Now in the hundred and sixtieth year Alexander the son of Antiochus, surnamed the Illustrious, came up and took Ptolemais, and they received him, and he reigned there.

Et anno centesimo sexagesimo, ascendit Alexander Antiochi filius, qui cognominatus est Nobilis, et occupavit Ptolemaidam: et receperunt eum, et regnavit illic.

And now, in the hundred and sixtieth year, came Alexander, a son of Antiochus the Illustrious, and took possession of Ptolemais, where he was received with royal honours.

And king Demetrius heard of it, and gathered together an exceeding great army, and went forth against him to fight.

Et audivit Demetrius rex, et congregavit exercitum copiosum valde, et exivit obviam illi in prælium.

A great force king Demetrius levied, when he heard of it, and went out to give him battle;

And Demetrius sent a letter to Jonathan with peaceable words, to magnify him.

Et misit Demetrius epistolam ad Jonathan verbis pacificis, ut magnificaret eum.

at the same time, he wrote to Jonathan, in such loving terms as should flatter his dignity.

For he said: Let us first make a peace with him, before he make one with Alexander against us.

Dixit enim: Anticipemus facere pacem cum eo, priusquam faciat cum Alexandro adversum nos:

No time to be lost, thought he, in making friends with this man, before he takes to comforting Alexander against us;

For he will remember all the evils that we have done against him, and against his brother, and against his nation.

recordabitur enim omnium malorum, quæ fecimus in eum, et in fratrem ejus, et in gentem ejus.

for wrong done to himself, and his brother, and all his race, he bears us a grudge yet.

And he gave him authority to gather together an army, and to make arms, and that he should be his confederate: and the hostages that were in the castle, he commanded to be delivered to him.

Et dedit ei potestatem congregandi exercitum, et fabricare arma, et esse ipsum socium ejus: et obsides, qui erant in arce, jussit tradi ei.

So he empowered Jonathan to muster an army, and to make weapons of war, as the ally of Syria; the hostages, too, in the citadel were to be given back to him.

And Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read the letters in the hearing of all the people, and of them that were in the castle.

Et venit Jonathas in Jerusalem, et legit epistolas in auditu omnis populi, et eorum qui in arce erant.

When Jonathan came to Jerusalem, and read this letter aloud, not to the townsfolk only, but to the citadel garrison,

And they were struck with great fear, because they heard that the king had given him authority to gather together an army.

Et timuerunt timore magno, quoniam audierunt quod dedit ei rex potestatem congregandi exercitum.

great was the fear fell on all who listened; here was Jonathan commissioned to levy troops by the king’s own order!

And the hostages were delivered to Jonathan, and he restored them to their parents.

Et traditi sunt Jonathæ obsides, et reddidit eos parentibus suis:

The hostages were surrendered without more ado, and given back to their parents;

And Jonathan dwelt in Jerusalem, and began to build, and to repair the city.

et habitavit Jonathas in Jerusalem, et cœpit ædificare et innovare civitatem.

and he himself took up his quarters in Jerusalem, where he set about building up the city and repairing it.

And he ordered workmen to build the walls, and mount Sion round about with square stones for fortification: and so they did.

Et dixit facientibus opera ut exstruerent muros, et montem Sion in circuitu lapidibus quadratis ad munitionem: et ita fecerunt.

It was the walls needed rebuilding, so he told his workmen; on every side, the hill of Sion must be defended with hewn stone; and punctually they obeyed him.

And the strangers that were in the strong holds, which Bacchides had built, fled away.

Et fugerunt alienigenæ, qui erant in munitionibus quas Bacchides ædificaverat:

As for the alien folk that guarded the strongholds Bacchides had left, they fled incontinently;

And every man left his place, and departed into his own country:

et reliquit unusquisque locum suum, et abiit in terram suam:

what matter if their posts were abandoned? They were for home.

Only in Bethsura there remained some of them, that had forsaken the law, and the commandments of God: for this was a place of refuge for them.

tantum in Bethsura remanserunt aliqui ex his qui reliquerant legem et præcepta Dei: erat enim hæc eis ad refugium.

Only Bethsura was garrisoned now, and that by traitors to God’s law and commandment; it was all the refuge they had.

And king Alexander heard of the promises that Demetrius had made Jonathan: and they told him of the battles, and the worthy acts that he, and his brethren had done, and the labours that they had endured.

Et audivit Alexander rex promissa, quæ promisit Demetrius Jonathæ: et narraverunt ei prælia, et virtutes quas ipse fecit, et fratres ejus, et labores quos laboraverunt:

King Alexander heard of these overtures made by Demetrius; heard, too, the story of Jonathan and his brethren, battles fought, and deeds done, and labours endured.

And he said: Shall we find such another man? now therefore we will make him our friend and our confederate.

et ait: Numquid inveniemus aliquem virum talem? et nunc faciemus eum amicum, et socium nostrum.

Why, said he, this man has not his match anywhere; time it is we should court his friendship and alliance.

So he wrote a letter, and sent it to him according to these words, saying:

Et scripsit epistolam, et misit ei secundum hæc verba, dicens:

With that, he wrote him a letter, and these were the terms of it:

King Alexander to his brother Jonathan, greeting.

Rex Alexander fratri Jonathæ salutem.

King Alexander, to Jonathan his brother-prince, greeting!

We have heard of thee, that thou art a man of great power, and fit to be our friend:

Audivimus de te quod vir potens sis viribus, et aptus es ut sis amicus noster:

We have heard tell of thee, a man so valiant, and so well worthy of our friendship;

Now therefore we make thee this day high priest of thy nation, and that thou be called the king’s friend, (and he sent him a purple robe, and a crown of gold,) and that thou be of one mind with us in our affairs, and keep friendship with us.

et nunc constituimus te hodie summum sacerdotem gentis tuæ, et ut amicus voceris regis (et misit ei purpuram, et coronam auream) et quæ nostra sunt sentias nobiscum, et conserves amicitias ad nos.

in token whereof, we appoint thee high priest of thy own race henceforward, and to have the title of the King’s Friend. With that, he sent him a purple robe and a gold crown; Take ever our part, said he, and hold fast the bond of friendship.

Then Jonathan put on the holy vestment in the seventh month, in the year one hundred and threescore, at the feast day of the tabernacles: and he gathered together an army, and made a great number of arms.

Et induit se Jonathas stola sancta septimo mense, anno centesimo sexagesimo, in die solemni scenopegiæ: et congregavit exercitum, et fecit arma copiosa.

So, when the seventh month came round, in the hundred and sixtieth year, Jonathan clad himself with the sacred vesture at the feast of Tent-dwelling; an army he levied besides, and made weapons of war in great abundance.

And Demetrius heard these words, and was exceeding sorry, and said:

Et audivit Demetrius verba ista, et contristatus est nimis, et ait:

Sick and sorry Demetrius was when he heard of these doings;

What is this that we have done, that Alexander hath prevented us to gain the friendship of the Jews to strengthen himself?

Quid hoc fecimus, quod præoccupavit nos Alexander apprehendere amicitiam Judæorum ad munimen sui?

Here is an ill day’s work, said he, to let Alexander forestall us in making alliance with the Jews, to his great comfort!

I also will write to them words of request, and offer dignities, and gifts: that they may be with me to aid me.

scribam et ego illis verba deprecatoria, et dignitates, et dona, ut sint mecum in adjutorium.

From me, too, they shall have a message of entreaty, they shall have honours and gifts; the Jews shall be my good friends yet.

And he wrote to them in these words: King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greeting.

Et scripsit eis in hæc verba: Rex Demetrius genti Judæorum salutem.

And thus he wrote: King Demetrius, to the people of the Jews, greeting!

Whereas you have kept covenant with us, and have continued in our friendship, and have not joined with our enemies, we have heard of it, and are glad.

Quoniam servastis ad nos pactum, et mansistis in amicitia nostra, et non accessistis ad inimicos nostros, audivimus, et gavisi sumus.

Here is welcome news we have of you; right well you have kept troth with us, honouring the treaty when you might have taken part with our enemies.

Wherefore now continue still to keep fidelity towards us, and we will reward you with good things, for what you have done in our behalf.

Et nunc perseverate adhuc conservare ad nos fidem, et retribuemus vobis bona pro his quæ fecistis nobiscum:

In that loyal mind continue, and your good offices shall not go unrewarded;

And we will remit to you many charges, and will give you gifts.

et remittemus vobis præstationes multas, et dabimus vobis donationes.

much immunity you shall enjoy, much largesse receive.

And now I free you, and all the Jews from tributes, and I release you from the customs of salt, and remit the crowns, and the thirds of the seed:

Et nunc absolvo vos et omnes Judæos a tributis, et pretia salis indulgeo, et coronas remitto, et tertias seminis:

By these presents, I exempt both you and all Jews from the poll-tax; salt-tax and coronation dues I remit and forgo, with my right to a third part of your seed-corn,

And the half of the fruit of trees, which is my share, I leave to you from this day forward, so that it shall not be taken of the land of Juda, and of the three cities that are added thereto out of Samaria and Galilee, from this day forth and for ever:

et dimidiam partem fructus ligni, quod est portionis meæ, relinquo vobis ex hodierno die, et deinceps, ne accipiatur a terra Juda, et a tribus civitatibus quæ additæ sunt illi ex Samaria et Galilæa; ex hodierna die et in totum tempus:

and half your fruit-crop. From this day forward, now and for ever, I resign all this; from Juda and from the three cantons of Samaria and Galilee lately added to it, there shall be no toll taken.

And let Jerusalem be holy and free, with the borders thereof: and let the tenths, and tributes be for itself.

et Jerusalem sit sancta, et libera cum finibus suis: et decimæ et tributa ipsius sint.

For Jerusalem, it shall be a place set apart, a free city with its own confines, mistress of its own tithe and tribute;

I yield up also the power of the castle that is in Jerusalem, and I give it to the high priest, to place therein such men as he shall choose to keep it.

Remitto etiam potestatem arcis, quæ est in Jerusalem: et do eam summo sacerdoti, ut constituat in ea viros quoscumque ipse elegerit, qui custodiant eam.

nor claim I any rights over the citadel there, I make it over to the high priest, to garrison it as he will.

And every soul of the Jews that hath been carried captive from the land of Juda in all my kingdom, I set at liberty freely, that all be discharged from tributes even of their cattle.

Et omnem animam Judæorum, quæ captiva est a terra Juda in omni regno meo, relinquo liberam gratis, ut omnes a tributis solvantur, etiam pecorum suorum.

All persons of Jewish blood in all my realm that were taken away as prisoners from Juda shall now be set free gratuitously, and no distraint made on their revenues or cattle.

And I will that all the feasts, and the sabbaths, and the new moons, and the days appointed, and three days before the solemn day, and three days after the solemn day, be all days of immunity and freedom, for all the Jews that are in my kingdom:

Et omnes dies solemnes, et sabbata, et neomeniæ, et dies decreti, et tres dies ante diem solemnem, et tres dies post diem solemnem, sint omnes immunitatis et remissionis omnibus Judæis, qui sunt in regno meo:

Feast-day and new moon and sabbath, and all other such solemnities as are appointed to be observed, with the three days before and after the feast itself, shall be days of immunity and respite for all the Jews in my realm;

And no man shall have power to do any thing against them, or to molest any of them, in any cause.

et nemo habebit potestatem agere aliquid, et movere negotia adversus aliquem illorum in omni causa.

nor any business done or debate moved to their detriment at such times.

And let there be enrolled in the king’s army to the number of thirty thousand of the Jews: and allowance shall be made them as is due to all the king’s forces, and certain of them shall be appointed to be in the fortresses of the great king:

Et ascribantur ex Judæis in exercitu regis ad triginta millia virorum: et dabuntur illis copiæ ut oportet omnibus exercitibus regis, et ex eis ordinabuntur qui sint in munitionibus regis magni:

In the king’s army, Jews may be enrolled up to the number of thirty thousand, paid according to the common rate of the royal troops; and the same shall be free to serve in all the fortified towns of our empire.

And some of them shall be set over the affairs of the kingdom, that are of trust, and let the governors be taken from among themselves, and let them walk in their own laws, as the king hath commanded in the land of Juda.

et ex his constituentur super negotia regni, quæ aguntur ex fide, et principes sint ex eis, et ambulent in legibus suis, sicut præcepit rex in terra Juda.

Jews may be employed besides in all positions of trust, and appointed governors, yet live still by their own laws, that have royal sanction in the land of Juda.

And the three cities that are added to Judea, out of the country of Samaria, let them be accounted with Judea: that they may be under one, and obey no other authority but that of the high priest

Et tres civitates, quæ additæ sunt Judææ ex regione Samariæ, cum Judæa reputentur: ut sint sub uno, et non obediant alii potestati, nisi summi sacerdotis.

The three cantons taken from Samaria and added to Judaea shall be accounted part of Juda, under a single government, with no allegiance but to the high priest.

Ptolemais, and the confines thereof, I give as a free gift to the holy places, that are in Jerusalem, for the necessary charges of the holy things.

Ptolemaida et confines ejus, quas dedi donum sanctis qui sunt in Jerusalem, ad necessarios sumptus sanctorum.

Ptolemais, with all the country that lies about it, I hereby convey as a free gift to the temple precincts at Jerusalem, to defray the temple expenses.

And I give every year fifteen thousand sicles of silver out of the king’s accounts, of what belongs to me:

Et ego do singulis annis quindecim millia siclorum argenti de rationibus regis, quæ me contingunt:

To this gift I add a sum of fifteen thousand silver sicles yearly, out of the royal dues that belong to me.

And all that is above, which they that were over the affairs the years before, had not paid, from this time they shall give it to the works of the house.

et omne quod reliquum fuerit, quod non reddiderant qui super negotia erant annis prioribus, ex hoc dabunt in opera domus.

With this sum, arrears shall be made good in payments for the temple building, withheld till now by such as had charge of the matter;

Moreover the five thousand sicles of silver which they received from the account of the holy places, every year, shall also belong to the priests that execute the ministry.

Et super hæc quinque millia siclorum argenti, quæ accipiebant de sanctorum ratione per singulos annos: et hæc ad sacerdotes pertineant, qui ministerio funguntur.

and restitution made, to the priests now in office, for the five thousand sicles that were confiscated year by year from the temple treasury.

And whosoever shall flee into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and in all the borders thereof, being indebted to the king for any matter, let them be set at liberty, and all that they have in my kingdom, let them have it free.

Et quicumque confugerint in templum quod est Jerosolymis, et in omnibus finibus ejus, obnoxii regi in omni negotio dimittantur, et universa quæ sunt eis in regno meo, libera habeant.

Debtor to the king, whatever be the charge against him, that takes sanctuary in the temple or its precincts, shall be left at liberty, and no distraint made upon goods of his within these dominions.

For the building also, or repairing the works of the holy places, the charges shall be given out of the king’s revenues:

Et ad ædificanda vel restauranda opera sanctorum, sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis:

Payment shall be made besides from the royal treasury for the finishing and repairing of the temple fabric;

For the building also of the walls of Jerusalem, and the fortifying thereof round about, the charges shall be given out of the king’s account, as also for the building of the walls in Judea.

et ad exstruendos muros Jerusalem, et communiendos in circuitu, sumptus dabuntur de ratione regis, et ad construendos muros in Judæa.

as also for building up and making strong the walls of Jerusalem, and restoring the fortresses of Judaea.

Now when Jonathan, and the people heard these words, they gave no credit to them nor received them: because they remembered the great evil that he had done in Israel, for he had afflicted them exceedingly.

Ut audivit autem Jonathas et populus sermones istos, non crediderunt eis, nec receperunt eos: quia recordati sunt malitiæ magnæ, quam fecerat in Israël, et tribulaverat eos valde.

But in vain were such promises made to Jonathan and the Jewish folk, nor credence found they any nor assent. Could they forget all the mischief Demetrius had done in Israel, all the tyranny they had endured?

And their inclinations were towards Alexander, because he had been the chief promoter of peace in their regard, and him they always helped.

Et complacuit eis in Alexandrum, quia ipse fuerat eis princeps sermonum pacis, et ipsi auxilium ferebant omnibus diebus.

Alexander it was had all their good wishes; his was the first offer of terms that reached them, and all the while it was his cause they cherished.

And king Alexander gathered together a great army, and moved his camp near to Demetrius.

Et congregavit rex Alexander exercitum magnum, et admovit castra contra Demetrium.

By this, Alexander had mustered a great force, and marched against Demetrius.

And the two kings joined battle, and the army of Demetrius fled away, and Alexander pursued after him, and pressed them close.

Et commiserunt prælium duo reges, et fugit exercitus Demetrii, et insecutus est eum Alexander, et incubuit super eos.

When the two kings met, it was Demetrius’ men took to their heels, and Alexander gave chase, pressing them hard;

And the battle was hard fought till the sun went down: and Demetrius was slain that day.

Et invaluit prælium nimis, donec occidit sol: et cecidit Demetrius in die illa.

fiercely the battle raged till sun-down, and before the day was over, Demetrius fell.

And Alexander sent ambassadors to Ptolemee king of Egypt, with words to this effect, saying:

Et misit Alexander ad Ptolemæum regem Ægypti legatos secundum hæc verba, dicens:

Hereupon Alexander sent an embassy to Ptolemy, king of Egypt, addressing him in these terms following.

Forasmuch as I am returned into my kingdom, and am set in the throne of my ancestors, and have gotten the dominion, and have overthrown Demetrius, and possessed our country,

Quoniam regressus sum in regnum meum, et sedi in sede patrum meorum, et obtinui principatum, et contrivi Demetrium, et possedi regionem nostram,

Take notice I have returned to my kingdom, and sit now on the throne of my fathers, in full possession of my princely rights. Would I regain Syria, needs must I should overthrow Demetrius;

And have joined battle with him, and both he and his army have been destroyed by us, and we are placed in the throne of his kingdom:

et commisi pugnam cum eo, et contritus est ipse et castra ejus a nobis, et sedimus in sede regni ejus:

overthrow him I did, on field of battle, with all his army, and here I sit in his place.

Now therefore let us make friendship one with another: and give me now thy daughter to wife, and I will be thy son in law, and I will give both thee and her gifts worthy of thee.

et nunc statuamus ad invicem amicitiam: et da mihi filiam tuam uxorem, et ego ero gener tuus, et dabo tibi dona, et ipsi, digna te.

And should we not be upon terms of friendship, thou and I? Let me have thy daughter to wife; a niggardly wooer thou shalt not find me, nor she either.

And king Ptolemee answered, saying: Happy is the day wherein thou didst return to the land of thy fathers, and sattest in the throne of their kingdom.

Et respondit rex Ptolemæus, dicens: Felix dies, in qua reversus es ad terram patrum tuorum, et sedisti in sede regni eorum.

And what answer made king Ptolemy? An auspicious day, said he, this day of thy return to the land and throne of thy fathers!

And now I will do to thee as thou hast written: but meet me at Ptolemais, that we may see one another, and I may give her to thee as thou hast said.

Et nunc faciam tibi quod scripsisti: sed occurre mihi Ptolemaidam, ut videamus invicem nos, et spondeam tibi sicut dixisti.

Boon thy letter asks of me thou shalt have; but first meet we together, face to face, yonder at Ptolemais; there will I pledge my word to the articles thou namest.

So Ptolemee went out of Egypt, with Cleopatra his daughter, and he came to Ptolemais in the hundred and sixty-second year.

Et exivit Ptolemæus de Ægypto, ipse et Cleopatra filia ejus, et venit Ptolemaidam anno centesimo sexagesimo secundo.

So here was king Ptolemy come from Egypt, with his daughter Cleopatra, all the way to Ptolemais, in the hundred and sixty-second year;

And king Alexander met him, and he gave him his daughter Cleopatra: and he celebrated her marriage at Ptolemais, with great glory, after the manner of kings.

Et occurrit ei Alexander rex, et dedit ei Cleopatram filiam suam: et fecit nuptias ejus Ptolemaidæ, sicut reges in magna gloria.

and there king Alexander met him and took his daughter Cleopatra to wife, and they held the wedding with great magnificence, as kings will.

And king Alexander wrote to Jonathan, that he should come and meet him.

Et scripsit rex Alexander Jonathæ, ut veniret obviam sibi.

King Alexander had sent word to Jonathan, he should come and keep tryst with him;

And he went honourably to Ptolemais, and he met there the two kings, and he gave them much silver, and gold, and presents: and he found favour in their sight.

Et abiit cum gloria Ptolemaidam, et occurrit ibi duobus regibus, et dedit illis argentum multum, et aurum, et dona: et invenit gratiam in conspectu eorum.

so to Ptolemais Jonathan went with great state, and met the two kings there. Gifts a many he made them, of silver and gold and much else, and was high in favour with them.

And some pestilent men of Israel, men of a wicked life, assembled themselves against him to accuse him: and the king gave no heed to them.

Et convenerunt adversus eum viri pestilentes ex Israël, viri iniqui interpellantes adversus eum: et non intendit ad eos rex.

It chanced that certain Israelites, pestilent fellows of the traitorous party, came there to bring charges against him. But to these the king would not listen;

And he commanded that Jonathan’s garments should be taken off, and that he should be clothed with purple: and they did so. And the king made him sit by himself.

Et jussit spoliari Jonathan vestibus suis, et indui eum purpura: et ita fecerunt. Et collocavit eum rex sedere secum.

he would have Jonathan change his garments, and go clad in purple, and when this was done, a seat he must have beside the king himself.

And he said to his princes: Go out with him into the midst of the city, and make proclamation, that no man complain against him of any matter, and that no man trouble him for any manner of cause.

Dixitque principibus suis: Exite cum eo in medium civitatis, et prædicate, ut nemo adversus eum interpellet de ullo negotio, nec quisquam ei molestus sit de ulla ratione.

Take him out into the heart of the city, Alexander said to his vassals, and there make proclamation, none may bring charge against him on any pretext, or in any fashion molest him.

So when his accusers saw his glory proclaimed, and him clothed with purple, they all fled away.

Et factum est, ut viderunt qui interpellabant gloriam ejus, quæ prædicabatur, et opertum eum purpura, fugerunt omnes:

No thought had his accusers, when they heard such proclamation made, and saw Jonathan there dressed in purple, but to escape, one and all, as best they could;

And the king magnified him, and enrolled him amongst his chief friends, and made him governor and partaker of his dominion.

et magnificavit eum rex, et scripsit eum inter primos amicos, et posuit eum ducem, et participem principatus.

he himself was loaded with honours, enrolled among the king’s chief friends, and made a prince, with a share in the governance of the kingdom.

And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with peace and joy.

Et reversus est Jonathas in Jerusalem cum pace et lætitia.

So Jonathan made his way back to Jerusalem undisturbed, and well content.

In the year one hundred and sixty-five Demetrius the son of Demetrius came from Crete into the land of his fathers.

In anno centesimo sexagesimo quinto, venit Demetrius filius Demetrii a Creta in terram patrum suorum.

Then, in the hundred and sixty-fifth year, came Demetrius, son of that other Demetrius, from the island of Crete, and landed in his native country;

And king Alexander heard of it, and was much troubled, and returned to Antioch.

Et audivit Alexander rex, et contristatus est valde, et reversus est Antiochum.

ill hearing indeed for Alexander, who returned at once to Antioch.

And king Demetrius made Apollonius his general, who was governor of Celesyria: and he gathered together a great army, and came to Jamnia: and he sent to Jonathan the high priest,

Et constituit Demetrius rex Apollonium ducem, qui præerat Cœlesyriæ: et congregavit exercitum magnum, et accessit ad Jamniam: et misit ad Jonathan summum sacerdotem,

Demetrius gave command of his army to Apollonius, that was governor of Coelesyria, and a great array it was he levied. From Jamnia, where he took up his quarters, this Apollonius sent word to the high priest Jonathan:

Saying: Thou alone standest against us, and I am laughed at, and reproached, because thou shewest thy power against us in the mountains.

dicens: Tu solus resistis nobis: ego autem factus sum in derisum, et in opprobrium, propterea quia tu potestatem adversum nos exerces in montibus.

What, wilt thou defy us, and all alone? Here am I mocked and flouted by the resistance offered me, up yonder in the hills!

Now therefore if thou trustest in thy forces, come down to us into the plain, and there let us try one another: for with me is the strength of war.

Nunc ergo si confidis in virtutibus tuis, descende ad nos in campum, et comparemus illic invicem: quia mecum est virtus bellorum.

Nay, if such confidence thou hast in thy own resources, come down and meet us in the plain; try we conclusions there! Trust me, I am master of the field;

Ask, and learn who I am, and the rest that help me, who also say that your foot cannot stand before our face, for thy fathers have twice been put to flight in their own land:

Interroga, et disce quis sum ego, et ceteri qui auxilio sunt mihi, qui et dicunt quia non potest stare pes vester ante faciem nostram, quia bis in fugam conversi sunt patres tui in terra sua:

what I am, what my troops are, thou shalt learn upon a little enquiry; stand thou canst not, they will tell thee, before onslaught of ours. Twice, on their native soil, thy fathers fled in disorder,

And now how wilt thou be able to abide the horsemen, and so great an army in the plain, where there is no stone, nor rock, nor place to flee to?

et nunc quomodo poteris sustinere equitatum et exercitum tantum in campo, ubi non est lapis, neque saxum, neque locus fugiendi?

and wilt thou make head against such an array of horse and foot, here in the plain, where rock is none, nor gravel-bed, to aid thy flight?

Now when Jonathan heard the words of Apollonius, he was moved in his mind: and he chose ten thousand men, and went out of Jerusalem, and Simon his brother met him to help him.

Ut audivit autem Jonathas sermones Apollonii, motus est animo: et elegit decem millia virorum, et exiit ab Jerusalem, et occurrit ei Simon frater ejus in adjutorium:

Roused by this challenge, Jonathan marched out from Jerusalem with a muster of ten thousand men; his brother Simon joined hands with him;

And they pitched their tents near Joppe, but they shut him out of the city: because a garrison of Apollonius was in Joppe, and he laid siege to it.

et applicuerunt castra in Joppen, et exclusit eum a civitate, quia custodia Apollonii Joppe erat: et oppugnavit eam.

and together they appeared before the gates of Joppe. Enter they might not, for Apollonius had a garrison there, but must needs attack it;

And they that were in the city being affrighted, opened the gates to him: so Jonathan took Joppe.

Et exterriti qui erant in civitate, aperuerunt ei, et obtinuit Jonathas Joppen.

whereupon the citizens took alarm, and themselves opened the gates. Thus came Joppe into the power of Jonathan;

And Apollonius heard of it, and he took three thousand horsemen, and a great army.

Et audivit Apollonius, et admovit tria millia equitum, et exercitum multum.

the news reached Apollonius, and he brought up three thousand horse, with a great array of men besides.

And he went to Azotus as one that was making a journey, and immediately he went forth into the plain: because he had a great number of horsemen, and he trusted in them. And Jonathan followed after him to Azotus, and they joined battle.

Et abiit Azotum tamquam iter faciens, et statim exiit in campum, eo quod haberet multitudinem equitum, et confideret in eis. Et insecutus est eum Jonathas in Azotum, et commiserunt prælium.

To Azotus he marched, as if he meant to pass them by, but all the while he was luring them on into the plain; in horse lay his strength and his confidence. To Azotus Jonathan followed him, and battle was joined.

And Apollonius left privately in the camp a thousand horsemen behind them.

Et reliquit Apollonius in castris mille equites post eos occulte.

Apollonius, by a secret feint, had left a thousand horsemen encamped in their rear;

And Jonathan knew that there was an ambush behind him, and they surrounded his army, and cast darts at the people from morning till evening.

Et cognovit Jonathas quoniam insidiæ sunt post se, et circuierunt castra ejus, et jecerunt jacula in populum a mane usque ad vesperam.

so all at once Jonathan found himself cut off by an ambush. Round his army they rode, casting javelins into the ranks, from morning till night-fall;

But the people stood still, as Jonathan had commanded them: and so their horses were fatigued.

Populus autem stabat, sicut præceperat Jonathas: et laboraverunt equi eorum.

but ever it stood firm, at Jonathan’s bidding, till the horses were tired out at last.

Then Simon drew forth his army, and attacked the legion: for the horsemen were wearied: and they were discomfited by him, and fled.

Et ejecit Simon exercitum suum, et commisit contra legionem: equites enim fatigati erant: et contriti sunt ab eo, et fugerunt.

Then, the force of the cavalry once spent, out came Simon with his troops to attack the main body, which thereupon broke and fled.

And they that were scattered about the plain, fled into Azotus, and went into Bethdagon their idol’s temple, there to save themselves.

Et qui dispersi sunt per campum, fugerunt in Azotum, et intraverunt in Bethdagon idolum suum, ut ibi se liberarent.

Scattered over the open country, in vain they rallied at Azotus, and took refuge in the precincts of their god Dagon;

But Jonathan set fire to Azotus, and the cities that were round about it, and took the spoils of them, and the temple of Dagon: and all them that were fled into it, he burnt with fire.

Et succendit Jonathas Azotum, et civitates quæ erant in circuitu ejus, et accepit spolia eorum, et templum Dagon: et omnes qui fugerunt in illud, succendit igni.

both Azotus and all the neighbouring cities Jonathan burnt and plundered, and Dagon’s temple, with all that took shelter there, was burnt with the rest.

So they that were slain by the sword, with them that were burnt, were almost eight thousand men.

Et fuerunt qui ceciderunt gladio, cum his qui succensi sunt, fere octo millia virorum.

So perished, by sword and fire, some eight thousand men;

And Jonathan removed his army from thence, and camped against Ascalon: and they went out of the city to meet him with great honour.

Et movit inde Jonathas castra, et applicuit ea Ascalonem: et exierunt de civitate obviam illi in magna gloria.

as for Jonathan, he had no sooner encamped before Ascalon, than the townsfolk opened the gates to him, and gave him honourable welcome.

And Jonathan returned into Jerusalem with his people, having many spoils.

Et reversus est Jonathas in Jerusalem cum suis, habentibus spolia multa.

So Jonathan came back to Jerusalem, and the army behind him, laden with spoils.

And it came to pass: when Alexander the king heard these words, that he honoured Jonathan yet more.

Et factum est, ut audivit Alexander rex sermones istos, addidit adhuc glorificare Jonathan.

More than ever, when he heard of it, did king Alexander heap honours upon him;

And he sent him a buckle of gold, as the custom is, to be given to such as are of the royal blood. And he gave him Accaron and all the borders thereof in possession.

Et misit ei fibulam auream, sicut consuetudo est dari cognatis regum. Et dedit ei Accaron, et omnes fines ejus, in possessionem.

a buckle of gold he sent him, ever the gift kings make to men of blood royal, and Accaron, with all the countryside about it, granted him for his domain.