1 Maccabees 12

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friendship that they had 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 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.	2 He also sent letters to Sparta and other places for the same purpose.
3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.	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 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.	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 the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:	5 This is a copy of the letter that Jonathan wrote to the Spartans:
6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send 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 in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye 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 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.	8 Onias welcomed the envoy with honor and received the letter, which clearly referred to alliance and friendship.
9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,	9 Though we have no need of these things, since we have for our encouragement the sacred books that are in our possession,
10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto 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 feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our 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 are right glad of your honour.	12 We likewise rejoice in your renown.
13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as 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 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates 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 help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.	15 with the help of Heaven for our support, we have been saved from our enemies, and they have been humbled.
16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.	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 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute 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 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.	18 Therefore kindly send us an answer on this matter."
19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.	19 This is a copy of the letter that was sent to Onias:
20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians 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, that the Lacedemonians and Jews 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 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.	22 Now that we have learned this, kindly write to us about your welfare.
23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.	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 when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,	24 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had returned to attack him with a stronger army than before.
25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter 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 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.	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 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.	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 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, 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 Howbeit Jonathan and his company 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 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.	30 Then Jonathan pursued them, but he could not overtake them, for they had crossed the river Eleutherus.
31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.	31 So Jonathan turned aside against the Arabs who are called Zabadeans, overwhelming and plundering them.
32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,	32 Then he marched on to Damascus and traversed that whole region.
33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won 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 had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set 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 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds 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 making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.	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 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.	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 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with 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 Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.	39 Trypho was determined to become king of Asia, assume the crown, and do away with King Antiochus.
40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, 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 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the 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 Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch 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 honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to 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 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?	44 Then he said to Jonathan: "Why have you put all your soldiers to so much trouble when we are not at war?
45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: 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 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.	46 Jonathan believed him and did as he said. He dismissed his troops, and they returned to the land of Judah.
47 And with himself he retained but 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 and took him, and all them that came 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 sent Tryphon an host of footmen 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 when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.	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 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.	51 As their pursuers saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, they turned back.
52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made 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 heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.	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."