2. He fought many battles, captured fortified cities, and put the kings of the region to death.
3. As he advanced to the ends of the earth, he plundered many nations; and when he had conquered the world, he became proud and arrogant.
4. By building up a strong army, he dominated whole nations and their rulers, and forced everyone to pay him taxes.
5-7. When Alexander had been emperor for twelve years, he fell ill and realized that he was about to die. He called together his generals, noblemen who had been brought up with him since his early childhood, and divided his empire, giving a part to each of them.
8. After his death, the generals took control,
9. and each had himself crowned king of his own territory. The descendants of these kings ruled for many generations and brought a great deal of misery on the world.
41-43. Antiochus now issued a decree that all nations in his empire should abandon their own customs and become one people. All the Gentiles and even many of the Israelites submitted to this decree. They adopted the official pagan religion, offered sacrifices to idols, and no longer observed the Sabbath.