1 And Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty host to come into the land of Judah, and destroy it utterly.
2 And he saw that the people trembled and was in great fear; and he went up to Jerusalem, and gathered the people together;
3 and he encouraged them, and said to them, You⌃ yourselves know all the things that I, and my brethren, and my father’s house, have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen:
4 by reason hereof all my brethren have perished for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone.
5 And now be it far from me, that I should spare mine own life in any time of affliction; for I am not better than my brethren.
6 Howbeit I will take vengeance for my nation, and for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children; because all the Gentiles are gathered to destroy us of very hatred.