23 We gladly obeyed your father's laws, and we liked working for him.
24 That's why those Jews hate us and are attacking the fortress.King Antiochus, they have captured and killed some of our people. They've stolen our property
25 and attacked all the countries near Judea as well.
26 Their temple and the town of Beth-Zur are powerful fortresses, and right now those Jews are attacking the fortress in Jerusalem.
27 Do something fast! Soon there will be no way to stop them.
28 When Antiochus heard this, he became furious. So he, together with his trusted friends and army officers, decided on a plan of attack.
29 He hired soldiers from other kingdoms and from the Greek islands,