1. And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece,

2. And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth,

3. And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up.

4. And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him.

5. And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die.

6. Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive.

7. So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died.

8. And his servants bare rule every one in his place.

9. And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth.

10. And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.

11. In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.

12. So this device pleased them well.

13. Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen:

14. Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen:

15. And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief.

16. Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms.

17. Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy,

18. And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death.

19. Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof.

20. And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,

21. And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,

22. And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off.

23. He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.

24. And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.

25. Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were;

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