2 Maccabees 14:21–36

²¹So they appointed a day upon which they might come together by themselves: and seats were brought out, and set for each one.

²²But Judas ordered armed men to be ready in convenient places, lest some mischief might be suddenly practised by the enemies: so they made an agreeable conference.

²³And Nicanor abode in Jerusalem, and did no wrong, but sent away the flocks of the multitudes that had been gathered together.

²⁴And Judas was always dear to him from the heart, and he was well affected to the man.

²⁵And he desired him to marry a wife, and to have children. So he married: he lived quietly, and they lived in common.

²⁶But Alcimus seeing the love they had one to another, and the covenants, came to Demetrius, and told him that Nicanor had assented to the foreign interest, for that he meant to make Judas, who was a traitor to the kingdom, his successor.

²⁷Then the king, being in a rage, and provoked with this man’s wicked accusation, wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was greatly displeased with the covenant of friendship: and that he commanded him nevertheless to send Machabeus prisoner in all haste to Antioch.

²⁸When this was known, Nicanor was in a consternation, and took it grievously that he should make void the articles that were agreed upon, having received no injury from the man.

²⁹But because he could not oppose the king, he watched an opportunity to comply with the orders

³⁰But when Machabeus perceived that Nicanor was more stern to him, and that when they met together as usual he behaved himself in a rough manner; and was sensible that this rough behaviour came not of good, he gathered together a few of his men, and hid himself from Nicanor.

³¹But he finding himself notably prevented by the man, came to the great and holy temple: and commanded the priests that were offering the accustomed sacrifices, to deliver him the man.

³²And when they swore unto him, that they knew not where the man was whom he sought, he stretched out his hand to the temple,

³³And swore, saying: Unless you deliver Judas prisoner to me, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and will beat down the altar, and I will dedicate this temple to Bacchus.

³⁴And when he had spoken thus, he departed. But the priests stretching forth their hands to heaven, called upon him that was ever the defender of their nation, saying in this manner:

³⁵Thou, O Lord of all things, who wantest nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thy habitation should be amongst us.

³⁶Therefore now, O Lord, the holy of all holies, keep this house for ever undefiled, which was lately cleansed.