Chapter 13 18 Now when the king had taken a taste of the manliness of the Jews, he went about to take the holds by policy,19 And marched toward Bethsura, which was a strong hold of the Jews: but he was put to flight, failed, and lost of his men:20 For Judas had conveyed unto them that were in it such things as were necessary.21 But Rhodocus, who was in the Jews' host, disclosed the secrets to the enemies; therefore he was sought out, and when they had gotten him, they put him in prison.22 The king treated with them in Bethsum the second time, gave his hand, took their's, departed, fought with Judas, was overcome;23 Heard that Philip, who was left over the affairs in Antioch, was desperately bent, confounded, intreated the Jews, submitted himself, and sware to all equal conditions, agreed with them, and offered sacrifice, honoured the temple, and dealt kindly with the place,24 And accepted well of Maccabeus, made him principal governor from Ptolemais unto the Gerrhenians;25 Came to Ptolemais: the people there were grieved for the covenants; for they stormed, because they would make their covenants void:26 Lysias went up to the judgment seat, said as much as could be in defence of the cause, persuaded, pacified, made them well affected, returned to Antioch. Thus it went touching the king's coming and departing.
Chapter 14 1 After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a great power and navy,2 Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.3 Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor have any more access to the holy altar,4 Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace.5 Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto:6 Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let the rest be in peace.7 Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither:8 First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforersaid.9 Wherefore, O king, seeing 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 shewest unto all.10 For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.