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52
He fortified also the city Bethsura, and Gazera, and the tower, and put forces in them, and
provision of victuals.
53
Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower
at Jerusalem to be kept.
54
Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Alcimus commanded that
the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works
of the prophets
55
And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Alcimus plagued, and his enterprizes
hindered: for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak
any thing, nor give order concerning his house.
56
So Alcimus died at that time with great torment.
57
Now when Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the
land of Judea was in rest two years.
58
Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, Behold, Jonathan and his company are at
ease, and dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bacchides hither, who shall take them
all in one night.
59
So they went and consulted with him.
60
Then removed he, and came with a great host, and sent letters privily to his adherents in Judea,
that they should take Jonathan and those that were with him: howbeit they could not, because their
counsel was known unto them.
61
Wherefore they took of the men of the country, that were authors of that mischief, about fifty
persons, and slew them.
62
Afterward Jonathan, and Simon, and they that were with him, got them away to Bethbasi,
which is in the wilderness, and they repaired the decays thereof, and made it strong.
63
Which thing when Bacchides knew, he gathered together all his host, and sent word to them
that were of Judea.
64
Then went he and laid siege against Bethbasi; and they fought against it a long season and
made engines of war.
65
But Jonathan left his brother Simon in the city, and went forth himself into the country, and
with a certain number went he forth.
66
And he smote Odonarkes and his brethren, and the children of Phasiron in their tent.
67
And when he began to smite them, and came up with his forces, Simon and his company went
out of the city, and burned up the engines of war,
68
And fought against Bacchides, who was discomfited by them, and they afflicted him sore:
for his counsel and travail was in vain.
69
Wherefore he was very wroth at the wicked men that gave him counsel to come into the
country, inasmuch as he slew many of them, and purposed to return into his own country.
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KJV Bible