27 This is a copy of the document:On the eighteenth day of Elul, in the year 172, the third year of the great high priest Simon.
28 In the great assembly of the priests, the people, and the rulers and elders of the country, the following was proclaimed to us.
29 Wars occurred often in our country. Simon, Mattathias’ son, a priest of the sons of Joarib, and his brothers bravely faced danger and fought against the enemies of their nation. They preserved the sanctuary and the Law, and they brought great honor to their nation.
30 Jonathan rallied the nation and became their high priest, and was gathered to his people.
31 Their enemies decided to invade their country and take hold of their sanctuary.
32 Then Simon rose up and fought for his nation. He spent great amounts of his own money to arm soldiers of his nation and give them pay.
33 He fortified the towns of Judea and Beth-zur on the borders of Judea, where enemy weapons had been stored in the past, and placed a group of Jewish soldiers there.