53. And he took the sons of the leaders of the region for hostages, and put them in the stronghold in Jerusalem under guard.
54. Now in the second month of the one hundred and fifty-third year, Alcimus instructed that the walls of the inner court of the sanctuary be destroyed, and that the works of the prophets be destroyed. And he began to destroy them.
55. At that time, Alcimus was struck, and his works were hindered, and his mouth was closed shut, and he was weakened with paralysis, so that he was no longer able speak a word, nor to give orders concerning his house.
56. And Alcimus died at that time, in great torment.
57. And Bacchides saw that Alcimus was dead. And he returned to the king. And the land was quiet for two years.
58. And all the iniquitous considered together, saying, "Behold, Jonathan, and those who are with him, live in quietude and confidence. Now, therefore, let us bring forth Bacchides, and he will capture them all, in one night."
59. So they went and gave counsel to him.
60. And he rose up, so as to advance with a great army. And he secretly sent letters to his associates who were in Judea, to seize Jonathan and those who were with him. But they were not able, for their plan became known to them.
61. And he apprehended, from the men of the region, those who were the leaders of this malice, fifty men. And he killed them.
62. And Jonathan, and Simon, and those who were with him, withdrew into Bethbasi, which is in the desert. And he repaired its breaches, and they fortified it.
63. And Bacchides knew about it, and he gathered together all his multitude. And he reported it to those who were from Judea.
64. And he came and made camp above Bethbasi, and he fought against it for many days, and he made machines of war.
65. But Jonathan left behind his brother Simon in the city, and he went out into the country, and he approached with a number of men,
66. and he struck Odomera and his brothers, and the sons of Phasiron, in their tents. And he began to slaughter and to increase in forces.
67. In truth, Simon, and those who were with him, went forth from the city and burned the machines of war,
68. and they fought against Bacchides, and he was crushed by them. And they afflicted him greatly, because his counsel and his meetings were in vain.
69. And he was angry with the men of iniquity who had given him counsel to come into their region, and he killed many of them. But he decided to depart with the remainder into their country.
70. And Jonathan knew of it, and he sent ambassadors to him to arrange a peace with him, and to restore the captives to him.
71. And he accepted it willingly, and he acted according to his words, and he swore that he would do him no evil all the days of his life.