2 Maccabees 14:5-7

Revised Standard Version

⁵ But he found an opportunity that furthered his mad purpose when he was invited by Deme′trius to a meeting of the council and was asked about the disposition and intentions of the Jews. He answered:

⁶ “Those of the Jews who are called Hasideans, whose leader is Judas Maccabe′us, are keeping up war and stirring up sedition, and will not let the kingdom attain tranquillity. ⁷ Therefore I have laid aside my ancestral glory—I mean the high priesthood—and have now come here,