Alchemists and Bikites

Nichenor sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with peaceable but treacherous words. But they paid no attention to their words, for they saw that they had come with a large force. Then Bikites departed from Jerusalem and encamped in Betzayth. And he seized many of the men who had deserted to him and some of the people and killed them. He placed Alchemists in charge of the country and left with him a force to help him. After these events, Nichenor went up to Mount Zion,. Some of the priests came out of the sanctuary and greeted him peaceably. But he mocked them and spoke arrogantly: "I will burn this