Open English Translation 2 MAC Chapter 14

14 Three years later, news was brought to Yehudah and his company that Demetrios the son of Seleukos (Seleucus), having sailed into Tripolis harbour 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’d 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’ve 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’s impossible for the government to find peace. 11 When he’d 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’d 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’d established his own people forever, 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 because of the sudden consternation caused by his adversaries.

18 Nevertheless Nikanor, hearing of the valour of those who were with Yehudah, and their courage in fighting for their country, shrank from bringing the matter to the decision of the sword. 19 Therefore he sent Posidonios, Theodotos, and Matityah (Mattathias) to give and receive pledges of friendship. 20 So when those proposals had been long considered, and the leader had made the troops[fn] acquainted with them, and it appeared that they were all of like mind, they consented to the covenants. 21 They appointed a day on which to meet together by themselves. A chariot came forward from each army. They set up seats of honour. 22 Yehudah stationed armed men ready in convenient places, in case the enemy suddenly betrayed them. They held a conference as was appropriate. 23 Nikanor waited in Yerushalem (Jerusalem), and did nothing to cause disturbance, but dismissed the flocks of people that’d gathered together. 24 He kept Yehudah always in his presence. He’d gained a hearty affection for the man. 25 He urged him to marry and have children. He married, settled quietly, and took part in common life.

26 But Alkimos, perceiving the good will that was between them, and[fn] having taken possession of the covenants that’d been made, came to Demetrios and told him that Nikanor was disloyal to the government, for he’d appointed that conspirator against his kingdom, Yehudah, to be his successor. 27 The king, falling into a rage, and being exasperated by the false accusations of that most wicked man, wrote to Nikanor, signifying that he was displeased at the covenants, and commanding him to send Makabi (Maccabaeus) prisoner to Antiokeia in all haste. 28 When that message came to Nikanor, he was confounded, and was very troubled at the thought of annulling the articles that’d been agreed on, the man having done no wrong; 29 but because there was no opposing the king, he watched his time to execute that purpose by strategy. 30 But Makabi, when he perceived that Nikanor was behaving more harshly in his dealings with him, and that he’d become ruler in his customary bearing, understanding that this harshness came not of good, gathered together not a few of his men, and concealed himself from Nikanor.

31 But the other,[fn] when he became aware that he’d been bravely defeated by the strategy of Yehudah,[fn] came to the great[fn] and holy temple, while the priests were offering the usual sacrifices, and commanded them to hand over the man. 32 When they declared with oaths that they had no idea where the man who he was searching for was, 33 he stretched out his right hand towards the sanctuary, and swore this oath: “If you won’t deliver up to me Yehudah as a prisoner, I’ll level this temple[fn] of God even with the ground, break down the altar, and I’ll erect here a temple to Dionusos for all to see.

34 And having said that, he departed. But the priests, stretching forth their hands towards heaven, called on him who always fights for our nation, in these words: 35 “You, Oh master of the universe, who in yourself have need of nothing, were well pleased that a sanctuary of your habitation[fn] should be set among us. 36 So now, Oh holy master of all holiness, keep undefiled forever this house that’s been recently cleansed.”

37 Now information was given to Nikanor against one Razis, an elder of Yerushalem (Jerusalem), who was a lover of his countrymen and a man of very good report, and one called Father of the Yehudim (Jews) for his good will. 38 Because in the former times when there was no mingling with the Gentiles, he’d been accused of following the Yehudim’ religion, and had risked body and life with all earnestness for the religion of the Yehudim. 39 Nikanor, wishing to make evident the ill will that he bore against the Yehudim, sent above five hundred soldiers to seize him; 40 for he thought by seizing him to inflict an injury on them. 41 But when the troops[fn] were at the point of taking the tower, and were forcing the courtyard door, and asked for fire to burn the doors, he, being surrounded on every side, fell onto his sword, 42 choosing rather to die nobly than to fall into the hands of the wicked wretches, and suffer outrage unworthy of his own nobleness. 43 But since he missed his stroke through the excitement of the struggle, and the crowds were now rushing within the door, he ran bravely up to the wall and threw himself down bravely among the crowds. 44 But as they quickly gave back, a space was made, and he fell on the middle of his[fn] side. 45 Still having breath within him, and being inflamed with anger, he rose up, and though his blood gushed out in streams and his wounds were grievous, he ran through the crowds, and standing on a steep rock, 46 when as his blood was now well near spent, he drew forth his bowels through the wound, and taking them in both his hands he shook them at the crowds. Calling on him who’s master of life and spirit to restore him these[fn] again, he died like that.