Chapter 13 _{49 They also of the tower in Jerusalem were kept so strait, that they could neither come forth, nor go into the country, nor buy, nor sell: wherefore they were in great distress for want of victuals, and a great number of them perished through famine.50 Then cried they to Simon, beseeching him to be at one with them: which thing he granted them; and when he had put them out from thence, he cleansed the tower from pollutions:51 And entered into it the three and twentieth day of the second month in the hundred seventy and first year, with thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and with harps, and cymbals, and with viols, and hymns, and songs: because there was destroyed a great enemy out of Israel.52 He ordained also that that day should be kept every year with gladness. Moreover the hill of the temple that was by the tower he made stronger than it was, and there he dwelt himself with his company.53 And when Simon saw that John his son was a valiant man, he made him captain of all the hosts; and he dwelt in Gazera.}

Chapter 14 _{1 Now in the hundred threescore and twelfth year king Demetrius gathered his forces together, and went into Media to get him help to fight against Tryphone.2 But when Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius was entered within his borders, he sent one of his princes to take him alive:3 Who went and smote the host of Demetrius, and took him, and brought him to Arsaces, by whom he was put in ward.4 As for the land of Judea, that was quiet all the days of Simon; for he sought the good of his nation in such wise, as that evermore his authority and honour pleased them well.5 And as he was honourable in all his acts, so in this, that he took Joppa for an haven, and made an entrance to the isles of the sea,6 And enlarged the bounds of his nation, and recovered the country,7 And gathered together a great number of captives, and had the dominion of Gazera, and Bethsura, and the tower, out of the which he took all uncleaness, neither was there any that resisted him.8 Then did they till their ground in peace, and the earth gave her increase, and the trees of the field their fruit.9 The ancient men sat all in the streets, communing together of good things, and the young men put on glorious and warlike apparel.10 He provided victuals for the cities, and set in them all manner of munition, so that his honourable name was renowned unto the end of the world.11 He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy:12 For every man sat under his vine and his fig tree, and there was none to fray them:13 Neither was there any left in the land to fight against them: yea, the kings themselves were overthrown in those days.14 Moreover he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low: the law he searched out; and every contemner of the law and wicked person he took away.}