20
He placed Alcimus in charge of the country and left with him a force to help him; then Bacchides went back to the king.
21
Alcimus struggled to maintain his high priesthood,
22
and all who were troubling their people joined him. They gained control of the land of Judah and did great damage in Israel.
23
And Judas saw all the wrongs that Alcimus and those with him had done among the Israelites; it was more than the Gentiles had done.
24
So Judas went out into all the surrounding parts of Judea, taking vengeance on those who had deserted and preventing those in the city from going out into the country.
25
When Alcimus saw that Judas and those with him had grown strong, and realized that he could not withstand them, he returned to the king and brought malicious charges against them.
26
Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honored princes, who hated and detested Israel, and he commanded him to destroy the people.
27
So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a large force, and treacherously sent to Judas and his brothers this peaceable message,
28
"Let there be no fighting between you and me; I shall come with a few men to see you face to face in peace."
29
So he came to Judas, and they greeted one another peaceably; but the enemy were preparing to kidnap Judas.
30
It became known to Judas that Nicanor had come to him with treacherous intent, and he was afraid of him and would not meet him again.