1   Very shortly afterwards, Lysias the vicegerent, the king's guardian and relative, 2   angered by these events, collected about eighty thousand troops, in addition to his entire cavalry, and advanced on the Jews. He reckoned on making Jerusalem a settlement for Gentiles, 3   subjecting the temple to taxation like all gentile shrines, and putting up the high-priesthood for sale annually. 4   He reckoned not at all with the might of God, but was elated with his myriads of infantry, his thousands of cavalry, his eighty elephants. 5   Penetrating into Judaea, he approached Bethsura, a fortified place about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and closely invested it.

6   When Maccabaeus and his men learnt that Lysias was besieging their fortresses, they and all the people, wailing and weeping, prayed the Lord to send a good angel to deliver Israel. 7   Maccabaeus was the first to arm himself, and he urged the rest to share his danger and come to the help of their brothers. One and all, they set out eagerly. 8   They were still in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem when there appeared at their head a horseman arrayed in white, brandishing his golden weapons. 9   Then with one voice they praised their merciful God and felt so strong in spirit that they could have attacked not only men but also the most savage animals, and even walls of iron. 10   They came on fully armed, with their heavenly ally, under the mercy of the Lord. 11   They hurled themselves like lions against the enemy, cut down eleven thousand of them, as well as sixteen hundred cavalry,

The campaign against Eupator and put all the rest to flight. 12   Most of those who escaped lost their weapons and were wounded, and Lysias saved his life only by running away.

13   Lysias was no fool, and as he took stock of the defeat he had suffered he realized that the Hebrews were invincible, because the mighty God fought on their side. 14   So he proposed a settlement on terms entirely acceptable, promising also to win the king over by putting pressure on him to show friendship to the Jews. 15   Maccabaeus agreed to all the proposals of Lysias out of regard for the general welfare, for the king had accepted all the proposals from the Jewish side which Maccabaeus had forwarded to Lysias in writing.

16   The letter of Lysias to the Jews ran as follows:

  Lysias to the Jewish community, greeting.

   17   Your representatives John and Absalom have handed to me the document here copied and have asked me to ratify what is contained in it. 18   Whatever needed to be brought to the king's knowledge, I have communicated to him, and what was within my own competence, I have granted. 19   If, therefore, you maintain your goodwill towards the empire, I for my part will endeavour to promote your welfare for the future. 20   I have ordered your representatives and mine to confer with you about the details. 21   Farewell.

  The twenty-fourth of Dioscorus in the year 148. ^note

22   The king's letter ran as follows:

  King Antiochus to his brother Lysias, greeting.

   23   Now that our royal father has gone to join the gods, we desire that our subjects be undisturbed in the conduct of their own affairs. 24   We have learnt that the Jews do not consent to adopt Greek ways, as our father wished, but prefer their own mode of life and request that they be allowed to observe their own laws. 25   We choose, therefore, that this nation like the rest should be left undisturbed, and decree that their temple be restored to them and that they shall regulate their lives in accordance with their ancestral customs. 26   Have the goodness, therefore, to inform them of this and ratify it, so that, knowing what our intentions are, they may settle down confidently and quietly to manage their own affairs.

The campaign against Eupator

27   To the people the king's letter ran thus:

  King Antiochus to the Jewish Senate and people, greeting.

   28   We hope that you prosper. We too are in good health. 29   Menelaus has informed us of your desire to return to your own homes. 30   Therefore we declare an amnesty for all who return before the thirtieth of Xanthicus. 31   The Jews may follow their own food-laws as heretofore, and none of them shall be charged with any previous infringement. 32   I am sending Menelaus to reassure you. 33   Farewell.

  The fifteenth of Xanthicus in the year 148. ^note

34   The Romans also sent the Jews the following letter:

  Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, Roman legates, to the Jewish people, greeting.

   35   We give our assent to all that Lysias, the king's relative, has granted you. 36   But examine carefully the questions which he reserved for reference to the king; then send someone immediately, so that we may make suitable proposals, for we are proceeding to Antioch. 37   Send messengers therefore without delay, so that we also may know what your opinion is. 38   Farewell.

  The fifteenth of Xanthicus in the year 148. ^note

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