2
He fought many battles, and took the strong holds of all, and slew the kings of the earth:
3
And he went through even to the ends of the earth, and took the spoils of many nations: and the earth was quiet before him.
4
And he gathered a power, and a very strong army: and his heart was exalted and lifted up.
5
And he subdued countries of nations, and princes: and they became tributaries to him.
6
And after these things, he fell down upon his bed, and knew that he should die.
7
And he called his servants the nobles that were brought up with him from his youth: and he divided his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.
8
And Alexander reigned twelve years, and he died.
9
And his servants made themselves kings every one in his place:
10
And they all put crowns upon themselves after his death, and their sons after them many years, and evils were multiplied in the earth.
11
And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus the Illustrious, the son of king Antiochus, who had been a hostage at Rome: and he reigned in the hundred and thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.
12
In those days there went out of Israel wicked men, and they persuaded many, saying: Let us go, and make a covenant with the heathens that are round about us: for since we departed from them, many evils have befallen us.