24
Because of this, some of our people have laid siege to the citadel and are hostile to us. Furthermore, they've killed as many of us as they could catch. Now they've taken our wealth.
25
Judas and his forces haven't lifted their hands against us alone. They've also attacked all the neighboring lands.
26
Look, today they've camped against the elevated fortress in Jerusalem to capture it. They've fortified both the sanctuary and Beth-zur.
27
Unless you do something soon to prevent them, they'll do even worse things. Then you won't be able to stop them."
28
The king was enraged when he heard this. He gathered all his chief political advisors, the commanders of his troops, and those with authority.