8:31. Moreover, concerning the evils that Demetrius, the king, hath done against them, we have written to him, saying: Why hast thou made thy yoke heavy upon our friends and allies, the Jews.
8:32. If, therefore, they come again to us complaining of thee, we will do them justice, and will make war against thee by sea and land.
1 Machabees Chapter 9
Bacchides is sent again into Judea: Judas fights against him with eight hundred men and is slain. Jonathan succeeds him and revenges the murder of his brother John. He fights against Bacchides. Alcimus dies miserably. Bacchides besieges Bethbessen. He is forced to raise the siege and leave the country.
9:1. In the mean time, when Demetrius heard that Nicanor and his army were fallen in battle, he sent again Bacchides and Alcimus into Judea; and the right wing of his army with them.
9:2. And they took the road that leadeth to Galgal, and they camped in Masaloth, which is in Arabella: and they made themselves masters of it, and slew many people.
9:3. In the first month of the hundred and fifty-second year they brought the army to Jerusalem:
9:4. And they arose and went to Berea, with twenty thousand men, and two thousand horsemen.
9:5. Now Judas had pitched his tents in Laisa, and three thousand chosen men with him:
9:6. And they saw the multitude of the army that they were many, and they were seized with great fear: and many withdrew themselves out of the camp, and there remained of them no more than eight hundred men.