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.
12
Then there assembled unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes to request justice.
13
Now the Hasideans were the first among the children of Israel who sought peace from them;
14
for said they, "One who is a priest of the seed of Aaron has come with this army, and he will do us no wrong."
15
So he spoke unto them peaceably, and swore unto them, saying, "We will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends,"
16
whereupon they believed him. Nonetheless he took from them threescore men and slew them in one day, according to the words which were written:
17
"The flesh of Thy saints have they cast out, and their blood have they shed round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them."
18
Therefore the fear and dread of them fell upon all the people, who said, "There is neither truth nor righteousness in them, for they have broken the covenant and oath that they made."
19
After this, Bacchides removed from Jerusalem and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men who had forsaken him, and certain of the people also; and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit.