51. On the 23rd day of the second month, in the year 171, there was a great celebration in the city because this terrible threat to the security of Israel had been ended. Simon and his men entered the fort singing hymns of praise and thanksgiving, while carrying palm branches and playing harps, cymbals, and lyres.
52. Simon issued a decree that the day should be joyfully celebrated every year. He strengthened the defences of the Temple hill on the side facing the fort, and he and his men made their headquarters there.
53. Simon's son John was now a grown man, so Simon made him commander of the whole army, and John set up his headquarters at Gezer.