NOT long after the victory over Timotheus, Lysias the king's protector and cousin, who also managed the affairs, took sore displeasure of the things that were done.
And when he had gathered about fourscore thousand with all the horsemen, he came against the Yahudiym, thinking to make the city a habitation of the other nations,
And to make a gain of the Temple, as of the other chapels of the heathen, and to set the high priesthood for sale every year:
Not at all considering the power of Elohiym but puffed up with his ten thousands of footmen, and his thousands of horsemen, and his fourscore elephants.
So he came to Yahudah, and drew near to Beyt Sura, which was a strong town, but distant from Yerushalayim about five stadion, and he laid sore siege unto it.
Now when they that were with Yahudah Makkabiy heard that he besieged the holds, they and all the people with lamentation and tears besought Yahuah that he would send a good angel to deliver Yashar'el.
Then Yahudah Makkabiy himself first of all took weapons, exhorting the others that they would jeopardize themselves together with him to help their brethren: so they went forth together with a willing mind.
And as they were at Yerushalayim, there appeared before them on horseback one in white clothing, shaking his armor of gold.
Then they praised the merciful Elohiym all together, and took heart, so much so that they were ready not only to fight with men, but with most cruel beasts, and to pierce through walls of iron.
Thus they marched forward in their armor, having a helper from heaven: for Yahuah was merciful unto them
And giving a charge upon their enemies like lions, they slew eleven thousand footmen, and sixteen hundred horsemen, and put all the other to flight.
Many of them also being wounded escaped naked; and Lysias himself fled away shamefully, and so escaped.
Who, as he was a man of understanding, casting with himself what loss he had had, and considering that the Ivriym could not be overcome, because El Shaddai helped them, he sent unto them,
And persuaded them to agree to all reasonable conditions, and promised that he would persuade the king that he needs be a friend unto them.
Then Yahudah Makkabiy consented to all that Lysias desired, being careful of the common good; and whatsoever Yahudah Makkabiy wrote unto Lysias concerning the Yahudiym, the king granted it.
For there were cepheriym written unto the Yahudiym from Lysias to this effect: Lysias unto the people of the Yahudiym sends greeting:
Yochanon and Avshalom, who were sent from you, delivered me the petition subscribed, and made request for the performance of the contents thereof.
Therefore what things soever that were to be reported to the king, I have declared them, and he has granted as much as might be.
And if then ye will keep yourselves loyal to the state, hereafter also will I endeavor to be a means of your good.
But of the particulars I have given orders both to these and the others that came from me, to commune with you.
Fare ye well. The hundred and eight and fortieth year, the four and twentieth day of the month Dioscorinthius.
Now the king's cepher contained these words: King Antiochus unto his brother Lysias sends greeting:
Since our father is translated unto the elohiym, our will is, that they that are in our realm live quietly, that everyone may attend upon his own affairs.
We understand also that the Yahudiym would not consent to our father, for to be brought unto the custom of the other nations, but had rather keep their own manner of living: for the which cause they require of us, that we should suffer them to live after their own Torah.
Wherefore our mind is, that this nation shall be in rest, and we have determined to restore them their Temple, that they may live according to the customs of their forefathers.
You shall do well therefore to send unto them, and grant them peace, that when they are certified of our mind, they may be of good comfort, and ever go cheerfully about their own affairs.
And the cepher of the king unto the nation of the Yahudiym was after this manner: King Antiochus sends greeting unto the council, and the rest of the Yahudiym:
If ye fare well, we have our desire; we are also in good health.
Menelaus declared unto us, that your desire was to return home, and to follow your own business:
Wherefore they that will depart shall have safe conduct till the thirtieth day of Xanthikos with security.
And the Yahudiym shall use their own kind of meats and Torah, as before; and none of their manner of ways shall be molested for things ignorantly done.
I have sent also Menelaus, that he may comfort you.
Fare ye well. In the hundred forty and eighth year, and the fifteenth day of the month Xanthikos.
The Romaiym also sent unto them a cepher containing these words: Quintus Memmius and Titus Manlius, ambassadors of the Romaiym, send greeting unto the people of the Yahudiym.
Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin has granted, therewith we also are well pleased.
But touching such things as he judged to be referred to the king, after ye have advised thereof, send one forthwith, that we may declare as it is convenient for you: for we are now going to Antioch.
Therefore send some with speed, that we may know what is your mind.
Farewell. This hundred and eight and fortieth year, the fifteenth day of the month Xanthikos.