2 Maccabees 11

1 And all that were on Jonathan’s side fled, and none was left of them, but Mathathias, the son of Absalom, and Judas, the son of Calphi, chief captain of the army. 2 And Jonathan rent his garments, and cast earth upon his head, and prayed. 3 And Jonathan turned again to them to battle, and he put them to flight, and they fought. 4 And they of his part that fled saw this, and they turned again to him, and they all with him pursued the enemies, even to Cades, to their own camp, and they came even thither. 5 And there fell of the aliens in that day three thousand men: and Jonathan returned to Jerusalem. 7 And Jonathan saw that the time served him, and he chose certain men, and sent them to Rome, to confirm and to renew the amity with them: 8 And he sent letters to the Spartans, and to other places, according to the same form. 9 And they went to Rome, and entered into the senate house, and said: Jonathan, the high priest, and the nation of the Jews, have sent us to renew the amity, and alliance, as it was before. 10 And they gave them letters to their governors in every place, to conduct them into the land of Juda with peace. 11 And this is a copy of the letters which Jonathan wrote to the Spartans: 12 Jonathan, the high priest, and the ancients of the nation, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, to the Spartans, their brethren, greeting. 13 There were letters sent long ago to Onias the high priest, from Arius, who reigned then among you to signify that you are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify. 14 And Onias received the ambassador with honour and received the letters, wherein there was mention made of the alliance, and amity. 15 We, though we needed none of these things having for our comfort the holy books that are in our hands, 16 Chose rather to send to you to renew the brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become stranger to you altogether: for there is a long time passed since you sent to us. 17 We, therefore, at all times without ceasing, both in our festivals, and other days wherein it is convenient, remember you in the sacrifices that we offer, and in our observances, as it is meet and becoming to remember brethren. 18 And we rejoice at your glory. 19 But we have had many troubles and wars on every side; and the kings that are round about us have fought against us. 20 But we would not be troublesome to you, nor to the rest of our allies and friends, in these wars. 21 For we have had help from heaven, and we have been delivered, and our enemies are humbled. 22 We have chosen, therefore, Numenius the son of Antiochus, and Antipater, the son of Jason, and have sent them to the Romans, to renew with them the former amity and alliance. 23 And we have commanded them to go also to you, and salute you, and to deliver you our letters, concerning the renewing of our brotherhood. 24 And now you shall do well to give us an answer hereto. 25 And this is the copy of the letter which he had sent to Onias: 26 Arius, king of the Spartans, to Onias, the high priest, greeting. 27 It is found in writing concerning the Spartans, and the Jews, that they are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham. 28 And now since this is come to our knowledge, you do well to write to us of your prosperity. 29 And we also have written back to you, That our cattle, and our possessions, are yours: and yours, ours. We, therefore, have commanded that these things should be told you. 30 Now Jonathan heard that the generals of Demetrius were come again with a greater army than before to fight against him. 31 So he went out from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amath: for he gave them no time to enter into his country. 32 And he sent spies into their camp, and they came back, and brought him word that they designed to come upon them in the night. 33 And when the sun was set, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms all night long ready to fight, and he set sentinels round about the camp. 34 And the enemies heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle: and they were struck with fear and dread in their heart: and they kindled fires in their camp. 35 But Jonathan, and they that were with him, knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning. 36 And Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they had passed the river Eleutherus. 37 And Jonathan turned upon the Arabians, that are called Zabadeans: and he defeated them, and took the spoils of them. 38 And he went forward, and came to Damascus, and passed through all that country.