21. Alcimus then began his struggle to establish himself as High Priest.
22. Every troublemaker in the country joined him. They gained control of the land of Judea and caused great difficulties for the Jews.
23. Judas saw that the trouble Alcimus and his men had caused was even worse than the damage done by the Gentiles.
24. So he went round the whole country of Judea, taking revenge on all the men who had willingly joined Alcimus and preventing them from leaving the towns and going into the country.
25. When Alcimus saw that Judas and his men were growing more powerful and when he realized that he would not be able to stand against them, he returned to the king and accused them of great crimes.
26. Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his most honoured officers, who hated the Jews, with orders to exterminate them.
27. Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a big army. He tried to trick Judas and his brothers by sending peace offers. He said,
28. “There need not be any quarrel between you and me. I will come to you with a small escort for a friendly private conversation.”
29. When he came to Judas, they exchanged polite greetings, but Judas' enemies were ready to kidnap him.
30. When Judas learnt that Nicanor's visit was part of a plot against him, he was afraid and decided not to meet him again.
31. Nicanor realized that his plan had been discovered, so he left Jerusalem to meet Judas in battle near Capharsalama.
32. About 500 of Nicanor's men were killed, and the rest of the army escaped to the fort in Jerusalem.
33. Some time later Nicanor went to Mount Zion. Some of the priests left the Temple and, along with some of the leaders of the people, went to welcome him with words of peace and to show him the burnt offering that was being sacrificed on behalf of the king.
34. But he ridiculed them and made them ceremonially unclean by spitting on them. He spoke proudly
35. and angrily threatened them with an oath, “Unless Judas and his army are surrendered to me immediately, I will burn this Temple down as soon as I return after my victory.” And he left in a rage.
36. The priests went into the courtyard and stood facing the altar and the Temple. They started weeping and prayed,
37. “Lord, you chose this Temple to bear your name and to be a place of prayer and intercession for your people.