22. And all those who disturbed the people assembled before him, and they obtained the land of Judah, and they caused a great scourging in Israel.
23. And Judas saw all the evils that Alcimus, and those who were with him, did to the sons of Israel, even more than the Gentiles did.
24. And he went out into all the parts surrounding Judea, and he took vengeance on the men who had rebelled, and they ceased to go forth into the region any longer.
25. But Alcimus saw that Judas, and those who were with him, prevailed. And he knew that he was not able to withstand them. And so he returned to the king, and he accused them of many crimes.
26. And the king sent Nicanor, one of his principal noblemen, who was a cultivator of hostility against Israel. And he commanded him to overthrow the people.
27. And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great army, and he sent to Judas and his brothers words of peace, with deceitfulness,
28. saying: "Let there be no fighting between me and you. I will come with a few men, to see your faces with peace."
29. And he came to Judas, and they greeted one another in turns, peaceably. And the enemies were prepared to abduct Judas.
30. And the plan became known to Judas, that he came to him with deceit. And so he became very afraid of him, and he was no longer willing to see his face.
31. And Nicanor knew that his plan had been exposed, and he went out to meet Judas in battle near Capharsalama.
32. And there fell of the army of Nicanor nearly five thousand men, and they fled into the city of David.
33. And after these events, Nicanor ascended to mount Zion. And some of the priests of the people went out to greet him in peace, and to show him the holocausts that were offered for the king.
34. But he mocked and despised them, and he defiled them. And he spoke arrogantly,
35. and he swore with anger, saying, "Unless Judas and his army have been delivered into my hands, when I return in peace, I will burn this house." And he went out with great anger.
36. And the priests went in and stood before the face of the altar and the temple. And weeping, they said:
37. "You, O Lord, have chosen this house so that your name may be invoked in it, so that it may be a house of prayer and supplication for your people.