t all uncleanness, he placed in it men
that should observe the law: and he fortified it, and made it his
habitation.

13:49. But they that were in the castle of Jerusalem were hindered from
going out and coming into the country, and from buying and selling: and
they were straitened with hunger, and many of them perished through
famine.

13:50. And they cried to Simon for peace, and he granted it to them: and
he cast them out from thence and cleansed the castle from uncleannesses.

13:51. And they entered into it the three and twentieth day of the
second month, in the year one hundred and seventy-one, with
thanksgiving, and branches of palm trees, and harps, and cymbals, and
psalteries, and hymns, and canticles, because the great enemy was
destroyed out of Israel.

13:52. And he ordained that these days should be kept every year with
gladness.

13:53. And he fortified the mountain of the temple that was near the
castle, and he dwelt there himself, and they that were with him.

13:54. And Simon saw that John, his son, was a valiant man for war: and
he made him captain of all the forces: and he dwelt in Gazara.

1 Machabees Chapter 14

Demetrius is taken by the king of Persia. Judea flourishes under the
government of Simon.

14:1. In the year one hundred and seventy-two king Demetrius assembled
his army, and went into Media to get him succours to fight against
Tryphon.

14:2. And Arsaces, the king of Persia and Media, heard that Demetrius
was entered within his borders, and he sent one of his princes to take
him alive, and bring him to him.

14:3. And he went, and defeated the army of Demetrius: and took him, and
brought him to Arsaces, and he put him into custody.

14:4. And all the land of Juda was at rest all the days of Simon, and he
sought the good of his nation: and his power, and his glory pleased them
well all his days.

14:5. And with all his glory he took Joppe for a haven, and made an
entrance to the isles of the sea.

14:6. And he enlarged the bounds of his nation, and made himself master
of the country.

14:7. And he gathered together a great number of captives, and had the
dominion of Gazara, and of Bethsura, and of the castle: and took away
all uncleanness out of it, and there was none that resisted him.

14:8. And every man tilled his land with peace, and the land of Juda
yielded her increase, and the trees of the fields their fruit.

14:9. The ancient men sat all in the streets, and