1 Maccabees 9

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Demetrius, hearing that Nicanor and his army had fal en in battle, sent Bacchides and Alcimus asecond time into Judaea, and with them the right wing of his army.	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:
2 They took the road to Galilee and besieged Mesaloth in Arbela, and captured it, putting many people todeath.	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.
3 In the first month of the year 152, they encamped outside Jerusalem;	3 Also the first month of the hundred fifty and second year they encamped before Jerusalem:
4 they then moved on, making their way to Beer-Zaith with twenty thousand foot and two thousand horse.	4 From whence they removed, and went to Berea, with twenty thousand footmen and two thousand horsemen.
5 Judas lay in camp at Elasa, with three thousand picked men.	5 Now Judas had pitched his tents at Eleasa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
6 When they saw the huge size of the enemy forces they were terrified, and many slipped out of thecamp, until no more than eight hundred of the force were left.	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.
7 With battle now inevitable, Judas realised that his army had melted away; he was aghast, for he had notime to ral y them.	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.
8 Yet, dismayed as he was, he said to those who were left, 'Up! Let us face the enemy; we may yet have the strength to fight them.'	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.
9 His men tried to dissuade him, declaring, 'We have no strength for anything but to escape with our livesthis time; then we can come back with our brothers to fight them; by ourselves we are too few.'	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.
10 Judas retorted, 'That I should do such a thing as run away from them! If our time has come, at leastlet us die like men for our countrymen, and leave nothing to tarnish our reputation.'	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.
11 The army marched out of camp and drew up, facing the enemy. The cavalry was drawn up in twosquadrons; the slingers and archers marched in the van of the army, and al the best fighters were put in thefront rank;	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.
12 Bacchides was on the right wing. The phalanx advanced from between the two squadrons, soundingthe trumpets; the men on Judas' side also blew their trumpets,	12 As for Bacchides, he was in the right wing: so the host drew near on the two parts, and sounded their trumpets.
13 and the earth shook with the noise of the armies. The engagement lasted from morning until evening.	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.
14 Judas saw that Bacchides and the main strength of his army lay on the right; al the stout-heartedral ied to him,	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,
15 and they crushed the right wing, pursuing them as far as the Azara Hil s.	15 Who discomfited the right wing, and pursued them unto the mount Azotus.
16 But when the Syrians on the left wing saw that the right had been broken, they turned and followedhot on the heels of Judas and his men to take them in the rear.	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:
17 The fight became desperate, and there were many casualties on both sides.	17 Whereupon there was a sore battle, insomuch as many were slain on both parts.
18 Judas himself fel , and the remnant fled.	18 Judas also was killed, and the remnant fled.
19 Jonathan and Simon took up their brother Judas and buried him in his ancestral tomb at Modein.	19 THen Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of his fathers in Modin.
20 Al Israel wept and mourned him deeply and for many days they repeated this dirge.	20 Moreover they bewailed him, and all Israel made great lamentation for him, and mourned many days, saying,
21 'What a downfall for the strong man, the man who kept Israel safe!'	21 How is the valiant man fallen, that delivered Israel!
22 The other deeds of Judas, the battles he fought, the exploits he performed, and all his titles togreatness have not been recorded; but they were very many.	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.
23 After the death of Judas, the renegades came out of hiding throughout Israel and al the evil-doersreappeared.	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.
24 At that time there was a severe famine, and the country went over to their side.	24 In those days also was there a very great famine, by reason whereof the country revolted, and went with them.
25 Bacchides deliberately chose the enemies of religion to administer the country.	25 Then Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country.
26 These traced and searched out the friends of Judas and brought them before Bacchides, who il -treated and mocked them.	26 And they made enquiry and search for Judas' friends, and brought them unto Bacchides, who took vengeance of them, and used them despitefully.
27 A terrible oppression began in Israel; there had been nothing like it since the disappearance ofprophecy among 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.
28 The friends of Judas then al united in saying to Jonathan,	28 For this cause all Judas' friends came together, and said unto Jonathan,
29 'Since your brother Judas died, there has been no one like him to head the resistance against ourenemies, people like Bacchides and others who hate our nation.	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.
30 Accordingly, we have today chosen you to take his place as our ruler and leader and to fight ourcampaigns.'	30 Now therefore we have chosen thee this day to be our prince and captain in his stead, that thou mayest fight our battles.
31 Whereupon, Jonathan took command, in succession to his brother Judas.	31 Upon this Jonathan took the governance upon him at that time, and rose up instead of his brother Judas.
32 Bacchides, when he heard the news, made plans to kil Jonathan.	32 But when Bacchides gat knowledge thereof, he sought for to slay him
33 But this became known to Jonathan, his brother Simon and al his supporters, and they took refuge inthe desert of Tekoa, camping by the water-supply at Asphar storage-well.	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.
34 (Bacchides came to know of this on the Sabbath day, and he too crossed the Jordan with his entirearmy.)	34 Which when Bacchides understood, he came near to Jordan with all his host upon the sabbath day.
35 Jonathan sent his brother, who was one of his commanders, to ask his friends the Nabataeans tostore their considerable baggage for them.	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.
36 The sons of Amrai, however, those of Medeba, intercepted them, captured John and everything hehad and made off with their prize.	36 But the children of Jambri came out of Medaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went their way with it.
37 Later, Jonathan and his brother Simon were told that the sons of Amrai were celebrating an importantwedding, and were escorting the bride, a daughter of one of the great notables of Canaan, from Nabata with alarge retinue.	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.
38 Remembering the bloody end of their brother John, they went up and hid under cover of the mountain.	38 Therefore they remembered John their brother, and went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain:
39 As they were keeping watch, a noisy procession came into sight with a great deal of baggage, and thebridegroom, with his groomsmen and his family, came out to meet it with tambourines and a band, and rich,warlike display.	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.
40 The Jews rushed down on them from their ambush and killed them, inflicting heavy casualties; thesurvivors escaped to the mountain, leaving their entire baggage train to be captured.	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.
41 Thus, the wedding was turned into mourning and the music of their band into lamentation.	41 Thus was the marriage turned into mourning, and the noise of their melody into lamentation.
42 Having in this way avenged in ful the blood of their brother, they returned to the marshes of theJordan.	42 So when they had avenged fully the blood of their brother, they turned again to the marsh of Jordan.
43 As soon as Bacchides heard this, he came on the Sabbath day with a considerable force to the steepbanks of the Jordan.	43 Now when Bacchides heard hereof, he came on the sabbath day unto the banks of Jordan with a great power.
44 Jonathan said to his men, 'Up! Let us fight for our lives, for today it is not as in the old days.	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:
45 You can see, we shall have to fight on our front and to our rear; we have the waters of the Jordan onone side, the marsh and scrub on the other, and we have no line of withdrawal.	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.
46 This is the moment to call on Heaven, to deliver you from the clutches of your enemies.'	46 Wherefore cry ye now unto heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies.
47 The engagement was begun by Jonathan, who aimed a blow at Bacchides, but the Syrian disengagedhimself and withdrew,	47 With that they joined battle, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to smite Bacchides, but he turned back from him.
48 whereupon Jonathan and his men leapt into the Jordan and swam to the other bank; the enemy didnot, however, cross the Jordan in pursuit.	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.
49 That day, Bacchides lost about a thousand men.	49 So there were slain of Bacchides' side that day about a thousand men.
50 Bacchides went back to Jerusalem and began fortifying some of the Judaean towns: the fortresses ofJericho, Emmaus, Beth-Horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon and Tephon, with high wal s and barred gates,	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.
51 and stationed a garrison in each of them to harass Israel.	51 And in them he set a garrison, that they might work malice upon Israel.
52 He also fortified the town of Beth-Zur, Gezer and the Citadel, and placed troops in them with suppliesof provisions.	52 He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and provision of victuals.
53 He took the sons of the leading men of the country as hostages, and had them placed under guard inthe Citadel of Jerusalem.	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.
54 In the year 153, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the demolition of the wall of the inner court ofthe sanctuary, destroying the work of the prophets. Alcimus had just begun the demolition	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
55 when he suffered a stroke, and his work was interrupted. His mouth became obstructed, and hisparalysis made him incapable of speaking at al or giving directions to his household;	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.
56 it was not long before he died in great agony.	56 So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.
57 On the death of Alcimus, Bacchides went back to the king, and Judaea was left in peace for twoyears.	57 Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea was in rest two years.
58 The renegades then al agreed on a plan. 'Now is the time,' they said, 'while Jonathan and hissupporters are living in peace and are ful of confidence, for us to bring back Bacchides, and he wil arrest the lotof them in one night.'	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.
59 So they went to him and reached an understanding.	59 So they went and consulted with him.
60 Bacchides at once set out with a large force, and sent secret instructions to al his allies in Judaea toseize Jonathan and his supporters. But they were unable to do this because their plan became known,	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.
61 and Jonathan and his men arrested some fifty of the men of the country who were ringleaders in theplot, and put them to death.	61 Wherefore they took of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty persons, and slew them.
62 Jonathan and Simon then retired with their partisans to Beth-Bassi in the desert; they rebuilt theruinous parts of the place and fortified it.	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.
63 When Bacchides heard this, he mustered his whole force and notified his adherents in Judaea.	63 Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them that were of Judea.
64 He then proceeded to lay siege to Beth-Bassi, the fighting was protracted, and he constructed siege-engines.	64 Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and made engines of war.
65 Jonathan, however, leaving his brother Simon in the town, broke out into the countryside with ahandful of men.	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.
66 He launched a blow at Odomera and his brothers, and at the sons of Phasiron in their encampment;whereupon, these too came into the struggle, joining forces with him.	66 And he smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
67 Simon and his people, meanwhile, made a sortie from the town and set fire to the siege-engines.	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,
68 Taking the offensive against Bacchides, they defeated him. He was greatly disconcerted to find thathis plan and his assault had come to nothing,	68 And fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore: for his counsel and travail was in vain.
69 and vented his anger on those renegades who had induced him to enter the country, putting many ofthem to death; he then decided to take his own troops home.	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.
70 Discovering this, Jonathan sent envoys to negotiate peace terms and the release of prisoners withhim.	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.
71 Bacchides agreed to this, accepting his proposals and swearing never to seek occasion to harm himfor the rest of his life.	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.
72 Having surrendered to Jonathan those prisoners he had earlier taken in Judaea, he turned about andwithdrew to his own country, and never again came near their frontiers.	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.
73 The sword no longer hung over Israel, and Jonathan settled in Michmash, where he began to judgethe people and to rid Israel of the godless.	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.