49
But with those who were in Beth-zur he made peace, for they came out of the city because they had no victuals there to endure the siege, it being a year of rest for the land.
50
So the king took Beth-zur, and set a garrison there to keep it.
51
As for the sanctuary, he besieged it many days, and set there artillery with engines and instruments to cast fire and stones, and pieces to cast darts and slings.
52
Thereupon the Jews also made engines against their engines, and held them in battle a long season.
53
Yet at the last, their vessels being without victuals (for it was the seventh year, and those in Judea who were delivered from the Gentiles had eaten up the residue of the stores),
54
there were but a few left in the sanctuary, because the famine did so prevail against them that they were fain to disperse themselves, every man to his own place.
55
At that time Lysias heard it said that Philip (whom Antiochus the king, while he lived, had appointed to bring up his son Antiochus, that he might be king)
56
had returned out of Persia and Media, and the king's host also that went with him, and that he sought to take unto him the ruling of the affairs.
57
Therefore he went in all haste and said to the king and the captains of the host and the company, "We decay daily, and our victuals are but small, and the place we lay siege against is strong, and the affairs of the kingdom lie upon us.
58
Now therefore let us be friends with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation,
59
and covenant with them, that they shall live according to their laws as they did before; for they are therefore displeased, and have done all these things because we abolished their laws."