27 Simon had a tall stone monument built over his family grave. It was shiny on the front and back, and could be seen a long way off.
28 He also built a row of seven pyramids to honor his father, his mother, and his four brothers.
29-30 He set up tall stone columns around the pyramids. Then he hung suits of armor on these columns, so that everyone would remember what his family had done. Next to the suits of armor he put carved figures of ships that could be seen by anyone passing by on the sea. This family burial place is a work of art, and even today it can be seen in Modein.
31 Antiochus the Sixth was still a young boy when Trypho had him murdered.
32 Now Trypho was ruler and made everyone miserable.
33 During this time, Simon ordered the Jews to build thick walls, high towers, and strong gates for the fortresses in Judea and to supply them with plenty of food.
34 Simon sent messengers to King Demetrius the Second, and they begged him, “Please make things easier for our country. Trypho is robbing us of everything.”