Lysias Routed at Beth-zur
1Only a little while later, Lysias — guardian and Kinsman to the king, and head of the government — was sorely galled by what had taken place. 2He mustered some eighty thousand men and the whole of his horse, and marched on the Jews, planning to turn the city into a settlement for Greeks, 3to make the temple pay tribute like the other sacred precincts of the Gentiles, and to put the high priesthood up for sale every year. 4He took no account at all of the might of God; he was carried away by his foot soldiers in their tens of thousands, his horsemen in their thousands, and his eighty elephants. 5He entered Judea and closed in on Beth-zur, a strong position lying some five stadia from Jerusalem, and bore down hard on it. 6When Maccabeus and his men learned that Lysias was besieging the strongholds, they joined the crowds in beseeching the Lord, with wailing and tears, to send a good angel to bring salvation to Israel. 7It was Maccabeus himself who took up his arms first; he urged the others to share the danger with him and go to the aid of their brothers, and together, with eager hearts, they sallied out. 8They were still there, close to Jerusalem, when a rider in white garments appeared going before them, brandishing a full set of golden arms. 9Together they all blessed the merciful God, and their souls took fresh strength; they were ready to pierce not only men but the fiercest of beasts, and walls of iron too. 10On they went in full array, with their ally from heaven, because the Lord had taken pity on them. 11Charging into the enemy like lions, they struck down eleven thousand of them, and of the horsemen one thousand six hundred, and compelled all the rest to run for their lives. 12The greater part of them escaped with their lives, wounded and stripped, and Lysias himself got away only by a shameful flight. 13Lysias was no fool. He turned over in his mind the setback he had suffered, and he came to see that there was no defeating the Hebrews, since God in his power was fighting at their side. 14So he sent word to them and persuaded them to come to terms on everything that was just, assuring them that he would also win the king over and press him to become their friend. 15Maccabeus, mindful of what would serve them best, agreed to everything Lysias asked; for whatever Maccabeus put before Lysias in writing about the Jews, the king granted.
The Letters That Sealed the Peace
16For the letters written to the Jews were these. The one from Lysias ran as follows: “Lysias to the whole body of the Jews: greetings. 17John and Absalom, whom you sent, delivered the signed petition and made requests concerning the matters it set out. 18Whatever also needed to be laid before the king, I have made plain to him, and he has granted what could be allowed. 19If, then, you keep up your goodwill toward the government, I will do my best in the future as well to bring good things your way. 20As for these matters and the particulars, I have charged both these men and my own people to talk them over with you. 21Farewell. In the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the twenty-fourth of the month Dioscorinthius.” 22The king’s letter ran like this: “King Antiochus to his brother Lysias: greetings. 23Our father has passed over to the gods, and it is our wish that the people of our kingdom be undisturbed, so that they can attend to their own affairs. 24Word has reached us that the Jews do not approve of our father’s changeover to Greek ways, but prefer their own way of life and ask to be allowed their own ordinances. 25It is our choice, then, that this nation also be left undisturbed; we therefore decide that their temple be given back to them and that they order their civic life by the customs their forefathers kept. 26Be so good, then, as to send envoys and extend your right hand to them, so that, knowing our purpose, they may be of good heart and gladly see to their own affairs.” 27The king’s letter to the nation was as follows: “King Antiochus to the Jewish senate and to the other Jews: greetings. 28If you are well, that would be as we wish; we ourselves are in good health. 29Menelaus has made known to us your wish to return home and see to your own affairs. 30Therefore, for those who come home up to the thirtieth day of Xanthicus, there will be our right hand and a guarantee of safety: 31the Jews may use their own resources and their own laws as in earlier days, and not one of them will be troubled in any way over what was done in ignorance. 32I have sent Menelaus too, to put your minds at ease. 33Farewell. In the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth of Xanthicus.” 34A letter came to them from the Romans as well, worded thus: “Quintus Memmius and Titus Manius, Roman envoys, to the Jewish people: greetings. 35Whatever Lysias, the king’s Kinsman, has granted you has our consent as well. 36As for what he decided must go before the king, consider it and send someone without delay, so that we can put the case in the way that is right for you; for we ourselves are making our way to Antioch. 37So make haste and send some men, so that we too may learn what your mind is. 38Keep well. In the one hundred and forty-eighth year, on the fifteenth of Xanthicus.”
