1 Maccabees 9

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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.	1 When Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army had fallen in battle, he sent Bacchides and Alcimus into the land of Judah a second time, and with them the right wing of the army.
2 They took the road to Galilee, and camping opposite the ascent at Arbela, they captured it and killed many people.	2 They went by the road which leads to Gilgal and encamped against Mesaloth in Arbela, and they took it and killed many people.
3 In the first month of the year one hundred and fifty-two, they encamped against Jerusalem.	3 In the first month of the one hundred and fifty-second year * they encamped against Jerusalem;
4 Then they set out for Berea with twenty thousand men and two thousand cavalry.	4 then they marched off and went to Berea with twenty thousand foot soldiers and two thousand cavalry.
5 Judas, with three thousand picked men, had camped at Elasa.	5 Now Judas was encamped in Elasa, and with him were three thousand picked 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.	6 When they saw the huge number of the enemy forces, they were greatly frightened, and many slipped away from the camp, until no more than eight hundred of them were left.
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.	7 When Judas saw that his army had slipped away and the battle was imminent, he was crushed in spirit, for he had no time to assemble 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."	8 He became faint, but he said to those who were left, "Let us rise and go up against our enemies. We may be able to fight them."
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."	9 But they tried to dissuade him, saying, "We are not able. Let us rather save our own lives now, and let us come back with our brethren and fight them; we are too few."
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!"	10 But Judas said, "Far be it from us to do such a thing as to flee from them. If our time has come, let us die bravely for our brethren, and leave no cause to question our honor."
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.	11 Then the army of Bacchides * marched out from the camp and took its stand for the encounter. The cavalry was divided into two companies, and the slingers and the archers went ahead of the army, as did all the chief warriors.
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.	12 Bacchides was on the right wing. Flanked by the two companies, the phalanx advanced to the sound of the trumpets; and the men with Judas also blew their trumpets.
13 The earth shook with the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.	13 The earth was shaken by the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning till evening.
14 Seeing that Bacchides was on the right, with the main force of his army, Judas, with all the most stouthearted rallying to him,	14 Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right; then all the stouthearted men went with him,
15 drove back the right wing and pursued them as far as the mountain slopes.	15 and they crushed the right wing, and he pursued them as far as Mount Azotus.
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.	16 When those on the left wing saw that the right wing was crushed, they turned and followed close behind Judas and his men.
17 The battle was fought desperately, and many on both sides fell wounded.	17 The battle became desperate, and many on both sides were wounded and fell.
18 Then Judas fell, and the rest fled.	18 Judas also fell, and the rest fled.
19 Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein.	19 Then Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother and buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein,
20 All Israel bewailed him in great grief. They mourned for him many days, and they said,	20 and wept for him. And all Israel made great lamentation for him; they mourned many days and said,
21 "How the mighty one has fallen, the savior of Israel!"	21 "How is the mighty fallen, the savior of Israel!"
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.	22 Now the rest of the acts of Judas, and his wars and the brave deeds that he did, and his greatness, have not been recorded, for they were very many.
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.	23 After the death of Judas, the lawless emerged in all parts of Israel; all the doers of injustice appeared.
24 In those days there was a very great famine, and the country deserted to them.	24 In those days a very great famine occurred, and the country deserted with them to the enemy.
25 Bacchides chose impious men and made them masters of the country.	25 And Bacchides chose the ungodly and put them in charge of the country.
26 These sought out and hunted down the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who punished and derided them.	26 They sought and searched for the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance on them and made sport of them.
27 There had not been such great distress in Israel since the time prophets ceased to appear among the people.	27 Thus there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them.
28 Then all the friends of Judas came together and said to Jonathan:	28 Then all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan,
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.	29 "Since the death of your brother Judas there has been no one like him to go against our enemies and Bacchides, and to deal with those of our nation who hate us.
30 Now therefore we have chosen you today to be our ruler and leader in his place, and to fight our battle."	30 So now we have chosen you today to take his place as our ruler and leader, to fight our battle."
31 From that moment Jonathan accepted the leadership, and took the place of Judas his brother.	31 And Jonathan at that time accepted the leadership and took the place of Judas his brother.
32 When Bacchides learned of it, he sought to kill him.	32 When Bacchides learned of this, he tried to kill him.
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.	33 But Jonathan and Simon his brother and all who were with him heard of it, and they fled into the wilderness of Tekoa and camped by the water of the pool of Asphar.
34	34 Bacchides found this out on the sabbath day, and he with all his army crossed the Jordan.
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.	35 And Jonathan * sent his brother as leader of the multitude and begged the Nabateans, who were his friends, for permission to store with them the great amount of baggage which they had.
36 But the sons of Jambri from Medaba made a raid and seized and carried off John and everything he had.	36 But the sons of Jambri from Medeba came out and seized John and all that he had, and departed with it.
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."	37 After these things it was reported to Jonathan and Simon his brother, "The sons of Jambri are celebrating a great wedding, and are conducting the bride, a daughter of one of the great nobles of Canaan, from Nadabath with a large escort."
38 Remembering the blood of John their brother, they went up and hid themselves under cover of the mountain.	38 And they remembered the blood of John their brother, and went up and hid under cover of the mountain.
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.	39 They raised their eyes and looked, and saw a tumultuous procession with much baggage; and the bridegroom came out with his friends and his brothers to meet them with tambourines and musicians and many weapons.
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.	40 Then they rushed upon them from the ambush and began killing them. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled to the mountain; and they took all their goods.
41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning, and the sound of music into lamentation.	41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning and the voice of their musicians into a funeral dirge.
42 Having taken their revenge for the blood of their brother, the Jews returned to the marshes of the Jordan.	42 And when they had fully avenged the blood of their brother, they returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
43 When Bacchides heard of it, he came on the sabbath to the banks of the Jordan with a large force.	43 When Bacchides heard of this, he came with a large force on the sabbath day to the banks of the Jordan.
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.	44 And Jonathan said to those with him, "Let us rise up now and fight for our lives, for today things are not as they were before.
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.	45 For look! the battle is in front of us and behind us; the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that, with marsh and thicket; there is no place to turn.
46 Cry out now to Heaven for deliverance from our enemies."	46 Cry out now to Heaven that you may be delivered from the hands of our enemies."
47 When they joined battle, Jonathan raised his arm to strike Bacchides, but Bacchides backed away from him.	47 So the battle began, and Jonathan stretched out his hand to strike Bacchides, but he eluded him and went to the rear.
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.	48 Then Jonathan and the men with him leaped into the Jordan and swam across to the other side, and the enemy * did not cross the Jordan to attack them.
49 A thousand men on Bacchides' side fell that day.	49 And about one thousand of Bacchides' men fell that day.
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.	50 Bacchides * then returned to Jerusalem and built strong cities in Judea: the fortress in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Beth-horon, and Bethel, and Timnath, and * Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.
51 In each he put a garrison to oppose Israel.	51 And he placed garrisons in them to harass Israel.
52 He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gazara and the citadel, and put soldiers in them and stores of provisions.	52 He also fortified the city of Beth-zur, and Gazara, and the citadel, and in them he put troops and stores of food.
53 He took as hostages the sons of the leaders of the country and put them in custody in the citadel at Jerusalem.	53 And he took the sons of the leading men of the land as hostages and put them under guard in the citadel at Jerusalem.
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.	54 In the one hundred and fifty-third year, * in the second month, Alcimus gave orders to tear down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary. He tore down the work of the prophets!
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.	55 But he only began to tear it down, for at that time Alcimus was stricken and his work was hindered; his mouth was stopped and he was paralyzed, so that he could no longer say a word or give commands concerning his house.
56 Finally he died in great agony.	56 And Alcimus died at that time in great agony.
57 Seeing that Alcimus was dead, Bacchides returned to the king, and the land of Judah was quiet for two years. Bacchides and Jonathan	57 When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king, and the land of Judah had rest for two years.
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."	58 Then all the lawless plotted and said, "See! Jonathan and his men are living in quiet and confidence. So now let us bring Bacchides back, and he will capture them all in one night."
59 So they went and took counsel with him.	59 And they went and consulted with him.
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.	60 He started to come with a large force, and secretly sent letters to all his allies in Judea, telling them to seize Jonathan and his men; but they were unable to do it, because their plan became known.
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.	61 And Jonathan's men * seized about fifty of the men of the country who were leaders in this treachery, and killed them.
62 Then Jonathan and Simon and their companions withdrew to Bethbasi in the desert; they rebuilt and strengthened its fortifications that had been demolished.	62 Then Jonathan with his men, and Simon, withdrew to Bethbasi in the wilderness; he rebuilt the parts of it that had been demolished, and they fortified it.
63 When Bacchides learned of this, he gathered together his whole force and sent word to those who were in Judea.	63 When Bacchides learned of this, he assembled all his forces, and sent orders to the men of Judea.
64 He came and pitched his camp before Bethbasi, and constructing siege-machines, he fought against it for many days.	64 Then he came and encamped against Bethbasi; he fought against it for many days and made machines of war.
65 Leaving his brother Simon in the city, Jonathan, accompanied by a small group of men, went out into the field.	65 But Jonathan left Simon his brother in the city, while he went out into the country; and he went with only a few men.
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.	66 He struck down Odomera and his brothers and the sons of Phasiron in their tents.
67 Simon and his men then sallied forth from the city and set fire to the machines.	67 Then he * began to attack and went into battle with his forces; and Simon and his men sallied out from the city and set fire to the machines of war.
68 They fought against Bacchides, and he was beaten. This caused him great distress. Because the enterprise he had planned came to nought,	68 They fought with Bacchides, and he was crushed by them. They distressed him greatly, for his plan and his expedition had been in vain.
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.	69 So he was greatly enraged at the lawless men who had counseled him to come into the country, and he killed many of them. Then he decided to depart to his own land.
70 Jonathan learned of this and sent ambassadors to make peace with him and to obtain the release of the prisoners.	70 When Jonathan learned of this, he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him and obtain release of the captives.
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;	71 He agreed, and did as he said; and he swore to Jonathan * that he would not try to harm him as long as he lived.
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.	72 He restored to him the captives whom he had formerly taken from the land of Judah; then he turned and departed to his own land, and came no more into their territory.
73 Then the sword ceased in Israel. Jonathan settled in Michmash; he began to judge the people and he destroyed the impious in Israel.	73 Thus the sword ceased from Israel. And Jonathan dwelt in Michmash. And Jonathan began to judge the people, and he destroyed the ungodly out of Israel.