the citadel of Jerusalem and from the other strongholds, for they were constantly hostile to Israel.	41 Jonathan, meanwhile, sent to ask King Demetrius to withdraw the garrisons from the Citadel inJerusalem and from the other fortresses, since they were constantly fighting Israel.
42 Demetrius, in turn, sent this word to Jonathan: "I will not only do this for you and your nation, but I will greatly honor you and your nation when I find the opportunity.	42 Demetrius sent word back to Jonathan, 'Not only wil I do this for you and for your nation, but I shalheap honours on you and your nation if I find a favourable opportunity.
43 Do me the favor, therefore, of sending men to fight for me, because all my troops have revolted."	43 For the present, you would do wel to send me reinforcements, since al my troops have deserted.'
44 So Jonathan sent three thousand good fighting men to him at Antioch. When they came to the king, he was delighted over their arrival,	44 Jonathan sent three thousand experienced soldiers to him in Antioch; when they reached the king,he was delighted at their arrival.
45 for the populace, one hundred and twenty thousand strong, had massed in the center of the city in an attempt to kill him.	45 The citizens crowded together in the centre of the city, to the number of some hundred and twentythousand, intending to kil the king.
46 But he took refuge in the palace, while the populace gained control of the main streets and began to fight.	46 The king took refuge in the palace, while the citizens occupied the thoroughfares of the city andbegan to attack.
47 So the king called the Jews to his aid. They all rallied around him and spread out through the city. On that day they killed about a hundred thousand men in the city,	47 The king then cal ed on the Jews for help; and these al ral ied round him, then fanned out throughthe city, and that day kil ed about a hundred thousand of its inhabitants.
48 which, at the same time, they set on fire and plundered on a large scale. Thus they saved the king's life.	48 They fired the city, seizing a great deal of plunder at the same time, and secured the king's safety.
49 When the populace saw that the Jews held the city at their mercy, they lost courage and cried out to the king in supplication,	49 When the citizens saw that the Jews had the city at their mercy, their courage failed them, and theymade an abject appeal to the king,
50 "Give us your terms and let the Jews stop attacking us and our city." So they threw down their arms and made peace.	50 'Give us the right hand of peace, and let the Jews stop their fight against us and the city.'
51 The Jews thus gained glory in the eyes of the king and all his subjects, and they became renowned throughout his kingdom. Finally they returned to Jerusalem with much spoil.	51 They threw down their arms and made peace. The Jews were covered in glory, in the eyes of theking and of everyone else in his kingdom. Having won renown in his kingdom, they returned to Jerusalem ladenwith booty.
52 But when King Demetrius was sure of his royal throne, and the land was peaceful under his rule,	52 Thus, King Demetrius sat al the more securely on his royal throne, and the country was quiet underhis government.
53 he broke all his promises and became estranged from Jonathan. Instead of rewarding Jonathan for all the favors he had received from him, he caused him much trouble.	53 But he gave the lie to all the promises he had made, and changed his attitude to Jonathan, givingnothing in return for the services Jonathan had rendered him, but thwarting him at every turn.
54 After this, Trypho returned and brought with him the young boy Antiochus, who became king and wore the royal crown.	54 After this, Trypho came back with the little boy Antiochus, who became king and was crowned.
55 All the soldiers whom Demetrius had discharged rallied around Antiochus and fought against Demetrius, who was routed and fled.	55 Al the troops that Demetrius had summarily dismissed rallied to Antiochus, and made war onDemetrius, who turned tail and fled.
56 Trypho captured the elephants and occupied Antioch.	56 Trypho captured the elephants and seized Antioch.
57 Then young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan: "I confirm you in the high priesthood and appoint you ruler over the four districts and wish you to be one of the King's Friends."	57 Young Antiochus then wrote as fol ows to Jonathan: 'I confirm you in the high-priesthood and set youover the four districts and appoint you one of the Friends of the King.'
58 He also sent him gold dishes and a dinner service, gave him the right to drink from gold cups, to dress in royal purple, and to wear a gold buckle.	58 He sent him a service of gold plate, and granted him the right to drink from gold vessels, and to wearthe purple and the golden brooch.
59 Likewise, he made Jonathan's brother Simon governor of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontier of Egypt.	59 He appointed his brother Simon commander-in-chief of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to thefrontiers of Egypt.
60 Jonathan set out and traveled through West-of-Euphrates and its cities, and all the forces of Syria espoused his cause as allies. When he arrived at Ashkalon, the citizens welcomed him with pomp.	60 Jonathan then set out and made a progress through Transeuphrates and its towns, and the entireSyrian army rallied to his support. He came to Ascalon and was received in state by the inhabitants.
61 But when he set out for Gaza, the people of Gaza locked their gates against him. So he besieged it and burned and plundered its suburbs.	61 From there he proceeded to Gaza, but the people of Gaza shut him out, so he laid siege to it,burning down its suburbs and plundering them.
62 Then the people of Gaza appealed to him for mercy, and he granted them peace. He took the sons of their chief men as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. He then traveled on through the province as far as Damascus.	62 The people of Gaza then pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them; but he took thesons of their chief men as hostages and sent them away to Jerusalem. He then travel ed through the country asfar as Damascus.
63 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had come with a strong force to Kadesh in Galilee, intending to remove him from office.	63 Jonathan now learned that Demetrius' generals had arrived at Kadesh in Galilee with a large army,intending to remove him from office,
64 So he went to meet them, leaving his brother Simon in the province.	64 and went to engage them, leaving his brother Simon inside the country.
65 Simon besieged Beth-zur, attacked it for many days, and blockaded the inhabitants.	65 Simon laid siege to Beth-Zur, attacking it day after day, and blockading the inhabitants
66 When they sued for peace, he granted it to them. He expelled them from the city, took possession of it, and put a garrison there.	66 til they sued for peace, which he granted them, though he expel ed them from the town andoccupied it, stationing a garrison there.
67 Meanwhile, Jonathan and his army pitched their camp near the waters of Gennesaret, and at daybreak they went to the plain of Hazor.	67 Jonathan and his army, meanwhile, having pitched camp by the Lake of Gennesar, rose early, andby morning were already in the plain of Hazor.
68 There, in front of him on the plain, was the army of the foreigners. This army attacked him in the open, having first detached an ambush against him in the mountains.	68 The foreigners' army advanced to fight them on the plain, having first positioned an ambush for himin the mountains. While the main body was advancing directly towards the Jews,
69 Then the men in ambush rose out of their places and joined in the battle.	69 the troops in ambush broke cover and attacked first.
70 All of Jonathan's men fled; no one stayed except the army commanders Mattathias, son of Absalom, and Judas, son of Chalphi.	70 Al the men with Jonathan fled; no one was left, except Mattathias son of Absalom and Judas son ofChalphi, the generals of his army.
71 Jonathan tore his clothes, threw earth on his head, and prayed.	71 At this, Jonathan tore his garments, put dust on his head, and prayed.
72 Then he went back to the combat and so overwhelmed the enemy that they took to flight.	72 Then he returned to the fight and routed the enemy, who fled.
73 Those of his men who were running away saw it and returned to him; and with him they pursued the enemy as far as their camp in Kadesh, where they pitched their own camp.	73 When the fugitives from his own forces saw this, they came back to him and joined in the pursuit asfar as Kadesh where the enemy encampment was, and there they themselves pitched camp.
74 Three thousand of the foreign troops fell on that day. Then Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.	74 About three thousand of the foreign troops fel that day. Jonathan then returned to Jerusalem.