Chapter 7 _{9 And him he sent with that wicked Alcimus, whom he made high priest, and commanded that he should take vengeance of the children of Israel.10 So they departed, and came with a great power into the land of Judea, where they sent messengers to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully.11 But they gave no heed to their words; for they saw that they were come with a great power.12 Then did there assemble unto Alcimus and Bacchides a company of scribes, to require justice.13 Now the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that sought peace of them:14 For said they, One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come with this army, and he will do us no wrong.15 So he spake unto them, peaceably, and sware unto them, saying, we will procure the harm neither of you nor your friends.16 Whereupon they believed him: howbeit he took of them threescore men, and slew them in one day, according to the words which he wrote,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 Wherefore 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, removed Bacchides from Jerusalem, and pitched his tents in Bezeth, where he sent and took many of the men that had forsaken him, and certain of the people also, and when he had slain them, he cast them into the great pit.20 Then committed he the country to Alcimus, and left with him a power to aid him: so Bacchides went to the king.21 But Alcimus contended for the high priesthood.22 And unto him resorted all such as troubled the people, who, after they had gotten the land of Juda into their power, did much hurt in Israel.23 Now when Judas saw all the mischief that Alcimus and his company had done among the Israelites, even above the heathen,24 He went out into all the coasts of Judea round about, and took vengeance of them that had revolted from him, so that they durst no more go forth into the country.25 On the other side, when Alcimus saw that Judas and his company had gotten the upper hand, and knew that he was not able to abide their force, he went again to the king, and said all the worst of them that he could.26 Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his honourable princes, a man that bare deadly hate unto Israel, with commandment to destroy the people.27 So Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force; and sent unto Judas and his brethren deceitfully with friendly words, saying,}