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57
At that time young Antiochus wrote unto Jonathan, saying, I confirm thee in the high
priesthood, and appoint thee ruler over the four governments, and to be one of the king's friends.
58
Upon this he sent him golden vessels to be served in, and gave him leave to drink in gold,
and to be clothed in purple, and to wear a golden buckle.
59
His brother Simon also he made captain from the place called The ladder of Tyrus unto the
borders of Egypt.
60
Then Jonathan went forth, and passed through the cities beyond the water, and all the forces
of Syria gathered themselves unto him for to help him: and when he came to Ascalon, they of the
city met him honourably.
61
From whence he went to Gaza, but they of Gaza shut him out; wherefore he laid siege unto
it, and burned the suburbs thereof with fire, and spoiled them.
62
Afterward, when they of Gaza made supplication unto Jonathan, he made peace with them,
and took the sons of their chief men for hostages, and sent them to Jerusalem, and passed through
the country unto Damascus.
63
Now when Jonathan heard that Demetrius' princes were come to Cades, which is in Galilee,
with a great power, purposing to remove him out of the country,
64
He went to meet them, and left Simon his brother in the country.
65
Then Simon encamped against Bethsura and fought against it a long season, and shut it up:
66
But they desired to have peace with him, which he granted them, and then put them out from
thence, and took the city, and set a garrison in it.
67
As for Jonathan and his host, they pitched at the water of Gennesar, from whence betimes in
the morning they gat them to the plain of Nasor.
68
And, behold, the host of strangers met them in the plain, who, having laid men in ambush for
him in the mountains, came themselves over against him.
69
So when they that lay in ambush rose out of their places and joined battle, all that were of
Jonathan's side fled;
70
Insomuch as there was not one of them left, except Mattathias the son of Absalom, and Judas
the son of Calphi, the captains of the host.
71
Then Jonathan rent his clothes, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed.
72
Afterwards turning again to battle, he put them to flight, and so they ran away.
73
Now when his own men that were fled saw this, they turned again unto him, and with him
pursued them to Cades, even unto their own tents, and there they camped.
74
So there were slain of the heathen that day about three thousand men: but Jonathan returned
to Jerusalem.
CHAPTER MACCABEES 12
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