“The land had rest all the days of Simon.

He sought the good of his nation.

His rule was pleasing to them,

Honor was shown him all his days.

To crown all his honors

He took Joppa for a harbor.

He opened a way to the isles of the sea.

He extended the borders of his nation.

He gained full control of the country.

He gathered a host of captives.

He ruled over Gazara and Beth-zur and the citadel.

He removed its uncleanness from it.

There was none to oppose him.

They tilled their land in peace.

The ground gave its increase.

The trees of the plains give their fruit.

Old men sat in the streets.

They all talked together of good things.

The young people put on splendid military attire.

He supplied the towns with food.

He furnished them with the means of defense.

His renown spread to the ends of the earth.

He established peace in the land.

Israel rejoiced with great joy.

All the people sat under their own vines and fig trees.

There was none to make them afraid.

No one was left in the land to fight them.

The kings were crushed in those days.

He gave help to all the humble of his people.

He sought out the law.

He did away with all the renegades and outlaws.

He made the sanctuary glorious.

He added to the vessels of the sanctuary.”

This poem To Simon was inserted here like that of Judas in chapter 3 of this work. Simon had brought peace to this land, a sort of idyllic time. He had full control of the country as they had a seaport. Everyone was happy. The old men sat around talking, while the young men had nice military clothes. All the towns had food and a good defense since the surrounding kings had been defeated. People sat unde their own vineyards and fig trees. No one was afraid. All the renegades and outlaws had been eliminated. The sanctuary was in great shape. What was there not to like? Simon had achieved peace, prosperity, and honor.