20
When the terms had been fully considered, and the leader had informed the people, and it had appeared that they were of one mind, they agreed to the covenant.
21
The leaders set a day on which to meet by themselves. A chariot came forward from each army; seats of honor were set in place;
22
Judas posted armed men in readiness at key places to prevent sudden treachery on the part of the enemy; so they duly held the consultation.
23
Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing out of the way, but dismissed the flocks of people that had gathered.
24
And he kept Judas always in his presence; he was warmly attached to the man.
25
He urged him to marry and have children; so Judas married, settled down, and shared the common life.
26
But when Alcimus noticed their goodwill for one another, he took the covenant that had been made and went to Demetrius. He told him that Nicanor was disloyal to the government, since he had appointed that conspirator against the kingdom, Judas, to be his successor.
27
The king became excited and, provoked by the false accusations of that depraved man, wrote to Nicanor, stating that he was displeased with the covenant and commanding him to send Maccabeus to Antioch as a prisoner without delay.
28
When this message came to Nicanor, he was troubled and grieved that he had to annul their agreement when the man had done no wrong.
29
Since it was not possible to oppose the king, he watched for an opportunity to accomplish this by a stratagem.
30
But Maccabeus, noticing that Nicanor was more austere in his dealings with him and was meeting him more rudely than had been his custom, concluded that this austerity did not spring from the best motives. So he gathered not a few of his men, and went into hiding from Nicanor.