1 Maccabees 1-9

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Alexander the Great

1 After Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated^[a] King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.)^{(A) 2} He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and slaughtered the kings of the earth. ³ He advanced to the ends of the earth and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up.^{(B) 4} He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they paid him tribute.

⁵ After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. ⁶ So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. ⁷ And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died.

⁸ Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. ⁹ They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their descendants after them for many years, and they caused many evils on the earth.^(C)

Antiochus Epiphanes and Renegade Jews

¹⁰ From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.^(D)

¹¹ In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the nations around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.”^{(E) 12} This proposal pleased them, ¹³ and some of the people eagerly went to the king, who authorized them to observe the ordinances of the nations.^{(F) 14} So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the customs of the nations,^{(G) 15} and made foreskins for themselves, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the nations and sold themselves to do evil.^(H)

Antiochus in Egypt

¹⁶ When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, in order that he might reign over both kingdoms. ¹⁷ So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet.^{(I) 18} He engaged King Ptolemy of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell.^{(J) 19} They captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt.

Persecution of the Jews

²⁰ After subduing Egypt, Antiochus turned back in the one hundred forty-third year and went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force.^{(K) 21} He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils.^{(L) 22} He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off.^{(M) 23} He took the silver and the gold and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures that he found.^{(N) 24} Taking them all, he went into his own land.

The Occupation of Jerusalem

²⁹ Two years later the king sent to the cities of Judah a chief collector of tribute, and he came to Jerusalem with a large force.^{(Q) 30} Deceitfully he spoke peaceable words to them, and they believed him, but he suddenly fell upon the city, dealt it a severe blow, and destroyed many people of Israel.^{(R) 31} He plundered the city, burned it with fire, and tore down its houses and its surrounding walls. ³² They took captive the women and children and seized the livestock. ³³ Then they fortified the city of David with a large strong wall and strong towers, and it became their citadel.^{(S) 34} They stationed there a sinful nation, men who were renegades. These strengthened their position;^{(T) 35} they stored up arms and food, and, collecting the spoils of Jerusalem, they stored them there and became a great menace,

Installation of Gentile Cults

⁴¹ Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people ⁴² and that all should give up their particular customs. All the nations accepted the command of the king.^{(X) 43} Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. ⁴⁴ And the king sent letters by messengers to Jerusalem and the towns of Judah; he directed them to follow customs strange to the land, ⁴⁵ to forbid burnt offerings and sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary, to profane Sabbaths and festivals,^{(Y) 46} to defile the sanctuary and the holy ones, ⁴⁷ to build altars and sacred precincts and shrines for idols, to sacrifice pigs and other unclean animals,^{(Z) 48} and to leave their sons uncircumcised. They were to make themselves abominable by everything unclean and profane ⁴⁹ so that they would forget the law and change all the ordinances. ⁵⁰ He added,^[c] “And whoever does not obey the command of the king shall die.”^(AA)

⁵¹ In such words he wrote to his whole kingdom. He appointed inspectors over all the people and commanded the towns of Judah to offer sacrifice, town by town.^{(AB) 52} Many of the people, everyone who forsook the law, joined them, and they did evil in the land; ⁵³ they drove Israel into hiding in every place of refuge they had.^(AC)

⁵⁴ Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding towns of Judah^{(AD) 55} and offered incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. ⁵⁶ The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. ⁵⁷ Anyone found possessing the book of the covenant or anyone who adhered to the law was condemned to death by decree of the king. ⁵⁸ They kept using violence against Israel, against those who were found month after month in the towns. ⁵⁹ On the twenty-fifth day of the month they offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top of the altar of burnt offering.^{(AE) 60} According to the decree, they put to death the women who had their children circumcised^{(AF) 61} and their families and those who circumcised them, and they hung the infants from their mothers’ necks.

⁶² But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. ⁶³ They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant, and they did die.^{(AG) 64} Very great wrath came upon Israel.

Mattathias and His Sons

2 In those days Mattathias son of John son of Simeon, a priest of the clan of Joarib, moved from Jerusalem and settled in Modein.^{(AH) 2} He had five sons: John surnamed Gaddi,^{(AI) 3} Simon called Thassi,^{(AJ) 4} Judas called Maccabeus,^{(AK) 5} Eleazar called Avaran, and Jonathan called Apphus.^{(AL) 6} He saw the blasphemies being committed in Judah and Jerusalem ⁷ and said,

¹⁴ Then Mattathias and his sons tore their clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourned greatly.^(AP)

Pagan Worship Refused

¹⁵ The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. ¹⁶ Many from Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. ¹⁷ Then the king’s officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: “You are a leader, honored and great in this town, and supported by sons and brothers. ¹⁸ Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the nations and the people of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts.”^(AQ)

¹⁹ But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him and have chosen to obey his commandments, every one of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors,^{(AR) 20} I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of our ancestors.^{(AS) 21} Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. ²² We will not obey the king’s words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left.”^(AT)

²³ When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein, according to the king’s command. ²⁴ When Mattathias saw it, he burned with zeal, and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and slaughtered him on the altar. ²⁵ At the same time he killed the king’s officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. ²⁶ Thus he burned with zeal for the law, just as Phinehas did against Zimri son of Salu.^(AU)

²⁷ Then Mattathias cried out in the town with a loud voice, saying: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!” ²⁸ Then he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the town.^(AV)

²⁹ At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there, ³⁰ they, their sons, their wives, and their livestock, because troubles pressed heavily upon them.^{(AW) 31} And it was reported to the king’s officers and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness.^{(AX) 32} Many pursued them and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the Sabbath day. ³³ They said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live.” ³⁴ But they said, “We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the Sabbath day.”^{(AY) 35} Then the enemy^[f] quickly attacked them. ³⁶ But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places, ³⁷ for they said, “Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly.” ³⁸ So they attacked them on the Sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and livestock, to the number of a thousand persons.^(AZ)

³⁹ When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. ⁴⁰ And all said to their neighbors: “If we all do as our kindred have done and refuse to fight with the nations for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth.” ⁴¹ So they made this decision that day: “Let us fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath day; let us not all die as our kindred died in their hiding places.”^(BA)

Counter-Attack

⁴² Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law.^{(BB) 43} And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. ⁴⁴ They organized an army and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the nations for safety.^{(BC) 45} And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; ⁴⁶ they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys whom they found within the borders of Israel. ⁴⁷ They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. ⁴⁸ They rescued the law out of the hands of the nations and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.

The Last Words of Mattathias

⁴⁹ Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger. ⁵⁰ Now, my children, show zeal for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.

⁵¹ “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their generations, and you will receive great honor and an everlasting name.^{(BD) 52} Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness?^{(BE) 53} Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and became lord of Egypt.^{(BF) 54} Phinehas our ancestor, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.^{(BG) 55} Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel.^{(BH) 56} Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land.^{(BI) 57} David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom forever.^{(BJ) 58} Elijah, because of great zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.^{(BK) 59} Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed and were saved from the flame.^{(BL) 60} Daniel, because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.^(BM)

⁶¹ “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none of those who put their trust in him will lack strength.^{(BN) 62} Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendor will turn into dung and worms.^{(BO) 63} Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they will not be found, for they will have returned to the dust, and their plans will have perished. ⁶⁴ My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor.^(BP)

⁶⁵ “Here is your brother Simeon, who I know is wise in counsel; always listen to him; he shall be your father.^{(BQ) 66} Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall command the army for you and fight the battle against the peoples.^{[g](BR) 67} You shall rally around you all who observe the law and avenge the wrong done to your people. ⁶⁸ Pay back the nations in full, and obey the commands of the law.”

⁶⁹ Then he blessed them and was gathered to his ancestors. ⁷⁰ He died in the one hundred forty-sixth year and was buried in the tomb of his ancestors at Modein. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.^(BS)

The Early Victories of Judas

3 Then his son Judas, who was called Maccabeus, took command in his place.^{(BT) 2} All his brothers and all who had joined his father helped him; they gladly fought for Israel.^(BU)

¹⁰ Then Apollonius gathered together nations and a large force from Samaria to fight against Israel.^{(BZ) 11} When Judas learned of it, he went out to meet him, and he defeated and killed him. Many were wounded and fell, and the rest fled.^{(CA) 12} Then they seized their spoils, and Judas took the sword of Apollonius and used it in battle the rest of his life.

¹³ When Seron, the commander of the Syrian army, heard that Judas had gathered a large company, including a body of faithful soldiers who stayed with him and went out to battle, ¹⁴ he said, “I will make a name for myself and win honor in the kingdom. I will make war on Judas and his companions, who scorn the king’s command.” ¹⁵ Once again a strong army of godless men joined him and went up with him to help him, to take vengeance on the Israelites.

¹⁶ When he approached the ascent of Beth-horon, Judas went out to meet him with a small company.^{(CB) 17} But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said to Judas, “How can we, few as we are, fight against so great and so strong a multitude? And we are faint, for we have eaten nothing today.” ¹⁸ Judas replied, “It is easy for many to be hemmed in by few, for in the sight of heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few.^{(CC) 19} It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from heaven.^{(CD) 20} They come against us in great insolence and lawlessness to destroy us and our wives and our children and to despoil us, ²¹ but we fight for our lives and our laws.^{(CE) 22} He himself will crush them before us; as for you, do not be afraid of them.”

²³ When he finished speaking, he rushed suddenly against Seron and his army, and they were crushed before him. ²⁴ They pursued them^[i] down the descent of Beth-horon to the plain; eight hundred of them fell, and the rest fled into the land of the Philistines.^{(CF) 25} Then Judas and his brothers began to be feared, and terror fell on the nations all around them.^{(CG) 26} His fame reached the king, and the nations talked of the battles of Judas.

The Policy of Antiochus

²⁷ When King Antiochus heard these reports, he was greatly angered, and he sent and gathered all the forces of his kingdom, a very strong army.^{(CH) 28} He opened his coffers and gave a year’s pay to his forces and ordered them to be ready for any need. ²⁹ Then he saw that the money in the treasury was exhausted and that the tribute payments from the country were small because of the dissension and disaster that he had caused in the land by abolishing the laws that had existed from the earliest days. ³⁰ He feared that he might not have such funds as he had before for his expenses and for the gifts that he used to give more lavishly than preceding kings. ³¹ He was greatly perplexed in mind; then he determined to go to Persia and collect the tribute payments from those regions and raise a large fund.^(CI)

³² He left Lysias, a distinguished man of royal lineage, in charge of the king’s affairs from the River Euphrates to the borders of Egypt.^{(CJ) 33} Lysias was also to take care of his son Antiochus until he returned.^{(CK) 34} And he turned over to Lysias^[j] half of his forces and the elephants and gave him orders about all that he wanted done. As for the residents of Judea and Jerusalem,^{(CL) 35} Lysias was to send a force against them to wipe out and destroy the strength of Israel and the remnant of Jerusalem; he was to banish the memory of them from the place,^{(CM) 36} settle strangers in all their territory, and distribute their land by lot. ³⁷ Then the king took the remaining half of his forces and left Antioch his capital in the one hundred and forty-seventh year. He crossed the Euphrates River and went through the upper provinces.^(CN)

Preparations for Battle

³⁸ Lysias chose Ptolemy son of Dorymenes and Nicanor and Gorgias, able men among the Friends of the king,^{(CO) 39} and sent with them forty thousand infantry and seven thousand cavalry to go into the land of Judah and destroy it, as the king had commanded. ⁴⁰ So they set out with their entire force, and when they arrived they encamped near Emmaus in the plain.^{(CP) 41} When the traders of the region heard what was said to them, they took silver and gold in immense amounts and fetters^[k] and went to the camp to get the Israelites for slaves. And forces from Syria and the land of the Philistines^[l] joined with them.^(CQ)

⁴² Now Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction. ⁴³ But they said to one another, “Let us restore the ruins of our people and fight for our people and the sanctuary.” ⁴⁴ So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.

⁴⁶ Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah.^{(CS) 47} They fasted that day, put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes.^{(CT) 48} And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the nations consulted the likenesses of their gods. ⁴⁹ They also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites who had completed their days,^{(CU) 50} and they cried aloud to heaven, saying,

⁵⁴ Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout.^{(CW) 55} After this Judas appointed leaders of the people in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens.^{(CX) 56} Those who were building houses or were about to be married or were planting a vineyard or were fainthearted, he told to go home, according to the law.^{(CY) 57} Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.

⁵⁸ And Judas said, “Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these nations who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary.^{(CZ) 59} It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary. ⁶⁰ But as his will in heaven may be, so shall he do.”

The Battle at Emmaus

4 Now Gorgias took five thousand infantry and one thousand picked cavalry, and this division moved out by night ² to fall upon the camp of the Jews and attack them suddenly. Men from the citadel were his guides.^{(DA) 3} But Judas heard of it, and he and his warriors moved out to attack the king’s force in Emmaus ⁴ while the division was still absent from the camp. ⁵ When Gorgias entered the camp of Judas by night, he found no one there, so he looked for them in the hills, because he said, “These men are running away from us.”

⁶ At daybreak Judas appeared in the plain with three thousand men, but they did not have armor and swords such as they desired.^{(DB) 7} And they saw the camp of the nations, strong and fortified, with cavalry all around it, and these men were trained in war. ⁸ But Judas said to those who were with him, “Do not fear their numbers or be afraid when they charge.^{(DC) 9} Remember how our ancestors were saved at the Red Sea, when Pharaoh with his forces pursued them.^{(DD) 10} And now, let us cry to heaven to see whether he will favor us and remember his covenant with our ancestors and crush this army before us today.^{(DE) 11} Then all the nations will know that there is one who redeems and saves Israel.”

¹² When the foreigners looked up and saw them coming against them, ¹³ they went out from their camp to battle. Then the men with Judas blew their trumpets^{(DF) 14} and engaged in battle. The nations were crushed and fled into the plain, ¹⁵ and all those in the rear fell by the sword. They pursued them to Gazara and to the plains of Idumea and to Azotus and Jamnia, and three thousand of them fell.^{(DG) 16} Then Judas and his force turned back from pursuing them, ¹⁷ and he said to the people, “Do not be greedy for plunder, for there is a battle before us; ¹⁸ Gorgias and his force are near us in the hills. But stand now against our enemies and fight them and afterward seize the plunder boldly.”

¹⁹ Just as Judas was finishing this speech, a detachment appeared coming out of the hills. ²⁰ They saw that their army^[m] had been put to flight and that the Jews^[n] were burning the camp, for the smoke that was seen showed what had happened. ²¹ When they perceived this, they were greatly frightened, and when they also saw the army of Judas drawn up in the plain for battle, ²² they all fled into the land of the Philistines.^{[o](DH) 23} Then Judas returned to plunder the camp, and they seized a great amount of gold and silver, and cloth dyed blue and sea purple, and great riches.^{(DI) 24} On their return they sang hymns and praises to heaven: “For he is good, for his mercy endures forever.”^{(DJ) 25} Thus Israel had a great deliverance that day.

First Campaign of Lysias

²⁶ Those of the foreigners who escaped went and reported to Lysias all that had happened.^{(DK) 27} When he heard it, he was perplexed and discouraged, for things had not happened to Israel as he had intended, nor had they turned out as the king had ordered. ²⁸ But the next year he mustered sixty thousand picked infantry and five thousand cavalry to subdue them.^{(DL) 29} They came into Idumea and encamped at Beth-zur, and Judas met them with ten thousand men.^(DM)

³⁰ When he saw that their army was strong, he prayed, saying, “Blessed are you, O Savior of Israel, who crushed the attack of the mighty warrior by the hand of your servant David and gave the camp of the Philistines into the hands of Jonathan son of Saul and of the man who carried his armor.^{(DN) 31} Hem in this army by the hand of your people Israel, and let them be ashamed of their troops and their cavalry.^{(DO) 32} Fill them with cowardice; melt the boldness of their strength; let them tremble in their destruction. ³³ Strike them down with the sword of those who love you, and let all who know your name praise you with hymns.”

³⁴ Then both sides attacked, and there fell of the army of Lysias five thousand men; they fell before them.^{[p](DP) 35} When Lysias saw the rout of his troops and observed the boldness that inspired those of Judas and how ready they were either to live or to die nobly, he withdrew to Antioch and enlisted mercenaries in order to invade Judea again with an even larger army.

Cleansing and Dedication of the Temple

³⁶ Then Judas and his brothers said, “See, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.”^{(DQ) 37} So all the army assembled and went up to Mount Zion. ³⁸ There they saw the sanctuary desolate, the altar profaned, and the gates burned. In the courts they saw bushes sprung up as in a thicket or as on one of the mountains. They saw also the chambers of the priests in ruins.^{(DR) 39} Then they tore their clothes and mourned with great lamentation; they sprinkled themselves with ashes^{(DS) 40} and fell face down on the ground. And they blew the signal trumpets, and they cried out to heaven.^(DT)

⁴¹ Then Judas detailed men to fight against those in the citadel until he had cleansed the sanctuary.^{(DU) 42} He chose blameless priests devoted to the law, ⁴³ and they cleansed the sanctuary and removed the defiled stones to an unclean place. ⁴⁴ They deliberated what to do about the altar of burnt offering, which had been profaned.^{(DV) 45} And they thought it best to tear it down, so that it would not be a lasting shame to them that the nations had defiled it. So they tore down the altar ⁴⁶ and stored the stones in a convenient place on the temple hill until a prophet should come to tell what to do with them.^{(DW) 47} Then they took unhewn^[q] stones, as the law directs, and built a new altar like the former one.^{(DX) 48} They also rebuilt the sanctuary and the interior of the temple and consecrated the courts. ⁴⁹ They made new holy vessels and brought the lampstand, the altar of incense, and the table into the temple.^{(DY) 50} Then they offered incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the lampstand, and these gave light in the temple.^{(DZ) 51} They placed the bread on the table and hung up the curtains. Thus they finished all the work they had undertaken.^(EA)

⁵² Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-eighth year,^{(EB) 53} they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering that they had built.^{(EC) 54} At the very season and on the very day that the nations had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals.^{(ED) 55} All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed heaven, who had prospered them. ⁵⁶ So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days and joyfully offered burnt offerings; they offered a sacrifice of well-being and a thanksgiving offering.^{(EE) 57} They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests and fitted them with doors.^{(EF) 58} There was very great joy among the people, and the disgrace brought by the nations was removed.

⁵⁹ Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.^(EG)

⁶⁰ At that time they fortified Mount Zion with high walls and strong towers all around, to keep the nations from coming and trampling them down as they had done before.^{(EH) 61} Judas^[r] stationed a garrison there to guard it; he also fortified Beth-zur to guard it, so that the people might have a stronghold that faced Idumea.^(EI)

Wars with Neighboring Peoples

5 When the nations all around heard that the altar had been rebuilt and the sanctuary dedicated as it was before, they became very angry, ² and they determined to destroy the descendants of Jacob who lived among them. So they began to kill and destroy among the people. ³ But Judas made war on the descendants of Esau in Idumea, at Akrabattene, because they kept lying in wait for Israel. He dealt them a heavy blow and humbled them and despoiled them.^{(EJ) 4} He also remembered the wickedness of the sons of Baean, who were a trap and a snare to the people and ambushed them on the highways. ⁵ They were shut up by him in towers, and he encamped against them, vowed their complete destruction, and burned with fire their towers and all who were in them.^{(EK) 6} Then he crossed over to attack the Ammonites, where he found a strong band and many people, with Timothy as their leader.^{(EL) 7} He engaged in many battles with them, and they were crushed before him; he struck them down. ⁸ He also took Jazer and its villages; then he returned to Judea.^(EM)

Liberation of Galilean Jews

⁹ Now the nations in Gilead gathered together against the Israelites who lived in their territory and planned to destroy them. But they fled to the stronghold of Dathema^{(EN) 10} and sent to Judas and his brothers letters that said, “The nations around us have gathered together to destroy us. ¹¹ They are preparing to come and capture the stronghold to which we have fled, and Timothy is leading their forces. ¹² Now then, come and rescue us from their hands, for many of us have fallen, ¹³ and all our kindred who were in the land of Tobias have been killed; the enemy^[s] have captured their wives and children and goods and have destroyed about a thousand persons there.”^(EO)

¹⁴ While the letters were still being read, other messengers, with their garments torn, came from Galilee and made a similar report;^{(EP) 15} they said that the people of Ptolemais and Tyre and Sidon and all Galilee of the gentiles^[t] had gathered together against them “to annihilate us.”^{(EQ) 16} When Judas and the people heard these messages, a great assembly was called to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and were being attacked by enemies.^{[u] 17} Then Judas said to his brother Simon, “Choose your men and go and rescue your kindred in Galilee; Jonathan my brother and I will go to Gilead.”^{(ER) 18} But he left Joseph, son of Zechariah, and Azariah, a leader of the people, with the rest of the forces in Judea to guard it,^{(ES) 19} and he gave them this command, “Take charge of this people, but do not engage in battle with the nations until we return.”^{(ET) 20} Then three thousand men were assigned to Simon to go to Galilee and eight thousand to Judas for Gilead.^(EU)

²¹ So Simon went to Galilee and fought many battles against the nations, and the nations were crushed before him. ²² He pursued them to the gate of Ptolemais; as many as three thousand of the nations fell, and he despoiled them.^{(EV) 23} Then he took the Jews^[v] of Galilee and Arbatta, with their wives and children, and all they possessed and led them to Judea with great rejoicing.^(EW)

Judas and Jonathan in Gilead

²⁴ Judas Maccabeus and his brother Jonathan crossed the Jordan and made three days’ journey into the wilderness.^{(EX) 25} They encountered the Nabateans, who met them peaceably and told them all that had happened to their kindred in Gilead:^{(EY) 26} “Many of them have been shut up in Bozrah and Bosor, in Alema and Chaspho, Maked and Carnaim”—all these towns were strong and large^(EZ)— ²⁷ “and some have been shut up in the other towns of Gilead; the enemy^[w] are getting ready to attack the strongholds tomorrow and capture and destroy all these people in a single day.”

²⁸ Then Judas and his army quickly turned back by the wilderness road to Bozrah, and he took the town and killed every male by the edge of the sword; then he seized all its spoils and burned it with fire.^{(FA) 29} He left the place at night, and they went all the way to the stronghold of Dathema.^{[x] 30} At dawn they looked out and saw a large company, which could not be counted, carrying ladders and engines of war to capture the stronghold and attacking the Jews within.^{[y] 31} So Judas saw that the battle had begun and that the cry of the town went up to heaven, with trumpets and loud shouts, ³² and he said to the men of his forces, “Fight today for your kindred!”^{(FB) 33} Then he came up behind them in three companies, who sounded their trumpets and cried aloud in prayer.^{(FC) 34} And when the army of Timothy realized that it was Maccabeus, they fled before him, and he dealt them a heavy blow. As many as eight thousand of them fell that day.

³⁵ Next he turned aside to Maapha^[z] and fought against it and took it, and he killed every male in it, plundered it, and burned it with fire. ³⁶ From there he marched on and took Chaspho, Maked, and Bosor and the other towns of Gilead.^(FD)

³⁷ After these things Timothy gathered another army and encamped opposite Raphon, on the other side of the stream.^{(FE) 38} Judas sent men to spy out the camp, and they reported to him, “All the nations around us have gathered to him; it is a very large force. ³⁹ They also have hired Arabs to help them, and they are encamped across the stream ready to come and fight against you.” And Judas went to meet them.^(FF)

⁴⁰ Now as Judas and his army drew near to the stream of water, Timothy said to the officers of his forces, “If he crosses over to us first, we will not be able to resist him, for he will surely defeat us. ⁴¹ But if he shows fear and camps on the other side of the river, we will cross over to him and defeat him.” ⁴² When Judas approached the stream of water, he stationed the officers^[aa] of the army at the stream and gave them this command, “Permit no one to encamp, but make them all enter the battle.”^{(FG) 43} Then he crossed over against them first, and the whole army followed him. All the nations were defeated before him, and they threw away their arms and fled into the sacred precincts at Carnaim.^{(FH) 44} But he took the town and burned the sacred precincts with fire, together with all who were in them. Thus Carnaim was conquered; they could stand before Judas no longer.^(FI)

The Return to Jerusalem

⁴⁵ Then Judas gathered together all the Israelites in Gilead, the small and the great, with their wives and children and goods, a very large company, to go to the land of Judah. ⁴⁶ So they came to Ephron. This was a large and very strong town on the road, and they could not go around it to the right or to the left; they had to go through it.^{(FJ) 47} But the people of the town shut them out and blocked up the gates with stones.

⁴⁸ Judas sent them this friendly message, “Let us pass through your land to get to our land. No one will do you harm; we will simply pass by on foot.” But they refused to open to him.^{(FK) 49} Then Judas ordered proclamation to be made to the army that all should encamp where they were. ⁵⁰ So the men of the forces encamped, and he fought against the town all that day and all the night, and the town was delivered into his hands.^{(FL) 51} He destroyed every male by the edge of the sword and razed and plundered the town. Then he passed through the town over the bodies of the dead.

⁵² Then they crossed the Jordan into the large plain before Beth-shan.^{(FM) 53} Judas kept rallying the laggards and encouraging the people all the way until he came to the land of Judah. ⁵⁴ So they went up to Mount Zion with joy and gladness and offered burnt offerings because they had returned in safety; not one of them had fallen.

Joseph and Azariah Defeated

⁵⁵ Now while Judas and Jonathan were in Gilead and their^[ab] brother Simon was in Galilee before Ptolemais,^{(FN) 56} Joseph son of Zechariah and Azariah, the commanders of the forces, heard of their brave deeds and of the heroic war they had fought.^{(FO) 57} So they said, “Let us also make a name for ourselves; let us go and make war on the nations around us.”^{(FP) 58} So they issued orders to the men of the forces that were with them and marched against Jamnia.^{(FQ) 59} Gorgias and his men came out of the town to meet them in battle.^{(FR) 60} Then Joseph and Azariah were routed and were pursued to the borders of Judea; as many as two thousand of the people of Israel fell that day.^{(FS) 61} Thus the people suffered a great rout because, thinking to do a brave deed, they did not listen to Judas and his brothers.^{(FT) 62} But they did not belong to the family of those men through whom deliverance was given to Israel.

⁶³ The man Judas and his brothers were greatly honored in all Israel and among all the nations, wherever their name was heard. ⁶⁴ People gathered to them and praised them.

Success at Hebron and Philistia

⁶⁵ Then Judas and his brothers went out and fought the descendants of Esau in the land to the south. He struck Hebron and its villages and tore down its strongholds and burned its towers on all sides.^{(FU) 66} Then he marched off to go into the land of the Philistines^[ac] and passed through Marisa.^{[ad](FV) 67} On that day some priests who wished to do a brave deed fell in battle, for they went out to battle unwisely. ⁶⁸ But Judas turned aside to Azotus in the land of the Philistines; he tore down their altars, and the carved images of their gods he burned with fire; he plundered the towns and returned to the land of Judah.^(FW)

The Last Days of Antiochus Epiphanes

6 King Antiochus was going through the upper provinces when he heard that Elymais in Persia was a city famed for its wealth in silver and gold.^{(FX) 2} Its temple was very rich, containing golden shields, breastplates, and weapons left there by Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian king who first reigned over the Greeks.^{(FY) 3} So he came and tried to take the city and plunder it, but he could not because his plan had become known to the citizens,^{(FZ) 4} and they withstood him in battle. So he fled and in great disappointment left there to return to Babylon.

⁵ Then someone came to him in Persia and reported that the armies that had gone into the land of Judah had been routed;^{(GA) 6} that Lysias had gone first with a strong force but had turned and fled before the Jews;^[ae] that the Jews^[af] had grown strong from the arms, supplies, and abundant spoils that they had taken from the armies they had cut down;^{(GB) 7} that they had torn down the abomination that he had erected on the altar in Jerusalem; and that they had surrounded the sanctuary with high walls as before, and also Beth-zur, his town.^(GC)

⁸ When the king heard this news, he was astounded and badly shaken. He took to his bed and became sick from disappointment because things had not turned out for him as he had planned.^{(GD) 9} He lay there for many days because deep disappointment continually gripped him, and he realized that he was dying.^{(GE) 10} So he called all his Friends and said to them, “Sleep has departed from my eyes, and I am downhearted with worry.^{(GF) 11} I said to myself, ‘To what distress I have come! And into what a great flood I now am plunged! For I was kind and beloved in my power.’ ¹² But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem. I seized all its vessels of silver and gold, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without good reason.^{(GG) 13} I know that it is because of this that these misfortunes have come upon me; here I am, perishing of bitter disappointment in a strange land.”

¹⁴ Then he called for Philip, one of his Friends, and made him ruler over all his kingdom.^{(GH) 15} He gave him the crown and his robe and the signet so that he might guide his son Antiochus and bring him up to be king.^{(GI) 16} Thus King Antiochus died there in the one hundred forty-ninth year.^{(GJ) 17} When Lysias learned that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus the king’s^[ag] son to reign. Lysias^[ah] had brought him up from boyhood; he named him Eupator.^(GK)

Renewed Attacks from Syria

¹⁸ Meanwhile the garrison in the citadel kept hemming Israel in around the sanctuary. They were trying in every way to harm them and strengthen the nations.^{(GL) 19} Judas therefore resolved to destroy them and assembled all the people to besiege them. ²⁰ They gathered together and besieged the citadel^[ai] in the one hundred fiftieth year, and he built siege towers and engines of war.^{(GM) 21} But some of the garrison escaped from the siege, and some of the ungodly Israelites joined them.^{(GN) 22} They went to the king and said, “How long will you fail to do justice and to avenge our kindred? ²³ We were happy to serve your father, to live by what he said, and to follow his commands.^{(GO) 24} For this reason the sons of our people besieged the citadel^[aj] and became hostile to us; moreover, they have put to death as many of us as they have caught, and they have seized our inheritances. ²⁵ It is not against us alone that they have stretched out their hands; they have also attacked all the lands on their borders. ²⁶ And see, today they have encamped against the citadel in Jerusalem to take it; they have fortified both the sanctuary and Beth-zur;^{(GP) 27} unless you quickly prevent them, they will do still greater things, and you will not be able to stop them.”

²⁸ The king was enraged when he heard this. He assembled all his Friends, the commanders of his forces and those in authority.^{[ak](GQ) 29} Mercenary forces also came to him from other kingdoms and from islands of the seas.^{(GR) 30} The number of his forces was one hundred thousand foot soldiers, twenty thousand horsemen, and thirty-two elephants accustomed to war.^{(GS) 31} They came through Idumea and encamped against Beth-zur, and for many days they fought and built engines of war, but the Jews^[al] sallied out and burned these with fire and fought courageously.^(GT)

The Battle at Beth-zechariah

³² Then Judas marched away from the citadel and encamped at Beth-zechariah, opposite the camp of the king. ³³ Early in the morning the king set out and took his army by a forced march along the road to Beth-zechariah, and his troops made ready for battle and sounded their trumpets. ³⁴ They offered the elephants the juice of grapes and mulberries, to arouse them for battle. ³⁵ They distributed the animals among the phalanxes; with each elephant they stationed a thousand men armed with coats of mail and with brass helmets on their heads, and five hundred picked horsemen were assigned to each beast. ³⁶ These took their position beforehand wherever the animal was; wherever it went, they went with it, and they never left it. ³⁷ On the elephants^[am] were wooden towers, strong and covered; they were fastened on each animal by special harness, and on each were four^[an] armed men who fought from there and also its Indian driver. ³⁸ The rest of the cavalry were stationed on either side, on the two flanks of the army, to harass the enemy while being themselves protected by the phalanxes. ³⁹ When the sun shone on the shields of gold and brass, the hills were ablaze with them and gleamed like flaming torches.

⁴⁰ Now a part of the king’s army was spread out on the high hills, and some troops were on the plain, and they advanced steadily and in good order. ⁴¹ All who heard the noise made by their multitude, by the marching of the multitude and the clanking of their arms, trembled, for the army was very large and strong. ⁴² But Judas and his army advanced to the battle, and six hundred of the king’s army fell. ⁴³ Now Eleazar, called Avaran, saw that one of the animals was equipped with royal armor. It was taller than all the others, and he supposed that the king was on it.^{(GU) 44} So he gave his life to save his people and to win for himself an everlasting name.^{(GV) 45} He courageously ran into the midst of the phalanx to reach it; he killed men right and left, and they parted before him on both sides. ⁴⁶ He got under the elephant, stabbed it from beneath, and killed it, but it fell to the ground upon him and he died. ⁴⁷ When the Jews^[ao] saw the royal might and the fierce attack of the forces, they turned away in flight.

The Siege of the Temple

⁴⁸ The soldiers of the king’s army went up to Jerusalem against them, and the king encamped in Judea and at Mount Zion. ⁴⁹ He made peace with the people of Beth-zur, and they evacuated the town because they had no provisions there to withstand a siege, since it was a sabbatical year for the land.^{(GW) 50} So the king took Beth-zur and stationed a guard there to hold it.^{(GX) 51} Then he encamped before the sanctuary for many days. He set up siege towers, engines of war, devices to throw fire and stones, machines to shoot arrows, and catapults.^{(GY) 52} The Jews^[ap] also made engines of war to match theirs and fought for many days. ⁵³ But they had no food in storage,^[aq] because it was the seventh year; those who had found safety in Judea from the nations had consumed the last of the stores. ⁵⁴ Only a few men were left in the sanctuary; the rest scattered to their own homes, for the famine proved too much for them.

Syria Offers Terms

⁵⁵ Then Lysias heard that Philip, whom King Antiochus while still living had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus to be king,^{(GZ) 56} had returned from Persia and Media with the forces that had gone with the king and that he was trying to seize control of the government.^{(HA) 57} So he quickly gave orders to withdraw and said to the king, to the commanders of the forces, and to the troops, “Daily we grow weaker, our food supply is scant, the place against which we are fighting is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom press urgently on us. ⁵⁸ Now, then, let us come to terms with these people and make peace with them and with all their nation.^{(HB) 59} Let us agree to let them live by their laws as they did before, for it was on account of their laws that we abolished that they became angry and did all these things.”^(HC)

⁶⁰ The speech pleased the king and the commanders, and he sent to the Jews^[ar] an offer of peace, and they accepted it.^{(HD) 61} So the king and the commanders gave them their oath. On these conditions the Jews^[as] evacuated the stronghold. ⁶² But when the king entered Mount Zion and saw what a strong fortress the place was, he broke the oath he had sworn and gave orders to tear down the wall all around.^{(HE) 63} Then he set off in haste and returned to Antioch. He found Philip in control of the city, but he fought against him and took the city by force.^(HF)

Expedition of Bacchides and Alcimus

7 In the one hundred fifty-first year Demetrius son of Seleucus set out from Rome, sailed with a few men to a town by the sea, and there began to reign.^{(HG) 2} As he was entering the royal palace of his ancestors, the army seized Antiochus and Lysias to bring them to him.^{(HH) 3} But when this act became known to him, he said, “Do not let me see their faces!” ⁴ So the army killed them, and Demetrius took his seat on the throne of his kingdom.

⁵ Then there came to him all the renegade and godless men of Israel; they were led by Alcimus, who wanted to be high priest.^{(HI) 6} They brought to the king this accusation against the people: “Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your Friends and have driven us out of our land. ⁷ Now, then, send a man whom you trust; let him go and see all the ruin that Judas^[at] has brought on us and on the land of the king, and let him punish them and all who help them.”

⁸ So the king chose Bacchides, one of the king’s Friends, governor of the province Beyond the River; he was a great man in the kingdom and was faithful to the king.^{(HJ) 9} He sent him, and with him he sent the ungodly Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and he commanded him to take vengeance on the Israelites.^{(HK) 10} So they marched away and came with a large force into the land of Judah, and he sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with peaceable but treacherous words. ¹¹ But they paid no attention to their words, for they saw that they had come with a large force.

¹² Then a group of scribes appeared in a body before Alcimus and Bacchides to ask for just terms.^{(HL) 13} The Hasideans were first among the Israelites to seek peace from them, ¹⁴ for they said, “A priest of the line of Aaron has come with the army, and he will not harm us.”^{(HM) 15} Alcimus^[au] spoke peaceable words to them and swore this oath to them, “We will not seek to injure you or your friends.” ¹⁶ So they trusted him, but he seized sixty of them and killed them in one day, in accordance with the word that was written,

¹⁸ Then the fear and dread of them fell on all the people, for they said, “There is no truth or justice in them, for they have violated the agreement and the oath that they swore.”

¹⁹ Then Bacchides withdrew from Jerusalem and encamped in Beth-zaith. And he sent and seized many of the men who had deserted to him,^[av] and some of the people, and killed them and threw them into a great pit.^{(HO) 20} He placed Alcimus in charge of the country and left with him a force to help him; then Bacchides went back to the king.

²¹ Alcimus struggled to maintain his high priesthood,^{(HP) 22} and all who were troubling their people joined him. They gained control of the land of Judah and did great damage in Israel. ²³ And Judas saw all the wrongs that Alcimus and those with him had done among the Israelites; it was more than the nations had done. ²⁴ So Judas^[aw] went out into all the surrounding parts of Judea, taking vengeance on those who had deserted and preventing those in the city^[ax] from going out into the country. ²⁵ When Alcimus saw that Judas and those with him had grown strong and realized that he could not withstand them, he returned to the king and brought malicious charges against them.

Nicanor in Judea

²⁶ Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honored princes, who hated and detested Israel, and he commanded him to destroy the people.^{(HQ) 27} So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a large force and treacherously sent to Judas and his brothers this peaceable message,^{(HR) 28} “Let there be no fighting between you and me; I shall come with a few men to see you face to face in peace.”

²⁹ So he came to Judas, and they greeted one another peaceably, but the enemy were preparing to kidnap Judas. ³⁰ It became known to Judas that Nicanor^[ay] had come to him with treacherous intent, and he was afraid of him and would not meet him again.^{(HS) 31} When Nicanor learned that his plan had been disclosed, he went out to meet Judas in battle near Caphar-salama. ³² About five hundred of the army of Nicanor fell, and the rest^[az] fled into the city of David.

Nicanor Threatens the Temple

³³ After these events Nicanor went up to Mount Zion. Some of the priests from the sanctuary and some of the elders of the people came out to greet him peaceably and to show him the burnt offering that was being offered for the king.^{(HT) 34} But he mocked them and derided them and defiled them and spoke arrogantly, ³⁵ and in anger he swore this oath, “Unless Judas and his army are delivered into my hands this time, then if I return safely I will burn up this house.” And he went out in great anger.^{(HU) 36} At this the priests went in and stood before the altar and the temple; they wept and said,^(HV)

The Death of Nicanor

³⁹ Now Nicanor went out from Jerusalem and encamped in Beth-horon, and the Syrian army joined him.^{(HX) 40} Judas encamped in Adasa with three thousand men. Then Judas prayed and said, ⁴¹ “When the messengers from the king spoke blasphemy, your angel went out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand of the Assyrians.^{[ba](HY) 42} So also crush this army before us today; let the rest learn that Nicanor^[bb] has spoken wickedly against the sanctuary, and judge him according to this wickedness.”^(HZ)

⁴³ So the armies met in battle on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. The army of Nicanor was crushed, and he himself was the first to fall in the battle.^{(IA) 44} When his army saw that Nicanor had fallen, they threw down their arms and fled. ⁴⁵ The Jews^[bc] pursued them a day’s journey, from Adasa as far as Gazara, and as they followed they kept sounding the battle call on the trumpets.^{(IB) 46} People came out of all the surrounding villages of Judea, and they outflanked the enemy^[bd] and drove them back to their pursuers,^[be] so that they all fell by the sword; not even one of them was left. ⁴⁷ Then the Jews^[bf] seized the spoils and the plunder; they cut off Nicanor’s head and the right hand that he had so arrogantly stretched out and brought them and displayed them just outside Jerusalem.^{(IC) 48} The people rejoiced greatly and celebrated that day as a day of great gladness. ⁴⁹ They decreed that this day should be celebrated each year on the thirteenth day of Adar.^{(ID) 50} So the land of Judah had rest for a few days.^(IE)

A Eulogy of the Romans

8 Now Judas heard of the fame of the Romans, that they were very strong and were well-disposed toward all who made an alliance with them, that they pledged friendship to those who came to them,^{(IF) 2} and that they were very strong. He had been told of their wars and of the brave deeds that they were doing among the Gauls, how they had defeated them and forced them to pay tribute, ³ and what they had done in the land of Spain to get control of the silver and gold mines there, ⁴ and how they had gained control of the whole region by their planning and patience, even though the place was far distant from them. They also subdued the kings who came against them from the ends of the earth, until they crushed them and inflicted great disaster on them; the survivors paid them tribute every year. ⁵ They had crushed in battle and conquered Philip, and King Perseus of the Macedonians,^[bg] and the others who rose up against them.^{(IG) 6} They also had defeated Antiochus the Great, king of Asia, who went to fight against them with one hundred twenty elephants and with cavalry and chariots and a very large army. He was crushed by them;^{(IH) 7} they took him alive and decreed that he and those who would reign after him should pay a heavy tribute and give hostages and surrender some of their best provinces:^{(II) 8} the countries of India, Media, and Lydia. These they took from him and gave to King Eumenes. ⁹ The Greeks planned to come and destroy them, ¹⁰ but this became known to them, and they sent a general against the Greeks^[bh] and attacked them. Many of them were wounded and fell, and the Romans^[bi] took captive their wives and children; they plundered them, conquered the land, tore down their strongholds, and enslaved them to this day. ¹¹ The remaining kingdoms and islands, as many as ever opposed them, they destroyed and enslaved, ¹² but with their friends and those who rely on them they have kept friendship. They have subdued kings far and near, and as many as have heard of their fame have feared them. ¹³ Those whom they wish to help and to make kings, they make kings, and those whom they wish they depose, and they have been greatly exalted. ¹⁴ Yet for all this not one of them has put on a crown or worn purple as a mark of pride,^{(IJ) 15} but they have built for themselves a senate chamber, and every day three hundred twenty senators constantly deliberate concerning the people, to govern them well.^{(IK) 16} They trust one man each year to rule over them and to control all their land; they all heed the one man, and there is no envy or jealousy among them.^(IL)

An Alliance with Rome

¹⁷ So Judas chose Eupolemus son of John son of Accos, and Jason son of Eleazar, and sent them to Rome to establish friendship and alliance^{(IM) 18} and to free themselves from the yoke, for they saw that the kingdom of the Greeks was enslaving Israel completely.^{(IN) 19} They went to Rome, a very long journey, and they entered the senate chamber and spoke as follows:^{(IO) 20} “Judas, who is also called Maccabeus, and his brothers and the people of the Jews have sent us to you to establish alliance and peace with you, so that we may be enrolled as your allies and friends.”^{(IP) 21} The proposal pleased them, ²² and this is a copy of the letter that they wrote in reply, on bronze tablets, and sent to Jerusalem to remain with them there as a memorial of peace and alliance:^(IQ)

²³ “May all go well with the Romans and with the nation of the Jews at sea and on land forever, and may sword and enemy be far from them. ²⁴ If war comes first to Rome or to any of their allies in all their dominion, ²⁵ the nation of the Jews shall act as their allies wholeheartedly, as the occasion may indicate to them. ²⁶ To the enemy that makes war they shall not give or supply grain, arms, money, or ships, just as Rome has decided, and they shall keep their obligations without receiving any return. ²⁷ In the same way, if war comes first to the nation of the Jews, the Romans shall willingly act as their allies, as the occasion may indicate to them. ²⁸ And to their enemies there shall not be given grain, arms, money, or ships, just as Rome has decided, and they shall keep these obligations and do so without deceit. ²⁹ Thus on these terms the Romans make a treaty with the Jewish people. ³⁰ If after these terms are in effect both parties shall determine to add or delete anything, they shall do so at their discretion, and any addition or deletion that they may make shall be valid.

³¹ “Concerning the wrongs that King Demetrius is doing to them, we have written to him as follows, ‘Why have you made your yoke heavy on our friends and allies the Jews?^{(IR) 32} If now they appeal again for help against you, we will defend their rights and fight you on sea and on land.’ ”

Bacchides Returns to Judea

9 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.^{(IS) 2} They went by the road that leads to Gilgal and encamped against Mesaloth in Arbela, and they took it and killed many people. ³ In the first month of the one hundred fifty-second year they encamped against Jerusalem; ⁴ then they marched off and went to Berea with twenty thousand foot soldiers and two thousand cavalry.

⁵ Now Judas was encamped in Elasa, and with him were three thousand picked 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 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 He became faint, but he said to those who were left, “Let us get up and go against our enemies. We may have the strength to fight them.” ⁹ But they tried to dissuade him, saying, “We do not have the strength. Let us rather save our own lives now, and let us come back with our kindred and fight them, for we are too few.” ¹⁰ But Judas said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing as to flee from them. If our time has come, let us die bravely for our kindred and leave no cause to question our honor.”^(IT)

The Last Battle of Judas

¹¹ Then the army of Bacchides^[bj] 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 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 The earth was shaken by the noise of the armies, and the battle raged from morning until evening.^(IU)

¹⁴ Judas saw that Bacchides and the strength of his army were on the right; then all the courageous men went with him, ¹⁵ and they crushed the right wing, and he pursued them as far as Mount Azotus. 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 The battle became desperate, and many on both sides were wounded and fell. ¹⁸ Judas also fell, and the rest fled.

¹⁹ Then Jonathan and Simon took their brother Judas and buried him in the tomb of their ancestors at Modein^{(IV) 20} and wept for him. All Israel made great lamentation for him; they mourned many days and said,^(IW)

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 because they were very many.^(IY)

Jonathan Succeeds Judas

²³ After the death of Judas, the renegades emerged in all parts of Israel; all the wrongdoers reappeared.^{(IZ) 24} In those days a very great famine occurred, and the country went over to their side. ²⁵ Bacchides chose the godless and put them in charge of the country.^{(JA) 26} They made inquiry and searched for the friends of Judas and brought them to Bacchides, who took vengeance on them and made sport of them. ²⁷ So there was great distress in Israel such as had not been since the time a prophet had last appeared among them.^(JB)

²⁸ Then all the friends of Judas assembled and said to Jonathan,^{(JC) 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.^{(JD) 30} Now, therefore, we have chosen you today to take his place as our ruler and leader, to fight our battle.” ³¹ So Jonathan accepted the leadership at that time in place of his brother Judas.^(JE)

The Campaigns of Jonathan

³² When Bacchides learned of this, he tried to kill him.