5. His crowning achievementwas to take Joppa for a harbor,opening the way to the seawith its islands.
6. He also extended his country’s borders.He gained full control of the land;
7. he took a great number of captives.He ruled over Gazara, Beth-zur,and the elevated fortress.He removed the impuritiesfrom the elevated fortress.There were none to oppose him.
8. People worked their farmland in peace.The ground was fertile,and the trees of the plainswere fruitful.
9. Old men sat along the sides of the streets and talked about good things.The young put onimpressive military uniforms.
10. Simon supplied the towns with foodand with the means for defense.His fame spread to the ends of the earth.
11. He established peacethroughout the land,and Israel had great joy.
12. All the people sat under their own vines and fig trees.No one made them afraid.
13. No one was left in the land to fight them,because foreign kings had been crushed in those days.
14. He gave help to all the humble ones among his people.He sought lawful ways.He did away with evil peopleand those who sinned against the Law.