43. And Bacchides heard it, and he came on the Sabbath day to the banks of Jordan with a great host.
44. And Jonathan said to his company, Let us stand up now and fight for our lives, for it is not with us today, as yesterday and the day before.
45. For, behold, the battle is before us and behind us; moreover the water of the Jordan is on this side and on that side, and marsh and wood; and there is no place to turn aside.
46. Now therefore cry to heaven, that you⌃ may be delivered out of the hand of your enemies.
47. And the battle was joined, and Jonathan stretched forth his hand to strike Bacchides, and he turned away back from him.
48. And Jonathan and they that were with him leapt into the Jordan, and swam over to the other side: and they did not pass over Jordan against them.
49. And there fell of Bacchides’ company that day about a thousand men;
50. and he returned to Jerusalem. And they builded strong cities in Judaea, the stronghold that was in Jericho, and Emmaus, and Bethhoron, and Bethel, and Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.
51. And in them he set a garrison, to vex Israel.
52. And he fortified the city Bethsura, and Gazara, and the citadel, and put forces in them, and store of food.
53. And he took the sons of the chief men of the country for hostages, and put them in ward in the citadel at Jerusalem.
54. And in the hundred and fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded to pull down the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary; he pulled down also the works of the prophets;
55. and he began to pull down. At that time was Alcimus stricken, and his works were hindered; and his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, and he could no more speak anything and give order concerning his house.
56. And Alcimus died at that time with great torment.