1 Maccabees 12:17-32
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17 We commanded them also to go unto you, and to salute and to deliver you our letters concerning the renewing of our brotherhood.
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18 Wherefore now ye shall do well to give us an answer thereto.
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19 And this is the copy of the letters which Oniares sent.
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20 Areus king of the Lacedemonians to Onias the high priest, greeting:
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21 It is found in writing, that the Lacedemonians and Jews are brethren, and that they are of the stock of Abraham:
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22 Now therefore, since this is come to our knowledge, ye shall do well to write unto us of your prosperity.
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23 We do write back again to you, that your cattle and goods are our's, and our's are your's We do command therefore our ambassadors to make report unto you on this wise.
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24 Now when Jonathan heard that Demebius' princes were come to fight against him with a greater host than afore,
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25 He removed from Jerusalem, and met them in the land of Amathis: for he gave them no respite to enter his country.
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26 He sent spies also unto their tents, who came again, and told him that they were appointed to come upon them in the night season.
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27 Wherefore so soon as the sun was down, Jonathan commanded his men to watch, and to be in arms, that all the night long they might be ready to fight: also he sent forth centinels round about the host.
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28 But when the adversaries heard that Jonathan and his men were ready for battle, they feared, and trembled in their hearts, and they kindled fires in their camp.
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29 Howbeit Jonathan and his company knew it not till the morning: for they saw the lights burning.
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30 Then Jonathan pursued after them, but overtook them not: for they were gone over the river Eleutherus.
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31 Wherefore Jonathan turned to the Arabians, who were called Zabadeans, and smote them, and took their spoils.
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32 And removing thence, he came to Damascus, and so passed through all the country,