3
As he advanced to the ends of the earth, he plundered many nations; and when he had conquered the world, he became proud and arrogant.
4
By building up a strong army, he dominated whole nations and their rulers, and forced everyone to pay him taxes.
5
When Alexander had been emperor for twelve years, he fell ill and realized that he was about to die. He called together his generals, noblemen who had been brought up with him since his early childhood, and he divided his empire, giving a part to each of them.
8
After his death, the generals took control,
9
and each had himself crowned king of his own territory. The descendants of these kings ruled for many generations and brought a great deal of misery on the world.
10
The wicked ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus the Third of Syria, was a descendant of one of Alexander's generals. Antiochus Epiphanes had been a hostage in Rome before he became king of Syria in the year 137.
1
11
At that time there appeared in the land of Israel a group of traitorous Jews who had no regard for the Law and who had a bad influence on many of our people. They said, "Let's come to terms with the Gentiles, for our refusal to associate with them has brought us nothing but trouble."
12
This proposal appealed to many people,
13
and some of them became so enthusiastic about it that they went to the king and received from him permission to follow Gentile customs.