1
In the hundred and one and fiftieth year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from Rome, and came up with a few men unto a city on the seacoast and reigned there.
2
And as he entered into the palace of his ancestors, so it was that his forces had taken Antiochus and Lysias to bring them unto him.
3
Therefore when he knew of it, he said, "Let me not see their faces."
4
So his host slew them. Now when Demetrius was set upon the throne of his kingdom,
5
there came unto him all the wicked and ungodly men of Israel, having Alcimus, who was desirous to be high priest, as their captain.
6
And they accused the people to the king, saying, "Judas and his brethren have slain all thy friends, and driven us out of our own land.
7
Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go and see what havoc he hath made among us and in the king's land, and let him punish them with all those who aid them."
8
Then the king chose Bacchides, a friend of the king, who ruled beyond the river, and was a great man in the kingdom and faithful to the king.
9
And he sent him with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should take vengeance on the children of Israel.
10
So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they deceitfully sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words.
11
But they gave no heed to their words, for they saw that they had come with a great power.