1 Maccabees

12:1 Nowe when Ionathan saw that the time serued him, he chose certaine men and sent them to Rome, for to confirme and renew the friendship that they had with them.

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 friendship that they had with them.

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

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

12:3 So they went vnto Rome, and entred into the Senate, and said, Ionathan the high Priest, and the people of the Iewes sent vs vnto you, to the end you should renew the friendship which you had with them, and league, as in former time.

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 friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.

12:4 Upon this the Romanes gaue them letters vnto the gouernours of euery place, that they should bring them into the land of Iudea peaceably.

12:4 Upon this the Romans gave them letters unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Judea peaceably.

12:5 And this is the copy of the letters which Ionathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:

12:5 And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians:

12:6 Ionathan the hie Priest, and the Elders of the nation, and the Priestes and the other people of the Iewes, vnto the Lacedemonians their brethren, send greeting.

12:6 Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting:

12:7 There were letters sent in times past vnto Onias the high Priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signifie that you are our brethren, as the copy here vnder-written doeth specifie.

12:7 There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

12:8 At which time Onias intreated the Embassador that was sent, honourably, and receiued the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

12:8 At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

12:9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, for that wee haue the holy bookes of Scripture in our hands to comfort vs,

12:9 Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

12:10 Haue neuerthelesse attempted to send vnto you, for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers vnto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent vnto vs.

12:10 Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us.

12:11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our Feasts, and other conuenient dayes, doe remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becommeth vs to thinke vpon our brethren:

12:11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren:

12:12 And wee are right glad of your honour.

12:12 And we are right glad of your honour.

12:13 As for our selues, wee haue had great troubles and warres on euery side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about vs haue fought against vs.

12:13 As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and wars on every side, forsomuch as the kings that are round about us have fought against us.

12:14 Howbeit wee would not be troublesome vnto you, nor to others of our confederates & friends in these warres:

12:14 Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:

12:15 For wee haue helpe from heauen that succoureth vs, so as we are deliuered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought vnder foote.

12:15 For we have help from heaven that succoureth us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.

12:16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the sonne of Iason, and sent them vnto the Romanes, to renew the amitie that we had with them, and the former league.

12:16 For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater he son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.

12:17 We commanded them also to goe vnto you, and to salute you, and to deliuer you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

12:17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

12:18 Wherefore now ye shall doe well to giue vs an answere thereto.

12:18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.

12:19 And this is the copy of the letters which Omiares sent:

12:19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.

12:20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians, to Onias the hie Priest, greeting.

12:20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:

12:21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Iewes are brethren, and that they are of the stocke of Abraham:

12:21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:

12:22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, you shall doe well to write vnto vs of your prosperitie.

12:22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

12:23 We doe write backe againe to you, that your cattell and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We doe command therefore [our Embassadours] to make report vnto you on this wise.

12:23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.

12:24 Now when Ionathan heard that Demetrius princes were come to fight against him with a greater hoste then afore,

12:24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,

12:25 Hee remooued from Ierusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gaue them no respite to enter his countrey.

12:25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.

12:26 He sent spies also vnto their tents, who came againe, and tolde him, that they were appointed to come vpon them in the night season.

12:26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.

12:27 Wherefore so soone as the Sunne was downe, Ionathan commaunded his men to watch, and to be in armes, that all the night long they might bee ready to fight: Also he sent foorth sentinels round about the hoste.

12:27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.

12:28 But when the aduersaries heard that Ionathan and his men were ready for battell, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their campe.

12:28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.

12:29 Howbeit Ionathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

12:29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

12:30 Then Ionathan pursued after them, but ouertooke them not: for they were gone ouer the riuer Eleutherus.

12:30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.

12:31 Wherefore Ionathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and tooke their spoiles.

12:31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

12:32 And remouing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the countrey.

12:32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,

12:33 Simon also went foorth, and passed through the countrey vnto Ascalon, and the holds there adioyning, from whence he turned aside to Ioppe, and wanne it.

12:33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.

12:34 For he had heard that they would deliuer the hold vnto them that tooke Demetrius part, wherefore he set a garison there to keepe it.

12:34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.

12:35 After this came Ionathan home againe, and calling the Elders of the people together, hee consulted with them about building strong holdes in Iudea,

12:35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,

12:36 And making the walles of Ierusalem higher, and raising a great mount betweene the towre and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

12:36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.

12:37 Upon this they came together, to build vp the citie forasmuch as [part of] the wall toward the brooke on the East side was fallen down, & they repaired that which was called Caphenatha

12:37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.

12:38 Simon also set vp Adida, in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and barres.

12:38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.

12:39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdome of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that hee might set the crowne vpon his owne head.

12:39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.

12:40 Howbeit, he was afraid that Ionathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him, wherefore he sought a way, howe to take Ionathan, that he might kill him. So he remoued, and came to Bethsan.

12:40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.

12:41 Then Ionathan went out to meet him with fourtie thousand men, chosen for the battell, and came to Bethsan.

12:41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.

12:42 Now when Tryphon saw that Ionathan came with so great a force, hee durst not stretch his hande against him,

12:42 Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he durst not stretch his hand against him;

12:43 But receiued him honourably, and comended him vnto all his friends, and gaue him gifts, and commaunded his men of warre to be as obedient vnto him, as to himselfe.

12:43 But received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his men of war to be as obedient unto him, as to himself.

12:44 Unto Ionathan also hee said, Why hast thou put all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no warre betwixt vs?

12:44 Unto Jonathan also he said, Why hast thou brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?

12:45 Therefore send them now home againe, and chuse a few men to waite on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will giue it thee and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that haue any charge: as for me, I will returne and depart: for this is the cause of my comming.

12:45 Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, for I will give it thee, and the rest of the strong holds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.

12:46 So Ionathan beleeuing him, did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Iudea.

12:46 So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Judea.

12:47 And with himselfe hee retained but three thousand men, of whome he sent two thousand into Galile, and one thousand went with him.

12:47 And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

12:48 Now assoone as Ionathan entred into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates, and tooke him, and all them that came with him, they shewe with the sword.

12:48 Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, they of Ptolemais shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.

12:49 Then sent Tryphon an hoste of footmen, and horsemen into Galile, and into the great plaine, to destroy all Ionathans company.

12:49 Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's company.

12:50 But when they knew that Ionathan and they that were with him were taken and slaine, they encouraged one another, and went close together, prepared to fight.

12:50 But when they knew that Jonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.

12:51 They therfore that followed vpon them, perceiuing that they were ready to fight for their liues, turned back againe.

12:51 They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.

12:52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Iudea peaceably, and there they bewailed Ionathan & them that were with him, & they were sore afraid, wherfore all Israel made great lamentation.

12:52 Whereupon they all came into the land of Judea peaceably, and there they bewailed Jonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Israel made great lamentation.

12:53 Then all the heathen that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For, said they, they haue no captaine, nor any to helpe them. Now therfore let vs make war vpon them, & take away their memorial fro amongst men.

12:53 Then all the heathen that were round about then sought to destroy them: for said they, They have no captain, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away their memorial from among men.