52. He fortified the city of Beth-zur, Gazara and the citadel, and put troops in them and stores of provisions.
53. He took as hostages the sons of the leading people of the country and put them in custody in the citadel at Jerusalem.
54. In the one hundred and fifty-third year, in the second month, Alcimus ordered the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary to be torn down, thus destroying the work of the prophets. But he only began to tear it down.
55. Just at that time Alcimus was stricken, and his work was interrupted; his mouth was closed and he was paralyzed, so that he could no longer utter a word or give orders concerning his household.
56. Alcimus died in great agony at that time.
57. Seeing that Alcimus was dead, Bacchides returned to the king, and the land of Judah was at rest for two years.
58. Then all the lawless took counsel and said: “Jonathan and those with him are living in peace and security. Now then, let us have Bacchides return, and he will capture all of them in a single night.”
59. So they went and took counsel with him.
60. When Bacchides was setting out with a large force, he sent letters secretly to all his allies in Judea, telling them to seize Jonathan and his companions. They were not able to do this, however, because their plan became known.
61. In fact, Jonathan’s men seized about fifty of the men of the country who were leaders in the conspiracy and put them to death.
62. Then Jonathan and those with him, along with Simon, withdrew to Bethbasi in the wilderness; he rebuilt its ruins and fortified it.
63. When Bacchides learned of this, he gathered together his whole force and sent word to those who were in Judea.