3. The general went forth and attacked the army of Demetrius; he captured him and brought him to Arsaces, who put him under guard.
4. The land was at rest all the days of Simon,who sought the good of his nation.His rule delighted his peopleand his glory all his days.
5. As his crowning glory he took Joppa for a portand made it a gateway to the isles of the sea.
6. He enlarged the borders of his nationand gained control of the country.
7. He took many prisoners of warand made himself master of Gazara, Beth-zur, and the citadel.He cleansed the citadel of its impurities;there was no one to withstand him.
8. The people cultivated their land in peace;the land yielded its produce,the trees of the field their fruit.
9. Old men sat in the squares,all talking about the good times,while the young men put on the glorious raiment of war.
10. He supplied the cities with foodand equipped them with means of defense,till his glorious name reached the ends of the earth.
11. He brought peace to the land,and Israel was filled with great joy.
12. Every one sat under his vine and fig tree,with no one to disturb them.
13. No attacker was left in the land;the kings in those days were crushed.
14. He strengthened all the lowly among his peopleand was zealous for the law;he destroyed the lawless and the wicked.