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after which they raised a report of their own contrivance; that
Roman horsemen were seen at a place called Union; in the borders
of Galilee; thirty furlongs distant from the city。 Upon which
report; Jonathan and his colleagues cunningly exhorted me not to
neglect this matter; nor to suffer the land to be spoiled by the
enemy。 And this they said with a design to remove me out of the
city; under the pretense of the want of extraordinary assistance;
while they might dispose the city to be my enemy。

55。 As for myself; although I knew of their design; yet did I
comply with what they proposed; lest the people of Tiberias
should have occasion to suppose that I was not careful of their
security。 I therefore went out; but; when I was at the place; I
found not the least footsteps of any enemy; so I returned as fast
as ever I could; and found the whole council assembled; and the
body of the people gotten together; and Jonathan and his
colleagues bringing vehement accusations against me; as one who
had no concern to ease them of the burdens of war; and as one
that lived luxuriously。 And as they were discoursing thus; they
produced four letters; as written to them from some people that
lived at the borders of Galilee; imploring that they would come
to their assistance; for that there was an army of Romans; both
horsemen and footmen; who would come and lay waste the country on
the third day; they desired them also to make haste; and not to
overlook them。 When the people of Tiberias heard this; they
thought they spake truth; and made a clamor against me; and said
I ought not to sit still; but to go away to the assistance of
their countrymen。 Hereupon I said (for I understood the meaning
of Jonathan and his colleagues) that I was ready to comply with
what they proposed; and without delay to march to the war which
they spake of; yet did I advise them; at the same time; that
since these letters declared that the Romans would make their
assault in four several places; they should part their forces
into five bodies; and make Jonathan and his colleagues generals
of each body of them; because it was fit for brave men; not only
to give counsel; but to take the place of leaders; and assist
their countrymen when such a necessity pressed them; for; said I;
it is not possible for me to lead more than one party。 This
advice of mine greatly pleased the multitude; so they compelled
them to go forth to the war。 But their designs were put into very
much disorder; because they had not done what they had designed
to do; on account of my stratagem; which was opposite to their
undertakings。

56。 Now there was one whose name was Ananias (a wicked man he
was; and very mischievous); he proposed that a general religious
fast (23) should be appointed the next day for all the people;
and gave order that at the same hour they should come to the same
place; without any weapons; to make it manifest before God; that
while they obtained his assistance; they thought all these
weapons useless。 This he said; not out of piety; but that they
might catch me and my friends unarmed。 Now; I was hereupon forced
to comply; lest I should appear to despise a proposal that tended
to piety。 As soon; therefore; as we were gone home; Jonathan and
his colleagues wrote to John to come to them in the morning; and
desiring him to come with as many soldiers as he possibly could;
for that they should then be able easily to get me into their
hands; and to do all they desired to do。 When John had received
this letter; he resolved to comply with it。 As for myself; on the
next day; I ordered two of the guards of my body; whom I esteemed
the most courageous and most faithful; to hide daggers under
their garments; and to go along with me; that we might defend
ourselves; if any attack should be made upon us by our enemies。 I
also myself took my breastplate; and girded on my sword; so that
it might be; as far as it was possible; concealed; and came into
the Proseucha。

57。 Now Jesus; who was the ruler; commanded that they should
exclude all that came with me; for he kept the door himself; and
suffered none but his friends to go in。 And while we were engaged
in the duties of the day; and had betaken ourselves to our
prayers; Jesus got up; and inquired of me what was become of the
vessels that were taken out of the king's palace; when it was
burnt down 'and' of that uncoined silver; and in whose possession
they now were? This he said; in order to drive away time till
John should come。 I said that Capellus; and the ten principal men
of Tiberias; had them all; and I told him that they might ask
them whether I told a lie or not。 And when they said they had
them; he asked me; What is become of those twenty pieces of gold
which thou didst receive upon the sale of a certain weight of
uncoined money? I replied; that I had given them to those
ambassadors of theirs; as a maintenance for them; when they were
sent by them to Jerusalem。 So Jonathan and his colleagues said
that I had not done well to pay the ambassadors out of the public
money。 And when the multitude were very angry at them for this;
for they perceived the wickednes of the men; I understood that a
tumult was going to arise; and being desirous to provoke the
people to a greater rage against the men; I said; 〃But if I have
not done well in paying our ambassadors out of the public stock;
leave off your anger at me; for I will repay the twenty pieces of
gold myself。〃

58。 When I had said this; Jonathan and his colleagues held their
peace; but the people were still more irritated against them;
upon their openly showing their unjust ill…will to me。 When Jesus
saw this change in file people; he ordered them to depart; but
desired the senate to stay; for that they could not examine
things of such a nature in a tumult: and as the people were
crying out that they would not leave me alone; there came one and
told Jesus and his friends privately; that John and his armed men
were at hand: whereupon Jonathan and his colleagues; being able
to contain themselves no longer; (and perhaps the providence of
God hereby procuring my deliverance; for had not this been so; I
had certainly been destroyed by John;) said; 〃O you people of
Tiberias! leave off this inquiry about the twenty pieces of gold;
for Josephus hath not deserved to die for them; but he hath
deserved it by his desire of tyrannizing; and by cheating the
multitude of the Galileans with his speeches; in order to gain
the dominion over them。〃 When he had said this; they presently
laid hands upon me; and endeavored to kill me: but as soon as
those that were with me saw what they did; they drew their
swords; and threatened to smite them; if they offered any
violence to me。 The people also took up stones; and were about to
throw them at Jonathan; and so they snatched me from the violence
of my enemies。

59。 But as I was gone out a little way; I was just upon meeting
John; who was marching with his armed men。 So I was afraid of
him; and turned aside; and escaped by a narrow passage to the
lake; and seized on a ship; and embarked in it; and sailed over
to Tarichese。 So; beyond my expectation; I escaped this danger。
Whereupon I presently sent for the chief of the Galileans; and
told them after what manner; against all faith given; I had been
very near to destruction from Jonathan and his colleagues; and
the people of Tiberias。 Upon which the multitude of the Galileans
were very。 angry; and encouraged me to delay no longer to make
war upon them; but to permit them to go against John; and utterly
to destroy him; as well as Jonathan and his colleagues。 However;
I restrained them; though they were in such a rage; and desired
them to tarry a while; till we should be informed what orders
those ambassadors; that were sent by them to the city of
Jerusalem; should bring thence; for I told them that it was best
for them to act according to their determination; whereupon they
were prevailed on。 At which time; also; John; when the snares he
had laid did not take effect; returned back to Gischala。

60。 Now; in a few days; those ambassadors whom he had sent; came
back again and informed us; that the people were greatly provoked
at Ananus; and Simon the son of Gamaliel; and their friends;
that; without any public determination; they had sent to Galilee;
and had done their endeavors that I might be turned out of the
government。 The ambassadors said further; that the people were
ready to burn their houses。 They also brought letters; whereby
the chief men of Jerusalem; at the earnest petition of the
people; confirmed me in the government of Galilee; and enjoined
Jonathan and his colleagues to return home quickly。 When I had
gotten these letters; I came to the village Arbela; where I
procured an assembly of the Galileans to meet; and bid the
ambassadors declare to them the anger of the people of Jerusalem
at what had been done by Jonathan and his colleagues; and how
much they hated their wicked doings; and how they had confirmed
me in the government of their country; as also what related to
the order they had in writing for Jonathan and his colleagues to
return home。 So I immediately sent them th

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