2 Maccabees 2

1 But the king’s army went up against them to Jerusalem: and the king’s army pitched their tents against Judea and Mount Sion. 2 And he made peace with them that were in Bethsura: and they came forth out of the city, because they had no victuals, being shut up there, for it was the year of rest to the land. 3 And the king took Bethsura: and he placed there a garrison to keep it. 4 And he turned his army against the sanctuary for many days: and he set up there battering slings, and engines, and instruments to cast fire, and engines to cast stones and javelins, and pieces to shoot arrows, and slings. 5 And they also made engines against their engines, and they fought for many days. 6 But there were no victuals in the city, because it was the seventh year: and such as had stayed in Judea of them that came from among the nations, had eaten the residue of all that which had been stored up. 7 And there remained in the holy places but a few, for the famine had prevailed over them: and they were dispersed every man to his own place. 8 Now Lysias heard that Philip; whom king Antiochus while he lived had appointed to bring up his son, Antiochus, and to reign, 9 Was returned from Persia, and Media, with the army that went with him and that he sought to take upon him the affairs of the kingdom: 10 Wherefore he made haste to go, and say to the king and to the captains of the army: We decay daily, and our provision of victuals is small, and the place that we lay siege to is strong, and it lieth upon us to take order for the affairs of the kingdom. 11 Now, therefore, let us come to an agreement with these men, and make peace with them and with all their nation. 12 And let us covenant with them, that they may live according to their own laws, as before. For because of our despising their laws, they have been provoked, and have done all these things. 13 And the proposal was acceptable in the sight of the king, and of the princes: and he sent to them to make peace: and they accepted of it. 14 And the king and the princes swore to them: and they came out of the strong hold. 15 Then the king entered into Mount Sion, and saw the strength of the place: and he quickly broke the oath that he had taken, and gave commandment to throw down the wall round about. 16 And he departed in haste and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip master of the city: and he fought against him, and took the city. 18 In the hundred and fifty-first year, Demetrius, the son of Seleucus, departed from the city of Rome, and came up with few men into a city of the sea coast, and reigned there. 19 And it came to pass as he entered into the house of the kingdom of his fathers, that the army seized upon Antiochus, and Lysias, to bring them unto him. 20 And when he knew it, he said: Let me not see their face. 21 So the army slew them. And Demetrius sat upon the throne of his kingdom: 22 And there came to him the wicked and ungodly men of Israel: and Alcimus was at the head of them, who desired to be made high priest. 23 And they accused the people to the king, saying: Judas and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and he hath driven us out of our land. 24 Now, therefore, send some men whom thou trustest, and let him go, and see all the havoc he hath made amongst us, and in the king’s lands: and let him punish all his friends and their helpers. 25 Then the king chose Bacchides, one of his friends, that ruled beyond the great river in the kingdom, and was faithful to the king: and he sent him, 26 To see the havoc that Judas had made: and the wicked Alcimus he made high priest, and commanded him to take revenge upon the children of Israel. 27 And they arose, and came with a great army into the land of Juda: and they sent messengers, and spoke to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words, deceitfully. 28 But they gave no heed to their words: for they saw that they were come with a great army. 29 Then there assembled to Alcimus and Bacchides a company of the scribes, to require things that are just: 30 And first the Assideans, that were among the children of Israel, and they sought peace of them. 31 For they said: One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come, he will not deceive us. 32 And he spoke to them peaceably: and he swore to them, saying: We will do you no harm, nor your friends.