1 Maccabees 13
13
Simon takes command
1Simon heard that Trypho had assembled a large army to invade the land of Judah and destroy it. 2He saw that the people were trembling and afraid, so he went up to Jerusalem and gathered the people together. 3He encouraged them by saying, “You yourselves know what great things my brothers and I, and our father’s family, have done for the laws and the sanctuary. You also know about the wars and the difficulties that we have seen. 4Because of this, all my brothers have died for Israel’s sake. I alone am left. 5Now, far be it from me to spare my own life at any time of distress. I’m not better than my brothers. 6Instead, I will avenge my nation and the sanctuary, your wives and children. All the nations have gathered to destroy us out of hatred.”
7The spirit of the people was renewed when they heard these words. 8They answered loudly, “You are our leader in place of Judas and Jonathan your brothers.#13.8 Or brother 9Fight our battles, and all that you tell us we will do.” 10So he assembled the warriors and rushed to complete the walls of Jerusalem and secured it on every side. 11He sent Jonathan, Absalom’s son, to Joppa with a sufficient army. He drove out its occupants and remained there.
Trypho’s deceit and treachery
12Then Trypho left Ptolemais with a large army to invade the land of Judah, taking Jonathan with him under guard. 13Simon camped in Adida, facing the plain. 14Trypho learned that Simon had taken the place of his brother Jonathan and that he was about to battle against him. So he sent envoys to Simon who said, 15“We are detaining your brother Jonathan because of the money he owes the royal treasury in connection with the offices he held. 16Send now 5,700 pounds of silver and two of his sons as hostages, to ensure that when he is released he won’t revolt against us, and we will release him.”
17Simon knew that they were speaking deceitfully to him, but he sent for the money and the sons so that he wouldn’t arouse hostility among the people. 18He was concerned that they might say, “Jonathan died because Simon didn’t send the money and his sons.” 19So he sent the sons and 5,700 pounds of silver. But Trypho broke his word and didn’t release Jonathan.
20After this, Trypho came to invade and destroy the country. He circled around by the way to Adora. But Simon and his army kept marching opposite him, every place he went. 21Now the men in the elevated fortress kept sending messengers to Trypho, urging him to come to them by way of the wilderness and to send them food. 22So Trypho got all his cavalry ready to go, but that night a very heavy snow fell so he didn’t go. Instead, he marched into the land of Gilead. 23When he approached Baskama, he killed Jonathan and buried him there. 24Then Trypho returned to his own land.
Jonathan’s tomb
25Simon sent someone to get the bones of Jonathan his brother, and he buried him in Modein, the city of his ancestors. 26All Israel mourned Jonathan with great expressions of grief for many days. 27Simon built a monument over the tomb of his father and his brothers. He made it high so that all might see it. It had polished stone at the front and back. 28He also set up seven pyramids, opposite each other, for his father and mother and four brothers. 29He devised an elaborate site for the pyramids, setting up great columns around them. On the columns, he put suits of armor for a permanent memorial. Beside the suits of armor, he carved ships so that all who sail the sea might see them. 30This is the tomb that he built in Modein, which remains to this day.
Judea gains independence
31Trypho dealt dishonestly with the young king Antiochus and killed him. 32He put on the crown of Asia and became king in his place. He brought great disaster on the land. 33But Simon built up the fortresses of Judea and put protection all around them with high towers, great walls, gates, and bolts. In addition, he stored food in the fortresses. 34Simon also sent messengers to King Demetrius with a request to grant relief to the country, because Trypho had stolen many of their goods. 35King Demetrius sent a reply to this request, and wrote him a letter:
36King Demetrius. To Simon, the high priest and advisor of kings, and to the elders and nation of the Jews. Greetings!
37We have received the gold crown and the palm branch that you sent. We are ready to make a general peace with you and to write to our officials to grant you release from tribute. 38All the exemptions that we have made to you remain valid. Let the fortresses that you have built be in your possession. 39We pardon any errors and offenses committed to this day. Plus, we cancel the crown tax that you owe. Whatever other tax has been collected in Jerusalem will not be collected any longer. 40If any of you are qualified to be enrolled in our bodyguard, let them be enrolled. Finally, let there be peace between us.
41In the year 170,#13.41 142 BCE the yoke of the Gentiles was removed from Israel. 42The people of Israel began to write in their documents and contracts, “In the first year of Simon the great high priest, commander and leader of the Jews.”
Simon captures Gazara
43In those days, Simon camped against Gazara and surrounded it with troops. He made a siege engine and brought it up to the city. He battered and captured one tower. 44The men in the siege engine leaped out into the city, and a great tumult arose. 45Together with their wives and children, the men went up on the wall with their clothes torn. They cried out loudly, asking Simon to make peace with them. 46They said, “Don’t treat us according to our wicked acts but according to your mercy.” 47So Simon reached an agreement with them and stopped fighting. But he expelled them from the city and cleansed the houses in which the idols were located. He then entered it with hymns and praise. 48He removed all pollution from it and settled people there who observed the Law. He also strengthened its defenses and built a house for himself there.
Simon regains the elevated fortress at Jerusalem.
49Those who were in the elevated fortress at Jerusalem were prevented from moving around to buy and sell in the country. So they were very hungry, and many perished from famine. 50They appealed to Simon to make peace with them, and he did. But he expelled them from there and cleansed the elevated fortress from its pollutions. 51On the twenty-third day of the second month,#13.51 April–May, Iyar, 141 BCE in the year 171, the Jews entered it with praise and palm branches, with harps and cymbals and stringed instruments, and with hymns and songs. A great enemy had been crushed and removed from Israel. 52Simon declared that they should celebrate this day annually with rejoicing. He strengthened the defenses of the temple hill alongside the elevated fortress, and he and his soldiers lived there. 53Simon saw that his son John had become a man, and so he made him commander of all the forces. And John lived at Gazara.
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1 Maccabees 13: CEB
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