5
However, having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being called into counsel by Demetrius and asked how the Jews stood affected and what they intended, Alcimus answered thereto:
6
Those of the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the realm be in peace.
7
Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honor (I mean the high priesthood), have now come hither,
8
first, verily for the unfeigned care I have for things pertaining to the king, and secondly, because I intend the good of mine own countrymen; for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of those aforesaid.
9
Therefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, be careful for the country and our nation, which is pressed on every side, according to the clemency that thou readily showest unto all.