7
For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither:
8
Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men.
9
Wherefore, 0 king, seeing thou know- eat all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men,
10
For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.
11
Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him.
12
And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea:
13
Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus the high priest of the great temple.
14
Then the Gentiles who had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by docks, thinking the miseries and calamities of the Jews to be the welfare of their affairs.
15
Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the nations were assembled against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him, who chose his people to keep them for ever, and who protected his portion by evident signs.
16
Then at the commandment of their captain, they forthwith removed from the place where they were, and went to the town of Dessau, to meet them.
17
Now Simon the brother of Judas had joined battle with Nicanor, but was frightened with the sudden coming of the adversaries.