39 And Tryphon sought to reign over Asia and to put on himself the diadem, and to stretch forth his hand against Antiochus the kingt. 40 And he was afraid lest haply Jonathan should not suffer him (to do so), uand lest he should fight against himu; so he vsought a wayw howv to take him, xthat he might destroy himx. 41 And he yremoved, and camey to Bethshan. zAnd Jonathan came forthz ato meet hima with forty thousand men chosen for battle, and came to Bethshan. 42 And (when) Tryphon saw that he came with a great host, he was afraid to stretch forth his hand against him; and he received him honourably, 43 and commended him unto all his Friends, b c dand gave him giftsd, and commanded his Friendsb and his forces to be obedient unto him, eas unto himselfc e. 44 And he said unto Jonathan: ‘Why hast thou put all this people to trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us? 45 And now, send them away to their homes, but choose for thyself a few men who shall be with thee, and come thou with me to Ptolemais, and I will give it up to thee, fand the restg of the strongholds and the rest of the forces, and all the (king’s) officers; then I will return and depart; for, for this cause did I comef.’ 46 And he trusted him and did even as he said, andh sent away his forces, and they departed into the land of Judah. 47 But he reserved to himself three thousand men, two thousand iof whomi he left in Galilee, but one thousand went with him. 48 But when Jonathan had entered into Ptolemais, kthey of Ptolemais shut the gates, andk took him; and all they that had come with him they slew with the sword. 49 And Tryphon sent forces and horsemen into Galilee, landm into the great plainl, to destroy all Jonathan’s men. 50 And they perceived that he was taken and had perished, and they that were with him; nevertheless they encouraged one another, and went on their way close together, ready for war. 51 And (when) they that were following (upon them) saw that they were ready (to fight) for their lives, they turned back again. 52 And they all came in peace to the land of Judah, and they mourned for Jonathan and them that were with him, nand they were sore afraid. 53 And allo Israel mournedn with a great mourning. And all the Gentiles that were round about them sought to destroy them utterly, for they said: ‘They have not pa manp (that is) leader and (who will) help (them); qnow therefore let us fight against themq, and take away their memorial from among men.’

Simon Maccabaeus 13:1–16:24.

13:1–11. Simon elected leader.