2 Maccabees 14:3–10

³Now one ^jAlcimus, ^kwho had been high priest, and had defiled himself wilfully ^kkin 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, ^4klcame to king Demetrius in the hundred and one and fiftieth year, presenting unto him ^ma crown of gold, and ^ma palm, and also of the boughs which were ⁿused solemnly in the temple: and so that day he held his peace. ⁵Howbeit, having gotten opportunity to further his foolish enterprise, and being called into counsel by Demetrius, and asked how the Jews stood affected, and what they intended, he answered thereunto: ⁶Those of the Jews that be called ^oAsideans, whose captain is Judas Maccabeus, ^pnourish war, and are seditious, and will not let the realm be in peace. ⁷Therefore I, being deprived of ^qmine ancestors’ honour, I mean the high priesthood, am now come hither: ⁸first 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 aforesaid. ⁹Wherefore, O king, seeing thou 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. ¹⁰For as long as Judas liveth, it is not possible that the state should be quiet.