13:1. Now Simon heard that Tryphon was gathering together a very great army to invade the land of Juda, and to destroy it.
13:2. And seeing that the people was in dread and in fear, he went up to Jerusalem, and assembled the people,
13:3. And exhorted them, saying: You know what great battles I and my brethren, and the house of my father, have fought for the laws, and the sanctuary, and the distresses that we have seen:
13:4. By reason whereof all my brethren have lost their lives for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone.
13:5. And now far be it from me to spare my life in any time of trouble: for I am not better than my brethren.
13:6. I will avenge then my nation and the sanctuary, and our children, and wives: for all the heathens are gathered together to destroy us out of mere malice.
13:7. And the spirit of the people was enkindled as soon as they heard these words:
13:8. And they answered with a loud voice, saying: Thou art our leader in the place of Judas, and Jonathan, thy brother:
13:9. Fight thou our battles, and we will do whatsoever thou shalt say to us.
13:10. So gathering together all the men of war, he made haste to finish all the walls of Jerusalem, and he fortified it round about.