12. This proposal appealed to many people,
13. and some of them became so enthusiastic about it that they went to the king and received from him permission to follow Gentile customs.
14. They built in Jerusalem a stadium like those in the Greek cities.
15. They had an operation performed to hide their circumcision, abandoned the holy covenant, started associating with Gentiles, and did all sorts of other evil things.
16. When Antiochus had firmly established himself as king, he decided to conquer Egypt and rule that country as well as Syria.
17. He invaded Egypt with a large fleet of ships and a powerful army, including chariots, elephants, and cavalry.