1 Maccabees 9

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Furthermore, when Demetrius heard the Nicanor and his host were slain in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judea the second time, and with them the chief strength of his host:	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 Who went forth by the way that leadeth to Galgala, and pitched their tents before Masaloth, which is in Arbela, and after they had won it, they slew much people.	2 They took the road to Galilee, and camping opposite the ascent at Arbela, they captured it and killed many people.
3 Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year they encamped before Jerusalem:	3 In the first month of the year one hundred and fifty-two, they encamped against Jerusalem.
4 From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen 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 at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him:	5 Judas, with three thousand picked men, had camped at Elasa.
6 Who seeing the multitude of the other army to he so great were sore afraid; whereupon many conveyed themselves out of the host, insomuch as abode of them no more but 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 When Judas therefore saw that his host slipt away, and that the battle pressed upon him, he was sore troubled in mind, and much distressed, for that he had no time to gather them together.	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 Nevertheless unto them that remained he said, Let us arise and go up against our enemies, if peradventure we may be able to fight with 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 dehorted him, saying, We shall never be able: let us now rather save our lives, and hereafter we will return with our brethren, and 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 that I should do this thing, and flee away from them: if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain our honour.	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 With that the host of Bacchides removed out of their tents, and stood over against them, their horsemen being divided into two troops, and their slingers and archers going before the host and they that marched in the foreward were all mighty men.	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 As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their 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 They also of Judas' side, even they sounded their trumpets also, so that the earth shook at the noise of the armies, and the battle continued from morning till night.	13 The earth shook with the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.
14 Now when Judas perceived that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right side, he took with him all the hardy men,	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 Who discomfited the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Azotus.	15 drove back the right wing and pursued them as far as the mountain slopes.
16 But when they of the left wing saw that they of the right wing were discomfited, they followed upon Judas and those that were with him hard at the heels from behind:	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 Whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.	17 The battle was fought desperately, and many on both sides fell wounded.
18 Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.	18 Then Judas fell, and the rest fled.
19 THen Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin.	19 Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein.
20 Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying,	20 All Israel bewailed him in great grief. They mourned for him many days, and they said,
21 How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Israel!	21 "How the mighty one has fallen, the savior of Israel!"
22 As for the other things concerning Judas and his wars, and the noble acts which he did, and his greatness, they 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 Now after the death of Judas the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the coasts of Israel, and there arose up all such as wrought iniquity.	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 also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them.	24 In those days there was a very great famine, and the country deserted to them.
25 Then 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 made enquiry and search for Judas' friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance of them, and used them despitefully.	26 These sought out and hunted down the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who punished and derided them.
27 So was there a great affliction in Israel, the like whereof was not since the time that a prophet was not seen among them.	27 There had not been such great distress in Israel since the time prophets ceased to appear among the people.
28 For this cause all Judas' friends came together, and said unto Jonathan,	28 Then all the friends of Judas came together and said to Jonathan:
29 Since thy brother Judas died, we have no man like him to go forth against our enemies, and Bacchides, and against them of our nation that are adversaries to us.	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, that thou mayest 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 Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Judas.	31 From that moment Jonathan accepted the leadership, and took the place of Judas his brother.
32 But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him	32 When Bacchides learned of it, he sought to kill him.
33 Then Jonathan, and Simon his brother, and all that were with him, perceiving that, fled into the wilderness of Thecoe, and pitched their tents by the water of the pool 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 Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath day.	34
35 Now Jonathan had sent his brother John, a captain of the people, to pray his friends the Nabathites, that they might leave with them their carriage, which was much.	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 But the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it.	36 But the sons of Jambri from Medaba made a raid and seized and carried off John and everything he had.
37 After this came word to Jonathan and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride from Nadabatha with a great train, as being the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan.	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 Therefore they remembered John their brother, and 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 Where they lifted up their eyes, and looked, and, behold, there was much ado and great carriage: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends and brethren, to meet them with drums, and instruments of musick, 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 Then Jonathan and they that were with him rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and made a slaughter of them in such sort, as many fell down dead, and the remnant fled into the mountain, 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 Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.	41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning, and the sound of music into lamentation.
42 So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Jordan.	42 Having taken their revenge for the blood of their brother, the Jews returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
43 Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the sabbath day unto the banks of 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 Then Jonathan said to his company, Let us go up now and fight for our lives, for it standeth not with us to day, as in time past:	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 For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us, and the water of Jordan on this side and that side, the marsh likewise and wood, neither is there 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 Wherefore cry ye now unto heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies.	46 Cry out now to Heaven for deliverance from our enemies."
47 With that they joined battle, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.	47 When they joined battle, Jonathan raised his arm to strike Bacchides, but Bacchides backed away from him.
48 Then Jonathan and they that were with him leapt into Jordan, and swam over unto the other bank: howbeit the other passed not over Jordan unto 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 So there were slain of Bacchides' side that day about a thousand men.	49 A thousand men on Bacchides' side fell that day.
50 Afterward returned Bacchides to Jerusalem and repaired the strong cites in Judea; the fort in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Thamnatha, Pharathoni, and Taphon, these did he strengthen with high walls, with gates and with 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 in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Israel.	51 In each he put a garrison to oppose Israel.
52 He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals.	52 He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gazara and the citadel, and put soldiers in them and stores of provisions.
53 Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Jerusalem to be kept.	53 He took as hostages the sons of the leaders of the country and put them in custody in the citadel at Jerusalem.
54 Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works of the prophets	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 And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprizes hindered: for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing, 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 So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.	56 Finally he died in great agony.
57 Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea was in rest 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 Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who 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 consulted with him.	59 So they went and took counsel with him.
60 Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea, that they should take Jonathan and those that were with him: howbeit they could not, because their counsel was known unto 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 Wherefore they took of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, 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 Afterward Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, got them away to Bethbasi, which is in the wilderness, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong.	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 Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, 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 Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war.	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 himself into the country, and with a certain number went he forth.	65 Leaving his brother Simon in the city, Jonathan, accompanied by a small group of men, went out into the field.
66 And he smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.	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 And when he began to smite them, and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went out of the city, and burned up the engines of war,	67 Simon and his men then sallied forth from the city and set fire to the machines.
68 And fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore: for his counsel and travail 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 Wherefore he was very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the country, inasmuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own 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 Whereof when Jonathan had knowledge, he sent ambassadors unto him, to the end he should make peace with him, and deliver them the prisoners.	70 Jonathan learned of this and sent ambassadors to make peace with him and to obtain the release of the prisoners.
71 Which thing he accepted, and did according to his demands, and sware unto him that he would never do him 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 When therefore he had restored unto him the prisoners that he had taken aforetime out of the land of Judea, he returned and went his way into his own land, neither came he any 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 Thus the sword ceased from Israel: but Jonathan dwelt at Machmas, and began to govern the people; and he destroyed the ungodly men 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.