Chapter 12 _{23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,33 Simon also went forth, and passed through the country unto Ascalon, and the holds there adjoining, from whence he turned aside to Joppa, and won it.34 For he had heard that they would deliver the hold unto them that took Demetrius' part; wherefore he set a garrison there to keep it.35 After this came Jonathan home again, and calling the elders of the people together, he consulted with them about building strong holds in Judea,36 And making the walls of Jerusalem higher, and raising a great mount between the tower and the city, for to separate it from the city, that so it might be alone, that men might neither sell nor buy in it.37 Upon this they came together to build up the city, forasmuch as part of the wall toward the brook on the east side was fallen down, and they repaired that which was called Caphenatha.38 Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.39 Now Tryphon went about to get the kingdom of Asia, and to kill Antiochus the king, that he might set the crown upon his own head.40 Howbeit he was afraid that Jonathan would not suffer him, and that he would fight against him; wherefore he sought a way how to take Jonathan, that he might kill him. So he removed, and came to Bethsan.41 Then Jonathan went out to meet him with forty thousand men chosen for the battle, and came to Bethsan.}