2Mac 14:1 

After three years was Judas informed, that Demetrius the son 

of Seleucus, having entered by the haven of Tripolis with a 

great power and navy, 

2Mac 14:2 

Had taken the country, and killed Antiochus, and Lysias his 

protector. 

2Mac 14:3 

Now one Alcimus, who had been high priest, and had defiled 

himself wilfully in the times of their mingling with the 

Gentiles, seeing that by no means he could save himself, nor 

have any more access to the holy altar, 

2Mac 14:4 

Came to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth 

year, presenting unto him a crown of gold, and a palm, and also 

of the boughs which were used solemnly in the temple: and so 

that day he held his peace. 

2Mac 14:5 

Howbeit having gotten opportunity to further his foolish 

enterprize, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and 

asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he 

answered thereunto: 

2Mac 14:6 

Those of the Jews that he called Assideans, whose captain is 

Judas Maccabeus, nourish war and are seditious, and will not let 

the rest be in peace. 

2Mac 14:7 

Therefore I, being deprived of mine ancestors' honour, I mean 

the high priesthood, am now come hither: 

2Mac 14:8 

First, verily for the unfeigned care I have of things 

pertaining to the king; and secondly, even for that I intend the 

good of mine own countrymen: for all our nation is in no small 

misery through the unadvised dealing of them aforersaid. 

2Mac 14:9 

Wherefore, O king, seeing knowest all these things, be 

careful for the country, and our nation, which is pressed on 

every side, according to the clemency that thou readily shewest 

unto all. 

2Mac 14:10 

For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the 

state should be quiet. 

2Mac 14:11 

This was no sooner spoken of him, but others of the king's 

friends, being maliciously set against Judas, did more incense 

Demetrius. 

2Mac 14:12 

And forthwith calling Nicanor, who had been master of the 

elephants, and making him governor over Judea, he sent him 

forth, 

2Mac 14:13 

Commanding him to slay Judas, and to scatter them that were 

with him, and to make Alcimus high priest of the great temple. 

2Mac 14:14 

Then the heathen, that had fled out of Judea from Judas, came 

to Nicanor by flocks, thinking the harm and calamities ot the 

Jews to be their welfare. 

2Mac 14:15 

Now when the Jews heard of Nicanor's coming, and that the 

heathen were up against them, they cast earth upon their heads, 

and made supplication to him that had established his people for 

ever, and who always helpeth his portion with manifestation of 

his presence. 

2Mac 14:16 

So at the commandment of the captain they removed 

straightways from thence, and came near unto them at the town of 

Dessau. 

2Mac 14:17 

Now Simon, Judas' brother, had joined battle with Nicanor, 

but was somewhat discomfited through the sudden silence of his 

enemies. 

2Mac 14:18 

Nevertheless Nicanor, hearing of the manliness of them that 

were with Judas, and the courageousness that they had to fight 

for their country, durst not try the matter by the sword. 

2Mac 14:19 

Wherefore he sent Posidonius, and Theodotus, and Mattathias, 

to make peace. 

2Mac 14:20 

So when they had taken long advisement thereupon, and the 

captain had made the multitude acquainted therewith, and it 

appeared that they were all of one mind, they consented to the 

covenants, 

2Mac 14:21 

And appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and 

when the day came, and stools were set for either of them, 

2Mac 14:22 

Ludas placed armed men ready in convenient places, lest some 

treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they 

made a peaceable conference. 

2Mac 14:23 

Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no hurt, but sent 

away the people that came flocking unto him. 

2Mac 14:24 

And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for 

he love the man from his heart 

2Mac 14:25 

He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so 

he married, was quiet, and took part of this life. 

2Mac 14:26 

But Alcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and 

considering the covenants that were made, came to Demetrius, and 

told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state; 

for that he had ordained Judas, a traitor to his realm, to be 

the king's successor. 

2Mac 14:27 

Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the 

accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying 

that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding 

him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto 

Antioch. 

2Mac 14:28 

When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded 

in himself, and took it grievously that he should make void the 

articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault. 

2Mac 14:29 

But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched 

his time to accomplish this thing by policy. 

2Mac 14:30 

Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be 

churlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than 

he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of 

good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew 

himself from Nicanor. 

2Mac 14:31 

But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by 

Judas' policy, came into the great and holy temple, and 

commanded the priests, that were offering their usual 

sacrifices, to deliver him the man. 

2Mac 14:32 

And when they sware that they could not tell where the man 

was whom he sought, 

2Mac 14:33 

He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made 

an oath in this manner: If ye will not deliver me Judas as a 

prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, 

and I will break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto 

Bacchus. 

2Mac 14:34 

After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up 

their hands toward heaven, and besought him that was ever a 

defender of their nation, saying in this manner; 

2Mac 14:35 

Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast 

pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us: 

2Mac 14:36 

Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house 

ever undefiled, which lately was cleansed, and stop every 

unrighteous mouth. 

2Mac 14:37 

Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the 

elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his countrymen, and a man of 

very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of 

the Jews. 

2Mac 14:38 

For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves 

with the Gentiles, he had been accused of Judaism, and did 

boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the 

religion of the Jews. 

2Mac 14:39 

So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the 

Jews, sent above five hundred men of war to take him: 

2Mac 14:40 

For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt. 

2Mac 14:41 

Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and 

violently broken into the outer door, and bade that fire should 

be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side 

fell upon his sword; 

2Mac 14:42 

Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands 

of the wicked, to be abused otherwise than beseemed his noble 

birth: 

2Mac 14:43 

But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also 

rushing within the doors, he ran boldly up to the wall, and cast 

himself down manfully among the thickest of them. 

2Mac 14:44 

But they quickly giving back, and a space being made, he fell 

down into the midst of the void place. 

2Mac 14:45 

Nevertheless, while there was yet breath within him, being 

inflamed with anger, he rose up; and though his blood gushed out 

like spouts of water, and his wounds were grievous, yet he ran 

through the midst of the throng; and standing upon a steep rock, 

2Mac 14:46 

When as his blood was now quite gone, he plucked out his 

bowels, and taking them in both his hands, he cast them upon the 

throng, and calling upon the Lord of life and spirit to restore 

him those again, he thus died.