23. Judas saw that the trouble Alcimus and his men had caused was even worse than the damage done by the Gentiles.
24. So he went round the whole country of Judea, taking revenge on all the men who had willingly joined Alcimus and preventing them from leaving the towns and going into the country.
25. When Alcimus saw that Judas and his men were growing more powerful and when he realized that he would not be able to stand against them, he returned to the king and accused them of great crimes.
26. Then the king sent Nicanor, one of his most honoured officers, who hated the Jews, with orders to exterminate them.
27. Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a big army. He tried to trick Judas and his brothers by sending peace offers. He said,
28. “There need not be any quarrel between you and me. I will come to you with a small escort for a friendly private conversation.”
29. When he came to Judas, they exchanged polite greetings, but Judas' enemies were ready to kidnap him.