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27
Then the king being in a rage, and provoked with the accusations of the most wicked man,
wrote to Nicanor, signifying that he was much displeased with the covenants, and commanding
him that he should send Maccabeus prisoner in all haste unto Antioch.
28
When this came to Nicanor's hearing, he was much confounded in himself, and took it
grievously that he should make void the articles which were agreed upon, the man being in no fault.
29
But because there was no dealing against the king, he watched his time to accomplish this
thing by policy.
30
Notwithstanding, when Maccabeus saw that Nicanor began to be churlish unto him, and that
he entreated him more roughly than he was wont, perceiving that such sour behaviour came not of
good, he gathered together not a few of his men, and withdrew himself from Nicanor.
31
But the other, knowing that he was notably prevented by Judas' policy, came into the great
and holy temple, and commanded the priests, that were offering their usual sacrifices, to deliver
him the man.
32
And when they sware that they could not tell where the man was whom he sought,
33
He stretched out his right hand toward the temple, and made an oath in this manner: If ye will
not deliver me Judas as a prisoner, I will lay this temple of God even with the ground, and I will
break down the altar, and erect a notable temple unto Bacchus.
34
After these words he departed. Then the priests lifted up their hands toward heaven, and
besought him that was ever a defender of their nation, saying in this manner;
35
Thou, O Lord of all things, who hast need of nothing, wast pleased that the temple of thine
habitation should be among us:
36
Therefore now, O holy Lord of all holiness, keep this house ever undefiled, which lately was
cleansed, and stop every unrighteous mouth.
37
Now was there accused unto Nicanor one Razis, one of the elders of Jerusalem, a lover of his
countrymen, and a man of very good report, who for his kindness was called a father of the Jews.
38
For in the former times, when they mingled not themselves with the Gentiles, he had been
accused of Judaism, and did boldly jeopard his body and life with all vehemency for the religion
of the Jews.
39
So Nicanor, willing to declare the hate that he bare unto the Jews, sent above five hundred
men of war to take him:
40
For he thought by taking him to do the Jews much hurt.
41
Now when the multitude would have taken the tower, and violently broken into the outer
door, and bade that fire should be brought to burn it, he being ready to be taken on every side fell
upon his sword;
42
Choosing rather to die manfully, than to come into the hands of the wicked, to be abused
otherwise than beseemed his noble birth:
43
But missing his stroke through haste, the multitude also rushing within the doors, he ran boldly
up to the wall, and cast himself down manfully among the thickest of them.
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KJV Bible