111 Anda the king of Egypt gathered together bgreat forcesb, as the sand which is by the sea shore (for multitude), cand many shipsc, and sought to make himself master of Alexander’s kingdom by deceit, and to add it to his own kingdom. 2 And he went forth into Syria withd words of peace; and they of the cities opened unto him (the gates), and met him, and king Alexander’s command was that they should meet him, because he was his father-in-law. 3 Now when ePtolemy entered into the citiese, he placed in each cityf his forces (gfor) a garrisong. 4 And when he came near to Azotus, they showed him the temple of Dagon (which had been) burned with fire, hand Azotus, (which) together with the suburbs thereof, had been pulled down, and the bodies scattered about, and them that had been burned, iwhom he had burnedi kin the wark, for they had made heaps of them in his wayh. 5 And they told the king what things Jonathan had done, in order to cast blame on him; and the kingl held his peace. 6 And Jonathan met the kingm nwith pompn at Joppa, and they saluted one another, and they slept there. 7 oAnd Jonathan went with the kingo as far as the river pthat is calledp Eleutherus, and returned to Jerusalem.

8 But king Ptolemy made himself master of the cities upon the sea coast, unto Seleucia qwhich is by the seaq, and he devised evil devices concerning Alexander. 9 And he sent ambassadors unto king Demetrius, saying: ‘Let us make a covenant with one another, and I will give thee (to wife) my daughter whom Alexander hath, 10 and thou shalt reign over thy father’s kingdom; for I have repented that I gave my daughter unto him, for he sought to slay me.’ 11 rBut he cast blame on him (thus), because he coveted his kingdomr. 12 And taking his daughter (from Alexander), he gave her to Demetrius, and swas estranged from Alexanders, and their enmity became manifest. 13 And Ptolemy entered into Antioch, and put on himself the diadem of Asia; so he (now) had put two diadems upon his head, the diadem of Egypt and that of Asia.

14 But king Alexander was in Cilicia at that season, tbecause they of those parts were in revoltt. 15 And Alexander heard of it, and he came against him in war; and Ptolemy led forthu (his host)v, and met him with a strong force, and put him to flight. 16 And Alexander fled into Arabia, wthat he might be sheltered there; but king Ptolemy was exaltedw. 17 And Zabdiel the Arabian took off Alexander’s head, and sent it to Ptolemy. 18 And king Ptolemy died the third day (after); and they that were in his strongholds were slain xby them that dwelt in the strongholdsx. 19 And Demetrius became king in the one hundred and sixty-seventh year.

11:20–37. Jonathan secures the favour of Demetrius II.

20 In those days Jonathan gathered together ythem of Judaeay to take the citadel that was in Jerusalem; and he made many engines (of war) against it. 21 And zcertain ones that hated theira own nationz, men that transgressed the Law, went unto the king, and reported unto himb that Jonathan was besieging the citadel. 22 And (when) he heard it he was angered; but immediately con hearing itc he set forth, and came to Ptolemais, and wrote unto Jonathan that he should not besiege itd, and that he should meet him and speak with him at Ptolemais with all speed. 23 But when Jonathan heard (this), he commanded (that the citadel should continue) to be besieged; and he chose (certain) of the elders of Israel and of the priestse and put himself in peril, 24 and taking silver and gold and raiment, and divers presents besides, went to Ptolemais unto the king. 25 And he found favour in his sight. And certain lawless men of them that were of the nation made complaints against him; 26 but the king did unto him even as his predecessors had done unto himf, and exalted him in the sight of all his Friendsg, and confirmed him in the high-priesthood, 27 and whatsoever other honours he had beforeh, and gave him pre-eminence among his Chief Friends. 28 And Jonathan requested of the king, that he would make Judaeai and the three provinces of the country of Samariaj free from tribute; and hek promised him lthree hundredl talents. 29 And the king consented, and wrote letters unto Jonathan concerning all these things after this manner:

30 ‘King Demetrius unto (his) brother Jonathan and unto the nation of the Jews, greeting; 31 The copy of the letter which we wrote unto Lasthenes ourm kinsman concerning you, we have written also unto you, that ye may see (it). 32 King Demetrius unto Lasthenes (his) father, greeting; 33 We have determined to do good to the nation of the Jews, who are our friends, and observe what is just toward us, because of their good will toward us. 34 We have confirmed unto them, therefore, the districts of Judaea, and the three governments of Aphaereman, and Lydda, and Ramathaim—(these) were added unto Judaea from the country of Samaria—and all things appertaining unto them, for all such as do sacrifice in Jerusalem, instead of the king’so dues which the king received of them yearly aforetime from the produce of the land and the fruits of trees. 35 And as for the other things which appertain unto us, p qfrom henceforthq, of the tenths and the tolls rthat appertain to usr, sand the saltpits, and the crowns that appertain to usp, all these we will bestow upon thems. 36 tAnd not one of these things shall be annulledt from this time forth and for ever. 37 Now therefore be careful to make a copy of these things, and let it be given unto Jonathan, and let it be set upon the holy mount in a fitting uand conspicuous placeu.’

11:38–53. Jonathan assists Demetrius in opposing Tryphon.

38 And (when) king Demetrius saw that the land was quiet before him, vand that no resistance was made to himv, he sent away all his forces, each man to his own place,—except the wforeign forcesw, which he had raised from the isles of the Gentiles—and (therefore) all the forces xof his fathersx were inimically disposed towards him. 39 Now Tryphon was of those who aforetime had been of Alexander’s part, and he saw that all the forces murmured against Demetrius, and he went to Imalkuey the Arabian, 40 who was nourishing up Antiochus, the young child zof Alexanderz, aand pressed sore upon him that he should deliver him unto hima, that he might reignb in his father’s stead; and hec told him all that Demetrius had done, and the hatred wherewith his forces hated him; and he abode there many days.

41 And Jonathan sentd unto king Demetrius, that he should cast out of Jerusalem them of the citadel, and them that were in the strongholds; for they fought against Israel continuallye. 42 And Demetrius sent unto Jonathan, saying: ‘I will not only do this for thee and thy nation, but I will greatly honour thee fand thy nationf, if I find favourable occasion. 43 Now therefore thou shalt do well, if thou send me men who shall fight for me; for all my forces are revolted.’ 44 And Jonathan sent himg three thousand valiant men unto Antioch. And they came unto the king; and the kingh was glad at their coming. 45 And they of the city gathered themselves together iinto the midst of the cityi, to the number of a hundred and twenty thousand men; and they were minded to slay the kingj. 46 And the king fled into the palace, and they kof the cityk seized lthe thoroughfares of the cityl, and began to fight. 47 And the king called the Jews to (his) aidm, and they were gathered together unto him nall at oncen; and they dispersed themselves oin the cityo; and they slew that day to the number of a hundred thousand. 48 And they set the city on fire, and got many spoils pthat dayp, and saved the king. 49 And (when) they of the city saw that the Jews had made themselves masters of the city qras they wouldq, they waxed faint in their heartsr, and cried out to the king withs supplication, saying: 50 ‘Give us (thy) right hand, and let the Jews cease from fighting against us and the city.’ 51 And they cast away their armst, and made peace. And the Jews uwere glorified in the sight of the king, and before all that were in his kingdom vu; and theyw returned to Jerusalem, having many spoils. 52 And (when) kingx Demetrius was seated on his throne of his kingdom (again), 53 and the land was quiet before him, he lied in all that he had spoken, and estranged himself from Jonathan and recompensed (him) not (yaccording to)z the benefits with which he (had promised to) recompense himy; but he afflicted him sore.

11:54–74. Friendship between Jonathan and Antiochus VI.

54 Now after this Tryphon returned, and with him the young child Antiochus; and he reigned, and put on a diadem. 55 And there were gathered unto him all the forces which Demetrius had sent away in disgrace; and they fought against him, and hea fled,b and wasc put to routb. 56 dAnd Tryphon took the elephantsd, and became master of Antioch. 57 And the young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying: ‘I confirm unto thee the high-priesthood, and appoint thee over the four governments, and to be one of the king’s Friends. 58 And he sent unto him golden vessels and furniture for the table, and gave him leave to drink in golden vessels, and to be clothed in purple, and to have a golden buckle. 59 And his brother Simon he made governor (over the district) from the Ladder of Tyre unto the borders of Egypt. 60 And Jonathan went forth, and took his journey beyond the river, and through the cities; and all the forces of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to be his confederates. 61 And he came to Askalon, and they of the city met him honourably. And he departed thence to Gaza, and they of Gaza shut him out; and he lay siege unto it, eand burned the suburbs thereof with firee, and spoiled them. 62 And they of Gaza made request unto Jonathan, and he gave them his right hand, and took the sons of their princes for hostages, and sent them away to Jerusalem. And he passed through the country as far as Damascus.

63 And Jonathan heardf that Demetrius’ princes were come to Kedesh, which is in Galilee, with a great host, with the object of hindering him from his purpose; 64 and he went to meet them, but Simon his brother he left in the country. 65 And Simon encamped againstg Bethsura, and fought against it many days, and shut ith up; 66 and they made request to him that he would give them his right hand, and he gave it to them; but he put them out from thence, and took possession of the city, and set a garrison over it. 67 And Jonathan and his army encamped at the water iof Gennesari, and early in the morning they got them to the plain of Hazork. 68 And, behold, an army of strangers met himl in the plain, and they laid an ambush for him min the mountains, but they themselves met (him)n face to face. 69 But they that lay in ambushm rose out of their places, and joined battle; and all they that were of Jonathan’s side fled; 70 not one of them was left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas the son of Chalphi, captains of the forces. 71 And Jonathan rent his clothes, and put earth upon his head, and prayed. 72 And he turned again unto them in battle, and put them to rout, and they fled. 73 And (when) they of his side who were fleeing saw it, they returned unto him, and pursued (them) with him unto Kedesh to their camp; and they encamped there. 74 And there fell of the strangers oon that dayo about three thousand men. And Jonathan returned unto Jerusalem.

12:1–38. Jonathan renews his alliance with Rome, and enters into a league with the Spartans. He defeats the followers of Demetrius.