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.