2 Maccabees 14:21–36

^21aand appointed a day to meet in together by themselves: and when the day came, and stools were set for either of them, ²²Judas placed armed men ready in ^aaconvenient places, lest some treachery should be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made a peaceable conference.

²³Now Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and ^bdid no hurt, but sent away the people that came flocking unto him. ²⁴And he would not willingly have Judas out of his sight: for he loved the man ^cfrom his heart ²⁵He prayed him also to take a wife, and to beget children: so he married, ^ccwas quiet, and took part of this life. ²⁶But ^eAlcimus, perceiving the love that was betwixt them, and considering ^fthe covenants that were made, came to ^gDemetrius, and told him that Nicanor was not well affected toward the state; for that he had ^hordained Judas, ⁱa traitor to his realm, to be the king’s successor. ²⁷Then the king ^kbeing in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with ^fthe covenants, and commanding him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto ^lAntioch. ²⁸When this came to Nicanor’s hearing, he was much ^mconfounded in himself, and took it grievously that he should ⁿmake void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault. ²⁹But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this thing by policy. ³⁰Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be ^ochurlish unto him, and that he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such ^osour behaviour came not of good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor. ³¹But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas’ policy, ^pcame into ^qthe great and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver him the man. ³²And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought, ^33rhe stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If you 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 ^sBacchus. ³⁴After these words he departed. Then the priests lift up their hands towards heaven, and besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner; ³⁵Thou, O Lord of all things, ^twho hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine habitation should be among us: ³⁶therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, ^uwhich lately was cleansed, and ^vstop every unrighteous mouth.