1 Maccabees 11

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Then the king of Egypt gathered great forces, like the sand by the seashore, and many ships; and he tried to get possession of Alexander's kingdom by trickery and add it to his own kingdom.	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.
2 He set out for Syria with peaceable words, and the people of the cities opened their gates to him and went to meet him, for Alexander the king had commanded them to meet him, since he was Alexander's * father-in-law.	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.
3 But when Ptolemy entered the cities he stationed forces as a garrison in each city.	3 But when Ptolemy entered the cities, he stationed garrison troops in each one.
4 When he * approached Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagon burned down, and Azotus and its suburbs destroyed, and the corpses lying about, and the charred bodies of those whom Jonathan * had burned in the war, for they had piled them in heaps along his route.	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.
5 They also told the king what Jonathan had done, to throw blame on him; but the king kept silent.	5 To prejudice the king against Jonathan, he was told what the latter had done; but the king said nothing.
6 Jonathan met the king at Joppa with pomp, and they greeted one another and spent the night there.	6 Jonathan met the king with pomp at Joppa, and they greeted each other and spent the night there.
7 And Jonathan went with the king as far as the river called Eleutherus; then he returned to Jerusalem.	7 Jonathan accompanied the king as far as the river called Eleutherus and then returned to Jerusalem.
8 So King Ptolemy gained control of the coastal cities as far as Seleucia by the sea, and he kept devising evil designs against Alexander.	8 Plotting evil against Alexander, King Ptolemy took possession of the cities along the seacoast as far as Seleucia-by-the-Sea.
9 He sent envoys to Demetrius the king, saying, "Come, let us make a covenant with each other, and I will give you in marriage my daughter who was Alexander's wife, and you shall reign over your father's kingdom.	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.
10 For I now regret that I gave him my daughter, for he has tried to kill me."	10 I regret that I gave him my daughter, for he has sought to kill me."
11 He threw blame on Alexander * because he coveted his kingdom.	11 His real reason for accusing Alexander, however, was that he coveted Alexander's kingdom.
12 So he took his daughter away from him and gave her to Demetrius. He was estranged from Alexander, and their enmity became manifest.	12 After taking his daughter away and giving her to Demetrius, Ptolemy broke with Alexander; their enmity became open.
13 Then Ptolemy entered Antioch and put on the crown of Asia. Thus he put two crowns upon his head, the crown of Egypt and that of Asia.	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.
14 Now Alexander the king was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of that region were in revolt.	14 King Alexander was in Cilicia at that time, because the people of that region had revolted.
15 And Alexander heard of it and came against him in battle. Ptolemy marched out and met him with a strong force, and put him to flight.	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.
16 So Alexander fled into Arabia to find protection there, and King Ptolemy was exalted.	16 Alexander fled to Arabia to seek protection. King Ptolemy's triumph was complete
17 And Zabdiel the Arab cut off the head of Alexander and sent it to Ptolemy.	17 when the Arab Zabdiel cut off Alexander's head and sent it to Ptolemy.
18 But King Ptolemy died three days later, and his troops in the strongholds were killed by the inhabitants of the strongholds.	18 But three days later King Ptolemy himself died, and his men in the fortified cities were killed by the inhabitants of the strongholds.
19 So Demetrius became king in the one hundred and sixty-seventh year. *	19 Thus Demetrius became king in the year one hundred and sixty-seven.
20 In those days Jonathan assembled the men of Judea to attack the citadel in Jerusalem, and he built many engines of war to use against it.	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.
21 But certain lawless men who hated their nation went to the king and reported to him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.	21 Some transgressors of the law, enemies of their own nation, went to the king and informed him that Jonathan was besieging the citadel.
22 When he heard this he was angry, and as soon as he heard it he set out and came to Ptolemais; and he wrote Jonathan not to continue the siege, but to meet him for a conference at Ptolemais as quickly as possible.	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.
23 When Jonathan heard this, he gave orders to continue the siege; and he chose some of the elders of Israel and some of the priests, and put himself in danger,	23 On hearing this, Jonathan ordered the siege to continue. He selected some elders and priests of Israel and exposed himself to danger
24 for he went to the king at Ptolemais, taking silver and gold and clothing and numerous other gifts. And he won his favor.	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.
25 Although certain lawless men of his nation kept making complaints against him,	25 Although some impious men of his own nation brought charges against him,
26 the king treated him as his predecessors had treated him; he exalted him in the presence of all his friends.	26 the king treated him just as his predecessors had done and showed him great honor in the presence of all his Friends.
27 He confirmed him in the high priesthood and in as many other honors as he had formerly had, and made him to be regarded as one of his chief 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.
28 Then Jonathan asked the king to free Judea and the three districts of Samaria * from tribute, and promised him three hundred talents.	28 Jonathan asked the king to exempt Judea and the three districts of Samaria from tribute, promising him in return three hundred talents.
29 The king consented, and wrote a letter to Jonathan about all these things; its contents were as follows:	29 The king agreed and wrote the following letter to Jonathan about all these matters: Pact with Demetrius
30 "King Demetrius to Jonathan his brother and to the nation of the Jews, greeting.	30 "King Demetrius sends greetings to his brother Jonathan and to the Jewish nation.
31 This copy of the letter which we wrote concerning you to Lasthenes our kinsman we have written to you also, so that you may know what it says.	31 We are sending you, for your information, a copy of the letter that we wrote to Lasthenes our kinsman concerning you.
32 'King Demetrius to Lasthenes his father, greeting.	32 "'King Demetrius sends greetings to his father Lasthenes.
33 To the nation of the Jews, who are our friends and fulfil their obligations to us, we have determined to do good, because of the good will they show toward us.	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.
34 We have confirmed as their possession both the territory of Judea and the three districts of Aphairema and Lydda and Rathamin; the latter, with all the region bordering them, were added to Judea from Samaria. To all those who offer sacrifice in Jerusalem, we have granted release from * the royal taxes which the king formerly received from them each year, from the crops of the land and the fruit of the trees.	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.
35 And the other payments henceforth due to us of the tithes, and the taxes due to us, and the salt pits and the crown taxes due to us -- from all these we shall grant them release.	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.
36 And not one of these grants shall be canceled from this time forth for ever.	36 Henceforth none of these provisions shall ever be revoked.
37 Now therefore take care to make a copy of this, and let it be given to Jonathan and put up in a conspicuous place on the holy mountain.'"	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.'"
38 Now when Demetrius the king saw that the land was quiet before him and that there was no opposition to him, he dismissed all his troops, each man to his own place, except the foreign troops which he had recruited from the islands of the nations. So all the troops who had served his fathers hated him.	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.
39 Now Trypho had formerly been one of Alexander's supporters. He saw that all the troops were murmuring against Demetrius. So he went to Imalkue the Arab, who was bringing up Antiochus, the young son of Alexander,	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.
40 and insistently urged him to hand Antiochus * over to him, to become king in place of his father. He also reported to Imalkue * what Demetrius had done and told of the hatred which the troops of Demetrius * had for him; and he stayed there many days.	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.
41 Now Jonathan sent to Demetrius the king the request that he remove the troops of the citadel from Jerusalem, and the troops in the strongholds; for they kept fighting against Israel.	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.
42 And Demetrius sent this message to Jonathan, "Not only will I do these things for you and your nation, but I will confer great honor on you and your nation, if I find an opportunity.	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.
43 Now then you will do well to send me men who will help me, for all my troops have revolted."	43 Do me the favor, therefore, of sending men to fight for me, because all my troops have revolted."
44 So Jonathan sent three thousand stalwart men to him at Antioch, and when they came to the king, the king rejoiced at their arrival.	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,
45 Then the men of the city assembled within the city, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand, and they wanted to kill the king.	45 for the populace, one hundred and twenty thousand strong, had massed in the center of the city in an attempt to kill him.
46 But the king fled into the palace. Then the men of the city seized the main streets of the city and began to fight.	46 But he took refuge in the palace, while the populace gained control of the main streets and began to fight.
47 So the king called the Jews to his aid, and they all rallied about him and then spread out through the city; and they killed on that day as many as a hundred thousand men.	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,
48 They set fire to the city and seized much spoil on that day, and they saved the king.	48 which, at the same time, they set on fire and plundered on a large scale. Thus they saved the king's life.
49 When the men of the city saw that the Jews had gained control of the city as they pleased, their courage failed and they cried out to the king with this entreaty,	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,
50 "Grant us peace, and make the Jews stop fighting against us and our city."	50 "Give us your terms and let the Jews stop attacking us and our city." So they threw down their arms and made peace.
51 And they threw down their arms and made peace. So the Jews gained glory in the eyes of the king and of all the people in his kingdom, and they returned to Jerusalem with much spoil.	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.
52 So Demetrius the king sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.	52 But when King Demetrius was sure of his royal throne, and the land was peaceful under his rule,
53 But he broke his word about all that he had promised; and he became estranged from Jonathan and did not repay the favors which Jonathan * had done him, but oppressed him greatly.	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.
54 After this Trypho returned, and with him the young boy Antiochus who began to reign and put on the crown.	54 After this, Trypho returned and brought with him the young boy Antiochus, who became king and wore the royal crown.
55 All the troops that Demetrius had cast off gathered around him, and they fought against Demetrius, * and he fled and was routed.	55 All the soldiers whom Demetrius had discharged rallied around Antiochus and fought against Demetrius, who was routed and fled.
56 And Trypho captured the elephants * and gained control of Antioch.	56 Trypho captured the elephants and occupied Antioch.
57 Then the young Antiochus wrote to Jonathan, saying, "I confirm you in the high priesthood and set you over the four districts and make you one of the friends of the king."	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."
58 And he sent him gold plate and a table service, and granted him the right to drink from gold cups and dress in purple and wear a gold buckle.	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.
59 Simon his brother he made governor from the Ladder of Tyre to the borders of Egypt.	59 Likewise, he made Jonathan's brother Simon governor of the region from the Ladder of Tyre to the frontier of Egypt.
60 Then Jonathan set forth and traveled beyond the river and among the cities, and all the army of Syria gathered to him as allies. When he came to Askalon, the people of the city met him and paid him honor.	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.
61 From there he departed to Gaza, but the men of Gaza shut him out. So he beseiged it and burned its suburbs with fire and plundered them.	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.
62 Then the people of Gaza pleaded with Jonathan, and he made peace with them, and took the sons of their rulers as hostages and sent them to Jerusalem. And he passed through the country as far as Damascus.	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.
63 Then Jonathan heard that the officers of Demetrius had come to Kadesh in Galilee with a large army, intending to remove him from office.	63 Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius had come with a strong force to Kadesh in Galilee, intending to remove him from office.
64 He went to meet them, but left his brother Simon in the country.	64 So he went to meet them, leaving his brother Simon in the province.
65 Simon encamped before Beth-zur and fought against it for many days and hemmed it in.	65 Simon besieged Beth-zur, attacked it for many days, and blockaded the inhabitants.
66 Then they asked him to grant them terms of peace, and he did so. He removed them from there, took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it.	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.
67 Jonathan and his army encamped by the waters of Gennesaret. Early in the morning they marched to the plain of Hazor,	67 Meanwhile, Jonathan and his army pitched their camp near the waters of Gennesaret, and at daybreak they went to the plain of Hazor.
68 and behold, the army of the foreigners met him in the plain; they had set an ambush against him in the mountains, but they themselves met him face to face.	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.
69 Then the men in ambush emerged from their places and joined battle.	69 Then the men in ambush rose out of their places and joined in the battle.
70 All the men with Jonathan fled; not one of them was left except Mattathias the son of Absalom and Judas the son of Chalphi, commanders of the forces of the army.	70 All of Jonathan's men fled; no one stayed except the army commanders Mattathias, son of Absalom, and Judas, son of Chalphi.
71 Jonathan rent his garments and put dust on his head, and prayed.	71 Jonathan tore his clothes, threw earth on his head, and prayed.
72 Then he turned back to the battle against the enemy * and routed them, and they fled.	72 Then he went back to the combat and so overwhelmed the enemy that they took to flight.
73 When his men who were fleeing saw this, they returned to him and joined him in the pursuit as far as Kadesh, to their camp, and there they encamped.	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.
74 As many as three thousand of the foreigners fell that day. And Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.	74 Three thousand of the foreign troops fell on that day. Then Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.