Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible Part 42

1 Mac 11:28 Then Jonathan desired the king, that he would make Judea free from tribute, as also the three governments, with the country of Samaria; and he promised him three hundred talents.

1 Mac 11:29 So the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan of all these things after this manner:

1 Mac 11:30 King Demetrius unto his brother Jonathan, and unto the nation of the Jews, sendeth greeting:

1 Mac 11:31 We send you here a copy of the letter which we did write unto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you, that ye might see it.

1 Mac 11:32 King Demetrius unto his father Lasthenes sendeth greeting:

1 Mac 11:33 We are determined to do good to the people of the Jews, who are our friends, and keep covenants with us, because of their good will toward us.

1 Mac 11:34 Wherefore we have ratified unto them the borders of Judea, with the three governments of Apherema and Lydda and Ramathem, that are added unto Judea from the country of Samaria, and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the payments which the king received of them yearly aforetime out of the fruits of the earth and of trees.

1 Mac 11:35 And as for other things that belong unto us, of the t.i.thes and customs pertaining unto us, as also the saltpits, and the crown taxes, which are due unto us, we discharge them of them all for their relief.

1 Mac 11:36 And nothing hereof shall be revoked from this time forth for ever.

1 Mac 11:37 Now therefore see that thou make a copy of these things, and let it be delivered unto Jonathan, and set upon the holy mount in a conspicuous place.

1 Mac 11:38 After this, when king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, and that no resistance was made against him, he sent away all his forces, every one to his own place, except certain bands of strangers, whom he had gathered from the isles of the heathen: wherefore all the forces of his fathers hated him.

1 Mac 11:39 Moreover there was one Tryphon, that had been of Alexander's part afore, who, seeing that all the host murmured against Demetrius, went to Simalcue the Arabian that brought up Antiochus the young son of Alexander,

1 Mac 11:40 And lay sore upon him to deliver him this young Antiochus, that he might reign in his father's stead: he told him therefore all that Demetrius had done, and how his men of war were at enmity with him, and there he remained a long season.

1 Mac 11:41 In the mean time Jonathan sent unto king Demetrius, that he would cast those of the tower out of Jerusalem, and those also in the fortresses: for they fought against Israel.

1 Mac 11:42 So Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying, I will not only do this for thee and thy people, but I will greatly honour thee and thy nation, if opportunity serve.

1 Mac 11:43 Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men to help me; for all my forces are gone from me.

1 Mac 11:44 Upon this Jonathan sent him three thousand strong men unto Antioch: and when they came to the king, the king was very glad of their coming.

1 Mac 11:45 Howbeit they that were of the city gathered themselves together into the midst of the city, to the number of an hundred and twenty thousand men, and would have slain the king.

1 Mac 11:46 Wherefore the king fled into the court, but they of the city kept the pa.s.sages of the city, and began to fight.

1 Mac 11:47 Then the king called to the Jews for help, who came unto him all at once, and dispersing themselves through the city slew that day in the city to the number of an hundred thousand.

1 Mac 11:48 Also they set fire on the city, and gat many spoils that day, and delivered the king.

1 Mac 11:49 So when they of the city saw that the Jews had got the city as they would, their courage was abated: wherefore they made supplication to the king, and cried, saying,

1 Mac 11:50 Grant us peace, and let the Jews cease from a.s.saulting us and the city.

1 Mac 11:51 With that they cast away their weapons, and made peace; and the Jews were honoured in the sight of the king, and in the sight of all that were in his realm; and they returned to Jerusalem, having great spoils.

1 Mac 11:52 So king Demetrius sat on the throne of his kingdom, and the land was quiet before him.

1 Mac 11:53 Nevertheless he dissembled in all that ever he spake, and estranged himself from Jonathan, neither rewarded he him according to the benefits which he had received of him, but troubled him very sore.

1 Mac 11:54 After this returned Tryphon, and with him the young child Antiochus, who reigned, and was crowned.

1 Mac 11:55 Then there gathered unto him all the men of war, whom Demetrius had put away, and they fought against Demetrius, who turned his back and fled.

1 Mac 11:56 Moreover Tryphon took the elephants, and won Antioch.

1 Mac 11:57 At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's friends.

1 Mac 11:58 Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold, and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.

1 Mac 11:59 His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the borders of Egypt.

1 Mac 11:60 Then Jonathan went forth, and pa.s.sed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon, they of the city met him honourably.

1 Mac 11:61 From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.

1 Mac 11:62 Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them, and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and pa.s.sed through the country unto Damascus.

1 Mac 11:63 Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee, with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,

1 Mac 11:64 He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.

1 Mac 11:65 Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:

1 Mac 11:66 But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.

1 Mac 11:67 As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.

1 Mac 11:68 And, behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.

1 Mac 11:69 So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were of Jonathan's side fled;

1 Mac 11:70 Insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Calphi, the captains of the host.

1 Mac 11:71 Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.

1 Mac 11:72 Afterwards turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.

1 Mac 11:73 Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him pursued them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.

1 Mac 11:74 So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned to Jerusalem.

1 Mac 12:1 Now when Jonathan saw that time served him, he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, for to confirm and renew the friends.h.i.+p that they had with them.

1 Mac 12:2 He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

1 Mac 12:3 So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friends.h.i.+p, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.