2 Maccabees 14

1But after three years, word came to those around Judas that Demetrius son of Seleucus had sailed into the harbor at Tripolis with a strong force and a fleet,

2having gained control of the country, after overthrowing Antiochus and his guardian Lysias.

3But a certain Alcimus, who had formerly become high priest and had willingly defiled himself in the times of separation, realized that in no way was there safety for him, nor any longer access to the holy altar,

4he came to King Demetrius in the one hundred fifty-first year, bringing him a gold crown and a palm branch, and besides these the customary offerings from the temple foliage; and on that day he kept quiet.

5That day was quiet. But when he found an opportunity suitable for his own folly, and had been summoned by Demetrius to the council and asked in what disposition and purpose the Jews stood,

6In reply he said, “Those among the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose leader is Judas Maccabaeus, keep feeding war and stirring up rebellion, not allowing

7to obtain stability for the kingdom. Therefore, having taken away the ancestral

8I have now come a second time concerning the high priesthood: first, because I sincerely have in mind the interests of the king, and second, because I am also considering those of my own fellow citizens; for by the folly of the men mentioned before

9Since you know each of these things, O king, take thought for the country and for our nation that is being hard pressed, according to the gracious goodwill you have toward all.

10For as long as Judas remains, it is impossible for affairs to attain peace.

11When this man had said such things, the rest of the Friends, being quickly ill-disposed toward Judas, further incited Demetrius.

12And he immediately selected Nikanor, who had become commander of the elephants, and appointed him general over Judea, and sent him out.

13to Judah with letters: that he should capture Judas himself, scatter those with him, and appoint Alcimus as high priest of the greatest temple.

14But those in Judea who had driven Judas out kept flocking in droves to Nicanor from among the nations, thinking that the misfortunes and disasters of the Jews would become their own prosperity.

15But when they heard of Nikanor’s advance and the attack of the Gentiles, they sprinkled dust upon themselves and implored the one who had established his people forever, and who always comes to the aid of his own portion with manifestation.

16But when the commander gave the order, he broke camp from there at once and joined battle with them near the village of Lessaou.

17But Simon, the brother of Judas, had come to terms with Nicanor, though reluctantly, having stumbled because of the sudden speechlessness of his opponents.

18Yet when Nicanor heard of the valor that those around Judas had, and of their courage in the struggles for their fatherland, he was reluctant to settle the matter by bloodshed.

19Therefore he sent Posidonius and Theodotus and Mattathias to give and receive pledges.

20But after fuller consideration of these matters, and when the leader had communicated it to the crowds, and unanimous agreement had become evident, they assented to the terms.

21So they set a day on which they would come together privately; and from each side a sedan chair was brought forward, and seats were set out.

22Judas stationed armed men, ready in strategic places, lest some treachery from the enemies should suddenly arise; and they held the fitting conference.

23Nicanor stayed on in Jerusalem and did nothing out of place; and he dismissed the gathered crowds.

24And he kept Judas continually before him; he was inwardly drawn to the man.

25He urged him to marry and have children; he married, settled down, and shared in common life.

26But Alcimus, perceiving the goodwill toward one another and learning of the agreements that had been made, came to Demetrius and said that Nicanor was favoring interests contrary to the state; for he had appointed Judas, the plotter against his kingdom, as successor.

27But the king became enraged, and, provoked by the slanders of that utterly wicked man, wrote to Nikanor, saying that he took the treaty very badly and ordering him to send Maccabeus to Antioch as a prisoner at once.

28But when these men fell before Nikanor, he was thrown into confusion and took it badly that he should set aside the agreed terms, though the man had done no wrong.

29But since it was not possible to oppose the king, he kept watching for an opportunity to accomplish it by a stratagem.

30But Maccabaeus, perceiving from Nicanor’s actions toward him that he had assumed a harsher than usual manner, and understanding that this severity did not come from the better course, gathered not a few of his men and kept himself hidden from Nicanor.

31But when the other man realized that he had been outmaneuvered by the man’s boldness, he came to the greatest and holy temple, while the priests were offering the customary sacrifices, and ordered them to hand over the man.

32But when they swore that they did not know where the man being sought was,

33Stretching out his right hand toward the temple, he swore this: “If you do not hand Judas over to me as a prisoner, I will make this sanctuary of God a plain, tear down the altar, and raise up here a splendid temple to Dionysus.”

34After saying these things, he went away. But the priests, stretching out their hands toward heaven, were calling on the one who is always the champion of our nation, saying these things:

35You, O Lord, though needing nothing from anyone, were pleased for a temple of your dwelling to come into being among us.

36And now, O Lord, holy in every holiness, keep this house, recently purified, undefiled forever.

37A certain Razis, one of the elders from Jerusalem, was reported to Nicanor—a man devoted to his city and very highly regarded, and because of his goodwill called the father of the Jews.

38For in earlier times, when separation was being judged, he had come under accusation for Judaism, and had risked both body and soul for Judaism with all earnestness.

39But Nikanor, wanting to make plain the hostility he had toward the Jews, sent more than five hundred soldiers to arrest him.

40For he thought that by arresting him he would bring disaster on these people.

41But when the crowds were about to seize the tower, and were forcing the courtyard gate, and were ordering that fire be brought and the doors set on fire, he, completely surrounded, put the sword to himself;

42wanting to die nobly rather than to fall into the hands of those criminals and be outrageously treated in a way unworthy of his own nobility.

43But since he had not succeeded in the blow because of the urgency of the struggle, and the crowds were rushing in within the gates, he ran up bravely onto the wall and hurled himself manfully down into the crowds.

44But when they quickly drew back, and a space opened up, he came into the middle of the courtyard.

45Yet still breathing and burning with rage, he rose up, though his blood was pouring out in streams and his wounds were severe, and running through the crowds, he stood upon a steep rock,

46Already becoming completely drained of blood, he pulled out his entrails and, taking them in both hands, hurled them at the crowds; and calling on the Master of life and spirit to give these back to him again, in this way he died.