1. And Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty host to come into the land of Judah, and destroy it utterly.
2. And he saw that the people trembled and was in great fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together;
3. and he encouraged them, and said to them, You⌃ yourselves know all the things that I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen:
4. by reason hereof all my brethren have perished for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone.
5. And now be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of affliction; for I am not better than my brethren.
6. Howbeit I will take vengeance for my nation, and for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children; because all the Gentiles are gathered to destroy us of very hatred.
7. And the spirit of the people revived, as soon as they heard these words.
8. And they answered with a loud voice, saying, You are our leader instead of Judas and Jonathan your brother.
9. Fight you our battles, and all that you shall say to us, that will we do.
10. And he gathered together all the men of war, and made haste to finish the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.
11. And he sent Jonathan the son of Absalom, and with him a great host, to Joppa: and he cast out them that were therein, and abode there in it
12. And Tryphon removed from Ptolemais with a mighty host to enter into the land of Judah, and Jonathan was with him in ward.
13. But Simon encamped at Adida, over against the plain.
14. And Tryphon knew that Simon was risen up instead of his brother Jonathan, and meant to join battle with him, and he sent ambassadors to him, saying,