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Now after a very little time, Lysias, the king’s guardian, kinsman, and chancellor, being very displeased about the things that had happened,
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collected about eighty thousand infantry and all his cavalry and came against the Yehudim, planning to make the city a home for Yevanim,
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and to levy tribute on the temple, as on the other set-apart places of the nations, and to put up the office of Kohen Gadol for sale every year.
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He took no account of Elohim’s power, but was puffed up with his ten thousands of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, and his eighty elephants.
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Coming into Yehudah and approaching Beit-Tzur, which was a strong place and about five stadia away from Yerushalayim, he pressed it hard.
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When Maqabi and his men learnt that he was besieging the strongholds, they and all the people with lamentations and tears made supplication to Yahuah to send a good angel to save Yis’rael.
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Maqabi himself took up weapons first, and exhorted the others to put themselves in jeopardy together with him and help their kindred; and they went out with him very willingly.
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As they were there, close to Yerushalayim, a horseman appeared at their head in white apparel, brandishing weapons of gold.
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They all together praised the merciful Elohim, and were yet more strengthened in heart, being ready to assail not only men but the wildest animals and walls of iron,
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they advanced in array, having him who is in heaven to fight on their side, for Yahuah had mercy on them.
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Hurling themselves like lions against the enemy, they killed eleven thousand infantry and one thousand and six hundred cavalry, and forced all the rest to flee.
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Most of them escaped wounded and naked. Lysias himself also escaped by shameful flight.
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But as he was a man not void of understanding, pondering the defeat which had befallen him, and considering that the Ivrim could not be overcome because El Shaddai fought on their side, he sent again
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and persuaded them to come to terms on condition that all their rights were acknowledged, and promised that he would also persuade the king to become their friend.
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Maqabi gave consent upon all the conditions which Lysias proposed to him, being careful of the common good; for whatever requests Maqabi delivered in writing to Lysias concerning the Yehudim the king allowed.
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The letter written to the Yehudim from Lysias was to this effect: “Lysias to the people of the Yehudim, greetings.
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Yochanan and Avshalom, who were sent from you, having delivered the document written below, made request concerning the things written therein.
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Whatever things therefore needed to be brought before the king I declared to him, and what things were possible he allowed.
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If then you will all preserve your good will towards the government, I will also endeavour in the future to contribute to your good.
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Concerning this, I have given order in detail, both to these men and to those who are sent from me, to confer with you.
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Farewell. Written in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth day of the month Dioscorinthius.”
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And the king’s letter contained these words: “King Antiyokhos to his brother Lysias, greetings.
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Seeing that our father died having the wish that the subjects of his kingdom should be undisturbed and give themselves to the care of their own affairs,
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we, having heard that the Yehudim do not consent to our father’s purpose to turn them to the customs of the Yevanim, but choose rather their own way of living, and make request that the customs of their Torah be allowed to them—
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choosing therefore that this nation also should be free from disturbance, we determine that their temple is to be restored to them, and that they live according to the customs that were in the days of their ancestors.
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You will therefore do well to send messengers to them and give them the right hand of friendship, that they, knowing our mind, may be of good heart, and gladly occupy themselves with the conduct of their own affairs.”
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And to the nation, the king’s letter was as follows: “King Antiyokhos to the senate of the Yehudim and to the other Yehudim, greetings.
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If you are all well, it is as we desire. We ourselves also are in good health.
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Menelaus informed us that your desire was to return home and follow your own business.
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They therefore who depart home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus shall have our friendship, with full permission
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that the Yehudim use their own foods and observe their own laws, even as formerly. None of them shall be in any way molested for the things that have been done in ignorance.
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Moreover I have sent Menelaus also, that he may encourage you.
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Farewell. Written in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.”
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The Romiyim also sent to them a letter in these words: “Quintus Memmios and Titos Manios, ambassadors of the Romiyim, to the people of the Yehudim, greetings.
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In regard to the things which Lysias the king’s kinsman granted you, we also give consent.
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But as for the things which he judged should be referred to the king, send someone promptly, after you have considered them, that we may publish such decrees as are appropriate for your case; for we are on our way to Antiyokhiya.
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Therefore send someone with speed, that we also may learn what is your mind.
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Farewell. Written in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth day of Xanthicus.