DENISON

[column A]

trigésimum mensis Xánthici, damus dextras securitátis, ut Judǽi utántur cibis et légibus suis, sicut et prius: et nemo eórum ullo modo moléstiam patiátur de his quæ per ignorántiam gesta sunt. Mísimus autem et Menélaum, qui vos alloquátur. Valéte. Anno centésimo quadragésimo octávo, Xánthici mensis quintadécima die. Misérunt autem étiam Románi epístolam, ita se habéntem: Quintus Mémmius et Titus Manílius legáti Romanórum, pópulo Judæórum salútem. De his quæ Lýsias cognátus regis concéssit vobis, et nos concéssimus. De quibus autem ad regem judicávit referéndum, conféstim áliquem míttere, diligéntius inter vos conferéntes, ut decernámus, sicut cóngruit vobis: nos enim Antiochíam accédimus. Ideóque festináte rescríbere, ut nos quoque sciámus cujus estis voluntátis. Bene valéte. Anno centésimo quadragésimo octávo, quintadécima die mensis Xánthici. [XII.] His factis pactiónibus, Lýsias pergébat ad regem, Judǽi autem agricultúræ óperam dabant. Sed hi qui reséderant, Timótheus, et Apollónius Gennǽi fílius, sed et Hierónymus, et Démophon super hos, et Nicánor Cypriárches, non sinébant eos in siléntio ágere et quiéte. Jóppitæ vero tale quoddam flagítium perpetrárunt: rogavérunt Judǽos cum quibus habitábant, ascéndere scaphas quas paráverant, cum uxóribus et fíliis, quasi nullis inimicítiis inter eos subjacéntibus. Secúndum commúne ítaque decrétum civitátis, et ipsis acquiescéntibus, pacísque causa nihil suspéctum habéntibus: cum in altum processíssent, submersérunt non minus ducéntos. Quam crudelitátem Judas in suæ gentis hómines factam ut cognóvit, præcépit viris qui erant cum ipso: et invocáto justo júdice Deo, venit advérsus interfectóres fratrum, et portum quidem noctu succéndit, scaphas exússit, eos autem qui ab igne refúgerant, gládio perémit. Et cum hæc ita egísset, discéssit quasi íterum reversúrus, et univérsos Jóppitas eradicatúrus. Sed cum cognovísset et eos qui erant Jámniæ, velle pari modo fácere habitántibus secum Judǽis, Jámnitis quoque nocte supervénit, et portum cum návibus succéndit: ita ut lumen ignis appáreret Jerosólymis a stádiis ducéntis quadragínta. Inde cum jam abiíssent novem stádiis, et iter fácerent ad Timótheum, commisérunt cum eo Árabes quinque míllia viri, et équites quingénti. Cumque pugna válida fíeret, et auxílio Dei próspere cessísset, resídui Árabes victi petébant a Juda dextram sibi dari, promitténtes se páscua datúros, et in céteris profutúros. Judas autem arbitrátus vere in multis eos útiles, promsit pacem: dextrísque accéptis, discéssere ad tabernácula sua. Aggréssus est autem et civitátem quamdam firmam póntibus murísque circumséptam, quæ a turbis habitabátur géntium promiscuárum: cui nomen Casphin. Hi vero qui intus erant, confidéntes in stabilitáte murórum et apparátu alimoniárum, remíssius agébant, maledíctis lacesséntes Judam et blasphemántes, ac loquéntes quæ fas non est. Machabǽus autem, invocáto magno mundi Príncipe, qui sine ariétibus et máchinis tempóribus Jesu præcipitávit Jéricho, írruit feróciter muris: et capta civitáte per Dómini voluntátem, innumerábiles cædes fecit, ita ut adjácens stagnum stadiórum duórum latitú-

[column B]

-dinis sánguine interfectórum flúere viderétur. Inde discessérunt stádia septingénta quinquagínta, et venérunt in Charáca ad eos, qui dicúntur Tubianǽi, Judǽos: et Timótheum quidem in illis locis non comprehendérunt, nullóque negótio perfécto regréssus est, relícto in quodam loco firmíssimo præsídio. Dosítheus autem et Sosipáter, qui erant duces cum Machabǽo, peremérunt a Timótheo relíctos in præsídio, decem míllia viros. At Machabǽus, ordinátis circum se sex míllibus, et constitútis per cohórtes, advérsus Timótheum procéssit, habéntem secum centum vigínti míllia péditum, equitúmque duo míllia quingéntos. Cógnito autem Judæ advéntu, Timótheus præmísit mulíeres et fílios, et réliquum apparátum, in præsídium quod Cárnion dícitur: erat enim inexpugnábile, et accéssu diffícile propter locórum angústias. Cumque cohors Judæ prima apparuísset, timor hóstibus incússus est ex præséntia Dei, qui univérsa cónspicit: et in fugam versi sunt álius ab álio, ita ut magis a suis dejiceréntur, et gladiórum suórum íctibus debilitaréntur. Judas autem veheménter instábat púniens profános, et prostrávit ex eis trigínta míllia virórum. Ipse vero Timótheus íncidit in partes Dosíthei et Sosipátris: et multis précibus postulábat ut vivus dimitterétur, eo quod multórum ex Judǽis paréntes habéret ac fratres, quos morte ejus décipi eveníret. Et cum fidem dedísset restitutúrum se eos secúndum constitútum, illǽsum eum dimisérunt propter fratrum salútem. Judas autem egréssus est ad Cárnion, interféctis vigínti quinque míllibus. Post horum fugam et necem, movit exércitum ad Ephron civitátem munítam, in qua multitúdo diversárum géntium habitábat: et robústi júvenes pro muris consisténtes fórtiter repugnábant: in hac autem máchinæ multæ et telórum erat apparátus. Sed cum Omnipoténtem invocássent, qui potestáte sua vires hóstium confríngit, cepérunt civitátem: et ex eis qui intus erant, vigínti quinque míllia prostravérunt. Inde ad civitátem Scythárum abiérunt, quæ ab Jerosólymis sexcéntis stádiis áberat. Contestántibus autem his, qui apud Scythopólitas erant, Judǽis, quod benígne ab eis haberéntur, étiam tempóribus infelicitátis quod modéste secum égerint: grátias agéntes eis, et exhortáti étiam de cétero erga genus suum benígnos esse, venérunt Jerosólymam die solémni septimanárum instánte. Et post Pentecósten abiérunt contra Górgiam præpósitum Idumǽæ. Exívit autem cum pedítibus tribus míllibus, et equítibus quadringéntis. Quibus congréssis, cóntigit paucos rúere Judæórum. Dosítheus vero quidam de Bacenóris eques, vir fortis, Górgiam tenébat: et, cum vellet illum cápere vivum, eques quidam de Thrácibus írruit in eum, humerúmque ejus amputávit: atque ita Górgias effúgit in Marésa. At illis qui cum Esdrim erant diútius pugnántibus et fatigátis, invocávit Judas Dóminum adjutórem et ducem belli fíeri: incípiens voce pátria, et cum hymnis clamórem extóllens, fugam Górgiæ milítibus incússit. Judas autem collécto exércitu venit in civitátem Odóllam: et cum séptima dies superveníret, secúndum consuetúdinem purificáti, in eódem loco

[2 Maccabees 11:30-12:38]

...the thirtieth day of the month of Xanthicus, 31 That the Jews may use their own kind of meats, and their own laws as before, and that none of them any manner of ways be molested for things which have been done by ignorance. 32 And we have sent also Menelaus to speak to you. 33 Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus. 34 The Romans also sent them a letter, to this effect. Quintus Memmius, and Titus Manilius, ambassadors of the Romans, to the people of the Jews, greeting. 35 Whatsoever Lysias the king's cousin hath granted you, we also have granted. 36 But touching such things as he thought should be referred to the king, after you have diligently conferred among yourselves, send some one forthwith, that we may decree as it is convenient for you: for we are going to Antioch. 37 And therefore make haste to write back, that we may know of what mind you are. 38 Fare ye well. In the year one hundred and forty-eight, the fifteenth day of the month of Xanthicus.

1 When these covenants were made, Lysias went to the king, and the Jews gave themselves to husbandry. 2 But they that were behind, namely, Timotheus and Apollonius the son of Genneus, also Hieronymus, and Demophon, and besides them Nicanor the governor of Cyprus, would not suffer them to live in peace, and to be quiet. 3 The men of Joppe also were guilty of this kind of wickedness: they desired the Jews who dwelt among them to go with their wives and children into the boats, which they had prepared, as though they had no enmity to them. 4 Which when they had consented to, according to the common decree of the city, suspecting nothing, because of the peace: when they were gone forth into the deep, they drowned no fewer than two hundred of them. 5 But as soon as Judas heard of this cruelty done to his countrymen, he commanded the men that were with him: and after having called upon God the just judge, 6 He came against those murderers of his brethren, and set the haven on fire in the night, burnt the boats, and slew with the sword them that escaped from the fire. 7 And when he had done these things in this manner, he departed as if he would return again, and root out all the Joppites. 8 But when he understood that the men of Jamnia also designed to do in like manner to the Jews that dwelt among them, 9 He came upon the Jamnites also by night, and set the haven on fire with the ships, so that the light of the fire was seen at Jerusalem two hundred and forty furlongs off. 10 And when they were now gone from thence nine furlongs, and were marching towards Timotheus, five thousand footmen and five hundred horsemen of the Arabians set upon them. 11 And after a hard fight, in which by the help of God they got the victory, the rest of the Arabians being overcome, besought Judas for peace, promising to give him pastures, and to assist him in other things. 12 And Judas thinking that they might be profitable indeed in many things, promised them peace, and after having joined hands, they departed to their tents. 13 He also laid siege to a certain strong city, encompassed with bridges and walls, and inhabited by multitudes of different nations, the name of which is Casphin. 14 But they that were within it, trusting in the strength of the walls, and the provision of victuals, behaved in a more negligent manner, and provoked Judas with railing and blaspheming, and uttering such words as were not to be spoken. 15 But Machabeus calling upon the great Lord of the world, who without any rams or engines of war threw down the walls of Jericho in the time of Josue, fiercely assaulted the walls. 16 And having taken the city by the will of the Lord, he made an unspeakable slaughter, so that a pool adjoining of two furlongs broad seemed to run with the blood of the slain. 17 From thence they departed seven hundred and fifty furlongs, and came to Characa to the Jews that are called Tubianites. 18 But as for Timotheus, they found him not in those places, for before he had dispatched any thing he went back, having left a very strong garrison in a certain hold: 19 But Dositheus, and Sosipater, who were captains with Machabeus, slew them that were left by Timotheus in the hold, to the number of ten thousand men. 20 And Machabeus having set in order about him six thousand men, and divided them by bands, went forth against Timotheus, who had with him a hundred and twenty thousand footmen, and two thousand five hundred horsemen. 21 Now when Timotheus had knowledge of the coming of Judas, he sent the women and children, and the other baggage before him into a fortress, called Carnion: for it was impregnable and hard to come at, by reason of the straitness of the places. 22 But when the first band of Judas came in sight, the enemies were struck with fear, by the presence of God, who seeth all things, and they were put to flight one from another, so that they were often thrown down by their own companions, and wounded with the strokes of their own swords. 23 But Judas was vehemently earnest in punishing the profane, of whom he slew thirty thousand men. 24 And Timotheus himself fell into the hands of the band of Dositheus and Sosipater, and with many prayers he besought them to let him go with his life, because he had the parents and brethren of many of the Jews, who, by his death, might happen to be deceived. 25 And when he had given his faith that he would restore them according to the agreement, they let him go without hurt, for the saving of their brethren. 26 Then Judas went away to Carnion, where he slew five and twenty thousand persons. 27 And after he had put to flight and destroyed these, he removed his army to Ephron, a strong city, wherein there dwelt a multitude of divers nations: and stout young men standing upon the walls made a vigorous resistance: and in this place there were many engines of war, and a provision of darts. 28 But when they had invocated the Almighty, who with his power breaketh the strength of the enemies, they took the city; and slew five and twenty thousand of them that were within. 29 From thence they departed to Scythopolis, which lieth six hundred furlongs from Jerusalem. 30 But the Jews that were among the Scythopolitans testifying that they were used kindly by them, and that even in the times of their adversity they had treated them with humanity: 31 They gave them thanks exhorting them to be still friendly to their nation, and so they came to Jerusalem, the feast of the weeks being at hand. 32 And after Pentecost they marched against Gorgias the governor of Idumea. 33 And he came out with three thousand footmen, and four hundred horsemen. 34 And when they had joined battle, it happened that a few of the Jews were slain. 35 But Dositheus, a horseman, one of Bacenor's band, a valiant man, took hold of Gorgias: and when he would have taken him alive, a certain horseman of the Thracians came upon him, and cut off his shoulder: and so Gorgias escaped to Maresa. 36 But when they that were with Esdrin had fought long, and were weary, Judas called upon the Lord to be their helper, and leader of the battle: 37 Then beginning in his own language, and singing hymns with a loud voice, he put Gorgias' soldiers to flight. 38 So Judas having gathered together his army, came into the city Odollam: and when the seventh day came, they purified themselves according to the custom, and kept the sabbath in the place...

[column A]

sábbatum égerunt. Et sequénti die venit cum suis Judas, ut córpora prostratórum tólleret, et cum paréntibus póneret in sepúlchris patérnis. Invenérunt autem sub túnicis interfectórum de donáriis idolórum quæ apud Jámniam fuérunt, a quibus lex próhibet Judaeos: ómnibus ergo maniféstum factum est, ob hanc causam eos corruísse. Omnes ítaque benedixérunt justum judícium Dómini, qui occúlta fécerat manifésta: atque ita ad preces convérsi, rogavérunt ut id quod factum erat delíctum oblivióni traderétur. At vero fortíssimus Judas hortabátur pópulum conserváre se sine peccáto, sub óculis vidéntes quæ facta sunt pro peccátis eórum qui prostráti sunt. Et facta collatióne, duódecim míllia drachmas argénti misit Jerosólymam offérri pro peccátis mortuórum sacrifícium, bene et religióse de resurrectióne cógitans (nísi enim eos qui cecíderant resurrectúros speráret, supérfluum viderétur et vanum oráre pro mórtuis), et quia considerábat quod hi qui cum pietáte dormitiónem accéperant, óptimam habérent repósitam grátiam. Sancta ergo et salúbris est cogitátio pro defúnctis exoráre, ut a peccátis solvántur. XIII. Anno centésimo quadragésimo nono, cognóvit Judas Antíochum Eupatórem veníre cum multitúdine advérsus Judaeam, et cum eo Lýsiam procuratórem et præpósitum negotiórum, secum habéntem péditum centum decem míllia, et équitum quinque míllia, et elephántos vigínti duos, currus cum fálcibus trecéntos. Commíscuit autem se illis et Menélaus: et cum multa fallácia deprecabátur Antíochum, non pro pátriæ salúte, sed sperans se constítui in principátum. Sed Rex regum suscitávit ánimos Antíochi in peccatórem: et suggerénte Lýsia hunc esse causam ómnium malórum, jussit (ut eis est consuetúdo) apprehénsum in eódem loco necári. Erat autem in eódem loco turris quinquagínta cubitórum, aggéstum úndique habens cíneris: hæc prospéctum habébat in præceps. Inde in cínerem déjici jussit sacrílegum, ómnibus eum propelléntibus ad intéritum. Et tali lege prævaricatórem legis cóntigit mori, nec terræ dari Menélaum. Et quidem satis juste: nam quia multa erga aram Dei delícta commísit, cujus ignis et cinis erat sanctus: ipse in cíneris morte damnátus est. Sed rex mente effrenátus veniébat, nequiórem se patre suo Judaeis ostensúrus. Quibus Judas cógnitis, præcépit pópulo ut die ac nocte Dóminum invocárent, quo, sicut semper, et nunc adjuváret eos, quippe qui lege, et pátria, sanctóque templo privári vereréntur: ac pópulum, qui nuper páululum respirásset, ne síneret blasphémis rursus natiónibus subdi. Ómnibus ítaque simul id faciéntibus, et peténtibus a Dómino misericórdiam cum fletu et jejúniis, per tríduum contínuum prostrátis, hortátus est eos Judas ut se præparárent. Ipse vero cum senióribus cogitávit priúsquam rex admóveret exércitum ad Judaeam et obtinéret civitátem, exíre, et Dómini judício commíttere éxitum rei. Dans ítaque potestátem ómnium Deo mundi creatóri, et exhortátus suos ut fórtiter dimicárent, et usque ad mortem pro légibus, templo, civitáte, pátria, et cívibus starent, circa Modin exércitum constítuit. Et dato signo suis Dei victóriæ, juvénibus fortíssimis

[column B]

eléctis nocte aggréssus aulam régiam, in castris interfécit viros quátuor míllia, et máximum elephantórum cum his qui superpósiti fúerant: summóque metu ac perturbatióne hóstium castra repléntes, rebus próspere gestis, abiérunt. Hoc autem factum est die illucescénte, adjuvánte eum Dómini protectióne. Sed rex, accépto gustu audáciæ Judæórum, arte difficultátem locórum tentábat: et Bethsúræ, quæ erat Judæórum præsídium munítum, castra admovébat: sed fugabátur, impingébat, minorabátur. His autem qui intus erant, Judas necessária mittébat. Enuntiávit autem mystéria hóstibus Rhódocus quidam de judáico exércitu, qui requísitus comprehénsus est, et conclúsus. Íterum rex sermónem hábuit ad eos qui erant in Bethsúris: dextram dedit, accépit, ábiit: commísit cum Juda, superátus est. Ut autem cognóvit rebellásse Philíppum Antiochíæ, qui relíctus erat super negótia, mente consternátus, Judaeos déprecans, subditúsque eis, jurat de ómnibus quibus justum visum est: et reconciliátus óbtulit sacrifícium, honorávit templum, et múnera pósuit. Machabaeum amplexátus est, et fecit eum a Ptolemáide usque ad Gérrenos ducem et príncipem. Ut autem venit Ptolemáidam, gráviter ferébant Ptoleménses amicítiæ conventiónem, indignántes ne forte fœdus irrúmperent. Tunc ascéndit Lýsias tribúnal, et expósuit ratiónem, et pópulum sedávit, regressúsque est Antiochíam: et hoc modo regis proféctio et réditus procéssit. XIIII. Sed post triénnii tempus, cognóvit Judas et qui cum eo erant Demétrium Seleúci cum multitúdine válida et návibus per portam Trípolis ascendísse ad loca opportúna, et tenuísse regiónes advérsus Antíochum, et ducem ejus Lýsiam. Álcimus autem quidam, qui summus sacérdos fúerat, sed voluntárie coinquinátus est tempóribus commistiónis, consíderans nullo modo sibi esse salútem neque accéssum ad altáre, venit ad regem Demétrium centésimo quinquagésimo anno, ófferens ei corónam áuream et palmam, super hæc et thallos, qui templi esse videbántur. Et ipsa quidem die síluit. Tempus autem opportúnum deméntiæ suæ nactus, convocátus a Demétrio ad consílium, et interrogátus quibus rebus et consíliis Judaei niteréntur, respóndit: Ipsi qui dicúntur Assidaei Judæórum, quibus præest Judas Machabaeus, bella nútriunt, et seditiónes movent, nec patiúntur regnum esse quiétum: nam et ego defraudátus paréntum glória (dico autem summo sacerdótio) huc veni: primo quidem utilitátibus regis fidem servans, secúndo autem étiam cívibus cónsulens: nam illórum pravitáte univérsum genus nostrum non mínime vexátur. Sed oro his síngulis, o rex, cógnitis, et regióni et géneri, secúndum humanitátem tuam pervulgátam ómnibus, próspice: nam, quámdiu súperest Judas, impossíbile est pacem esse negótiis. Tálibus autem ab hoc dictis, et céteri amíci hostíliter se habéntes advérsus Judam, inflammavérunt Demétrium. Qui statim Nicanórem præpósitum elephantórum ducem misit in Judaeam: datis mandátis ut ipsum quidem Judam cáperet: eos vero qui cum illo erant, dispérgeret, et constitúeret Álcimum

[Maccabees 12:38-14:13]

...the sabbath in that place. 39 And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers. 40 And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth the Jews: so that all plainly saw, for this cause they were slain. 41 Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. 42 And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. 43 And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, 44 (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) 45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.

1 In the year one hundred and forty-nine, Judas understood that Antiochus Eupator was coming with a multitude against Judea, 2 And with him Lysias the regent, who had charge over the affairs of the realm, having with him a hundred and ten thousand footmen, five thousand horsemen, twenty-two elephants, and three hundred chariots armed with hooks. 3 Menelaus also joined himself with them: and with great deceitfulness besought Antiochus, not for the welfare of his country, but in hopes that he should be appointed chief ruler. 4 But the King of kings stirred up the mind of Antiochus against the sinner, and upon Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of all the evils, he commanded (as the custom is with them) that he should be apprehended and put to death in the same place. 5 Now there was in that place a tower fifty cubits high, having a heap of ashes on every side: this had a prospect steep down. 6 From thence he commanded the sacrilegious wretch to be thrown down into the ashes, all men thrusting him forward unto death. 7 And by such a law it happened that Menelaus the transgressor of the law was put to death: not having so much as burial in the earth. 8 And indeed very justly, for insomuch as he had committed many sins against the altar of God, the fire and ashes of which were holy: he was condemned to die in ashes. 9 But the king, with his mind full of rage, came on to shew himself worse to the Jews than his father was. 10 Which, when Judas understood, he commanded the people to call upon the Lord day and night, that as he had always done, so now also he would help them: 11 Because they were afraid to be deprived of the law, and of their country, and of the holy temple: and that he would not suffer the people, that had of late taken breath for a little while, to be again in subjection to blasphemous nations. 12 So when they had all done this together, and had craved mercy of the Lord with weeping and fasting, lying prostrate on the ground for three days continually, Judas exhorted them to make themselves ready. 13 But he with the ancients determined, before the king should bring his army into Judea, and make himself master of the city, to go out, and to commit the event of the thing to the judgment of the Lord. 14 So committing all to God, the creator of the world, and having exhorted his people to fight manfully, and to stand up even to death for the laws, the temple, the city, their country, and citizens: he placed his army about Modin. 15 And having given his company for a watchword, The victory of God, with most valiant chosen young men, he set upon the king's quarter by night, and slew four thousand men in the camp, and the greatest of the elephants, with them that had been upon him, 16 And having filled the camp of the enemies with exceeding great fear and tumult, they went off with good success. 17 Now this was done at the break of day, by the protection and help of the Lord. 18 But the king having taken a taste of the hardiness of the Jews, attempted to take the strong places by policy: 19 And he marched with his army to Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was repulsed, he failed, he lost his men. 20 Now Judas sent necessaries to them that were within. 21 But Rhodocus, one of the Jews' army, disclosed the secrets to the enemies, so he was sought out, and taken up, and put in prison. 22 Again the king treated with them that were in Bethsura: gave his right hand: took theirs: and went away. 23 He fought with Judas: and was overcome. And when he understood that Philip, who had been left over the affairs, had rebelled at Antioch, he was in a consternation of mind, and entreating the Jews, and yielding to them, he swore to all things that seemed reasonable, and, being reconciled, offered sacrifices, honoured the temple, and left gifts. 24 He embraced Machabeus, and made him governor and prince from Ptolemais unto the Gerrenians. 25 But when he was come to Ptolemais, the men of that city were much displeased with the conditions of the peace, being angry for fear they should break the covenant. 26 Then Lysias went up to the judgment seat, and set forth the reason, and appeased the people, and returned to Antioch: and thus matters went with regard to the king's coming and his return.

1 But after the space of three years Judas, and they that were with him, understood that Demetrius the son of Seleucus was come up with a great power, and a navy by the haven of Tripolis to places proper for his purpose. 2 And had made himself master of the countries against Antiochus, and his general Lysias. 3 Now one Alcimus, who had been chief priest, but had wilfully defiled himself in the time of mingling with the heathens, seeing that there was no safety for him, nor access to the altar, 4 Came to king Demetrius in the year one hundred and fifty, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and besides these, some boughs which seemed to belong to the temple. And that day indeed he held his peace. 5 But having gotten a convenient time to further his madness, being called to counsel by Demetrius, and asked what the Jews relied upon, and what were their counsels, 6 He answered thereunto: They among the Jews that are called Assideans, of whom Judas Machabeus is captain, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not suffer the realm to be in peace. 7 For I also being deprived of my ancestors' glory (I mean of the high priesthood) am now come hither: 8 Principally indeed out of fidelity to the king's interests, but in the next place also to provide for the good of my countrymen: for all our nation suffereth much from the evil proceedings of those men. 9 Wherefore, O king, seeing thou knowest all these things, take care, I beseech thee, both of the country, and of our nation, according to thy humanity which is known to all men, 10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet. 11 Now when this man had spoken to this effect, the rest also of the king's friends, who were enemies of Judas, incensed Demetrius against him. 12 And forthwith he sent Nicanor, the commander over the elephants, governor into Judea: 13 Giving him in charge, to take Judas himself: and disperse all them that were with him, and to make Alcimus...