1 Maccabees 16:19

19 He sent other troops to Gazara to do away with John; he sent letters to the captains asking them to come to him so that he might give them silver and gold and gifts;

1 Maccabees 16:19 In-Context

17 So he committed an act of great treachery and returned evil for good.

18 Then Ptolemy wrote a report about these things and sent it to the king, asking him to send troops to aid him and to turn over to him the towns and the country.

19 He sent other troops to Gazara to do away with John; he sent letters to the captains asking them to come to him so that he might give them silver and gold and gifts;

20 and he sent other troops to take possession of Jerusalem and the temple hill.

21 But someone ran ahead and reported to John at Gazara that his father and brothers had perished, and that "he has sent men to kill you also."