52. The defenders countered by setting up siege engines of their own, and kept up the fight a long time.
53. But there were no provisions in the storerooms, because it was the seventh year, and the reserves had been eaten up by those who had been rescued from the Gentiles and brought to Judea.
54. Few men remained in the sanctuary because the famine was too much for them; the rest scattered, each to his own home.
55. Lysias heard that Philip, whom King Antiochus, before his death, had appointed to train his son Antiochus to be king,
56. had returned from Persia and Media with the army that accompanied the king, and that he was seeking to take over the government.
57. So he hastily decided to withdraw. He said to the king, the leaders of the army, and the soldiers: “We are growing weaker every day, our provisions are scanty, the place we are besieging is strong, and it is our duty to take care of the affairs of the kingdom.
58. Therefore let us now come to terms with these people and make peace with them and all their nation.
59. Let us grant them freedom to live according to their own laws as formerly; it was on account of their laws, which we abolished, that they became enraged and did all these things.”
60. The proposal pleased the king and the leaders; he sent peace terms to the Jews, and they accepted.