Open English Translation 1 MAC Chapter 12

12 Yonatan saw that the time was favourable for him, so he chose men and sent them to Romai to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them. 2 He also sent similar letters to the Spartans, and to other places. 3 They went to Romai, entered into the senate house, and said, “Yonatan the high priest and the nation of the Yehudim have sent us to renew for them the friendship and the alliance, as in former time.” 4 They gave them letters to the men in every place, that they should provide safe conduct for them on their way to the land of Yehudah (Judah). 5 This is the copy of the letters which Yonatan wrote to the Spartans:

6 “Yonatan the high priest, and the senate of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Yehudim (Jews), to their kindred the Spartans, greetings. 7 Even before this time letters were sent to Honyo (Onias) the high priest from Arius,[fn] who was reigning among you, to signify that you’re our kindred, as the copy written below shows. 8 Honyo welcomed honourably the man who was sent and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of alliance and friendship. 9 Therefore we also, even though we need none of these things, having for our encouragement the holy books which are in our hands, 10 have undertaken to send that we might renew our brotherhood and friendship with you, to the end that we shouldn’t become estranged from you altogether; for a long time has passed since you sent your letter to us. 11 We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and on the other convenient days, remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as it’s right and proper to be mindful of kindred. 12 Moreover, we’re glad for your glory. 13 But as for ourselves, many afflictions and many wars have encompassed us, and the kings who are around us have fought against us. 14 We were unwilling to be troublesome to you, and to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars; 15 for we have the help which is from heaven to help us, and we’ve been delivered from our enemies, and our enemies have been humbled. 16 We chose therefore Numenios the son of Antiokos (Antiochus) and Antipater the son of Yason, and have sent them to the Romaios, to renew the friendship that we had with them, and the former alliance. 17 We commanded them therefore to go also to you, and to salute you, and to deliver you our letters about the renewing of friendship and our brotherhood. 18 And now you’ll do well if you give us a reply.”

19 And this is the copy of the letters which they sent to Honyo (Onias):

20 “Arius king of the Spartans to Honyo the chief priest, greetings. 21 It’s been found in writing, about the Spartans and the Yehudim (Jews), that they’re kindred, and that they’re of the descendants of Avraham. 22 Now, since this has come to our knowledge, you’ll do well to write to us of your[fn] prosperity. 23 We moreover write on our part to you, that your livestock and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore that they make report to you accordingly.”

24 Now Yonatan (Jonathan) heard that Demetrios’ princes had returned to fight against him with a greater army than before, 25 so he marched away from Yerushalem (Jerusalem), and met them in the country of Hamat; for he gave them no opportunity to set foot in his country. 26 He sent spies into his camp, and they came again, and reported to him that they were preparing to attack them at night. 27 But as soon as the sun was down, Yonatan commanded his men to watch, and to be armed, that all the night long they might be ready for battle. He stationed sentinels around the camp. 28 The adversaries heard that Yonatan and his men were ready for battle, and they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp then withdrew. 29 But Yonatan and his men didn’t know it until the morning; for they saw the fires burning. 30 Yonatan pursued after them, but didn’t overtake them; for they’d gone over the river Eleutherus. 31 Then Yonatan turned towards the Aravim, who are called Zabadaeans, and struck them, and took their spoils. 32 He came out from there, and came to Damesek (Damascus), and took his journey through all the country.

33 Shim’on (Simon) went out, and took his journey as far as Ashkelon, and the strongholds that were near it. Then he turned towards Yafo (Joppa) and took possession of it; 34 for he’d heard that they were planning to hand over the stronghold to Demetrios’ men. He set a garrison there to guard it.

35 Then Yonatan returned and called the people’s elders together. He planned with them to build strongholds in Yehudah (Judea), 36 and to make Yerushalem’s (Jerusalem) walls higher, and to raise a great mound between the citadel and the city, to separate it from the city, that so it might be isolated, that its garrison might neither buy nor sell. 37 They were gathered together to build the city. Part of the wall of the brook that’s on the east side fell down, and he repaired the section called Kafenata. 38 Shim’on also built Hadid in the[fn] plain country, made it strong, and set up gates and bars.

39 And Trufon sought to reign over Asia and to crown himself, and to stretch out his hand against Antiokos (Antiochus) the king. 40 He was afraid that Yonatan wouldn’t allow him, and that he’d fight against him; and he sought a way to seize him, that he might destroy him. So he marched out and came to Beyt-Shean. 41 Yonatan came out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Beyt-Shean. 42 Trufon saw that he came with a great army, and he was afraid to stretch out his hand against him. 43 He received him honourably, and commended him to all his[fn] friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his forces to be obedient to him, as to himself. 44 He said to Yonatan, “Why have you put all this people to so much trouble, seeing there’s no war between us? 45 Now send them away to their homes, but choose for yourself a few men who’ll be with you, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I’ll give it to you, and the rest of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the king’s officers. Then I’ll turn around and depart; for this is why I came.”

46 He put his trust in him, and did even as he said, and sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Yehudah (Judah). 47 But he reserved to himself three thousand men, of whom he left two thousand in Galil, but one thousand went with him. 48 Now as soon as Yonatan entered into Ptolemais, Ptolemais’ people shut the gates and seized him. They killed all those who came in with him with the sword.

49 Trufon sent troops and cavalry into Galil, and into the Great Plain, to destroy all Yonatan’s men. 50 They perceived that he’d been seized and had perished, along with those who were with him. They encouraged one another and went on their way close together, prepared to fight. 51 Those who followed them saw that they were ready to fight for their lives, and turned back again. 52 They all came in peace into the land of Yehudah, and they mourned for Yonatan and those who were with him, and they were very afraid. All Yisrael (Israel) mourned with a great mourning. 53 And all the Gentiles who were around them sought to destroy them utterly; for they said, “They have no ruler nor anyone to help them. Now therefore let’s fight against them, and take away their memory from among men.”