NOW when Yonathan 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.
He sent cepheriym also to the Lacedaemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.
So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Yonathan the high priest, and the people of the Yahudiym, sent us unto you, to the end ye should renew the friendship, which ye had with them, and league, as in former time.
Upon this the Romaiym gave them cepheriym unto the governors of every place that they should bring them into the land of Yahudah peaceably.
And this is the copy of the cepheriym which Yonathan wrote to the Lacedaemonians:
Yonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Yahudiym, unto the Lacedaemonians their brethren send greeting:
There were cepheriym sent in times past unto Onyahu the high priest from Dareyavesh, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten specifies.
At which time Onyahu entreated the ambassador that was sent honorably, and received the cepheriym, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.
Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the Holy Cepheriym of Scripture in our hands to comfort us,
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.
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 becomes us to think upon our brethren:
And we are right glad of your honor.
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.
Howbeit we would not be troublesome unto you, nor to others of our confederates and friends, in these wars:
For we have help from heaven that helps us, so as we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under foot.
For this cause we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Yacon, and sent them unto the Romaiym, to renew the amity that we had with them, and the former league.
We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our cepheriym concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
And this is the copy of the cepheriym which Oniares sent.
Areus king of the Lacedaemonians to Onyahu the high priest, greeting:
It is found in writing, that the Lacedaemonians and Yahudiym are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Avraham:
Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.
We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are ours, and ours are yours. We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.
Now when Yonathan heard that Demetrius’ princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,
He removed from Yerushalayim, and met them in the land of Chamath: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.
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.
Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Yonathan 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.
But when the adversaries heard that Yonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.
Howbeit Yonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.
Then Yonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
Wherefore Yonathan turned to the Araviym, who were called Zavadiym, and smote them, and took their spoils.
And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,
Shim`on also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ashqelon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Yapho, and won it.
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.
After this came Yonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strongholds in Yahudah,
And making the walls of Yerushalayim 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.
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 Chaphenatha.
Shim`on also set up Chadiyd in Shephelah, and made it strong with gates and bars.
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.
Howbeit he was afraid that Yonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Yonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Beyt San.
Then Yonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Beyt San.
Now when Tryphon saw Yonathan came with so great a force, he dared not stretch his hand against him;
But received him honorably, 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.
Unto Yonathan also he said, Why have you brought all this people to so great trouble, seeing there is no war betwixt us?
Therefore send them now home again, and choose a few men to wait on you, and come with me to Akko, for I will give it you, and the rest of the strongholds and forces, and all that have any charge: as for me, I will return and depart: for this is the cause of my coming.
So Yonathan believing him did as he bade him, and sent away his host, who went into the land of Yahudah.
And with himself he retained but three thousand men, of whom he sent two thousand into Galiyl, and one thousand went with him.
Now as soon as Yonathan entered into Akko, they of Akko shut the gates and took him, and all them that came with him they slew with the sword.
Then sent Tryphon a host of footmen and horsemen into Galiyl, and into the great plain, to destroy all Yahunathan's company.
But when they knew that Yonathan and they that were with him were taken and slain, they encouraged one another; and went close together, prepared to fight.
They therefore that followed upon them, perceiving that they were ready to fight for their lives, turned back again.
Whereupon they all came into the land of Yahudah peaceably, and there they bewailed Yonathan, and them that were with him, and they were sore afraid; wherefore all Yashar'el made great lamentation.
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.