53
But they had no food in storage, because it was the seventh year; those who had found safety in Judea from the Gentiles had consumed the last of the stores.
54
Only a few men were left in the sanctuary; the rest scattered to their own homes, for the famine proved too much for them.
55
Then Lysias heard that Philip, whom King Antiochus while still living had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus to be king,
56
had returned from Persia and Media with the forces that had gone with the king, and that he was trying to seize control of the government.
57
So he quickly gave orders to withdraw, and said to the king, to the commanders of the forces, and to the troops, "Daily we grow weaker, our food supply is scant, the place against which we are fighting is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom press urgently on us.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.