2 and had taken hold of the regions opposite Antiochus, and his commander, Lysias.
3 Now a certain Alcimus, who had been high priest, but who had willfully defiled himself in the time of the co-mingling, considering there to be no means for his safety, nor access to the altar,
4 went to king Demetrius in the one hundred and fiftieth year, offering to him a crown of gold, and a palm, and beyond these, some branches that seemed to belong to the temple. And, indeed, on that day, he was silent.
5 But, having met with an opportune time for his madness, he was called to a counsel by Demetrius and asked what things the Jews relied upon and what were their counsels.
6 He responded: "Those among the Jews who are called Hasideans, of whom Judas Maccabeus is foremost, nourish wars, and raise seditions, and will not permit the kingdom to be at peace.
7 For I also, being cheated out of the glory of my ancestors (but I speak of the high priesthood), have come here,
8 first, indeed, in faithful service to the king's interests, but also as an advisor of the citizens. For our entire nation is no less afflicted by their depravity.