1 Maccabees 9

DOUAI-RHEIMS	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 In the mean time when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.	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 And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew 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 hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:	3 In the first month of the one hundred and fifty-second year * they encamped against Jerusalem;
4 And they arose, and went to Berea with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.	4 then they marched off and went to Berea with twenty thousand foot soldiers and two thousand cavalry.
5 Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:	5 Now Judas was encamped in Elasa, and with him were three thousand picked men.
6 And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.	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 And Judas saw that his army slipped away, and the battle pressed upon him, and his heart was cast down: because he had not time to gather them together, and he was discouraged.	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 Then he said to them that remained: Let us arise, and go against our enemies, if we may be able to 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 But they dissuaded him, saying: We shall not be able, but let us save our lives now, and return to our brethren, and then we will fight against them: for we are but 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 Then Judas said: God forbid we should do this thing, and flee away from them: but if our time be come, let us die manfully for our brethren, and let us not stain 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 And the army removed out of the camp, and they stood over against them: and the horsemen were divided into two troops, and the slingers, and the archers went before the army, and they that were in the front were all men of valour.	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 And Bacchides was in the right wing, and the legion drew near on two sides, and they sounded the 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 And they also were on Judas' side, even they also cried out, and the earth shook at the noise of the armies: and the battle was fought from morning even unto the evening.	13 The earth was shaken by the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning till evening.
14 And Judas perceived that the stronger part of the army of Bacchides was on the right side, and all the stout of heart came together with 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 And the right wing was discomfited by them, and he pursued them even to the mount Azotus.	15 and they crushed the right wing, and he pursued them as far as Mount Azotus.
16 And they that were in the left wing saw that the right wing was discomfited, and they followed after Judas, and them that were with him, at their back:	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 And the battle was hard fought, and there fell many wounded of the one side and of the other.	17 The battle became desperate, and many on both sides were wounded and fell.
18 And Judas was slain, and the rest fled away.	18 Judas also fell, and the rest fled.
19 And Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother, and buried him in the sepulchre of their fathers in the city of Modin.	19 Then Jonathan and Simon took Judas their brother and buried him in the tomb of their fathers at Modein,
20 And all the people of Israel bewailed him with great lamentation, and they mourned for him many days.	20 and wept for him. And all Israel made great lamentation for him; they mourned many days and said,
21 And said: How is the mighty man fallen, that saved the people of Israel!	21 "How is the mighty fallen, the savior of Israel!"
22 But the rest of the words of the wars of Judas, and of the noble acts that he did, and of his greatness, are not written: for 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 And it came to pass after the death of Judas, that the wicked began to put forth their heads in all the confines of Israel, and all the workers of iniquity rose up.	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 they and all their country yielded to Bacchides.	24 In those days a very great famine occurred, and the country deserted with them to the enemy.
25 And Bacchides chose the wicked men, and made them lords of the country:	25 And Bacchides chose the ungodly and put them in charge of the country.
26 And they sought out, and made diligent search after the friends of Judas, and brought them to Bacchides, and he took vengeance of them, and abused 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 And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel.	27 Thus there was great distress in Israel, such as had not been since the time that prophets ceased to appear among them.
28 And 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 thy brother Judas died, there is not a man like him to go forth against our enemies, Bacchides, and them that are the enemies of 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 thee this day to be our prince, and captain in his stead to fight our battles.	30 So now we have chosen you today to take his place as our ruler and leader, to fight our battle."
31 So Jonathan took upon him the government at that time, and rose up in the place of Judas his brother.	31 And Jonathan at that time accepted the leadership and took the place of Judas his brother.
32 And Bacchides had knowledge of it, and sought to kill him.	32 When Bacchides learned of this, he tried to kill him.
33 And Jonathan and Simon his brother, knew it, and all that were with them: and they fled into the desert of Thecua, and they pitched by the water of the lake 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 And Bacchides understood it, and he came himself with all his army over the Jordan on the sabbath day.	34 Bacchides found this out on the sabbath day, and he with all his army crossed the Jordan.
35 And Jonathan sent his brother a captain of the people, to desire the Nabutheans his friends, that they would lend them their equipage, which was copious.	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 And the children of Jambri came forth out of Madaba, and took John, and all that he had, and went away with them.	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 it was told Jonathan, and Simon his brother, that the children of Jambri made a great marriage, and were bringing the bride out of Madaba, the daughter of one of the great princes of Chanaan, with great pomp.	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 And the remembered the blood of John their brother: and they went up, and hid themselves under the covert of the mountain.	38 And they remembered the blood of John their brother, and went up and hid under cover of the mountain.
39 And they lifted up their eyes, and saw: and behold a tumult, and great preparation: and the bridegroom came forth, and his friends, and his brethren to meet them with timbrels, and musical instruments, and many weapons.	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 And they rose up against them from the place where they lay in ambush, and slew them, and there fell many wounded, and the rest fled into the mountains, and they took all their spoils:	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 And the marriage was turned into mourning, and the noise of their musical instruments into lamentation.	41 Thus the wedding was turned into mourning and the voice of their musicians into a funeral dirge.
42 And they took revenge for the blood of their brother: and they returned to the bank of the Jordan.	42 And when they had fully avenged the blood of their brother, they returned to the marshes of the Jordan.
43 And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the sabbath day even to the bank of the Jordan with a great power.	43 When Bacchides heard of this, he came with a large force on the sabbath day to the banks of the Jordan.
44 And Jonathan said to his company: Let us arise, and fight against our enemies: for it is not now as 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 And behold the battle is before us, and the water of the Jordan on this side and on that side, and banks, and marshes, and woods: and there is no place for us to turn aside.	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 Now therefore cry ye to heaven, that ye may be delivered from the hand of your enemies. And they joined battle.	46 Cry out now to Heaven that you may be delivered from the hands of our enemies."
47 And Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, but he turned away from him backwards.	47 So the battle began, and Jonathan stretched out his hand to strike Bacchides, but he eluded him and went to the rear.
48 And Jonathan, and they that were with him leaped into the Jordan, and swam over the Jordan to them:	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 And there fell of Bacchides' side that day a thousand man: and they returned to Jerusalem,	49 And about one thousand of Bacchides' men fell that day.
50 And they built strong cities in Judea, the fortress that was in Jericho, and in Ammaus, and in Bethoron, and in Bethel, and Thamnata, and Phara, and Thopo, 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 And he placed garrisons in them, that they might wage war against Israel:	51 And he placed garrisons in them to harass Israel.
52 And he fortified the city of Bethsura, and Gazara, and the castle, and set garrisons in them, and provisions of victuals:	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 And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in the castle in Jerusalem in custody.	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 Now in the year one hundred and fifty-three, the second month, Alcimus commanded the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary to be thrown down, and the works of the prophets to be destroyed: and he began to be destroyed: and he began to destroy.	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 At that time Alcimus was struck: and his works were hindered, and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak a word, nor give order 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 And Alcimus died at that time in great torment.	56 And Alcimus died at that time in great agony.
57 And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead: and he returned to the king, and the land was quiet for two years.	57 When Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king, and the land of Judah had rest for two years.
58 And all the wicked held a council, saying: Behold Jonathan, and they that are with him, dwell at ease, and without fear: now therefore let us bring Bacchides hither, and he shall take them all in one 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 gave him counsel.	59 And they went and consulted with him.
60 And he arose to come with a great army: and he sent secretly letters to his adherents that were in Judea, to seize upon Jonathan, and them that were with him: but they could not, for their design was known to them.	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 And he apprehended of the men of the country, that were the principal authors of the mischief, fifty men, and slew them.	61 And Jonathan's men * seized about fifty of the men of the country who were leaders in this treachery, and killed them.
62 And Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him retired into Bethbessen, which is in the desert: and he repaired the breaches thereof, and they fortified it.	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 And when Bacchides knew it, he gathered together all his multitude: and sent word to them that were of Judea.	63 When Bacchides learned of this, he assembled all his forces, and sent orders to the men of Judea.
64 And he came, and camped above Bethbessen, and fought against it many days, and made engines.	64 Then he came and encamped against Bethbasi; he fought against it for many days and made machines of war.
65 But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth into the country: and came with a number of men.	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 And struck Odares, and his brethren, and the children of Phaseron in their tents, and he began to slay, and to increase in forces.	66 He struck down Odomera and his brothers and the sons of Phasiron in their tents.
67 But Simon and they that were with him, sallied out of the city, and burnt the engines.	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 And they fought against Bacchides, and he was discomfited by them: and they afflicted him exceedingly, for his counsel, and his enterprise was in vain.	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 And he was angry with the wicked men that had given him counsel to come into their country, and he slew many of them: and he purposed to return with the rest into their 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 And Jonathan had knowledge of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to make peace with him, and to restore to him 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 And he accepted it willingly, and did according to his words, and swore that the would do him no harm all the days 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 restored to him the prisoners which he before had taken out of the land of Juda: and he returned and went away into his own country, and he came no more into their borders.	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 So the sword ceased from Israel: and Jonathan dwelt in Machmas, and Jonathan began there to judge the people, and he destroyed the wicked out of 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.