myself, as not to
appear to begin a civil war amongst them.

52. But when I was come near Sogane, I caused the multitude to make a
halt, and exhorted them not to be so easily provoked to anger, and to
the inflicting such punishments as could not be afterwards recalled: I
also gave order, that a hundred men, who were already in years, and were
principal men among them, should get themselves ready to go to the city
of Jerusalem, and should make a complaint before the people of such as
raised seditions in the country. And I said to them, that "in case they
be moved with what you say, you shall desire the community to write to
me, and to enjoin me to continue in Galilee, and to order Jonathan
and his colleagues to depart out of it." When I had suggested these
instructions to them, and while they were getting themselves ready as
fast as they could, I sent them on this errand the third day after they
had been assembled: I also sent five hundred armed men with them [as a
guard]. I then wrote to my friends in Samaria, to take care that they
might safely pass through the country: for Samaria was already under the
Romans, and it was absolutely necessary for those that go quickly [to
Jerusalem] to pass through that country; for in that road you may, in
three days' time, go from Galilee to Jerusalem. I also went myself, and
conducted the old men as far as the bounds of Galilee, and set guards in
the roads, that it might not be easily known by any one that these men
were gone. And when I had thus done, I went and abode at Japha.

53. Now Jonathan and his colleagues, having failed of accomplishing what
they would have done against me, sent John back to Gischala, but went
themselves to the city of Tiberias, expecting it would submit itself to
them; and this was founded on a letter which Jesus, their then governor,
had written them, promising that, if they came, the multitude would
receive them, and choose to be under their government; so they went
their ways with this expectation. But Silas, who, as I said, had been
left curator of Tiberias by me, informed me of this, and desired me to
make haste thither. Accordingly, I complied with his advice immediately,
and came thither; but found myself in danger of my life, from the
following occasion: Jonathan and his colleagues had been at Tiberias,
and had persuaded a great many of such as had a quarrel with me to
desert me; but when they heard of my coming, they were in fear for
themselves