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.
13. Simon encamped at Adida, facing the plain.
14. When Trypho learned that Simon had succeeded his brother Jonathan, and that he intended to fight him, he sent ambassadors to him with this message:
15. “It was on account of the money your brother Jonathan owed the royal treasury in connection with the offices that he held, that we have detained him.
16. Now send a hundred talents of silver, and two of his sons as hostages to guarantee that when he is set free he will not revolt against us, and we will release him.”
17. Simon knew that they were speaking deceitfully to him. Nevertheless, for fear of provoking much hostility among the people, he sent for the money and the boys,
18. lest the people say “Jonathan perished because I would not send Trypho the money and the boys.”
19. So he sent the boys and the hundred talents; but Trypho broke his promise and would not release Jonathan.
20. Next Trypho moved to invade and ravage the country. His troops went around by the road that leads to Adora, but Simon and his army moved along opposite him everywhere he went.
21. The people in the citadel kept sending emissaries to Trypho, pressing him to come to them by way of the wilderness, and to send them provisions.