19
And Bacchides removed the camp from Jerusalem, and pitched in Bethzecha: and he sent, and took many of them that were fled away from him, and some of the people he killed, and threw them into a great pit.
20
Then he committed the country to Alcimus, and left with him troops to help him. So Bacchides went away to the king:
21
But Alcimus did what he could to maintain his chief priesthood.
22
And they that disturbed the people resorted to him, and they got the land of Juda into their power, and did much hurt in Israel.
23
And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and they that were with him, did to the children of Israel, much more than the Gentiles.
24
And he went out into all the coasts of Juda round about, and took vengeance upon the men that had revolted, and they ceased to go forth any more into the country.
25
And Alcimus saw that Judas, and they that were with him prevailed: and he knew that he could not stand against them, and he went back to the king, and accused them of many crimes.
26
And the king sent Nicanor one of his principal lords, who was a great enemy to Israel: and he commanded him to destroy the people.
27
And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and he sent to Judas and to his brethren deceitfully with friendly words,
28
Saying: Let there be no fighting between me and you: I will come with a few men to see your faces with peace.
29
And he came to Judas, and they saluted one another peaceably: and the enemies were prepared to take away Judas by force.