14 Three years later, news was brought to Yehudah and his company that Demetrios the son of Seleukos (Seleucus), having sailed into the harbour of Tripolis with a mighty army and a fleet, 2 had taken possession of the country, having made away with Antiokos (Antiochus) and his guardian Lusias.

3 But one Alkimos, who had formerly been high priest, and had wilfully polluted himself in the times when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, considering that there was no deliverance for him in any way, nor any more access to the holy altar, 4 came to King Demetrios in about the one hundred and fifty-first year, presenting to him a crown of gold and a palm, and beside these some of the festal olive boughs of the temple. Because that day, he held his peace; 5 but having gotten opportunity to further his own madness, being called by Demetrios into a meeting of his council, and asked how the Yehudim stood affected and what they intended, he answered:

6 “Those of the Yehudim called Hasidim,[fn] whose leader is Yehudah Makabi (Maccabaeus), keep up war and are seditious, not allowing the kingdom to find tranquillity. 7 Therefore, having laid aside my ancestral glory—I mean the high priesthood—I have now come here,[fn] 8 first for the genuine care I have for the things that concern the king, and secondly because I have regard also to my own fellow citizens. Because through the unadvised dealing of those of whom I spoke before, our whole race is in no small misfortune. 9 Oh king, having informed yourself of these things, take thought both for our country and for our race, which is surrounded by enemies, according to the gracious kindness with which you receive all. 10 Because as long as Yehudah remains alive, it is impossible for the government to find peace. 11 When he had spoken such words as these, at once the[fn] rest of the king’s friends,[fn] having ill will against Yehudah, inflamed Demetrios yet more. 12 He immediately appointed Nikanor, who had been master of the elephants, and made him governor of Yehudah. He sent him out, 13 giving him written instructions to kill Yehudah himself and to scatter those who were with him, and to set up Alkimos as high priest of the great[fn] temple. 14 Those in Yehudah who had[fn] driven Yehudah into exile thronged to Nikanor in flocks, supposing that the misfortunes and calamities of the Yehudim would be successes to themselves.

15 But when the Yehudim heard of Nikanor’s advance and the assault of the heathen, they sprinkled dirt on their heads and made solemn prayers to him who had established his own people for evermore, and who always, making manifest his presence, upholds those who are his own heritage. 16 When[fn] the leader had given orders, he immediately set out from there and joined battle with them at a village called Lessau. 17 But Shim’on (Simon), the brother of Yehudah, had encountered Nikanor, yet not till late, having been delayed by reason of the sudden consternation caused by his adversaries.