Chapter 6 _{12 But now I remember the evils that I did at Jerusalem, and that I took all the vessels of gold and silver that were therein, and sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judea without a cause.13 I perceive therefore that for this cause these troubles are come upon me, and, behold, I perish through great grief in a strange land.14 Then called he for Philip, one of his friends, who he made ruler over all his realm,15 And gave him the crown, and his robe, and his signet, to the end he should bring up his son Antiochus, and nourish him up for the kingdom.16 So king Antiochus died there in the hundred forty and ninth year.17 Now when Lysias knew that the king was dead, he set up Antiochus his son, whom he had brought up being young, to reign in his stead, and his name he called Eupator.18 About this time they that were in the tower shut up the Israelites round about the sanctuary, and sought always their hurt, and the strengthening of the heathen.19 Wherefore Judas, purposing to destroy them, called all the people together to besiege them.20 So they came together, and besieged them in the hundred and fiftieth year, and he made mounts for shot against them, and other engines.21 Howbeit certain of them that were besieged got forth, unto whom some ungodly men of Israel joined themselves:22 And they went unto the king, and said, How long will it be ere thou execute judgment, and avenge our brethren?23 We have been willing to serve thy father, and to do as he would have us, and to obey his commandments;24 For which cause they of our nation besiege the tower, and are alienated from us: moreover as many of us as they could light on they slew, and spoiled our inheritance.25 Neither have they stretched out their hand against us only, but also against their borders.26 And, behold, this day are they besieging the tower at Jerusalem, to take it: the sanctuary also and Bethsura have they fortified.27 Wherefore if thou dost not prevent them quickly, they will do the greater things than these, neither shalt thou be able to rule them.28 Now when the king heard this, he was angry, and gathered together all his friends, and the captains of his army, and those that had charge of the horse.29 There came also unto him from other kingdoms, and from isles of the sea, bands of hired soldiers.30 So that the number of his army was an hundred thousand footmen, and twenty thousand horsemen, and two and thirty elephants exercised in battle.}