Now when Jonathan saw that the time served him, he chose men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and renew the friendship that they had with them.

He sent letters also to the Lacedemonians, and to other places, for the same purpose.

So they went unto Rome, and entered into the senate, and said, Jonathan the high priest, and the people of the Jews, sent us unto you, to the end you should renew the friendship and league with them, as in former times. And that he should raise up the walls of Jerusalem, and build a high wall between the castle and the city, to separate it from the city, and to keep it distinct, so that they might not buy and sell. And Simon built Hadid in the plain, and fortified it with gates and bars.

And they gave them letters unto the governors of every place, to bring them forth into the land of Judea peaceably. And he kept for himself thousands of men, of whom he left two thousand in Galilee, and took a thousand with him.

And this is the copy of the letters that Jonathan wrote to the Lacedemonians: Then they all came in peace into the land of Judea, and lamented over Jonathan and those who were with him, and their fear greatly increased; and there was a great mourning among all Israel.

Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other people of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren, send greeting.

There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Arius, who reigned among you, to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify.

At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent with honour, and received the letters wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship.

Therefore, even though we need none of these things, having the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us,

we thought it good to write unto you, that we might renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for a long time has passed since you 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 it is meet and right to remember brethren.

And we are glad of your glory.

As for ourselves, we have had great troubles and many wars, and have fought against the kings that are around us.

But we would not trouble you, nor our other confederates and friends, in these wars;

for we have help from heaven that succoureth us, and we are delivered from our enemies, and our enemies are brought under.

For this cause, we chose Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater the son of Jason, and sent them unto the Romans, to renew the friendship and league that we had with them before.

We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute you, and to deliver unto you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.

Therefore now do well in answer hereunto.

And this is the copy of the letters which he had sent unto Onias, from Arius king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting.

Arius king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting.

It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham.

Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, you shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.

For our part, our answer hereunto is, that your cattle and your possessions are ours; and whatsoever is yours, is also ours. This we have commanded to be reported unto you, that you should make thereof a record.

Now when Jonathan heard that the captains of Demetrius were come again with a greater host to fight against him,

he went forth from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Hamath, neither suffered he them to come into his country.

He sent spies also unto their camp, who reported unto him that they were appointed to assault them in the night season.

Therefore, as soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch and to be in arms, that by night they might be ready to fight, and distributed sentinels round about the camp.

Then the enemies hearing that Jonathan and his army were ready for battle, their hearts trembled for fear and they kindled fires in their camp and fled.

Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the fires burn.

So Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not, for they had passed over the river Eleutherus.

Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who are called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.

And thence he marched to Damascus, and went through all the country.

Simon also went forth, and came to Ascalon, and to the castles nearby; then he turned to Joppa, and took possession of it.

For he heard that they intended to deliver the fortress unto the party of Demetrius; and he placed a garrison there to keep the city.

After this, Jonathan returned, and gathered the elders of the people together, and consulted with them about building strongholds in Judea.

So they agreed to build the city, and he commanded them to build the wall of the valley eastward, and they repaired the wall called Caphenatha.

Tryphon also sought to reign over Asia, and to put a crown on his head, and to overthrow Antiochus the king.

But he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and would fight against him; so he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he moved and came to Bethshan.

Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for war, and came to Bethshan.

Now when Tryphon saw that Jonathan came with a great host, he durst not lay hands on him.

So he received him honourably, and commended him unto all his friends, and gave him gifts, and commanded his hosts to obey him, as they obeyed himself.

And he said to Jonathan, Why hast thou put 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 thee, and come with me to Ptolemais, and I will deliver it to thee.

As well as the other fortresses and the rest of the forces, and all that have any charge; then return, for this purpose am I come hither.

So Jonathan believed him, and did as he bade him, and sent all his host away, who departed into the land of Judea.

Now as soon as Jonathan entered into Ptolemais, the men of Ptolemais shut the gates upon him, and caught him, and slew all them that came into him with the sword.

Then Tryphon sent an army of horsemen and footmen into Galilee, and into the great plain, to destroy all Jonathan's men. But when they knew that Jonathan and those who were with him were seized and perished, they took courage and advanced, standing together, prepared for battle.

When their pursuers saw that they fought valiantly, they turned back again.

And all the heathens that were around them sought to destroy them, for they said,

They have no chief captain nor any to help them; now therefore let us fight against them, and root out their name from among men.