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informed that Jonathan knew what they intended； their counsels
were disordered； and it alarmed them to find that the enemy had
discovered those their intentions； nor did they expect to
overcome them any other way； now they had failed in the snares
they had laid for them； for should they hazard an open battle；
they did not think they should be a match for Jonathan's army； so
they resolved to fly； and having lighted many fires； that when
the enemy saw them they might suppose they were there still； they
retired。 When Jonathan came to give them battle in the morning in
their camp； and found it deserted； and understood they were fled；
he pursued them； yet he could not overtake them； for they had
already passed over the river Eleutherus； and were out of danger。
So when Jonathan was returned thence； he went into Arabia； and
fought against the Nabateans； and drove away a great deal of
their prey； and took ＇many＇ captives； and came to Damascus； and
there sold off what he had taken。 About the same time it was that
Simon his brother went over all Judea and Palestine； as far as
Askelon； and fortified the strong holds； and when he had made
them very strong； both in the edifices erected； and in the
garrisons placed in them； he came to Joppa； and when he had taken
it； he brought a great garrison into it； for he heard that the
people of Joppa were disposed to deliver up the city to
Demetrius's generals。
11。 When Simon and Jonathan had finished these affairs； they
returned to Jerusalem； where Jonathan gathered all the people
together； and took counsel to restore the walls of Jerusalem； and
to rebuild the wall that encompassed the temple； which had been
thrown down； and to make the places adjoining stronger by very
high towers； and besides that； to build another wall in the midst
of the city； in order to exclude the market…place from the
garrison； which was in the citadel； and by that means to hinder
them from any plenty of provisions； and moreover； to make the
fortresses that were in the country much stronger and more
defensible than they were before。 And when these things were
approved of by the multitude； as rightly proposed； Jonathan
himself took care of the building that belonged to the city； and
sent Simon away to make the fortresses in the country more secure
than formerly。 But Demetrius passed over ＇Euphrates＇； and came
into Mesopotamia； as desirous to retain that country still； as
well as Babylon； and when he should have obtained the dominion of
the upper provinces； to lay a foundation for recovering his
entire kingdom； for those Greeks and Macedonians who dwelt there
frequently sent ambassadors to him； and promised； that if he
would come to them； they would deliver themselves up to him； and
assist him in fighting against Arsaces； （12） the king of the
Parthians。 So he was elevated with these hopes； and came hastily
to them； as having resolved； that if he had once overthrown the
Parthians； and gotten an army of his own； he would make war
against Trypho； and eject him out of Syria； and the people of
that country received him with great alacrity。 So he raised
forces； with which he fought against Arsaces； and lost all his
army； and was himself taken alive； as we have elsewhere related。
CHAPTER 6。
How Jonathan Was Slain By Treachery； And How Thereupon The Jews
Made Simon Their General And High Priest： What Courageous Actions
He Also Performed Especially Against Trypho。
1。 Now when Trypho knew what had befallen Demetrius； he was no
longer firm to Antiochus； but contrived by subtlety to kill him；
and then take possession of his kingdom； but the fear that he was
in of Jonathan was an obstacle to this his design； for Jonathan
was a friend to Antiochus； for which cause he resolved first to
take Jonathan out of the way； and then to set about his design
relating to Antiochus； but he judging it best to take him off by
deceit and treachery； came from Antioch to Bethshan； which by the
Greeks is called Scythopolis； at which place Jonathan met him
with forty thousand chosen men； for he thought that he came to
fight him； but when he perceived that Jonathan was ready to
fight； he attempted to gain him by presents and kind treatment；
and gave order to his captains to obey him； and by these means
was desirous to give assurance of his good…will； and to take away
all suspicions out of his mind； that so he might make him
careless and inconsiderate； and might take him when he was
unguarded。 He also advised him to dismiss his army； because there
was no occasion for bringing it with him when there was no war；
but all was in peace。 However； he desired him to retain a few
about him； and go with him to Ptolemais； for that he would
deliver the city up to him； and would bring all the fortresses
that were in the country under his dominion； and he told him that
he came with those very designs。
2。 Yet did not Jonathan suspect any thing at all by this his
management； but believed that Trypho gave him this advice out of
kindness； and with a sincere design。 Accordingly； he dismissed
his army； and retained no more than three thousand of them with
him； and left two thousand in Galilee； and he himself； with one
thousand； came with Trypho to Ptolemais。 But when the people of
Ptolemais had shut their gates； as it had been commanded by
Trypho to do； he took Jonathan alive； and slew all that were with
him。 He also sent soldiers against those two thousand that were
left in Galilee； in order to destroy them； but those men having
heard the report of what had happened to Jonathan； they prevented
the execution； and before those that were sent by Trypho came；
they covered themselves with their armor； and went away out of
the country。 Now when those that were sent against them saw that
they were ready to fight for their lives； they gave them no
disturbance； but returned back to Trypho。
3。 But when the people of Jerusalem heard that Jonathan was
taken； and that the soldiers who were with him were destroyed；
they deplored his sad fate； and there was earnest inquiry made
about him by every body； and a great and just fear fell upon
them； and made them sad； lest； now they were deprived of the
courage and conduct of Jonathan； the nations about them should
bear them ill…will； and as they were before quiet on account of
Jonathan they should now rise up against them； and by making war
with them； should force them into the utmost dangers。 And indeed
what they suspected really befell them； for when those nations
heard of the death of Jonathan； they began to make war with the
Jews as now destitute of a governor and Trypho himself got an
army together； and had intention to go up to Judea； and make war
against its inhabitants。 But when Simon saw that the people of
Jerusalem were terrified at the circumstances they were in； he
desired to make a speech to them； and thereby to render them more
resolute in opposing Trypho when he should come against them。 He
then called the people together into the temple； and thence began
thus to encourage them： 〃O my countrymen； you are not ignorant
that our father； myself； and my brethren； have ventured to hazard
our lives； and that willingly； for