5 Alcimus, leader of the unfaithful Jews, wanted Demetrius to appoint him high priest. So one day, he and his followers went to Demetrius
6 and brought charges against the other Jews. They said:Judas and his brothers have killed all of your trusted friends and forced us out of our country.
7 Please send an officer you can rely on and let him see the damage they have done to our property and to your kingdom. Then punish them and their followers.
8 Demetrius did as they requested and sent his trusted friend Bacchides to Judea. Bacchides was a powerful and loyal official, who was governor of the region between Egypt and the Euphrates River.
9 But Demetrius also appointed that worthless Alcimus to be high priest and sent him along with instructions to punish the people of Judea.
10 Bacchides and Alcimus led a powerful army to Judea. Then they sent Judas and his brothers some messengers who lied and promised peace.
11 But no one believed them, because Bacchides and Alcimus had brought such a large army.