46. Cry out now to Heaven so that you may be delivered from the hand of our enemies.”
47. When they joined battle, Jonathan raised his hand to strike Bacchides, but Bacchides backed away from him.
48. Jonathan and those with him jumped into the Jordan and swam across to the other side, but the enemy did not pursue them across the Jordan.
49. About a thousand men on Bacchides’ side fell that day.
50. On returning to Jerusalem, Bacchides built strongholds in Judea: the Jericho fortress, as well as Emmaus, Beth-horon, Bethel, Timnath, Pharathon, and Tephon, with high walls and gates and bars.
51. In each he put a garrison to harass Israel.
52. He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gazara and the citadel, and put troops in them and stores of provisions.
53. He took as hostages the sons of the leading people of the country and put them in custody in the citadel at Jerusalem.
54. In the one hundred and fifty-third year, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary to be torn down, thus destroying the work of the prophets. But he only began to tear it down.
55. Just at that time Alcimus was stricken, and his work was interrupted; his mouth was closed and he was paralyzed, so that he could no longer utter a word or give orders concerning his household.
56. Alcimus died in great agony at that time.
57. Seeing that Alcimus was dead, Bacchides returned to the king, and the land of Judah was at rest for two years.
58. Then all the lawless took counsel and said: “Jonathan and those with him are living in peace and security. Now then, let us have Bacchides return, and he will capture all of them in a single night.”
59. So they went and took counsel with him.