26
Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his most honored officers, who hated the Jews, with orders to exterminate them.
27
Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a big army. He tried to trick Judas and his brothers by sending peace offers. He said,
28
"There need not be any quarrel between you and me. I will come to you with a small escort for a friendly private conversation."
29
When he came to Judas, they exchanged polite greetings, but Judas' enemies were ready to kidnap him.
30
When Judas learned that Nicanor's visit was part of a plot against him, he was afraid and decided not to meet him again.
31
Nicanor realized that his plan had been discovered, so he left Jerusalem to meet Judas in battle near Capharsalama.
32
About 500 of Nicanor's men were killed, and the rest of the army escaped to the fort in Jerusalem.
33
Some time later Nicanor went to Mount Zion. Some of the priests left the Temple and, along with some of the leaders of the people, went to welcome him with words of peace and to show him the burnt offering that was being sacrificed on behalf of the king.
34
But he ridiculed them and made them ceremonially unclean by spitting on them. He spoke proudly
35
and angrily threatened them with an oath, "Unless Judas and his army are surrendered to me immediately, I will burn this Temple down as soon as I return after my victory." And he left in a rage.
36
The priests went into the courtyard and stood facing the altar and the Temple. They started weeping and prayed,