67 Demetrius the Second was the son of Demetrius, and in the year 165 of the Syrian Kingdom, he sailed from Crete to the land of his ancestors.
68 When Alexander heard about this, he became worried and returned to the city of Antioch.
69 Demetrius appointed Apollonius ruler of Southwest Syria Province. So Apollonius built up a large army and set up camp near the town of Jamnia. Then he sent the following letter to Jonathan the high priest:
70 Jonathan, you are the only one who is still fighting against us, and you are making others laugh and sneer at me. Why do you keep rebelling against us there in the hill country?
71 If you're so proud of your army, come down out of the hills and fight. You will find out that the people in the towns are on our side.
72 Just ask anyone, and they will tell you who I am and who my followers are. You don't stand a chance against us.Your own ancestors were defeated twice right here in their own land.
73 What makes you think you can win a battle in the valley against my army and cavalry? There are no rocks or stones to crawl behind, and there is no place where you can run away.