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.
61. So the king and the leaders swore an oath to them, and on these terms the Jews evacuated the fortification.
62. But when the king entered Mount Zion and saw how the place was fortified, he broke the oath he had sworn and gave orders to tear down the encircling wall.
63. Then he departed in haste and returned to Antioch, where he found Philip in control of the city. He fought against him and took the city by force.