53 Besides, he took the chief men's sons in the country for hostages, and put them into the tower at Jerusalem to be kept.
54 Moreover in the hundred fifty and third year, in the second month, Al´cimus commanded that the wall of the inner court of the sanctuary should be pulled down; he pulled down also the works of the prophets.
55 And as he began to pull down, even at that time was Al´cimus plagued, and his enterprises hindered: for his mouth was stopped, and he was taken with a palsy, so that he could no more speak any thing, nor give order concerning his house.
56 So Al´cimus died at that time with great torment.
57 Now when Bac´chi-des saw that Al´cimus was dead, he returned to the king: whereupon the land of Judea was in rest two years.
58 Then all the ungodly men held a council, saying, Behold, Jonathan and his company are at ease, and dwell without care: now therefore we will bring Bac´chi-des hither, who shall take them all in one night.
59 So they went and consulted with him.