3 to capture him alive. This general defeated the army of Demetrius and took Demetrius to King Arsaces, who put him in prison.
4 The country was at peacewhile Simon ruled,because he workedfor the good of the nation.Everyone was glad that he ruled,and they honored himfor as long as he lived.
5 Simon became a true heroby capturingthe seaport of Joppa.Now ships can sailto faraway islands.
6 Simon made the country largerand ruled the entire region.
7 He took many prisonersand also captured the townsof Gazara and Beth-Zur.And when he took controlof the Jerusalem fortress,he removed all the idolsthat had made it unclean.No one could oppose him!
8 Life was peaceful on the farms;the earth produced grain,and fruit grew on the trees.
9 In towns the old folkstalked about the good thingsthat had happened,while young soldiers strolled byin their fancy uniforms.