1. When Simon heard that Trypho was gathering a large army to invade and ravage the land of Judah,
2. and saw that the people were trembling with terror, he went up to Jerusalem. There he assembled the people
3. and exhorted them in these words: “You know what I, my brothers, and my father’s house have done for the laws and the sanctuary; what battles and hardships we have seen.
4. For the sake of this, for the sake of Israel, all my brothers have perished, and I alone am left.
5. Far be it from me, then, to save my own life in any time of distress, for I am not better than my brothers.
6. But I will avenge my nation and the sanctuary, as well as your wives and children, for out of hatred all the Gentiles have united to crush us.”
7. As the people heard these words, their spirit was rekindled.
8. They shouted in reply: “You are our leader in place of your brothers Judas and Jonathan.
9. Fight our battles, and we will do everything that you tell us.”
10. So Simon mustered all the men able to fight, and hastening to complete the walls of Jerusalem, fortified it on every side.
11. He sent Jonathan, son of Absalom, to Joppa with a strong force; Jonathan drove out the occupants and remained there.
12. Then Trypho moved from Ptolemais with a large army to invade the land of Judah, bringing Jonathan with him as a prisoner.