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 treated together of the good things of the land, and the youug men put on them glory, and the robes of war. 14:10. And he provided victuals for the cities, and he appointed that they should be furnished with ammunition, so that the fame of his glory was renowned even to the end of the earth. 14:11. He made peace in the land, and Israel rejoiced with great joy. 14:12. And every man sat under his vine, and under his fig tree: and there was none to make them afraid. 14:13. There was none left in the land to fight against them: kings were discomfited in those days. 14:14. And he strengthened all those of his people that were brought low, and he sought the law, and took away every unjust and wicked man. 14:15. He glorified the sanctuary, and multiplied the vessels of the holy places. 14:16. And it was heard at Rome, and as far as Sparta, that Jonathan was dead: and they were very sorry. 14:17. But when they heard that Simon, his brother, was made high priest in his place, and was possessed of all the country, and the cities therein: 14:18. They wrote to him in tables of brass, to renew the friendship and alliance which they had made with Judas and with Jonathan, his brethren. 14:19. And they were read before the assembly in Jerusalem. And this is the copy of the letters that the Spartans sent. 14:20. The princes and the cities of the Spartans, to Simon, the high priest, and to the ancients, and the priests, and the rest of the people of the Jews, their brethren, greeting.