8. They sounded the trumpets and decisively defeated Cendebeus and his army. Many of them were killed, and the rest headed into the fortress.
9. During the battle, John’s brother Judas was wounded, but John pursued them until Cendebeus reached Kedron, which he had built.
10. Some also fled into the towers that were in the fields of Azotus. John burned them down, killing about two thousand. Then he safely returned to Judea.
11. Now Ptolemy, Abubus’ son, had been appointed governor over Jericho. He had a large amount of silver and gold
12. because he was the high priest’s son-in-law.
13. He became arrogant and was determined to gain control of the country. He made devious plans against Simon and his sons to do away with them.
14. Now Simon was out visiting the towns in the countryside and attending to their needs. He went down to Jericho with his sons Mattathias and Judas. It was the eleventh month, the month of Shevat, in the year 177.
15. Abubus’ son welcomed them deceitfully in the little fortress called Dok, which he had built. He threw a great banquet for them, but he hid men in the hall.
16. When Simon and his sons became drunk, Ptolemy and his men took their weapons. They rushed forward against Simon, and killed him and his two sons in the banquet hall, as well as some of his servants.
17. So he committed an act of great treachery, returning evil for good.
18. Ptolemy wrote a report about these matters and sent it to the king. He asked him to send troops to aid him and to turn over the towns and country to him.
19. He sent other soldiers to Gazara to kill John. And he sent letters to the captains asking them to come to him so that he could give them silver and gold and gifts.
20. He sent other troops to capture Jerusalem and the temple mount.