Everything Apocrypha - 1 Maccabees
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1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:2 
He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other 
places, for the same purpose. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:5 
And this is the copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to 
the Lacedemonians: 
 
1Mac 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: 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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, 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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: 
 
1Mac 12:12 
And we are right glad of your honour. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:14 
Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others 
of our confederates and friends, in these wars: 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:18 
Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto. 
 
1Mac 12:19 
And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent. 
 
1Mac 12:20 
Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, 
greeting: 
 
1Mac 12:21 
It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are 
brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham: 
 
1Mac 12:22 
Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall 
do well to write unto us of your prosperity. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:24 
Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to 
fight against him with a greater host than afore, 
 
1Mac 12:25 
He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of 
Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:29 
Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the 
morning: for they saw the lights burning. 
 
1Mac 12:30 
Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for 
they were gone over the river Eleutherus. 
 
1Mac 12:31 
Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called 
Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils. 
 
1Mac 12:32 
And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed 
through all the country, 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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, 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:38 
Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with 
gates and bars. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:41 
Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men 
chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan. 
 
1Mac 12:42 
Now when Tryphon saw Jonathan came with so great a force, he 
durst not stretch his hand against him; 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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? 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:46 
So Jonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away 
his host, who went into the land of Judea. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:49 
Then sent Tryphon an host of footmen and horsemen into 
Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's 
company. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 12:51 
They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they 
were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 
1Mac 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. 
 

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12:1 And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them:

12:2 And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places according to the same form.

12:3 And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan the high priest, and the nation of the Jews have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance as it was before.

12:4 And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace.

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

12:6 Jonathan the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting.

12:7 There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest from Arius who reigned then among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

12:8 And Onias received the ambassador with honour: and received the letters wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity.

12:9 We, though we needed none of these things, having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands,

12:10 Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us.

12:11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days, wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet, and becoming to remember brethren.

12:12 And we rejoice at your glory.

12:13 But we have had many troubles and wars on every side, and the kings that are round about us, have fought against us.

12:14 But we would not be troublesome to you, nor the rest of our allies and friends in these wars.

12:15 For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled.

12:16 We have chosen therefore Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans to renew with them the former amity and alliance.

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

12:18 And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto.

12:19 And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias:

12:20 Arius king of the Spartans to Onias the high priest, greeting.

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

12:22 And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity.

12:23 And we also have written back to you: That our cattle, and our possessions are yours: and yours, ours. We therefore have commanded that these things should be told you.

12:24 Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him.

12:25 So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country.

12:26 And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night.

12:27 And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp.

12:28 And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, and they were struck with fear, and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp.

12:29 But Jonathan and they that were with him knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.

12:30 And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus.

12:31 And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them.

12:32 And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.

12:33 Simon also went forth, and came as far as Ascalon, and the neighbouring fortresses, and he turned aside to Joppe, and took possession of it,

12:34 (For he heard that they designed to deliver the hold to them that took part with Demetrius,) and he put a garrison there to keep it.

12:35 And Jonathan came back, and called together the ancients of the people, and he took a resolution with them to build fortresses in Judea,

12:36 And to build up walls in Jerusalem, and raise a mount between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might have no communication, and that they might neither buy nor sell.

12:37 And they came together to build up the city: for the wall that was upon the brook towards the east was broken down, and he repaired that which is called Caphetetha:

12:38 And Simon built Adiada in Sephela, and fortified it, and set up gates and bars.

12:39 Now when Tryphon had conceived a design to make himself king of Asia, and to take the crown, and to stretch out his hand against king Antiochus:

12:40 Fearing lest Jonathan would not suffer him, but would fight against him: he sought to seize upon him, and to kill him. So he rose up and came to Bethsan.

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

12:42 Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great army, he durst not stretch forth his hand against him,

12:43 But received him with honour, and commended him to all his friends, and gave him presents: and he commanded his troops to obey him, as himself.

12:44 And he said to Jonathan: Why hast thou troubled all the people, whereas we have no war?

12:45 Now therefore send them back to their own houses: and choose thee a few men that may be with thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee, and the rest of the strong holds, and the army, and all that have any charge, and I will return and go away: for this is the cause of my coming.

12:46 And Jonathan believed him, and did as he said: and sent away his army, and they departed into the land of Juda:

12:47 But he kept with him three thousand men: of whom he sent two thousand into Galilee, and one thousand went with him.

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

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

12:50 But they, when they understood that Jonathan and all that were with him were taken and slain, encouraged one another, and went out ready for battle.

12:51 Then they that had come after them, seeing that they stood for their lives, returned back.

12:52 Whereupon they all came peaceably into the land of Juda. And they bewailed Jonathan, and them that had been with him, exceedingly: and Israel mourned with great lamentation.

12:53 Then all the heathens that were round about them, sought to destroy them. For they said:

12:54 They have no prince, nor any to help them: now therefore let us make war upon them, and take away the memory of them from amongst mem.

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