49
And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land.
50
And the king took Bethsura: and he placed there a garrison to keep it.
51
And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings.
52
And they also made engines against their engines, and they fought for many days.
53
But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up.
54
And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place.
55
Now Lysias heard that Philip, whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, and to reign, to be king,
56
Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him, and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom:
57
Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom.
58
Now therefore let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation.
59
And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things.