5
Then there came to him all the renegade and godless men of Israel; they were led by Alcimus, who wanted to be high priest.
6
They brought to the king this accusation against the people: "Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your Friends, and have driven us out of our land.
7
Now then send a man whom you trust; let him go and see all the ruin that Judas has brought on us and on the land of the king, and let him punish them and all who help them."
8
So the king chose Bacchides, one of the king's Friends, governor of the province Beyond the River; he was a great man in the kingdom and was faithful to the king.
9
He sent him, and with him he sent the ungodly Alcimus, whom he made high priest; and he commanded him to take vengeance on the Israelites.
10
So they marched away and came with a large force into the land of Judah; and he sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with peaceable but treacherous words.
11
But they paid no attention to their words, for they saw that they had come with a large force.
12
Then a group of scribes appeared in a body before Alcimus and Bacchides to ask for just terms.
13
The Hasideans were first among the Israelites to seek peace from them,
14
for they said, "A priest of the line of Aaron has come with the army, and he will not harm us."
15
Alcimus spoke peaceable words to them and swore this oath to them, "We will not seek to injure you or your friends."