19
Bacchides left Jerusalem and set up his headquarters at Beth Zaith. He ordered the arrest of some of the faithful Jews and even many of the renegades who had willingly joined him; he had them killed and thrown into a deep pit.
20
Bacchides put the country under the control of Alcimus, left troops there to help him, and returned to the king.
21
Alcimus then began his struggle to establish himself as High Priest.
22
Every troublemaker in the country joined him. They gained control of the land of Judea and caused great difficulties for the Jews.
23
Judas saw that the trouble Alcimus and his men had caused was even worse than the damage done by the Gentiles.
24
So he went around the whole country of Judea taking revenge on all the men who had willingly joined Alcimus and preventing them from leaving the towns and going into the country.
25
When Alcimus saw that Judas and his men were growing more powerful and when he realized that he would not be able to stand against them, he returned to the king and accused them of great crimes.
26
Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his most honored officers, who hated the Jews, with orders to exterminate them.
27
Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a big army. He tried to trick Judas and his brothers by sending peace offers. He said,
28
"There need not be any quarrel between you and me. I will come to you with a small escort for a friendly private conversation."
29
When he came to Judas, they exchanged polite greetings, but Judas' enemies were ready to kidnap him.