45. Tell them to go back to their homes. Pick for yourself a few men to stay with you, and come with me to Ptolemais. I’ll hand it over to you as well as the other fortresses and the remaining troops and officials. Then I’ll turn around and go home. That’s why I’m here."
46. Jonathan trusted him and did what he said. He sent away his troops, and they returned to Judah.
47. He kept with himself three thousand troops—two thousand of whom he left in Galilee, while one thousand accompanied him.
48. But when Jonathan entered Ptolemais, the people there closed the gates and captured him, and killed with their swords all those who had entered with him.
49. Trypho then sent infantry and cavalry into Galilee and the great plain to destroy Jonathan’s soldiers.
50. But Jonathan’s forces believed that Jonathan had been seized and had died along with his troops. They encouraged each other and kept marching in tight formation, ready for fighting.
51. When their pursuers saw that they would fight for their lives, they turned back.
52. So they all reached the land of Judah safely. They mourned for Jonathan and his companions, and they were very anxious. All Israel mourned deeply.
53. All the nations around them tried to destroy them, saying, "They have no leader or helper now. Let’s make war against them and blot out their memory from humanity."