29 Forasmuch as oftentimes there have been wars in the country, wherein for the maintenance of their sanctuary, and the law, Simon the son of Mattathi´as, of the posterity of Joi´arib, together with his brethren, put themselves in jeopardy, and resisting the enemies of their nation did their nation great honor:
30 (for after that Jonathan, having gathered his nation together, and been their high priest, was added to his people,
31 their enemies purposed to invade their country, that they might destroy it, and lay hands on the sanctuary:
32 at which time Simon rose up, and fought for his nation, and spent much of his own substance, and armed the valiant men of his nation, and gave them wages,
33 and fortified the cities of Judea, together with Beth–zur, that lieth upon the borders of Judea, where the armor of the enemies had been before; but he set a garrison of Jews there:
34 moreover he fortified Joppa, which lieth upon the sea, and Gezer, that bordereth upon Ashdod, where the enemies had dwelt before: but he placed Jews there, and furnished them with all things convenient for the reparation thereof.)
35 The people therefore, seeing the acts of Simon, and unto what glory he thought to bring his nation, made him their governor and chief priest, because he had done all these things, and for the justice and faith which he kept to his nation, and for that he sought by all means to exalt his people.