18 Those in the citadel were hemming Israel in around the sanctuary, continually trying to harm them and to strengthen the Gentiles.
19 And so Judas planned to destroy them, and assembled the people to besiege them.
20 So in the one hundred and fiftieth year they assembled and besieged the citadel, for which purpose he constructed platforms and siege engines.
21 But some of the besieged escaped, and some renegade Israelites joined them.
22 They went to the king and said: “How long will you fail to do justice and to avenge our kindred?
23 We agreed to serve your father and to follow his orders and obey his edicts.
24 And for this our own people have become our enemies; they have put to death as many of us as they could find and have seized our inheritances.