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Apocrypha. 16. And at last they filled the camp with fear and tumult, and departed with good success.

17 This was done in the break of the day, because the protection of the Lord did help him.

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 ne cessary.

21 But Rhodocus, who was in the Jews' host, disclosed the secrets to the enemies j therefore he was sought out, and when they had gotten him, they put him in prison.

22 The king treated with them in Beth sura the second time, gave his hand, took their's, departed, fought with Judas, was overcome j

23 Heard that Philip, who was left over U 0lj» the affairs in Antioch, || was desperately rtbc ' ' bent, confounded, intreated the Jews, sub mitted himself, and sware to all equal con ditions, 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 Ptole- mais 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 feat, said as much as could be in defence of the cause, persuaded, pacified, made them well affected, returned to Antioch. Thusitwent touching the king's coming and departing.

FTER three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son of Seleucus, " having entered by the haven of Tri- polis with a great power and navy,

2 Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his protector.

3 Nowbone Alcimus, who had been hig^h priest, and had defiled himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the Gen tiles, 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 hun dred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also of the boughs which were j| used so lemnly in the temple : and so that day h& 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 Thole of the Jews that be called Assi- deans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus^ nourish war, and are seditious, and will not let the realm be in peace.

7 Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean the high priest hood, 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 na tion is in no small misery through the un advised dealing of them aforesaid.

9 Wherefore, O king, seeing thou know- est all these things, be careful for the coun try, 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.

11 This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's friends, being ma liciously set against Judas, did more incense Demetrius.

12 And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the elephants, and making him governor over Judea, c he sent him forth,

13 Commanding him to flay Judas, and to scatter them that were with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple.

14 Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities of the Jews to be their welfare.

15 Now when the Jews heard of Nica- nor's coming, and that the heathen || were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, and made supplication to him that had establislied his people for ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of his presence.

II Or, thought to he cf the temptt. c1Mac.7. 16. II Or, totre join ed to ih,m.